[chickiegirl]

Not that I'm that fit by any means, but there are some things I do that I am finding easier -- stair climbing mostly -- where I'm not gasping for breath anymore, although it obviously still gets my heart up.

Walking is also a lot easier and doesn't get my heart rate up so much anymore.

I have started doing the 30DS, which is killer, so I am ramping things up.

But what I don't know is -- as things get easier, should I keep doing them? Will I get the same benefits? Or do I always have to feel like I'm gasping hard for breath when I work out in order to really get a benefit? Do I ever just get to enjoy that things are a little easier and still burn enough?

Any input would be appreciated.

[Mikayla]

I really don't know the answer to your question, but I do know gasping for air every time I exercised, I would not be exercising much.

I always use the Bob Greene/Oprah gauge: You should be working out to a point where you could talk to someone but it would be difficult and you would most likely have to take a breathe before each word you said.

[chickiegirl]

Originally Posted by Mikayla

I always use the Bob Greene/Oprah gauge: You should be working out to a point where you could talk to someone but it would be difficult and you would most likely have to take a breathe before each word you said.

Thanks for the tip Mikayla! I *think* a lot of the time I'd be in that range when I'm pushing myself hard. It's so confusing!! You don't want to do less because you still want to see effects, but you don't always want to have to feel as icky as when you first started.

[Idealmuse]

You don't need to be gasping - that's a sign of over doing it most of the time.

Weather or not you keep doing the "same old" depends on your goals. In my case I keep pushing myself so that my heart rate stays up because I'm interested in getting a good calorie burn, and increasing my endurance and fitness level because of the activities I'm doing.

As you get more fit your body adjusts and you burn a lot less doing the same things. If your goal is just to keep active get a minor calorie burn and exercise for your health you don't need to keep stressing the body to perform. If it will keep you doing it... Its better then sitting around!

IMHO most people will benefit though from switching up exercises and increasing speed etc. You're probably going to want to stay at at least 70 percent of your heart rate.

[Water25]

You can still do the same things, but when they get easy for you, you need to up the intensity. When it stops working, switch up the exercise. Do different moves, different cardio.
I generally stay at an intensity for about a week when it gets relatively easy and then move up the intensity. It generally takes about three weeks for the new intensity to get easy for me. And then sometimes I'll just have those weeks that kick my butt and I have to lower my workout for a while and work my way back up again.

[Idealmuse]

BTW if you are trying to increase your fitness level a Heart Rate monitor is a GREAT investment!

[Bridgeosaurus]

I think a big part of it is that your lungs are getting used to exercise and you're learning to control your breathing. As long as your heart rate is still going then you know it's doing something to your body (cardio). I think it's awesome that you can do things without gasping for air!