Weight Loss Challenge 2012 Week 17

Here it is, our next 6 week cycle. It's time to make some changes. The point of these 6 week cycles is to cause our body and brain which is quick to adapt to be re-challenged to continue its weight loss rather than hitting a plateau and slowing down. We want you to increase your metabolism so that you are always burning more calories even when you're not exercising.

Now, I know this is maybe not your favourite part. I realize that finding it easier now to do whatever exercise and eating changes you've all ready made makes changing it a challenge. Thus the name, "Weight Loss Challenge" because it is a challenge. You need to be creative in keeping your body and mind challenged so that things continue to head towards your end goal. Besides if we do the same thing all the time you would get bored mentally and so does your body.

So what are you going to change? You need to do something totally different. If you aren't currently doing any weight training then you need to either get a DVD or go online and look at some basic weight training exercises. Weight training helps to increase your muscle mass which helps you to increase your metabolism among many other benefits. It also makes your cardio exercise easier because you have more muscle and less fat to support your joints and bones. Add a couple of days of weight training so that your 10% increase this week includes it in your total time. So you don't have to have it on top of your other exercise you're just swapping it in for some of the cardio time. Try to find exercises that complement opposing muscles groups. If you work your biceps, work your triceps. If you work your chest, work your back. If you work your quadriceps, work your hamstrings. You may want to pick one day to do your upper body and the other day to do your lower body.

The other thing you may want to add to this 6 week cycle is abdominal exercises every other day. Start with 10 exercises in 3 different muscle groups, your upper abs, your lower abs and your sides. You may also want to do 1 core exercise like a plank which you hold for increasing periods of time as you get stronger. Look plank exercises up online and you'll get a million different variations.

See what you can find for these next 6 weeks as far as new or different exercise options and go for it. Have a great week finding your new challenges.