Some thoughts and discussions from me.
Yes, You CAN Do it All
Hi guys! I hope your week is going great so far. Anything fun on the agenda?
I’ve got some teaching and training to do, along with some glute camp week 2 schtuff (way to go on those check-ins, btw! Keep it up!!) but I’ve been soaking up any free time I’ve got, spending in the great outdoors.
Heil Valley Ranch, Longmont, CO
Shane and I ran on a trail we’ve both never been to before – the Wapiti Trail at Heil Valley Ranch. It’s a nice, shady (and super duper close!) trail, and we came across two mule deer while there, too! It was such a fun run that started off the day on a joyful note.
And today I wanted to talk about what type of movement gives you JOY.
Yesterday, I shared the following “status update” on my Facebook page:
It’s summer, and that means there are countless sports and activities to do – no matter where you are. I’ve (clearly) recently become obsessed with trail running. Along with that, I’m lifting, glute camp-ing, swimming (or something like swimming 
,) and hiking. On the list of things I want to learn to do this summer are: mountain biking, SUP-ing, kayaking, and white water rafting.
Basically, I’m all over the place, and that’s A-OK with me. I’ve backed off a super regimented lifting (or anything) routine to allow my body (and my schedule) to be able to do ALL THE THINGS.
On top of Lily Mountain, RMNP (with this gal’s hubby!)
As a PT, of course I’m full of suggestions, recommendations, and notions about what one should or shouldn’t do to reach his or her goals. However, when a client comes to me for help, we set up a workout schedule together – with an emphasis on ‘together.’ If I have a client performing sprint intervals a couple days a week, and she downright HATES running? Guess what. She’s either not going to do said workout, or she’ll do it and hate it, which will eventually lead to drop out.
I remember a client I was training (online) last summer – let’s call her GymGirl - who came to me thinking that she wanted to lift heavy and avoid cardio at all costs. She came to me wanting to learn to deadlift, complete weighted chin ups, and squat heavy. However, a few weeks into her program, I noticed she began to stop “checking in” as often as week 1 or 2. She quickly began skipping more and more workouts.
Now, I knew that GymGirl came to me after years of being RunnerGirl, and not having a consistent strength training routine (if any) at all, so my instinct told me to dig further into her goals.Turns out, when I asked her again why, if she really thought about it, she came to me wanting to lift heavy, her initial response of “I want to get strong, feel accomplished, and have definition” had faded. Instead, she replied that she wanted to get a body like a certain social media fitness figure, and she’d been told the only way to do that was to lift heavy, and avoid cardio, because it’d just eat up all the progress made through lifting.
While lifting heavy will do wonders for body composition, a) it’s not the only way, and b) it won’t do jack if the person doing it stops because he or she isn’t into it.
I feel like there’s a LOT of lifting love (and a lot of running hate) around the interwebz lately, so I just wanted to reiterate what I’ve already said on here before: move. get in activity. If you think you *should* lift heavy but hate being in a weight room or *should* do zumba but can’t stand choreography, maybe those certain activities aren’t for you right now.
So what type of activity should you do? Something that you’ll enjoy and will sustain – whether that be 1 thing, 2 things, or 30 things.
How are you moving in a way that gives you enjoyment right now?
I am loving Zumba. Always. I could do it all day every day. It’s like I forget that I’m burning calories and just have fun. I also just moved out to the country (I mean middle of nowhere!) and have discovered that I really do love going for a walk in the evening. It’s so beautiful and even kind of cool under the shade of the trees that line my road which is impressive here in southern Mississippi! I’m also enjoying Glute Camp these days 🙂 I can feel the burn and I like it!
Yeah glute camp!! 😉
And I agree, there’s something so calming about evening walks.
Great post! I am like you! I just love being active in any form! Especially if it involves getting outside!
Jess recently posted…First Workout Back
Great points. Love your fitness philosophy!
Jenn@Mark My Miles! recently posted…Happy Fourth of July!
