Workout Plan

Ok so when I started my diet I did not add in the working out until a few months later. I don't really recommend doing that because as you lose you need to be toning up at the same time. This will help tighten as you lose pounds and inches. Either way, starting some type of exercise regimen is beneficial, if nothing else for the heart and overall health benefits. It will also help boost your metabolism, which will help shed pounds even faster. If you work and have children, like me, it seems like there are not enough hours in the day to even think about adding in time for exercise. But it is for your healths sake and that is how you have to think about it. Make time. Even if it is only 20 minutes a day. I know most of us are on the Internet for at least that most days. So if you don't workout now but want to start, I recommend getting the Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred to start off ($9 at walmart or target). People think I am nuts for suggesting this workout because of its difficulty. But if you start out slow by following the level one for beginners and keep with it for a couple weeks, you will see your endurance improve very quickly. This workout is only 22min long! Anyone can push through 22 minutes. And if you need a break just stop for 5 seconds and catch your breath, but keep moving! Why do I recommend this workout? It can be done from home, it is short and it combines cardio and strength training. Now I am not going to lie, you will be sore and fill like your going to die the first few times, but you won't. Stay with it and I promise you will see results and will feel so much better overall.

Make small goals for yourself. When I started out, I said I would do the dvd everyday for 2 weeks. After that, I set more goals and have only missed 3 workouts since first of November. If you get bored easily, like I do, then once you get the hang of it alternate between levels 1, 2, and 3. I would do level one Monday, 2 Tuesday and 3 Wednesday, then start at level 1 again and so on.

Running is another exercise I have fallen in love with. I hate treadmills but I love going outside and running a few miles a few times a week. My goal now is 10 miles per week split up over 3 or 4 days. So I do my Jillian Michaels dvd everyday then run afterwards every other day. The main reason I took up running was because of the heart health benefits and because it is great if you are wanting to slim down your thighs and tighten your abs. I have lost several more inches off my hips and abs since taking up running back in March.

More recently I have joined a gym next door to my house and do the elliptical on my non-running days and lift some weights a few times a week. But going to a gym is not required in order to lose weight. I just like the environment and it gives me a little time away to do something for myself.

The main thing is just doing something, anything to get your heart pumping and speed up your metabolism. But cardio combined with strength training is ultimately the best way to shed pounds and tone up and burns the most amount of calories when done together.

So here is what I have found to be the best workout plan for me! Hope this helps...