Alrighty then. So today was my wake up that some days are going to suck. A lot. When I ran yesterday, I felt energized and happy. That did not happen today. I could only run a mile. My feet were killing me. My back was aching. I couldn't breath. It was terrible. I was so disappointed in myself that I couldn't push myself harder to run more than one tiny mile. Even though I couldn't run anymore, I forced myself to walk another mile at an incline of 10. Now that may seem dumb and you may think that it didn't keep my heart rate up but I checked my heart rate at around 1.40 miles and I was at 146. That's a pretty high heart rate for a 17 year old who is WALKING.
So I remembered seeing something on Pintrest about the fat burning zone so as soon as I was done running/ walking I grabbed my laptop and did some research. This is what I discovered, but if you're lazy like me and don't want to read a article about it here's a fun picture that's just as good!
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| Found via Pintrest on GetFitPartner's tumblr |
So! With this chart, I found out that my max is about 203 bpm, but for now, we'll say I'm 20 so my max heart rate will be 200. With my heart rate being 146 while I was walking, I was just barely in the Aerobic Fitness which is right about the Target Fat Burning zone. If you can't read the benefits of the zones, here they are:
Max Performance Capacity:
~Tones the neuro muscular system
~Increases maximum sprint race speed
Lactate Threshold:
~Increases anaerobic tolerance
~Improves high speed endurance
Aerobic Fitness:
~Enhances Aerobic power
~Improves blood circulation
Targets Fat Burning:
~Increases metabolism & aerobic endurance
~Strengthens body for higher intensity work
Basic Endurance:
~Helps &speeds up recovery after heavier exercises
Another important note I want to add to this chart is that the fat burning zone doesn't mean that you're burning more fat per se. It just means that the body burns a higher percentage of calories from the fat when your heart rate is in this zone. When you work harder and get your heart rate up to 70-90%, then you burn a greater number of calories overall.
I believe that knowledge is power. Facts like these will hopefully keep me motivated to keep going and never give up. It's easier to keep going when you understand that as long as you're heart rate is up, you're still doing good for your body.
There will be a lot of days when you don't do as well fitness-wise as you think you can. When I'm running and I have to take a break for a little bit (or on a particularly bad day, a lot of breaks), I get SO frustrated with myself! I've found myself belittling me and saying things to myself that no one would ever say to me. Don't let yourself do that. It's bad, it's unhealthy, and it's incredibly unproductive. Some days are just bad days, that's reality. Keep on going, and listen to your body; sometimes it does need a break!
ReplyDeleteYesterday was also day 2 of my move more lifestyle. =/ day 2 sucks WAY more than day 1 did. And day 3 hurts even more. =( I don't like that I can't walk right, that I have to use the handle when walking up the stairs, that I can't hardly sit down because my quads ache so much.
ReplyDeleteBut. After this, I'll be able to carry Elise upstairs to bed and sing twinkle twinkle little star without taking an embarrassing number of breathing breaks. And I'll feel better about my body going to the pool or the beach. AND my clothes will fit right. But mostly twinkle twinkle. =)
I look forward to reading your posts lauren!!
~jess
Thanks Jess! Keep me posted on how you are feeling and what your progress is =)
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