Equinox Fitness Clubs

Avoid Muffin Top at Equinox

The holidays are one of the toughest times to maintain your weight. Everyone knows of the dreaded “muffin top”.

For those who don’t know, “muffin top” is the flab that hangs over your jeans waistband. If you have one, get rid of it!

If you do not have one, we want to make sure you don’t get one!

Here are a few tips to help get you through the holidays and avoid “muffin top”.

GO FOR THE CARDIO

One sure way to help keep unwanted weight off is to hit the cardio! This consists of anything from running or walking on the treadmill to taking a high-powered group fitness class.

If you choose to do a cardiovascular program on a piece of equipment, more calories will be burned if you change the resistance or intensity throughout the workout.
For example, if you are on the treadmill for 45 minutes, every 3-5 minutes increase the speed and/or incline on the treadmill.
Join in a group fitness or spin class. In fact, if “muffin top” is your issue, try Recess! This high-energy class, offered at Equinox Highland Park takes you back to grade school. Jumping rope, running stairs, and making it through the obstacle course on cue to a whistle. You will find those things that were easy in grade school are a bit more difficult now but you will burn lots of calories while have a blast at the same time!
Equinox Highland Park also offers a variety of Studio Spin/Cycling classes. These high-calorie and fat burning classes are offered at convenient times that work with your schedule so don’t miss out. These high-intensity cycling class allow you to work at your own pace under the direction of an instructor.
Try another way to make your workout more efficient is to do interval training. Interval training combines strength training with cardio training. For example do some squats first, followed by push-ups, and finish the tri-set circuit with jumping rope for one minute.
- Pick three to four groups of exercises and do three sets of each one.
- Try to pick exercises that will work the total body. Multi-joint exercises such as a squat-shoulder press movement would be an example of multi-joint.
By the way, interval training burns more total calories than just straight cardio. That’s because strength-training allows your body to burn more calories throughout the day.

SELF CONTROL – and LESS REMOTE CONTROL

Its almost unavoidable, the holidays are a sure-fire time for indulgences. To refrain from getting the dreaded “muffin top” do what you can not give into temptations.

Small portions are vital to maintaining your weight. The problem is not having some of these indulgences, it’s the over indulgence…. Yeah who doesn’t understand…eating too much of these foods. Keep portions small so you do not go overboard.
Drinks are another way to cut back on the calories. Stick with water or seltzer water as much as possible. One trick is drink 2 glasses of water for every high calorie drink.
Stay on target with your workouts and make time for yourself! Just think how much happier you will be if you stay on track at the end of the holiday season. You will find that you enjoy the holidays much more when you stay active and do not have to worry about added weight gain. So good luck and keep moving!

By Carrie Paulsen