I never thought there would come a day when I would use the words “workout” and “favorite” in the same sentence. I used to equate “working out” with torture and something to be avoided at all costs.
It’s not that I can say I now love to work out because I don’t. But, I do love what it does for me. It’s helping me lose weight, gives me more energy, helps me feel more clear headed and focused, is helping me get healthier and is making me look better because I’m building some muscle and getting toned rather than getting more lumpy every day by sitting on my butt and eating junk food.
That’s why I exercise.
Any exercise that gets your heart rate up and gets you sweating for at least 30 minutes will help you lose fat. But, in my mind, some types of exercise are a whole lot more fun (when I say “fun” I really mean I’m able to get myself to do them instead of using all my energy to come up with excuses to not exercise).
Here’s my 3 favorites:
1) Bicycling – I’m talking bicycling outdoors on an actual bike, not on a stationary bike in a gym or in the basement next to an old ratty punching bag. Getting outside in the fresh air and riding bike is not only good exercise but it is refreshing and a throwback to my childhood when I jumped on my bike every chance I got to explore and go hang out with friends.
Most areas of the country have great bike paths – some are paved and easy to ride and others are rugged trails in woods that are a challenge. Time passes fast while bike riding (an hour or two goes by in a flash) because there’s usually so much to see whether it’s a little chipmunk popping his head up out of the grass to see who’s invading his territory, deer meandering through the woods and having their dinner, a stream or lake with rippling water to marvel at, varying neighborhoods to take in while riding in urban areas with their unique construction and with the interesting landscaping homeowners and apartment dwellers like to display, and other riders who are almost always ready to exchange friendly Hellos.”
Try dusting off that bike sitting in the garage and give it a spin around the neighborhood. You just might get hooked on it like I have.
2) Walking – Yes it’s that old standby that’s the first type of activity a doctor will mention to get a person moving. Of course, people new to exercise need to start out slow and always need to talk to their health care professional to make sure they are not overdoing it.
Walking to lose burn fat and lose weight is different than taking a stroll around the block with a friend or a spouse discussing your day though. Personally I have the best fat burning walks when I’m either out with my dog (who is a bundle of energy and who is already to go a little farther and a little faster) or when I’m by myself. To really get the heart pumping and to burn calories a person needs to be walking briskly enough that having a conversation is hard. My doctor says that if I can say more than a few words at a time without having to take a breath then I’m not working hard enough on my walk. So unless you have a fitness buddy that is into “silent support” while walking, save the fun filled conversational walks for another time.
Don’t use inclement weather as an excuse to not get out and walk. Pretend you are the mail delivery person who doesn’t let rain or snow or cold weather stop them from getting their mail delivered. If it’s raining, put on a rain coat and go out anyway. You are not the Wicked Witch of the West in the Wizard of Oz – you won’t melt. Invest in boots with a good tread or buy “shoe chains” to give you traction in snow. Dress in layers to keep yourself warm and wear a hat because up to 40 percent of our body heat escapes through our head. If it’s storming with lightning then find an indoor location to walk such as the local mall or wait for the storm to pass.
3) Curves 30 minute workout. Okay, so maybe this one isn’t fair to the guys since Curves is a women’s only gym but since I’m of the female gender and since I faithfully go to Curves 3 times a week to do strength training, it makes my list of my three favorite fat burning workouts.
Why?
First of all, it’s strength training which builds muscle which is essential for fat burning because we all know that muscle burns more calories than fat, right?
Secondly I like that there are only women at the gym so I don’t feel self conscious going there. A regular gym is way too intimidating to me. All those incredibly fit people and all those horrible mirrors do nothing for my self esteem and make me want to run out the door, not stay and get a workout in
Third, it’s only a commitment of 30 minutes that I can fit into my day and that I know builds muscle because I can see the muscles I’m building in my arms (they’re still little but very exciting to see!).
If you’re not a woman or don’t have a Curves gym where you live, then look for a different way to get some strength training in. Maybe there is a gym near you that you wouldn’t mind going to.
In addition to getting regular activity that gets your heart rate up and gets you sweating, don’t discount the importance of any activity to help you be healthy and remember to eat healthy as well so you have the energy and stamina to get your exercise in.
