A return to lifting

As you can see in my latest work it out post, I am doing 4 days a week of lifting versus the 2 I had been doing for quite a while now.

After signing up for my first half marathon last week, I decided I needed to take it easy on the running for a while so I don’t get hurt or burned out. That coupled with the recent dive in temperatures outside, I figured it was time to dust off my copy of New Rules of Lifting. Not to be confused with New Rules of Lifting for Women, this book is more then just one linear lifting program. I have done a 3 part series of workouts from this book called Fat Loss in the past. (Remember kids, fat loss is achieved through diet not a particular program. The Fat Loss programs are more intense cardiovascular and have little rest times as to keep you working harder the entire time.)

I decided to dive into the Strength programs in the book. This is a big departure from all the lifting I have been doing for the past 3+ years since this program has dedicated upper and lower body days whereas I had been doing full body workouts which work both upper and lower body in the same day.  The reason I prefer the latter is for me, it provides a better workout cardiovascular wise. I also tend to work through sets with minimal rest times so my heart rate is usually elevated. That and I am antsy and have no interest in sitting around watching the clock or flexing in the mirror.  You know they type I am talking about.  I start my next set when my body and mind feel ready.

So after completing my first week, I am first most excited that I haven’t lost much strength. Lifting 2 times a week during my race training helped not only with my running strength, but helped keep most of my strength I had worked on last winter.

So as I do this for the next month and a half or so, follow along with me and challenge yourself to get in some strength training if you aren't already doing so. If you are a runner I promise the right program will help you be faster and stronger and power yourself up those hills. If you aren’t, strength training is going to help you in your endeavors – athletic or not – in daily life.  Ladies, bone density is important especially as we age.  A lot of people say they hate strength training but I say they just haven’t met the right program. Remember, body weight work at home can be just as effective as pumping the iron at the gym.