People looking to lose a few from the weight scale in their bathroom can do no better than exercising every day. A new study has identified one way to make workouts the best they can be: raise the intensity.
Researchers tracked the workout routines of 27 obese women. They found that those who exercised at high intensity for four months lost fat from their around their waist. Those exercising at low intensity lost no body fat.
Altering the composition of one’s body is not easy. It takes dedication. This study proves that how hard you push your body really matters if you’re looking to really burn fat.
Abdominal fat is a major risk factor for conditions that include hypertension, type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Losing excess fat in that area could protect you from these problems, as well as restore improved quality of life and psychological outlook.
So, understanding how to burn abdominal fat, both just under the skin and deeper in the body, is important. Vigorous exercise may be the best way to do it. In the study, “low intensity” meant walking at about 50% of the woman’s maximum aerobic capacity. So, in essence, pushing the heart and circulatory system to half its potential. “High intensity” meant that workouts were more varied and included walking or jogging at a certain pace one day and a far quicker pace the next day. (This technique of varying workout intensity has previously been found to be great for shedding pounds and working out the heart.)
The study lasted four months. All women exercising strengthened their cardiovascular fitness, and even low-intensity workouts helped lower blood pressure. But the researchers were looking to the waistlines. Only those performing high-intensity workouts had actual changes in body composition. On average, they were able to lose more than two inches around their waist. Exams showed that they also lost deep abdominal fat, the type surrounding organs that can be quite dangerous over the long term.
How intense a workout is depends on the person. It should be “hard” for you; it should push you, but not be tremendously difficult. The best bet is to increase the intensity level slowly over a few months, and start working out more often. It is also a very good idea to consult a doctor to make sure your exercise routine is safe and will be effective.
And watch out, because exercise can become addictive. It truly clears the mind and promotes optimism.
Next Post:
Lycopene and Cancer Prevention Previous Post:
The Decision on Red MeatTags: blood pressure, cardiovascular exercise, exercise
