Not just any girl

Something else I got from the wise Katiethat I wanted to share

More calories are burned during short bursts of high intensity exercise, making it more effective at inducing fat loss while strengthening the cardiovascular system and reducing instance of injury that often accompanies non-stop, repetitive activity. Additionally, it gives you the chance to increase your intensity without burning yourself out (cause you know the cool down phase is coming real soon).

If you have been walking or jogging, why not try a little interval work (short bursts of intense activity alternating with intervals of lighter activity) during your walk/jog.

After warming up, you might increase the intensity for 30 seconds and then resume your normal pace. The next burst of more intense activity may last two to three minutes. Or…walk/Jog for 5 minutes at your regular pace, then challenge yourself to go faster for 1 to 2 minute intervals, before settling back into your usual pace for the next 5 minutes. If you are jogging paths or trails or streets, you can pick a landmark in the distance to get to as quickly as you can, then slow down till the next landmark (i.e. between certain trees or houses or mailboxes). The intervals can vary throughout your workout.

ADVANTAGES:
You’ll burn more calories. The more vigorously you exercise, the more calories you’ll burn — even if you increase intensity for just a few minutes at a time.

You’ll improve your aerobic capacity. As your cardiovascular fitness improves, you’ll be able to exercise longer or with more intensity.(Imagine finishing your 60-minute walk in 45 minutes — or the additional calories you’ll burn by keeping up the pace for the full 60 minutes!)

You’ll keep boredom at bay. Turning up your intensity in short intervals can add variety to your exercise routine.

Alternating bursts of intense exercise with easier intervals will help reduce the buildup of waste products in your muscles, resulting in more comfortable exercise.