HIIT Treadmill Workout aka My New Obsession

     After becoming a mother of two, I quickly realized that I have almost NO time for myself.  For the first few months it didn't matter.  I was adjusting to life with two little boys and soaking it all in.  Then, I found myself in a rut.  I wanted to do so many things like read, shop, watch tv, exercise, all by myself.  The constant companionship of my children was making me agitated, angry, and claustrophobic.  I even found myself not wanting to be around my husband once the kids went to sleep. I just needed time for me. 

     I don't like feeling that way.  I love my kids, I love my husband, and I really am an extrovert.  I just also have a small bit of introvert in me and I need my own time everyday.  I realized that one of the things that I missed most about my pre-kid years was being able to go to the gym on my lunch break.  That was always the time that I could be alone, do something good for myself, and just let myself think.

  So, I decided to bring that gym "me-time" back into my life.  Unfortunately I can't take a lunch break from my kids.  I also didn't want to give up the time with my husband at night, so I decided I had no other option than to go before everyone else wakes up. 

  I've started going to the gym at 6 a.m. 3-4 times per week and it feels fantastic!  I go to spin on Mondays (which I love!) and the other days I do cardio and weights.  I also go to yoga during the day once a week. I pay my amazing babysitter and peace-out while she feeds the boys lunch :)  Going to the gym first thing in the morning is such a great start to my day, and forces me to go to bed early which is so nice! 

  Before kids I used to run on the treadmill a lot, I loved it.  The last two years I have done most of my "running" (I say that because its mostly a pathetic fast walk/jog where I'm panting the entire time) in the warm weather months with my kids and our trusty Bob stroller.  Now I am getting back into running on the treadmill and I decided to try a HIIT workout. 

  HIIT stands for high-intensity interval training.  Below is an example of a HIIT workout, one that I use and love. 

  It keeps you engaged and if you only focus on the current 3-minute interval you are doing, you don't
think about how long you will be running for.  Plus, it burns those calories!!  In 30 minutes I burn 350 calories, I'll take that!  Afterwards I usually spend about 10 minutes working on upper body, lower body, or abs. 

  The first week I started HIIT I lost two pounds.  It really does kick your butt but it feels so good!  Give it a try next time you find yourself staring at the treadmill not wanting to do the same old run.