HIIT

Maybe you’ve heard about it, maybe you don’t understand why there are two I’s in the word. Regardless, let’s talk about HIIT.

HIIT stands for High Intensity Interval Training, and let me tell you, it lives up to its name. This is a training technique in which you give all your effort through quick, intense bursts of exercise, followed by short, sometimes active, recovery periods. This type of training gets and keeps your heart rate up and burns more fat in less time. For example, 20 seconds of burpees with 10 seconds of rest, 3 times through, is an example of HIIT.

“A high-intensity workout increases the body’s need for oxygen during the effort and creates an oxygen shortage, causing your body to ask for more oxygen during recovery,” says Eric Salvador, NASM, NSCA, head instructor at The Fhitting Room in New York City.

“This afterburn effect is referred to as excess post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC) and is the reason why intense exercise will help burn more fat and calories than regular aerobic and steady-state workouts.”

Though grueling, here are a few benefits of HIIT:

1. Increases Your Metabolism
   Combing high intensity with interval training results in EPOC, which speeds your metabolic rate and “translates into a metabolism boost for up to 48 hours after a complete HIIT routine,” says Salvador. This means you’ll still be burning fat even after you’ve finished this workout.
2. Quick and Convenient
   If you are the type of person to blame lack of time for not working out, you may be out of luck. HIIT workouts can be done virtually anywhere! Though i wouldn’t recommend breaking into jump squats in the middle of Chili’s.
3. No Equipment Necessary

This may just be the best benefit of all. Being a 16 year old without a car or gym membership, No equipment workouts have become a blessing. Also I like to tell myself that it’s more natural to train this way. (Totally made up Caroline knowledge, do not quote me on that).

~Hummus~

Hummus is a Middle Eastern food that has become popular in other areas of the world. Also it’s really fun to say. Did you just say it out loud? Say it louder, just so everyone knows you’re reading a blog about hummus.

It is a chickpea based dip or spread made by cooking and mashing chickpeas. Tahini (a ground sesame seed paste), lemon juice, olive oil, salt and garlic are added to the mashed beans for flavor.

Though not a superfood, it is a healthy yummy alternative to dip your veggies in. Traditional hummus is low in fat, typically contains no sugar and is low in calories. It is also high in protein, so it provides energy without packing on the pounds. It has a sort of bland taste if you get the original, so my fav is the Supremely Spicy Sabra hummus, highly recommend if you like a lil spice(;. With this blog I’ve linked 10 different ways to enjoy hummus. After a long day and workout session, pita chips and some hummus can really HIIT the spot.