Kimberlee K.

Piggy backing off of last week’s post about exercise (and doing it even if you’re not wearing a fitness tracker) I thought I’d revisit/update this blog from last April about my weekly workout routine.

I was happy to reread it and find I’m still feeling the same way about exercise—that it should be fun and that we should let our body lead the way—but also interested in the ways my preference for exercise has changed. And not only that, but the ways in which I’ve found some exercises are not suited for me—whether it be not at all or not anymore.

For example, I’ve tried off and on for the last few years to get back into running shape. To try and start small and build back up to something bigger. I downloaded the “couch to 5k” app and let it lead my running sessions, I did intervals on the treadmill, trying to bump up the speed and slowly reacclimate to running and all that comes with it.

But time and again my body just said no, thank you.

An old, aggravated injury always reared its head, and my body just hurt more than seemed necessary after introducing a new exercise. It was definitely a test of the new mindset I was trying to maintain, since I knew that in the past, running had been a tool that not only got me in the best shape, but helped me burn calories the fastest. It was always what I returned to when I was at my unhealthiest mentally, as it felt like the avenue to where I wanted to be.

So to give up running was to truly listen to my body and to reevaluate why I was exercising. After all, running is far from the only cardio available. I did however, like the strength I felt from running, the tangible feeling of getting stronger, more capable—of improving.

Which is perhaps why I wanted to try strength training.

Not only was it a new challenge, but it was one that had a clear starting line and rungs of improvement to climb. I wasn’t looking to get buff, but I liked the idea of feeling strong again—perhaps in a way I hadn’t before.

The Ladder app was a random find for me. It was sitting in the “recommended” section at the end of a newsletter I subscribe to, and I downloaded the free version with low hopes. If I’m honest, I expected to be embarrassed by how weak I felt and let the trial run out. But to my surprise I loved it!

At the risk of sounding like I am even remotely sponsored (which I’m not), I love the team aspect of the app—you can choose from a bunch of different coaches that match up with the kinds of workouts you’re looking for—and the visual breakdown of how to do each exercise—something I’ve always struggled with while looking up workouts online.

I’ve already bumped up in weights twice, and Spotify has started recommended workout playlists with words like “beast” in them because even with my baby blue weights and flowery yoga mat I’m out here feeling POWERFUL.

It feels good to activate new muscles and new challenges and it feels good to continue to do things that make me feel like I’m building myself up rather than stripping myself down.

On a weekly level, though still without a set schedule, this is what my workout routine currently looks like:

–Jazzercise once or twice a week

-an EmkFit workout followed by a stretch from the Bend app

-an upper body, full body, and cardio workout in the Ladder app

-a walk/hike/or full day of house chores

-and a good old fashioned blob day that may or may not include a yoga flow.

It’s a growing and changing routine that I not only love but that works for me, and I’m excited to see what shapes it takes in the future.

For now, I’ll just be over here, being the occasional beast.