A PE teacher who said she went ‘too hard’ at the gym when it re-opened after being closed due to COVID-19 has revealed the workout routine that got her body back in shape.

Belinda Norton, 43, from the Gold Coast said when the gyms opened again in Queensland in June, she ‘hit it hard’ and suddenly became ‘very muscular’.

‘I created shortened bulky muscles due to excess training and I personally prefer feminine lines,’ Belinda posted on Instagram.  

‘I now feel lighter and healthier, I simply feel good!’

So how did the 43-year-old get in shape? 

A PE teacher who said she went 'too hard' at the gym when it re-opened following closure for COVID-19 revealed the workout routine that got her body in shape (Belinda Norton pictured)

A PE teacher who said she went ‘too hard’ at the gym when it re-opened following closure for COVID-19 revealed the workout routine that got her body in shape (Belinda Norton pictured)

Belinda Norton (pictured), 43, said when the gyms opened again in Queensland in June, she 'hit it hard' and suddenly became 'very muscular' - but now she has changed her routine

Belinda Norton (pictured), 43, said when the gyms opened again in Queensland in June, she 'hit it hard' and suddenly became 'very muscular' - but now she has changed her routine

Belinda Norton (pictured), 43, said when the gyms opened again in Queensland in June, she 'hit it hard' and suddenly became 'very muscular' - but now she has changed her routine

Belinda Norton (pictured), 43, said when the gyms opened again in Queensland in June, she 'hit it hard' and suddenly became 'very muscular' - but now she has changed her routine

Belinda Norton (pictured), 43, said when the gyms opened again in Queensland in June, she ‘hit it hard’ and suddenly became ‘very muscular’ – but now she has changed her routine

What are Belinda’s pantry staples? 

* Quick oats

* Hemp seeds (for salads and protein balls)

* Sunflower seeds

* Pumpkin seeds

* LSA (linseed and soy/almond meal mix)

* Rice bran syrup

* Almonds

* Peanut butter

* Cacao powder

* Coconut oil

DO CARDIO FIRST THING

Firstly, Belinda explained she has tweaked her routine so she does 30 minutes of cardio first thing in the morning.

‘Start your morning cardio (walk, run, skip, bike) only 30 minutes before breakfast,’ Belinda wrote on her website. 

She then returns home to have a hearty breakfast such as green tea poached pears with sesame hemp seeds; coconut yogurt and almond milk porridge or a fried egg with mushrooms and spinach.

Belinda allows herself one or two coffees per day, usually with almond or soy milk.

She believes that doing cardio fasted helps to create long, lean and toned muscles.

HIIT SESSIONS THREE TIMES PER WEEK

High intensity interval training or HIIT is also invaluable for getting in shape, and the PE teacher said she will usually do a high intensity session three times per week at some point in the afternoon.

Typically, this includes activities like hill sprints, body crawls with push ups and step ups on to a box or block. 

Belinda likes to do her high intensity training around 4.30pm or 5pm, when she has finished the working day before dinner.

Belinda typically follows fasted cardio with a breakfast like green tea poached pears with sesame hemp seeds; coconut yogurt and almond milk porridge (pictured)

Belinda typically follows fasted cardio with a breakfast like green tea poached pears with sesame hemp seeds; coconut yogurt and almond milk porridge (pictured)

Belinda typically follows fasted cardio with a breakfast like green tea poached pears with sesame hemp seeds; coconut yogurt and almond milk porridge (pictured)

The PE teacher does one heavy weights session per week in order to hone and tone her muscles (pictured)

The PE teacher does one heavy weights session per week in order to hone and tone her muscles (pictured)

The PE teacher does one heavy weights session per week in order to hone and tone her muscles (pictured)

What is Belinda’s ideal day on a plate for detoxification?

* MORNING TEA: Mixed berries and a cup of almond milk.

* MAIN MEAL: Barbecue chicken or tofu with raw broccoli and cauliflower with a splash of teriyaki seasoning and hemp seeds, cooked for two minutes in the microwave.

* AFTERNOON TEA: Raw roasted almonds, mini cucumbers and a small carrot.

* HYDRATION: Either water or coconut water.

ONE HEAVY WEIGHTS SESSION PER WEEK

Once a week, Belinda said she’ll do a heavy weights session – either with her own body weight or heavy dumbbells. 

This might include squats, lunges, curtsy lunges and bicep curls. 

She likes to mix up the sessions in order to target different areas of the body.

‘I never do heavy weights on heavy period days either,’ Belinda posted on Instagram.

‘On heavy days, sometimes I just rest and eat perfectly.’  

Finally, the mum-of-two rounds off her week of workouts with two 'stretch' sessions that are Pilates or yoga (pictured)

Finally, the mum-of-two rounds off her week of workouts with two 'stretch' sessions that are Pilates or yoga (pictured)

Finally, the mum-of-two rounds off her week of workouts with two ‘stretch’ sessions that are Pilates or yoga (pictured)

She tries to eat a diet that is rich in fresh fruit and vegetables, complex carbohydrates and lean protein (some of her meals pictured)

She tries to eat a diet that is rich in fresh fruit and vegetables, complex carbohydrates and lean protein (some of her meals pictured)

She tries to eat a diet that is rich in fresh fruit and vegetables, complex carbohydrates and lean protein (some of her meals pictured)

She tries to eat a diet that is rich in fresh fruit and vegetables, complex carbohydrates and lean protein (some of her meals pictured)

She tries to eat a diet that is rich in fresh fruit and vegetables, complex carbohydrates and lean protein (some of her meals pictured)

YOGA OR PILATES TWICE A WEEK

Finally, the mum-of-two rounds off her week of workouts with two ‘stretch’ sessions that are Pilates or yoga.

‘Having an exercise routine or training will ensure you stay motivated, mobile and aligned,’ she explained.

The yoga or Pilates can be completed just as easily at home as it can in a gym or studio, provided you have a mat and 20 minutes set aside where you can work on stretching out your body. 

Belinda couples all of this with a healthy diet that includes plenty of fresh fruit, vegetables, complex carbohydrates and water. 



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