FitSugar

Increase Your Pace Slightly and Burn More Calories

FitSugar — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 09:00:02 -0700

If you're trying to lose weight, cardio is your best friend. Workouts that get your heart rate up, such as running, biking, and using a cardio machine, are the best way to burn calories and reduce your percentage of body fat. Another fact to point out is that the faster you move, the more calories you'll burn. I'm not suggesting that you have to sprint through your entire workout - increasing your pace even a small amount will make a difference. Here are two ways to increase your speed when doing cardio.

Add intervals. After warming up, move at your usual pace for one minute, then increase your speed for one minute, then return to your usual pace for a minute. Repeat this sequence for 30 minutes, and then cool down. Need a plan to follow? Here are some interval workouts for all types of cardio. Remember, interval training is proven to reduce belly fat.
Increase your overall pace just sightly. Running at a pace of 5 mph (12-minute miles) burns 263 calories in 30 minutes. If you run a bit faster at 6 mph (10 minutes per mile), you'll burn 292 calories. It may not seem like a big difference, but if you run five times a week, you'll burn an extra 145 calories.

Increasing your speed when doing cardio won't take a lot more energy, but it'll sure make a difference to your body. You'll burn more calories, which translates to a slimmer, more defined frame. It will also help with your endurance, and make you stronger.

Add Sprints to Drop Those Last Five Pounds

FitSugar — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 03:47:07 -0700

You've been eating right and exercising regularly for quite some time and the scale has been good to you. You're five pounds away from your goal weight, but your body is hanging on to that extra fluff for dear life. To help drop those pounds for good, you're going to have to make a change to your exercise routine. When doing cardio, instead of traveling along at the same speed or intensity, sprinkle in 30-second sprints. It doesn't matter if you're jogging, biking, jumping rope, or swimming. Whatever type of cardio you're doing, start off your workout at a moderate pace for 10 to 15 minutes, then kick it up as fast as you can for 30 seconds, then slow it back down to an easy pace to recover for 90 seconds. Repeat this interval cycle five to eight times, and then finish off your workout at a moderate pace for 15 minutes. Including speedy bursts burns more calories than working at a continual steady pace. Doing this kind of interval training is also proven to decrease belly fat. So add sprints to your cardio workouts and you should see those last few pounds disappear.

DVD Review: Jillian Michaels - 30 Day Shred

FitSugar — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 08:00:31 -0700

I know that many of your share my admiration for Jillian Michaels of Biggest Loser fame, with her no nonsense approach to exercising and her ability to get the contestants up and moving. So I was excited to check out her workout DVD, Jillian Michaels - 30 Day Shred ($11).

As the title implies, the workout promises visible results in a month, if you do it every day for 30 days. (“Up to 20 lbs. in 30 days!”) Though that may seem like a big undertaking, the commitment is small - just about 25 minutes a day. Between the short workout sessions and Michaels’s motivation, I was feeling amped that I had a winning DVD on my hands.

To hear more about the 30 Day Shred, read more.

Sure, I got a hint of Michaels's hardcore ways when watching The Biggest Loser, but it did not prepare me for my first day, as I was completely worked over. Don't be alarmed - as with most fitness DVDs on the market, Michaels makes sure to include workouts aimed at the beginner, intermediate, and more advanced viewers.

The 30 Day Shred is a nonstop, heart pounding, super-intense cardio workout based on Michaels's "3-2-1 method," which combines a repeating cycle of three minutes of cardio, two minutes of strength, and one minute of abs into a single routine. The exercises and instructions are clear and straightforward, and as seen on The Biggest Loser, Michaels is incredibly motivating. I like that the workout stays at a fast pace and doesn't get boring since Michaels changes the exercises in each six-minute set.

If you're looking for a short and sweet workout, this is a great DVD to pick up. It won't steal a huge chunk of your day and has the big plus of burning fat and toning muscle simultaneously. Have you tried this DVD? Tell me what you thought about it in the comments section below.

Short Bursts of Exercise Make a Difference

FitSugar — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 12:30:16 -0700

Despite what Time magazine says, exercise is good for weight loss, whether you're a marathoner or stair-climber. Though we tend to think of cardio in 30-minute increments, short bursts of exercise, like taking the stairs or walking home from dinner, are also highly beneficial. In fact, doing very frequent activities throughout the day may even be better for your body.

