Yep. I try to exercise five nights per week, though sometimes it ends up being 3 or 4. I like to keep my workouts at 30 minutes because I don’t have a lot of time. I can only get to the gym for a 30-minute total body workout with 15 minutes of cardio, so on the other nights I use FitnessBlender.com, which offers free full-length workouts. I’m pretty obsessed with it, actually. I try to get in a butt/thigh workout on Monday with cardio incorporated, an upper body and cardio workout on Tuesday, a cardio kickboxing/abs workout on Wednesday, and a random cardio (HIIT/Tabata) workout with an extended yoga-style cool down and stretch at the end. Once the weather warms up, I’ll be adding in a 15–20 minute brisk walk after dinner, but that’s more for my dog than for fitness.
What has it done for me? I’m not sure. I’m very slowly but surely losing weight, but that’s thanks to my diet, not so much the exercise. Has it drastically changed my body? No, but it certainly doesn’t hurt. It makes me feel good to complete a workout and my confidence goes up when I start to see subtle changes (firmer legs, smaller arms, etc). Plus, I’m sure it’s good for my body in ways I can’t see.
I do NOT run. If I’m running, you better run as well because something really scary is not far behind me. Running is just a miserable way to get exercise for me. And so boring! Which is why I try to stay away from cardio machines like treadmills and ellipticals and I opt for more “fun” ways to work out. I would love to go hiking, as I’ve never been, but walking for exercise seems like a complete waste of my time. An hour of walking vs. a 30-minute HIIT workout that actually challenges my muscles? No competition.
But I’m a strong believer that people need to do what works for them. If a walk after dinner keeps you fit and healthy, go for it. I just can’t stand when people complain that they’re walking a mile every day and not losing weight. Uh, hello, probably because you’re burning about 150 calories on that walk if you’re lucky! I said it before and I’ll say it again – weight loss happens in the kitchen, fitness happens at the gym (and you don’t need a gym).