I was recently reading a blog from John Philip on Choosing the Right Exercise for Weight Loss and Health and I really liked some of the things he was saying, but I wanted to expand on some of his thoughts.  I definitely think there is value in moving and exercising your body at least 20 to 30 minutes a day but to have rest days too.  But to really, effectively, burn fat and sculpt your body without spending hours in the gym, I have found a great combination that works like magic on my clients.

 

To really burn fat and sculpt your body into a slim and trim physique I add to the aerobic component bodyweight exercises with a functional training flavor.  In other words, other trainers might have you lifting weights and using the machines in the gym, I jump off the weight machines and have my clients perform quite different exercises using their bodyweight. This combination is incredible and hard to beat.

 

For instance in my Fit ’n’ Fantastic Supreme Sparta Workout series I take my serious hard core athletes through a 5 minute warm-up, 30 minutes of circuit exercises (not on machines) and then a run of up to 30 minutes and a 5 minute cool down.  For my beginners I have them perform a 5 minute warm up, as much of the 30 minutes of circuits that they can get through, and then a 5 minute run and 5 minute cool down.

 

I have found such incredible results with this training method that I use variations of it in a lot of my programs and books.  Of course I do pair these incredible exercise routines with a sound diet and plenty of rest and relaxation as part of my whole Vital Living methodology. See my book Power, Passion and Vitality, Forever! for the entire Vital Living experience.

 

Tell me your favorite fat-burning method, I would love to hear it.

 

Sincerely,

 

Dennis Croll

 

 

In a previous blog I discussed just getting out there and moving.  What I mean by that is putting on your walking shoes and going outside or if you want, the treadmill.  I introduced a quick and effective way of doing cardio where you go your fastest for up to 90 seconds and then cool down for up to 2 minutes then go fast again and keep cycling this pattern for up to 20 minutes. But, if you are new to fitness and really don’t know where to go or what to do, how are you going to run or walk on a fun and interesting route? 

 

Try www.mapmyrun.com.  I really like this site because you can see how far your proposed walk will be and any comments from others that have done it.  It isn’t only centered in the US either; there are tons of international mapped walks and runs from Austria to New Zealand. Check it out and see if your country, state and city are listed.  If it isn’t enter your favorite route for others to follow and comment on.

 

And while you are doing your Vital Living Cardio program don’t forget to fuel your body right.  If you are exercising in a hot environment, bring water, and even electrolyte replacement chews if you feel slightly dizzy or depleted.  If you are in a cold environment you will still need water but probably not as much and make sure you are warm enough before, during and after your exercise routine.  

 

Let me know how you do and what new routes you have discovered.

 

Until then keep on Vital Living!

 

Sincerely,

 

Dennis Croll

 

What! I can’t get fit in a few short minutes!  My last blog I talked about how obesity and lack of exercise is killing us with heart disease.  Many of you might be saying, how do I solve my weight and obesity issues? How can I reverse this mess in my body?  And the ultimate problem, how can I do any exercise much less become a fitness fanatic, I am so out of shape I get out of breath walking up the stairs in my house!  Enter Vital Living Cardio with the answer for you.  

 

Here is a little secret to add to your Vital Living program, it’s not the length of time that you spend doing cardio, it’s the quality.  Yep, you can get the same workout as a person going for an hour on the treadmill in a much shorter span of time.  Who wants to exercise in less time and get great results? I do! And it’s easy to get started.  If you can stand up, you can do this.  Just get on your walking shoes and your watch.

 

Start by walking, power walking or running as fast as you can for as long as you are comfortable but don’t go over 90 seconds.  (For some, this duration might be only 30 seconds.) Then stop and walk at a leisurely pace until you can get your breath back.  Then start again, walk, power walk, or run as fast as you can for as long as you can but don’t go over 90 seconds.  Continue with this cycle for at least 12 minutes but you might have to stop sooner if you are too tired to go on without severe discomfort.  That’s ok if you are too tired, you have to begin somewhere.  If this is too easy then up your intensity (move from walking to power walking or move up to running) or up your length of time to 2 minutes exercise and then rest,  and up your duration of the entire exercise to 20 minutes.

 

That’s it! It’s that simple, try this Vital Living Cardio routine and I defy you not to get results in a short period of time.  You will be amazed at how fast your endurance increases. Let me know your results and remember, it’s not the duration, it’s the intensity of the workout that will get you results.

 

Sincerely,

 

Dennis Croll