Which Comes First in a Workout: Cardio or Weight Training?

Both cardio and weight training exercise are vital to building a sculpted physique, but when you are crunched for time and need to fit both into your allotted workout time at the gym, which should you perform first?

Here is the number one rule: ALWAYS DO WEIGHT TRAINING FIRST. The majority of gym-goers tend to break this rule and perform cardio exercise first, followed by weight lifting. This is not the most efficient way to train the body and will hinder your muscle growth and fat loss efforts. Here are a few reasons why.

Weight training requires the highest amount of physical energy and stamina. Therefore it is a no-brainer that you want to do the most labor-intensive task first when your energy is highest and you have the most strength.

Weight lifting relies heavily on your glycogen stores, or stored energy in the muscle tissue. You will not be able to lift as heavy of a weight or perform as many repetitions if you do cardio first because it will deplete some of your stored energy and you will be too tired to perform your best at lifting weights. And if you are not putting forth the most energy towards lifting weights, your muscle growth will be reduced.

Most people go to the gym and perform exercise to lose weight. Doing weight training first is also a great way to increase fat burning. When you do weight training first, you are burning up the stored energy in your muscles, your glycogen. After a weight training session, your glycogen is depleted at this time and the body has very little energy stored in reserve. Then you hop on the cardio machines and start increasing your heart rate. Your body needs energy to keep going and if there is no more glycogen in storage, the body will start to break down the fatty tissue reserves and use it for energy.

If you are still not convinced, try this challenge: Pick a day you normally go to the gym and do cardio first then do weight training. Now pick another day to go to the gym and do weight training first followed by cardio. Make sure you are doing the same exercises and for the same duration for both days. You should notice more energy for your weight training program when done first, and since cardio requires much less energy, you will still be able to get through your cardio session without much decrease in performance.

Try it for yourself!

Melody Loo is an active figure competitor and personal trainer. She has been exercising for over 10 years and has studied exercise science, nutrition and kinesology. Learn about her Figure Competition Diet and what it takes to become a figure competitor.

Read more about weight lifting and bodybuilding at Competition Diet.

By Melody Loo

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How Do You Get More Energy: 3 Barriers to Living a Healthy Lifestyle!

Does it seem impossible to get more energy, and maintain, healthy lifestyle? Does it seem that when you strive to become healthier, something prevents you from remaining true to your goals? Do you feel you don’t have the energy to work at becoming healthier because life is too busy and you just manage to get through the day as it is?

I feel for you, but I have good news for you too. It is possible to maintain, or improve, your health; even though more work, determination, and stamina are often required of you, the rewards are worth it! You’ll feel the positive difference in your life when you learn how to get more energy, the right way!

Here are 3 barriers to living ah healthy lifestyle!

1. Start taking vitamin supplements.
Supplement your diet with essential vitamins and minerals to give yourself that extra boost you need in order to feel better on a daily basis. Over 50% of people in our society are missing out on the proper amount of nutrition. People have very busy lives, but that doesn’t mean skip out on the necessary sources that allow you to get more energy.

2. Busy is really not an excuse, just get rid of the junk food.
Most people are not aware of how damaging junk food is to their overall health and well being. The fact is that junk food is packed so full of sodium and preservatives that there is almost no possible way that it can be something positive for your life. The basic rule for food is, if you can’t pronounce more than half of the ingredients, you most likely can live without that particular food. When you scrap junk food and replace it with fresh fruits and veggies, you will feel better and you will probably drop a few pounds as well.

3. Get up and start an exercise regimen.
When you move your body, studies show that your mood increases. Therefore, how could you not be exercising? Lack of exercise is the cause of many ailments including heart disease and obesity. If you want to start getting healthier, try getting 30 minutes of exercise every day. This does not have to be difficult exercise. It can be as simple as taking a walk for a couple minutes before and after work. Find time in your day to exercise and you will start to have more energy and feel better.

For more helpful information and advice on how to get more energy – and to download the next part of this series, which would be your free 12 page report “THE 5 DEADLY BARRIERS CAUSING STRESS AND FATIGUE. The essential secrets to live a healthy lifestyle” visit: http://www.fightfatiguenow.com

By Ndopu Fru

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Embracing the Aging Process

With each day that passes, we not only become wiser but our bodies change and we inevitably will begin to show the signs of aging. However, instead of turning towards cosmetic enhancements let’s look at what the generation ahead of us does to embrace the aging process.

Below are 5 habits of successful anti-agers:

1. Avoid smoking and second hand smoke – Smoking is hazardous to your health, but did you know that tobacco smoke can double or even quadruple your risk of heart disease, stroke and not to mention raising the odds of lung cancer. Inhaling second hand smoke will also increase the risk of heart disease by 30 percent and lung cancer by 25 percent. And if that were not enough, as you age your skin will become more fragile and smoking will contribute to the damaging of the skin and appearance of wrinkles will be enhanced.

2. Make time for fun – Studies have shown that people who work long hours are more likely to develop high blood pressure. In one study, the risk of a fatal heart attack was nearly 3 times higher for those who didn’t take a break from work-related fatigue. Don’t allow this to occur, instead be sure to leave your work at work. Enjoy your time at home with family and friends and most importantly learn to relax and simply enjoy life.

3. Avoid fast food – The successful anti-agers stay away from fried foods and soft drinks. They are aware that consuming fast foods not only raises the odds for gaining weight but may also lead to chronic inflammation. Chronic inflammation is not only uncomfortable but can also age your body, inside and out. Moderation is important but if you can avoid fast foods, your body will thank you.

4. Sunglasses and hats – Have you noticed how often the older generation go outside without head covering or sunglasses? The answer is almost never! They wear sunglasses to protect their eyes from the sun’s ultra-violet rays and reduce the risk of cataracts and age-related macular degeneration which can lead to blindness. They also wear protective clothing to avoid skin damage and stay cooler during the warmer months. Very rarely will you see them without hats, shades, long sleeves, or umbrellas to shade the sun.

5. Health Screenings – Perhaps one of the most important tips is this one. Checking their cholesterol levels, blood pressure as well as blood sugar and testing for cancers of the breast, cervix and colon are all precautions that every successful anti-ager is aware of. Not only will it keep them safe, but getting testing regularly will help catch conditions in the earliest most treatable stages.

We all know that we will age and that is inevitable. However learning from the successful anti-agers that are truly enjoying life is something we shouldn’t avoid. After all, isn’t our goal to live our life to the fullest? Implementing the above tips early on will help you embrace the aging process gracefully.

Dr. Daisy Sutherland, aka Dr. Mommy is a doctor, mom, wife, author and speaker. Her love of helping others has branched to blog talk radio and syndicated radio shows.

Dr. Mommy’s Mission: To help you find the balance necessary to achieve success in your life, your health and your family…To learn more visit: http://drmommyonline.com

By Dr. Daisy Sutherland

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