Demokat says:
That is really more important, but I found that understanding how many calories you burn a great motivator in the beginning.

I agree with that as well Demokat says. That's why I love Ketostix..if you are puprle, you are burning fat. That is an excellent motivator in my book.

I agree with that as well Demokat says. That's why I love Ketostix..if you are puprle, you are burning fat. That is an excellent motivator in my book.[/QUOTE]

you can also just be dehydrated if the sticks are purple.

Well, let's hope people know enough to make sure they are properly hydrated,,

I really think most people on this forum have lots of questions because they don't have the answers to a lot of basic questions. I think some of the really big work out and body building questions are on another thread. This thread has had questions from people who are in a position where they want to work out and keep their health safe. I am sure at some point when they are where you are, they will move over to one of those threads for help. When you say to forget heart rate, that might not be the best thing for new exercisers that are overweight and might have health problems that you don't know anything about. I just want to make sure that everyone works out in a safe way for their body. The weight will drop but they have to work out safe for that to actually happen.

I did look at your previous posts and you really help people that are big exercisers and have questions, especially in the advanced stages of working out. I'm sure some of these people will be in the advanced work out stages at some point but some of them are working out for minutes so I believe looking at their heart rate is a pretty big deal for their health.



Lisa

I'm not sure who this is addressed at, but for me it is an access issue. Nobody should feel like exercising has to involve such expensive high tech equipment that it's out of reach. Checking one time with your finger or seeing your doctor for a stress test is a good idea, but nobody should feel like starting to exercise has to be super complicated.

I very strongly disagree with this statement. Very strongly.

I had no idea that my heart rate was too high until I got a Polar monitor and started using it. It was dangerously high, and months of workouts did me no good in improving my health.

After I started using the HRM and learned to stay in the safe range I had huge results from doing cardio. I now have much more stamina and my scores on cardiac stress tests are markedly improved.

The fat or not fat burning idea is a pile of BS. But people who are very out of shape can get real benefits from using a HRM.

LessLiz,

I couldn't have said that better myself. Actually I thought I was saying that but somehow this thread turned into something quite strange. The people who started this are just starting out and you are right, you need to know if you are doing good or bad for yourself. I was so happy for mine because I had no idea without it that my heart rate was running way too high. With the HRM I was able to tell and with work was able to determine I was on a medication that does elevates your heart rate, even resting heart rate. I was in tachycardia. I went off the medication but I never go to the gym without my monitor. Even if you don't have a gym membership (which you don't need) it is a good tool. I wasn't working out properly and getting no where without it. I am glad I was talked into purchasing one. I thought it was expensive but it has paid for itself time and time again.

Lisa