I usually try to squeeze a workout in during lunch, but some days I don’t have time to take lunch – which usually means I really need to get moving after work. Today was one of those days, but when I got home, the last thing I wanted to do was hit the gym. So instead, I forced myself to find a yoga video on YouTube, and after 15 minutes of cat/cow + downward dog + some much-needed yawns, I was relaxed and ready for something more – which of course ended up being my go-to YouTube workout series, Tone It Up. I really love the Tone It Up series. Not only are the workouts effective, but Karina and Katrina do a great job of keeping the energy level high and motivating you to maximize your time to get the most out of each exercise. Currently, I’m back to sitting down, writing this with a post-workout “glow” and feeling more energized and accomplished than I would have otherwise.
The workout I did was a HIIT workout. WHEW! HIIT means High-intensity Interval Training, and it definitely lives up to its name. HIIT burns more fat in a less time. These types of workouts are difficult. They alternate between periods of maximum energy exertion and short recovery. And they make you sweat! The combination of high-intensity movements with resting periods results in excess post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC), meaning that oxygen consumption will be increased for a period of time after the workout, and as a result, more fat will be burned in a resting state. In less than 19 minutes, I was sweating more than I would have had I spent the same amount of time running, so that alone proves that it was time well spent. If you’re going to workout, you might as well maximize your time.
Do you have any favorite HIIT workouts? I’d love recommendations!
xx Amanda