The photos I’ll take (and share with the world) after a glass of wine…
I think the number 1 thing that you all told me last week when I asked how to lose weight during marathon training was STRENGTH TRAIN.
So last night I did!
My legs were tired after running five days the week prior, so I gave them a rest and did the following workout:
- 3 x 12 diamond push-ups
- 3 x 12 d/b double crunch - 7 lbs
- 3 x 12 chest fly w/ d/b’s - 15 lbs
- 3 x 12 laying overhead tricep extension - 15 lbs
- 2 x 12 shoulder flys - 10 lbs
- 3 x 12 bent over dumbbell row - 15 lbs
- 2 x 12 overhead presses - 10 lbs
- 2 x 21 bicep curls (21’s) - 10 lbs
- 3 x 25 bicycle crunches
And in the comfort of my own living room too!
You see, I canceled my gym membership in anticipation of marathon training. I just thought $35 a month was such a waste when I’d only go twice a week, ya know? So all the strength training I do this summer will be done in my tiny living room.
When Eric was here we actually used to lift weights in our living room together! I always meant to take pictures for you guys but always forgot. Eric got really into lifting weights when he moved back to FSJ last fall, he even had a big home gym set up in his old place and would lift weights for 2 hours a day sometimes!
When he came back down here he brought some of his “smaller” weights with him, and by smaller I mean 40 and 30 pound dumbbells. He would work out in our little living room a few times a week and sometimes I would join him!
I am a firm believer that women should not be lifting teeny-tiny “Barbie” weights. I much prefer how I feel after lifting heavy. Right now the heaviest weights that I have available to me are 15 pounds, but I’m making them work. I plan on doing one 30-day shred workout and the above upper body workout each week for strength.
Anyways, my first week of marathon training went well. Here’s the numbers:
- 2 bike rides
- 2 yoga classes
- 1 30-day shred workout
- 1 easy run
- 2 speed workouts (one track workout + one tempo run)
- 2 trail runs
Total mileage = 23.5 miles running + 11 miles biking
I know it’s only been a week but I LOVE training so far!
Do you strength train? Do you do at-home workouts or go to the gym?
{ 35 comments… read them below or add one }
Wow, looks like a great week! I love strength training in the comfort of my own home with no body to watch and no reason to feel silly. Plus it seems like you have all the necessary equipment…
Look at that muscle!!! Impressive
My major strength training right now is yoga because I’m avoid the heavy weights to avoid big arms in my wedding pictures haha- but when I was doing strength training it was a mixture of at the gym and at home. Now I could do most of it at home because Eric got some new weight stuff so he can do his weights at home.
Have you been doing yoga too during marathon training? I think the strength/stretch combo would be really good for it!
I need to pick up some free weights for my strength training Monday. I don’t own any right now. Last night I focused on doing my PT exercises - which were alot of glute & hip strengthening exercises. Oy vey, they were kind of tough. I had gotten out of the habit of doing them! I finished up with some ab work and called it a day. I def need to incorporate more strenght training into my training, so maybe i will pick up some weights at Target this week.
I say this all time, but I really need to get back into strength training. I’ve been doing it a little more now that I’ve gotten into a better exercise routine, but it’s still definitely lacking structure. I also feel like I’m not pushing myself enough during my strength workouts. I really want to try the shread..
Borrow this book from Kelly: http://girlwiththeredhair.com/2010/01/book-review-the-new-rules-of-lifting-for-women/ and do the workouts in it! They are HARDCORE. I would be dripping sweat and my muscles were shaky at the end. The best way to feel like your really pushing yourself during strength training is to work big muscles.
Also, the shred is amazing. You’ll never find a better 20-minute workout
Great first week, I can’t wait to see how the rest of your training goes!
SO IMPRESSED!! You’re such an inspiration when it comes to self motivation regarding fitness. GREAT pic
I’m starting to warm-up to strength training a little more, but I do need a better assortment of weights. Between what I have and the randoms the gym has, it’s a pretty sad showing!
Woooo! Go Amber!!
Someone has her tickets to the gun show!
Strength training has drastically improved my quality of life. When I used to run a lot more, I would get plagued with so many little nagging injuries, but when I started lifting, that stopped - it was amazing. Right now I’m doing the Stronglifts 5×5 program (http://stronglifts.com/stronglifts-5×5-beginner-strength-training-program/) and LOVE it. Since I’m easily distracted/kind of lazy, doing fewer big movements with big weights suits me.
Okay I had four thoughts from this post:
1) That picture of you is awesome - you are RIPPED!
2) (After seeing your weights) Wow - impressive
3) (After seeing what your weights were on) Your yoga mat is so pretty!
4) After reading about you non-Barbie weights and your training schedule this week: you are hardcore!
I do strenth training using the machines at my gym at least once a week - I shoot for three but you know how that goes. I also have hand weights and a stationary bike at home so when I’m biking I’ll get my arm workout which is nice and effective. Gotta dig that multi-tasking! I see the biggest results from my core rutines though: planks, cruches, pushups, etc. I swear I can almost see the six pack the next day… you know, from the right angle, in dim lighting.
Love that photo of you; so adorable. I think I failed to tell you that the photos I took for the Monday Meeting were taken after consuming four very large beers!
Working out at home surely has its merits and I’m glad you’re enjoying training so far!!!
