Workout Wednesdays - 12 Workout Lessons

Today marks my 1 year anniversary of living in the lovely city of Los Angeles. My heart is still in NYC but I’m learning to love my new city too. In honor of every month that I’ve lived in LA, today’s Workout Wednesdays features 12 Workout Lessons learned not just this year but in the many years of being a fitness enthusiast.

Los Angeles at Night: Image: Sunciti_Sundaram

12 Important Workout Lessons

Love The Body You Have Now

Many people delve into health and fitness to change their bodies. It’s difficult while you’re on a journey to reach a goal to get healthier, stronger, faster or more fit to appreciate the body you have right now. Negative talk or thoughts chip away at the ability for our minds and bodies to move forward in more ways than one. As someone on the other side of 40, I can tell you that time has a way of speeding by and dulling the memory of just how fabulous you really are NOW. You deserve to be kind to yourself body and soul every day not just after you reach your goal.

Listen To Your Body

The saying “If it doesn’t challenge you, It doesn’t change you” is true but the line between challenge and change can turn into over-training or injury if you don’t pay attention to the signs from your body. Aches or pains in muscles or joint areas shouldn’t be ignored – they could be the precursors to injury. Headaches or stomach pain may indicate the need for improved hydration or fueling. Pay attention to your breathing. Are you giving your body the rest/recovery it needs? Rest days exist for a reason. Learn the language of your body or you may find yourself sick or injured.

Being Injured Sucks

There’s no sugar coating it. If you’re an active person being injured is hell. Friends and family may not understand the frustration, anger and depression that accompany a forced vacation from something integral to one’s well-being. When you’re injured it seems like everyone else is doing what you can’t – social media can rub salt into the wound (no, I don’t want to hear about how awesome your 13.1 was today) but can be helpful for support, laughter and general entertainment. However, the road to recovery always seems so very, very long. See #2.

Image: kenteegardin

Ladies, Invest In A Supportive Bra

When you’re an active woman, you have a lot of athletic wear. You likely own more fitness clothes than regular clothes and although you don’t have to buy expensive workout gear, it adds up. No matter how frugal you might be, ladies of all chest sizes should not to skimp on sports bras. It doesn’t matter whether you engage in high-impact or low-impact sports, the “girls” need support. Age and gravity are not friendly to women’s bodies. Do research, ask friends and get properly fitted for a bra or utilize companies with free shipping and free returns. Your entire body will thank you for doing a great deed to ensure long-term healthy physical alignment.

Image: Sangudo

Try Something New

Many of us are creatures of habit, proximity or routine. We go to the same fitness classes, run the same route, swim the same number of laps or do the same machines at the gym. We know what to do to get the results or maintenance required. I’ve been a runner, yogi and indoor cyclist for years and I actually cried when my PT directed me to Pilates therapy this year. I was skeptical and intimidated but it opened up a whole new world of strength training for me! Not only is my body getting stronger but I’m challenging myself in a new manner. Expanding fitness boundaries can be a little scary but also tons of fun.

Me at WundaBar Pilates

Don’t Hate The Player AND Don’t Hate The Game

I started running not because I loved the activity but because I had running a marathon on my bucket list. I trained and raised money for charity but I hated nearly every single second of it. The punishing thoughts of my goal-oriented mind did not allow me to enjoy the process or revel in my own financial or physical accomplishments. There are so many options for cardio and strength training available that if you hate something, don’t do it! Find something you love whether it be Zumba, CrossFit, Kickboxing or Spinning, you’ll be happier and stick with it longer. It took me many years and many new activities to come back around and foster the desire to try (and later appreciate) running again.

Me with my friend Josie at the Color Run. Such fun!

Have It Your Way

As supportive as the running community can be, there are topics that can set off quite a debate – music during a run is a big one. I must have music while I run but for others that fact is a travesty. In every die hard fitness community there is always something that some people love and others despise. My advice is stolen from a fast food tag line, “have it your way”. Personalize your fitness, it’s your body and anything that you want to do to make that experience more enjoyable should be encouraged not criticized!

Yeah, I listen to this album!
Image: aliasadsum

Dig Your Scene

There was a time that I never, ever ventured outdoors for fitness. I used weights, the treadmill and took classes only at the gym because it was what I knew. I was also too intimidated to go to a “studio” and the thought of going outdoors (other than on a group scheduled long run) was truly unthinkable! Running outdoors is entirely different than running on a treadmill! A yoga class on a rooftop (or the Rose Bowl or in Times Square) is glorious! Boutique fitness studios are often a welcoming community. A change of scenery may do wonders for your fitness commitment.

Awaiting Yoga in Times Square 2012

Eat Food

There is more to being a fitness enthusiast than eating to fuel or replenish and drinking to hydrate. I recognize that there is an inequality of food security not only in this country but around the world. The plethora of food choices and accessibility in my immediate surroundings definitely qualifies as a #firstworldproblem. Despite abundance, there is still a major issue with the way fitness enthusiasts eat. There is so much diet, cleanse and restriction advice tied to health and media that it’s difficult to sift through the truth. I’ve watched people so consumed with what they ate or didn’t eat that they forgot to participate in life itself. In my opinion, food is a part of the way we live. Food has negative and positive ties to emotion but it is necessary for life. We can’t avoid eating but we can educate ourselves on healthy outlooks and intake.

Image: djwaldo

My 3 tips:

1)If you want to really learn about nutrition, seek out the help of a professional.

2) If you don’t have an allergy or intolerance, don’t avoid an entire food group

3) There are no good or bad foods (unless you’re allergic or intolerant) but some foods are less healthy than others.

Take A Look Around

Cell phones with cameras weren’t around when I started running and in my mind a “real runner” never stopped until they finished their mileage. My friend, a veteran of more than 10 marathons, changed my running forever when she encouraged me to stop and take a photo on my runs. I finally learned to enjoy the actual act of running than just waiting for a run to be over. There are some amazing sights to be seen and captured in very ordinary places. Even fitness studios can help you remember a feeling, a song or an inspirational outfit. Recording things that catch your eye can help cement the experience in your mind, body and soul.

A bridge in Pasadena during a 5K.

Fitness Travel For Work and Pleasure

Do you travel for work and use it as an excuse NOT to work out? Seriously!? Many hotels have fabulous gym equipment and offer documented paths for runners. Some hotels even offer workout wear, shoes and DVD’s at no charge. Hotel amenities aside, most cities have at least one gym or boutique studio that can help you continue your fitness commitment. If you’re looking for travel adventure, as a runner, you can go anywhere in the world to run a race and see the sights in a unique way. The options for fitness destination vacations are expanding – not only are there yoga instructors who lead retreats in fabulous vacation areas both domestic and international but the big name spas are competing with a number of resorts that just specialize in healthy eating and fitness programs all over the world. I went to the fabulous Amansala Resort and Spa in Tulum, Mexico for my 40th birthday and I look forward to returning sometime in the future.

The view from my palapa at Amansala Eco Resort in Tulum, Mexico. Dreamy.

Sweat Is Good

Glow, sparkle, shimmer, call it whatever you want but sweat is good. It’s the medal you earn every time you workout. Yup, some of your clothes will never, ever stop stinking from sweat and it can be costly but so are doctor bills if you don’t take care of your health. For the ladies who are looking to meet someone at the gym, just workout and forget about the make-up. Sweat is sexy. It shows dedication to your health and your endeavors. Wear your sweat with pride….then go shower.