26Jul/11Off
How long should I use the elliptical for?
I am trying to lose 13.6 (at least 10) pounds in the next four weeks are so and I was wondering how long I should use the elliptical for and how many days a week.
My diet is all set. I have a weights routine to do three days a week. I just ned to know about the elliptical.
July 26th, 2011 - 21:51
The elliptical is great to use for losing weight! It burns sooo many calories and it’s a fun machine, i think :)
Well, you probably want to use your elliptical for about 30 to 60 minutes a day because this is your cardio. You will want to do it every day, or every other day because you usually want to incorporate cardio every day. Now, you also want to take breaks once or twice a week so your body isn’t worn out. Soo maybe take a break in the middle of the week which is wednesday or take the weekend off so saturday and sunday (just don’t stray away from your diet on your off days.)
However, if you really don’t want to take breaks then at least have "easy" days where you do only stretches or light weight lifting for about 30 minutes. Also, make sure you have a lot of protein in your diet.
I have read on Yahoo! that weight lifting first before cardio is best. This is because your body uses sugar as its first source of energy and when you weight lift first your body burns through this so when you start your cardio, your body has almost used up all of its sugar source or has already switch to using fat as an energy source.
Working out in the morning is also the best time :) because your metabolism is then boosted so you begin to burn more calories through out the day. Also, after working out your body is still vigorously burning calories at a high rate (about 30 to 45 minutes after you workout) so if you want to eat, eat soon after you workout so your body burns those calories off better. You also want to eat something with a lot of protein before and after you work out. I gave you a website with good sources of protein and another website that gives you more information on how long you should use your elliptical.
Hope i helped! :)
July 26th, 2011 - 21:51
I do mine for half an hour, then cool down off the elliptical. You’ll burn way more calories if you do intervals (increase resistance) for a minute then go down a minute, than if you were to go at a slightly higher resistance the whole way through. Make sure your strides per minute don’t drop, that you don’t lean on the machine, and that you keep your heel planted (don’t raise it!).
You’ll also want to cross train. Kickboxing (lots of vids on youtube) or jump roping with your invisible rope work well. Even though you’re doing no impact aerobic work, you can still get overuse injuries, so it’s a good idea to switch it up.