WomensHealth
  • News
  • Health
  • Fitness
  • Sex & Love
  • Food
  • Lifestyle
  • Weight Loss
  • Women In Sport
  • Podcasts
  • Motoring
  • Video
WomensHealth
  • News
  • Health
  • Fitness
  • Sex & Love
  • Food
  • Lifestyle
  • Weight Loss
  • Women In Sport
  • Podcasts
  • Motoring
  • Video
Subscribe
Jelena Dokic opens up about weight loss journey
Watch 1:41

Jelena Dokic opens up about weight loss journey

{headline}

{headline}

Kate Hudson's Workout Routine Is All The Inspo You Need This Year

Kate Hudson's Workout Routine Is All The Inspo You Need This Year

Everything Kate Middleton Does To Stay In Such Great Shape

Everything Kate Middleton Does To Stay In Such Great Shape

7 Amazing Things That Happen to Your Body When You Stretch Every Day

7 Amazing Things That Happen to Your Body When You Stretch Every Day

The Workout Pippa Middleton Swears By For Keeping Fit During Pregnancy

The Workout Pippa Middleton Swears By For Keeping Fit During Pregnancy

{headline}

{headline}

5 Expert-Approved Ways To Build Mental Toughness

5 Expert-Approved Ways To Build Mental Toughness

Lucy Hale's Workout Habit Is One You Should Follow, Too

Lucy Hale's Workout Habit Is One You Should Follow, Too

6 Winter Wellness Escapes To Restore Your Mind, Body And Spirit

6 Winter Wellness Escapes To Restore Your Mind, Body And Spirit

{headline}

{headline}

Insanely Ripped Halle Berry Never Goes A Day Without Doing This One Thing

Insanely Ripped Halle Berry Never Goes A Day Without Doing This One Thing

How To Overcome Performance Anxiety Once And For All

How To Overcome Performance Anxiety Once And For All

How Often Should You Do Pilates To See Results?

How Often Should You Do Pilates To See Results?

(Sponsor)

Kaley Cuoco Reckons This Workout Routine Is Responsible For Her Insane Abs

Kaley Cuoco Reckons This Workout Routine Is Responsible For Her Insane Abs

Meghan Markle Officially Has The Healthiest Pregnancy Craving On Earth

Meghan Markle Officially Has The Healthiest Pregnancy Craving On Earth

Elsa Pataky On 'Exercise-Snacking' And How She Stays Strong

Elsa Pataky On 'Exercise-Snacking' And How She Stays Strong

  1. Home
  2. Fitness

Why You Should Slow Down Your Workouts As Life Speeds Up

Permission to take it easy, granted. - by Lizzie Bland
  • 03 Dec 2018
Why You Should Slow Down Your Workouts As Life Speeds Up Getty

We know. In the run-up to summer the thought of slowing down seems inconceivable, especially when it comes to your workout regime - which may have already been neglected slightly in the winter months -but hear us out. Without even knowing it, you may be sabotaging your ‘summer goal’ efforts by simply ignoring the warning signs. 

A huge part of this comes down to your breath. When you’re on high alert, you take shallow breaths which doesn’t allow sufficient oxygen to your brain and body. Oxygen literally gives you energy (which research shows is also essential for burning fat,) so partaking in slow exercises that force you to focus on taking deep breaths will not only give you an instant energiser but also help you lose weight.

RELATED: The 5 Different Types Of Stress You Need To Know About

Breathe Gina Rodriguez GIF - Find & Share on GIPHY

Too much stress in the body- which, FYI, can be caused by excessive amounts of high-intensity training - can even lead to high blood pressure which comes with a long list of detrimental health effects. So, before you think about skipping that stretch/yoga class…think of it as an instant health boost rather than just a relaxing stretch.
 
A huge misconception of slow exercise is that it’s easy and that there’s no way you could possibly break a sweat if you’re not doing 100 burpees. The great news is that when forcing yourself to hold certain positions, you instinctively become aware of all the muscles working and your breath. In these still moments (that definitely won’t be comfortable, yes you, Chair Pose) you should feel your heart starting to race and maybe even feel a drip of sweat on your upper lip. 

