As we all know, weight loss is a hot topic amongst health enthusiasts. A healthy body weight is not only attractive, but it also plays a vital role in preventing chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and even certain types of cancer. However, with so many pieces of advice out there, it can be hard to know what advice to take. One piece of advice that is worth taking is monitoring your heart rate. In this article, we will explain why monitoring your heart rate is key to achieving weight loss goals.
Heart Rate: What is it and Why Does it Matter?
Heart rate refers to the number of times your heart beats per minute. It is a direct reflection of how hard your heart is working to pump blood throughout your body. Individuals with a lower resting heart rate have stronger heart muscles and better overall cardiovascular health. A higher resting heart rate can indicate a weaker heart and less optimal cardiovascular health.
Monitoring your heart rate is essential because it can reflect how hard your body is working during physical activity. Tracking heart rate enables individuals to determine their optimal heart rate range in which they burn the most fat during exercise. This range can help individuals track the intensity of their workouts and adjust the intensity accordingly to reach their desired goals.
Calories Burned vs. Heart Rate
Many individuals believe that to lose weight, you must burn as many calories as possible. This statement is true in a sense, but it is also misleading. Burning calories is simply a measure of how much energy your body has expelled during physical activity. But, to lose weight, one needs to burn more calories than they consume.
Tracking heart rate is better because it takes the intensity of the workout into account. Higher-intensity workouts in the optimal heart rate range burn more calories and achieve better weight loss results. So, instead of just counting calories, individuals should also monitor their heart rate to ensure that they are working out at the correct intensity level.
How to Monitor Your Heart Rate
There are many ways to monitor heart rate. The most common way to monitor heart rate is through a heart rate monitor. These monitors often come equipped with fitness trackers, watches, etc. The other option is to estimate heart rate manually. One just needs to determine their maximum heart rate, which is often calculated as 220 beats per minute minus your age.
In conclusion, monitoring your heart rate is an effective way to ensure that you reach your weight loss goals. It allows you to track the intensity of your workouts, which is essential for achieving optimal results. By tracking your heart rate, you can find your optimal fat-burning range and adjust your workouts accordingly. So, next time you hit the gym or go for a run, take a look at your heart rate monitor, and make sure you are getting the most out of your workout.