Contrary to what you might have heard, you don’t need to spend hours in the gym every day to get results. By modifying the way you workout and manage your time, you can achieve more than you thought you could.
If you feel like you’re constantly going at full speed while trying to be productive at work, spend quality time with your family and make progress in the gym — you’re probably beginning to feel that something has to give. And you’re right. Often, it’s just not possible to accomplish everything every day.
The reason most people don’t take action is that their goals are either overwhelming or not inspiring. So pick something you really want to do, and instead of setting your sights only on the long-term goal, write down the smaller tasks you need to accomplish on the way to the larger goal.
When analyzing whether or not any exercise is “good,” the real question is “good as compared to what?” In the case of boxing, this vigorous and impactful workout can get you into shape rapidly with spending as little as 60-minutes a day. “I have a client, who’s an attorney, told me that his boxing workout increases his tolerance for unpleasant things, whether a physical or mental challenge he sees that the benefits of boxing make these task easier,” said Gary Ballard, former World Supermiddleweight Championship Fighter.
Once you start decreasing your time in the gym, you’ll want to work on assimilating good habits into the rest of your day. This will help you maintain a healthier lifestyle and free up more time for your family. If your primary workout goal is to lose weight, how many calories an exercise burns is an important consideration. According to fitness resource website Nutristrategy.com, a 155-lb. boxer will burn between 420 and 650 calories in a 60-minute boxing workout, depending on the exact activities in a given session. By comparison, this is more calories than you would burn lifting weights, dancing or doing low-impact aerobics.
Boxing is a reasonably good full-body workout. It covers all body areas and provides a useful balance between cardio and resistance training:
Reduce Stress – Intense exercise triggers the release of feel-good hormones called endorphins, which leave you feeling happy, confident and less stressed.
Increase Bone Density – Bone mass normally peaks when you are in your mid-30s to late 30s and then, if left unchecked, gradually declines as you age. Weight-bearing exercise and exercises that place a significant load through your bones can reduce bone loss and may even result in increased bone mass. If left untreated, low bone mass may develop into a serious medical condition called osteoporosis, which is normally associated with bones that fracture easily. As boxing loads all of your major bones, it can help prevent bone loss.
Healthy Weight Management – Boxing training is an energetic activity that burns a lot of calories. This calorie-burning effect can help prevent a calorific surplus and help with weight maintenance or weight loss. Combined with a calorie controlled diet, boxing training can help you maintain your ideal weight.
Bottom line, you need to make a conscious decision to become balanced. Achieving balance allows us to reach our goals and our purpose in life, while creating less stress to do so. So, be willing to assess yourself and take the risk to change. A change in your fitness regime will enhance your life and have you feeling more energy. Acknowledging that balance is essential and recreating your life to encompass your decision is worth the risk.
“The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing,” Walt Disney.
To learn more about the benefits of boxing fitness and how it can add to your quality of life, visit Ballard Boxing and Fitness www.ballardfitness.com or call Gary Ballard 714.914.3316.
