The Secret to Burning Fat Faster

Want to burn fat faster than Dr. Mike burns the walnuts he roasts? Then ignore the charts on the equipment at the gym that say you're only in the "fat-burning zone" when your heart rate is low. Because when it comes to shedding fat, that's not what matters most.

Technically, the charts are right: With a low heart rate, your body likes to fuel activity by using fat. When you work harder and your heart rate climbs, your body prefers the quicker energy hit of any sugar lying around in your system.

But that doesn't mean that keeping your heart rate low for 30 minutes will make you slimmer than if you had pumped things up for 30. Quite the opposite! You incinerate more calories per minute -- that's what melts pounds -- when your heart rate is high. At a heart rate of 120, you might burn 6 calories per minute (just an example; your calorie burn depends on factors such as your weight and what activity you're doing). At a heart rate of 160, you might burn 15 calories per minute. So going at the higher heart rate for 30 minutes could burn 270 more calories of that double-cheese thingy you ate off your spouse's plate last night.

We're not saying you must go quickly; if slow is your style, just work out longer to torch just as many calories. But going as fast as you can (with your doc's permission) for at least 1 minute at some point in every exercise session does make your RealAge younger -- but that's another tip.