Why You May Need to Exercise Less to Lose Weight!

A few years ago some studies were done to compare the effects of steady state cardio and intervals and the results were astounding!

What was astounding about the studies was that they found that those doing intervals lost more body fat overall than those doing steady state cardio.

In one study, one group did 40 minutes of steady state aerobics, three times a week for 15 weeks. The second group did 20 minutes (half the duration of the first group) of interval training, three times per week for 15 weeks.

During the 15 weeks, the first group GAINED 0.5kg of body fat! The second group lost an average of 2.5kg of body fat.

Other studies have had similar results, which means that many of us have probably been doing too much exercise!

A good example of intervals training is what I currently do. I do 15 minutes on the treadmill or elliptical. I go hard for 30 seconds, and slow my pace and intensity for 2 minutes. I keep repeating this process until the 15 minutes is up. Eventually I will work up for 2 minutes hard, then slow my pace for 2 minutes, until I have reached 15 minutes duration.

That's all I need - 15 minutes!

So other than the obvious weight loss advantages, what else is good about intervals?

1. It saves time. I only need 15 minutes to complete them!

2. It stimulates a greater release of growth hormone.

3. It's better for your joints.

4. It increases your metabolism and you will continue to burn fat for 24 hours after your interval session!

5. Creates variety - there are so many ways to do intervals, as follows:

Repeat these until you get to 15 minutes

- Burpees for 30 seconds then march on the spot for 2 minutes
- Run up the stairs, walk down
- Run up a hill, walk down
- Treadmill/elliptical trainer where you can vary your speed and intensity (30 seconds/2 minutes)
- Run with weights if you want to
- Much much more - be creative! Just as long as you're varying the intensity of your workout (as hard as you can for 30 seconds, then slower for 2 minutes, gradually building this up).

Of course if you've never done intervals before, it's worth seeing your doctor first, and once you get started on these (along with resistance strength training in your routine) you will begin to see some massive changes to your body!

If you really want to lose weight, then here's what you must do right now...

Visit http://overweightandunhappy.com and make sure you take advantage of the free offers available, including the free weight loss ecourse or you can check out Michelle's progress as she attempts to become a Yummy Mummy!