I detest lifting weights. My idea of a good workout is to build up a sweat while getting my heart rate up and enjoying a lot of good scenery… or at least watching some CNN at the gym if it’s a treadmill run. The last time I lifted weights was 3 years ago when my only work colleague was a body builder type who convinced me to try it. Sure, I was sore. But I hated going there… repetitions, sets, the unspoken gym Etiquette, and of course, being the only girl in a room full of mirror-watching boys.
However, I realize that lifting is a necessary evil to truly be fit and prevent injury. Though I ran a marathon a few months ago and recently went hiking in Peru, I wouldn’t say I’m in the best shape of my life! I can’t even do a push up! So I hired a personal trainer to decrypt all those machines for me and help me get over my IT band syndrome.
The first meeting was great! We sat down and I went through my goals, which is primarily to get into a routine that will get me back into military shape. After officer training school 2 years ago I can say that was the best shape of my life- and I want to be able to repeat my personal best physical fitness test numbers (sit ups, push ups, 1.5 mile run).
Then he took me through numerous machines and wrote down how much weight to use, how many repetitions, how many sets. When my knee would begin to hurt, he’d find another machine that wouldn’t aggravate my IT band. After a few months of living with this injury, there is a notable difference in my quad strength!!
And now today after doing the same routine of legs, arms, abs, stretching, I found it much easier to do the sets. It hasn’t even been a week with this being my third time lifting and I’m already noticing that it’s easier to regain my balance while getting out of the car, I have more force when opening a door, or when bending over to the side of a chair my abs can handle it 🙂
Plus this is a better gym than the one I was at 3 years ago (Loyola’s gym is Amazing!!) and I have a lot of friends who work out there too. Which is different for a runner who’s used to working out solo… and it’s kind of nice. Not so boring. Maybe I can do this! Hopefully I can show off when we have our second meeting tomorrow.
“For the record: Strength training before, not after, cardio is better for your heart, reports a study in the Journal of Applied Physiology. Japanese researchers found that participants who lifted before running had more flexible arteries and improved blood flow after eight weeks, compared with a run-then-lift group (who experienced no such improvement). Why? Lifting can increase blood pressure, which stiffens arteries. Running afterward releases chemicals that cause the arteries to dilate and lower blood pressure, says Robert C. Scott III, M.D., Ph.D., senior staff cardiologist with Scott & White Hospital in Temple, Texas.” – Women’s Health Magazine March 2008, page 28
The Inspired Dr.Mom 