It’s been a year and half since I started to take care of myself on a consistent basis.  The key word being “consistent.”  Definition of consistent:  continuing to happen or develop in the same way.  I like the word “develop” because to me it means continued growth.  When I started in February 2015 I was traveling through a time of taking care of others better than taking care of myself and I knew I needed a sustainable plan.   I started with Beachbody’s 21 Day Fix and then BodyBeast.  I will forever be grateful for the people who came into my life during this time.  Encouragement was given, habits were modified, personal systems were put into place and I became healthier and more confident. I discovered what did and didn’t work for me.  I learned I liked to workout at home (time saver – no travel time), go at my own pace and didn’t try to keep up with others, could pause if I needed to, wasn’t dependent on the weather, I worked out when it was best for my schedule, and I like lifting – who knew?

This July, I decided to shake out of my comfort zone with the programs mentioned about and began a 3 1/2 month weight lifting program called STS by Cathe Friedrich.  STS stands for Shock Training System.  Each of the 36 workouts are different which helps decrease boredom but also keeps the body constantly challenged thus maximizing muscle confusion.  The workouts were a bit longer than I was used to (45-65 minutes) but were only done on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.  After each 4-week meso session, there is 1 week of active rest (walk, yoga, etc.)

I liked the pace of these workouts; there is a lot of instruction on correct form. I liked that they weren’t repetitive.   I didn’t know what the instructor was going to say or what exercise was coming next.  I floundered at first lifting 5 or 8 lb weights – there were many exercises I was doing for the first time.   But by end of my fourth week, I could see progress.

When I finished the program in October, I was lifting 12 and 15 lbs consistently. I had doubled my lifting power and this 58-year-old woman felt good about that. It is very important for women to lift.  Read more.  I know this is a program I will repeat.  

It is my goal to live the days I have to the best of my ability and I know that in order to do that, it is my responsibility to make movement and nutrition a priority.  I don’t do it perfectly but I do it much better than I used to.  I used to think I didn’t have time to exercise because I was toooooo busy or I felt too ill  – now I know that non-impact exercise helps keep me away from more visits to doctors, helps my pain level from chronic conditions (Interstitial Cystitis and Postherpetic Neuralgia, my thoughts are clearer, gives me more energy, puts me in a better mood, and so much more.  It truly is one of the best non-pill medication we can give ourselves.  Being real – I will tell you I had several weeks during this program where I struggled with consistent Interstitial Cystitis pain.  But I persevered and found back with my own consistency and didn’t miss a single workout.

Listing links of programs I’ve used and found success with.  They range in type of program length and cost:

Cathe On Demand – stream workouts to your computer, phone, iPad

Cathe Friedrich STS Program

For more information – Here

Cathe Friedrich Low Impact HITT

Cathe Friedrich Low Impact Series – Yoga Max

Beachbody 21 Day Fix and Body Beast – Angie Rivera – contact: angiegirlfitness@gmail.com

Leslie Sansone 5 Day Ultimate Walk Plan

Leslie Sansone 5-Mile Mega Walk

Some at-home exercise equipment I have found useful

Weights in Varying Sizes –  (This should be based on what you need) 3 lb, 5 lb, 8 lb, 10 lb, 12 lb, 15 lb, 20 lb

Weight Rack

Sliders

Exercise Bands

Peanut Ball

Step

Anke and Wrist Weights

Mat

Other

Hydroflask – This is my favorite water bottle – Read Why Here

hydro flask

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