Is 30 min enough anymore

I always heard that you should fit in 30 min to lose weight. Now I hear 60-90. After 30 min, I lose motivation and strength. Any suggestions?

Thu. Feb 2, 1:25am

if you have the time, you could try two workouts in a day -- one in the morning and one in the afternoon. I rarely have the time to do so, so I just try and make my non-workout activities healthy -- walk to work or shopping if you can, take the stairs instead of the elevator etc... it all adds up.

Thursday, February 2, 2006, 3:18 AM

You do what you can. 30 is great, more is probably better for some people.

Thursday, February 2, 2006, 6:57 AM

I think it depends on where you are health-wise. If you're just beginning, (like me) 30 mins will probably have an impact on your body and you will lose weight. The thing is your body adjusts to that level of exercise and you have to make it harder (by exercising longer, adding weight, etc.) in order to continue to lose weight. And like the second poster said, you can always do more than one 30 min workout in order to achieve a longer time.

Thursday, February 2, 2006, 8:24 AM

Is 30 min enough anymore

I think it is the intensity that really matters more than the time. You can do a very intense workout in 30 min and blast major calories. Interval training really helped me to keep from getting bored. I use weights on the treadmill to maximize my results in a shorter period of time.

Thursday, February 2, 2006, 9:05 AM

I'd start out with 30 minutes and increase over time as you build up your stamina (and if you have the extra time to spare). But, at the very least, you will notice that 30 minutes will get easier as you continue to work out!

Thursday, February 2, 2006, 9:14 AM

all about calories

if you do a majorly intense workout for 30 minutes, you can burn some major calories. that said, many people are not fit enough to keep up serious intensity for 30 minutes, so more moderate exercise for a longer period is required to burn the same amount of calories.

my boyfriend is in amazing shape, but super-busy, so he does 30-45 minutes of seriously heavy weightlifting 4 times a week and keeps himself super-strong and fit.

i am not in *such* fabulous shape, but i know that i almost never have time for more than 30 minutes during the week, and I can't imagine than 4 intense 30 minute workouts aren't better than nothing? :)

Thursday, February 2, 2006, 11:48 AM

I agree. Thanks everyone for all your comments. I felt alittle guilty for only putting in 30 min.

Thursday, February 2, 2006, 12:02 PM

Well, I'm currently getting in 30 minutes on the treadmill, 5 days per week. I do the calorie-burning program, which changes the incline all around. Its a hard workout for me. The only way I was able one day to do 60 minutes was to leave the incline at one spot, lower than usual, and lower my speed of walking for half of it. So i got in more time, but I really didn't end up burning THAT many more calories....BUT i kept my heartrate up for 60 minutes. So I dunno. But I coiuldn't possibly do even 40 minutes right now of what I do on the treadmill

Thursday, February 2, 2006, 12:58 PM

To the poster above me-- that's sounds like a good way to start out. You will find as time goes by, the walking will get easier and you can do more intensity--however, you do not want to over-do it at the beginning or you'll get frustrated (or in worst case, injured) by doing too much.

I try to mix it up with my programs on my treadmill.
I use the ones I've created which I adjust each day to fine tune my walks. My programs are 40 minute ones. Then, I follow it with one of the 30 minute "easy" work-outs as a "cool down". It seems to be helpful.
If i just do the "easy" one that's pre-programed, I feel like it is too easy for me...I only just got my machine a few weeks ago, so I've moslty been trying out the lower intensity fat-burning ones vs. the aerobic workout-- (kind of scared of the one that reaches 6 mph--don't know that i could even run that fast!)

My treadmill has an optional "chest strap heart rate monitor", which I understand can send signals and adjust the machine to the proper rate for your body. It apparently is a better sensor than the hand sensors for pulse-rate. I plan to invest in the chest monitor soon... ;-) In the meantime, on 1 workout during the 1st week, I felt light-headed & dizzy, that is a sign that I over-worked myself, so I tried not to push so hard the next time-- you need to give your body time to adjust to the new fitness levels.... No good dropping of a heart attack while trying to get healthy!

