It seems like the last post I made with a training update was ages ago, so I figured it was time for a recap post. I’ve made some pretty big changes in the last year and a half and wanted to post them here!
Hey guys! How are you? I hope you’re enjoying your week so far! I’m off to an event at the girls’ school, a barre class, and then I have client calls backlogged today until I pick them up and start the evening routine. Here we go!
In today’s post, I wanted to share an update on my workout routine as it’s been quite a while. My workout routines have changed quite a bit over the past year and a half, so I thought I’d post a little update.
One of the many beautiful things about fitness is that it can evolve with you, wherever you are on your journey. When I first got into fitness, I loved workouts that left me breathless and sweating all over my eyes. When I was pregnant, I gravitated more toward barre, spinning, and yoga. Over time, I shifted my focus and started strength training. For years, I studied Orangetheory. I trained for races and ran half marathons. And now, here I am.
When I was plagued by eye issues last spring, along with a couple of years of joint pain, fatigue, and weird rashes, I got a signal that my stress levels were too high (stress can come in the form of emotional stress, physical stress, and environmental toxins). I had inflammation in my body, which was confirmed when two lupus markers came back positive. I was determined to reduce inflammation, nourish, and heal my body, so I set out on a mission to support my nutrition and nervous system.
You can read more about my healing plan here, and a big part of that was changing my workouts.
Before the eye problems started, I had pretty high body composition goals. I was lifting heavier than ever before, but I also had poor recovery. I would push myself to the max in the gym and then get sick or feel like I needed days to recover. I eventually learned the hard way that you can’t heal and get fit at the same time. 😉
I changed my approach, and while my body composition has changed a bit (I’m definitely not as *toned* and muscular as I once was), I feel a million times better. My clothes still fit, but more importantly, I can move my body every day and not feel like I’ve been hit by a truck. My lupus markers came back negative in December (!), and I’m able to wear contacts again. Over a year later, I’m finally at the point where I feel like I can push myself a bit harder, so I’m slowly lifting more weight and starting to add in more intense cardio intervals, with lots of recovery and easier days in between.
How workouts have changed (healing autoimmune symptoms and eye problems)
This is what my weekly training program includes right now:
Daily walks with Maisey, on the walking platform or a hike. I can’t wait for the weather to cool down a bit so I can walk more often!
Barre 1-2 times per week (either at Pure Barre, teaching barre, or at home) Sculpture society Strength training)
Hot yoga or pilates once a week
F45 (strength training days only) 2 times per week
Sculpture society Dance cardio or Peloton 1-2 times per week
Am I really focused on progressive training right now? No. I just move my body every day and do what makes me feel good.
Am I still lifting *real* weights at least twice a week? Yes.
I feel great 🙂
I have learned the hard way that You have to earn the right to train really hard and still feel good. Sleep, nutrition, and stress management are the most efficient ways to achieve this, and if any of those things fail, you’ll eventually start to feel it.
It’s just a friendly reminder that it’s okay to adapt your workouts to your current situation. Cutting back can be a healthy strategy, especially during times of high stress.
What is your weekly training plan like right now?
Kisses and hugs
Gina
