Working in the Workouts: Not HIIT, but better?

Each week, Debbie will share her goals, challenges, successes and tips on how to fit in fitness when caring for a rambunctious toddler.

A while back, I had written that I was toying with the idea of HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) training, but was concerned I was not in good enough shape for it.

While I still don't think I have the stamina, a new study validates a rest period between workouts, showing that resting in-between actually burns more fat than a continuous workout.

OK, take a breath.

Maybe I get strangely excited over little things like this, but do you know what that kind of research means to busy people, moms and others just trying to sneak in workouts?

My walks to the playground, albeit shorter than the thirty-minute workouts in the study, have new meaning.

I know if I couldn't find a continuous chunk of time in which to do a cardio workout, I would tend to dismiss it as not worth it. Now, knowing the break in-between could actually help me burn more fat, I will be more apt to take the trek. Add an extra loop each way, and I can maybe get close to the thirty minutes of the study.

How about if I do some playground workouts of my own while we are there? Yep, I could lower myself to do the monkey bars. And really, how embarrassing would a few chin-ups really be?

So it isn't HIIT, but it is a start, one with research to back up the worth of it. Who knows the infinite fat-burning potential of walks to the playground?