High Intensity Training

Interval Training is a staple in the world of fitness.  But even low intensity interval workouts need to be balanced with other kinds of training.  After reading the info on "HIIT" I came to the conclusion that I would burn out after 2-3 weeks of training like this.  Yes, there would be fast results, but what happens when your energy stores become exhausted?  I bet putting the fat back on would happen more quickly than the time it took to take it off.  I think combining this kind of training with other types of fitness would bring the most effective results.  Resistance training, weights, kickboxing, rockclimbing, hiking, pilates, etc. are all types of workouts that build and strengthen the body in different ways.  Switching up workouts frequently can help keep you  from getting bored and allows you to stay motivated and focused with goals in sight.  Personal Trainers are excellent sources for this.  They can show you how to use equipment properly as well as prescribing a routine specific to your needs.

The diet mentioned in some of the articles could prove dangerous to some people.  Having an excessively low ratio of carbohydrates to protein shifts our body's metabolism into a ketogenic state.  Ketogenesis is a specialized process in which our bodies increase the reliance on fat as fuel in response to stress or starvation.  Instead of cutting carbs, eat whole carbohydrates rather than refined ones.     Fat is an important part of our metabolism and energy as well.  Fats aid in transporting vitamins and regulating body temperature. Ounce per ounce fats contain more calories than any other component of food.  So they must be consumed in lesser amounts (compared to carbs and proteins.) But it is also important to remember that good quality fats are essential for our health.

In my experience I found the most profound results came from working with a personal trainer and a sports nutritionist.  I told my personal trainer exactly what my goals were and he helped me design a program congruent with my lifestyle.  I then took this plan to a sports nutritionist who designed a meal plan which inevitably set me up for success.  I think relying on one workout or one diet could set most people up for failure.  Emotional problems can play a huge role in excess fat, especially around the midsection.  In Chinese medicine it is thought that excess weight is usually an emotional issue with the mother, because it is usually our mothers who help us form our first relationships with food.

On a different note, this plan might be the absolute perfect way for some to lose weight.  If anyone goes through with it I would love to be kept posted.  Keep it interesting and good luck!