Exercise lowers cholesterol and you have many options. Aerobic and anaerobic exercise has been shown to lower cholesterol. Aerobic exercise is an exercise when your body is moving consistently with an elevated heart rate for at least 20 minutes. Anaerobic exercise is when your body's moves quickly, and your heart rate goes well above or up to maximum level for 20 seconds or longer and then slowly down for one to five minutes to recover. Both aerobic and anaerobic exercises helps you to reduce your cholesterol.
Aerobic Exercise Can Reduce Your Cholesterol
It's easy to do aerobic exercise. All you need is comfortable sneakers and loose fitting clothes. Aerobic exercise is also known as cardiovascular exercise. When you start moving your body, your blood system starts to work faster. Your blood gets around your body faster, more efficiently. This is what helps to reduce your cholesterol. In your blood, there is good cholesterol and bad cholesterol. Exercise increases the usage of your good cholesterol, or high density lipoproteins, HDL, which help to reduce the bad or low density lipoproteins, LDL. Examples of aerobic exercise that will reduce your cholesterol are swimming, brisk walking, jogging, cycling, aerobic classes, stair steppers or rowing machines. Aerobic exercise needs to be performed at least three times per week for 30 minutes or longer to see health benefits. If you do aerobic exercise to reduce your cholesterol, make sure it's an activity you enjoy doing.
Anaerobic Exercise Can Reduce Your Cholesterol
You may prefer anaerobic exercise over aerobic exercise. Examples of anaerobic exercises are weight training, sports activities such as basketball, soccer or tennis. You may find these activities more fun than aerobic activities. You need to pick an activity that you will stick with. That is how you lower your cholesterol. Fitness needs to be a lifestyle choice, not just an activity you perform once a week. Anaerobic exercise needs to be performed at least three times per week for 30 minutes or longer to see health benefits. You should exercise the big muscle groups such as the legs, back and chest. Try to perform eight to 10 exercises at least once during your 30 minutes session. This will increase blood circulation, which will reduce cholesterol.
How Do You Know What Activity is Best to Lower Cholesterol?
What really matters is consistency with an exercise program. If you are a new exerciser you need to start off slow and progressively increase intensity. Start off by going on a walk with a friend or join a recreational league that meets twice a week. New exercisers are always more motivated to keep going when they have an exercise partner or purpose. If you are not a new exerciser and you still have high cholesterol, it may be hereditary or diet-related. In that case you need to look into healthier food options such as eating mostly vegetables, fruits and lean proteins. You may want to consider seeing a health professional for more specific ideas. Everyone's body is different. You need to learn how to use your body in the most efficient way possible. A good exercise routine will get you there.
Start Lowering Your Cholesterol Today
Do something for yourself today. Lowering your cholesterol could increase your lifespan and give you a better quality of life. You can play with your children longer, dance with your friends longer or take a long hike in the fresh air with your dog. Exercise brings you to places you never thought you would go. Start lowering your cholesterol with exercise today.