My goal for this summer was to get outdoors as much as possible. I’ve been hiking the last three weekends and I’m going again this weekend. I also started a “walking club” with my girlfriends that meets every Tuesday evening. SUP-ing and mountain biking are also on my list this summer and your Instagram is inspiring me to give trail running a try. Being active while in the outdoors is pure bliss! I do love lifting but I definitely go through different phases of intensity and frequency which is actually probably a good thing.
You sound like me! haha, I want to do it all! Sounds like you live in a great area with all the hiking, too 🙂
I’ve been enjoying long walks with my dogs, Piloxing, Bar Method, and Bob Harper DVDs.
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After years of running and not really enjoying it, I stopped. Now I walk or do interval runs. My most favorite activity is horse back riding, which I get to do almost daily with my 2 horses.
I love this post because it reiterates what I’m always telling people. You’ve got to enjoy what you’re doing or you simply won’t continue to do it (or if you do, you will get to where you “hate fitness”). I want to share this with my gym people.
I do find myself sticking with mostly one thing (running), but I do like to mix it up with yoga, strength training, and cycling once in a while. Got to keep everything fresh, right?
Debbie @ Live from La Quinta recently posted…10 Questions to NEVER Ask a Runner
Totally! And I completely agree with doing what you enjoy.
I love this post! I’m really enjoying mixing it up and trying lots of different things!
Erin @ Girl Gone Veggie recently posted…The best workout shoes for every workout
Yes, yes, yes! It annoys me when people talk smack about certain forms of exercise, because they think it’s not “as effective” or whatever. My favorite kind of workout is usually a fast-paced circuit that involves lots of compound movements, both cardio and strength. But since I’m taking it easy, I am really loving long walks, yoga, and Pilates. One day I might get into running or really heavy lifting more. But for now, I’m enjoying the slower, more relaxed workouts!
Alison @ Daily Moves and Grooves recently posted…Behind the Scenes #25: Burgers, Fries, and Ice Cream
YES! That’s a pet peeve of mine, too. Unfortunately, I’ve been guilty of it before, but I’ve learned to shut my mouth – and keep an open mind 😉
I think that’s such a true point. Finding an exercise regimen that you ENJOY will do wonders! And I feel like if you enjoy it, then that’s what will lead you to actually sustaining it!
Sarah @ Sweet Miles recently posted…Erin Condren Life Planner Review and Tour
At 34-weeks pregnant, I’m starting to experience more discomfort, in general, and feeling wiped-out after any lifting sessions. Therefore, I’ve really been enjoying morning walks, especially around the nearby lake. It’s more gentle on my body and so peaceful! I’m all about doing what you love and listening to your body; great post!
Jaclyn @ BumpSweat recently posted…{WIAW #4} Fuel Your Nesting (or Deep-Cleaning)
That sounds just lovely, Jaclyn 🙂
Every summer, all I want to do is run and walk outside with my dog and do tons of power vinyasa yoga. This combo just makes me feel so, so good and strong and vibrant. In the winter I do more lifting/cardio HIIT stuff indoors since I can’t run outside, but yoga is always there in some way, shape or form.
I tend to do the same thing! I’m waiting for the day I can add yoga back to be a regular thang.
oh i agree. I often ask myself, if i dont feel it, i don’t do it. I want to do what brings me joy. Right now that changes daily. Hikes, weights, yoga, whatever. I just want to feel good
Thanks for this. It’s really easy for me to get caught up in the idea that I have to fit into a certain fitness mold – ie, “I’m a runner” or “I do Pure Barre”. I definitely think it’s important to try all sorts of different things and move your body, as you said, however you’d like. I have had an interest in starting to implement a strength training routine but don’t know where to start and can’t really afford to pay for a gym membership on top of my barre classes, so it’s been a bit of a bust. Perhaps all in due time?
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I’m totally immersed in yoga right now, which is good as I spur-of-the-moment entered a yoga teacher training program. Hence, I have ditched out on glute camp. Two hours a day of yoga is about all my glutes can handle right now. 🙂
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