Fat burn zone

[sparoxtie]

Hey, I'm new to even considering getting myself fit, so i'm loving the motivation that i am getting from my Fitbit.  I've actively started using the settings while i'm excercising now, but i can't figure out how i stay in the "fat burn" zone... the majority of my workouts are showing me at "cardio" and occassionally "peak", but i'm rarely in "fat burn".  So my question is, how do i stay in fat burn mode as that's my ultimate goal.  thanks in advance x

[Dominique · Accepted solution]

@sparoxtie: I wouldn’t overthink the heart rate zone thing. "Fat burn zone" only mean a larger part of the energy used to fuel your activity comes from fat. In "Peak zone", a larger part comes from carbs. "Cardio zone" is somewhere in-between. All this is in relative terms. In absolute terms, you will burn more calories at a higher HR. If weight loss is your primary goal, what you need is a caloric deficit. If you manage to be in a deficit, you will always burn some fat, regardless of what HR zones you spend time in.

A typical activity that will let you spend time in the "fat burning zone" is walking. The good thing about it is you can usually spend a longer time doing it. For instance, you may have a hard time jogging for 10 minutes straight, but would have no problem walking for one hour. You will burn more total calories in one hour walking than in 10 minutes jogging. Chances are you will also burn more fat (in one hour walking) in absolute terms too.

If merely walking sends your pulse beyond "fat burning" zone to "cardio" zone, you’ve probably been sedentary for a long time and not very fit. With regular exercise, your fitness should improve and your HR should lower (at the same level of activity). 

[sparoxtie]

Thanks Dominique x