Articles | Effective Fat Burning: What's Intensity Got to Do with It?

In losing weight, it is of high importance to know the roles fat and calories serve in the human body. Fat and calories are not necessarily bad for the body. They are actually nutrients that nourish the body. In fact, these are also needed in order for the body to function properly. They are often used as fuel for growth and activities. Fat and carbohydrates are metabolized by the body to serve as energy reserves that are used for daily activities. The only problem is that when people tend to eat a lot and are unable to use this energy, they are then stored in the body for future use. This fuel, when left unused for a period of time, turns into fat deposits. So, if a person does not move a lot but continues to eat more, the calories add up, in turn making that person gain more weight.

To make fat burning effective, it is important to measure the total calories burned. This includes fat, carbohydrates, and protein. In order to not confuse the two fats that will be mentioned later, it would be better to use 'fat calorie' as a nutrient that can be obtained in food, and also the term 'body fat' as unused nutrients that were not burned but rather stored in the body. Fat calorie is considered healthy because it is combined with carbohydrates that serve as the source of the body's energy. Without these two, the body cannot function easily. People without enough calories usually get easily exhausted when they engage in physical activities. For people who have an abundance of calories but are unable to turn them to fuel, they are converted to body fat instead. It is vital to exercise in order to burn these body fat deposits.

Most people however, have a misconception that a low intensity exercise regimen burns more fat than a high intensity or a moderate intensity workout, since it targets the fat zone. That is not the case because fat and carbohydrates are in one calorie pool. It is not possible for the body to target a specific calorie source when working out. The best way to really lose all the unwanted body fat is to burn calories, period.

For people who can afford to allocate only a limited time for exercise, calories burned will depend on how intense the workout is. The less intense it is, the fewer calories are burned. To see a significant result in fat burning activities, it is best to do exercises that are exhausting or what is commonly called high intensity workouts. These workouts make the heart beat faster. They will burn fat and carbohydrates more easily compared to doing low intensity workouts, like walking. A 30 minute jog will help lose more calories than a 30 minute walk. To help achieve the same result in burning calories like a fast jog with a lower intensity activity, it is better to walk for a longer time period or distance.

Low intensity workouts on the other hand are actually best for people who are not physically strong or those who easily get tired. So for people who do not have a strong constitution, it is best to consult a doctor in order to plan what kind of workout intensity would best suit their body