Workout and Nutrition 101

What is cardiovascular exercise (otherwise known as cardio)?

Basically a cardiovascular exercise is one that makes you huff n' puff. These exercises improve your circulatory system (heart). Examples of cardio are: Kickboxing, walking, running, cycling, swimming or any other “aerobic” exercise. Cardio burns calories and once you burn 3500 calories you will lose 1 pound of fat.

What is strength training/toning?

Try not to think of strength training as just lifting weights. Pilates, yoga, core and resistance training are all forms of strength training. Otherwise known as toning, these exercises will increase your lean body tissue (or muscle) which in turn increases your metabolism. As you increase your metabolism you burn more calories at rest and make weight loss easier. A combination of cardio and strength training is the QUICKEST way to see results. You can alternate these exercises by doing interval training, which you will see on all Moms Into Fitness DVD.

Interval Training...the quickest way to burn calories

What is Interval Training? Simply put it is the quickest, most efficient way for you to burn fat and tone muscles! You alternate intense bouts of exercise with easier bouts of exercise and/or alternate cardio for a few minutes with toning for a few minutes. All MIF DVDs use this method because it provides the best results in the LEAST amount of TIME!

Coming soon...the HIIT Method. That's High Intensity Interval Training! Lindsay's workout downloads - a new download every 30 days for $5 - feature the HIIT (high intensity interval training method).

The Mayo Clinic provides scientific evidence here:

• 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.
• You don't need special equipment. You can simply modify your current routine.

How often should I workout?

You should try to get some form of exercise most days of the week. But as a busy mom this isn't always possible. So try to work out for 30 minutes at least 4 times a week. You can do this with 3-10 minute workouts or 1-30 minute workout. You will burn the same amount of calories by splitting up your workout by doing short, intense bouts of exercise. If you do not see results within 4-6 weeks you must cut down the calories you consume and/or bump up your cardio.

In the Which DVD? section you will see that the DVDs are broken into days 1, 3, 5 and days 2, 4, 6. Days 1, 3, 5 are for toning and cardio, while days 2, 4, 6 are for cardio. Toning should not be done everyday. For example: Molly works out on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. So she should do toning and cardio on Mon, Wed, Fri and cardio only on Tuesday.

What if I hit an exercise plateau?

This is inevitable unless you switch up your workout. To continually keep your mind and body challenged you must vary your workout every few weeks. As you continue to improve your health you will need to challenge yourself more and more.

You can find a lot of weight loss and weight maintenance nutrition information by customizing your plan in our Weight Loss Calculation.

You will calculate your metabolism, find your target weight, get a progress tracker and a free meal plan!

While you are there make sure to click on the Learn More buttons to teach yourself about your metabolism and how weight loss works. Check out the quick and healthy recipes for you and your family!

Lindsay's Food Journal

Interested in finding out how Lindsay and her family eat? Find Lindsay's Journal under our Recipes.

Looking for Pregnancy/Post-Pregnancy Nutrition?

Read our Pregnancy FAQ or download the Moms Into Nutrition guide for specific nutritional information.