Fit Tip: Slow Down

Monday Morning Fit Tip:

SLOW DOWN FOR PROGRESS

We’re so used to multi-tasking that sometimes we forget the positive effects of slowing things down:

During your next meal, slow down!  Put your fork down between bites.  Chew your food slowly, take a drink, and enjoy the moment.  You will likely enjoy your meal more, and consume less calories, than when you’re shoveling down your meal in a hurry.

Slow down your movements  Count to 10 lift the weight slowly, and again as you release slowly.  This will help you challenge your muscles in a new way and work through a larger range of motion.

Slow down your workout to rev up your metabolism with Interval Training!  A simple way to incorporate intervals into you workout is to alternate 10 minutes of cardio on your favorite machine (try the new Helix for a great lower body challenge!), then hop off and slow things down with a round of upper body exercises or 20 pushups.  Then repeat until all of your upper body exercises are done and you’ll be a fat burning machine!  Find more ideas here.

Slow down and take a break.  Although many of us may have the opposite problem (life seems to get in the way of our regular workout schedule), othersmay find themselves training more often and harder to push for faster results.  Keep in mind that it IS possible to over-train.  If you’re exhausted and feel like you just can’t recover like you used to, you may need a day or two off!  For more information, such as signs of over-training and how to avoid them, click here.