If you want to lose fat then cardio is going to be a necessity. Yes, there are those who just lift and eat right and drop fat, but for the majority of us that isn't possible. For the majority of us, cardio is a necessary evil.
Cardio Improves Your Heart
Do you get winded doing simple things like going up stairs? If so, you are neglecting your heart. By getting your heart beating faster on a regular basis you are improving its function. You are making your heart healthier. Cardio helps with this a great deal. Get up and get moving and your heart rate will rise.
Cardio Increases Your Metabolism
The more intense your cardio the more you pump up your metabolism. By keeping your metabolism revved up you help yourself maintain your body weight and fat percentage levels.
Cardio Helps Out Your Hormones
Performing cardiovascular exercise also changes the hormonal profile in your body considerably. It releases ‘feel good' hormones that will help ease symptoms of depression and fatigue as well as releasing hormones that decrease the appetite. Individuals who engage in regular cardio exercise often have a much more positive outlook on life simply because they are getting the stress-relief benefits from these hormones.
Cardio Aides in Recovery
Certain types of cardio exercise, usually lower, more moderately paced forms, can decrease your recovery time too. If you have just performed a hard session in the gym, hopping on the treadmill for a walk or light jog will help to remove some of the by-products that were created during the lifting session.
This will help to reduce your DOMS (delayed onset of muscle soreness) and help bring more oxygen rich blood to the muscle tissue improving in the repair and rebuilding process. To you, this translates to your being able to get back into the gym quicker and work the muscles again.
Management of Diabetes
Cardio exercise will help those with diabetes manage their condition. It helps improve your body's use of glucose.
