HIIT = Weight (fat) Loss?

Does it really work for losing weight?  I read an article with an example of HIIT to follow, but the author recommended being in good cardio shape before trying it because it's pretty intense.  What if you're not in good cardio shape just yet?  Does anybody have any suggestions to slowly incorporate HIIT?  Right now, I run/walk for 25 minutes on the treadmill - I'll walk for .25 miles to warm up and then run about .75 miles at a steady pace and then walk (fast paced) another 0.25 miles and then run another .25-.50 miles... blah blah blah... until my 25 minutes are up.  Then, I'll either do a bike or a stair climber for 10 to 20 minutes, depending on which one I'm doing.

Anyway, any help/information would be FANTASTIC!!!

Thanks!

~Nikki

If you're not sure you're in good enough shape to try HIIT, give yourself a bit of time to work up to it (and if you're really not sure, talk to your doctor). It's important to first make sure you're not going to hurt yourself before you try something as demanding as HIIT.

It sound like you've got a good routine going. If you want to get started with something similar to HIIT but not quite as intense, you could try some intervals that are higher than your used to but not quite as high as a HIIT program calls for. For instance, if you were on the treadmill, you could do a 5 minute warm-up until you're at a fast walking pace. Then spend one minute running at a pace you can handle, and drop back to your walking pace for three minutes (repeat until you reach 25 minutes). The more your fitness level improves, the faster (and longer) you'll be able to run on your intervals.

If you do HIIT, you're going to be very tired and probably won't feel like doing any additional cardio after that. I generally use HIIT on days I want to work out but don't have a lot of time, and I really like it. Hope this helps!

what is HIIT?

Wow, mobaby, thanks!  I'm definately going to try to work up to it... but slowly, of course.

xaperfectblinkx: HIIT stands for High Intensity Interval Training.  Here are some links to a couple of articles I found on it:
http://www.davedraper.com/hiit-cardio-trainin g.html
http://www.youronlinefitness.com/Fitness_Arti cles/hiit_and_other_interval_training.php

you can do interval training without doing HIIT.  HIIT is interval training with peaks in the zone 5, also called the red line heart rate zone -- 90-100% of maximum heart rate.

but you can use interval training at the lower heart rate zones.  I do.  I use sprint, short times at run speeds, to elevate my heart rate, and then do a rest period of 2.5 minutes, then another sprint of 30 seconds, another rest period, and so on.  Over 40 minutes of time, the sprints elevate my heart rate from the bottom of zone 3 to the top of zone 4, with very, very brief thrusts into zone 5.

I find it very effective and quite challenging.  By measuring the heart rate, instead of just distance or speed or calories burned, you can ensure that you are always getting the desired intensity from your workout.