This week’s TIART topic at the Runner’s Lounge is strength training,
Pre-kids, I used to work out at the office gym 4 or 5 times a week. At least two of those days, I did strength training for about 45 minutes. I still preferred cardio, but I did my weights and saw some nice muscle definition.
Fast forward 8 years and 2 kids and the abs ain’t what they used to be. My legs are strong from all the running and my arms are strong from toting around a three year old, but muscle definition is seriously lacking. Add in age related metabolism slow down and it’s not a pretty sight.
One of my goals for the year was to start doing strength training. Since I always put it off when it involved even a 15 minute commitment, I decided I’d do 5 minutes a day, alternating upper, lower, and abs. After a run or while the kids are in the bath, I set my timer and work the designated body part for 5 minutes. I have weights stashed on every level of the house and various ripped out magazine pages with weight routines sitting in convenient spots. Today I even plopped down on the carpet in our front hallway and did crunches for 5 minutes before I picked up Jones for school.
And it’s working! I’m not going to be winning any body building contests, but my legs are stronger, I can see definition in my shoulders, and my abs are firmer. And the best part is that seeing what doing that little bit has done for my body is making me want to do more.
I’ve always felt like I had to do a “real” workout to see results and since I didn’t have time for that, I never bothered. Well, I was wrong. The five minutes a day is making a difference. Maybe not as big of a difference or as fast of a difference, but a difference nonetheless. So I’ll continue to squeeze in my strength training each day and maybe some day I’ll be bikini ready again (not likely LOL!)
It's a great idea to chop it down to smaller increments & be able to squeeze it in when you can. Our weights are in the laundry room, collecting dust.
What great motivation to ‘just do a few minutes.’So glad you’re seeing results!
I’ve always thought that a little is better than nothing. And there you go proving the point! Good job!!
I like this strategy. I can do five minutes a day. Awesome! 🙂
LOL I don’t think anything will get me bikini ready ever again HAHA!I like this! You know I might just have to adopt this strategy 🙂
Good idea, it’s always better to do something. I have weights at home and will lift while watching tv, that way I am not stuffing my face!
I love the idea of doing just five minutes and seeing results. I think I need to steal your idea!
Such a great idea to have weights conveniently placed around your house and workout ideas. I am remembering this advice for when I have kids demanding every instant of my time!
Hey, you have almost as many weights stashed in your house as you do exotic beers!Speaking of which, I’d like to apologize for having two beergasms all over your blog yesterday. I see you mopped up. Thanks.It wasn’t all my fault because it was YOU who posted all the beer porn and I’m only human, sister!Well … more or less.Here’s hoping your next post at least mentions beer (unlike this one … hint-hint)! But, you know, in a more tasteful, non-exploitative way.Not like those sexy beer-tarts of yesterday.But I’ll take sexy beer tarts again, if that’s all ya got.
so it IS possible. Hmm…maybe i should give that a shot
This has been such a great topic to read. Great advice!
That’s great that you are seeing results. I am terrible at weight training, I’m always afraid to work my legs and then pay for it running later. That is good motivation that a little bit here and there works!
Like a previous poster said, I’m afraid to work my legs. Do you do squats/lunges, etc. with weights? I do need stronger legs and maybe they wouldn’t run out of steam in mile 8 of a half-marathon!I like to do back strengthening exercises, too, because that’s where I feel fatigue on a long run.I’m doing 16 miles tomorrow. I’m in serious marathon territory now!
Crap, if just 5 minutes works, why am I killing myself with P90X?? Oh well, paid for it, might as well use it. 🙂
Great ideas! I’m feeling motivated to get my weights out of the closet. Or are they in the hall cupboard? Hmmm… maybe the garage…
YAY!!!!