Recently we looked at the critical importance of exercise for healthspan, plus an overview of strength and cardio training. This post is about my own experience working up to this kind of training program over the past 10 weeks.
Then I try to do about 25 minutes of strength training with either kettlebells or online pilates most days (Move with Nicole is amazing!) aiming for 35 minute sessions on the weekend. I haven't found an online kettlebell class that I love yet - recommendations would be very welcome (I want clear instructions without dance music. Nourishmovelove is the best I've found so far and incidentally she's got tons of postpartum and pregnancy workouts).
I've learned I have to do my workouts first thing or they don't happen. I also don't like getting up before 6am (because I don't like going to bed before 10pm), so that limits the length of my workouts for now.
I feel incredible with this workout regime. Like you I feel so much stronger. I power with my legs more on stairs, have better posture, I'm powering up the hill on my bike, and can also finally open jars! I look forward to my workouts.
Your post has inspired me to get heavier kettlebells and also to incorporate some hit training. Move with Nicole has some hit training and I'm getting a weighted jump rope.
Hi Melody. Thanks for your fantastic comment. Every week I hear from more people who are telling me how incredible that feel from working out a bit more seriously and it seems like strength training has been a key change for a lot of women.
Don't you just love biking? It's a great way to get around and turns commuting into a joy rather than a headache with the cardio to boot.
I really appreciate the study link. We all know we should spend less time sitting but I was keen to look at the evidence and understand more ... how bad is it? can exercise compensate etc. All so interesting.
Hi Toni, another great post and it has inspired me to step things up a bit.
I'm trying to incorporate exercise into my daily life as much as possible - here I get about an hour and a quarter of cardio five days biking the kids to school. In NZ I have about a 50 min return walk to work but need more/more intense than that. I'm planning to always use the stairs at work and stand when I'm at my desk (I spend so much time in meetings anyway). There is an interesting new study on optimal amounts of time spend sleeping, exercising vigorously, moderate exercise, standing and sitting - sitting is only supposed to be six hours a day (see https://www.swinburne.edu.au/news/2024/05/Everyone-has-the-same-24-hours-each-day-new-research-reveals-how-much-of-this-time-you-should-spend-sitting-sleeping-standing-and-being-active-for-optimal-health/#:~:text=%E2%80%8BAccording%20to%20the%20new,and%2020%20minutes%20of%20sleeping).
Then I try to do about 25 minutes of strength training with either kettlebells or online pilates most days (Move with Nicole is amazing!) aiming for 35 minute sessions on the weekend. I haven't found an online kettlebell class that I love yet - recommendations would be very welcome (I want clear instructions without dance music. Nourishmovelove is the best I've found so far and incidentally she's got tons of postpartum and pregnancy workouts).
I've learned I have to do my workouts first thing or they don't happen. I also don't like getting up before 6am (because I don't like going to bed before 10pm), so that limits the length of my workouts for now.
I feel incredible with this workout regime. Like you I feel so much stronger. I power with my legs more on stairs, have better posture, I'm powering up the hill on my bike, and can also finally open jars! I look forward to my workouts.
Your post has inspired me to get heavier kettlebells and also to incorporate some hit training. Move with Nicole has some hit training and I'm getting a weighted jump rope.
Hi Melody. Thanks for your fantastic comment. Every week I hear from more people who are telling me how incredible that feel from working out a bit more seriously and it seems like strength training has been a key change for a lot of women.
Don't you just love biking? It's a great way to get around and turns commuting into a joy rather than a headache with the cardio to boot.
I really appreciate the study link. We all know we should spend less time sitting but I was keen to look at the evidence and understand more ... how bad is it? can exercise compensate etc. All so interesting.
Please keep in touch!