What do you train for? I train for life.

Today, I walked into the YMCA as usual. My Blender Bottle and iPhone in hand, focused and ready to go. Today was an arm and shoulder day, one of my recent favorites. I started with some stretches and warm up movements to get my arms prepped and noticed a young man in his teens and a 20-something, athletic man heading over to do some arms workouts with dumbbells. The 20-something walks over and says "hello", since I had seen him a few days before. I suspected he was one of the personal trainers with the Y, but had no confirmation of that until today.

We all continued with our routines and about a half hour later, the trainer approaches me.

"What are you training for?" I replied, "Nothing really, just life."

He seemed dumbfounded at my response. I have considered training for a body building competition as a bikini or figure competitor, but have not made the plunge yet. Nonetheless, the fact that I was doing supersets of heavier weights and circuit training for "life" seemed odd to him.

If you follow me on Instagram or Twitter, you know I enjoy weight lifting much more than cardio. It's more challenging and I feel more active and accomplished when I finish a good session. The important thing to note about fitness though is I have not always been good at it. It has taken time, practice and training.

Let's compare fitness to work.

It's easy to get stuck in a rut. You may go to work every day, have the same tasks and problems to solve, work with the same associates over and over, and maybe feel like no progress is being made. For me, this past week was extremely trying and tiring. I am still new to the territory and my customers and there is a lot to learn. What happens when I give up? Do I move forward? Doubt it. The training I had this summer helped prepare me for where I am now, but I am still training. Everyone could classify himself or herself as in training because it does not stop once you get a job, get married, have a child, move across the country, etc. It is a continuous process.

Not every day or week is going to be a good training session. You might sweat or cry. However, if you remember you are training for YOUR LIFE and what you want it to be, don't you think it's worth it?

What are you training for right now that you can make a small change to make it easier for you, simpler in nature or more fun? Try something new and see what you can do.

Here is a video of something new I tried today. I could not do it for very long though after an already intense shoulder session! The trainer said I was in beast mode when he saw me doing them. :) I only did it for about 5 minutes in all honesty. But, you have to start somewhere!

Workout Wednesday - Take it to the Bench

Life is busy. For some, you may barely have time to eat lunch or make a quick call to an old friend. As we age, it can be even more difficult to balance our time to maintain a healthy lifestyle. This past summer, I found that out when working 40-hour work weeks at my internship. Not only are you tired after a long day at work, but the motivation to do anything but sit on the couch and either read a book or watch TV is daunting. But, as you activity level declines, so does your physical health.

This school year, I have made it a goal to become more active in the gym and make my physical health a priority. I have always had a high metabolism -- I took it for granted. Now, it has become clear to me that eating healthy and being physically fit is a necessary balance to stay successful in the working world.

I'm No Runner

From doing track in middle school and the beginning of high school, I knew running wasn't my thing. I was never the fastest nor did it ever "click" with something I truly enjoyed. However, I knew it was good for me. To this day, I still hate cardio. I get bored, and it does not excite me. Lucky for me, I found something better.

Yoga session in action.

Ohio State Rec Sports offers many facilities and free workout classes for its students. I have taken advantage of some of these to add diversity to my exercise schedule and push me harder. Yoga is one of my favorite exercises to enhance flexibility, toning and relaxation. There are others like suspension training and strength building classes I have attended that are really fun, yet challenging as well! If you are ever unmotivated to workout, going to a class with a group is definitely a momentum boost in my experience. Even if you are struggling, odds are, you aren't the only one pushed to your limits!

But, just attending these classes can be tedious. I recently found a new workout method that I am running with to build my physical health.

Why I Powerlift

At the start of the semester, I signed up for a free workout group called Barbelles. Unknowably, I fell in love with powerlifting for women. We have weekly "lectures" to discuss techniques and powerlifting for women and what are some of the differences between cardio and strength training. Then, we practice them at a weekly training. I had been doing some weightlifting on the side since the start of college. This course has re-inspired me to try something new and take one hour of my day to become strong(her). 

Practice technique first.

Then, add more weight to be stronger.

On Tuesday, I discovered I had been bench pressing with incorrect, possibly danger technique for YEARS. Now, I need to retrain my body to adjust and this will not only help me become stronger, but open possibilities for a new hobby: powerlifting. This is my new choice for health and fitness. Even though my schedule can be hectic, I make sure to schedule a workout in as a priority, because my life is worth it. 

Fitness For You

One hour day of exercise is all you need. Powerlifting is that one hour for me. What is best for you? Swimming? Running? Cycling? A combination of them all? Either way, being busy isn't a good excuse in my book. Plan it into your schedule and make it happen. 

I am attending the Arnold Sports Festival for the first time this weekend. I hope to learn something new and continue to add balance to my life. How do you balance a healthy lifestyle? Do you like to lift as well? Let me know and I'd love to share more thoughts. Hope to see you at the gym!