I hate all things weight lifting. I find it monotonous, slow to produce results and hardly motivational. I know it is a good compliment to triathlon training but I just could not get myself consistent enough. Wanting to end that streak of keep up with strength training for 2 weeks... then find a million and one excuses to give up on it; I went ahead and took the plunge joining a group class 3xs a week.
Now, this is not the regular group strength, we use barbells, kettle bells, rings, pull up bars; we jump rope, we row, we do short sprints. It is a fast paced class, but at the same time, it is totally encouraged for people to scale back the weights, and take the workout at a comfortably/hard pace.
When I first joined, I was highly intimidated and scared. Intimidated by the really strong females and scared of the heavy weights. No, I do not think lifting heavy will make me bulk up (and honestly, if it does I do not care) I was just scared of the DOMS or even of getting hurt. After the first class, and realizing I was able to sort of keep up (at much reduced weight) I started feeling better. Most classes start with a light warm up, some zone 1 work and some mobility. Foam rolling, stretching and making sure the muscles are not tight are highly encouraged and built in on every workout.
Some days we work on our "heavy" lifting, focusing on form and progressively increasing weights with low reps. Some other days the weights are a lot lighter and the reps increase exponentially. It varies day to day, and I have been able to pretty much do every single workout. I have a goal for these classes during tri season: to just simply keep going, not worrying about lifting extremely heavy. My priority number one is still triathlon.
I have been going for a little over a month and I have been having... wait for it.... FUN! I know, right? Me, the hater of all things weights, is going to a strength class and actually having fun? What happened???? I think I just needed to find something that kept me engaged. Lifting by myself is boring and there is no "peer" pressure. I think the group setting is what entices me. I work from home and have very little face to face adult interaction (only regular one is my husband); this has helped me in that aspect too.
What kind of results have I seen so far? Husband says I have more energy (always a plus) and I have noticed my runs have been better. I have been looking forward to the classes and the challenge, I think it has definitely spiced up my training routine.
Have you tried something new this year yet? If so, what was it??
Thursday, March 27, 2014
Saturday, March 1, 2014
Accepting my reality and enjoying the process
A lot of water has gone under the bridge since I last updated. My relationship with food is still a work in progress with success in some areas and adjustments still needed to be made in others. My schedule is coming along nicely. I have finally signed up for all my races this season, and I am looking forward to racing.
Training is coming along nicely, despite some major interruptions from mother nature here in the South. I have been able to keep a somewhat consistent schedule, with the exception of those days in which I was snowed in with the kids. If I have to be honest I felt like a total "poser" during those days. I mean, hardcore triathletes would not let a simple snow storm prevent them from getting into the pool or going out for a run. But in reality, it was practically impossible for me to get things done. I was alone with the kids, husband was stuck out of town due to the same snow storm that had me stuck inside the house; the city has no infrastructure to plow/salt the streets, and drivers have NO clue how to maneuver in the snow. Going outside was NOT an option, risking an accident in the name of training is stupid. Our treadmill is broken, so the only thing I was able to do (provided that my 3 year old decided to take a nap) was ride my bike. I was NOT happy, I felt stranded, going backwards, like I was never going to be able to make progress. It was a rough couple of days. And I made it through them.
I have a really bad habit (as you can probably see from the paragraph above) of comparing myself to others; at always being sad/upset for not being faster/better/prettier/skinnier/healthier/smarter/not having more time to dedicate to the sport/you name it, I am not good enough/suck at it. So I am trying to make a conscious effort to accept my reality as it is and not view it as something that defines me. Just because I can't run a 7:xx mile doesn't mean that my fastest mile is not awesome for me. And it also doesn't mean that I will never get faster.
Learning to accept and be grateful for what I have is not as easy as it sounds. When your head is plagued by constant self criticism/comparison/feelings of non-deserving; it really is an uphill battle. A battle that I fight every day. But I am learning to enjoy the process. Keeping an open mind and acknowledging day in and day out that I might not be the best; but I am the best ME right this moment. I have come a long way, but there is still a lot of work to be done. This is my life, these are the choices I made, and know what? It is pretty damn good!
Training is coming along nicely, despite some major interruptions from mother nature here in the South. I have been able to keep a somewhat consistent schedule, with the exception of those days in which I was snowed in with the kids. If I have to be honest I felt like a total "poser" during those days. I mean, hardcore triathletes would not let a simple snow storm prevent them from getting into the pool or going out for a run. But in reality, it was practically impossible for me to get things done. I was alone with the kids, husband was stuck out of town due to the same snow storm that had me stuck inside the house; the city has no infrastructure to plow/salt the streets, and drivers have NO clue how to maneuver in the snow. Going outside was NOT an option, risking an accident in the name of training is stupid. Our treadmill is broken, so the only thing I was able to do (provided that my 3 year old decided to take a nap) was ride my bike. I was NOT happy, I felt stranded, going backwards, like I was never going to be able to make progress. It was a rough couple of days. And I made it through them.
