My Perfect Exercise Week
On my last post, Jeannie asked what I consider to be my perfect exercise weekly routine. That’s a a tough question because every week ends up being a little bit different depending on my schedule.
So I’ll share what I try to get done and what I consider the best for me right now. Thing is though, what I consider to be a perfect exercise week now is much different from what I did when I was starting out.
When you are starting out, you need to find something that you can do. Something that won’t hurt you. And something that you enjoy. When I started out, I started with walking. I tried to get out there 3-4 times a week and I started with a mile at a time. Each week, I added a half a mile until I was up to walking two miles. That’s when I figured it was time to add more.
Everything I’ve done I’ve done gradually this time. When you come from a sedentary lifestyle, any movement is going to burn calories and help build muscle. By starting slowly, you don’t burn out and you get more out of your workouts. As you get stronger, your body becomes more efficient and you have to do more to continue to see progress.
But now, more than a year after I started, my workouts are a bit more robust than they were back then. Again I built up slow.
I’m hardly an expert, so please be sure to check with a doctor or trainer before starting a workout routine. I actually consulted my doctor this time when I started running, swimming and doing all the other great things I do now.
My perfect week right now (which by the way hardly ever happens)
Monday: 40 minutes cardio (elliptical, rebounder, treadmill, stationary bike circuit)
45 minutes Core and strength training. We do most of our core training with a yoga ball and medicine ball, resistance bands and light weights. Recently, we’ve added some exercises on a Pilates bench.
Tuesday: 3-4 mile run
Wednesday: 40 minutes cardio (elliptical, rebounder, treadmill, stationary bike circuit)
45 minutes Core and strength training. We do most of our core training with a yoga ball and medicine ball, resistance bands and light weights. Recently, we’ve added some exercises on a Pilates bench.
Thursday: Off
Friday: Run 3-4 miles with speed intervals
Saturday: Swim 1,000 yds.
Sunday: Bike or run, or bike/run as we get closer to race season.
Starting next month, I will be adding another swim session and another run/bike session sometime in the week as I get ready for the upcoming race season. But for now, this training keeps me fit and keeps me happy.
If you are a beginning runner or would like to start running, check out Couch25K over at the Cool Running website. It’s an easy interval plan that will help you reach your goals.
So fellow fitness folks, what’s your favorite workout?
I’ll be happy to outline some of our core/strength training exercises in upcoming posts. Maybe I’ll see if I can convince trainer Jen to let us videotape some of them!
Happy Workouts!
My favourite is running, running and running. I’ve added one running session to my schedule last week since we’re getting to longer days as we’re moving towards spring.
The Pilates and strength training I don’t mind doing but if I don’t have much time and have to choose between one of these or running, the running always wins.
Oh I like the idea of “a perfect week” and I think I will think of my own! My weeks hardly ever go as planned but I still try
I wish life allowed for more workouts and less working!
You know, I gotta tell you, I genuinely enjoy this blog and the informative insight. I find it to be refreshing and quite instructive. I wish there were more blogs like it. Anyway, I felt it was about time I posted a comment – I just wanna tell you that you did a good job on this. Cheers mate!
I know this is perfect exercise weekly routine. I actually consulted my doctor this time when I started running, swimming and doing all the other great things I do now.Thanks