Five things trainers do to stay in shape
If you really want to get in shape, try incorporating some of the time-tested techniques that fitness experts and professional trainers use to keep themselves fit all year long. Here are five techniques to get you started. Give them a try, and you will be surprised by the results.
Fasting morning cardio
One of the most effective ways to burn fat fast is to wake up early in the morning when your stomach is empty and do an intense cardio session.
At this point, your body has been without fuel for at least eight hours and is running on fumes when you pull the sheets back. Hit the floor running, and it has a dramatic effect on your metabolism. I bought a commercial-grade elliptical for this very purpose, and my rule of thumb is to get at least 25 minutes after waking up before I eat breakfast. I firmly believe it has been a game-changer for my fitness level.
Interval training
Another great way to get quick results is to do cardio interval training by alternating a challenging level and pace with periodic bursts of speed. This forces your heart to work through a wide range of intensities and will keep your body from getting used to the workout. It will also burn a lot more calories per minute and will keep your body burning fat like a wood stove on a cold winter night.
Carb cycling
Carbohydrates are essential for energy needed to do tough workouts, but if you learn to cycle the amount of carbs you eat daily from high to low, you can trick your body into burning fat as an alternate fuel source.
It’s important to understand that in order for this to work, you must eat clean carbs, such as brown rice, sweet potatoes, red potatoes and whole grains.
It’s also a great idea to consult a professional who can teach you how to do this properly.
Protein, protein and more protein
Protein has been proven to build, repair and promote muscle growth and is an important part of the diet for anyone who wants to build lean tissue and burn fat. In fact, the more muscle you have on your frame, the more calories you’ll burn.
Since proteins are the building blocks of muscle, it makes perfect sense to be sure you eat enough. As an added bonus, it’s very hard to get fat from eating protein, so if I’m a little hungrier than usual, I add a little extra lean meat to the menu, and it has little to no impact on fat and weight loss.
Cheating for more results
Adding a cheat meal once a week can be the spark needed to reignite the metabolic flame, keeping important hormones stable and the body functioning at optimum level. This is very important, because intense workouts and low-carb diets work great, but they can also wreak havoc on important fatburning chemicals in the body, such as testosterone, thyroid and cortisol levels. Cheating in moderation will hit the breaker switch and ensure that the body doesn’t get stale, and also keep you mentally fresh at the same time.
