My Mini Challenge
Posted by Sandra Sims on 28 Apr 2006 | Tagged as: Exercise
I am never one to refuse a good challenge - or dare! So when Andre mentioned his mini challenge I had to try it. Andre was able to burn over 300 calories in 20 minutes on the eliptical machine. Now I knew that would be an amazing feat for me, but I decided I see just how far I could go.
First I warmed up on the treadmill for 15 minutes, going from a 3MPH to a 4MPH pace. Then I hit the eliptical, determined and energized. The settings were on level 8 and I kept about a 5MPH pace the whole time. After about 2 minutes I could no longer focus enough to read the magazine that was on the stand. And at 15 minutes I was ready to quit but I didn’t. Finally after 20 minutes I had burned 207 calories!
Hey Sandra, well done for taking on the challenge! To know how close you’re gonna be, I always split myself at 10 mins… knowing “I should be” at around the 150 calorie mark.
The “burst training” method maybe something that you wanna try. Go as hard and fast as you can for 5 mins… then lower the level and “go slow” for 1 mins… then go crazy again. The short rest periods work, but you do need to kill yourself on those 5 mins stints.
Burst training is also VERY GOOD to massively boost fitness levels… although because your heart rate spikes so high (mine goes all the way up to 180) it not the best exercise for “fat burning”.
Push yourself beyond your comfort zone, Sandra… it’s the only way to play this health and fitness game
Thanks Andre! You’re right you have to push past the comfort zone… which changes as fitness level increases. A few months ago I could barely stand level 4 on the eliptical and now can get up to 8!