Note: This post was originally published on October 18, 2015 but I decided to add some more value, better resources and re-share it again with you all.
I’ve been creating fitness and mindset content on social media for over 10 years! And every single day I get questions on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, etc. from all of you. So I wanted to take the time to put your top 10 fitness questions together and answer them for you right here.
Your Top 10 Fitness Questions
Is it better to workout in the morning or at night?
I love this questions and I just answered it on an IG LIVE this morning. This is entirely up to you. I would encourage you to chose the time in which you can be most consistent and also have the most energy. With that being said, be flexible and don’t freak out if you accidentally sleep in or you have to reschedule to an afternoon or lunchtime workout to fit your schedule. You can’t be perfect. Life happens and you have to just roll with it.
Should I do cardio before or after my strength training?
It depends on your goal. If you want to build muscle, then focus on your strength training first when you have the most energy. If you are training for a 10k or marathon or something and you want to have most of your energy for your run, do the cardio first. Think about the intention of your workout and you should know the answer.
What should I eat before I go for a run?
Protein & simple carbs are always a good choice before a workout. If you are running for longer than 60-90 minutes you might consider having some fat to sustain you. A whey protein shake and half a banana are a good example. If you need some extra, add a spoonful of almond butter.
Should I do cardio 7 days a week?
7 days a week? Ummm….no! But if you love cardio then definitely opt in for more cardio days. But, I’m a firm believer in taking a rest day and not overdoing it. If you are super exhausted, constantly thirsty and not feeling balance, you could be overdoing it. Listen to your body. I only do cardio 3-4x per week for 15-30 minutes. You don’t NEED to do tons of cardio AND it can actually make you a lot hungrier so be mindful of that if your goal is weight loss.
What can I eat before bed if I am still hungry? Salt and sweet…
Savory: scrambled eggs
Sweet: frozen grapes or berries
Keep in mind that constantly feeling starving before bed should be a sign to you that you need to make better, more fulfilling, eating choices during the day so you don’t find yourself ravenous at night.
What short words or phrases keep you motivated?
- Be so busy improving yourself that you don’t have time to criticize others.
- Take care of yourself.
- Surround yourself with good people.
- Comparison is the thief of joy.
- You’re not truly living unless you are out of your comfort zone.
What do I do if I am stuck in a plateau, not losing anymore weight?
This is a great question. Some things you can do are: increase the intensity of your workouts, take some rest days, mix up the exercises you are doing, mix up the tempo of the exercises you are doing, try something new, get more sleep, eat a bit more. A plateau is your body’s signal that you need to switch things up because it already has adapted to what you’ve been doing. Be sure to listen to this cue from your body!
What should I eat before I am doing HIIT? I lose energy in the class sometimes and it’s only 30 minutes long.
A protein shake and a banana is a good choice. This will absorb into your system quickly and fuel your muscles for your workout. You can do half the protein shake and half the banana before, and the other half afterwards. I also like RX Bars (no affiliation, just love them!) and will often have one 30-60 minutes before a tough workout. The class is “only 30 minutes” (which is not super long!) so you don’t need a giant sustainable meal like you might want to have before doing a super long run or bike ride.
How many sessions of HIIT would you recommend per week?
Two is a good amount. If you are super beginner, just go for 1 or 2 depending on how you feel. No more than 3 even for the more advanced fitness peeps. It’s super intense on your body so you want to allow time for adequate recovery. I love HIIT…but in moderation is important.
Weights or cardio?
OKAY if I HAD to choose 1 – I would choose weight/resistance training. BUT I prefer doing circuit training with both weights and cardio intervals 🙂 You will get the best results if you do both cardio AND weight training. Keep in mind that doing cardio doesn’t mean spending hours on the elliptical machine or treadmill. My favorite forms of cardio are: HIIT, long walks, bike rides, hikes and jogging. I like spending my cardio time outdoors as often as possible.
My programs always include a combination of weights, cardio, mindset, nutrition and get incredible results. Check out my Strong At Home 4 Women 8-week program!