7-Day Summer Shape-up, Day 5: Amp Up Your Workouts

[Cafe Kristin]

According to a study referenced in April's Women's Health Magazine, "people who did brief fast-paced workouts for a total of 90 minutes a week got just as fit as those who did lower-intensity training for 4 and1/2 hours." That's great news -- especially for busy moms!

Your activity for today is to fire up your workout!

Here are some helpful tips on getting the most bang for your workout buck:

• Try HIIT, High Intensity Interval Training
  
• Quick workouts -- serious results
• Top tips for fast results from well-known athletes and experts

And don't forget to change it up to avoid a weight-loss plateau. Trainer Rachel Cosgrove suggests switching up your routine every 28 days. She says, "It takes 4 to 6 weeks for your body to adapt to a workout. Once it becomes efficient at it, you use less energy and burn fewer calories and fat." 

Have you tried any of these tips? Got any great suggestions for amping it up? Share them in the replies!

If you missed yesterday's activity, you can find it here. To sign up for the 7-Day Summer Shape Up click here.

[JKuney]

I liked those tips thanks for the info! I'm just getting into my exercise routine, but I like to do the interval training. I remember  watching Biggest Loser one night, and Bob suggested that if you can't run the whole mile that you do it in bursts. I started with walking and now I am running it in bursts... let me tell you it really works! 

[muse76]

I didn't realize workouts should be changed every 28 days - good to know! I've never tried any workout programs, but I've seen a few suggestions on Pinterest that I'd like to try.

[Noni2319]

Thanks. I do 30 day shred and yoga.

[AzHunterGirl11]

I didn't realize you had to change up your workout in so few days!
I love my Jillian michaels dvd - its all cardio intervals and she has some previous biggest loser winners doing the workouts with you. Makes you feel "if they can do it, then I can do at least another interval!"

[kendrafox]

I don't have a lot of variety in my workouts.  I mainly like to do 45 minutes on the elliptical 4-5 days a week, but every now and then, I will work on the treadmill or do a weight circuit.  I even use the at home DVDs occasionally.

[MOM2DMSD]

I need to change it up. I just bought the 30 day shred. Hope it helps. Then I'll have to get back into p90x

[Lamontfamily]

Get some music that pumps u up on ur ipod 

[LindaClement]

I'm not fit enough to do the kind of training listsed... but I'm working up to it. I do sprint on the treadmill at 8, but recover closer to 2.5... and for a lot longer.