This morning I got inspired to do a track run when I dropped my oldest son off at his school for an away football game. The track was there calling my name, and the stadium is perfect for getting that extra bit of booty and cardio work at the end. Yesterday, I taught a Body Sculpt class, and as I always tell my class NOT to body sculpt/weight lift two days in a row, today’s workout needed to be cardio. Sounds like the perfect way to begin a Saturday doesn’t it? Well, by the time I returned home to get my hubby (who is NOT a morning person) and got back to the school track, it was closed for some school event, as was the next closest school track. Big Bummer which caused my nose to get out of joint just a bit. The next best thing was to return home and run from our house around a nearby park. Normally, we walk together on this route, but I indicated we needed to do some interval running – so, we agreed to run for one song on our ipods and then walk for a song. As I am not a great runner, and definately not a “long-distance” runner, this was perfect. Most songs are 3 – 4 minutes long so this is an easy way to insert some intervals into your workout. I love interval workouts for their effeciency, results and the short duration of pain before a rest! I tell myself I can do anything for 3 minutes! Intervals really boost the calorie burn, not only while you are exercising, but for hours afterwards.
At my Fit in Fifty Sessions the whole premise is that we can get an entire full body workout that really torches calories in only 50 minutes using interval training. It works to rev your metabolism, strengthen your heart and continues burning calories for hours afterwards. AND you can throw in interval training with with any choice of cardio exercise: walking, biking, treadmill, elliptical, you name it. You can get more benefit from just 20 minutes of an interval workout than you can from a longer slower paced routine. Just google “benefits of interval training” and you can see a world of research and articles supporting this type of workout.
Our workout lasted 50 minutes (isn’t that ironic?) and my handy, dandy calorie counter indicated I burned 750 calories. WHEW!! Did I mention there were some really steep hills on this route? But even better – by the time I showered I had burned another 200 calories! Surely, I have earned a Saturday night glass of wine. . .
So, the next time you hit the pavement, treadmill, stationary bike, or your choice of heart pumping exercise, put some “umph” into your workout and up the “antee”! You’ll do your heart, body and metabolism good. You, too, will earn a glass of wine or other treat for your hard work! And, if you see me huffing and puffing up that darn killer hill near my home, just honk and give me a “thumbs up”!
At my Fit in Fifty Sessions the whole premise is that we can get an entire full body workout that really torches calories in only 50 minutes using interval training. It works to rev your metabolism, strengthen your heart and continues burning calories for hours afterwards. AND you can throw in interval training with with any choice of cardio exercise: walking, biking, treadmill, elliptical, you name it. You can get more benefit from just 20 minutes of an interval workout than you can from a longer slower paced routine. Just google “benefits of interval training” and you can see a world of research and articles supporting this type of workout.
Our workout lasted 50 minutes (isn’t that ironic?) and my handy, dandy calorie counter indicated I burned 750 calories. WHEW!! Did I mention there were some really steep hills on this route? But even better – by the time I showered I had burned another 200 calories! Surely, I have earned a Saturday night glass of wine. . .
So, the next time you hit the pavement, treadmill, stationary bike, or your choice of heart pumping exercise, put some “umph” into your workout and up the “antee”! You’ll do your heart, body and metabolism good. You, too, will earn a glass of wine or other treat for your hard work! And, if you see me huffing and puffing up that darn killer hill near my home, just honk and give me a “thumbs up”!
***And please, consult your physician before starting an exercise program or adding intense training to your routine***
P.S. That is a photo of my “baby” T-Bo running the bases at an Atlanta Braves Game. Isn’t he cute??
What is your favorite way to get in your cardio?
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