| 1. Use
every machine in the gym. Each cardiovascular machine in the gym trains your muscles differently. It makes more sense to use each machine for a short time than to spend your entire workout on one. If you have a half hour for cardio, spend 10 minutes each on the treadmill, stair climber, and stationary bike. Tomorrow opt for the rower, elliptical trainer, and |
VersaClimber. You'll get a better
workout, and it'll be
less boring.
2.
Stash almonds in a desk drawer at work, in your car's glove box, and in
your
purse.
Hunger increases your taste sensitivity to sweet and salty substances, according to a new study. This means vending-machine snacks (which come in two flavors: sweet or salty — coincidence?) will taste even better when you're hungry. You could trust that you'd savor the flavor by eating only a small amount.
| (Right.) Or you could sidestep this land mine altogether by eating regularly during the day to stave off cravings. Almonds are a great snack anytime. They're a nutrient-dense food that provides healthy monounsaturated fat, protein, and fiber, which together contribute to feeling full. Go for whole almonds in their unsalted, raw, or dry-roasted state. Fifteen to 20 will do the trick for a quick snack. |
3. Eat before and after you exercise — no matter what time of day it is.
Not only does the food prevent your
body from burning muscle tissue instead of
fat when you work out (yes, that can actually happen), but it increases
the
number of calories you burn during and after exercise.
If you work out in the morning… You might eat a banana and
hard-boiled egg OR
cereal with fat-free milk for your pre-workout snack. Immediately after
your
workout, have a healthy breakfast, such as an egg-white omelet with
vegetables,
oatmeal, and orange juice.
| If you work out at
lunch…You might have a whey-protein
shake with fruit before
your workout and a chicken-breast sandwich and fruit for lunch
immediately
afterwards. If you work out after work… You might eat some low-fat yogurt and cashews for your pre-workout snack and follow your workout with a healthy dinner, such as grilled salmon with wild rice and a green salad with olive oil-based dressing. |