If you depend on classic aerobic cardio for weight loss, you probably spend 30 minutes on a machine trying to burn a set number of calories. But does that work? Does burning 500 calories per day cause you to lose 1 pound of fat per week?
Well, according to science, it should. But if it did, you probably wouldn't still be reading this article.
Weight Loss Products For Women
I used to write a column on fat loss myths for Men's Fitness magazine. Here's a classic weight loss topic I covered.
Myth: I need to burn 500 calories each workout to lose fat.
Truth:
Possibly one of the worst inventions for fat loss was the calorie-counting monitor on treadmills, elliptical machines, and stairmasters.
Because of these, millions of men and women now obsess about the number of calories burned per session. You've probably even been one of those people, watching it creep up ever so slowly during a slow-cardio session. All the while knowing that you can wipe out a 30-minute, 300-calorie treadmill session with one fell swoop of the Krispy Kreme hand.
Too many people are brainwashed into thinking that if they don't burn 300-500 calories per session, then they won't lose fat. After all, that is what you've been told time and time again in those fluffy fitness/fashion magazines.
The problems with this approach to fat loss are numerous. First off, it's difficult to say if the calorie counters are even accurate. A story on CBS news showed that cardio machines overestimate calorie burning by up to 20%.
Next, depending on slow cardio for advanced fat loss is relatively useless and at the very least, inefficient. It takes a long time for you to burn a lot of calories and one study showed that men who only used cardio training for weight loss ended up with a reduced resting metabolism. You are basically undoing the calorie burning by depending only on cardio. On the other hand, guys in the same study that used strength training didn't suffer a reduced metabolic rate.
So what is the solution to burning fat in a faster, more efficient method? The answer is to use strength and interval training to burn fewer calories in less exercise time, but with a more intense form of exercise.
Your body will burn more calories after exercise (when you use intervals) than it does after you do slow cardio and your metabolism will stay high. Some experts refer to this as the afterburn effect. How do you do intervals? Well, you could sprint for 30 seconds and rest for 90 seconds and repeat that for 6 sets - using the bike preferably or treadmill if you are experienced with it.
Within that short time frame the intervals will cause your muscles to go crazy with activity (I call it a metabolic turbulence). This crazy metabolism boost causes lots of calorie burning after exercise to get your body back to normal. The result is you would end up burning more fat and more calories in the post-exercise period as your body tries to get things under control.
Now there is one time where you'd want to count calories, but that is when you are counting up and determining how many calories you eat per day. Again, you can wipe out an entire workout's work in less than a minute simply by eating garbage. Without some structure and discipline to your nutrition, there is nothing that even my programs can do to help you lose fat.
So exercise nutrition control and interval training. These are the two anti-calorie counting methods that will help you lose fat and get lean.
Christmas Sales Omron HBF-306C Fat Loss Monitor, Black 201
Dec 16, 2011 04:55:47
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Christmas Sales Omron HBF-306C Fat Loss Monitor, Black Feature
- Analyzer measures your body fat with a gentle, micro electrical current
- Two modes -- athletic and normal -- provide accurate results based on your exercise regiment
- Delivers measurement results for Bi method (Bioelectrical Impedance Method) and BMI (Body Mass Index)
- Delivers results in approximately seven seconds
- Features a nine person memory profile for the whole family
- 9 person profile
- Accurate readings in seconds
- Athlete mode for accurate results for athletes
- Measures 2 fitness indicators: body fat percentage and body mass index (BMI)
- Monitor your progress in losing body fat
Christmas Sales Omron HBF-306C Fat Loss Monitor, Black Overview
Fat loss monitor. Measures 2 fitness indicators: body fat percentage and body mass index (BMI).Christmas Sales Omron HBF-306C Fat Loss Monitor, Black Specifications
The Omron HBF-306C Body Fat Analyzer measures your body fat with a gentle, micro electrical current -- don't worry, you won't feel it. The key to long-term exercise success is accurate body fat composition measurement. This handheld body fat analyzer is an affordable and easy way to measure your body fat in the privacy of your own home. After inputting the data, a measurement can be started by simply holding the grip electrodes and pressing the start button. And since the analyzer is built with a nine person profile memory, each member of your family or team can track the success of their individual exercise routines. The Omron HBF-306C measures body fat with a micro electrical current. Detailed view. |
 The screen displays body fat measurements and other data. Detailed view. |
 Easy-to-use, handheld design. |
What is the Bioelectrical Impedance Method?
