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How to get the most out of your workouts!

How to Get the Most from Your Workouts!

If you’re already working out regularly – congratulations!  You are certainly on the right track to staying fit and healthy for life.  But did you know, there are most likely several things you can do to make your workout routine even more effective?

Start your New Year off on the right foot, by making these positive changes to your workout program:

1.     Most likely, you’re doing your cardio workout after your weight lifting.  This is very common as many trainers or health clubs instruct clients to structure their workouts that way.  The best practice is to immediately transition to either a piece of cardio equipment or go for a long, brisk walk after you’ve stretched or cooled down. This takes advantage of an elevated metabolic state and lower amounts of available calories and sugar, forcing your body to burn fat as a fuel. Don’t wait to do it later in the day because but you will have missed that great opportunity that happens right after your workout has finished. Do your cardio while all the right pieces are in place to burn fat.

2.     On ‘non-workout’ days, it is critical that you exercise. Whether it is a run or brisk walk or swim, you need to try to keep the calories burning. And the earlier in the day the better. Why? Because you start the fire burning again! It generally takes a day or two to recover to a resting state, but if you keep the body moving, you will condition your body to burns at a higher metabolic rate forever!
If you are able to shock your body with a brief sprint or two (climb a few sets of stairs without resting!) or some pace changes in your normal walking (go fast 30 seconds, then EZ for 60, then repeat), you are getting your metabolism back on track from the previous day’s workout. Nothing is going to replace an active workout in the gym, but you can help encourage better results by staying active. Even the Surgeon General said that a 60 year old woman should workout DAILY for an hour to stay fit.

3.     This new year, work at daily workouts. Warm up to it, even 20-30 minutes at a time. 2-3-4 days in the studio, 2-3-4 days on your own and you will have the body (and energy and vitality) you’ve always dreamed about.

4.     After your workout, try to wait at least 45 minutes before eating carbohydrates, especially any ‘sugary’ drinks. If you must eat, try something like a whey protein shake with very few carbs in it. Definitely stay away from bagels, toast, cereal (even fruit) for a while post-workout.  This can potentially turn your body away from burning fat by providing an easier, faster fuel.

Make your workouts the best that they can be this year…and you’ll stay fit and healthy for life.