My favorite way to exercise is
Body Pump class: 45 minutes of strength training; I also love walking and jogging on the treadmill and outside on trails.
My typical weekly routine is
I go to Body Pump class Monday and Friday mornings and Total Body Conditioning class on Wednesday mornings (these are both weight training workouts). Before class I warm up on the treadmill for 30 minutes, walking and jogging.
How I got started
I was 46 years old when I started. I had the "middle-age spread" and no energy and knew I had to do something. I tried to work out at home to save money but did not have the motivation by myself. It turns out that I never pushed myself nearly enough anyway.
The gym I joined is reasonably priced and well worth it. My 16-year-old daughter wanted to join and I had to go in to sign for her and that's when I discovered the gym had everything I needed. When I signed for her I made a commitment for myself at that moment and signed a two-year contract and have never looked back. I'm 49 now and still going.
Why I love it
I had researched what to do to improve my energy level and to alleviate menopause symptoms. I found that no matter what you want to improve when you are a woman over 40 the top of the lists are always "strength training" and "aerobics," in that order. The classes I tried out were Step, Power Ball, Hip-hop, Spin, and Body Pump. I liked them all. Hip hop was the most fun but, eventually, I had to pick what fit my own schedule the best. Body Pump was my favorite. From the first day, when the class was finished, I walked out feeling stronger, leaner, and with more energy.
I made a friend in class who was also interested in walking on trails. She is 64 and could out-walk me. Now we walk together five days a week when possible, sometimes the responsibilities of life interrupt. She has become my best friend. When we are out walking we talk about anything and everything. So, not only has my physical health improved, so has my mental well-being. While I'm at the gym or out walking with my friend, the worries of life are not allowed to come.
I am a much better person all around. I am more relaxed and calm and can deal with the little stresses of life much better. My daughter is now in college and far away from home but I can handle it. She is proud of me as much as I am proud of her. Being happy with myself has made me a better person and a better parent. I realize now how very important being a good example is. My relationship with my daughter has never been better. My outlook on life has never been better. My exercise program is a lifetime commitment because if I don't take care of myself I'm not much good to anyone else.
Advice
- Make the decision and commit yourself.
- Put away the scales and go by how you look and feel (muscle weighs more than fat so scales don't help).
- Just do it, whether you feel like it or not that day.
- Make it a habit.
- Listen to your body. It knows what it can and cannot do.
- Challenge yourself. You'll be surprised at what you can do.
