Maureen McCormick Weight Loss Challenge: Her Workout Plan

(The following workout plan was written by Maureen’s trainer Juliet Kaska)

Foundation Workout Phase: Week 1-4

Many trainers out there begin clients at an intensity that the person’s body is not ready for — this technique may yield quick results, but will also just as quickly make the client fall off their program either of burnout or injury.

The first few weeks for any client (95% of people cannot pass my foundation workout when they first start), every exercise we do is cardio and foundation based.

Foundation Workout is similar to a core workout, but also encompasses the foundation of all the joints. If you do not have strong muscles supporting your joints then you have no business doing weighted or plyometric exercises.

My Foundation Workout exercises also help keep your heart rate up, and build lean muscle throughout the body to help burn away fat, even after the workout is over.

You can expect to lose 2 – 6 lbs in the first 2 weeks when following the nutrition guidelines from above and the Foundation Workout

Cardio circuit: 10mins each, 4 machines or 4 moves
Maureen does the following 3 days a week and swims 1 day a week in her pool for four 10-minute laps, and 1 day a week does a 90-minute walk in her neighborhood.

1. Treadmill – 2mins walking at 3.8speed with a 5 incline no hands, 2 mins jogging at 5.0 no incline, alternating for a full 10 mins

2. Cross trainer (her least favorite) – no hands or fingers tips only so she works her core while she works her heart. I have her set on a 6 level and ask her to keep her steps per minute at above 150.

3. Recumbent Bike (her favorite) – alternating 2 minute intervals, 6.0 level with her RPM’s at 75 or higher, and 10 level with her RPM’s at 60 or above.

4. Treadclimber – no hands or finger tips, she walks straight at a 3.0 level and maximum treads