Elliptical trainer

O

OnlyDave

0
Hey everyone,

First logical step would be to describe myself, i'm 18 years old and currently an ICT student in the UK (well, i say that when i suppose the truth is ive finished my course and am going to university in september). Im amost 6 foot tall and I currently weigh around 185lbs. I suppose it isn't too bad but then again, its not really that good. I used to weigh quite a bit more then that a while ago, light dieting over a long period of time managed me to eliminate 10lbs.

However, now my college commitments are non existant and ive got a few months until uni, i would really want to start doing some exercises and loose more weight.
Recently my parents have bought an elliptical trainer (wonderfull thing) which i actually enjoy going on. I have received different reccomendations about working on it, either have longer sessions with a lower heart rate, or shorter session (25-30mins) with a high heart rate (160 - 180). Which would you reccomend? As far as my understanding goes, a higher heart rate will make me increase my muscle mass however a lower resistance over a long time will result is simple weight loss. I dont really mind which i do. When i'm working with a lower heart rate i dont feel like i'm working too hard, and i love building up a sweat. I think that when i work with a lower heart rate i wont loose that much.

If i do 45mins @ 155 heart rate i can talk ok, which is a sign that im not working too hard (i think)

I would like to loose some significant weight from now to September, which is about 12 weeks. Would it be too optimistic to have a target of 10lbs weight loss (I'll weigh about 12½ stone at that point) for this duration of time?

I'm not looking for a quick fix, i will continue exercising and dieting once I am at university.

About my dieting, I have took the approach of eating a little less, and a little more healthy, for example grilled chicken and salad instead of burger and chips etc.

Any help will be greatly appreciated

Thanks

David
 
hey dave,

here is what i would do:
1. exercise at a higher intensity vs time....you are young and have a higher metabolism + you seem to like it better. :)

2. it is hard to tell about the hr's b/c everyone is different, but try and shoot for a 7 (somewhat hard) on a scale of 1-10...with 8being hard and 10max. this should translate to your current hr...probably around 170 (?).

3. lossing 10lbs sounds totally realistic! ideally you want to shoot for 1-2lbs a week. that translates to about 500cal a day differ of what you burn vs consume.

the best way to go w/ wt loss is through diet. cardio is benefical in that improves your over all health and processes energy etc. but only burn around 300-500 cal in a typical workout and that is probably not enough to get rid of 1-2lbs of fat a week.

the plan you have sounds like it would be enough of a change. just make sure to eat less instead of nothing!

4. also, you didnt mention wt lifting? you might want to include a light lifting program. it is a great motivater because you will make quick gains and see changes in your body in a short period of time.

5. i think you have a good thought with the non-quick fix approach...the key is consistency over time.

have a good summer.
jay
 
Thanks for the reply jay,

I will continue going on the elliptical trainer at a higher intensity.

I have considered weight training however i dont really have the time or space to do it in. However, when im off to university in September, I will probably go o the Gym on campus, as it'll most likely be cheaper, plus it'll be close to home.

Thanks again for the advice

David
 
no problem david--if you want to get a jump start on the wts you could do some home stuff like crunches, back extenstions, pushup et. but yes i understand the cost factor.

at any rate the cardio should be a good first step.
takec care,
jay
 
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