Tuesday, December 30, 2014

What are Top Fat Burning Workouts?


Getting rid of that extra flab can be the most difficult and frustrating aspect of any diet or exercise routine. Remember not all workouts are created equal. Some are perfect for stretching and relaxing the muscles while some others are great fat loss workouts. Then there are workout routines that include easy exercises to burn fat while others come with high-intensity fat-blast moves. 


Depending on your needs you can choose a perfect fat-burning workout for you or opt for a combination of a few exercise routines for achieving your muscle and fitness needs. Combine a good workout with healthy nutritional plan and you are sure to achieve a lean and healthy body.



Top Fat Burning Workouts



Here are some fat-burning workouts you can try to achieve that lean look you always wanted. But do consult with your doctor and a fitness expert before you start such a regimen. This is more so if you suffer from any disease related to heart or joints. 

High-intensity Cardio Workouts


If your goal is to burn significant amounts of calories and fat fast then cardio exercises done with high intensity is one of your best options. 

Cardio workouts are those exercise routines that increase your heart rate and keep it raised for a good amount of time. As your body works to pump more blood and oxygen to your heart given the elevated heart rate, it results in significant fat loss and calorie consumption. 


For quick fat-burning workouts, you need to perform cardio exercises for at least 30 to 45 minutes at least five times a week or spending 150 minutes a week. For those short of time must do the cardio routine for at least 20 minutes. 

Types of Cardio Workouts

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    Interval training is a cardio routine that alternates between high-intensity exercises to moderately-paced routines. Interval training done with high-intensity is also one of the best fat loss workouts for men.
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    High-intensity circuit training is also effective for weight loss and fat-burning goals. Circuit training uses rigorous aerobic routines, which consists of a set or circuit of many exercises done in many sets. Typically jumps, squats, sit-ups, bench dips and others are included in a circuit.
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    Swimming is a good form of cardio exercise that burns a lot of calories in less amount of time. For a quick fat-burning workout try swimming at a good pace for at least 30 minutes.
Swimming for Fat Burning
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    Running or jogging at a rigorous pace is a very effective fat-burning workout. You can run on an elevated terrain or rough roads to add more intensity to this cardio workout. Vigorous walks are also good here.
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    Kickboxing burns a good amount of calories and is a full-bodied cardio workout that can be done to burn fat fast and also for achieving basic fitness.
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    Jumping ropes is another effective fat-burning workout. You can add variety to your rope-jumping routine by adding new styles like cross mode, side steps and others.
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    Any high-intensity sport is a good cardio exercise. An hour of playing games like tennis, football, basketball or badminton on a regular basis can help you burn fat fast.
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    Dancing is also a good form of cardio workout that can be used to burn fat and have fun at the same time.
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    Also try your hand at hiking and biking if you love to spend time outdoors.
Hiking and Biking
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    Other cardio activities that can be great fat-burning workouts are stair climbing, jumping jacks, frog jumps, squat jumps, side lunges, forward lunges, butt kicks and push-ups. These can be effective fat-burning home workouts.

Yoga Workouts


It would be wrong to discount the power of yoga poses for burning some fats. Yoga is more than just stretching and relaxing poses. Some yoga poses can be performed regularly as a part of fat-burning workout routine. Once you are able to do yoga without expert supervision, it can become a part of your fat-burning home workouts routine. 


Some poses you can try to burn fat fast:

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    Sun salutations or Suryanamaskar are a set of 12 exercises, which if performed in multiple sets helps burn fat from the body.
Suryanamaskar
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    Bridge pose or Setu Bandh asana is good for reducing unwanted fat deposits from thighs.
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    Bow pose or Dhanurasana is great for burning fats from the midsection.
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    Try the Warrior pose or the Virbhadrasana for burning fats from yoga.
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    Others to try are Tadasana, Paschimottanasana, Halasana, Garudasna and various poses that include side and forward bends.
Also try these fat-burning workouts:
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    Pilates
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    Zumba
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    CrossFit
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    Power Yoga
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    Combat exercises
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    Obstacle tracks
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    Boxing
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    Rowing
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    Aquarobics
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    Skating

Some Fat-burning Tricks

When short on time for a full-intensity workout, use these fat-burning tricks:
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    When on a time crunch, do spot jogging for 5-10 minutes twice a day or perform 50 jumping jacks a few times throughout the day but not immediately after consuming a meal. Take all the precaution you would normally take before a big workout.
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    Be active throughout the day. Work on your yard or garden. Clean the kitchen. Scrub those floors. Iron those clothes.
Work on Your Garden
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    Go take a walk with your dog. Play or dance with your kids. How about some hula hooping? Or a few trampoline jumps?
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    Rotate those arms and shoulders while watching television and then do some spot jogging while catching that comedy show.
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    Perform a few squats and bends after a long day working on your desk.

Remember motivation, consistency and effort are important, otherwise you will not benefit and will add up more than you lose. Don’t start with a big goal, start with small goals and build it up slowly as you go along. Finding a partner who has similar goals helps too. Once you start a routine try and find some time during the day in your busy schedule. If you can’t do it in the morning try and do it in the evening. 


Once you start a routine the body will react positively and you will feel better both physically and mentally as the endorphins released will create a ‘feel good factor’ within your system. This should be your motivation to keep you going. Also use a weighing machine to periodically check how much you have lost and very soon people will start noticing the change and start making those positive remarks. Look yourself in a full length mirror or a take a ‘selfie’ at the beginning of every month and admire your own change after a few months. Good luck!!

Healthy Eating Habits for Children and Teens

Healthy eating implies consuming a balanced diet, which includes all food groups in the right proportions. Healthy eating habits developed during the early years of a person’s development often means that those healthy eating plans become a part of their lifestyle.

