Oooh, Artemis, I'll have to check that out! I take it that it's available on iTunes? :crossed: I listed to my iPod on the treadmill anyway, so that should be nice!

For those of you doing C25K, do you think it's possible to do all the workouts on the elliptical? I can't jog, even on a treadmill, because it kills my knees. :( I'm doing PT for them, but I don't see jogging or running anywhere in my future.

My nutritionist suggested that the best way to get my metabolism working better was to do 30 mins of cardio (not including warm up/cool down), at a decent intensity (where you're still able to talk...your heart rate is up, but it's not insane), then do a burst of really tough activity for 8 minutes in the middle. So that means 11 mins of exercise, followed by 8 of really intense exercise, followed by 11 mins of regular exercise. I did it on the elliptical. I raised the incline and the resistance, then went really fast and hard for the 8 mins. It was tough, but it really seemed to work.

However, after a year of doing that 3+ times a week, my body was too used to it, I feared. I talked to a lot of the mods at our last meetup and we discussed the benefits and downsides of interval, endurance, and other kinds of training. I'd done interval training back when I first started SBD, so I decided to do that instead for a while. I use the interval setting on the elliptical. When the incline goes up, I go much faster. When it goes back down, I slow down. I'm always at a cardio heart rate (sorry I don't know what that is...I just use the monitor on the elliptical and how I feel as a guide) but when I do the intense interval, I end up at the very top of my range. It's exhilerating and fun for a change.

That said, some of the chicks at the mod meetup extolled the virtues of picking a heartrate level and staying right there for 30 mins (or more). They said this is helpful too.

Overall, I think a variety of exercise is really important. If you love Jazzercise (which is SUCH a great workout!), Chelby, you could try doing cardio in between strength training (or circuit training) on the days when you don't do Jazzercise. :D I know it's a really major organization, but is there any way you could talk with the people above you to see if there's any chance of developing an interval training workout for Jazzercise? :?:

Artemis - Ooohhhh thanks! I'll check that out.

Laurie - I don't see why you couldn't do it on the elliptical. Now that I think about it you could do it on anything, it just builds up your interval capacity. I love the podcast, makes it very simple and the music is not bad.
I'm pushing the envelope on the treadmill but don't honestly know if I will get very far. I just got it in my head that I want to be able to run at least on the treadmill. I have to admit though that I am very carefully not mentioning it to my doctor.

Jazzercise has a class called Circuit, that's kind of like interval training. I've never taught it. It's something like 2 aerobic routines followed by 2 strength training routines, for a total of 16 routines. It still follows the aerobic curve in that you start with an easy heartrate to a really intense heartrate and back down.

I hope no one misunderstood me. JAZZERCISE IS THE BEST WORKOUT EVER! If you want a fun, whole-body workout, it is for you! What's better than dancing and sweating with your friends? :) My problem is it's been my only source of exercise for 13 years and my body is used to it. I teach 3 classes a week. I need to do something else at least two other days.

I hear you, Chelby! I was doing Jazzercise once a week when I was losing the most, and I'm sure it was a factor! But anything can stop doing much for you if you build up a tolerance. Changing it up a bit can definitely help. :) What are you thinking of doing on the other days?

Thanks, Cyndi! I'm definitely going to look into the C25K program. Did you find podcasts on iTunes or elsewhere?

I looked for Cardio Coach on iTunes this weekend and only found a video podcast. Artemis PM'd me with the website: www.cardiocoach.com. Looks great!

Thanks for the wonderful ideas, Beachies! It's good to have ways to make the workout more fun. :workout:

I get them on iTunes. I use Robert Ulney (or something like that)'s podcasts.

Beachgal -- On two other days, I'm trying to walk for 30 minutes. I really hate it, but I know it's important.