Make Every Minute Count

Day 58

Do you ever "daydream" your way to work and then suddenly realize you don't really remember driving the past few miles? This can happen with exercise too.

I can easily daydream my way through a workout and forget to tighten my abs for crunches or fail to contract my muscles during the active phase of a rep. Recently, I've been reading a lot about circuit training and I mentioned in an earlier post about trying out a new 17 minute circuit. Think about it. Which would you rather do... an hour of weight training or a 17 minute circuit that will burn more (YES More) calories and keep your furnace burning for hours after the session is complete? Seems like a no brainer right? One would think so, but I was skeptical until I put this theory to the test this week.

I'm a total convert now. I worked harder on my weight training days with this circuit than I have over the past several weeks with my regular routine. I also added 10 minutes to my cardio routine and it's made a HUGE difference. This week, I worked out 5 days instead of 6. Three sessions were 47 minutes (17 minute weight circuit; 30 minutes cardio); one 30 minute caridio session and one 17 minute circuit session. I finished each and every session drenched in sweat. This has not always been the case with my other sessions.

Shorter, more intense sessions are definitely the way to go. But, only if you make every minute count. 17 minutes of "light" activity isn't going to cut it. The key here is "intense" activity. This has resulted in more energy, better sleep and looser clothes. And, while I won't have the official number until Monday morning, I can tell you that the scale has finally started moving in the right direction again. YAY Me!

Cheers!
Margaret