Avoid Holiday Weight Gain: How to Burn the Most Calories in the Least Amount of Time

Tis' the season of indulgence!  I don't know about you, but I'm approaching the holidays with caution.  Nearly 2/3rds of Americans consider eating holiday foods the highlight of the season.  If you're anything like me, you're with them.  Never mind spiced apple cider, cranberry bellinis, eggnog and muddled wine!  I chatted with my go-to, Will Torres, the Founder of willspace in NYC to find out how we can burn the most calories in the least amount of time so we can enjoy the holidays while quickly kicking eggnog's  butt in the gym. "The most effective way to ignite your calorie burn is with fast-paced strength training with short rest periods," Torres explains. " The goal is to do as much work as possible in a short period of time."

Most people gravitate towards cardio for the calorie burn, however, excessive cardio will actually slow-down your metabolism. Fast-paced strength training will not only boost your metabolism, but also develop tone throughout the body.

Focus on full-body movements like squats, push-ups and lunges instead of isolation exercises like curls and leg lifts.  This type of training will not only get you to burn a ton while you’re working out, but will also boost your metabolism for up to 16 hours after.

Here are Torres' top tips to know if you're getting the most out of your workout:

1.       Your muscles should have a burning feeling.

2.       It’s important that you push past what you are accustomed to doing.

3.       Your breathing should be heavy as if you were sprinting.

4.       You should be sweating.

Guidelines to Get You Off Your Butt

Whether you like it or not summer is creeping up on you. If taking out your favorite bikini as a reminder and plastering pictures of Victoria's Secret models on your refrigerator still hasn't motivated you maybe these tips will help give you the extra little boost you need to get going. Fitness expert, Theionious Johnson weighed in on some easy ways to shape up in no time:

• Set Realistic Goals: Write it out.  Make a list of things you'd like to accomplish in a certain time span.  If you write lose 10 pounds, make sure you give yourself ample amount of time to meet the goal.  Weekly goals are great motivators too.
• Exercise Before Bed: No matter when your normally exercise do an extra 20 minutes before you go to sleep.  It will help burn calories while you sleep and clear your mind.  This can be as simple as jump roping at home.
• Keep Hydrated: Thirst is often mistaken for hunger.  Make sure you drink plenty of water through out the day to avoid snacking.
• Grab A Buddy: Workout buddies are the best motivators.  You can challenge and support each other physically and mentally to keep going.  Plus, who wants to be the fat friend on the beach?  eek!
• Switch Things Up: Once you master a routine, change it before you get bored.  Do something different every day to keep your workout interesting and maximize your body's potential.