Only works after 20 minutes?! - Exercise & Fitness Message Board

Sparklybeck · 12-30-2008, 06:01 AM

Hi

I heard that your body only starts burning calories after 20 minutes of exercise - does this mean a 15/20 minute jog is pointless?!

Thanks very much

janewhite1 · 12-30-2008, 06:55 AM

No. Any exercise whatsoever burns calories. Lifting one heavy piece of furniture burns calories. (Just a couple, though).

What your source might have been trying to say is that you have to exercise for about 20 minutes to start drawing directly on your fat reserves. I do not know if that's true, but it's at least plausible. However, any routine that gets you moving significantly more over the course of the week will aid weight loss.

dubW · 01-04-2009, 06:11 AM

While any work results in calorie loss the problem is the supplement that follows. Example, a person burns 10 calories moving furniture, but has a soda or beer to cool off - the result is plus calories. Least that's the way I understand it.

tUrRrRa · 01-07-2009, 07:22 PM

I've heard this as well but I disagree. I did the Five Factor diet/exercise plan this year, which only has a little bit of cardio. It's 5 shorter workouts per week. I'd usually only do 15-20 minutes of running and then a little bit of weights. I got awesome results and got down to my goal weight! Eventually the routine became too easy for me so I do more, and thus, eat more since I'm not trying to lose weight. I still generally try to stick close to the plan, just slightly modified.