Strong heart or what?

[MRSchultz]

I'm just curious about something and maybe somebody out there has an answer for me.

I teach step aerobics for my community education in town. I do about 40-45 minutes of good-hard-heart-pounding step aerobics. Well, last night was incredible. We did 40 minutes and we were all drenched in sweat (love that feeling)}(

Anyway - on my way home I was wondering something.......I'm about 40 pounds overweight, so how could I teach (not using a microphone) for 40 heart pounding minutes, including jumps-lunges-squats, etc.?????

I'm not whining or feeling sorry for myself at all, just curious what is happening. Is it my heart that is strong? I just figure that being 40 pounds overweight that I wouldn't be able to actually teach very good because I'd be so out of breathe and especially not talk while doing a lot of it either. Just wondering -

Thanks,
~Marcia~

 

[Imafitnessfreak]

Marcia,

First, GREAT JOB! That is so super! You do have a very strong heart.

Second, anytime we do a workout for an extended period of time, our bodies adapt and addjust to that specific form of stress. If you are an instructor, I am guessing you have done a LOT of step and you are VERY good at it. Over time, our bodies adjust and become more effecient. Since our bodies are designed to prepare for famine, we have to keep tricking it to lose weight/fat. Right now, your body isn't being tricked or shocked.

Does this help???

 

[naughtoj]

Haven't you ever seen or read any of the "You can be fat AND fit at the same time" stuff?? They are finding this out. So.........yes, your heart IS that strong. Good for you!!

 

[MRSchultz]

Thank you both very much for your answers. NOW - to shock my body into losing weight...............Hmmmmmmmmmm........what to do?!?!?!

~Marcia~

 

[Agzo]

Hi Marcia!
I wanted to say wow, because I guarentee I could not talk through a workout like that. I'm kinda weak in my cardio because I did not have fat to lose but have been working on it and hope to be at your level someday.

I think for tricking your body in to losing weight they are probably talking about Calorie cycling, some days more and some less as well as mixing up the exercise routine so your body does not know whats coming. If you do a search for this there was a lot of talk about it a few months ago.

Good luck and if you have questions I believe Ima..Sarah would be the one to ask.

Hope this helps
Angel

 

[thejster]

>Thank you both very much for your answers. NOW - to shock
>my body into losing
>weight...............Hmmmmmmmmmm........what to do?!?!?!
>
>~Marcia~

First and foremost, kudos to you! I'm a new step instructor and can't wait for the day I can teach 40 minutes nonstop! You are my hero...

Regarding shocking your body, have you tried interval workouts? Cathe's are supposed to be excellent (I can't do them yet, but stay tuned.) There are plenty of other interval workouts at the intermediate/advanced level if Cathe's too intense. I liked Keli Roberts' "Step it Strong," and Karen Voight's "Energy Sprint" is a videofitness.com recommendation.

This is a timely topic for me. I was trying to break a plateau when I was offered the Double Step Interval class at my club. You may want to see about the Interval classes at your place, and if you could teach it, your weight may drop off quicker.

Maybe some other Cathe fans have other recommendations?

Good luck to you, Marcia. Keep us posted!

 

[Imafitnessfreak]

LOL!!! Too funny! We were chatting on the "sly" and I set her up with doing intervals on the treadmill...since she has access!!

Great minds think a like ;-)