Fitness Chat with Stephanie Oakes

Comment from USATODAY.com Host: Hopefully, spring-like temperatures are warming you up for that jog in the park or bike ride outside you've been longing for.

Let Stephanie help you get in the mood to exercise outdoors while enjoying the new season.

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Rosslyn, Va.: Many of the books say you ought to rotate, weights vs. aerobics, every other day. Why can't I do cardo-kickboxing five times a week?

Stephanie Oakes: I agree we should do cardio most days of the week but you don't want to overtrain, your muscles need 48 hrs. to recover from an intense workout---especially like cardio-kickboxing. Why don't you cross train with other forms of cardio..bike, walking, running, swimming?

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Seattle: I'm in an exercise routine, which, depending on the day, has me working out at the gym near my home vs. at the work gym. I rotate between upperbody and legs each day, following Brill's "The Core" five days a week. My gym near home has some equipment that's not at my work gym. On weekends, can I do some of those favorite ones, which I didn't do on my leg days at work, for instance?

Stephanie Oakes: Sure, as long as the exercises don't isolate the muscle groups you worked on the other machines/gym.

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Alrington, Va.: Where are you on the debate about eating before a workout vs. not eating before? I know the Zone Diet suggests eating within 20 minutes of rising, but if I'm heading to the gym, should I not? "Body for Life" philosophy is to *not* eat before the gym, but I go to the gym first thing...I'm CONFUSED!

Stephanie Oakes: Are you hungry when you get up in the morning?? If your starved than eat a small portion before the gym .. if you have enough energy to workout and eat afterwards, then do it that way. Just stay away from large meals before you exercise and be sure to have a balanced meal with protein and carbs after.

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