There are many theories out there about aerobic or cardiovascular exercise breaking down the lean tissue in the body. Aerobic exercise (exercise w/oxygen) should be a vital part of your regular fitness program. You are not only burning calories but you are using the most important muscle in your body - the heart.
As your heart is pumping blood throughout the body you are increasing the amount of oxygen and the size of the blood vessels in your body. These blood vessels supply oxygen to the tissues including your muscles. The oxygen also carries out waste products to help with recovery and growth of tissue.
So what type of cardiovascular activity is best for you and your goals? Running, jogging and jumping rope are all examples of high impact aerobics and may tend to break down muscle tissue, burn more calories and with the presence of an improper nutrition program may lead to muscle loss. Walking, cycling and stair climbing are examples of non-impact to low or low impact cardiovascular activities that will potentially minimize the breakdown of muscle tissue.
Determining what your ultimate goals are, whether overall weight loss, body fat loss or gaining lean body mass, will help you determine what type of cardiovascular exercise is best for you to reach your goals. It is very important to choose a type of exercise you will enjoy and will not cause boredom.
Cardiovascular exercise must be performed for no less than 20 minutes. A slow, steady and long duration program will achieve greater fat loss results when done on a consistent basis. One tip to achieving faster results is to complete your aerobic activity first thing in the morning prior to breakfast with plenty of water.
Since your body has been burning calories during the nights sleep, body fat will be utilized as energy in the absence of glycogen in the blood stream.
In conclusion, the muscle tissue in your body is vitally important for longevity and ultimate weight control. By incorporating a regular weight training and cardiovascular exercise program in your daily routine, you can add years to your life and life to your years!
Wes Greer is the owner of the Fitness Together Personal Training studios in Ponte Vedra, Mandarin, and Atlantic Boulevard. Email wesgreer@fitnesstogether.com, call 904.285.3236 or visit www.FTJACKSONVILLE.com for more information.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
The 'D' Word - DIET!
Today is the day you will never ‘diet’ again! Your new definition of diet is your DAILY INTAKE OF ENERGY TREATS! Your daily eating plan and your 5 meals a day is your diet. No deprivation, all real foods, no packaged or pre-cooked foods. Just a good, healthy eating plan. Think S-F-H, (small, frequent and healthy)!
Let’s stop and think about the foods people had to eat way back in the 1800’s: vegetables grown in the ground, fruit off the trees, animals that were hunted, fish that were caught in the river or sea, and grains that were picked. Have you ever heard of an ‘obesity epidemic’ in the 1800’s? Of course not! Not only were ALL of the foods natural, but energy was expended every time someone was hungry – there were no supermarkets!
200 years ago, there were no pasta primaveras, cheese enchiladas, or chili rellenos and definitely, no pizza! Unfortunately, those days were much more primitive and cooking was done over a wood burning fire. There were no microwaves or fancy ovens, no food processors, pasta machines, or even refrigeration. Whatever was caught or gathered that day was eaten. Think of what you eat daily. Do you think you eat ANYTHING that is one day fresh?
If our society could get back to the basics by eating all-natural foods, more fruits and vegetables, fresh fish instead of red meat (primarily because we do not perform manual labor enough to burn the calories in red meat) and less sugar and flour products, we would never have to watch what we eat again. Of course, activity level would need to be increased since the pioneers and Indians walked or rode horses for transportation. As you know, this burns more calories that sitting in a car or at a desk.
If we could incorporate the ways of our ancestors by eating more natural foods and exercising more intensely, we could improve so many aspects of our lives like:
- increased mental and physical energy
- higher metabolism
- increased muscle mass
- body-fat reduction
- improved body image and self esteem
- improved mood
- ALL heart related health issues
Remember to never use the ‘D’ Word again. Common sense eating combined with exercise is the way to better health. Period.
Wes Greer is the owner of the Fitness Together Personal Training studios in Ponte Vedra, Mandarin, and Atlantic Boulevard. Email wesgreer@fitnesstogether.com, call 904.285.3236 or visit www.FTJACKSONVILLE.com for more information.
Let’s stop and think about the foods people had to eat way back in the 1800’s: vegetables grown in the ground, fruit off the trees, animals that were hunted, fish that were caught in the river or sea, and grains that were picked. Have you ever heard of an ‘obesity epidemic’ in the 1800’s? Of course not! Not only were ALL of the foods natural, but energy was expended every time someone was hungry – there were no supermarkets!
200 years ago, there were no pasta primaveras, cheese enchiladas, or chili rellenos and definitely, no pizza! Unfortunately, those days were much more primitive and cooking was done over a wood burning fire. There were no microwaves or fancy ovens, no food processors, pasta machines, or even refrigeration. Whatever was caught or gathered that day was eaten. Think of what you eat daily. Do you think you eat ANYTHING that is one day fresh?
If our society could get back to the basics by eating all-natural foods, more fruits and vegetables, fresh fish instead of red meat (primarily because we do not perform manual labor enough to burn the calories in red meat) and less sugar and flour products, we would never have to watch what we eat again. Of course, activity level would need to be increased since the pioneers and Indians walked or rode horses for transportation. As you know, this burns more calories that sitting in a car or at a desk.
If we could incorporate the ways of our ancestors by eating more natural foods and exercising more intensely, we could improve so many aspects of our lives like:
- increased mental and physical energy
- higher metabolism
- increased muscle mass
- body-fat reduction
- improved body image and self esteem
- improved mood
- ALL heart related health issues
Remember to never use the ‘D’ Word again. Common sense eating combined with exercise is the way to better health. Period.
Wes Greer is the owner of the Fitness Together Personal Training studios in Ponte Vedra, Mandarin, and Atlantic Boulevard. Email wesgreer@fitnesstogether.com, call 904.285.3236 or visit www.FTJACKSONVILLE.com for more information.
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