The juggling act

As the week begins to pick up and we have less time to devote to ourselves than we do to schoolwork, it becomes hard to find enough time to squeeze in a workout that we feel good about. On days like these, I like to use one of the most efficient cardio machines in the gym – the arc trainer. When it comes to cardio machines, “effective” means that it is effective in calorie burning, as well as strength training. The arc trainer is a machine that allows you to get a good cardio workout while also reaping similar benefits to lifting weights. Especially for those who are looking to lose weight as a benefit of working out, the arc trainer will provide the most weight loss in the allotted time that you work out than will any other cardio machine.

A 30-minute session on this machine will have you feeling like you not only got a good cardio workout, but a strength-training session as well. When you really have no time on your hands, this 30 minute workout may still seem like an endeavor, but let’s face it, if you weren’t taking a break working out, you’d probably find yourself in a 30 minute session on Facebook instead (we’re all guilty of it).

Another perk about this workout is that it is low impact, so if you really feel as though you can’t pull yourself away from your work, you can bring your materials with you and study while working out.

 

Tuesday’s post-workout snack:

Greek yogurt topped with walnuts and honey.

Greek yogurt (make sure it’s plain and 0% fat – my favorite is Fage 0%) is a great source of protein, which is necessary for after a workout. Walnuts are a great “brain” food – they are high in omega-3 fatty acids, which have been found to increase cognitive function, As for the honey, it has no real benefits, but it makes it taste good, and is much better than processed sugar or flavored yogurt. Add blueberries or bananas if you want to added potassium!