1. Health

Discuss in my forum

12 Weeks to Weight Loss - Day 6

Focus on Core Strength

By , About.com Guide

Updated March 03, 2011

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by our Medical Review Board

Cardio Focus: Active Rest

Your focus today is on being active and having fun. Don't worry about heart rate, intensity or any of that other stuff.

  • Take your dog for a long walk
  • Take the kids or your spouse out for a leisurely bike ride
  • If it's cold outside, stay indoors and put on your favorite CD or radio station. Do a little dance...no one's looking.
  • Wash the car...twice.

Strength and Flexibility Focus: Core Strength

First, get warmed up by taking a short walk or doing a few minutes of light cardio or marching in place. Then, choose one of the workouts below to strengthen your abs and back in challenging ways:

Option 1: Dynamic Abs

Option 2: Challenging Abs and Core

Option 3: Beginner Abs

Nutrition Focus: Clean Out Your Pantry

Using the list you made on Day 4, choose one unhealthy food in your pantry, refrigerator, cabinets, etc. and substitute it with something healthy and lower in calories or throw it away. For example, if you drink a Coke every morning, replacing that with water will save you 150 calories. Add that to the exercise you're doing this week, and you're on the road to weight loss.

Motivation

If you've managed to fit in all the workouts (or at least most of them), keep yourself going with a reward. It's important to acknowledge all your hard work, so why not get yourself a new pair of workout shoes or that song or album you've been wanting? Do something nice for yourself and get ready for next week.

| Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6 | Full Weekly Calendar |

Suggested Reading

©2012 About.com. All rights reserved.

A part of The New York Times Company.

We comply with the HONcode standard
for trustworthy health
information: verify here.