I’ve been getting a lot of e-mail and messages about my food and my workout routine. This morning I thought I would talk about my workout routine and how it’s changed from the beginning our journey to now. I want to first note I am not a doctor or expert on the subject and if you are planning on taking up a exercise routine or diet you should consult a physician first.
The first day we went to the gym, I hopped on the treadmill for thirty minutes and no incline. I just walked at a pace that was good for me. I walked and walked and every day I would add a little bit of time. As the days passed I was walking longer, at a faster pace and then I discovered the incline button on the treadmill. I would set little goals for myself as far as pace, time and incline and work towards those goals on a weekly basis.
I got bored with the treadmill so I started mixing up and I tried my first group class: Group Power. Power is a weight and strength training class that gives you a full body workout in 55 minutes. Group Power instantly became my favorite class. I started this class a few weeks into my journey and kept with it. Weight training is very important! Most people shy away from it because they think it’s going to make them bulky or something along those lines but that’s not the case. It will tone you up and make you stronger. Plus the after burn of you weight workout will exceed any cardio workout it. Muscle helps burn that fat we are all trying to lose!
People always ask what I did for my arms and the first thing that comes out is Group Power. If you have an chance to go to a class like this go for it. This was you don’t have to learn about what weight machines you should be using and if you’re using them correctly!
I eventually had to move on from the treadmill, unless that was my only option, to spin! Don’t be intimidated by the spin bike. This is one of the best cardio workouts I get each week. I started with just two spin classes a week because it’s really hard on the booty until you get use to it. I did cardio every day and weights three times a week. I eventually moved on to four-five spin classes a week. Yes people are dripping with sweat when they walk out of the spin room because they worked out. But you completely control your workout in the cycle room and you decide how hard you push or don’t. It’s a great workout and calorie burn for the amount of time you spend in the room.
Walking on the treadmill started to become difficult for me because it was just too slow. That’s when I started jogging. I probably started jogging too soon because I was on the heavier side, but I also didn’t research the right shoes. I was plagued by injury. If you want to take up running/jogging PLEASE go to a running shop and get the right shoes. Not having the right shoes is how injuries start and they won’t go away. I know I’ve been there!
And here we are where we are today. Please note that I work out a lot. Since I started teaching cycle, my workout schedule changed and I still needed to get my other workouts in too. I know I workout more than the average person. Here is my schedule pretty much every week:
M: Group Power (AM), Running (PM) and/or Spin Class
Tu: Cycle (AM), Group Kick (PM)
W: Group Power (AM), Running and/or Spin Class (PM)
Th: Cycle (PM), Group Centergy aka yoga (PM)
F: Running (AM) or rest
Sa: Running and Group Power (AM)
Su: Rest
On the days that I don’t feel like going to spin on days I don’t teach I will go to another group class like a dance class or strength training class. I’ve recently started learning how to swim so I hope to take that up too. Otherwise, I just run laps in the pool which is pretty difficult. I’ve done water aerobics with my best friend and I loved it so I might try that too.
Here are some tips if you’re starting a workout routine:
1. Consult a doctor before starting an exercise regimen so you remain safe and healthy.
2. Pick a time of day that works for you to work out and stick with it. That’s the date you make with yourself every day. Don’t cancel.
3. Bring your workout clothes with you. Once you go home, there may be no coming back out to work out, especially if you have to go to the gym.
4. Try group fitness because it makes it social activity. You can meet up friends or go to class to make new ones. It might make working out a little bit for fun for you.
5. Find something that you love and do it. If you hate dancing, Zumba might not be the class for you and it might become a chore for you to work out. If you’re doing something that you like to do, working out will be fun! Don’t dread your workout, enjoy it!
6. If you can’t afford a gym membership, it’s ok. Get outside and so stuff around the house or outside. There are plenty of resources on the internet to learn what you can do. In the upcoming weeks, I’ll be talking about that stuff too!
Now that’s I’ve shared my workout routine with you, share yours with me! What’s your form of exercise and why?
