Custom Search
|
|
5 Cardio Myths That May Be Blocking Your Progress
Myth 1: You have to find your activity and pace and keep going steady to burn off fat. You may start seeing a reduction in your weight with a daily 30 minute walking routine. But after a few months your weight becomes steady again, even though you are continuing with your workout. What made you hit a plateau? Your body adapts to your routine and becomes more efficient at it. Lower calories are now used up to perform the same task. To lose more fat, you can include short bursts of high speed walking or going up along slopes. Interval training prevents your body from settling into a comfort level and reducing the benefits from your workout. New activities set new challenges for your body. Your body needs to be pushed and varying the activities and pace of your workout does just that. Myth 2: For maximum fat loss, you have to burn as many calories as you can during your workout. Low intensity exercise burns up more calories while you are at it, as you can keep going for a longer duration. But this form of exercise does not increase your Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR). High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) increases RMR, so calories continue to be used after your workout. In effect, the benefits of your workout continue for the whole day, resulting in a higher number of calories being burned throughout the day. Myth 3: You should do your workout before having food to lose fat. High intensity workouts require energy bursts for which the body needs glucose. Food is needed to provide nutrients for efficient functioning and to maintain the required intensity of your training. If food is not provided, your body may even go into a catabolic state, using protein to produce energy. A light meal of carbohydrates and proteins about an hour before your workout is the best bet if you are going for HIIT. Myth 4: You can do your workout while watching TV or reading If you can do so, then you are not doing enough! If you are doing a high intensity workout, you should be challenging your body, pushing it. Concentrate on improving your movements and be alert to avoid any injury. Myth 5: High impact cardio workouts are harmful for your weight-bearing joints. Bones become stronger over a period of time when subjected to weight bearing exercises, as studies have shown. The benefits are observed for both men and women. Depending on your age and general physical condition, you should always consult an expert and tailor a program which suits you. You may need to increase the gap between workouts to allow the body to repair itself if repetitive stress injuries are a problem. You may even have to change your routine to include low-impact activities only. As little time as twenty minutes per day at least three times per week doing cardio can help in conditioning your body for better health and performance according to experts. Do not let the myths you hear often hold you back. Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com Dan Clay is a weight loss expert and owner of Dangerously Fit Boot Camp.If you would like to signup for Centennial Park Boot Camps, visit Boot Camps Sydney. |
|