Hard Butt, Tight Abs: Melissa Bender Fitness Workout

Hi Everyone,

I wanted to take a moment and share with you some information I learned about how to boost your metabolism. I read an article in Fitness Magazine (www.fitnessmagazine.com) about how workouts boost your metabolism both during, and after a workout. I had heard this before, however, what was really interesting was the amount of calories burned after your workout.

For 50 minutes of weight lifting you increase your calorie burn afterward by 14 calories. For a 19 minute session that combines resistance exercises and cardio bursts (sound familiar????) you burn an additional 25 calories afterward. Those extra calories burned add up throughout the day.

In addition, each pound of fat you have in your body burns 3 calories per pound, per day. Each pound of muscle burns 14 calories per pound, per day. So I did the math to find out exactly what that means in the real world. J

Two women who both weight 135 pounds may look very similar but have very different body compositions and metabolisms.

If a 135 pound woman has 21% body fat (which is in the healthy range) they are burning a total of 1578.05 calories per day from their muscle and fat.

A woman who weighs 135 pounds and has 40% body fat will only burn 1296 calories per day from muscle and fat. Many women who look skinny fall in this range. Although they are thin they are at increased risk of diabetes, heart disease, and other health issues that are linked to higher percentages of body fat.

This also explains why the more muscular person seems to be able to eat whatever they want without gaining a pound, and the less muscular individual may need to watch what they eat to prevent weight gain.  

I hope this information was interesting and helpful! Today’s workout focuses on your glutes and core. Tomorrow is going to be a more intensive cardio day. J

Melissa

Hard Butt, Tight Abs Workout

Beginner: 10 reps, 30 seconds timed

Intermediate: 15 reps, 45 seconds timed

Advanced: 20 reps, 60 seconds timed

1.       Plank twist (timed)

2.       Side Lunge (alternating sides)

3.       Boat (timed: alternate holding the pose and scissoring the feet while holding the pose)

4.       Forward/Backward Lunge (right)

5.       Bicycle (timed)

6.       Forward/Backward Lunge (left)

7.       Leg Circles (full reps on the right and left leg respectively)

8.       Chair pose (timed: alternate pulses on feet and balls of feet)

9.       Angel Abs

10.   Hydrant Lift (right and left side, full reps for each)

11.   Side Plank Lift with Knee (right and left)

12.   L Lift (right and left)

13.   Seated Twist

14.   Kick Backs (right and left)

15.   Single Leg Lift (right and left)