We all want to be fit and healthy and look great in a bathing suit. Or at least be willing to wear one in public. But for most people (yours truly included) working out isn't the most entertaining thing in the world. In fact, most of the time it's downright boring. How many hours, after all, can you spend on a treadmill without wanting to pull your hair out? If you're anything like me, the answer to that is: zero.
Fortunately, there are a few workouts that let you have tons of fun while you lose tons of weight. And how much would you love to go into your internet dating profile here at Datepad and subtract 5 or 10 pounds from your weight... without even having to lie?
Workout 1: Boxing and Kickboxing
Of all the workouts I talk about on this page, this one is my favorite. Perhaps I have a particularly aggressive temperament, but there's something about punching and kicking an invisible enemy that I find incredibly satisfying. Even though the moves are similar throughout these kinds of workouts, there's a huge variety of combinations and ways to perform them.
A bonus? Boxing and kickboxing workouts burn a ton of calories. A 140 pound person burns almost 700 calories in just one hour of kickboxing... almost the number of calories found in a Double Quarter Pounder with Cheese from McDonald's. Plus, the more intensity you put into your workout, the more calories you burn. And along with that intensity comes a lot of fun. Picture your boss or your sister-in-law, and just punch, punch, punch away. Nothing is more satisfying. Except, perhaps, actually punching your boss (which we don't at all recommend).
Workout 2: Dance Fitness
This kind of workout may be intended more for women, but men can do it, too! What makes dance aerobics and other kinds of dance workouts fun is the need to use both your body and your mind. When you're on the treadmill or Stairmaster, your mind is completely unoccupied. This gives your brain plenty of leisure to notice how tired you are and how little fun you're having. But with dance workouts, your brain will be occupied trying to remember what your feet should be doing. So you'll be sweating and having fun.
Another great thing about dance workouts is the sheer variety of different kinds of dance you can do. You never have to do the same thing until you're sick of it. There are traditional aerobic workouts, salsa dance workouts, striptease workouts, cabaret workouts, even pole dancing workouts. You work hard, you burn calories, and you never get bored. What could be better?
Workout 3: Bootcamp Style Workouts
Some of us have more trouble sticking to a workout regimen than others. If this sounds like you, a bootcamp style workout may be just your speed. This kind of workout is almost more a regime than a regimen. You'll be worked to the bone, you'll burn calories fast, and you'll be expected to show up to each and every scheduled workout. Unlike a regular day at the gym, when you're the only one who will know that you were too lazy to show up, bootcamp workout instructors hold you accountable for your health. If you don't show up to your workout, they'll call you, text you, and guilt you into coming in... and may even punish you for it next time.
If you're the controlling type, this type of workout may not be for you. But if you want to burn a lot of calories in a short amount of time, this is the perfect kind of workout. Especially if you're one of those people that needs a little extra motivation to put your gym clothes on and leave the house in the morning.
SpiritedOne
42 / Female
Comments: 12
Posted on January 6, 2009, 3:10 pm
I have to say that I have tried all three of these fitness forums at one time or another and I really enjoy them (I bought one of the Paula Abdul workout videos!!). My current craze, considering that I have time limits due to being a single mom, is the Wii Boxing. It's a great way to get 20 mins of fitness time in with my son, I can do it on my own time and it allows me to get out some frustrations too (in a fun, friendly way). Next up ... Wii Outdoor Challenge (mole stomping and river kayaking)!!! Good luck to everyone who has commited to a new fitness routine.
