FIT-ING IN YOUR WINTER WORKOUTS

FIT-ING IN YOUR WINTER WORKOUTS
Fitness Tips for a Healthier Holiday Season

No matter how long your holiday wish list is this year, I am pretty sure gaining five pounds is not on it. At this time of year when pumpkin pies are abound, cocktail parties rule your agenda, and last minute holiday shopping resides over your kick-boxing class at the gym… it can be very difficult to keep up with your health and fitness. Here are a few tips to help you improve your body through these weeks of temptation and kick start you into the New Year.

With not much time on your hands this month to spend an hour and a half sweating it out in the gym it is very easy to let go of your fitness routine. But don’t give up on your physique, simply switch to a more efficient workout instead. More doesn’t necessarily mean better when it comes to the time spent in the gym. Yes, it’s true; you can train your body in a more effective way while spending less time at the gym. Read below and find out how.

EXERCISE EFFICIENTLY
Resistance training, or lifting weights, is a very efficient workout that provides significant benefit with relative small amounts of exercise. And with the ability to burn more calories per minute than cardio vascular training, it is worth the time spent. Research studies have shown that one set per exercise is as effective as three sets when it comes to gaining strength for beginner level lifters. So drop the other sets this month, and pump out that one set with all you’ve got and still reap the rewards.

Interval training is another exceptional way to burn calories fast while revving up your metabolism for the rest of the day. This means you will burn more calories throughout the day, even when at rest. Instead of a 45 minute jog on the treadmill, cut your time in half and get the same (or better) fat burning results. (Check out my interval training program this month.)

HEAD TO TOE
With not as much time to hit the gym this season, doing one muscle group routines will hurt your chances for success. By only focusing on a couple muscle groups each time you workout you will find yourself at the gym 5-6 days a week before you get your whole body in action. This tends to lead to cancellations of future workouts when you get off schedule. Instead, perform a whole body workout in a circuit fashion taking little to no breaks in between sets. This will allow you to burn more calories per session, while working all muscle groups and you need only to go to the gym 2-3 times per week.

CUT THE CRUNCHES
The fifteen minutes you spend doing crunches and other abdominal exercise can be cut without missing out on great abs. Focus on engaging your abs and maintaining good posture during each upper or lower body exercise you perform in the gym. Correctly engage your abs by pulling your bellybutton to your spine tightly as if someone was about to punch you in the stomach. By doing this, you will get an ab workout during your squats, pushups, rows and more.

PLAN TO SUCCEED
You have heard it before, “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail”. Going to the gym without a game plan will only lead to time wasted and an ineffective workout. You very well could find yourself on the cardio machines for an hour, in fear of not knowing where to start with the weights. If you are going to squeeze in the time for a workout, make the best of it while you are there. Write down your routine on an index card or input it into your Blackberry. Either way, you will be motivated to get through the entire workout without wasting any time. Your body and day planner will thank you for it!

The time between Thanksgiving and New Years is the toughest time of the year to keep the pounds off, but it doesn’t mean it’s impossible. With determination and by putting these tips into action, you will find yourself saving time and losing weight. Happy Holidays and Happy Training!