[silvergray545]

I understand to burn fat, you need to keep your heart rate in a certain range. My problem is, I seem to excede the required range quite easily. When I run on the elliptical, at an average of 6 mph, my heart rate shoots up to 170. I use the monitor on the elliptical to measure it. I'm not sure if that's right or if it's even good. I do about a half hour everyday on the elliptical and then I lift afterwards.

Is that normal for my heart rate to be that high when running? I am a little over weight but I try to stay active when school isn't always ruling my life. I walk instead of drive around campus. I take the stairs instead of elevators. I snowboard 3-4 times a week, for at least 4 hours at a time, if not longer. I don't get tired easily. Even on the elliptical, I can do 30 min at 6 mph fine. But my heart rate is high the whole time.

So my question is, what is the ideal heart rate to burn fat? And with my heart rate getting as high as it does, is that unhealthy for me to keep doing?