Working out

An early morning workout may burn more calories, and improve your body's performance capabilities, but let's face it, some of us would rather sleep in and hit the gym after work. That's OK; evening workouts have their perks.

If you'd much rather exercise after you've clocked your eight hours at work, here are some tips to make evening workouts a priority.

• Avoid an Afternoon Slump — Eating a big, greasy meal for lunch and then treating yourself to unhealthy snacks throughout the afternoon is one of the best ways to kibosh an early evening workout session. Refined carbs and sugar will take a toll on energy levels, so be sure to eat a healthy lunch that includes a good mix of lean protein, veggies, complex carbs, and healthy fats. This will help keep you feeling full and energized without giving you that lethargic feeling.

Here's what else you can do to stay on track with postwork workouts.

In case you didn't get the memo, jump ropes are still in style. Just because it was an activity you did as a kid, doesn't mean you can't enjoy it now. Jump rope is not only an amazing cardio workout — a 145-lb person can burn 132 calories in just 10 minutes if jumping at a quick pace — but it's also a simple, convenient workout as well. Celebrity trainer Tracy Anderson, includes skipping in the workout routines she suggests to her clients.

Here's why else jump rope is so great.

You've been putting extra hours in at the gym in hopes of getting toned Michelle Obama arms for the big day. And when the weekend rolls around, it's either hiking with your fiancé or convincing him to go to yoga class with you.

Kudos to you! Not only are you well on your way to shedding those extra pounds before your wedding, but you're also de-stressing in the process. Wedding planning is a full-time job in itself and can often increase tension and stress between you and your future hubby. But by incorporating some cardio at least two times for 30-40 minutes into your weekly routine, you can really combat your stress levels. And if you're in crunch-time and really feeling the stress from last-minute preparations, here are some quick fixes to help you chill out.

You love your friend and you love working out with her — problem is, she is stronger, faster, and in better shape than you. Whether you go jogging together, are planning to run your first marathon together, or attend the same exercise classes together, it can be challenging at times to keep up with a friend who is at an advanced fitness level, when you just aren't there quite yet.

Good news is that working out with a friend — especially one that you trust and respect — is a great way to keep you accountable for workout dates. She will also be a source of motivation when striving to achieve your fitness goals. Rather than get discouraged, here are some tips when you find yourself in this situation.

• Choose a workout that's suitable for both levels. Rather than go to an advanced kickboxing class together, go to the intermediate class (if they offer one). When the teacher does the advanced moves and kicks, she can take part and do additional repetitions.

Keep reading for more tips.

There comes a time in nearly everyone's life where physical limitations get in the way. I've had a shattered ankle, sprained ligaments, and broken bones that have often left me on the sideline cheering my teammates on instead of joining them on the field. But, truth be told, I didn't always hate it when I was told I needed to "sit this one out." In fact, I sometimes (gasp!) liked it. It made me take a breather and allowed my body to relax when I couldn't see the need myself.
Kelly Ripa, one of daytime talk shows' wittiest and self-deprecating personalities, recently chatted about her own injury. A fitness maniac, the pint-sized mother of three is admittedly obsessed with working out daily. Having experienced some pain in her hip, she went to see a doctor who discovered she has a stress fracture of the fermoral neck in her right hip. Unfortunately, the fitness guru immediately started to worry about her routine and admitted to being freaked out that her doctor demanded she not work out for three to six weeks. Knowing her love for the gym, she'll find some way to sneak in a sweaty activity or two.

Could you walk away from the gym, even on doctor's orders?

Besides being lined with tasty seeds and being chock full of healthy goodness, pumpkins are also a great fitness tool. Confused? Think of your pumpkin as a medicine ball you can eat.

Heidi Klum and hubby Seal know that visiting a pumpkin patch is a great way to have fun with the fam; they hit up the Mr. Bones Pumpkin Patch in Hollywood on Sunday. I wonder if they know that a visit to a pumpkin patch also makes a great workout. When you're at the patch, you can incorporate a pumpkin into a set of overhead squats or bicep curls. If that's a little showy for your tastes, there's also a great pumpkin video workout that has all sorts of moves you can do in the privacy of your own home — Halloween costume and Olivia Newton-John soundtrack optional.

To see the video and more pics of Heidi at the pumpkin patch, read more