02/15/2008 12:56:42

Guys,

Thanks for your comments! Great advice from both of you!

Brian

02/15/2008 12:35:54

B  and 123,

Both you guys are on the right track!  If you're hitting a wall, you need to shift a bit.  Adding intervals to your long runs (we used to call it "fartlek" training) is one way.  Increasing your time on the treadmill or shifting to a different type of machine (try a rowing machine) is another.  What happens is that your body and metabolism adjust to your current state.  It's the same principal as when you go on a fasting diet and your body eventually adjusts to the lower intake so when you return to your regular diet, you pack back on the pounds.  Stretching things out and not getting the the same routine for extended periods of time will help keep you on the fitness track.

Best,

crew

02/15/2008 12:10:22

That's interesting Digg.  I'm a member of the Men's Health Belly Off! Club (on menshealth.com) and they suggested that to burn fat, add a 30 second sprint to your jog.  So what I do is - on the treadmill at my local gym - I jog for 3 minutes and then sprint for 30 seconds, jog for 3 minutes and sprint for 30 seconds...etc.  I do this for 4 cycles.  Incorporating this with a good diet and weight training, I've lost 41 lbs so far ( was 265 now 224 ).  But I have hit a wall.  The last 20 I want to lose isn't happening as fast as I would want it to.  I will try the method that you describe and keep you posted on my progress.  Thanks for the great blog!  tony