Build a Body you can be Proud Of In Just 20 minutes or Less Per Day!

Build a Body you can be Proud Of In Just 20 minutes or Less Per Day!

If you truly want to be in the best shape of your life, and stay that way, it takes long term commitments to health and a routine of activities YOU can look forward to. Just as we have different tastes in foods, music, clothing, work, and entertainment, so to not all physical activities work for everyone.

Here are ten simple steps for building a fabulous body:

1- Think long term, not quick fix. Rather than jumping into a set of activities and long duration routines, start with small steps and build your way up. Jumping into intense workouts doesn’t work, it just sets us for feeling like failures. Instead, pick something small and build on that.

2- Forget getting all the workout done in one sitting, how many of us have time for that? Four to eight short bursts of 5 to 10 minutes each can provide long term and lasting benefits. Start with two 5-minute sessions and add to that. A little something is better than nothing.

3- Do something upon rising. Even if it’s 2 minutes of jumping jacks or a few rounds up and down the stairs. Getting your metabolism up within the first 45 minutes of rising can keep it raised all day.

4- Use it as a mid-morning/afternoon pick-me-up. Instead of reaching for that donut, cup of coffee, or candy bar, take a hike. Plan two five minute breaks per day. Take a walk around, go into the break room and use bands or light weights. Do something different and get your blood, and brain activated.

5- Forget videos and equipment. Nature handed us the best equipment we can get, our own body. Learn isometric exercises. The most beneficial exercise takes light clothing, comfortable shoes, and your mind. If you do plan on investing, try inexpensive items such as stepper machines, bands, balls, and floor mats.

6- Find a buddy. If you’re at work, find a co-worker who can share in your twice daily trips around the complex. If you've got a significant other, invite them to take a brisk walk before or after meal times. Grab your pals and (leaving credit cards at home) hit the mall for a chit chat while walking.

7- Find refreshment in going solo. Got a hectic schedule, a bustling house full of people, need to get away? The easiest mini vacation may be a solo walk around your block. (in safe neighborhoods), those few quiet moments before the family gets out of bed, or in the evening as everybody moves onto TV and homework. Get out, get away, go for a 5-minute walk.

8- Check out our blog for tips on surging and burst training. Just 12 minutes per day and you could look like a super model in a year. Surge and burst training differ from walking, jogging, cycling. While those do burn some calories, if ill conditioned for the activity, they can raise cortisol levels, defeating the purpose. Surge and burst training effectively lowers cortisol levels and encourages the body to level off leptin and insulin levels naturally.

9- Pick a sport or hobby, any sport or hobby. Find something YOU enjoy doing which tricks your mind into thinking "hey, this is super fun" instead of "oh, so were going exercising again."

10- Of course, other methods work too, take the stairs instead of the elevator, park farther out and force yourself to walk farther to the grocery store door. Many little new and light activities, small changes done during the day, can help burn fat and calories and not even feel like exercise. After a few days, it may feel second nature to do things differently.