I am not a fitness junkie. I don’t know what a burpee is, I don’t know what a “leg day” is. I don’t post onto Facebook everytime I do a workout (although it happens so rarely, I probably should).
But on the other hand, my new job is really chilled compared to my old one and I have started eating a lot more and well, I needed to make some lifestyle changes or I was going to start rolling out the office one of these days.
People who know me really well, know that the only time I ever run is when I am late for my train and I only make it 20 meters before I am out of breath and sitting on the side of the street hyperventilating (because I never make it as far as the train). When I hear the words “exercising” or “work out” or “gym”, I immediately conjure up pictures of bulky Helga, and boot camp trainers, and 2 hour work out sessions and bulky exercise machines that I have no idea how to use. But every year, “Exercise more” somehow makes it onto my New Years Resolutions list (the same list I swear I will never make, and always end up making). And every year I ignore it. And this year was starting out no differently. But sort of mid-February I had a kind-of epiphany and decided that this year I was going to finally start making all the changes that I had been promising myself for years.
My April goal was to start working out, and making it a part of my everyday life. I was really inspired by my new office-mate, who somehow fits exercising into her life even though she is a single mom with an 8 year old boy. Really, I thought, what is my excuse. And so I started doing some research into exercise routines that I can do at home.
If you don't exercise much (or at all), like me, here are 4 words that you will love to hate: High-Intensity Interval Training. What it basically means is that you can fit an awesome cardio work out into as little as 12 - 15 Minutes. And really, even on a super busy day, I can find 15 minutes to do a bit of exercise.
These are some quick and easy cardio workouts that won't take you more than 15 minutes. If you have 30 minutes to spare, you can double up on the circuit or do both.
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| Unfortunately I don't have the original source for this workout, but this circuit takes about 15 minutes. You should rest about 10 seconds between each set. This one is great because you start off strong thinking to yourself "10 of each, thats easy" and by the time you start to lose steam, you think to yourself "just 4 of each", "just 3 of each". If you don't have a jumprope, you can replace it with another type of cardio exercise. My friend replaced the push-ups with planks. |
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| (Link here) This also takes 15 minutes. The only downside for me here was that I didn't know what half of these exercises are so I had to look them up (on my ipad, while I was working out). I still don't know what half of these are. |
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| Blast 130 calories in 12 minutes! For real. Again, all you need is a jump rope. If you don't have one, get one (they are not expensive and you can get them at any sport store. And unless you have super low ceilings and lots of breakable stuff, you can jump rope inside. I do. If you don't have one, then I am sure you can replace it with another cardio exercise. Like suicides maybe. The link to the workout is here. |
But seriously though, all you have to do is hit "12 minute cardio" into Google and literally hundreds of routines will come up. Pick one that suits your lifestyle and options the best. Try different ones until you find one that sticks.
Every one has that one type of exercise that they love. Maybe its running, or taking a Pilates class. But take it from me, the longer you put it off, the more excuses you will find.
Its been a month and I have learned a lot about myself and found, I think, a routine that works for me. I have also learned a lot of things that don't work for me. But this morning, my train was pulling into the station and I was still halfway down the street. I decided to make a run for it - and I actually jumped onto the train on time.
