how long should i run if i want to burn fat?

Question

i am trying to burn some fat off my tummy and hips. i've heard that you have to jog/run for at least 20 minutes before your body starts burning off your fat reserves. is this true?

Answer 1

Yeah, that is when your body reaches its threshold and begins to burn excess calories from fat stores. Look to get 30 to 45 minutes of cardio, and allow 15 to 20 minutes for cool down.

Answer 2

Your question is a good one, basic rule of thumb is that you cannot lose weight by running alone. You will have to change your eating habits to a healthier style of eating. By making subtle changes to your diet along with the exercise you could loose your weight in 6 – 8 weeks at 1 pound a week. But to answer your question you will move into fat burning for energy after about 20 minutes of running. So a longer run will burn fat, the trick is to figure out to eat so that when you eat it does not go back to fat. Consider avoiding fats where you can, you still do need some during the day but consider better choice fats that come from fish and other sources. I would recommend 30 minutes of running 5 days a week. You do not have to run fast, and it can be a warm up before you lift of do other physical activities. Watch the carbs, fruit juices and sweetened drinks are killers, when you are thirsty drink water and save the fruit juices for a treat. You are better off to drink 8 oz of water and eat an apple then drinking apple juice. Harry

Answer 3

That depends. There are many different areas to consult to achieve an effective run.

If you run for a specific amount of time that will then allow you to achieve a more cardiovascular run which in turn burns fat. Depending on how fast you run, this may take anywhere between a half hour to one hour. Never run for more than two hours however. This will fatigue muscle, and is not good for your knees or hips.

You may want to consider an Eliptical as it allows low impact on the knees. Different types of pavement are very hard on the knees.

Buy a great pair of running shoes. Shoes that are low shocking to the ankles, feet, and knees. New Balance are the very best on the market!

Finally, always consult a Physical Therapist as they are specialized in this area, even more so than doctors. They will give you tips on the proper ways of running, where to run and how to run ensuring a safe, healthy and effective way to burn calories and fat while maximizing muscle achievement. Also, ask the PT about the Eliptical and how this will allow you to achieve an even better cardio work out due the low impact on your knees, and in case you don't know how to use the Eliptical, ask them and they will very happy to show you!

Answer 4

Hi Cate! The rate of burning fat depends on what type (shape/size/corpulence/...) of body you have.

I'm assuming you're asking the question because you want to lose a bit of weight. The best way to lose weight is to discipline yourself. Do a sport that you enjoy (you'll stick to it longer!) and eat as healthily as possible (healthy food isn't necessarily boring green stuff, so check out the good healthy stuff too!). Exercising will help you burn fat but eating healthily will avoid absorbing too much "new" fat afterwards. There's no point in doing one without the other.

I train three times a week with my football team, once a week on the tennis court and once or twice a week at the gym, yet I wouldn't consider myself the most healthy conscious guy in the world, I just enjoy these sports and the people I mix with. I live in the south of France and I've got a typical mediterranean diet (pasta, olive oil, fruits and veg', bread...) but of course I do get away with the occasional pizza, etc. Enjoying what you do and what you eat is the key!

Hope that kinda helped!

Si

Answer 5

The 20 minute rule approximates average metabolism. Your muscles metabolize glucose/glycogen preferably, meaning that at the onset of exercise one burns primarily carbohydrates. Once the carbohydrate stores are expended, the fat storage will start mobilizing fat into glucose derivatives and feed it into the bloodstream so it can feed the muscles. Triggering fat mobilization takes circa 20 minutes by the time the messenger molecules are manufactured and trigger manufacture of the infrastructure necessary to metabolize fat.

Answer 6

Yes what you said it's pretty much true.
Think of our body as a machine, it needs time to warm up. Moreover, when you exercise for a duration of 40-50 minutes, your body would get a light to moderate workout enough for you shed some sweat and some calories.

Do the stationary bike, crunches and some running.

Answer 7

If you want to burn fat run for about thirty minutes at 5-6 Mph
If you want to gan muscle run for five minuts as fast as you can

Answer 8

Yes. Very true. Therefore, run for 30 minutes or longer. The higher the intensity or the longer you run, the more you benefit.

Answer 9

daily one hour