It's the beginning of a new year and everyone is making the same resolution: lose weight and be healthier. A lot of people won't accomplish this goal, but the problem lies more in the resolution itself and not a lack of determination. In the business world there is an acronym called SMART that explains how goals should be: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Timely. Well folks, "losing weight" and "being healthier" isn't a very smart goal under that criteria. Here's another idea for you: make a resolution to sign up for, train for and participate in a Mud Run this year.
Each Mud Race is different, but in every one you will go through a course that has a series of obstacles like mud, cargo nets and hurdles. Some races work very hard on their hardcore, boot camp image and even go so far as to have people dodge live wires that deliver a low intensity shock. But more and more events are catering to the average person who is just looking for a fun way to get out and get some exercise. New mud run themes have emerged that are much more inviting: think foam and squirt guns! These events are typically about three miles.
I know that the excuses in your mind are already running, but I hope you are still reading because I want to make 4 points before the excuses start flowing: 1) Race day isn't tomorrow. 2) If any obstacles make you feel nervous, you don't have to do them. Many people skip at least one obstacle, and sometimes many. 3) You don't have to run, plenty of people walk. 4) There will be people of all shapes and sizes at the starting line.
So now let's imagine the worst possible outcome of your goal. You may may spend a day walking a 5k mile course without trying the obstacles, but even so you will be entertained by all of the crazy and muddy participants around you. But the best outcome is totally worth that risk: you become super motivated to get in shape for the event and you go far beyond what you thought was possible in the race. And along the way you actually managed to lose some weight.
Why is mud run training such an effective weight loss tool? First of all mud runs are a really fun and desirable goal to aim for. With names like "Warrior Dash" and "The Savage Race" it's hard not to feel tough, want to brag about it to your friends, and stay committed to your training goals. Secondly, obstacle courses require holistic fitness. Too often in the weight loss industry focuses way too much on long, boring, low-intensity cardio sessions: hours on the bike or walking on the treadmill. The weight loss is slow and it takes so much discipline to stick to it.
Mud Run training balances these cardio sessions with strength-building activities to prepare you to conquer the obstacles you will face. You jump start your weight loss when you train both aerobically and anaerobically, because not only do you burn fat during your exercise, you also amp up your metabolism due to the intensity of your strength-building workouts. So even when you are sleeping, you will burn more calories due to the muscle tissue you developed.
Obstacle course training really does attack fat from more than one angle, and the alternating focus on cardio and weight training give you a workout routine you can stick to. Make a smart resolution that you will want to keep and that will actually get you the results that you want this year.
Each Mud Race is different, but in every one you will go through a course that has a series of obstacles like mud, cargo nets and hurdles. Some races work very hard on their hardcore, boot camp image and even go so far as to have people dodge live wires that deliver a low intensity shock. But more and more events are catering to the average person who is just looking for a fun way to get out and get some exercise. New mud run themes have emerged that are much more inviting: think foam and squirt guns! These events are typically about three miles.
I know that the excuses in your mind are already running, but I hope you are still reading because I want to make 4 points before the excuses start flowing: 1) Race day isn't tomorrow. 2) If any obstacles make you feel nervous, you don't have to do them. Many people skip at least one obstacle, and sometimes many. 3) You don't have to run, plenty of people walk. 4) There will be people of all shapes and sizes at the starting line.
So now let's imagine the worst possible outcome of your goal. You may may spend a day walking a 5k mile course without trying the obstacles, but even so you will be entertained by all of the crazy and muddy participants around you. But the best outcome is totally worth that risk: you become super motivated to get in shape for the event and you go far beyond what you thought was possible in the race. And along the way you actually managed to lose some weight.
Why is mud run training such an effective weight loss tool? First of all mud runs are a really fun and desirable goal to aim for. With names like "Warrior Dash" and "The Savage Race" it's hard not to feel tough, want to brag about it to your friends, and stay committed to your training goals. Secondly, obstacle courses require holistic fitness. Too often in the weight loss industry focuses way too much on long, boring, low-intensity cardio sessions: hours on the bike or walking on the treadmill. The weight loss is slow and it takes so much discipline to stick to it.
Mud Run training balances these cardio sessions with strength-building activities to prepare you to conquer the obstacles you will face. You jump start your weight loss when you train both aerobically and anaerobically, because not only do you burn fat during your exercise, you also amp up your metabolism due to the intensity of your strength-building workouts. So even when you are sleeping, you will burn more calories due to the muscle tissue you developed.
Obstacle course training really does attack fat from more than one angle, and the alternating focus on cardio and weight training give you a workout routine you can stick to. Make a smart resolution that you will want to keep and that will actually get you the results that you want this year.
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To view a calendar of mud runs near you, look at Mud Run Calendar 2013 . You can also find specific workout schedules to help you get get ready in Mud Race Ebook
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