EPOC- what the heck is that?

If you have never heard the term don't worry, I hadn't either till I returned to college. The acronym EPOC stands for excess post-exercise oxygen consumption. Essentially it means that after exercise your body is trying to replace the oxygen stores that became depleted. When one works out at a high intensity more oxygen is consumed and therefore a greater debt is accumulated. Over time, doing a high intensity workout can increase the VO2 max, which is the body's ability to use oxygen for energy. Working out a higher intensities means that when you go back to doing slower workouts, they will feel like a breeze. Runners do interval training for this very reason. Some believe that interval training burns more calories in a shorter period of time. But back to EPOC, which is basically that you continue to burn calories long after the exercise is over.

For a mini workout, try jumping rope!

Were you one of those kids who loved jumping rope? You may not be a kid anymore but you can still derive great benefits from breaking out the jump rope and spending a few minutes a day jumping around. The jumping motion, which has the muscles expanding and contracting, helps the lymphatic system to move toxins and waste around the body, readying them for elimination.

Jumping rope also works the legs, abs, arms, and heart. It is considered a good exercise for increasing bone density, strength and agility. You can also do it anywhere and it only requires one small piece of equipment. What's not to like? Be a kid again and get yourself a jump rope. You might even get some remarks about how great your skin is looking. When the lymphatic system is healthy, the skin looks more radiant and beautiful.