I've made a significant change in my fitness over the past few months, and have been waiting to blog about it until I knew for sure it stuck. ;)
My prioritization for exercise for the past few years:
1) Running
2) Weight training (heavy weights - fast-paced circuits)
3) Biking/swimming (but this is only a priority when I have a triathlon on my plate)
I decided it was time for a change, when a few months back I felt like a rest day was never enough. To be honest, I was in pain. Sometimes sitting at my desk at work, I'd almost be in tears because my back and legs hurt so bad. It wasn't that I was injured, my muscles just ached.
I was doing a lot of weight lifting in addition to triathlon training. And my weight training was more along the lines of "crossfit/power-lifting". I felt heavy, bulky, and just blah!
Step 1 -- reinvent the wheel. I decided to stop my gym membership. That's a creative way to "get the body you want", huh?! ;)
Here is what my current fitness regimen changed to:
1. Run 4 days per week, following my marathon training schedule: 1 long run, 1 moderately paced run, 1 speed work out, and 8-10 mile hilly run.
2. Yoga 2-3 times/week. I've been trying to incorporate a bikram/hot yoga into this as well. #gamechanger Yoga has opened my hips and transformed my body. I feel taller, lighter, leaner, and it is so good for my mind.
3. At home weight training 1-2 days/week. I use 10 lb weights, resistance bands, and foam rollers -- and it kicks my butt!
My hips no longer hurt. My legs aren't swollen. I feel like myself again. This isn't a blog post stating that heavy weight lifting is bad. But it just isn't for me! In addition to all the benefits to how I feel, my running pace has decreased as well! Win win!
What is your fitness regimen? Have you ever had to make a drastic change to your system?
My prioritization for exercise for the past few years:
1) Running
2) Weight training (heavy weights - fast-paced circuits)
3) Biking/swimming (but this is only a priority when I have a triathlon on my plate)
I decided it was time for a change, when a few months back I felt like a rest day was never enough. To be honest, I was in pain. Sometimes sitting at my desk at work, I'd almost be in tears because my back and legs hurt so bad. It wasn't that I was injured, my muscles just ached.
I was doing a lot of weight lifting in addition to triathlon training. And my weight training was more along the lines of "crossfit/power-lifting". I felt heavy, bulky, and just blah!
Step 1 -- reinvent the wheel. I decided to stop my gym membership. That's a creative way to "get the body you want", huh?! ;)
Here is what my current fitness regimen changed to:
1. Run 4 days per week, following my marathon training schedule: 1 long run, 1 moderately paced run, 1 speed work out, and 8-10 mile hilly run.
2. Yoga 2-3 times/week. I've been trying to incorporate a bikram/hot yoga into this as well. #gamechanger Yoga has opened my hips and transformed my body. I feel taller, lighter, leaner, and it is so good for my mind.
3. At home weight training 1-2 days/week. I use 10 lb weights, resistance bands, and foam rollers -- and it kicks my butt!
My hips no longer hurt. My legs aren't swollen. I feel like myself again. This isn't a blog post stating that heavy weight lifting is bad. But it just isn't for me! In addition to all the benefits to how I feel, my running pace has decreased as well! Win win!
What is your fitness regimen? Have you ever had to make a drastic change to your system?
Comments
My fitness regimen is very similar to yours. I run 3 days a week, sometimes 4 depending on the time of year, strength train a couple of times a week and try to go to 3-4 yoga classes a week. Going to yoga has been a game changer for me as well as it really develops your core muscles and upper body strength. I can already see a difference in my upper body. I used the Christmas money from mom and dad to buy a heart rate monitor and it's been interesting to use it. For instance, in a power flow class, I burn anywhere from 320-380 calories, depending on who the instructor is as that impacts the intensity. That was surprising to me as I thought it would be way lower!
Keep up the great work, Abs! I think you look amazing, beautiful and strong!!
I had to copy & paste Lisa's remarks because they are so true! I am glad you changed your routine as being in pain like that had to be awful!
I am back to my "old lady" exercise routine after a break over Christmas, so am happy about that! One day I do a 30 minute walking routine and the next I do a weight lifting / floor exercise routine but only use 3 - 5 lb weights. It works for me!