REDs Easter beaster……………..

Well come on admit it, we all sneak a little (or a lot) or chocolate or hot cross buns over the Easter holidays, and with the kiddies at home there can be less gym or workout time or we just want to chill and enjoy the Welsh spring weather yes?

The consequences? Tighter clothes? Frustration ?

Sooooooooo what can we do after indulging? Give up and eat more? Put your diet and fitness on hold for a week?

Wrong!

My answer is simplymooooove!

There is no quick fix or easy way out, you need to burn some calories and remain active. Also by bearing in mind that we do not want to become sluggish, we are less likely to over indulge. Thankfully this does not mean slogging over a treadmill or running miles, our workouts can be broken down into manageable chunks….like your Easter eggs!

How? – well start with making it motivational with some power tracks – instant mood lifter – then get the kids and family involved , switch off the TV and stay away from the sofa.

Play games, put more vigour into the chores , think about how you are moving and try wearing a pedometer. Maybe move a little faster , dance, run up the stairs, squat while the kettle boils…just keep moving!!!

More ideas? OK, to break it down even further, try bursts of Hi intensity movement, teamed with controlled resistance exercises to boost the metabolism such as 30 seconds on the spot running, followed by 20 squats, and 30 seconds of star jumps and some press ups and repeat. Try to think of movements that use all your muscle groups, maybe two or three at a time.

Try adding some weights to your squats, making the movements slower and more controlled and don’t forget to stretch. Stretching and lengthening muscles is an important aspect of physical fitness and posture. So If High impact isn’t your cup of tea, then try Pilates or yoga to train, sculpt and tone. Pilates is used by top athletes, dancers, martial artists and anyone who wishes to sculpt , strengthen and increase muscle tone.

Finally here’s 5 things to remember….

1) Sweat is good for the skin, but remember to rehydrate.

2) Exercise and good diet are partners, one without the other will not get you very far!

3) Working out is not meant to be easy – your body responds to stress and adapts, however it is not meant to be painful and you should check with your doctor before commencing a new program of fitness.

4) Variation is key, try different forms of movement. Your body will get used to the same regime and will need new challenges to adapt to.

5) Recovery……too much exercise can be as detrimental as not enough. So make sure your body has recovery time, this is when muscles heal and grow

Stay safe and enjoy. Happy Easter

From RED Fitness