missionmightymom

It’s not the hours you put in. It’s what you put in to the hours.

As a working Mom, spending hours a day in the gym, or on the trails, or in a class spinning or Zumba-ing just isn’t practical. I have about 35 minutes to get in a workout on my lunch break, leaving just enough time for a quick shower and a speed-walk back to the office. So I have had to learn to adjust my workouts so that they are efficient and effective.

I have traded long cardio sessions for HIIT or TABATA workouts and started lifting heavier weights. My entire workout is performed at a very high intensity with little rest in between and has resulted in tremendous body changes. I have been an athlete my entire life, but not until recently have I felt this strong. Six months after giving birth to my youngest daughter, I am in better shape than before even my first pregnancy.

While researching, (yes I research…Science Club President right here!) I came across a website called The Metabolic Effect Fitness which instructs us on how to exercise smarter in order super charge our metabolism. The site has loads of scientific evidence to back its claims that a resistance program using heavy weights and short rest periods, lasting only 31 minutes, not only generates fat burning for up to 48 hours after you have completed your workout, but also increases metabolism in the 24-48 hours following your workout by up to 21%.

One common misconception with regards to fitness is that long cardio sessions are best for burning fat. Oh cont-rare! Running/jogging for long periods of time can help us to loose weight, and does have cardiovascular benefits no doubt, but it also strips our bodies of valuable metabolically active muscle. Muscle that not only burns calories at a faster rate than fat, but also protects our bones, tendons and joints while decreasing our risks of high cholesterol and osteoporosis. And muscle ladies in gents is what will reveal to us the toned and fit body we are all after.

So you don’t have hours a day to dedicate to your fitness? Not many of us do. But if you can really push yourself for 30 minutes, that’s a measly 2% of your day, you will see changes in your body. You will feel stronger and more confident. And you will have more energy. And I’m here to tell you that you are worth it.