Do I Need to Work Out Every Day?
No, you do not need to work out every day. In fact, in most cases, I would recommend at least 1-2 days of total rest a week. However, just because you have a rest or recovery day scheduled into your calendar, doesn’t necessarily mean you aren’t active at all on these days. Light, regular movement such as walking your dog around the block, or taking time for stretching or foam rolling are great recovery techniques to help increase blood flow and reduce tension in tight muscles. Participating in regular rest days and practicing a well-balanced recovery routine can help you reduce your risk for injury and promote the longevity of your fitness routine.
What Training Should I Be Doing to Lose Weight?
When it comes to weight loss, I like to focus on a full-scale approach. Regular cardio training is great for increasing your daily calorie burn. While strength training will help you build lean muscle, which will increase your metabolism and help you burn more calories at rest!
I’d also recommend adding in a few HIIT sessions per week, rather it is your favorite type of cardio, body weight, or light dumbbell exercises. HIIT is designed to get your body working at high intensities, burning a ton of calories in a short period of time. Create a schedule with a blend of regular cardio, a few full body strength training sessions, and a few HIIT training sessions each week.
Finally, don’t forget to eat a healthy, well-balanced diet emphasizing whole foods. With weight loss it’s important to maximize the nutrients in the calories you’re consuming to fuel your workouts!
How Long Does It Take to See Results?
It can take anywhere from 6-8 weeks or more to see results from your program. That can be discouraging as so many of us are living in an instant world - we expect results and changes instantaneously. Don’t get discouraged. Know that your hard work is paying off, even if you don’t see the results you’re looking for on the scale right away.
A few other ways to track your progress as you go can be the fit of your clothing, being able to complete more challenging or longer workouts, or taking progress photos and comparing as you continue your journey. It’s all the little wins along the way that help keep you going, so keep cueing into your body and all of the smaller successes and changes you see along the way and celebrate them!