Lifting weights improves the overall well-being of your entire body. It helps to sculpt where cardio leaves off as well as tighten areas dieting cannot target alone. Weight training also helps to boost your metabolism by building muscles that continue to work for you all day. It is a scientific fact that the more muscle mass you have, the more calories you burn each day. By building muscular endurance you also decrease your chances of getting hurt. Your body will be stronger and more likely to bounce back from illness and missing a day at the gym.

Training with weights also strengthens your bones. This is most important for concentrating on longevity, which should be the overall goal of exercise. Building up bone structure will decrease the chances of a break when your body ages. By reducing the chances of broken bones, you can also add years to your life.

One of the most common myths about weight lifting is that it is exclusively for men because if women lift they will bulk up. This cannot be further from the truth. In fact, women actually need to lift more than their male counterparts because they have lower levels of bone density. Women should focus on lifting smaller amounts of weight and lift for a higher volume of reps. This routine builds muscle by toning instead of bulking up like the myth goes.

All in all weight lifting is a very important aspect of hitting the gym. Even if you have never trained, it is easier to pick up than you think. So, when you start or restart your fitness routine in the New Year, remember to include weight training in your daily regimen. You might include Healthy Curb, too, which has been proven to increase muscle mass while you sculpt your body!

Another term for cardiovascular exercise is aerobic exercise, but before you fill your head with visions of spandex clad people jumping around in unison, keep in mind that aerobic simply means “with oxygen,” and refers to the use of oxygen in the the body’s metabolic and energy-generating process. Aerobic exercise is physical movement that improves the efficiency of the cardiovascular system by making the transfer and absorption of oxygen easier. During aerobic exercise, glycogen, is broken down to produce glucose, which is then broken down using oxygen to generate energy. In the absence glycogen, the body begins to breakdown fat already stored in the system. So if you’re eating a diet low in sugars and carbohydrates, the goal of Healthy Curb, your body will use these stored fats for energy and you will begin to lose weight.

By definition, aerobic activities are performed at moderate levels of intensity for extended periods of time. Examples of aerobic activities are long distance running, tennis, swimming, or aerobic classes. Not considered aerobic activities are some sports, such as pairs tennis and baseball because involve short bursts of activity coupled with the frequent breaks. These sports are still good for your overall health, but because they do not involve prolonged levels of intensity, they are not considered aerobic activities.

Listed below are some of the numerous benefits of cardiovascular activity.

• Better flow of air in and out of the lungs due to stronger respiratory muscles

• Stronger and larger heart muscle with improved pumping efficiency

• Lower blood pressure due to improved circulation

• Increased total number of red blood cells in the body, facilitating transport of oxygen

• Improving the ability of muscles to use fats during exercise

With the exception of our food choices, exercise is the more important part of a maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Healthy Curb is here to help you make the right choices when it comes to deciding what to eat, and you can get healthier even faster with aerobic activity.