Amy Caine Fitness: 5 Reasons to Sprint and Low Carbs

Friday, May 13, 2016

5 Reasons to Sprint and Low Carbs

Today's workout was to do 15 sprints: 20 seconds 100% effort and 40 seconds recovery.

My first thoughts were, What?!? 10 were already hard and now I have to do 5 more? Eek!

It's hard to love sprints unless you are literally a sprinter, which I am not. But even the average girl can find reasons to embrace sprints.

Weight loss - During high intensity exercise like sprinting, our bodies use up all the energy stored in our bodies. When that runs out, our bodies go to out fat stores looking for energy. After a session of sprinting, our bodies continue to work to recover from the lack of oxygen. Therefore our bodies burn more calories long after our speed workout is done.

Break plateaus - just like us, our bodies get comfortable with routine. To break through that feeling of being stuck, try sprinting. If you already sprint, swap your 100s for 200s once a week.

Short and sweet - Sprints don't take long. On the track, sprints range from 80m, 100m, to 200m. Personally I've been doing timed sprints usually for 20 seconds, but you can change that up too.

Sprints are hard - Love a good challenge? Then sprints could be your next big conquest. Good sprints will leave you breathless, burning, and maybe barfing (haha, but seriously...it happens!). Go for the 3 Bs!

Power to the She - During sprints I usually feel like I'm going to pass out, but afterwards? I feel strong and bad-ass. Reaching those 3Bs makes me feel empowered and ready to take on the next challenge.

Even though I thought I might fall off the elliptical during my sprint session, I felt really good after my 30 minute cool down. It felt good to wrap up my workout with the daily plank exercise: full plank rows.

After a good workout, I always have a little pep in my step. Literally. My walk home from the gym is 1000 times better having gutted out a tough workout.