In order to lose weight, and get lean and in shape, do you really need to use cardio training? You need to forget all the hype and myths you hear about weight loss programs if you really want to learn how to lose fat. You don't necessarily need cardio to lose belly fat. Your health can be greatly improved and you can accomplish fat weight loss without hours of exercise or going hungry.

People trying to get in shape or lose weight and even most fitness buffs believe the "truth" is that you need cardio exercise to achieve your goals. They assume this is the only way to lose fat.

There are people who never do any kind of cardio at all and are very lean.

What is the definition of "cardio?" A description of cardio work out for most people would probably include plodding along a treadmill, pedaling in place on a stationary bike or using an elliptical machine.

Most refer to this as "traditional cardio". Most people get bored with this and do not stay on a fitness regimen.

Just stick to the basics. If it gets your heart going and you start to sweat, it's working. Cardio can be considered any type of exercise that strenghthens the cardiovascular system. Even if everyone considers it weight training -- like lifting dumbbells or a barbell -- the exercise is still conditioning your heart.

Let us consider a few examples.
Position your dumbbells to your sides and then raise them to your shoulders, then push them up overhead. Females, although this is typically considered a male exercise, it makes no difference if you don't pick up 200 pounds; if 25 pounds is hard enough for you, you will still get as much out of exercising.

Almost everyone considers this type of workout to be weight training or strengthening exercise. But I dare you to perform a hard set of approximately 10 to 15 repetitions. Your heart rate should be 80%-90% of your recommended maximum if you use the correct weight and you will be breathing heavily as though you just finished sprinting, which is better than jogging for loosing fat.

If you exercise this way, your legs will feel hot and painful, your heart will beat very fast, and you'll hardly be able to catch your breath.

Attempt to convince me that this is not conditioning your heart also! Traditionally these are considered to be strength and weight training exercises. But, they are meeting your cardio needs also.

These full body exercises, if done with the proper intensity, are much quicker, and have the added benefit of strengthening and conditioning your muscles, which is something a leisurely stationary bike or treadmill session can't do.

All you are going to lose is that spare tire no one wants anyway. You can lose fat fast by this method; you'll find you lose fat a lot faster when doing this as well as following a fat weight loss diet.