Ideal Workout for You #4: Are you distracted?

Ideal Workout for You #4: Are you distracted?

Try: Tennis

Being super-practical, you cram getting fit into every free moment. You may find that your workout consists of running after your kids in the morning and taking the stairs at work to get in your exercise quota for the day; while that may indeed be exhausting, it probably isn't enough to keep the weight off. That's because 10 minutes here and 30 seconds there isn't intense enough to get your body into your ideal fat-burning zone (though it is better than nothing), explains Nicole Glor, a New York City-based personal trainer and DVD creator.

Instead of trying to squeeze in dozens of mini-workouts, sneak in two to three longer ones weekly, choosing things that you'll plan for, such as a lunchtime tennis match that will keep your heart rate up. You'll not only burn more calories, but also take back your downtime.

Now that it is summer, it is even easier to get outdoors. In Champaign-Urbana, there are a number of free tennis courts, such as those at Hessel Park and on the University of Illinois campus. If tennis isn't really your sport, try to gather a group of friends to play sand volleyball or take your kids to play a round of miniature golf.