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Q:
My name is Sarah and I am a 39 year old stay at home mother of 2. My daughter is 1 and my son is 3/5. I weighed up to 200 pounds with each child, but have lost all the pregnancy weight. I am physically active. I love to run but I live in Michigan and it is too cold to take my daughter out in the jogger. I run up to 8 miles when I had the chance. My mother in law would watch the kids while I ran.

So, now I do the Firm classic work out tapes vol.1 and vol.2 everyday and when I get bored with them, I either run on my treadmill for 8 miles or I do my own work out routine (which is intense in my own opinion, NOBODY could keep up with me. I use dumbbells and ankle weights. 3- 20 lb. sets and 5, 10 lb. ankle weights. I listen to my body and I back off when I feel tired. What I want to know, am I just tiring myself out by all the aerobic activity? Would I get just as good, or better results from weight aerobic training alone?

I'm going through the winter blues right now and I graze all day being trapped indoors. I have gained 5 lbs in the last month (but, everyone says that I was too thin for my frame.) I weighed 133 lbs since last August and now I am 138/5lbs. I want to hope that it is muscle. I am 5ft 7" and I am big boned ( for real!) my body fat is approximately 21 or 22%. I'm just going on figures. I have a tendency to carry my weight in my hips. I have a thin almost gaunt appearance in my upper body because of my bone structure. Can I put on muscle mass ? Or, is it folk lore. I live out in the boon docks so I am not a member at any fitness clubs or gyms.

Would you be as so kind as to e-mail me with some MUCH NEEDED advice? I will greatly appreciate it.

Sarah K.

   

A:
I am not familiar with those workout tapes.

I really feel that Fitness should be about overall health and well being and not really only about weight loss. So, whatever turns you on will be beneficial as some exercise will be better than none. I would say that, the more likely that you like what you do, the more likely you will stick to your program. So stay with the current program if you are happy or explore something else if you are bored.

To be balanced fitnesswise, you need a combination of cardio, muscle strength and endurance, plus flexibility. If you are now feeling the winter blahs of training indoors, I would suggest keeping up your cardio activity which will help to alleviate stress and blues due to the release of those "happy endorphins". I also think that if you are a runner then it is probably important to strength train your body as well. It will keep it balanced and prevent injury.

It sounds like you are strong. Try to work muscles that are less worked when you run i.e. hamstrings, and upper body. Don't be afraid to change your routine when you are bored. Explore Pilates and Yoga for a change of pace. I love Yoga, personally and find it can be challenging strength and flexibility wise. It also has a relaxation component through breathwork and meditation which is very useful for getting through the doldrums of Winter.

You can also purchase a Swiss Ball with a good book or video and this can be a fun and new way to train as well.

Finally, if we are talking about weight management, have a look at your diet and make changes if necessary that include choices that are healthy and low fat. You do not need to LOSE weight, sometimes making a few changes like eliminating or reducing processed sugars, excess bad fats and too many starches plus adding more fruit and vegetables, for example, make us feel altogether better with more energy to take on the day.

I hope this inspires you. It sounds like you are quite knowledgeable and fit.

Diana

 

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