Exercise Tips: Can Less Be More?

No surprise as the unwritten rule of weight loss and fitness seems to be that pushing ourselves to the max is the best way to get results. In short, a “No Pain, No Gain” mentality.

But are demanding workouts really the best way to reach fitness goals?

No! According to Real Age.com, a site developed by the Doctors Mehmet Oz and Michael Roizen.

In actuality, MODERATE exercise is all we really need to lose weight and keep it off. Assuming we eat healthfully and don’t abuse our bodies with an overload of junk food and excessive calories, low-intensity exercise can have the SAME impact as hard-core workouts when it comes to weight loss.

Fact is, DIET plays a HUGE role in weight loss. Meaning that people who COMBINE low-intensity exercise with a sensible diet lose more weight than people who overeat and then try to burn it off through intense bouts of exercise.

In fact, Real Age.com tells us that low-intensity exercise IS sufficient to blast fat and lose weight, lower systolic (the upper number) blood pressure and triglycerides.

Cool! Low Intensity Means I Get To Schlump Along?

Wrong! Low-intensity exercise does not mean exercising aimlessly. Low-intensity exercise should still be vigorous to increase your heart and breathing rate so that you continue to condition your heart and lungs. Also, be aware that high-intensity workouts do appear to be superior to low-intensity in terms of lowering glucose levels.

Great Low-Intensity Aerobic Activities

Brisk Walking

Circuit Weight Training (using lower weight and higher repetitions than you would during a pure strength training session)

My Workout Recommendation

Incorporating both High and Low-Intensity workouts into your routine is a good idea.

Take advantage of the days you have extra energy to push yourself a bit. Feel the extra burn and maybe go that extra mile. But remember, low-intensity exercise has its place too - a Sunday morning bike ride with the kids, a 30 minute stroll through the park or practicing yoga are all wonderful and restorative ways of getting your daily dose of exercise.

I was able to rekindle my love of physical activity once I released myself from the pressure of day-in-and-day-out punishing, soreness-inducing, workouts.

Initially you may actually be uncomfortable breaking out of a “rigorous fitness” mindset. I know I felt guilty when doing workouts I enjoyed, ones where I felt no significant stress or strain.

I’m not sure exactly what type of cataclysmic event I was anticipating, but I am pretty sure it had something to do with the effects of gravity dragging my ass to the pavement unless each and every workout was a killer. But you will find, as I did, that if you continue to fuel your body properly, easing up and going low-intensity 4 or 5 days a week yields BETTER results - a refreshed mind and a recharged body that still looks just as hot!

I also rekindled my genuine love for physical activity once I was released from day in and day out of the punishing, soreness-inducing workouts I had come to equate with the only way to get results. I was pleasantly surprised to find low-impact workouts still gave me that great endorphin rush that follows a workout session. I had incorrectly assumed those feel-good hormones were only attainable by pushing my body to its limit.

Remember, whether you ‘re a beginner looking to get in shape, or someone who is looking to maintain fitness and health, the only exercise program that will work for a lifetime is one based on activities you enjoy. So make sure most of your workouts are based around low impact activities which are fun, not grueling.

Enjoy your workout, don’t sweat it!

Love,
Health Sundae

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