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Weight Loss Exercise

Cardio as Exercise


Cardio is one of the big three in the game of changing your body, the way I look at it there is diet, cardio and weights. The diet is self explanatory, the cardio is to burn calories before and after the cardio workout and weights are to create more muscle which automatically needs more calories just to maintain.

I will try in the future to add info on individual types of cardio training but for now just want to outline how, when and what kind of exercise counts. Firstly any time that you do 20 minutes or more exercise that does not hurt your muscles I consider it a cardio workout so examples would be biking, walking, running or even sports such as Tennis or Golf or Ballroom dancing. I try to make sure that I do some kind of cardio every day just to get my blood flowing and to get away from other distractions such as TV or computers. Another important thing to try to do is to change up your cardio from day to day just for variety more than anything.

The best time to get a cardio workout is in the morning. I myself ride a bike to work 25 minutes each way in the morning and afternoon and one of the main reasons that I like this is that when you have a workout of any kind in the morning it will raise your metabolism for 12 hours afterward, now most of the calories that you burn would likely be during the workout by I know that I feel better for hours after my ride compared to a non riding day. Here is a breakdown of the calories consumed during some activity; it is OK to just compare them more than trying at this point to deduct them from your caloric intake per day.

Calories Burned Per Hour Per Body Weight

Activity 75 lbs 100lb 150lb 200 lb
Bicycling, 10 km/h (6 mph) 135 160 240 320
Bicycling, 20 km/h (12 mph) 225 270 410 540
Running, 9 km/h (5.5 mph) 365 440 660 880
Running, 11 km/h (7 mph) 510 610 920 1,220
Running, 16 km/h (10 mph) 710 850 1,280 1,700
Jumping Rope 415 500 750 1,000
Swimming, 23 m/min (25 yd/min) 155 185 275 370
Swimming, 46 m/min (50 yd/min) 270 325 500 650
Tennis, singles 220 265 400 530
Walking, 3 km/h (2 mph) 125 160 240 320
Walking, 5 km/h (3 mph) 175 210 320 420
Walking, 7 km/h (4.5 mph) 245 295 440 590

There are many ways to fit this cardio into your day and if the morning does not work, or you want to kick your body into high gera, then a cardio workout in the evening can be a great way to improve your health.

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General Weight Loss Tips

Me Vs. The Lawn

lawncare Me Vs. The Lawn

You know, I kind of love the idea of exercise that gets something done in the process. And that’s why this year (after two years of living in this house) I’ve taken on our yard work as my new chore. Usually we just pay someone to keep up with the fast-growing grass, but it’s kind of expensive.  I have to tell you though that me and Josh are not “handy man” material. Computer people, yes, but not the do-it-yourself type.  I’m convinced that keeping up with the yard myself will help me with my weight loss goals. I don’t know many overweight landscapers or gardeners, do you?

Pushing this mower was hard work.

pushmower Me Vs. The Lawn

There is one big hill on our lot and its crazy steep. I chose the push mower for a few reasons, 1. its old school and I’m always nostalgic for times I never belonged to 2. it’s harder than a gas or riding mower 3. it’s cheaper 4. it’s easier. I honestly can’t imagine me and josh purchasing and storing gas. The thought of going to the gas station and putting gas in a container and then figuring out how to put it in the mower without the fear of blowing myself or the house up and then finding a place for it, is just not going to happen. 5. it’s better for the environment.

I did have the yard man do one round of mowing for me so that I could start fresh with short, easier to cut grass. I read a story recently  about a woman who stays in shape by push mowing her lawn for an hour every day. I can believe it. I looked up the calories burned and it’s anywhere from 450 per hour (for an “average” size person) and closer to 800 for me.

IMAG0432 1 1024x613 Me Vs. The Lawn

Not only will I be taking care of the grass, but I will be doing things like trimming these wild hedges. I’m not 100% sold on having bushes in front of the house, but I can’t think of anything better right now, and think they are fine for now.

My other project is building a new walkway in front of the house which I started digging out last night. Digging is hard work! And I used the old heavy step stones like weights, doing sets above my head several times.

This work makes me feel satisfied and happy in the strangest of ways. I love planning out my ideas for the yard and then getting my hands dirty and making them happen. This is such a foreign world to me. Growing up, my Dad took care of the yard and then after that I just lived in apartments where I had little more than a few potted plants.

Today, I’m planning a special trip to the local green house to get more plants! Pinterest is helping me gather my inspiration. Want to see?

My biggest inspiration is the yards I saw on the Venice Beach Canals in California. If you’ve ever been, you know what I’m talking about. It’s incredible what these people can do with a small space.

Venice canal Bridge view Me Vs. The Lawn

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linniecanal Me Vs. The Lawn

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Venice Canals2 Me Vs. The Lawn

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5872954007 a9ac109e1f Me Vs. The Lawn

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Of course, I don’t have the California weather to support most of these plants, but I’m  inspired by the arrangements more than anything. Ah, I will live there, if only for a month, once in my life! That would be a good time.

If you’d like to see more of my outdoor inspiration in pinterest, you can view them here and here.

 

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Weight Loss Exercise

Women’s Weight Training Tips | Women’s Weight Training Tips

Women’s weight training tips such as muscle building and strength training is a great way for women to lose weight and tone up. Building muscle has many benefits. Building muscle will increase your metabolic rate and burn fat faster. Also, as women age, it is even more important to do an activity that is good for the bones and weight training is one such activity. So it’s important in incorporate both muscle and strength training into your exercise routine.

Women’s Weight Training Tips

Womens Weight Training Tips

Women’s Weight Training Tips

Three times a week. Most important Women’s weight training tips is that just like in any other kind of exercise, it must be done at least three times a week in order to make it more effective in delivering your desired results. Three times is the ideal number because more than three times would not allow proper time for your muscles and your body to recover and heal.

Weight-Cardio intervals. The key to an effective workout is having intervals. You can’t live on jogging or weight training alone. A successful workout should be comprised of both. Women require more effort in maintaining their physique or in burning fat as compared to men, and a proper workout consisting of both weight training and cardio is necessary. Cardio and weight training work hand in hand to burn fat, speed up the metabolism, and increase endurance and resistance.

Gradually increase amount of weight over time. Once your body gets used to a 5 pound weight it will not be as effective. The point of slowly increasing your weights is to challenge your body. The number of reps and sets can be easily adjusted to accommodate your capability to lift a certain weight level as well.


Stretch and cool down after weight training. In order to avoid cramping and to help your muscles relax after working so hard it’s important to stretch the whole body and have a proper cool down after weight training.

Studies have shown that lifting weights builds up your bones, increases your metabolism, reduces body fat, and improves balance. When you start a weight lifting program it is important to set goals, learn proper technique, be consistent, work all of your muscle groups and always be patient with yourself. Building muscle takes time usually 4 to 6 weeks before you start to notice any changes. Use these women’s weight training tips to help you get started on your journey today to become fit and healthy no matter what your age.