heart rate question

I have a question about heart rate.  I've been working hard enough during my workouts so that I feel it, but not so hard that I can't carry on a conversation while I'm doing it, which I've always read is the appropriate level of vigor for a cardio workout.  However, the heart rate reading on the elliptical machine and treadmill that I use shows my heart rate as being too high--not just beyond the so-called "fat burning" zone, but actually a few beats per minute above the cardio zone.  I'm 25 years old, and today on the elliptical, my heart rate got up to 167 beats per minute.  I dialed back my intensity when I noticed this, but could never get any lower than 164.  I took my heart rate the old fashioned way with a clock and my pulse after I got off the machine, and it confirmed the machine's readings.  Will working out at this level do damage to my health?  I don't feel like I'm over-working myself, but according to the numbers, I am, so I'm concerned.  I know that serious athletes can work out at that level for short periods of time, but I am FAR from being a serious athlete--I'm just an overweight person trying to get more active, doing a half hour of cardio per day.

I have the same question-I have actually gone above the cardio zone too.  Where exactly should your heart rate be to lose weight. 

I hope someone answers.

 

To lose weight you need to create a calorie deficit, i.e. burn more calories each day than you consume.  Heart rate is not a factor, however, when you work out the higher your heart rate is the more calories you are typically burning.

 

Heart rate is a factor when determining what you're burning--be it fat, or glycogen.

See this

 

70% MHR is the sweet spot.

At the end of the day, whether you were burning fat or glycogen is moot.

I disagree, but that's moot as well. :p

In order to burn the most calories you want your heart rate to run at 80-85% of your max heart rate. Some people may tell you that is too high, and obviously if you are out of breath and cannot function at that level then you need to take it back a step, but if you can hold a conversation at 85% then you are fine, you'll just burn more calories. I'm 24 years old and for my height and age, 85% of my max heart rate is 167. That is typically about what mine runs when I am on the elliptical and I can still hold a conversation. Another thing to keep in mind is that the HR monitors on the machines aren't accurate. If you want to get an accurate heart rate/calories burned then you should purchase a HR monitor. I've had the machines in the gym register CRAZY numbers before that weren't true. So relax and don't worry so much about the numbers... concentrate on how you feel; if you feel great you can probably even up the intensity... or better yet mix up the machines you use so that you are using different muscles. Cardio on one machine may be easy for you, but switch to another and you may find yourself being more challenged. If you want a great book that can explain the whole science behind burning calories, heart rates, dieting, etc. I highly recommend Jillian Michaels "Winning by losing". It changed my whole outlook on weight loss/management.

In the starred thread at the top of this forum is a great starter information on this question. Its the WElcome to the fitnes forum helpful links inside

Towards the bottom is info on Heart rate for fat burn