Finding What Workout Works Best For You!

Does just hearing the word "exercise" make you cringe? Do you force yourself to do it but yet you hate every single grueling minute of it? If your answer is "yes" to even one of these questions then please, here me out! You're probably not doing the best workout for your body! I've said it before and I'll say it again. We are all created unique! Just because your spouse, best friend or neighbor runs marathons and gets that "runner's high" doesn't mean YOU necessarily will! Just because everyone seems to take and claims to love spin class, CrossFit or TRX doesn't mean you should necessarily be doing it! Listen, no one knows their body better than you do. If you want to know if a workout is for you or if it isn't then you have to obviously first, try it and then ask how your body feels during and afterwards. Really tune in!

You may challenge yourself to try something you never thought you would to only find out you love it and feel like a whole new person afterwards. On the flip side you may feel as I did after I tried out spin class... worn out, shaky, dizzy and anxious. Needless to say I don't take it anymore. You see, when we try and shape ourselves to be just like someone else or to follow some trend, we end up feeling like garbage and often times with little to no results! Why is this?

It all comes down to one word: cortisol! Cortisol is our “stress hormone“ or our “fight or flight hormone”. When we are in a stressful situation our adrenal glands release it. Also when we are pushing our body to the max with intense workouts it can release a significant amount as well! Guess what? High cortisol equals fat gain and water retention! No wonder some people can be killing themselves in the gym yet they find that they are unable to lose a single pound! Now please don't misunderstand me. Some people are made to be runners and gymnasts and they look and feel amazing!

Personally though, high intensity cardio has always kept weight on me and made me feel bloated and keyed up after the fact. So... I just don’t do it! I listen to my body and do the forms of exercise it likes! My favorite workouts are strength, yoga, barre and Pilates with a few short HIIT workouts thrown in there! I also only work out three to four times a week and make sure to include an average of 3 rest days a week!

So let me reiterate my point. The best form of exercise for your body may be different than the person next to you and that’s okay! By all means feel free to try every form of exercise under the sun but then the key is to LISTEN to your body and see how it responds during and afterwards! If you truly want to get into the best shape of your life than move your body the way it wants to be moved! Learn to tune in to your body and amazing results will follow!

~Laura