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Does anyone know which is the most effective way to burn fat with cardio: intense with a shorter period of time or comfortable pace with a longer period? I just read two articles from the same magazine website (Runners World) and one said that you don't enter the fat burning zone unless you run for 90 minutes, whereas another said "The best way to burn fat is 40 minutes of intense intervals of cardio." Or are both methods equally effective?

It depends on what kind of body you are looking to get. Longer, slower pace equals leaner. Shorter, intense pace equals bulk. That's why marathon runners are generally walking tendons & muscles...no fat.

Meadows, just make yourself puke after every meal. Then you won't have to worry about it.

I think the number one factor is total calories burned, regardless of how you burn them. You will just get fitter by doing more intense workouts, which means more muscles to burn more calories, etc.

Wes

It doesn't matter how much fat you "burn" during a particular excersize session. It only depends on the total calorie input versus calorie use over a long period of time.

Sandy wrote:Meadows, just make yourself puke after every meal. Then you won't have to worry about it.

I'm sure Sandy is joking but you certainly won't lose fat if your not eating right. When you are not eating properly and getting the proper nutrients you are signalling your body to be in a survival mode of storing fat. Meadows question is more complicated than the simple calories in, calories burned. Runners, like climbers want to build muscle while losing fat. What is important in either case is the protein you are consuming and the quality of the protein. It is also important after the workout to restore glycogen or your body will catabolize your muscle, defeating the whole purpose of the workout.

And drink LOTS of water. It speeds up your metabolism, cleans out your body, makes you feel good, helps endurance...the whole shabang. Water is da bomb...I need to go get me some.

From someone who fights to be thin: Don't even look at your speed...listen to your body...go at your own pace & run for a couple hours. Jog...don't run. Incorporate some walk breaks. Keep going. Stretch for 15 minutes after you are done. Your legs will get thinner. And running during the winter sux....can't wait until the days start to get longer.

diggum wrote:And running during the winter sux....can't wait until the days start to get longer.

I love my company just because we have treadmills here at work. Helps during the winter months.

How is that ankle doing digs? Hope it's healing well!

The fastest I have ever lost fat was a two week trip to Tuolumne Meadows/Yosemite. After two weeks of long, long, long hikes with heavy packs and big climbs with slightly less than normal caloric intake my waist size decreased by two holes on my belt. I went from an all time high of 180lbs to 165lbs where I have remained. I was in decent shape to begin with but just had been eating too much. Came off quick!

what's the best way to restore your glycogen then?