EXERCISE TIP: Interval Training May Increase Weight Loss.

NPR.ORG.

Do you exercise regulary...but can't seem to lose weight?
Lately, that's seems to be true for me.

Daily, I do a hot morning trot around my hilly neighborhood...but have actually gained 10 pounds in the last year!

Of course, most of that weight gain can be blamed on an ill-conceived diet centered around eating two servings of nuts daily that I embarked on for a few months. What was I thinking???

Plus, I'm an aging Boomer and much more sedentary since maintaining this blog; add-in nightly DVD movies...even while eating only "94% reduced fat!" microwave popcorn...and you get 10 pounds of belt over-lapping lard!

But there's a theory out there that mixing in rapid intervals during exercise can increase weight loss. Maybe that's the solution.

Researcher Steve Boucher in Australia has done experiments using 20 minute workouts on stationary bikes. Participants start with 12 seconds of slow pedaling, followed by short, eight-second sprints where they pedal as hard as they can. Then they alternate back and forth.

Boutcher says there is a payoff. In one study, participants improved BOTH blood pressure and blood sugar readings. In addition, they LOST an average of SIX pounds of body fat. But those who cycled at a steady pace for 40 minutes without mixing in the interval sprints lost little fat at all.