I have a really bad habit (as you can probably see from the paragraph above) of comparing myself to others; at always being sad/upset for not being faster/better/prettier/skinnier/healthier/smarter/not having more time to dedicate to the sport/you name it, I am not good enough/suck at it. So I am trying to make a conscious effort to accept my reality as it is and not view it as something that defines me. Just because I can't run a 7:xx mile doesn't mean that my fastest mile is not awesome for me. And it also doesn't mean that I will never get faster.
Learning to accept and be grateful for what I have is not as easy as it sounds. When your head is plagued by constant self criticism/comparison/feelings of non-deserving; it really is an uphill battle. A battle that I fight every day. But I am learning to enjoy the process. Keeping an open mind and acknowledging day in and day out that I might not be the best; but I am the best ME right this moment. I have come a long way, but there is still a lot of work to be done. This is my life, these are the choices I made, and know what? It is pretty damn good!
Tuesday, January 14, 2014
My relationship with food: and how I am going to make it a better one
The off season came and went. I enjoyed it a bit too much and as a consequence I am left with some extra lbs; that I'd rather not be carrying. Before you ask, yes I still fit into my regular clothes, but I do see some differences in HOW they fit. Confession time: I am a bit of a scale slave.
I know that the sport we are involved with is a bit of a double edge sword. It can be conducive to changes in body composition, but in my experience it is a fine line. Food and I have a pretty good relationship... What kind of relationship? I love food.. maybe too much. My number one loves? Sugar and breads. Exactly the type of things one should be limiting when it pertains to trying to change body composition.
I figured I'd give you a little bit of background on my struggles before I flat out tell you my goals. They are not too daunting and they are more related to habits and making them healthy, attainable, and something I can carry on for years to come. So without further ado, here they are:
- Prepare lunch before the crazy work day begins. Since I work from home, I can always walk downstairs and "make lunch" when hunger strikes; this has proved counter productive... I am either on too much of a time crunch to make a healthy lunch OR I completely forget to eat! Missing a meal = bad athlete strategy.
- Nail down breakfast. I am still trying to figure out what type of food I like eating most in the morning. Most days I crave something starchy, like toast. So I think I need to start experimenting with other options... Perhaps more oatmeal or some overnight oats (I hear those are delicious).
- Have vegetables with EVERY dinner. I have a very "picky" eater family. And this will mean cooking different things for myself.
-Cut down my coffee consumption.. considerably. I am capable of drinking 10 cups (per the coffee maker marks) a day (this equals 4 cups in my IM mug). Goal is: 2 in the morning and NO coffee in the afternoon -- will have to experiment with hot tea. (what brands/flavors do you like?)
- No added sugar. If I want something sweet it has to be a fruit. I will allow myself dried fruit, but with moderation.
- Limit bread products. This will be the occasional toast or a healthy sandwich for lunch (with LOTS of veggies in it)
So, there it is.. My healthy eating habits goals for this year (say that 3 times fast ;-) )
Do you have any tips you can share with me??
I know that the sport we are involved with is a bit of a double edge sword. It can be conducive to changes in body composition, but in my experience it is a fine line. Food and I have a pretty good relationship... What kind of relationship? I love food.. maybe too much. My number one loves? Sugar and breads. Exactly the type of things one should be limiting when it pertains to trying to change body composition.
I figured I'd give you a little bit of background on my struggles before I flat out tell you my goals. They are not too daunting and they are more related to habits and making them healthy, attainable, and something I can carry on for years to come. So without further ado, here they are:
- Prepare lunch before the crazy work day begins. Since I work from home, I can always walk downstairs and "make lunch" when hunger strikes; this has proved counter productive... I am either on too much of a time crunch to make a healthy lunch OR I completely forget to eat! Missing a meal = bad athlete strategy.
- Nail down breakfast. I am still trying to figure out what type of food I like eating most in the morning. Most days I crave something starchy, like toast. So I think I need to start experimenting with other options... Perhaps more oatmeal or some overnight oats (I hear those are delicious).
- Have vegetables with EVERY dinner. I have a very "picky" eater family. And this will mean cooking different things for myself.
-Cut down my coffee consumption.. considerably. I am capable of drinking 10 cups (per the coffee maker marks) a day (this equals 4 cups in my IM mug). Goal is: 2 in the morning and NO coffee in the afternoon -- will have to experiment with hot tea. (what brands/flavors do you like?)
- No added sugar. If I want something sweet it has to be a fruit. I will allow myself dried fruit, but with moderation.
- Limit bread products. This will be the occasional toast or a healthy sandwich for lunch (with LOTS of veggies in it)
So, there it is.. My healthy eating habits goals for this year (say that 3 times fast ;-) )
Do you have any tips you can share with me??
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