Just in case you were planning on using the news that exercise doesn't help you burn fat when you stop exercising I have a few reminders of why cardio matters.
- Aerobic exercise greatly reduces your risk of heart disease and increases your life expectancy. It is like strength training for your heart, which one could argue is the most important muscle of your body.
- Vigorous cardio has been shown to help prevent cancer. So work your interval training and bike up those hills.
- Regular moderate cardio exercise boosts your immune system. Along with strengthening your heart, aerobic exercise creates physiological changes to your immune system making it stronger.
- Light to moderate cardio can not only improve your mood, it decreases the symptoms of depression. Feeling gloomy? Go for a walk, run, or bike ride and sweat your blues away.
- Moderate aerobic exercise eases insomnia. If you don't suffer from insomnia, getting your heart rate up can still improve your sleep, helping you fall asleep more quickly and have better quality sleep as well.
If you are now in need of a plan, check out these cardio routines for all types of aerobic exercise and cardio equipment. Tell me, why do you do cardio?
Take-Two
Forzieri
Mon Showroom
I just have to say, with all the back-and-forth news about exercising, no wonder so much confusion exists! I can see why some people don't start or don't know where to begin.
1It may not burn fat after exercise, but it still burns it during, so I'm not about to give up my cardio routine. Especially since I still get the mood boost afterward regardless of whether or not it continues to boost fat burn. In fact, I'm about to go hit the gym for my morning workout
2What about runner's high?!? (also felt after a great cardio workout) The endorphin rush feels soooooooooooooo good!!
3Agree with Pibl
4Umm...I do cardio to lose weight. No lie, that's why I do it. And it's the easiest thing to do [get some decent walking/running shoes and GO!]. I do a bit of strength training, but all the muscle I'm building can't be seen under the fat anyway, so I've cut back on it in favor of more cardio.
5I love doing my cardio, not gonna lie about that. I know it doesn't boost fat burning when you're done with it, but you still burn calories WHILE YOU'RE DOING IT, so why wouldn't you want to start? Also, working out does help me with my sleep...I get my solid 7-8 hours after a good workout and I don't toss and turn a whole lot.
6It wakes me up in the morning, puts me in a better mood for the day, AND I get to burn a few hundred calories... nothing wrong with that!
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