Adding in Strength to Make 30 Your BEST Body!



With a little over 2 weeks into the year, I feel like I’ve finally fallen into a regular routine of gym going.  Considering the way I felt about the subject just a month ago, I’m actually pretty impressed with how well I was able to get back into it.  Although I tend to be pretty autonomous when it comes to my workout routine, my plan is to switch little things up here and there to keep my body’s progress from becoming stagnant and also to keep myself motivated to push on.  

The last time I checked in, I was really just getting back into the exercise game with a focus on cardio and light weights here and there.  You can read my first week plan here.  

This week, I still kept the cardio going, but added a more solid weight regimen to the routine.  I purposely chose to start each workout with 25-45 minutes of cardio depending on how much time I had available, and then follow up with the strength piece.  Since I still am trying to burn off that layer of fat from December, I kept cardio as my priority by putting it FIRST in the workout.  This way I would not run out of time and end up cutting cardio short, or worse, talk myself out of it altogether.  Getting right on that machine and entering the full amount of time I had available helped to keep me accountable, and by today, 45 minutes didn’t seem long at all.  

Unlike last week, I pushed harder by going back to the weights I was at before the break and pushing out 3 full sets of 12 on each machine.  I alternated upper body, lower body, and core days when it came to strength and tried to pick a weight where I was really feeling a burn by rep 7.  I would love to do more in a day, but to be honest, I have no more time and sleep, dinner, and work must take priority as well.  I’m sure I am not the only one in this time crunch when it comes to exercise, so let’s do the best we can in the time we have.  

I can already feel my body slowly changing and am sure that by summer, I will be able to show it as well!  I hope you will join me on this fitness journey and make your 30’s your fittest years yet! 

WEEKS 2&3 RULES IN A NUTSHELL

Start with cardio.  25-45 minutes is great!
Weights second... alternating lower and upper body days.
Fit core exercises in wherever you can.
Stretch and hydrate! 



Fitspo Find of the Week!  The goal! 



Venus Trapped in MarsFatChick2FitChick



Up next: Strength, then cardio!

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14 comments

  1. Great week! Way to up the strength training! I find that it changes my body so much more than when I just do cardio. Thanks for linking up!

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    1. I agree! I actually prefer it, but that's why I've been making cardio a priority because otherwise I have a tendency to talk myself out of doing it at all haha

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  2. Awesome job! I always have to do strength first so I'm not too tired after cardio to do it. Doing more strength is definitely where I see the difference in my body. Thanks for linking up! justjacq.com

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    1. Yea, I've read arguments for both... doing cardio and strength first, so I'm just gonna try to switch up the workout every few weeks so I can get the best of both!

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  3. Like you, I am looking to make my 30's my fittest years yet. This is coming from a former high school athlete (volleyball and softball) In the past I've lead wilderness trips (hiking, kayak, canoe) but wasn't in the greatest shape. After that time, I got lax with exercising and my eating habits.Now I'm doing mud runs and half marathons as well as roller derby, in addition to gym time. I just want to be the best version of me possible. Have a great weekend.

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    1. Wow that is awesome! I don't think I'd ever be tough enough for roller derby! I also got lax in my twenties with working out, but somehow my body was just naturally maintaining itself. As I got near 30, I realized that exercise and diet were going to be essential to staying in shape!

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  4. Replies
    1. Thank you! Click the Follow Through Friday link for more like this! ;)

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  5. I'm trying to make a real effort to continue my workout routine:) Thanks for the inspiration girl!

    http://www.thecoralcourt.com/

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  6. i loove me some lifting!! personally, i prefer lifting to cardio but i know i have to do cardio to keep my endurance up. however, i wish it were warmer outside!! i hate machines so instead, i'm just doing some DVDs (insanity asylum) for cardio. still a great workout.

    -kathy
    Vodka and Soda

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    1. Oh I agree, I cannot run outside unless the weather is perfect. I see these crazy people in the mornings running in their gear and looking like they're breathing smoke and wonder how they get their motivation. Or more, how they're not getting sick!

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  7. Great work!! Ok so you've inspired me to get some weight lifting in at the gym this week. I usually avoid it like the plague, but I am going to try and do body pump this week! Baby steps right?? :)

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    1. Yes, try it and you will never turn back! Cardio makes me feel like I got more of a work out when I'm actually there, but later on and the next day, it's the weight lifting that I can feel most!

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  8. I can totally relate to making excuses at the end of a workout. I'm so bad with doing abs at the end of the workout. By the time I get to abs I just want to go home!

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