It’s so easy to slip up, I’ve discovered by the end of week three. After missing a class because of a social engagement I couldn’t say no to, I was ready to hang up my gloves and never go back again.
This is particularly because my brain gets easily accustomed to being laid-back, but facing the pain takes a lot more conditioning.
However, after spending a few days shirking classes, I managed to finish the week on a high note after attending three classes in a row. (This, after some friendly encouragement from a dear friend).
To keep things interesting for myself, I also started doing some light yoga at home, just so I could take a break from the high intensity stuff I was doing at 9 Round. A gentle, half-hour session of simple yoga poses in the evening did a lot to keep the momentum going and it’s a great way to calm the nerves.
And, not surprisingly, I found out that the more I work out, the more hungry I am. Every day, the hunger pangs come along strong and fast. And while it’s tempting to snack every few hours, I’ve been determined to eat my stipulated three meals and keep them as junk-free as possible. Bye bye, burgers and fries.
As part of my self-imposed, albeit lazy, diet, I’m also eating more fruits and vegetables, especially ones rich in fibre. These are great for weight loss, the nutritionist says, as they release glucose slowly in the bloodstream, which leads to less storage of fat by the body.
BENEFITS OF HIGH INTENSITY INTERVAL TRAINING
If you’re considering the switch to high intensity interval workout, like the one I’ve been doing at 9 Round over the last few weeks, here are a few reasons that might help you make the switch:
1. Burn calories in shorter amount of time
Studies show that 15 minutes of HINT burns as much calories as one hour on the treadmill. For those of you us who like to blame time for the lack of exercise in our lives, HINT might be the answer.
2. Increased rate of metabolism
HINT helps you consume more oxygen than a non-interval workout routine. The excess amount of oxygen consumed helps increase your rate of metabolism from about 90 minutes to 144 minutes after a session of interval training. Thus the increased metabolism helps burn more calories at a faster rate.
3. Burn calories even after exercise
A lot of studies also show that HINT helps people burn calories after you’re done exercising as well. Due to the intensity of the workout, HINT can elevate your metabolism for hours after exercise. This results in additional calories being burnt even after you have finished exercising.
4. It helps gain muscles
Although not on the same level as you would if you were weight training, HINT has proven to accelerate muscle growth as compared to moderate-intensity training.
5. Good for the heart
It’s extremely difficult to push ourselves into an anaerobic zone — this is where you lose your breath and feel your heart pounding faster and faster. With interval training, it’s easier to push yourself to that level because of the rest interval that comes right after you reach that point. This helps keep a healthy heart and helps blood flow effectively. At 9 Round especially, the cool down exercises after each high-intensity cycle is designed keeping this factor in mind.
