Getting Strong

As I mentioned in my last post...I have to get back in the gym. I was doing so awesome before we moved. I was going 4-5 times a week and working with a personal trainer once a week. I loved having a personal trainer because for one, I was never an athlete...I didn't really know how to workout other than the fitness magazines that I read, but exercising is not a "one size fits all" kind of thing. So she showed me how to do the appropriate exercises for my body. Secondly, she showed me how to exercise CORRECTLY. I say that because I have bad knees and I needed to figure out how to strengthen my legs without damaging my joints any further...and she did. Before we moved, I was doing one-legged lunges with weights and I actually had less knee pain. Third, she pushed me further than I thought I could go! My trainer had recently received her certification in CrossFit, so I got to be a guinea pig. I loved coming home and telling Kyle what kind of crazy thing I was able to make my body do. Lastly...accountability. I only worked with her once a week, so every Monday I was asked what I did during the rest of the week..and she better like my answer!
More than anything, I just FELT good!!


During that time period, I think the thing I learned the most is that there's not a quick fix and you can't just change one thing about your lifestyle if you want to change your body...you have to change almost everything. It's cardio, strength training, diet, sleep, stress management, etc...it all has an impact. 


When I first started, I thought because I was working out now, I could still eat what I was eating and see results...WRONG! I'm not saying I went crazy and eliminated every refined carb and never put sugar to my lips, but I did make myself aware of what I was eating and what impact it had on my body. Basically, if it didn't have some kind of benefit or nutritional value, I didn't eat it. Why waste calories on something that's not doing me any good?


That being said, I also learned that I have to have something sweet everyday. I don't mean a pint of ice cream, I'm talking about a couple of Hershey Kisses. I tried to eat totally "clean" one week, and on day three I totally binged. I felt gross, but man it tasted good. I just realized that I can't completely deprive myself or I'll go nuts. 


One of the best tools I found regarding diet was My Fitness Pal. It's both a website and an app, and it helps you track what you're eating, as well as log exercise. It really showed me what I was putting in my body and helped me make better choices. There are a lot of things that I didn't realize were high in calories, but were. It's very easy to sabotage your efforts if you're misinformed. Also, you can connect with other members, so if you and a few of your friends join...you can hold one another accountable and encourage each other as you all work towards your personal goals.


Also, you can run 15 miles and do two spin classes a week, and yes, you'll probably lose weight, but cardio alone will not shape your body. Strength training is vital to really toning your body overall. Plus, women need to be life-long strength trainers as it's imperative to the bone and joint health that women are notorious for having issues with. 


Speaking of being a woman, my OBGYN told me that women who exercise regularly are much more likely to carry their baby to term, as well has have an easier time with delivery. Obviously, that's not a guarantee for either one...but it's sure as heck a good reason to try!


Lastly, if you're not getting enough sleep, or allowing long-term stress in your life...your body will never change. The body has the ability to go into "survival mode". If it's not getting the calories or rest it needs, or is being attacked by environmental factors (stress), it will hang on to what it has for dear life for fear of wasting away. 


I say all of that to say, I'm by no means perfect in the health arena...the above is just what I learned. Granted, I knew a lot of it before I started my program, but until I experienced it for myself, I didn't believe it...much less practice it. I'm stubborn like that. 

Here's to getting strong (again).