FAQ's

As part of Performance Body Work’s commitment to providing up-to-date information and education we bring you the answers to some of our most frequently asked questions.

What Exercises Burn Fat?

The exercise you should do is the one you enjoy doing. Any aerobic activity which you can to do 3-5 times a week at a moderate intensity for at least 20 continuous minutes, will help you burn calories; walking, running, swimming, cycling even love making.

If your goal is fat loss, then try to achieve a maximal calorie burn, work out for as long as you feel comfortable with. As long as you are expending more calories than you are consuming on a regular and consistent basis, then the fat/weight will come off. Body conditioning / weight training should certainly be considered, as the more lean muscle tissue you have, the easier and quicker it is for your body to burn calories.

Remember the process for putting the weight on has been done over a whole lifetime. Lifestyle changes that include healthy eating and regular exercise will help; however this process takes time. Be patient, you will soon feel the benefits of exercise after only a few weeks, don't become disheartened at the fact that you may only have lost a few pounds, or none at all.

Why do I sweat so much?

Sweating is how your body dissipates heat and keeps its core temperature down when you are working out. Usually the more you train, the more easily you sweat, because your body knows it is going to get hot and starts working to cool itself off. There is also the possibility of some having more sweat glands than others have - men sweat more than women do for this reason. Overall, when you find yourself sweating more easily, take it as a good sign you're really fit!

How can I get my unmotivated body to work out?

This is so common - and understandable! You meant to get to that gym or take that walk yesterday, the day before, last week… Take heart - it's okay! All you really need to do to get healthy and lose weight is move. Research reports that so-called lifestyle exercisers, those, who regularly take stairs instead of elevators, walk instead of drive, cleaned the house, etc., lost just about as much weight and body fat as those following a structured exercise regime. The real key to weight control is simply becoming more active in general. Try shooting for 30 to 40 minutes of unstructured exercise daily.

Why should I do strength training?

Strength training prevents muscle loss. Without exercise, the average person over age 25 loses about a half pound of muscle per year, leading to a slower metabolism and increased body fat.

Does physical activity really prevent disease?

It has been medically and scientifically proven that exercise reduces the risk of osteoporosis, diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.

How do I increase my metabolism?

The more muscle you have the more you increase your metabolism. A pound of muscle takes up a third the space as a pound of fat, yet burns an extra 45-50 calories per day. A pound of fat burns 1 calorie per day. Imagine replacing 10 pounds of fat with 10 pounds of muscle!

What are the symptoms of work stress?

Work stress may result in or contribute to:

Workplace problems such as absenteeism, lower productivity, lower morale, accident proneness, increased staff turnover, dissatisfaction at work and difficulties with colleagues and superiors.

What exercises do you advise to help relieve stress?

Many people complain of stiff necks and backs after sitting at the desk for hours, either writing or typing at a computer. Maintaining a prolonged posture is not advisable as this causes our muscles to become tired and weak. The spine gets stiff. We should get up and move around every 20-30 minutes.

Exercise bouts also release the chemicals in your brain that make you “feel good” The more regularly you exercise the more refreshed and better prepared you are to tackle your daily activities or the events that cause you stress.

Exercise increases blood flow to the muscles, maintains flexibility and prevents easy fatigue. So, engage yourself in a regular exercise programme. Swimming, brisk walking, jogging, aerobic dance, cycling, ball and racket games are good fun.

You can also meet new people. During exercise, you get your mind away from stressful events. You may find that you are more ready to deal with them later. Above all, you can keep fit at the same time.

I notice that when I am stressed out at work, I tend to eat only junk food. What can I do to change that?

Junk foods are usually high in calories and low in nutrients. Knowing this fact will help you make your food selection better. It has been shown that junk food actually makes you grouchy and cranky. Small amounts of carbohydrates can calm you down