Call it occupational hazard or the consequence of everyday indulgence, weight gain is inevitable in the foodie lane – unless you are endowed with great genes or have a metabolism that balances every act of eating out. But, of course, not every foodie is fat; in fact, there is this new breed of ‘thin foodies’ who know just what is needed to work away the rich food consumed – without any hitch!
How do they do that?
There is no one workout that can be classified as THE right one for a foodie. For, what works for one may or may not work for another, and this calls for careful assessment of how your body responds to the regimen you zero on. While the lucky ones may be able to lose all the calories and fats consumed and keep the weight at bay with an hour long or even shorter jogging session, majority find it difficult to get rid of even a kilogramme of weight gained after weeks of daily workouts in the gym. It could be the laxity adapted in the regularity of workouts or overindulgence at meal times with the belief that the workout later would even things out.
As a foodie or a food reviewer, it isn’t easy to filter the menu to seek only low calorie foods; but moderation could still work as the key to attain the weight level you seek. for a foodie the objective should be to equalise the food you eat with the workout session. There are, of course, several fitness regimens to suit the requirement; here is one that could get you started on the right foot.
Fitness for Foodies: The 3-2-1 Workout
The 3-2-1 routine is a combination of several exercises that target different parts of the body. The basic routine includes circuit training; in fact, 3-2-1 is a variation of the traditional circuit training that focuses on building muscles while losing weight, with a combination of cardio and strength training in varied sets. This routine requires no gym or equipment, adding to the ease and convenience of the workout.
3-2-1 involves three phases, two of which combine cardio and strength training, and one of which combines cardio and core training (cardio, circuit, cardio, circuit, cardio, and core). Begin the cardio with a brief warm-up – it could be jogging or walking for about five minutes or so – followed by more intense workouts – running uphill or cycling – and finishing with both pace and intensity. The objective should be to start with cardio for each phase of the 3-2-1 routine and then go on to strength training. Since there is a lot of flexibility in the 3-2-1 workout, it gives you the opportunity to target problem areas or get on an all-round strengthening programme.
Some of the common exercises in the circuit programme are squats, free weights or pull-ups. These are flexible, giving you the freedom to work on any routine. The objective should be to do one set of 20 reps for three different exercises. This programme also includes one circuit for core training, like crunches, sit-ups, planks and butterfly kicks.
Understand your body type before you initiate any workout- Remember the importance of wearing right clothing to make the most of your workout
- Do not rush; slow and steady is the only formula to help you achieve your fitness goals
- Do not lose hope if your body does not show any changes, even a week after initiating the programme
- Do not work out on a hungry stomach; you will be able to workout better after a healthy meal
- Healthy breakfasts matter and so does drinking adequate water
- Be positive and keep your confidence in your abilities and your body always alive.
Understand your body type before you initiate any workout