Just because you're working hard, doesn't mean that you're working smart. I see it every day. People come into the gym and hop on a treadmill for 30-60 minutes and then head over to the weights to do their resistance training. Even though my initial reaction is to walk up and smack them in the back of the head, the reality in the matter is? How would they know any better? Which is why I thought this article was so appropriate. After all, for years I've heard people say that if you do your cardio first, you'll burn more fat during your weight training. Making your weight training an extension of your cardio.
Let's look at why this isn't true and see if we can save some people a little wasted effort. We'll start out by looking at how your body uses the food you consume for fuel. You may have heard that you will burn more fat if you do your cardio on an empty stomach. The truth is that you will actually burn more fat during cardio if you have depleted your body of carbohydrates. You can eat proteins and dietary fats without affecting the way your body burns fat. In other words, you could eat some egg whites, chicken breast, or even a protein shake without any carbs in it, and still burn the same amount of fat during your cardio session as you would if you did it on an empty stomach. But if you ate an apple or a piece of bread before your cardio, you wouldn't.
When you eat carbohydrates, your body stores them as glycogen in your liver and waits for your body to use them as fuel. When performing an aerobic activity, like walking or running on a treadmill, your body has the option of using glycogen stores or fat stores. The problem is that your body won't use any fat stores until your glycogen stores are used up. On the other hand, during anaerobic exercise, like weight lifting, your body can only use glycogen as fuel.
So here's how it plays out. Studies have shown that it can take as much as 29 minutes of cardio to burn your glycogen stores. So if you start your workout off with 30 minutes of cardio, not only did you burn fat for a whopping one minute, but you also depleted your body of the fuel it needs (glycogen) to do your resistance training. Now, in order to manufacture glucose (glycogen) during your weight training session, your body may actually break down muscle tissue to use certain amino acids as your fuel. You could end up losing muscle instead of gaining.
To make things simple, if you do your weight training first, you can use your glycogen stores as fuel. Then, when you move over to your cardio, you're right where you want to be? with depleted glycogen stores, giving your body the opportunity to burn fat as a fuel source.
To learn more on how to use these facts for your "cardio only" days, read "Use Nutrition to Boost Your Cardio" here: http://www.shapeyou.com/weights_first.html
You may reprint or publish this article freely as long as you include a visible, active link to http://www.shapeyou.com/weights_first.html
Tony Hale is a certified personal trainer with 12 years of experience servicing clients in the entertainment industry throughout the Hollywood area. He is also the editor in chief for ShapeYou.com
To train online with Tony visit http://www.shapeyou.com/weights_first.html
Elk Grove (east OF 53) car service from Midway .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareUsed a diet pill recently and got depressed because you... Read More
I gotta confess: I'm completely addicted to crisps. Any kind... Read More
It is very important for low carb dieters to stick... Read More
Here's what to do if you want to wear that... Read More
Is Zone Diet a Fad?How do you recognize a fad... Read More
LivingAfterWLS reader feedback indicates snacking is the single biggest problem... Read More
With the number of people suffering from obesity rising so... Read More
On the market at any given time, there are hundreds... Read More
Atkins Nutritionals filed for bankruptcy at the beginning of August... Read More
Every day, it seems, a new study pertaining to weight... Read More
Dietitians just plain don't like low-carb or high-protein diets.Whether it's... Read More
There is only one way to lose weightThere really is... Read More
Yes and no. Moderate calorie restriction helps in controlling and... Read More
There are all kinds of fad diets and quick fixes... Read More
So you ask, "How do I determine if I am... Read More
Many people want to lose a few of those annoying... Read More
The pursuit of a healthier me (or you) shouldn't involve... Read More
1. CUT THE SIMPLE CARBS.It's unfortunate that the majority of... Read More
The gastric bypass procedure isn't for everyone, but those who've... Read More
To upgrade the current software in your brain you can... Read More
Looking for Diet Programs on net is like looking for... Read More
Just one more day I can do this, I told... Read More
Any dietary plan on the market has some portion of... Read More
Here are 7 simple habits that can help anyone enjoy... Read More
One alternative method to traditional and tumescent liposuction is mesotherapy.... Read More
Green Oaks limo rental ..Essential Fats for Weight LossOver the past few decades, the... Read More
There's recently been a LOT in the weight loss news... Read More
It would not be surprising to hear your answer is... Read More
Things get so confusing when it comes to understanding what... Read More
These days, most everyone has heard of low carb diets... Read More
A client wrote, "Help me! I thought I was finally... Read More
Finally - you are alone. No one else is around.... Read More
1. Increase your fiber intake. The body needs a lot... Read More
How would you like to eat all you want and... Read More
As of the writing of this article, May 16, 2005,... Read More
If I were asked, "what is the most difficult thing... Read More
Are you working hard in the gym 3 times a... Read More
The fear of success arises in patients when they realize... Read More
One may think that on a website called "LivingAfterWLS" you... Read More
How was it for you? Did you get through the... Read More
Rejuvenation and the Protein Revolution in Your Kitchen?2003 Marilyn DiamondIf... Read More
Phentermine, like many other prescription drugs, works with chemicals called... Read More
To really understand the impact of a protein diet, it's... Read More
Most Americans do not get enough calcium in their diets;... Read More
The people of earlier times depended on the rich resource... Read More
If all we have to do is exercise to live... Read More
Most people are unsure about how to begin a fat... Read More
"I am going to start a diet tomorrow". How many... Read More
Fast Weight Loss - Is it better to lose 2lbs... Read More
Visualizing and Declarations are today's topics.Visualize what you want as... Read More
Weight Loss |