Transform your Life with Cardio Exercise!

There are a number of excellent cardio exercises that we can all do both inside and outside the gym. Exercise can and should be fun. Each of us has our own favorite activities and yours may be running, biking, swimming, dancing or even walking. If you are especially athletic, then you might try boxing. Step classes can be a great way to meet some new friends.

Learn the Secret to a Consistent Cardio Routine

Nothing like a solo run sometimes to
clear the mind and blast away the cobwebs!

The real secret to finding those cardio exercises that will work best for you lies in understanding what activities you find most enjoyable. Older athletes may simply take a brisk 20 minute walk each day, but if your passion is mountain biking, then go for it. Find something that you really enjoy and make some new friends who also enjoy this activity and your cardio workout will always be fun and adventurous.

Explore the Healthy Benefits

Any large group of muscles that contracts rhythmically over time, will burn fuel to keep that movement up. This equates to weight loss as well as muscle toning. When we get our heart rate up and keep it up for at least 20 minutes per day, we’re promoting healthy heart and lung function. Much of the recent research indicates that these types of cardio exercises also help with ailments like brain fog, depression, stress, insomnia, and low self-esteem.

Cardio activities and most other types of exercise release chemicals in our brains call endorphins. By interacting with the receptors in our brain, these endorphins can reduce pain and give us a light, positive feeling of well-being. Some people have described the feeling to that of being on morphine. That’s why exercising can become so addictive to some individuals.

Real Change is Possible

Cardio does all this while improving the condition of your cardiovascular system - heart, lungs, blood vessels and keeping your blood and cells oxygenated. When you consider all the benefits of cardio exercise, you can quickly see why it’s a great addition to any work-out program. Discover what works best for you and you can move into a whole new healthy lifestyle where you’re finally in control of your health.

In the next blog, we’ll zero in on carbs and find out all the good and bad stuff about these controversial foods.

Exercise with others outdoors promotes feelings of happiness
as well as better fitness, researchers say

Examining the Myths Surrounding Carbs and Cardio

Each year, once the New Year’s festivities are over, most of us run out to the gym, determined to work hard and get back in shape as quickly as possible. After having all those delicious desserts and exotic drinks at holiday parties, we can see the change in our bodies. Jeans don’t fit right anymore and love handles suddenly appear seemingly out of nowhere.

If you are one of those diligent people who stuck with it and lost every single kilo of body fat, then kudos to you. Most of us worked out for a month or so and then fell back into our old, comfortable routine. Let’s face it though … we all want to look great in our favourite shorts or swimming cossie, so maybe it’s time to take another shot at getting in shape.

Are All Carbs Bad for You?

Many of the 10-week course graduate personal trainers will quickly tell you that all carbs are evil and should be completely avoided. The human body does require healthy foods containing carbs though. One rule of thumb that should always be observed with any diet and exercise program is not to become so radical that you actually harm your body.

A good balance in our eating habits can be achieved where we enjoy some foods containing carbohydrates (bread, grains, pasta, rice, fruits etc) on a regular basis. Of course, use common sense and good judgment, but don’t spurn any food with carbs. For instance, fresh fruit, especially items like apples and grapes, are healthy, nutritious and they keep your bowels working properly.

Cardio Workouts

Cardio is another area where things can easily get out of hand. Some exercise enthusiasts are sternly against cardio workouts. Unless you work at a very physical job each day, then your body probably does need some cardio training on a daily basis. You can think of cardio training as a good, solid workout for your heart and lungs, and the heart is the most important muscle in your body. A little bit of huffing and puffing that gets your heart rate up each day will keep you cardiovascular system strong well into old age.

In the next blog, we’ll talk about the various types of cardio workouts that can benefit you. We will also discuss how effective they are at improving each area of our physique.