“Holly~
I work out between 4 and 5 days per week, doing a variety of cardio and weights. I usually focus one day on cardio and the other day a split between cardio/weights. I’ve been reading about intervals. I use them on the treadmill at rest going 3.5mph and 4.0 mph on the interval…
I don’t find that I burn more calories this way though…any suggestions? I typically burn 435 calories in a 40 minute workout on treadmill ….any help or advice would greatly be appreciated.
~ Heidi
Heidi,
Looks like you have a consistent workout schedule down – Good for you! Glad you are interested in finding out how to get the most out of your interval sessions.
When it comes to cardio for Fat Loss….it is not how long you can go and how many calories you can burn. This only gets us into the trap of going longer and longer for little to no return.
True Intervals
are simply brief, high intensity periods of exercise (where you work out as intensely as you can for your fitness level) alternated with active recovery periods, where you slow down just long enough to catch your breath.
Typically this takes place in no more than 10-15 minutes.
The goal – and the effectiveness – is to challenge yourself so that at the end of 10-15 minutes – you have had one heck of a workout!
If you can go for more than 20 minutes….and in your case 40 minutes….you are simply not working intensely enough during the 1st 10 minutes.
The actual part of the Interval training you described – 40 minutes – has more similarities to steady state cardio. If you were to change up the variables to create more intensity, you will find that this strategy not only cuts your cardio time in half – if not more – but you will see results MUCH faster.
For the 40 minute treadmill routine you described:
I would suggest you….
Increase the intensity by increasing the speed and incline for your “Highs”.
I’ll share a treadmill Interval Routine as an example of how to change up the variables to make your routine more intense.-(FYI: this is more advanced)
1 minute high
30 second low
repeat 8 cycles
Still under 15 minutes but very intense for there is little time to “recover”‘ – which also adds to the intensity. Personally my “High” may be running at a 8.5 on a 5 incline OR Fast Walk 4.5 at an incline of 15.
I am simply using the treadmill as an example to help you see how the manipulation of variables can completely make over your cardio session.
Cardio equipment is not necessary to complete an effective interval session. I highly suggest using body weight intervals.
Body weight intervals are more effective for you are using all the major muscles in your body. They are also great for when you are short on time or cannot leave the house and sure help if you are in need a quick burst of energy. I like to use jump rope, body weight squats, kettlebell swings, burpees or sprints.
To address Calorie Burn, this is not the focus when using cardio for fat loss – instead…with the principles I teach in Fit Yummy Mummy, the focus relies on the calories that you cannot immediately see.
Short burst resistance training, intervals and of course supportive nutrition are the habits that deserve your focus – for these are the very habits that cause your body to burn more calories AFTER the fact ~ for the following 24-48 hours…
Best to adjust your focus to work out in a way that boosts your metabolism in the long run – this is something steady state cardio cannot provide for you.
Besides – the calorie burn noted on cardio equipment is deceiving….
It can be off by 30% plus the calorie burn you see drops off shortly after your cardio session ….which can easily be erased by drinking an overloaded smoothie or a trip through the drive-through.
When it comes to cardio you can be relieved to know that you can stop wasting your time and stalling your fat loss efforts. Your solution for fat loss lies in shorter, more-intense Interval sessions.
You will burn more overall calories, boost your metabolism and preserve muscle, which will make you look tight and lean as you transform your body.
~ Holly
For a detailed and guided Interval Training Workout Plan complete with MP3 soundtracks, be sure to click over to Fit Yummy Mummy Intervals


