Muscles, blood vessels and bones are body tissues having a high water content that conduct electricity easily. Body fat is tissue that has little electric conductivity. The Body Fat Analyzer sends an extremely weak electrical current of 50 kHz and 500 µA through your body to determine the amount of fat tissue. This weak electrical current is not felt while operating the Body Fat Analyzer. The Bioelectrical Impedance Method safely combines the electric resistance with the distance of the electricity conducted. Correct posture and consistent measuring conditions need to be maintained for the best results.
Operating the Analyzer
To use the HBF-306C you must first set your personal datYou must first select between the Normal and Athlete modes. To determine if you should select Normal or Athlete, you must calculate your FIT index by using the following formula:
- FIT Index = Frequency x Intensity x Time
Meanwhile, time is a single digit number from four to one that represents the duration of your workout. If you exercise for 45 minutes or more, then use the number four; 30-44 minutes use three; 15-29 minutes use two; and for less than 15 minutes use one. For example, if you run five times a week for 30 minutes, your FIT index would be 75 (5 x 5 x 3 = 75) and you would select the Athlete setting. If your FIT index is greater than 60, you should select the Athlete setting. Any number below would demand a normal setting.
After determining your FIT index and selecting between the Athlete and Normal setting, the remaining personal data is very straightforward. Simply enter your height, weight, age and gender. When all the data is fixed and stored, the analyzer screen will display "Ready," and you'll be ready to take your first body fat measurements.
Note: For the following cases, the body fat percentage measured by this unit may significantly differ from the actual body fat percentage.
- Children in a growth stage
- Elderly people and post-menopausal women
- People with a fever
- People who have swelling
- Patients with osteoporosis who have very low bone density
- Bodybuilders or professional athletes
- Patients undergoing dialysis
| Compare Omron Fitness Monitors | ||||
 |  HB-400 |  HB-500 |  HBF-306 |  HR-100 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Measurement |
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| Product Placement | Flat level floor | Flat level floor | Hold in front of body | Watch on wrist Transmitter around chest |
| Memory | 4 person profile with previous reading | 4 person profile 1/7/30/90 day(s) memory | 9 person profile | None |
| Warranty | 1 Year | 1 Year | 1 Year | 1 Year |
| Batteries | 4 "AA" (included) | 4 "AA" (included) | 2 "AA" (included) | 2 CR2032 3 volt (included) |
| Estimated Battery Life | Approx. 1 year (when used four times a day) | Approx. 1 year (when used four times a day) | Approx. 1 year (when used four times a day) | Approx. 1 year (varies depending on storage and use) |
Q&A - Fitness Monitors
What is the Bioelectrical Impedance Method?
Bioelectrical Impedance (BI) is considered one of the most accurate and accessible methods of screening body fat. Muscles, blood vessels and bones are body tissues having a high water content that conduct electricity easily. Body fat is tissue that has little electric conductivity. The monitor sends an extremely weak electrical current through your body to determine the amount of fat tissue. The weak electrical current is not felt while operating the Body Fat Analyzer. The monitor is calculated by a formula that includes five factors; electric resistance, height, weight, age and gender.
What is visceral fat?
Visceral fat is located around the organs. Too much visceral fat is thought to be closely linked to increased level of fat in the bloodstream, which can lead to common conditions such as high cholesterol, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Sedentary life style causes excess visceral fat, and exercise can reduce it quicker than subcutaneous fat (fat located under skin).
What is resting metabolism?
Resting metabolism is the energy to maintain vital functions and it counts 60 to 70% of total energy consumption. Knowing your resting metabolism can help your dietplan. If you can increase daily activity while keeping food intake at resting metabolism level, you can lose weight.
What is skeletal muscle?
Skeletal muscle is muscle attached to the bones that is used to move the body. If you do weight loss without exercise, you may lose skeletal muscle. Skeletal muscle is important to maintain your resting metabolism as well as your functionality. Monitoring skeletal muscle during weight loss is key to avoid weight rebound in the future.
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