One of the more significant challenges to trimming down and toning up is finding the time to do so—especially if you're an on-the-go mama. Being a mother equals barely having time to come up for air between your many hats as a gourmet chef, personal groomer, fashion counsellor, driver, and the family nurse (to name a few). How the heck are you going to squeeze a workout into a day that doesn't have enough hours in the first place.
It’s easy to let your own priorities fall into a black hole while you’re busy caring for everyone around you. But there's a way to feel (and look) good without carving out too much of your day. We know you’re on a time crunch, so we’ll (quickly) give you a few fast, high-intensity workouts you can use to unleash your inner bombshell.
Jumping Rope
Average Calories Burned: 670-1,000 calories per hour
No wonder you needed so many naps when you were a little girl. A jump rope is one of the most effective tools for a quick slim, and if you're jumping at maximum intensity, you can burn around 250 calories in just 15 minutes.
Jumping rope is a cardiovascular exercise that engages your entire body—arms, butt, legs, tummy and more. You can use a light rope or a weighted rope to give your arms and shoulders an extra burn.
Running
Average Calories Burned: 600-800 calories per hour
Female marathon runners and track enthusiasts look like Greek goddesses for a reason—their trade keeps them slim, toned, and strong. And running is a miracle workout that helps to cut weight everywhere quickly—even sneaking away to run 30 minutes per day is enough to help you shed over a pound per week. And as an added bonus, if you slip away for an early-morning run, you’ll continue to burn extra calories throughout your day because of your supercharged metabolism.
For some, running can feel monotonous. But often, all you need is a change of scenery. Try running near a lake, the beach, or on a pretty trail. If you get bored easily, combine your miles with a thought-provoking podcast.
Swimming
Average calories burned: 400-700 calories per hour
Swimming is a non-impact exercise on steroids. Whether you live near a lake, an ocean, or your local gym’s pool, swimming is a calorie-torching workout that’s easy on your body. If you have any issues with running, such as lower-body problems concerning your knees, hips, or ankles, diving headfirst into a welcoming pool is the ticket.
Even treading water is a powerful calorie-kicker. If you have a little more time to spare and want to work your way up to long swims, treading water will slice away 200 to more than 600 calories per hour.
Cycling (Stationary Bike)
Average calories burned: 450 to 750 calories per hour
If you can’t make it to the gym (or even out of the house), clear a few square feet in your home for a stationary bike and watch the calories fall off while your abs and glutes shine gloriously. Cycling is a fat-burning powerhouse, and if you set up a stationary bike in your home, you can pedal with watchful eyes while your little ones play.
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