To do cardio or not?
That is the question!
The idea of cardio being the only physical activity for women is so widely spread that I find it scary. It is not like I am against it though. Far from that! However, the fact that it is frequently treated as the sole solution to all female fitness problems worries me.
When someone comes to the conclusion that they need/should lose weight for instance, what is the first thing that they think of? Cardio, isn't it? I thought so too in the beginning and I am pretty sure you did it as well, and maybe still do.
But how does the 'magic' of weight loss really happen? And why do people so easily associate it with spending countless hours on the treadmill?
Pounds (or kilos) start to melt from the moment that your intake is lower than your outtake. In other words, you are using more energy than you are consuming. For example, if you have just started a Couch to 5k program and decided to maintain your diet as-is, you will probably still lose weight because you will be burning extra calories. So far, so good. But let's face it: is it all? Is your ideal of a fit life to become a battery bunny?
No matter how much you vary your training, you will probably be doing the same repetitive moves over and over again. If you are trying just to do them faster, fine! But it will not be of that much use if you are willing to build your overall condition.
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| There is no point to lifting weights lighter than your purse. |
Strength training supports muscle growth. Muscle that you need to perform your simplest daily activities such as walking or lifting your kids. And if you by any chance still think that weight training is for bodybuilders, please, erase and rewind from your mind once and for all. Bodybuilding and Fitness is more than showing up at the gym on a daily basis. It is not by grabbing some dumbbells that you will become the next "big" thing in town.
Anyways, when putting together a basic weekly training schedule have the following in mind:
- Strength training for at least 3 times - combine body parts wisely
- 3-5 30-minute cardio sessions (including plyos) - the exact amount depends on your goals and opt for HIIT whenever possible
- at least one rest day - muscles grow when you rest
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| Balance Your Workouts For Optimal Results |
Needless to say that these are general facts. There are a lot of other aspects that should be taken into consideration when putting your workout together such as predispositions, health condition, metabolism and why not time, personal preference and availability. Whatever regimen you choose for yourself, stop immediately if you feel unwell and consult your MD to be sure it is not "something else". And if you are completely new to training, consult your doctor before starting!
* You can also find me on:
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Sources:
http://www.mayoclinic.org
http://www.livestrong.com
http://en.wikipedia.org
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