Which Turkey Got Stuffed?

Turkey, potatoes, stuffing, bread, pumpkin pie, blah, blah, blah.  Didn’t it all taste so good?  MMMMNNN!  But, how did it make you feel?  If you are like me, you felt stuffed, sleepy, sluggish, and about ten pounds heavier. 

Thanksgiving feasts are an example of temporary satisfaction.  I undid weeks worth of cardio work with one meal and a few helpings of dessert.  But, you know what?  It’s okay.  We all fall off the diet wagon.  The good news is that we can jump right back on again, though the jump may be a little bit higher with the added weight.  We will have to work a little harder and add a few more sessions to make up for the overindulgence.

There is no added value to our workouts by extending them beyond one hour, because the cardio benefit is achieved between the 45-60 minute point.  Anything beyond this only leaves us exhausted.  For maximum results, work at 75-85% of your HRR (heart rate reserve).  To determine this, subtract your age from the number 220.  This will give you your HRR.  Take the HRR and multiply this amount by 75% and 85%.  This will give you the heart rate at which to work.  You can check your heart rate during your workout by counting your pulse for 10 seconds and multiplying by 5.  if all of that math confuses you, purchase a heart rate monitor.  You can get them built-in a wrist watch, or as an apparatus that straps around your chest.

‘Tis the season to be jolly and jogging!