Thursday, February 2, 2006, 1:35 PM

A note for those who are just starting to exercise...

I also think it's important for those of us who are/were "fitness challenged" to remember that ANY time exercising is better than the none that we used to do. I have been exercising regularly for four months now and was very sedentary before. It took me quite a while to build up endurance and strength, either on the treadmill or walking outside. It was discouraging, but I was persistent and can now walk an hour, varying intensities, with no real problems. Just try to stick with it - it will pay off!

Thursday, February 2, 2006, 10:19 PM

Thanks for the support ladies!
Margo

Thursday, February 2, 2006, 11:20 PM

Keep in mind that cardio is great, but you also need to weight train, this is the ultimate way to burn calories without even trying, because the more muscle you have the more calories you burn.

My personal view on exercice is do what you can, and what you like and enjoy it, if you dont enjoy it then dont bother, you most likely wont keep it up for a long time
jt

Thursday, February 2, 2006, 11:46 PM

You should start with 30 minutes,and once you gain more endurance and strength then stretch out your limits. There is no point in pushing yourself too hard, or else you can hurt yourself.

You could always try working out at two different times of the day aswell.

Sunday, February 5, 2006, 8:35 PM

Is 30 min enough anymore

When I first got my treadmill I could only do about 15 min at a slow pace before I was sweating and exhausted. I thought I had really done something until I was talking with a friend at work said she did an hour at a much faster pace. I was mortified! I used her as my motivation to work on my speed and endurance. Now I use ankle weights and varying speeds and can endure up to 90 min and still carry on a conversation. I am very glad I was embarrassed enough that first week to take my exercise more seriously otherwise I might still only be doing 15 min and not pushing myself to do my best. Everything takes time. Rome wasn't built in one day. Good luck!

Monday, February 6, 2006, 9:53 AM

research say that 30 mins each day for 3-4 days a week is enough. But working out tends to help me eliminate the guilt that comes from eating. So I work out everyday

Tuesday, February 7, 2006, 6:13 PM

I just started working about 3 weeks ago and have gained 5bls

Is that normal????? I started working out not to loose wieght but to tone up, I'm I doing something wrong????

Thursday, October 11, 2007, 1:46 PM

Don't worry about it. If your eating is in check, give yourself some time to adjust to the workouts.

Thursday, October 11, 2007, 2:07 PM

I was told at another forum that 30 minutes every day isn't that long of a workout, but it sure feels like enough to me!

Thursday, October 11, 2007, 4:35 PM

whatever....even 10 min is better than 0

Thursday, October 11, 2007, 6:04 PM

Related Content: How To Lose Weight- The Basics Weight Watchers Points System The Fat Smash Diet The Eat To Live Diet The Beck Diet Solution How To Get The Motivation To Lose Weight		How To Be Successful Using PEERtrainer How To Burn Fat Online Weight Loss Support- How It Works Does Green Tea Help You Lose Weight? Tips On Using PEERtrainer Visit The PEERtrainer Community Diet and Fitness Resources
Fitness Weight Watchers Meetings Learning To Inspire Others: You Already Are Writing Down Your Daily Workouts Spending Money On A Personal Trainer? How I Became A Marathon Runner		Preventive Health How To Prevent Injuries During Your Workout Flu Season: Should You Take The Flu Shot? Are You Really Ready To Start PEERtrainer? Super Foods That Can Boost Your Energy Reversing Disease Through Nutrition
New Diet and Fitness Articles: Weight Watchers Points Plus How To Adjust Your Body To Exercise New: Weight Watchers Momentum Program New: PEERtrainer Blog Archive Review Of The New Weight Watchers Momentum Program		Weight Loss Motivation by Joshua Wayne: Why Simple Goal Setting Is Not Enough How To Delay Short Term Gratification How To Stay Motivated How To Exercise With A Busy Schedule
Real World Nutrition and Fitness Questions Can Weight Lifting Help You Lose Weight? Are Protein Drinks Safe? Nutrition As Medicine?		Everyday Weight Loss Tips How To Eat Healthy At A Party How To Eat Out And Still Lose Weight The Three Bite Rule Tips On How To Stop A Binge