Treadmill Tips.

Let me first start off by saying I'm NOT a fan of treadmill running!
I have a hard time looking at the same wall for 40 to 60 minutes.
I feel the same way about running on the treadmill as I feel about my weight workouts.
Exhibit A.
I would almost rather run up a mountain and feel like I'm going to die, than run on a treadmill.

hahah trust me, the hatred runs deep!
ANYWAYS..... Sometimes the treadmill is just necessary.

Don't worry I still do it even despite my dislikeness... every winter, or on vacations.
(some of you maybe just prefer running on the treadmill - CRAZY people -teach me your ways!)

I have some tips for treadmill running to help burn a few extra calories.

I figured this post was fitting given Winter is among us.
#1. INCLINE
      As SOON as you get on the treadmill, put your incline up to AT LEAST 1- Before touching the speed. I put my incline to 2 or 3 (sometimes 4 for a lap or 2) depending on my mood.

**For the workout shown, I ran at a 2 and a 3 incline and look at the feet I climbed plus I burned an extra bunch of calories**

    I promise you, if you start out with an incline, after a few laps around the track it will feel like you are going on flat ground and you won't even realize you are burning more calories!

    I usually will try to run a mile or two on 3 incline and then lower it to 2 incline for two miles than 1 for my last mile. (makes it feel like you are going downhill -trust me!)

    As soon as you get tired, lower it. (maybe your last mile or your last lap is with no incline)

Maybe your goal is to run just one mile (which by the way is awesome- I totally remember when I made it a mile, it was like the angels were singing!) Start out at a high incline and then lower it with each .25 lap around the track!

#2. Speed
     It doesn't matter if you run a 15 minute mile or a 5 minute mile, you will burn MORE calories by changing your speed!

    I love going by laps. Maybe I will run one lap at a sprinting pace, and then run the next 2 laps at a jogging pace. One sprinting lap, 2 jogging laps, ETC. (This can be for outside running also!)

**Your body needs that push out of it's comfort zone to burn that extra fat and calories!

    If you are running a 10 minute mile pace for 3 miles, every single day, your body is going to PLATEAU sooner or later and you will start to burn fewer calories every time.You will burn a lot more calories if you switch up your pace every so often:)

 #3. Walkers and weights
    If you are running on the treadmill, I would highly NOT recommend running holding weights.
(it will totally mess up your form)

     However, if you are WALKING - add some weights to burn a few more calories. Walk pumping your arms the whole time or at least some of the time.

    I have "off" days where I try to go walking and if I do go on the treadmill, I like to get 2 or 3 pound weights to walk with. It will burn by the end!

#4. Just go by time
    One thing that helps me get through my treadmill workouts, is to just go by time.

    Give yourself 30 minutes or 40 or 52 minutes, whatever it is and try to go as fast and as hard as you can in that time length. Then your done.
Don't get on the treadmill with no goal in mind. It will probably end up taking you forever and you will end up walking a lot. Just go by time you will end up pushing yourself harder and getting that extra burn for that extra fat.:)

Happy Friday everyone!
Come 10:30 PM tonight and I will have my husband back again! FINALLY.
I hope he crushes this last final.
One more semester to go!
Let the Christmas celebrations begin! xoxo

Karina Marie Powell

8 comments:

  1. this is awesome! thank you SO much for this! I despise treadmills--but it's the only option when utah winters roll around. I like the incline idea--I'm going to try it out today. I'm with you though--I'd much rather pound the pavement! It's amazing the difference between the two. Glad I'm not alone! Thanks again, Karina!

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  2. Oh man I hear ya on the treadmill running. For me down in South FL it's the opposite, I look forward to winter so I can do all my runs outside because it's the hot summer that kills me and forces me to run on the treadmill. I'm okay if I'm only going 5 miles or under, but as soon as I go over 5 the treadmill just kills me!! Thanks for the tips! :)

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  3. Aw yay for having your husband back! :) Mine starts school in January! I'm nervous!

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  4. I agree with you 100% on the incline. Everytime I get on a treadmill, I automatically set it to 3 and it makes it seem more like running outside.

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  5. I am the same way when it comes to the dreaded TREADMILL. It is so not my favorite. I would rather do the elliptical or the stair master. lol. But when I do get on the treadmill I will play netflix on my phone and just get into a movie or show so that the time passes quickly. I go love my weights though. I feel like I get way more out of those.

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  6. Thanks for the tips! What kind of treadmill do you have?

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  7. Great tips!! I hate running on the treadmill too...it's just so boring! I'm more of a walker, but definitely prefer walking outside. We NEED to see you and Ryan soon! Maybe after Christmas?!

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  8. ugh, hate the treadmill!! I'd much rather be outside :)

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