AT THIS time of year it is so ridiculously easy to over-consume sweet food, namely chocolate.
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It seems the will power to say NO to chocolate and I are not a likely couple.
It’s for that very reason that I try to avoid having chocolate in my cupboard.
And I’m sure you would agree, that is like mission impossible over Easter!
On the other side of all that eating, the part where you need to burn all that energy (calories/kilojoules) is no easy feat.
In fact, Easter is like a double edged sword, the sweet taste of chocolate goes down so easily, yet the taste of sweat is bitter sweet when you realise that your 30 minute gym workout has only burnt a meager 300 calories.
That’s just 3.5 Cadbury eggs at 17 grams each. Yikes!
So what’s the quickest way to equalize Cadbury, Red Tulip, Lindt and all the rest?
My answer is High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT).
If you combine lots of short sharp intervals at maximum effort with plyometric exercises, you’ll torch calories fast.
Not only that, but your body continues to burn this energy well after the session.
OK, so my mouth has done a little too much work over the past week, so let’s get to it.
Here’s my post Easter HIIT work out.
It’s a tough one, so a word of warning first, if you have any medical conditions you should seek clearance from your doctor before attempting it.
Warm up with 50 star jumps.
Then complete the following sequence for 30 seconds per exercise, with a 10 second break in between;
High knee sprints – It’s just like sprinting on the spot.
Plank jacks – With hands on the ground and shoulders stacked over them, assume a high plank position.
Then jump your feet wide, and then back to starting position.
Continue on like this for 30 seconds.
High knee sprints again.
Burpees – Place hands on the ground and jump your feet out behind. Lower your chest to the ground until it touches.
Push back up to plank position and jump your feet in close to your hands. And explode upwards to a standing position again.
High knee sprints.
Tuck jumps – standing with feet hip width apart, bend knees a little and explode upwards jumping into the air and tucking your knees in to your chest. Land back on your feet and go again.
High knee sprints.
Thrusters – Start in a high plank position. Then jump your feet in towards your hands, while keeping hands on the ground. Jump them back to starting position.
High knee sprints.
Lunge jumps – Step your way into a lunge position being sure to have both hips facing forward.
Lower your back knee close to the ground and then explode upwards, switch your legs in the air, and land softly by bending the knees.
Continue to jump and switch for the full 30 seconds.
Once you’ve completed one set, go back to the start and repeat.
It’s a bit like stopping at just one Easter egg, they’re best served in multiples (wink).
Amy Holmes is the owner of Shape Health and Fitness, you can follow her facebook page at Shape Health and Fitness or on Instagram as @amy_shapehealthandfitness