The Body Blog: Lose The Winter Gain Before Spring Break

On average, people gain 5 lbs during the holiday season.  Wearing sweat pants and bulky sweaters to keep warm can mask and even increase the amount of the added weight, but I’m pretty sure the bikini you are preparing to wear in 6 weeks won’t.  I didn’t say it, but you know what I’m talking about: Spring Break!

By SarahFit

They gym is probably overflowing with New Years resolution fanatics and Spring Break obsessed tanorexics.  This is a guide for those who want to lose weight in a healthy yet effective and quick way.

First, I have good news for those short on time.  You can actually burn just as many calories – if not more – in a shorter amount of time on any piece of cardio machine.  Fitness professionals have known this for a long time, but still I see many people jogging at the same pace for 40 minutes.  If you work out using intervals, you’ll burn more calories.  Intervals require you to workout at a hard intensity for short bursts of time followed by a lower intensity rest period.  For example, run at a 7.5 mph for a minute, followed by 5.5 mph for 2 minutes, repeat with a 7.5 mph minute burst.

Depending on how in shape you are, either lower or raise the intensity.  A favorite workout of mine is switching intensity every song.  I make a play list that is around 25 minutes.  The first song is a warm up, the second a little faster, the third slower, fourth faster and so on.  Use creativity and make sure the bursts of high intensity get your body going.   This will burn roughly 300 calories!

If your gym is short of machines, or you simply don’t have time to make it there, check out the 4 minute workout known as the world’s fastest workout.  It’s a tabeta interval and is a hidden secret among fitness experts.

The cardio aspect of a workout will burn calories, but it’s the strength training that raises your metabolism, allowing you to burn fat while sitting in class!  Ladies, this will not cause you to get bulky muscles.  We simply do not have enough testosterone to build manly muscles.  Since the gym can be intimidating and very crowded this time of year, here is an easy workout routine specifically designed for spring break that you can do in your dorm room.  All you need is a 5-10 lb dumbbell or, if done at home, you can use a large text book!  Use a chair instead of the step shown in the video, too.

Side Lunge w/ Arm Raise: Do 24 reps, rest and repeat.

Single Leg Deadlift: Do 12 reps on one left leg, switch and repeat on right. Repeat 2x.

Tricep Push-ups w/ Walkout: Do 10 push-ups, rest, repeat 2x.

Bridge w/ Leg Abduction: Complete 12 reps, rest and repeat.

Chair Ab Crunch: Complete 12 reps, rest and repeat.

TV Leg Raises: Complete 12 reps, switch sides and repeat.

Watch the demo videos here and here.

For those who have been athletic your whole lives and may feel a bit bulky, I recommend taking a couple Pilates or Yoga classes each week to achieve a sleek and sexy body.  Trust me on this one!  If you wanna feel your heart racing to know your body is burning fat, Pilates and Yoga works like magic. If your school doesn’t offer Pilates or Yoga classes, you can find ones online for free, just search YouTube or click here for my favorite Pilates routines.

[Sarah is a professional health blogger with all the latest information on body and health. Get more exercise ideas by checking out her videos on You Tube, and reading her blogs on Diet.com and The Examiner.]