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What is the Best Exercise for Weight Loss?
Dieting Effects AlcoholDieting presents many complications if you are not fully committed to changing your lifestyle. Many people are more than willing to ..... It is a common misconception that aerobic exercise tones/firms muscles. Actually it
accomplishes very little toning/firming. Resistance exercise (weight training) is
where real toning/firming of muscles occurs.
Doing both aerobics and weight training is the optimal way to lose more fat and
gain more muscle. If you are trying to lose weight, studies show that weight loss
increases by 56 percent with aerobic and strength exercises combined. Muscle may
weigh more, but when you increase your muscle composition, the body is able to
burn more fat, even when you are resting, because your metabolism is higher. A
pound of muscle will use 350 to 500 calories per week to survive, while a pound of
fat only needs about 14 calories per week. New studies have shown that building
muscle helps your body fight disease better, too.
Strength training benefits everyone, no matter what age or sex, and is becoming
recognized as an important component of fitness. Research is indicating that the
muscle loss found in elderly people doesnt come from age, but lack of activity.
Even a young person who doesnt get enough exercise can lose muscle mass and
strength. Strength training, such as lifting weights or performing weight-resistance
exercises, as little as twice a week can help maintain or increase muscle mass.
Strength training involving several sets of many repetitions using moderate weights
will not result in huge muscles. Instead it builds bone mass, increases the
metabolism and tones and firms muscles, giving a leaner look.
It is very important to do both aerobics and strength exercises. The aerobic
exercises help your heart and lungs get stronger and help your body utilize oxygen
more efficiently, which in turn helps with strength training and overall fitness. The
strength exercise helps develop muscle, reduce body fat and maintain bone mass.
Aerobic Exercise is a type of exercise that elevates the heart rate and breathing for a
continuous sustained period. This overloads the heart and lungs and causes them
to work harder than at rest.
There are many options to choose from today. Bicycling, aerobic dance, swimming,
walking, and stepping are all examples of aerobic exercise. Which ones to chose
depends on your physical condition, your history, your interests and your goals.
Many experts believe it is better to alternate between 2 or more types, to get a
better workout.
There are two main types of aerobics- high impact and low impact. It is better to
alternate between high impact aerobics (which are harder on the body and may
cause more damage) and low impact aerobics, such as walking and swimming. This
is called cross-training, and helps reduce the chance or injury and overuse of
certain muscles.
You will want to perform aerobic exercises at least 20 minutes a day for at least 3 to
4 days a week. If you are trying to lose body fat, or your physical condition is very
good, then you may want to work longer at it. Try exercising up to 40 to 60 minutes
5 to 6 days a week.
Remember there is no real need to knock yourself out. Moderate intensity is almost
always better and is more enjoyable. Low to moderate intensity is an especially good
idea when starting out after a layoff or recovery from illness or injury, or if you are
significantly overweight.
Warm-up and cool down is important to reduce discomfort and the chance of injury.
Warm up by starting slow and gradually build up to your top speed. Then slow
down again at the end of your workout.
The whole idea behind aerobic exercise is to get up and get moving! Find
something you enjoy doing that keeps your heart rate elevated for a continuous
time period and get moving to a healthier life.
By Dianne Ronnow 2005 Mohave Publishing. All rights reserved. From the
Enzyme-health Blog found at Enzyme-Health.com.
To find out what the secrets of coconut oil dieting are, Check out her site at: Coconut-Oil-Diet.com. Get the book now
and start losing weight today!
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