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allison05_
New Member
| Joined: | 30 August 2008 |
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| Posts: | 1 |
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Posted: 30 August 2008 10:16 am |
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Hello everyone. I have some questions on losing fats.
I am 149cm and 47kg. I used to be 56kg. However, I'm still looking to lose 5kg so I can be 42kg. My diet is rather healthy so I think the only way I can lose fats is through exercise. I have been gyming and using an elliptical machine for 1hr and 10 mins, the machine shows that I lose about 500 to 600 calories, however I read some where that machines are not accurate when it comes to counting the number of calories lost. I want to know a more accurate number of calories I lose on that machine. ALso, I'm trying to make my thighs look slimmer as well. I'm aiming to lose 3kg by the end of september. Is it feasible? And does anyone have any advice to give me? Thank you sooooo much!  x
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CrimsonAnimus
Moderator
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Posted: 30 August 2008 11:32 pm |
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Welcome to  !
The first thing I recommend you do is to use the calculator here to find your unadjusted RMR, before any activity factors. This is the minimum number of calories you should be eating per day. Eating less than this, especially at your low weight, might halt your weight loss efforts.
I hear you about being unable to lose weight without exercising - I am the same way. Again, just make sure you eating enough.
There is no exact science to calorie burn. In my experience, the machines have been the best indicators. I recommend that you go with the numbers of your machine for now. Then, you can examine the results you achieve, and adjust your numbers accordingly.
Wanting to make a part of your body slimmer than another is called "spot reduction", and unfortunately, it does not work. You cannot target the fat in an area - your body decides where and how much fat to remove. You can, however, make your thighs appear slimmer by working your thigh muscles.
3 kilograms is about 6.6 pounds. Healthy weight loss is between 1-2 pounds per week, so yes, this is very feasible.
Good luck, and keep us updated! 
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lastten
New Member
| Joined: | 12 March 2008 |
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| Posts: | 114 |
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Posted: 2 September 2008 03:48 am |
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Good luck on those last few kgs! I am in the same situation as you...been trying to lose the last 9lbs for MONTHS! And unfortunately I have yet to learn the secret to it but persistance!
But on with your question about machines and calories...
Most machines don't take into account your body fat percentage. A person who has a higher percentage of body fat will usually burn less calories than a person with more muscle mass. It also doesn't take into account your fitness level...if you're new to an activity, you'll usually burn more calories than a fit person doing the same activity.
Some experts estimate that cardio machines can overestimate calories burned by up to 10-15% so it's best not to take these numbers as gospel but, instead, simply use them as a benchmark from workout to workout.
It is great if you can find a machine that takes into account your weight and HR. A lot of machines are adapted to read Polaris HR monitors (the strap you can wear) and it constantly displays your HR on the screen. If you can't, then search around and find several estimates and find a good average for you.
For the thighs...I have read that the stair-step machine, running and a lot of different lunges will help tone your thighs and have an your thighs will eventually firm up...but you have to lose the fat (through diet and exercise) to get to the firm.
Hope you reach your goal!
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CrimsonAnimus
Moderator
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Posted: 2 September 2008 04:45 am |
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A person who has a higher percentage of body fat will usually burn less calories than a person with more muscle mass.
It also doesn't take into account your fitness level...if you're new to an activity, you'll usually burn more calories than a fit person doing the same activity.
These two statements indirectly contradict each other.
The second statement is correct. This is because your muscles no longer have to work as hard to do the same activity.
The first statement is false. It is true that the higher your muscle mass, the higher your natural metabolism, so this will influence how many calories you burn while you are not exercising. However, when it comes down to actual calorie burn during exercise, a higher fat percentage equates to higher calorie burn. This is because excess fat acts as a natural resistance factor to muscle, forcing them to work harder, thereby burning more.
It also bears to note that increased muscle mass in itself has a very minimal effect on your metabolism. Your body burns about 6 calories per day to maintain 1 pound of muscle, in contrast to the 2 calories it requires to burn 1 pound of fat daily. It's still more efficient, but the difference is not that significant.
Strength training, however, does have a significant effect on your metabolism, because it requires your body to break down muscle and build it anew over a period of time. Don't expect, though, that you can build a good deal of muscle mass, strength train about once a week to maintain it, and then experience the same metabolism-boosting properties. In order for your muscles to really work in favor of your metabolism, you will constantly have to improve them, and for more than one day a week.
It is great if you can find a machine that takes into account your weight and HR. A lot of machines are adapted to read Polaris HR monitors (the strap you can wear) and it constantly displays your HR on the screen. If you can't, then search around and find several estimates and find a good average for you.
I just wanted to add something here. I know it's pretty common for exercise machines to have heart rate monitors equipped. I've never used one, though, that factors in calorie burn from heart rate. If it does, beware of inflated numbers. I have a Polar F6 heart rate monitor, and it greatly overestimates the calories I burn, by up to 500 calories in a single hour.
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