Benefits of Healthy Eating for Children


Healthy eating habits in children ensure their optimal growth. Right nutrition for children and teens is necessary for their proper physical and mental growth. Healthy eating is important so that children don’t suffer from any cognitive problems. Not eating right can lead to delays in motor development and a host of other health problems.


Healthy Eating Habits for Children and Teens


Nutritional needs for children are different from that of adults and they need to eat a variety of good foods to develop healthy bones, healthy nerves and healthy cells. Healthy diet for children must include all the essential food groups as per their age and activity levels.

How to Teach Your Child Healthy Eating Habits?

Teaching your kids how to eat healthy is easier said than done. Healthy eating habits need time to grow so parents need to be patient with their kids. Here are some tips to teach your kids healthy eating habits.
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    Teach your kids by parental example. You can preach if as parents you follow healthy eating plans. Eat well and healthy so that your kids watch you consume good and healthy food.

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    Get creative with your kids’ food. Cook a variety of meals and try out many recipes to ensure that your children look forward to their meal times with excitement and not with dread.

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    Presentation of meals is half the battle won. Kids below the age of eight are likely to pick food items in interesting shapes compared to the usual fare.

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    Make healthy snacks for kids and you will thank yourself for this time that you invest in your kids’ good health.
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    One of the best healthy eating tips for kids that you can employ is to use their favorite ingredients with nutrition-rich products. This way kids are likely to eat more healthy stuff.

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    Don’t force your kids to eat healthy. Give them options to eat healthy food at home and when dining out. Help them make their own minds about food.

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    Teach your kids about nutrition. Nutrition facts for kids can be taught in a fun way. Include fun facts about an ingredient in casual conversations when cooking or eating it.

  • Nutrition Education for Kids

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    One of the best healthy eating tips for teenagers is to involve them in the cooking process and let them create their own recipes if they seem inclined towards cooking.

Healthy Recipes

Healthy Recipes for Kids



Here are some healthy recipes for kids that are likely to be a hit with them. Tweak them or substitute ingredients as per your kids’ preferences or health needs such as allergies. 

Healthy breakfast for kids is extremely important, as this is their first meal of the day. Make healthy breakfast keeping in mind the nutritional requirements for children.


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    Fruit smoothies made with low-fat dairy or soy milk (if your kids love the taste) can be really great for kids and teens. You can add honey or nuts to fortify these healthy shakes. Banana-honey with milk or yogurt is one good combination. Use seasonal fruits such as strawberries and mangoes to make yummy breakfast recipes.

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    Top the cereal you make for your kids with fresh fruits and nuts. Make different combinations everyday for variety.

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    Kids love pancakes. Use healthy ingredients such as whole grain, honey, fresh fruits and eggs for making pancakes. One ripe banana and one egg can give you a delicious pancake, which requires no added sugar. You can add chocolate powder to it to make it look more tempting. Or try oatmeal pancakes with fresh fruits and honey.

Healthy Dinner Recipes for Kids



After breakfast at home, dinner is the next full meal your kids are likely to have at home. Kids lunch at school and then they mostly only snack before dinner. So this is again your time to add more nutrition to your kids’ meals so that they sleep well and wake up the next day refreshed. Make sure that the dinner plans include lean proteins and vegetables in equal measure.


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    Make a healthier version of spaghetti with meatballs by using whole wheat spaghetti and add vegetables when cooking it. Carrots, beans and onions go well with the dish.

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    Make baked versions of chicken fingers or fish sticks and serve them with roast vegetables. You can make a healthy dip to go with this dinner. For crust, use whole wheat crumbs.

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    Make a side dish of kidney beans or any other legume for some vegetable protein. Soak and steam kidney beans. Sauté them with olive or canola oil and season them with mustard seeds, green chilies, fresh onion, spring onion, smoked broccoli florets and fresh coriander leaves.

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    Grilled meat such as chicken breast or grilled fish and roasted vegetables is a good dinner combination.
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    Macaroni and cheese if loaded with veggies can be served for a hearty meal.

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    Vegetable soups consumed before dinner is a good way to eat more vegetables.

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    Whole wheat pizza, burgers and sandwiches made with lots of vegetables, low-fat cheese and fresh ingredients are good for dinners.

Healthy Dinner Recipes for Kids

Healthy Eating Tips

Healthy Snacking for Kids



After-school snacking or pre-dinner/mid-morning snacking is a good way to help your kids consume healthier ingredients.


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    Vegetable patty served with low-fat yogurt dip is a good snack item for any time of the day. Boil veggies like carrots, potato, broccoli and beans and mix well with salt and black pepper and herbs like thyme, chives, coriander and mint. Bake them as it is or wrap them inside a whole grain bread slice and bake.

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    Serve your kids peanut butter and apple slices.

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    Grill whole grain bread with olive oil. Now use these to make sandwiches with mozzarella cheese slices. Your kids will love them.

Healthy Snacking for Teens



When making healthy foods for teens make sure to use minimum amount of processed ingredients as during puberty they are more prone to acne and skin problems. They are also likely to put on weight easily. Here are some tips for making healthy snacks for teens:


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    Boiled chickpeas seasoned with salt, lime juice, onion and fresh cilantro

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    Sprout and vegetable salad seasoned with herbs, salt and lime juice

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    Sweet fruit salad

  • Sweet Fruit Salad

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    Whole grain sandwiches, burgers, pizza loaded with veggies

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    Baked potato sticks with low-fat cheese dip.

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    Vegetable patties

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    Roasted vegetables with creamy yogurt dip

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    Popcorn with little butter

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    Hard boiled eggs

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    Egg-white omelet with green leafy vegetables

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