Nervous Key And Peele GIF - Find & Share on GIPHY

Low-intensity steady-state exercise (aka, LISS) is not about performing loads of reps but instead about maintaining that steady pace throughout the workout (ideally 30min+) which gets your heart rate to optimal fat burning mode. Plus, you’ll be concentrating so--bloody-much throughout your class, your work/family/life stress won’t even won’t even get a chance to enter your mind.

Relaxed Basketball Wives GIF by VH1 - Find & Share on GIPHY

Some great things to add into your routine include:

  • Yoga 
  • Pilates (Our new pilates class on wobble boards ‘Bean Bod’ maybe slower paced but my GOD it’s a sweat fest. Check out our timetable to reserve your spot)
  • Power Walking *podcasts are made for this*
  • Ocean swimming (it may still be cold but try not to jump out after 5 minutes- you’ll soon warm up!)

RELATED: 4 Subtle Signs Your Body Is Telling You To Take A Break

Lizzie Bland
Lizzie Bland
An ex-professional dancer turned female fitness expert, Lizzie Bland is the founder of Lean Bean Fitness & Lean Bean Retreats. You'll regularly find her teaching at the studio (be it a pilates, barre, yoga, boxing or pre/post natal exercise class) along with her sidekick/better half/assistant Artie the toy poodle.

HALF PRICE SALE - NOW ON

Just $46.80 for 12 issues

SAVE 50% Subscribe Now
HALF PRICE SALE - NOW ON
  • Health
  • Fitness
  • Yoga
  • Pilates
  • Stress

Recommended to you

Jelena Dokic opens up about weight loss journey
Watch 1:41

Jelena Dokic opens up about weight loss journey

{headline}

{headline}

Kate Hudson's Workout Routine Is All The Inspo You Need This Year

Kate Hudson's Workout Routine Is All The Inspo You Need This Year

Everything Kate Middleton Does To Stay In Such Great Shape

Everything Kate Middleton Does To Stay In Such Great Shape

7 Amazing Things That Happen to Your Body When You Stretch Every Day

7 Amazing Things That Happen to Your Body When You Stretch Every Day

The Workout Pippa Middleton Swears By For Keeping Fit During Pregnancy

The Workout Pippa Middleton Swears By For Keeping Fit During Pregnancy

{headline}

{headline}

5 Expert-Approved Ways To Build Mental Toughness

5 Expert-Approved Ways To Build Mental Toughness

Lucy Hale's Workout Habit Is One You Should Follow, Too

Lucy Hale's Workout Habit Is One You Should Follow, Too

6 Winter Wellness Escapes To Restore Your Mind, Body And Spirit

6 Winter Wellness Escapes To Restore Your Mind, Body And Spirit

{headline}

{headline}

Insanely Ripped Halle Berry Never Goes A Day Without Doing This One Thing

Insanely Ripped Halle Berry Never Goes A Day Without Doing This One Thing

How To Overcome Performance Anxiety Once And For All

How To Overcome Performance Anxiety Once And For All

How Often Should You Do Pilates To See Results?

How Often Should You Do Pilates To See Results?

(Sponsor)

Kaley Cuoco Reckons This Workout Routine Is Responsible For Her Insane Abs

Kaley Cuoco Reckons This Workout Routine Is Responsible For Her Insane Abs

Meghan Markle Officially Has The Healthiest Pregnancy Craving On Earth

Meghan Markle Officially Has The Healthiest Pregnancy Craving On Earth

Elsa Pataky On 'Exercise-Snacking' And How She Stays Strong

Elsa Pataky On 'Exercise-Snacking' And How She Stays Strong

WomensHealth
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Pacific Magazines
  • Partners
  • 7Plus
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Privacy Statement
WomensHealth Magazine Subscribe
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Pacific Magazines
  • Partners
  • 7Plus
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Privacy Statement

Brands

  • Beauty Crew
  • Home Beautiful
  • Instyle
  • marie claire
  • Who

Pacific Network

  • Better Homes and Gardens
  • BHG Shop
  • New Idea food
  • New Idea
  • Men’s Health
  • Girlfriend
  • That’s Life
  • All Recipes
  • Practical Parenting
© 2019 Pacific Magazines