The heart is your bodies’ most important muscle, so why neglect it in the gym? With the recent trend of weight training taking over health and fitness magazines, cardio exercises are getting left behind with dangerous consequences. Anyone who’s ever been on a weight loss journey understands that the plethora of information circling the internet can be conflicting and sometimes overwhelming, but the truth is: cardio exercises are crucial to weight loss. Paired with a low-calorie diet and a regular dose of vitamin-packed fat burning shots, cardio can power you through your weight loss goals and have you looking your best in no time. The best cardio exercises to lose weight are always the ones you enjoy, but certain ones offer peak benefits.
Cardio does not have to be boring!
If you’re aiming to make your gym workouts more fun, step away from the treadmill. While jogging, logging hours on the elliptical, and biking around a virtual version of Italy may work, they’re not exactly the most engaging activities. When you’re on a weight loss journey, you’re in it for the long haul. We always say weight loss is a marathon, not a sprint – so make your cardio exercises less about sprinting and more about you! To maximize your gym time, mix up your basic cardio by throwing in some less expected workouts. One of our favorites is to do interval jogging (walking for a few minutes, then jogging for a few) and hopping off periodically to do jump ropes. Jump ropes don’t need an actual rope, just the motion; you can personalize the up and down with throwing in some side hops. The goal of cardio is to keep your heart rate up and burn those calories, so any movement helps!
Proper preparation and stretching are key to any cardio exercise
A little extra preparation can help your body lose more weight, faster. Whether it be stretching before and after your workout or following a prescription weight loss plan, taking the time to prepare your body for cardio will mean you burn more fat during and after. Try some light yoga before hopping on the exercise bike and you’re guaranteed to feel the difference. The aftercare is just as important, because what many people don’t realize after going through some of the best cardio exercises, is you continue to burn calories well after you’ve finished the workout. Taking the time to fully stretch those sore muscles and refuel with a healthy meal replacement shake will ultimately aid your body in shedding pounds.
Regular cardio can help you sleep better, be more alert, and burn more resting calories
Besides helping you look better; regular cardio will help your day-to-day life. It’s scientifically proven women who work out regularly feel better during the day, with more energy. As Elle Woods famously says in Legally Blonde, “Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. Happy people don’t shoot their husbands”, regular cardio will give you endorphins. These ‘happy hormones’ help you sleep more deeply, provide you with lasting energy throughout the day, and encourage you to make good dietary and exercise choices. For more help with your weight loss journey contact Advanced Medical Weight Loss & Wellness Center today!
