H.I.I.T. ?

Question
QUESTION: John
I have been trying to lose body fat and keep my heart and lungs in good condition.
I have been jogging on my treadmill three times a week and then some stretches and weights.
I havent lost much fat but I am a bit firmer and I have good 'wind' and more energy as well as felling better mentally.
A friend says I am doing it all wrong though. I need to do H.I.I.T.
I tried it with her and though the workout was much shorter I didnt enjoy it at all. It was stressfull and very demanding.  I like my long leisurely runs so I can watch a show or the news on the TV. NOw thats its summer I can go for long runs and enjoy the outside sights and sounds.I actually enjoy my type of workout as I can let my mind go blank and run off negative mental energy and stress.
Am I wasting my time doing what I am doing? I am almost 50 and this H.I.I.T. thing seems more for younger people.
I would like to shrink this belly though. I have reduced the calories and fats in my diet.
Thanks for your advice.


ANSWER: Hi Sue
Your doing what you enjoy and it is working for you and that is the most important thing to a sucessful program and long term results.Just keep up with what your doing and as you move along adding a little intensity picking up the speed from time to time will benefit you.If you have other questions Sue just get in touch.

All the best

John

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks John
I do run pretty slow,not realy panting or sweating much, so, if I understand what you are saying, if I run faster I will lose weight faster?
Maybe I will run hard for 20 minutes then do some weights for a total of 30 minutes instead of running for 30 minutes.

Answer
Hi Sue
That was quick.As long as you enjoy your running then i would just focus on just getting creative with our workouts.For example here are a few you you can work with.
30 min easy,next day 5 min easy run warm up then alternate 5 min picking up pace then back to 5 min easy till you finish the 30 total min or longer .
Next you can find a hill about 10%to 15% grade and do some nice relaxed hill repeats.Run up walk back and just repeat that for the 30 min.These will really shape the legs.Just work into them gradually.
Now back to a easy 30min for recovery.
Next you can do a 30min run alternating 2 min picking up the pace and 1 min easy.....There is 3 workouts for you and now it is your turn to get creative and design something with some intensity.
The program is intensity one day and easy the next.If your not recovering enough in 1 day stretch it out to 2 easy days and just keep tweaking it even creating new programs.You will really see and feel very fit and your body will respond.Any questions just holler Sue.

Enjoy

John