A few years ago when I decided to put some effort into my health, I became a runner. I would run countless hours on the treadmill, spend tons of money on races and many times even ran injured! Running was all I knew how to do in the gym and it was the only way I knew how to reach my weight loss goals.
So after the birth of my second child, this is what I did. I headed straight to the gym to clock those countless hours on the treadmill and you know what? I lost the weight and I actually got down close to my pre-baby #1 weight. I thought that I had reached my peak and this would be my weight for the rest of my life.
Then I started reading about incorporating weight training into my exercise routine, enlisted some professional help to get started and was amazed at the changes I saw in my body. But these changes were not without some challenges. Initially, I had no idea what I was doing and I was very intimidated by the weight training area at the gym. I did most of my exercises from home with a set of dumbbells and some direction from my trainer. However, as my kids got older and I became braver, I started hitting the “big girl area” of the gym and I haven’t looked back.
Weight training isn’t just about toning your biceps and triceps. There are numerous benefits to incorporating weight training into your weekly routine. It can fight osteoporosis, help you move with ease, lower your diabetes risk, improve your heart health, regulate your blood sugar, prevent back pain, and improve your balance. The list goes on and on.
I strongly believe that weight training was the piece of the puzzle that I was missing in my wellness journey. It was the one single aspect of my fitness training routine that truly made a difference in achieving my health goals.
LORI K SAPIO PHOTOGRAPHY
Do I still enjoy an occasional long run? Of course, I do but now when I run, I run injury-free and I beat personal records I never thought I would.