So we now have less than 2 weeks to get ourselves in shape for the big day. And again, if you are like me and have no exciting plans for Valentines Day - you can still use it as a goal. We can all use a push or something to work toward.

Interval training can boost your metabolism and help you burn more calories. You can burn more and not have to spend more time at the gym! It is simply alternating bursts of intense activity with intervals of lighter activity.

For example: Get on the treadmill and warm up for 5 mins at a brisk walk pace. Then alternate 4mins at a even-paced jog and 1min at a sprint. Once you have that down, bump it up to 3mins jog and 2min sprint. Do that for 30 minutes.

You can also do the same thing on the elliptical machine, bike or running off the treadmill or walking (go from walk to bursts of a jog).

Aside from burning calories, you will improve your aerobic capacity (eventually being able to workout longer and with more intensity), decrease bordom and actually result in more comfortable exercise.

See, during intense exercise, muscles produce lactic acid. Too much of it can make exercise painful and tiring. By alternating bursts of intense exercise with easier intervals, you will reduce the buildup of lactic acide in your muscles.

So, try it and let me know how it works for you during the next 13 days. You may see results faster than you think!

Valentine's Day is 2 weeks away. Some of you may say  "so?" But there are people out there who are trying to get in the best shape they can before their little love fest on the big day. Let me assure you that there are no quick fixes but I can provide some tips that will definitly help you.

First of all IF YOU STARVE YOURSELF YOU WILL ONLY GAIN WEIGHT. Do I make myself clear? If you stop eating in hopes of losing weight fast you will ruin your metabolism and have weight problems the rest of your life. You should eat within 2 hours of waking up and carry healthy snacks with you when you are hungry throughout the day.And DO NOT TAKE DIET PILLS.  If you decide to go that route to lose weight you must consult your doctor. Diet pills can be unsafe and you will not see results in the time you are looking for.

For your cardio: running, swimming and spinning (not that crappy bike in the cardio room where you can leisurely read a book while you pedal) are all great for burning a lot of calories and work your whole body. If you already do them, add 10 more minutes of time during these 2 weeks.

Add another weight training session to your workout week during these next 2 weeks. Strength training burns a lot of calories, tones your muscle and stimulates your metabolism.

Do watch what you eat. For the next 2 weeks, try to avoid over indulging in fats and sugary treats. Notice I said over indulge. Do not completely cut out all sweets , just try to have a bite or 2 here and there. More importantly replace refined sugar carbs

with unrefuned sugar carbs (whole grains). Remember carbs are the most important food  group as they provide you with energy. Do not cut them out!

Spend the next 2 weeks hitting the gym one more day than you normally go. If you usually go 3 days a week and then suddenly step it up to 6 - that is too much for your body to handle and you may injure yourself due to muscle exhaustion. Just add one day per week and an extra 10 minutes to each cardio session. Please do not over do it, just use that looming date as a little push to step it up.

I will follow up this blog with a low fat recipe. More tips tomorrow!