Belly Fat Blasting Workout

As we mentioned in our latest blog, What Is Stress Doing To Your Body?, belly fat and stress hormones are directly related. The more you have of one, the more you'll have of the other. Not only will the workout help to blast your belly fat, but the actual act of working out is an excellent stress reliever, too! The benefits are manifold.

In the long run, the only way to get rid of belly fat is combining regular cardio, total body strength conditioning, and a healthy diet. This fast paced, 38-minute workout routine from Fitness Blender can be done at home and moves quickly between bodyweight cardio intervals and an assortment of ab and oblique exercises. It brings you the two fitness components of belly fat loss: calorie-blasting cardio and core toning. If you do this workout three times a week, and follow our tips for eating healthier, you should be able to see a difference in your weight and body definition in as little as two weeks.

Depending on your body, they estimated that this workout burns 6-11 calories per minute for a total between 257 and 407. Keep in mind, a cool down is not included, so we recommend a quick stretch once you are finished. Let's get started! 

What'd you think? Let us know in a comment! 

There actually are other ways to target stubborn belly fat, too. Learn more by clicking the link.

Your Heart Smart Workout Plan

There's A Reason We Call It Cardio. 

Aerobic workouts are not only great for burning fat, but also for improving the function of your cardiovascular system.

Just like when you exercise to build strength in your other muscles, you also need to train your heart to become healthier, stronger and better at doing its job, allowing it to pump more blood with less effort.

The American Heart Association (AHA) says about 70% of Americans don't get enough exercise, even though inactivity puts you at a high risk for developing coronary artery disease (CAD). CAD often results from deposits of fatty substances, cholesterol, calcium and other substances in the inner lining of the arteries that supply blood to your heart. This build-up narrows or blocks the arteries, and when oxygen-rich blood isn't able to reach the heart, it can cause chest pain or a heart attack. Over time, CAD can weaken your heart and even lead to heart failure. But the good news is that exercise and a healthy lifestyle can help prevent or treat it in most people! 

How To Exercise For Heart Health 

You'll be relieved to hear that it won't take hours in the gym for your heart to reap the benefits of exercise. As little as 30 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise on most days of the week is enough to substantially reduce your risk of heart disease, help you manage your weight, enhance your mental well-being, and improve your blood pressure and cholesterol profiles.

So, What Types of Cardio Are Best? 

Anything that allows you to reach a target heart rate range of 55%-59% of your maximum heart rate. This is about at the pace where you are breaking a sweat, but still able to carry a conversation without struggle.

Here Are 10 Ways To Spend 30 Minutes Improving Your Heart Health:

1. Walking at an incline on the treadmill

2. Using alternative machines like ellipticals & arc trainers 

3. Riding a bike

4. Playing basketball, tennis, or another sport

5. Dancing, like a Zumba or Salsa class 

6. Taking the dog for a walk 

7. A step aerobics class

8. Swimming

9. A light jog, maybe with a friend

10. Ice skating or rollerblading

Do you know what to eat to help keep your heart in shape? Check out our Top 10 Foods For Heart Health!