exercising

[looobylooo]

hi all,

im trying to do a bit of exercise on my stepper along with watching what i eat etc, to help lose a bit of weight.

now, my question is, would doing short 5 or 6 minute stints on it, say 3 or 4 times throughout the day, be less effective/beneficial than if i was to do just one 20 minute stint in one go?

thanks :o)

[ummmm]

Both will be beneficial but I think the longer you stay on the better for weight loss. You burn more calories after 20mins apparently.

You could try doing 5 mins active and 1 min not so active. Just try not to let your heart rate drop too much.

[dr b]

Agree with ummmm (can I call you umm, or would that be too forward?).

Also, there is the practical matter of getting sweaty 4 times a day and having to cool down, clean up, etc. (if you don't break a sweat you're not working hard enough!). I think it would be better to do one session, varying your speed, and then get cleaned up and be done for the day. Much easier to stay with it that way (too easy to just call off the 4th session because something else is more pressing).

[denby04]

I suggest regular exercise rather than a stint in one go (no matter what age you are). I lost 2 stone and did not exercise. The result is not nice as I have excess skin (upper arms especially). Exercise builds the muscles and muscle is heavier than fat so don't be despondent if the weightloss is slow - take is easy and the results will be worth being patient.

[looobylooo]

ok, thanks alot ummmm,
i will try and up my game then!
i will struggle doing even half that in one go lol, but i will see what i can do anyway,
thanks for replying :o)

[looobylooo]

hey thanks dr b and denby, your answers werent there when i started answering before.
i dont break out into a sweat attall doing my little stints, just a raise in heart rate thats all, oh and wobbly legs! lol

[dr b]

Well, start out slow, and add 30 seconds a week to your time. In a few months you'll be up to 20 minutes! The key is to stick with it.

[denby04]

Looby, you don't need to break into a sweat thinking "yeah, this is working". Don't know how much weight you want to lose (are you going to tell us?). If it's only a little, then the stepper will help but if it's more than say 10 to 14 lbs I suggest small weights for arms, crunch for tummy etc, etc (I'm looking at my flabby upper arms now, ugh). Good Luck.

[ummmm]

Yes...start slow and build up gradually. I remember barely being able to do 5 mins on the jogger....I was jogging three miles within a few months.

It is true...no pain no gain. Push yourself that little bit extra each time and before you know it it'll be a dodge.

Don't be disheartened though...3 or 4 times a day will work as well x

[Barmaid]

Ummm is right loooby. When I first started at the gym, I was bushed after about 15 minutes. After a couple of weeks I've managed to build it up to about 45 minutes and its getting easier every day (although then I just make it harder again).

[looobylooo]

thanks all :o)
i do have a fair bit to lose denby,
so every little bit of exercise will be better than nowt eh,
and i will try and push myself that bit harder each time, little by little, like youve all suggested, and see how it goes.

[ummmm]

Good luck :-) x

[looobylooo]

hi barmaid, thanks, 45 minutes! crikey, you do well!

and thanks ummmm, ta x

[denby04]

Loooby, do for it but don't forget a small "treat" won't hurt. If you "slip" don't give yourself a hard time cos, don't forget you are human. Look at it as a change of lifestyle and just go easy on yourself. YOU CAN DO IT. Take it slow and stay positive. Me and Ummm are routing for you.

[denby04]

Oops,I meant "go" for it. Typo (only human).

[looobylooo]

aw cheers denby, thats nice of you :o)
im just making small changes to my eating thats all and watching portion control.
im also cutting back on carbs a bit too, you know not eating as much bread etc.
im certainly not depriving myself of anything, because i find thats when you crave things the most isnt it. so if i do fancy something nice, i ask myself do i really want it, and if the answer is yes, then i will have it, just less of it, and enjoy it!
on the whole i dont really over eat anyway, but i do know where i need to do a bit of tweaking! lol ;o)