Intensity, Intensity, Intensity- The way to burn Fat!

If you are looking to shed those last 5-10 pounds, intensity is the name of the game!
During your workout sessions you should be training between 85- 100 % of your maximum heart rate.

I am sure you have all heard the theory that low-intensity cardiovascular workouts are the best way to burn fat ( according to this theory , by working at just 70-75% of your maximum heart rate, you enter into your "fat-burning zone" , where your body is drawing predominantly on fat calories for energy). This theory is completely misleading and way outdated!

The reality is this: during physical activity, your body has 3 possible sources of energy: Carbohydrates-
 (glycogen- sugar stored in the muscles), fat, and protein.

Protein is always the last fuel used of the 3 energy sources that your body draws on.
But whether your body draws on its sugar stores or fat stores depends on the intensity of your workouts.
The harder you work out, the the easier it is for your body to process the fuel it needs to keep going. For a body training at a high intensity, the sugar stores are the most efficient source of fuel. But, this does not mean that you are not burning as much fat! By working out at a higher intensity, you are burning more calories  overall, so although your body uses a lower % of fat-calories to sustain itself through a high- intensity workout than it does for a low-intensity workout, the total number of fat calories burned during a high - intensity workout is going to be higher because you are burning more calories period! It's all about the total # of calories burned.
The bottom line is this: the main determinate of weight loss is the amount of calories burned, not the composition of those calories.
Also know that the harder you workout the more significantly you boost your metabolism for up to 24 hours after your workout! So, take it up a notch and see if those last stubborn pounds don't fall off!