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Kick Butt Cardio Workouts
You have to be smart when it comes to your cardio workouts. Like I said before, the whole idea about the “fat-burning zone” is a myth. Losing weight and getting in shape is a numbers game…calories in versus calories out. Without a doubt, exercising at a high intensity for 30 minutes will burn more calories than exercise in the fat burning zone (low intensity) for 30 minutes Click here for more on "fat burning zone" myth So, it’s time to crank up the intensity. There’s no way around it. We just don’t have time for 60 minute cardio workouts on top of our strength training sessions. The trick to getting the same calorie blasting, heart healthy benefits of 45-60 minutes of cardio is to crank it up with intervals for 20-30 minutes. So, I took all the guess work out of it for you...like having your own little personal trainer. I make them up as I "train" myself and if I like it...no, if it kicked my butt, I jot it down. Below are some of my favorite interval workouts. Warning…you will sweat and you will feel the burn, but you will feel awesome afterwards and you will get results! Here's what you do...Pick your favorite machine and crank it up 2-3 times a week. You can always mix it up from day to day to ward of boredom, or you can even take your intervals outside. Also, I love to throw in one or two days of a nice, steady pace run or bike ride to round out my weekly cardio workout. I use those days to really think and just enjoy my “me” time…just an idea. Don't forget to warm up for a good five minutes to get you blood pumping to your muscles and avoid injury. Don't try to skip that five minute cool down either. That allows your heart rate to return back to normal at a safe rate. Oh yeah, don’t waste your time by leaning over to hold onto the handles (treadmill, stair-stepper, elliptical). You will burn far more calories if you fix your posture, use your arms, and focus on each and every step! One more thing. If interval runs is your choice of cardio, give yourself a break between each interval workout. Here’s how my week usually looks.
Pick One! Combine one of these pre-design kick butt cardio workouts with a steady-paced cardio you can do 1-2 times a week, Strength Training and healthy eating, you'll be well on your way to fitting into your "skinny jeans". Running Workouts
Coming Soon! Indoor Cycling Workouts
Leave Cardio Workouts for Real Moms Real Fit Home Page
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