I officially vote that that picture replaces the one on the side.
I have strength trained regularly at home or in a gym for the last 10 or so years. Currently I do it at home, and mostly just my upper body because I run/incline walk/play tennis and that does the trick for my lower body. It doesn’t take very long and I can have the tv/my ipod on while I’m doing it. And I feel so strong because of it! Has helped me to stay the same weight as in HS too.
Hey…have you ever listened to Jillian Michaels’ podcast? She stopped it last year but the episodes are still on itunes. Been listening to them lately and she has a lot of good fitness info. I respect her a lot more after hearing her sensible information and caring (yes! caring!) attitude. I ask because I listen to it sometimes while strength training! :0)
Haha such a great picture! I enjoy working out at home to a video or making up my own strength training routine rather than going to a gym…just saves so much money!
i wish girls wouldn’t refrain from lifting heavy! if you check out my web site (not a shameless plug at all) I lift HEAVY! no joke, and i’ve been doing it for probably 2 - 3 years (only started posting my workouts since january).
It is difficult to get bigger! seriously! for a girl, it’s tough to really even bulk up! i’ve actually lost weight in my chest area. and my waist. my workouts last about 1 hour most days, maybe even a little longer. But that’s all i’ve been doing lately. I kinda ditched out on running for the time being. Because i see much more of a change with weight training versus running all the time! =)
i do know it’s tough to do strength training for legs especially in a middle of a training schedule for marathons, because you don’t want to wear your legs out. But, on the off season when you’re not training for a race, you should try to start lifting heavy for your legs, it’ll actually make you stronger, and in turn faster!!
Hi! I just found your blog by way of a few others and am glad I did…looks like we have a lot in common and I’ve added you to my reader! Good job on the strength training!
I used to go to a strength training class at the gym, but now I work during the class so I haven’t been in a loooong time. If I weren’t so lazy, I’d go in the morning. Come to think of it, I really need to get back to the gym!
How inspiring! I’m not currently training for anything, but I’m trying different workouts to see if I can find some sort of consistent schedule that I enjoy. When I strength train, I work out at home. I feel more comfortable here, and for the most part, I have everything I need. However, I’d like to try the gym sometime, just to get in some variety.
I’ve been doing strength in the dining room where I do my yoga. But I still have my gym membership. I just like to do a little extra in the mornings and when I can’t make it to the gym. Good work, A! Great training week!
Most women think if they lift heavy weights, they’ll bulk up like men. The reality is, most women don’t have enough testosterone in their system to bulk up. And lifting light weights doesn’t do much. You need to push yourself (at whatever weight works for you) if you want to see any effects of weight training.
You look fierce.
I’m not doing much strength training right now, but I have in the past. It’s harder for me to get into, because I don’t love it as much as cardio, but it’s certainly worth it.
Reading about your workouts always motivates me! I’m finally back to working out. I have a gym membership and I work out at home. I have 30 Day Shred, yoga DVDs and pilates DVDs. I have a few light (and I mean really light) weights and am terrified of heavier weights. We’ll see, maybe in a month or so!
Oh I wish I had the same “let’s do it at home” motivation! I have a treadmill at home but I still prefer working out at the gym or anywhere but home. I think home is too comfortable and I wouldn’t do my best effort.
hahha I love it!!!
I do strength training at my gym. I take a class called group power and its cardio weight lifting. It can really be hard
I’d like to get into weight training, but I don’t own any at the moment. I work out at my parents’ house (they have a treadmill) as a way to save money. I’m sure weights are affordable, though, so I should just take the plunge and get started.
Great pipes girl!!
Yes, I strength train - mostly at the gym.
Um, wow.
I have one request: please, please give me advice on my post tomorrow lol I need to know how you got to this place, just mentally. Being this active is something that I SO want, but I have so much damned computer work and online work to do every day that I have no idea how to fit it in, never mind how to have the energy at the end of the day for it. I would love to hear how you got here!
OMG! I love that photo so much…and look at those guns! Sweet!
I’m trying to make strength-training more of a normal part of my workout regime, because I do love it so, so much. It’s my favorite thing to do, honestly. I think I want to read the book you mentioned earlier in the comments because I do feel like I’m not doing enough when I strength-train.
I love strength training. Cardio is great but honestly, I feel better after pumping some iron. Our gym setup is great too! Way to go.
Whoa, you’re cut! Haha. I strength - train once a week and I go to the gym…which sounds like a huge waste of money but it’s not; our gym membership is free because the owner is a client of my husband!
But in reality a couple of inexpensive free weights are the best for easy and fast toning!
This picture is why I love you. hahaha
I’m lazy, so I prefer to workout at home, but I hate, hate, HATE doing my own workouts. I like to follow a DVD: stick it in the machine, do what I’m told, let my mind wander as much as possible, followed by my own stretching routine at the end and then jump in the shower. I barely exercise as it is, so I know that if I were to do anything too ‘efforty’ I wouldn’t exercise at all!
Good for you using those 15lb weights. Honestly, I’d be scared to use them, not because I’d be afraid of bulking up (I know that’s not really possible for women) but rather because they’re just so heavy! I mean, those aren’t just weights, those are seriously bad-ass weights!
Weight training while marathon training really helped me last year. Normally I get all consumed by running and stop lifting weights and cross training. It makes a huge difference both for endurance and recovery. Keep it up!