Our ancient ancestors didn't save all their movement for one daily workout, and neither should you. It can overtax your muscles to go from sedentary to sprinting through a 30-minute gym session. Better yet, mini exercise sessions throughout the day make a major impact. Your body begins using energy and burning calories after about two minutes of activity; first you'll usually burn up carbs, followed by fat and protein.

According to the exercise guidelines from the American College of Sports Medicine and the American Heart Association, we should be getting 30 minutes of accumulated moderate exercise daily. There's nothing wrong with spreading that 30 minutes out throughout the day; just make sure you're working hard enough to feel warm and slightly winded. Longer workouts offer a deeper burn, but short sessions aren't a waste of time.

Are you into quick bursts of cardio, or do you save it for your workout sessions?

How Do You Measure Your Cardio Workouts?

FitSugar — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 04:30:10 -0700

When I'm doing cardio to burn calories and get my heart rate up, I tend to measure my workout by distance. I have mapped my runs so I know the distances. I ride with a bike computer that lets me know my trip distance - very gratifying. When I swim, I like to measure by laps. I used to measure by time, but I find that having a distance in mind is a great goal and it makes me push a little harder.

When doing cardio, you've got to measure your workout somehow so you know when it's complete. So tell me . . .

Do You Know Which Cardio Machine Meets Your Needs?

FitSugar — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 06:00:00 -0700

It's one of those rare days when you get to the gym and all the cardio machines are free. Which do you choose? You have many options and each machine has its advantages, so take this quiz to see which cardio machine is best for you.

Take the quiz

Katy Perry Jumps Onstage and Off

FitSugar — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 11:00:29 -0700

Katy Perry looks amazing in her various bikinis. What's her secret? According to a recent interview with Cosmo, her favorite way to exercise is jumping rope. Not only does it burn calories - 295 per 30 minutes - but jumping rope also helps build bone-mineral density and makes your body stronger.

It's a simple and inexpensive way to get your heart rate up; use it as your main form of cardio or to warm up before strength training. Katy even jumps rope as a warmup before shows. Since this little gadget is so portable, you can pack it in your gym bag, suitcase, car, and even your purse and always have a way to get in a good workout.

Do You Rely on Cardio to Keep Your Weight in Check?

FitSugar — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 09:00:00 -0700

Maintaining a healthy weight is key to maintaining your health. While some folks watch what they eat and exercise, others rely on cardio alone to keep their calories in check. Tell me . . .

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How Many Times Do You Work Out on the Weekend?

FitSugar — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 03:30:00 -0700

I try to get in at least one good workout every weekend, and if that isn't possible, I take a long walk or get active some other way. How about you: do you commit to working out on the weekends?

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10 Ways to Pass the Time on Cardio Machines

FitSugar — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 05:52:00 -0700

If you can't get outside for a run or bike ride, using a cardio machine is a wonderful alternative. Since the weather is always perfect indoors, you never have an excuse not to work out. It can be agonizingly boring though, so here are some suggestions from FitSugar readers to help beat the boredom and make your cardio machine time more enjoyable.

Kimpossible and laellavita suggest doing interval training. Switch between moderate running and sprinting to keep your mind busy. This is also my favorite way to work out on a cardio machine.
You can also do intervals with the incline, as suggested by syako. Pump up the incline for a few minutes, then lower it for a few minutes.
FitSugar reader tangentlines suggests reading big novels to pass the time, but if you don't like flipping pages, shiningeyes suggests listening to audiobooks.

To hear the other great ideas, read more.

Listen to music on iPods or MP3 players. If you like more of a mix, there's a Pandora application on the iPhone that kyui707 recommends. It creates a music station for you based on music you like, and since you never know what's coming next, it's a great way to get you moving.
If you're bored with music, KMattes recommends listening to podcasts. You can download them from iTunes on just about any topic from wedding planning to cooking to fitness.
If you like watching TV, littlekaren suggests hitting the gym during times when your favorite shows are on. If you have a machine at home, kris0bot says to DVR TV shows and save them for when you exercise.
If there's a shelf on your machine, kakyke recommends watching TV episodes, like Grey's Anatomy or Lost, online on your laptop. Or you can watch movies.
If you're working hard and really pushing yourself, misskacie says it doesn't allow her the comfort to get bored. So pump up the intensity level.
Work out with a friend - mek123 says talking makes the time go by quickly.
Many readers such as darc5204 recommend daydreaming or deep thinking while on a cardio machine. You can distract yourself by working through a problem or making plans.

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