May 01, 2015
This Workout is the Best to Do Prior to a Big Cheat Day
We do our best to eat as healthy as we can day to day but you can't always be perfect (family holidays anyone?) How and when you exercise, however, could actually help to combat some of the damage inflicted by a high fat meal.
Are you ready for this? (it's going to make all you Bodyrockers very happy) High-intensity exercise (HIIT) before eating high fat foods is best for blood vessel function, rather than moderate intensity.
In a study conducted at the University of Exeter, participants did either eight minutes of high-intensity interval cycling or 25 minutes of moderate-intensity cycling before consuming a milkshake. Not only did the HIIT workout prevent the decrease in blood vessel function, but improved blood vessel function. How did moderate intensity stack up? The consumers suffered the damage of the milkshake. Eating foods that are high in "bad" fats, like trans fat and saturated fat, causes LDL cholesterol plaque to build up in your arteries and can clog blood vessels. This impairs the function of your blood vessels, limiting the amount of oxygen-rich blood that flows through your body. Impaired function in the blood vessels is one of the leading causes of cardiovascular diseases.
So the next time you have a big birthday dinner with friends go home for a family feast, squeeze in a HIIT workout before. You'll protect your blood vessels and gain the added benefit of burning calories after your workout.