Cardio Vs. Weights?

I must confess I love cardio, after all I am a runner and I love to push myself. Weights......not so much. And for probably the same reason so many Fit Mommies prefer cardio - the calorie burn vs. time expended. In one hour lifting weights a 130 pound woman burns approximately 300 calories. That same woman can burn anywhere from 600 to 800 calories in an hour depending on intensity level (I really crank up the calorie burn when doing hill work on my treadmill!). However I have never been in better shape than when I am lifting weights regularly- which sometimes means sacrificing my much coveted long runs. Lifting weights will make you lean and defined and when you increase your muscle mass (aka: reduce body fat) you burn more calories while resting. You will NOT bulk up, you will NOT have manly arms or traps - you will become lean, athletic and SEXY!! Trust me ladies, your husband will volunteer to babysit to help you keep that booty you will earn with weights!!

For the Fit Mommy, however, how do we ever have time to fit it ALL in? My answer to you.....SUPER SETS! Not only do you keep your heart rate up by consistently moving (super sets are HARD work!) but you can get a great workout in half the time and still allow yourself time to spare for your beloved cardio. Since it is summer, this Fit Mommy enjoys spending more and more time outdoors hiking, swimming, biking, etc. But I don't want to give up on my weights entirely, so for these few short months I cut back my weight training to two days per week and hit the super sets HARD!! Here are a few of my favorite super set combinations for legs and glutes (to help you get that perky bikini booty!):

Super Set #1
Leg Press
Leg Curl
Leg Extension

Super Set #2
Split Squats (on bench with dumb bells)
Plie squats with dumb bell)
deadlifts (with dumb bell or straight bar)

Super Set #3
Donkey Kick
Squats
Calf Raise

This routine is easy to mix and match. You can also drop an exercise and have just two exercises per set. If you're new to the super set game, GO LIGHT. You still want to be able to walk the next day!! If you're not sure what a particular exercise looks like don't be afraid to ask a trainer at your gym to demonstrate and show you the proper form. And LISTEN to your body. Some days I have the energy and stamina to go hard (usually when I have had time to fuel up on something healthy and sustaining, like oatmeal and egg whites) and other days I feel like I am dragging. This is normal but don't let it discourage your progress, remember tomorrow is another day. And one last comment - I ALWAYS have a protein shake or some combination of protein and carbs after a lift. I don't proclaim to know all the science behind it, but I do know I (and my husband) can see the results!

Yours in Fitness,

One Fit Mommy