Do You Know Benefits Of A Cardio Workout Are Not Just For Weight Loss Anymore?
The Good of Cardio Workout just isn't Confined to Weight Loss
Then what are the many benefits of a cardio workout, besides weight loss?
Right. Look beyond weight loss and you'll find a cardio workout really offers many, many benefits that once you start to cardio, you'll love it and won't want to stop it!
"You got to be joking!" - I can see vehemently you protest and maybe even flinch at the idea.
This is because your experience of cardio tells you it's a hard, boring, dreadful exercise.......How then can you love it and won't stop it?
However, contrary to what you experience, there're many benefits of a cardio workout - you'll be entranced with them......
Impact of Cardio Workout on your Body
Let's first look at the impact of a cardio exercise on you and your body after you've exercised:
Your blood's pumping and flowing through your body, providing you with oxygen and energy
Your muscles are warm and more pliable
You feel so good after
You feel energized, confident and pleased with yourself that you've accomplished a major goal in life - the goal of exercise!
You feel ready to take on the world because you're so full of "oomphs"
Ever notice the stress is on how you "feel"?
How you feel physically and mentally is more important than how you look, that's what I'm trying to say here, when you cardio-exercise.
Most probably the vanity in you (and me) would prompt us to do cardio just for the sake of looking good in our bodies.
But that's not the "end" of cardio - the how "you feel" factors which translate into "feeling good" now and in the future, should be the epic points you aim for, to sustain health and fitness in your body and well being in your mind and emotion.
The Many, Many Cardio Benefits
OK, cutting to the chase, benefits of a cardio workout, other than weight loss, are these major ones:
It increases the strength of your most valuable muscle - your heart, which gets its workout from beating fast for a period of time. Your heart responds to the metabolic demands of your muscles, so when you exercise and contract your muscles in a cardio workout, you exercise your heart as well
It enhances your lungs' respiratory capacity so you breathe more efficiently and you strengthen your lungs as well
It reduces the risk of heart disease especially if you're postmenopausal given that the risk of heart disease increases sharply as a result of estrogen deficiency. Some studies suggest that cardio workout can reduce the risk of heart disease by more than 40%!
It alleviates symptoms of menopause. In a study of 1,600 women, women who don't exercise or are sedentary, are twice as likely to have hot flashes as women who exercise or are physically active
It staves off bone loss as women can lose up to 1% of total bone mass yearly from age 40 until menopause. During the first 5 to 10 years after menopause, annual bone loss averages around 2%, which means by the time you're 60, you could lose nearly 30% of your bone mass!
It enhances your digestive system and bowel movement as well as regulates your blood sugar
It increases your metabolic rate so you burn off excess fat calories fast
It lowers your blood pressure
It relieves you off stress and tension
It prevents osteoporosis
It reduces the risk of some cancers
It provides temporary relief from depression and anxiety
It promotes better quality sleep
You experience a natural high from the increased circulation and this "high" feeling can help you to face the day with all its ups and downs
Vow! Such wonderful benefits!
Can you take a moment to remember all the benefits of a cardio workout listed above?
Aren't you entranced by these great benefits?
You agree then cardio workout isn't just for weight loss anymore?
Make Cardio Workout a Part of your Lifestyle?
I get hooked on cardio workout knowing very well that it benefits me so much and in so many areas - physically, mentally, physiologically and psychologically.......
So I make cardio exercise a habit and a part of my lifestyle.....
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