High intensity workouts are great for your weight loss, but can be murder on your body. You want a workout that you can enjoy and will be able to do when you ache everywhere from the previous day. You need to look at a few low intensity sessions that will still help you burn fat and tone the muscles. Here are a few ideas to get you started.
Try Out Swimming
Kick off the running shoes and don a swimming costume. Swimming is a great aerobic exercise, but your body will hardly feel a thing. It’s also great for the relaxation days so you can stretch the muscles.
Swimming uses every muscle in the body and strengthens your core, giving you the perfect workout.
Slow to a Walk
Jogging and running are hard on the knees and ankles. If you still enjoy the route and fresh air, why not slow your pace to a walk.
You can go for a power walk pace so you still feel the sweat. The best thing is you can end up lengthening your workout without much effort, and it remains completely free for you to do.
Join a Fitness Class
Most of the fitness classes are low intensity workouts. These include zumba, dance aerobics and step aerobics.
You can also take them slightly easier by putting a little less effort in and opting for the slower lighter moves instead. These usually involve less bounce, which also helps to keep the intensity to a minimum.
Break Out the Trampoline
You’ll be surprised at how great the trampoline is for your workout. The material helps to cushion the blow as your legs hit it, and you can bounce in all sorts of ways.
You will really work on your core, especially when you try out all the flashy flips and bounces. Don’t have a bit one? The smaller trampolines are great for a few minutes of exercise in front of the TV every morning while you watch the news.
The Cross-Fit
The cross-fit in the gym is something you need to try. It’s much better than the treadmill since it doesn’t cause the issues on your knees. It still uses the same motions, and will actually make you use your hips and thighs more than the treadmill.
Some of the machines have handle bars that you can move with your arms, while others have stationary options to help you remain stable while you get used to it.
Give Rowing a Go
Have you ever wondered whether rowing is any good? Why not give it a try while in the gym? It can take a while to get used to the movement. The idea is to straighten your arms before your knees bend, so you never actually lift your arms higher than your shoulders.
Ask a personal trainer to help get you in a rhythm and offer any pointers to get you started. It’s really light on the joints, but will get your heart pumping.
Plan Ahead to Limit Your Food Intake
Think about how much you can really eat as a family. Having that big turkey that feeds 10 may sound great but if there are only three of you, it will encourage you to eat more than you need to.
Plan ahead and make sure you have plenty of vegetables to fill up your plate. It doesn’t mean you have to go without but you do need to plan.
Focus on Healthy and Filling Foods
Turkey without the skin, vegetables and potatoes all have one thing in common—they are filling. You can use this to your advantage.
Instead of worrying about your calorie intake from the sweets and drink, focus on getting your nutrients and enjoy the filling options. It doesn’t mean you can’t have the sweet treats; just have them in moderation.
Have Healthy Snacks Around
Between meals and while you’re waiting for that turkey to cook, you want to snack. If you have crisps and chocolate around, you will snack on those, so focus on having healthy options.
Chop up some raw vegetables and make your own salsa to snack on while you wait. You will soon find that losing weight—or just simply avoiding a weight gain—really is possible.
Have Water Before and During Your Meal
You don’t have to avoid the alcohol but it is just full of empty calories. Have a glass of water before you start eating and then have one for during your meal. This will fill you up, too, so you don’t eat as much.
During your meal, make sure you take sips of water. It will give your food a chance to settle and you won’t feel the need to eat as much.
Switch Cream for Ice Cream
When you have that Christmas pudding, chocolate fudge cake or any other delicious dessert, you will likely have cream.
However, ice cream is better for you. In fact, if you can, opt for frozen yogurt. These are lower in calories than the double cream and are lighter on your stomach after such a big meal.
Go for an Afternoon Walk
After lunch, you will start to feel sleepy. This is a great time to get out of the house and go for a walk. Not only will it wake you up but you will also burn a few of those extra calories that you ate.
It can be fun to go for a walk while the air is crisp and fresh. You could even have fun in the snow if the weather has closed in.
]]>There are 9 simple things that you can do right now that will increase your energy level. Of course in the long haul learning your limits, eating right and getting enough exercise will help to keep your energy up!
Drink Some Water
Your body may need some water and you may be feeling tired from being slightly dehydrated.
Drink at least 12 ounces of water and see if it helps you feel a bit perkier. Add a little lemon to give it some flavor.
Eat an Apple
An apple can have the same effect on your as caffeine without the bad side effects. So if you are feeling sluggish grab an apple!
Take a Quick Walk
Energy creates energy so if you can take a quick walk it may wake you up a bit.
If you are not able to take a walk because you are sitting at a desk get up and do some stretching. Even a little stretching will help you to regain some of your energy.
Power Nap
Taking a fifteen minute power nap will help you to feel instantly refreshed. A power nap will provide you with just enough rest to leave you feeling awake.
Even if you do not sleep and you just lie quietly and meditate for a fifteen minutes it will relax you and make you feel rested when you get up.
Aromatherapy
There are certain scents that can instantly wake you up. Filling your space with scent that is sure to give you a boost of energy is an easy way to feel energized.
All the Citrus smells are invigorating and will help you to wake up!
Chew Gum!
Pop a piece of sugar free gum in your mouth and chew away. The action of chewing will wake you up!
Eat Something Spicy
Studies have shown that eating something spicy can help you wake up. It does not have to be a big meal, it can be a small snack that has a kick!
Move to a Brighter Area
You can kick up your energy by simply moving to a better lit area. An area that has brighter lighting will help to wake up your brain.
Dim areas when you are feeling low on energy are inviting places to rest, if you need to be alert than step into the light!
Grab a Breath of Fresh Air
We all spend far too much time in climate controlled rooms. Open the window and breathe the fresh air in!
If you cannot open the window than step outside and take a few deep breaths. It will clear your mind and help you to feel energized!
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