Healthy, Wealthy & Wise - 2 Burn Fat
What Burns Fat?
There are two types of exercises that are done, Aerobic and Anaerobic. In simple terms, you can think of aerobic as having to do with oxygen, and anaerobic as having to do without oxygen.
I don't want to bog you down with too much info all at once, but if you're looking to take on any exercise regime whether it be to lose weight or to gain strength and muscle, this is some info you NEED to know!
IF you want the in depth article after this one here's the link to it >>>>>
Firstly, I'm not focusing on it in this article but will create an article focusing on it soon, Nutrition is the most important part of any healthy life change. If you're looking to lose weight this is 80% of the trick. Due to the huge effect that it has on everything I won't focus on it in this article but will write a full in depth one soon!
As I said earlier, I'm focusing more on weight loss than strength gain, but to be honest you're going to doing both especially if you're just beginning, if you're not then you'll still get a lot of good info or maybe a good refresher.
There will be two articles, one will be a bit more simple, the basic information for burning fat and another article that will be the same but for those who want the scientific terms and understanding of it all.
Ever wonder what allows your body be able to jump out of the way of a car or sprint that 30 meters to the bus about to leave? Me neither, but it's something you should know if you're looking to exercise.
There are three types of energy production that follow each other in production like 1 2 and 3. The first one is the energy that is stored in your muscles, it is there for when you need it immediately, for quickly moving out of the way of something or running a few meters to catch the bus. This form of energy production isn’t really used when exercising but it’s good to know about. It’s a high energy exercise doesn’t burn fat and is anaerobic, no oxygen, which means it can’t last too long and is only possibly for 20-30 seconds.
The second form of energy production is the one most of us know, that feeling of not being able to lift your arm up anymore after exercise or your legs burning after walking up a large flight of stairs. This is the product of the second energy production, it produces lactic acid and is of high energy just like the first form, which means it doesn’t burn fat and is also anaerobic, no oxygen. This is the one that breaks down muscle fibers and in turn allows the growth of muscles. It can only last 2-3 minutes as there is no oxygen to sustain the exercise, and the build of of lactic acid as you know starts to really hurt!
The third form of energy is the one we're waiting for, the Aerobic form, the one that uses oxygen! And the one that uses oxygen BURNS FAT!! This one kicks in after the second and can last for a very long time, in fact, it can last so long that you could realistically go at a steady pace until you're either dehydrated or get injured. This is the one that I want to focus on, and to lose weight and burn fat this is the energy production you want to be focusing on as well. You want to cater your exercises and workouts towards this type of energy production as it will give you the most immediate and noticeable results. Remember, fat burn only occurs when oxygen is being used to help produce energy. These are the exercises that are lower to moderate intensity like the ones listed below.
- Walking at a low to moderate steady pace; either treadmill or walks outside.
- Elliptical, this one is my favourite, I have yet to find a better machine to melt fat.
- Stationary Bike; this is a great one for starters who aren't ready to jump on a treadmill or elliptical
These are just three main exercises that I find are amazing at keeping a steady pace and going on and on. Now for beginners this can seem daunting, going on endlessly on one of those machines, but if you're lucky enough to have one in your home, just stick it in front of the TV and put on your favourite show, then make it your goal to just go at an easy steady pace for the whole TV show, maybe take breaks on the commercials to start and make your way up to the full show commercials and all.
Let's do a quick recap. High energy is great, it helps the heart and cardio vascular respiratory system, that's your lungs and efficiency of the heart providing oxygen for the whole body. It is anaerobic, which means that it stresses the heart, making it beat faster, due to high energy, but doesn't actually burn any fat directly. Lactic acid is produced and that pretty much stops you from going more then 3 minutes at the high energy.
Low to moderate exertion is good for fat burning, the heart rate is up but the muscles aren't working so hard that they can't get oxygen in time. It's because the muscles ARE able to get oxygen that the body starts to burn fat.
There’s some more knowledge for you, hopefully it was simple enough but if you wish for some in depth knowledge here’s a link to my other article that’s similar but a bit more in depth and scientific.
Now get off your butt, get out there and burn some fat!
Check out my first article with links to all my other health articles:
Healthy, Wealthy & Wise >>>>>>