Week 6 Challenge: Mix
up Your Training
I remember preparing for my wedding in 2010.
I had picked out the dress from a catalog and knew it was
the one I wanted before I had even tried it on.
In fact, it was the only dress I tried on once we arrived at the store.
I didn’t even consider that perhaps another dress would be
better suited for my body type or that I should try a few other dresses on just
for the sake of variety.
I got the dress, though it really would have been better
suited for a person that was slightly taller with a longer torso.
It didn’t matter to me though! I was going to lose several pounds, get a
beautiful tan and be the most beautiful woman my fiancée had ever seen.
My Failed Plan for
Pre-Wedding Weight loss
My plan for losing a few pounds before my wedding revolved
around training for and running a marathon.
You know me, go big or go home!
I didn’t take into account that I had actually gained weight
while training for my first marathon, how hungry I get during the months
leading up to a marathon or how much time marathon training and planning a
wedding both take (not to mention being in the
middle of my master’s program).
What I failed to realize was the importance of mixing up my
training, especially when the main form of exercise is 12+ mile runs.
The Benefits of Cross
Training
It is essential to give overused muscles in your body a
chance to rest. Giving your body enough
time to repair itself is crucial to increasing your body’s overall capabilities.
You can add variety by changing the duration and intensity
of your workout. However, it is essential
to also incorporate variation in the types of activities you are engaging
in. By doing this, you will see
improvements in appearance, endurance and strength.
If you are a runner and run every day of the week you wind
up leaving many muscles underdeveloped.
By switching it up a couple days a week and incorporating plyometrics,
weight training, calisthenics, swimming, biking, jumping rope, yoga or pilates will
greatly increase your performance when you head back to the trails.
The same holds true for someone who has dedicated all of
their training to lifting in the gym.
Weight lifting is amazing for the body and provides great physical
satisfaction. Yet, to really take
training to the next level you must move out of the weight room a couple of times
a week.
These “off days” are better viewed as active recovery. The muscles you use regularly will have a
chance to recover as they receive increased blood flow and nutrients through
alternate movements.
Incorporating cross training also helps you avoid
injury. When you train your body in the
same way every workout you will find that certain muscles, ligaments, joints
and tendons start to show wear and tear and become more prone to injury. You must give these parts of your body time
to heal while allowing other, less used parts of the body to develop.
Did I mention this keeps you from getting bored? Try something new. Make it an experiment and explore new
workouts each week! You might be amazed
with what new forms of fitness you fall in love with. This is how I discovered and fell in love
with Barstarzz Workouts!
Other Great Sources:
http://www.espritdeshe.com/inspiration/8-week-challenge/week-6/
Interested in completing one of this year's amazing and empowering Esprit de She races located in awesome places all over the US? Check out the list of upcoming events to find one near you, or perhaps one you would like to travel to ;) Then use this code to get $5 off your registration fee!
Interested in completing one of this year's amazing and empowering Esprit de She races located in awesome places all over the US? Check out the list of upcoming events to find one near you, or perhaps one you would like to travel to ;) Then use this code to get $5 off your registration fee!
GEDS16AMB015
Happy running! #beyourpotential
Crissy Fishbane
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