by | May 15, 2013 | 5 comments

No one ever looks their best in running pictures!

No one ever looks their best in running pictures!

It’s no secret that I love running.  It certainly wasn’t always that way (see my “About Megan” story for more on the transition), but now running is a source of stress relief, pleasure, and personal challenge.  When I first got into running, I pretty much just ran … and I also suffered through a few injuries, some mental burnout, and, after initial weight loss, wasn’t getting the results I wanted.  It took me several years to realize that I could eliminate those three issues by adding in some cross-training and changing up the intensity of my exercise.

  • Injuries: When I started running, I had chronic knee and IT band pain, and I believe this was because I wasn’t working any muscles besides my running muscles.  Now, with a variety of exercises that strengthen my hips, core, and upper body, I suffer fewer injuries that prevent me from running.
  • Mental burnout: As much as I love running, if that is my only form of exercise I can eventually get tired of it.  Adding in some additional forms of exercise helps keep it interesting and stokes my passion for fitness.
  • Results: Numerous studies have shown that your body does get “used to” an exercise if you do it repeatedly.  For the first few months, you may experience weight loss and toning, but after a while, that 3-mile loop you run every morning will just become par for your body’s course and will not yield additional results.  Even better, studies show that interval training revs the metabolism and is very effective in burning body fat, allowing you to see your hard work paying off more quickly.

These examples use my story with running, but the same applies to any exercise you may be doing.  Spend 30 minutes on the elliptical every morning?  Walk 2 miles after work every day?  Swim or cycle the same pace and same distance?  The effectiveness of any “routine” will eventually taper off, and you will get better results by incorporating interval training.

I love yoga classes, spinning classes, outdoor cycling, and interval training classes, but while I’m traveling for work, it isn’t always possible to get to the classes I love.  So, I’ve made it a habit to incorporate a quick, 10-15 minute strength or interval session into my routine several days per week. 

How do I include 4-5 interval training sessions and 2 slightly longer yoga sessions into my week?  Simple!  I’m always looking for quick, new, online routines to help me with this goal.  Earlier today, I posted this on the Lyons’ Share Wellness Facebook page (“like” it on the right sidebar of this page to receive interesting content like this!): facebook vs workout

This was just one example of a 10-minute routine that I used to incorporate interval training and a bit of strength work.  Of course, I don’t always do this routine (this was my first time) … that would defeat the purpose and my body would get “used” to it!  Other short workouts I’ve recently done and liked are: The Fitnessista’s 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 workout, a new 7-minute workout which has been getting a lot of press (go through it twice for a challenge!), and Daily Burn’s DB15 program, (providing a 15-minute workout for each of 15 days, with a lot of variety and great instructors.  They offer a free month trial – plenty of time to get through the 15-day cycle twice, although I only did the cycle once myself).  I also get a lot of short workouts from magazine tear-outs and other bloggers, and I’m happy to share if you’re interested.

I encourage you to mix up YOUR workout routine this week … either with some of these 10-15 minute workouts, or with some of your own.  Just get your heart pumping, work HARD during those intervals, and enjoy the results! (Edited to add: if you do not already have a workout routine, I would recommend any of these as a way to get started slowly, but please do not consider this medical advice and consult with your doctor first.)think positively

Tell me in the comments… do you mix up your workout routine regularly?  Are you going to try any of these workouts?  How did you do with the Fresh Start Challenge?  Hope you’re continuing those great habits!

5 Comments

  1. David Williams

    Well, exercise is the key to weight loss. Most of the people do regular exercise to keep their body in shape. For the first few days, people can feel muscle pain but afterwards it becomes normal.

    Reply
    • Megan Lyons

      Thanks for the comment, David! I agree that exercise is very important to weight loss, but I wish that most people did it like you said! Nutrition is also a major component – I often say “you can’t ‘outexercise’ a poor diet!”

      Reply
  2. Karen

    I incorporate an intensive water finess class 2x /week.
    It’s definitely strength training, but not sure about fat burning??
    Can u comment on that?

    Reply
    • Megan Lyons

      Water aerobics is awesome exercise! All strength training is great for fat burning – the “afterburn” (the number of calories you burn after you stop working out) is higher with strength training or interval training than it is with steady-state cardio. So, you’re getting toning and fat-burning with your water fitness classes, and heart-healthy cardio (which also burns fat, just not quite as effectively) with your walking, etc.! Great job 🙂

      Reply
  3. Megan Lyons

    Thanks so much! I’m really glad to hear it’s helpful for you – that makes my day 🙂

    Reply

Trackbacks/Pingbacks

  1. Convenient, At-Home Health Testing! (Introducing EverlyWell) - The Lyons' Share Wellness - […] on the label!), I test things in my own diet so I can recommend them to my clients, and…
  2. 30-Day Health Challenge - […] been walking every day, try a Zumba class (I talk about the benefits of mixing up your workouts in…
  3. Changing my workout plan ... for Focus T25! - […] to do the same thing (run) repeatedly without variety.  My seventh post ever was called “Mixing Up Your Workouts to…
  4. 7 Exercise Tips From This Week | The Lyons' Share Wellness - […] Quick and Dirty Tips to Prevent Running Injuries for Good: I’ve talked about mixing up your workouts, compression, and…
  5. Stepping Out of Your Fitness Comfort Zone | The Lyons' Share Wellness - […] up bored, injured, burned out, or missing out on a form of exercise that you really love!  (See this…
  6. How to Increase Exercise Without Getting Injured | The Lyons' Share Wellness - […] posted before about how mixing up your exercise routine is good for anyone, but it’s especially important for beginning…
  7. The benefits of yoga for your healthy life | The Lyons' Share Wellness - […] the right thing by “mixing up my workouts to maximize my benefits,” like I wrote in this post.  Overall,…
  8. A fun giveaway and two anniversaries | The Lyons' Share Wellness - […] share a great new find that I first learned about from Daily Garnish.  As I have mentioned, I like…
  9. Something is better than nothing | The Lyons' Share Wellness - […] to invite you to do a new challenge with me!  I’ve spoken a few times about the benefits of…
  10. How to exercise safely in the summer heat | The Lyons' Share Wellness - […] from my Pinterest boards, or a fun new exercise class may be the safest way to go.  Plus, variety…
  11. Something is better than nothing | The Lyons' Share Wellness - [...] to invite you to do a new challenge with me!  I’ve spoken a few times about the benefits of…
  12. lunette ray ban - lunette ray ban... This is one awesome blog.Thanks Again. Much obliged....
  13. Making your workout fun | The Lyons' Share Wellness - [...] mentioned in the “mixing up your workouts” post that changing your routine has significant, positive implications for your physical…

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Megan Lyons Headshot

Hi! I'm Megan Lyons,

the voice behind The Lyons’ Share. I love all things health, wellness, and fitness-related, and I hope to share some of my passion with you. Thanks for stopping by!
Boost Energy Download

Need a quick energy boost? Download this guide!