Let’s begin with the basics of how to keep fit. The first thing to understand is what burns those calories. Often it is asked what reduces the “terrible tummy”. There is only one answer — cardio. Because when you do cardio, your body burns calories and the stored fat begins to melt off your body. The only hitch here is that the body decides where it wants the fat to go from first. And usually it is not the tummy. Because that fat is too stubborn in some bodies!! To lose it, you have to keep on at the cardio machines, day after day. I recommend you give your workout some variety and try out all the machines at the gym instead of sticking to the treadmill. The EFX, Wind Jammer, stationary cycles, rowing machines, etc are equally good at burning those calories away. In fact, each of them target different muscles giving both your upper and lower body a chance to workout.
It is the one form of exercise that will burn calories and will increase the efficiency of your heart. Serious calorie burning happens when you do cardio. In my years as a fitness trainer I have seen serious weight loss happen when clients do their cardio workout on a regular basis. Even people who have never exercised before burn calories, increase endurance and find a steep hike in their energy levels by doing this form of exercise. Aerobic – the word means 'in the presence of oxygen'. Fat is always burned in the presence of oxygen. Which is why cardio is also called aerobics. When you do this form of exercise, the rhythmic pattern ensures you breathe in more oxygen, which in turn purifies your blood, your heart pumps harder and enhanced circulation speeds up the blood to your working out muscles. With this extra blood circulation, the body produces an aerobic enzyme which burns more body fat, which continues even when you are not exercising. Working out at 55% to 75% of your target heart rate is best.
Exercise, mainly cardio, increases insulin sensitivity and HDL cholesterol which carries bad fat to the liver from where it is taken out of the body. With the bad LDL guys gone, naturally the blood pressure is kept in check.
The author is fitness director, Fitness One India ltd
