This week was a challenging physical workout week for me. I didn’t do any exercise out of the ordinary, but it all seemed to be really hard to do. While I was working out, I went off my original plan ^[1] of running 5-minute intervals and I instead did shorter intervals of 2-3 minutes (I did alternate between either 31 or 41 minutes each day) . The shorter interval times made the world of difference for my stamina during the entire workout. That makes me want to share something about…

High Intensity Interval Training

I’ve shared in my exercise routine ^[1] that I do High Intensity Interval Training (also known as HIIT) during my exercise. I feel the benefits are great for me and here’s a few bullet points from the Sparkpeople ^[2] article on HIIT (the full article can be found here ^[3] which also includes a sample HIIT program):

• HIIT increases the amount of calories you burn during your exercise session and afterward because it increases the length of time it takes your body to recover from each exercise session.
• HIIT appears to limit muscle loss that can occur with weight loss, in comparison to traditional steady-state cardio exercise of longer duration.

They also discuss the anaerobic zone (exercising at really high intensity and struggling for oxygen). In Bob Greene’s “Keep the Connection ^[4],” he discusses that working out at a long duration in the anaerobic zone is not only dangerous, but also pointless for burning calories. And, you don’t have to be a trained athlete to hit that zone – I hit that often times when I’m exercising and I feel the need to stop because 1) I can’t take much more of it and 2) it really isn’t doing anything for me to burn those calories so why exert that amount of energy for nothing. Obviously, it won’t be for nothing completely, but I am all about efficiency! Time is always part of the equation in everything and my exercise routine is even more important so I can get the most bang for my badunkadunk!

And, on to my weight-loss results, or lack thereof! Well, I gained those two pounds back last week, and I didn’t lose them this week. So, no gain and no loss. I’m not surprised or disappointed because, honestly, I tore up the food over the holiday and I haven’t done much better this week either! I must share that I did end up going for a run in the rain on the morning of the 4th in hopes of being fat burnin’ proactive (maybe that’s what helped)! I really do need to get more focused on my eating because all of this sweating is in vain at this point. I don’t really enjoy exercising my butt off for nothing and I know the results will come more quickly if my eating is healthier. So, here’s to some better eating this upcoming week!

How about you – did the 4th ruin your healthy eating? Are you still going strong with your exercise? And, how is your weight loss? Please share with me cause I need to hear your successes and struggles to give me some much needed motivation :-)

Fat Burnin’ Pounds Lost since Jan 1-08: 25
Fat Burnin’ Pounds to go: 15