Long cardio workouts bad for losing fat?

Dear Wanna Lose Fat,

The Internet can be a good resource for health and fitness information, but it's great that you are double-checking your findings. Especially because there is not much support for the claim that long cardio workouts cause your body to store more fat. However, there is good evidence that high-intensity interval training (HIIT) is an effective fat-buster.

HIIT, or interval training, is characterized by alternating between periods of high- and low-intensity activity during a workout. For example, instead of running at a steady pace for 30 minutes, you could alternate between sprinting for one minute and then walking or jogging for two minutes. This fast/slow technique seems to maximize fat-burning.  HIIT may work by training mitochondria (the cell's energy centers) to burn fat calories before carbohydrate calories.

In general, high-intensity or aerobic exercise burns more fat than low-intensity exercise. For example, you will burn more fat calories by running for 30 minutes compared to power walking for the same amount of time. What counts as "high" or "low" intensity exercise varies from person to person, and also depends on your heart rate.

Many fitness experts also recommend mixing up your workouts to include weight training along with aerobic exercise in order to build muscle and burn fat more efficiently. Finding a variety of ways to exercise that you truly enjoy (whether it's cycling, dancing, running, or yoga) will also help you burn more fat in the long run — if you're having fun, you may be more likely to exercise longer and more often, and avoid burnout.

Before you begin interval training or start a new exercise regimen, you may want to talk with your health care provider. You can discuss your fitness goals with a personal trainer at your local gym or fitness center. 

Good luck finding a fitness plan that works best for you!