So what is my workout routine? How do I keep in shape? What should YOUR routine be?
I strongly believe that your personal exercise routine should be what works best for YOU. Try not to compare yourself to other people because it might be discouraging. Instead, ask yourself: does your workout make you feel good when you are finished? Do you find yourself feeling more toned and confident with your body after you’ve been exercising? Are you getting your heart rate up for at least 30-45 minutes, 3-5 times a week? If that’s the case, then it seems like you are doing what you need to do to keep your heart healthy. If not, perhaps you should re-evaluate what your current exercise habits are or consider developing a regular exercise regimen. I strongly suggest that every person engage in some form of structured exercise 3-5 times a week for at least 30-45 minutes to get that heart rate elevated! If you are just starting out, 30-45 minutes might seem intimidating, but don’t stress. Begin with what YOU feel most comfortable with and give it your best effort. In no time, you will be able to add more time or repetitions and reap the benefits of exercise!!
A few weights from our "home gym" equipment
Just a handful of DVDs from my workout collection. Denise Austin is my hero and if you have not tried Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred I highly recommend it! You will see results!
Just a handful of DVDs from my workout collection. Denise Austin is my hero and if you have not tried Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred I highly recommend it! You will see results!
Since starting my desk job, I went from walking around a hospital all day to sitting at my desk 75% of the day. I am not a lazy person so I found myself looking for excuses just to get up and move! I invested in more NEAT activities. Ever heard of these? Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis. Okay big word. But to sum it up…it’s the movement you get throughout the day that is not “structured” exercise, but just spontaneous physical activity. Do you take the stairs? Do you fidget; tap your toes, wiggle in your chair, shake your leg, laugh alot? Did you walk around the grocery store or the mall? Are you a waitress on your feet all night? Did you clean your house? Scrub your bathroom floor? These are all activities that count toward the amount of energy expended per day but that is not classified in the structured “exercise” category.
NEAT has helped to keep me active, even though my job is not physically laborious. I try to move around as much as I can, whenever I can. I am always up and down at work and try to walk with coworkers 2-3 times a day for at least 15 minutes on our breaks. When I get home, I don’t just sit on my bum…I hit the gym or do a workout DVD, make dinner, clean up the kitchen, pack my clothes for the next day, play with my cat, go for walks, you get the idea.
These are all points you can get for not sitting on your bum. Try it! It works! You could burn an extra 300-500calories a day just by getting your butt MOVING!! Set a goal. Get up and move around at least once an hour. Whether that is walking down the hall to speak with a coworker or doing some leg lifts or yoga poses at your desk. Make a tally of how many times you can move around each day and try to match or beat that number each week!
Make NEAT apart of your everyday routine and before you know it you will be moving without even noticing (and maybe even losing weight because of it). Combining NEAT activities with structured exercise throughout the week is the best way to get your body in shape and keep your heart healthy!!
These elastic resistance bands are great for toning! I use them with my Pilates Dvds but they are also perfect to hide under your desk and use on lunch or sporadically throughout the day! Great for NEAT activity!!
[...] me a few minutes!! I’m not going to scare you. This week, all I ask, is that you practice NEAT activity and aim for 30 minutes of structured exercise about 4 times throughout this week. Haven’t [...]