Somehow we are already in the middle of May. While the last couple of weeks have been grey and dreary in Maryland, summer is right around the corner. Soon it will be time to pack the forgiving sweaters away and break out your shorts and swimsuits. If you’ve been sticking with your plan since the beginning of the year, there’s a good chance that you are feeling good about the coming summer season. If you’re not quite there yet, there’s good news. You still have time for noticeable changes in your physique before the sweltering heat and humidity of the Mid-Atlantic set in. The worst thing to do right now is feel like hope is lost. Even if you haven’t followed your eating and exercise plan perfectly, there’s a little time to make a noticeable difference in your body.

(image via Pop Sugar Fitness)

HIIT

I read about HIIT training in a magazine and decided that it sounded scary and terrible. High Intensity Interval Training. How high? How intense? I decided to give it a try after my husband told me that he was getting great results in less time through HIIT routines. He didn’t have to tell me. I could see his pants falling down as his body slimmed down in what seemed like just a few weeks. One day I got on my treadmill to do my arduous hour of cardio and noticed ten pieces of balled up tissue. My husband told me that he used these tissue balls to keep track of his intervals. He told me to warm up, run as fast as I can for 1 minute, and then recover for 1:30 or 2:00. After each completed interval, a tissue ball was transferred from the left cupholder to the right cupholder on the treadmill. I decided to get some pretty beads from the craft store to make our interval counters a little less gross-looking, but I am very motivated by the way HIIT has made me feel in the last few weeks. First of all, I have been tremendously sore! HIIT is intense and your body works hard. There is no doubt that muscles are being put to the test. Knowing that my body is burning more calories throughout the day is a bonus that helps me stay on track nutritionally. This workout is effective and efficient. I have been doing three HIIT workouts each week, alternating a running program and my own made-up routines involving jumping jacks, high knees, mountain climbers, and more to work all areas of my body.

(Image via Pinterest.)

Learn more about HIIT from Shape Magazine.

You aren’t going to have your dream body overnight and maybe even not this year, but if you stick with the program you will eventually get there. HIIT offers a highly efficient workout. There are no excuses for skipping on HIIT training because you simply need 15-20 minute. No equipment is required and there are tons of routines to be found on the Internet. Of course, the best approach to finding a routine that works for you is to schedule an appointment at Repke Fitness. The staff at Repke Fitness will make sure that you are attacking your plan with proper form so you do not get hurt in the process. Give Louben & co a call today at 410-656-2121 to see how they can help you feel comfortable and confident this summer.