Some Things I've Learned Lately

Sometimes I am a quick learner, and sometimes I'm just downright stubborn and don't want to face the truth even though deep down I know it. Why is that, especially when it is self-defeating?!

So I've recently come to the conclusion that as much as I love running, it just isn't enough to keep me in the kind of shape that I want to be in. I've been fighting this solidly for about 5 years or more now. I used to have the time to do it all, run, elliptical, lifting weights, step classes, muscle works classes, kick-boxing classes, and more. I worked out for no less than an hour and a half 5-6 days per week. Then things changed and I had to choose - all of the gym time or just running. I couldn't manage it all anymore.

So, I chose running. It was my biggest challenge because I was never good at it and I wanted to run a Marathon. I ran the marathon and it was an incredible feeling. So much so that I only wanted to do it. Don't get me wrong, I still had times when I wanted to lift weights or fit other types of workouts in. But, those other workouts never stuck, they were temporary. Running was the only obsession.

Well, over the course of the last 4-5 years I kept noticing that I was slowly putting on weight. Bit by bit my pants were getting tighter and my bikini looking less attractive and the love handles were getting hard to hide in my cute shirts. So, I finally joined a gym closer to home where I wouldn't have the excuse that it takes too long to get there. I also decided to take on the expense of a personal trainer for one day per week.

I let the personal trainer take my stats - measurements, weight and body fat. When he told me my body fat, 28%, I wanted to cry. Just 8 years ago I was at just 17%. I liked 17%. I miss 17%. I want my 17% BACK! Then, after talking to the trainer about what I've been doing fitness-wise lately, he confirmed all my fears......running, and only running, is what has been causing my slow increase in body fat. I am not a Kenyan, and my body just isn't one of those that stays naturally thin from just running. My body needs more muscle, lean muscle.

So, I've had to find the time to get back to the gym and fit those muscle building workouts back in to my schedule. Funny thing is, getting started back in the gym made me realize how much I miss it. I realized how much I have missed lifting heavy weights and feeling STRONG! I used to love knowing I could leg press nearly 3 times my body weight. That made me feel like I could do anything - similar to the way running marathons makes me feel - Invincible!

It is amazing what happens when you change up your routine and shock your body! I haven't tested my body fat yet after 3 weeks of being back at it, but I can feel it. Everything feels like its getting "tighter", the love handles are getting easier to hide and my jeans feel just slightly more comfortable! The cool thing is, my running is feeling better too!

So, for all of you obsessive runners....give yourself a break and add some variety to your fitness routine! Lift weights, take a spinning class, do some hard intervals of some kind, shake it up and have some fun! Cutting back on running doesn't have to hurt your performance....sometimes changing it up can improve your running!!