Fit Factor: Become a cardio queen

Resistance training is an important aspect of your workout, but so is cardio, particularly if you're trying to burn fat. But cardio is beneficial for more than just fat-burning -- it can strengthen your heart, it increases your lung capacity, it helps reduce stress, it aids with sleep, it increases your mental functioning and so much more. I've heard a fitness expert say that you can lift as many weights as you want but if you can't run around the block, you can't call yourself in shape.

Me, I love cardio, much more than the weights. But some people are the opposite and see cardio as tedious. It doesn't have to be though. There are a number of cardio exercises that you can do -- the key is to pick one you enjoy.

To maintain your health, it's important to get 30 minutes of exercise a day, though if you're trying to lose weight, you'll want to do more than that. I aim for an hour a day, but it doesn't have to be all in one go -- you can break it up over the day. With cardio, duration is important, and you'll want to do at least 20 minutes, but how you workout is also important. If you're taking a leisurely stroll every day for an hour, it might not be enough -- you should at least be working hard enough to break a sweat. If your able to read a magazine or chat easily to your friend, you're probably not working out as hard as you could be.

Here are some great cardio workouts that are some of my favourites:

• Running: For the sake of my knees, I prefer doing my running on the treadmill, but you can do it anywhere. When you're starting off, try running at intervals rather than going full-force for 20 minutes. Running's not easy but at least for me, I find that few other exercises make me feel as powerful or invigorated.
  
• Elliptical Trainer: I like the elliptical trainer because it's easy on the joints (do I sound like a crotchety old man or what?) and it's challenging. But unless you have one in your home, it can get a bit tedious. I use it in conjunction with my iPod.
  
• Soccer: Soccer is an excellent way to get your cardio in, and it's a good way to make new friends too. If team sports are your thing, this one offers one of the best workouts out there.
  
• Cardio kickboxing: Every gym I've belonged to has offered a class like this, and I love it. Boxing is very invigorating, even if it doesn't involve an opponent.
  
• Dancing: This is another of my faves. Kirsti Alley says that her main form of workout is dancing around her living room for 2 or 3 hours, and I think that sounds like a blast.
  

Want some more cardio inspiration? Check out this article or this one. But the best inspiration is doing it yourself and enjoying the feeling of power and energy it gives you.