Should I Do Cardio or Lift Weights to Lose Weight?

Aerobic and anaerobic- what's the distinction?

Aerobic exercise requires the body to utilize oxygen to produce energy. Using anaerobic exercise, the body produces energy without increased oxygen- your body relies on its natural chemicals to produce the energy.

Primary advantages of aerobic activity

If you are engaged in aerobic activities (walking, running, swimming, canoeing) you breathe heavier and use more oxygen. When this occurs, your heart beats more rapidly, your circulation of blood increases which means the oxygen going to and from your muscles increases too. Your capillaries are what carry the oxygen for your muscles and remove the waste (carbon dioxide, lactic acid) simply "cleaning" the muscles. Also through this method you help develop your immune system and rid your body of toxins which helps you "ward off illnesses".

Aerobic activity 3-5 times every week will help strengthen your heart and make it move blood more efficiently and help it travel to and out of your muscles better and effectively. Aerobic exercise is a key element in losing weight and keeping it off, reducing heart disease, high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes- purely to name just a few :)

Your body additionally produces endorphins that happen to be a purely natural pain killer and "mood enhancer". The release of endorphins helps minimize stress and anxiety, allow you to sleep much better and can help defend against depression.

Advantages of anaerobic exercise

Anaerobic means "without oxygen" and strength training is regarded as an effective technique of anaerobic training. Loss of lean muscle mass may start within your early 20s if you are not cautious. After you lose lean muscle mass, your metabolism decreases, your strength weakens as well as your "functional fitness" can decrease- which can lead to you getting wounded when participating in everyday activities like using the stairs. But you know what? You can likewise acquire the muscle back again! Add strength training. It will help build up that muscle mass, improve not only your muscles but also your bones, enhance your metabolism and reduce excess body fat. The greater lean muscle mass one has, the greater your metabolism which means the more calories you burn up (while you are at rest, and when you're working out!

Resistance training twice every week will also help protect against cardiovascular disease, weight problems, arthritis, lower back pain and type 2 diabetes for starters. "Strength training" is sometimes an intimidating term, but it doesn't automatically translate into "heavy lifting". Strength training is often lunges with 5lb weights, squats, push-ups, whatever! You can utilize weights or even your body weight will work as perfectly!