Does a “New Year” inspire you to set big health goals? Lose weight, workout, eat better, get more sleep?
Yeah, me neither. That's not to say
that I don't set goals or commit to changes for the sake of my health
or my sanity, but the “NEW YEAR” usually does not inspire me.
Until, maybe now. I guess I am making a
liar out of myself. Not the first time.
I was in the Gulfport-Biloxi Airport on December 12th, flying home from the Mississippi Gulf Coast Marathon, when I
picked up a copy Oxygen Magazine. On the plane ride home, I had, like,
5 hours to read it cover to cover. I highly recommend this magazine;
it's an awesome source for information about strength training for
women! They have great tips regarding workouts, form and
even nutrition. I got inspired to start weight-training in earnest
again since I had been neglecting it for the most part during the
latter part of my marathon training cycle. Bad girl! Please don't tell me you think muscles on women are "unattractive" because, well...that's just dumb. 
In the December issue of Oxygen, there was a 3-week “Rock Your Resolution”
plan. I don't do resolutions (or do I??), but the plan looked easy to follow and it got progressively more
difficult each week. While I had most the equipment, I had to
modify a few things. I told Scott, “we don't have a medicine ball,
so I used a 25 lb. plate instead.” He teased, “yeah, that's
practically the same thing!” Modifying a workout is my favorite part of working out at home.
I started the
plan on December 18th (why wait until January 1st?, that's for people following resolutions) which I followed diligently four days
a week. This was easier to do because I wasn't running as much. The
three weeks ended, which coincided with an increase in running mileage as
base training for my next training cycle for the Eugene Marathon. Eeek. EUGENE MARATHON!!! More on that for another post.
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| A few of my "sources" for workouts. |
I cut back my weights to 3x/week and added in 2x/week of yoga, all with my usual 7x/week running (I run double on Thursday, but take Monday as an absolute rest day). So...what's my goal? Well, obviously I want to add strength but weight-training is so beneficial for injury prevention. I'm all about that!! I also was hoping to lose body fat and gain more lean muscle. For now, I am following along in several different workouts including some videos, magazine workouts, and several circuit training workouts from a coach I had back in 2014. Weight training is so individualized! Looking at one of routines, I remembered that Scott once commented, “Meh, triceps dips don't really do anything.” Bah, after I finish 3 sets x 20 reps my triceps want to yell, “Oh yeah, those are stinking hard! You try lifting this fat ass!"
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| There I am! Looking for wine in NYC. |
What did six weeks of weight-training
and four weeks of no alcohol bring my body? In terms of weight, I'm
down 7lbs, and 4% body fat (according to my bathroom scale, I didn't
have some sleek trainer pinch my fat with tongs, I mean “calipers”).
I am sleeping better. My skin has been clear and less red. I can
sorta see a couple of muscles in my arms (in the right light and
after I've been lifting weights, of course).
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| Dork City: um, we're posing with our weights. |
Now, what's up for February? Besides turning 42 on the 2nd, I think I am committed to my lifting routine. I hope I will continue to reap the benefits I was working toward: more lean body mass and injury prevention as I age. Aging is inevitable, so why not try to stay strong and healthy? New year...new muscles?? Sounds like a winner.
