Tabata .........the best kept fat burning secret:)

Tabata is one of my favorite (okay, and least favorite) fat burning secrets.  I love it, because it works.....and really reaches into those hard to get to stores of abdominal fat, but I hate it because......well because it's a grueling 4 minutes!  Tabata is an exercise protocol that was created in Tokyo, Japan.  To do a round of Tabata, you need 4 minutes.  I personally love to go in the boxing room at my gym and set a timer so I don't lose track of time, but you can do it anywhere that there is a wall clock.  For 20 seconds, you do an exercise at your maximum intensity.  I do kettlebell swings, high knee jumping rope, or burpees.  You could also do the elliptical, or jumping jacks.....there are many options.  So 20 seconds of hard work, followed by 10 seconds of rest, then repeat until 4 minutes are over.  At first you may not think it's that hard, but after a few rounds, trust me....it will be grueling.  It brings to min pre-season soccer practice when I was in high school, where I just couldn't imagine finishing the workouts!  That said, your metabolism will be cranking when you are done, fat will be burning.....and you will most definitely have a workout high.  I love, love this workout, and that I can be done with my cardio in 4 minutes!  When I really want to push myself, I do two rounds with 2 minutes in between, that's it, that's enough:)

stay gorgeous and healthy!

Megan

Jumping rope 101

First things first,  buy a jumprope of your own.  I buy my ropes at www.buddyleejumpropes.com they are the perfect weight for jumping, they sell a few different options, depending in whether you like a shorter or longer handle ( I like the shorter to start) and you can customize the size by trimming the rope.  This is actually quite easy, and it only takes about two minutes.  It will keep you from tripping over the rope more frequently than you might otherwise.  The rope is also attached with ball bearings to the handle, and you won't believe how smooth the action is on this jumprope.  After you try it you'll wonder why you ever used another kind!  I love having my own rope and throwing it in my bag, so that no matter where I go, I can get in a quick....and effective workout.

By the way, when I went on the site today I couldn't resist adding the rope at the top to my collection!  Can't wait to get it:)  xoxo

Feel free to comment with your questions!

Jumping rope, and getting out of the gym fast.

Today I had a conversation with my sweet friend Maria.  She talked about wanting to jump rope, and was asking me for some tips after seeing a video of me doing a workout with a jumprope.  There is so much to say about jumping rope, and I will get into more detail in posts to come.....but here are some things that I think are important:

1.  It's a fast workout, that you can do (almost) anywhere.  I pack my rope when I go on vacation, or to visit my family.  When I train at the gym, I often jump for 30-60 seconds in between sets.  It's so nice to fit in a little cardio during the workout so you can be in and out...fast!

2.  It takes practice to jump rope, and it's important to be patient with yourself and know that it's not easy!  When I picked it back up a few years ago it felt so awkward!   I was tripping over the rope left and right, but with practice....I'm like a little Rocky now:)

3.  The equipment (rope) you use makes a huge difference.  If the length is off, or the quality is not great....you are making things much harder on yourself.

I'm going to break things down in future posts, and hopefully you guys will have some fun with jumping rope too.  I take mine out by the water when it's nice, or blast the music in the boxing room at the gym when it's cold.  Once you get the hang of it, it's great.  Give yourself some time to learn and I bet you will too!