Well, March has arrived. Now two months into the new year, are you still working out or have you given up on the your New Year's resolution? If you've given up, get going again. Now is a great time to recommit.

I am still going, but I learned an important lesson this week. I'm not working hard enough.

I love using my elliptical in front of the TV. Watching "The Biggest Loser" and "The Bachelor" on tape keeps me going as I work on the elliptical and as I lift weights.

But I took a step class with friends this week and I was out of breath. It was like I hadn't been working out. That's when I realized I wasn't working hard enough at home.

How do you fix that? Buy a heart rate monitor.

You can figure out your target heart rate on the American Heart Association's Web site.

Now I know I need to keep my heart rate between about 126 and 144 or I'm not working hard enough.

The next night, I got back on the elliptical and I managed to keep my heart rate between 130 and 150 most of the time. Occasionally I even hit the floor for a few jumping jacks, anything to keep my heart rate up.

Heart rate monitors vary in price. I bought mine at Big 5. You can also get them at REI and other sporting goods stores. Get one with a chest band. You'll figure it out quickly. Don't pay a lot unless you think you need the extra features. You really just need to know the number.

As for my weight loss, well it's probably no surprise I haven't really lost any more weight. I have a terrible diet. But hopefully increasing the intensity of my workouts will help.

Fitness trainer and exercise medicine specialist Jane Hastings said:

As Deb said, intensity is a very important variable in exercise.
The three main components are frequency, duration and intensity.
Frequency: How often are you working out?
Duration: How long are your exercise sessions?
Intensity: How hard are you pushing yourself? It’s best to change only one variable at a time. Once you get yourself going and are exercising regularly for 30-60 minutes per session, its time to address intensity. If cleared by your physician, you should be working between 70-85% of your max heart rate (220-age). A great program to rev your engine is an indoor cycling class such as spinning. You go at your own pace but with the encouragement of the instructor and the camaraderie of your fellow spinners, you will find yourself pushing harder than you would on your own. Its fun and effective…even addicting.
Check with your local health club or rec center or online for a class that fits your schedule. Remember that a class structure is also helpful with accountability. Enjoy your ride.

You can reach Jane at (303) 871-8661 or visit her Web site Mad About Fitness.

As always, I welcome your e-mails, Deb Stanley (Deb_Stanley@kmgh.com).