10-13-16, 12:06 PM | ||
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Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Phoenix, AZ
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I'm 43 and I think hormonal changes have made me hungrier in general. Intense workouts seem to initially exaggerate that, but over time, it levels out. For me, the key seems to be to challenge myself. Consistency isn't enough. I've worked out consistently since I was 18 but if I don't change things up, I just won't be in good shape.
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Don't care what people say, just follow your own way. -- Enigma, Return to Innocence DISCLOSURE: I have professional relationships with several producers of fitness videos and related products; please see my profile for details. |
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10-13-16, 12:18 PM | |
Join Date: Feb 2014
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After I hit 40, I had to really tune in to what I could do, and what I could not still do.
For me what works best: I do functional weights and cardio (Tracie Long/old school Firms mostly) four to five days during the week, and maybe one slightly more intense cardio or weights or bodyweight workout once on the weekend. The next day is just a CS/Ess. Also, the time of year is oddly important for me, perhaps because I live in a cold climate -- fall/winter is more cardio, spring/summer is more weight work. I also do more stretching in the fall/winter than the spring/summer. If I do too many intense workouts in a row, I feel really wiped out, too sore to do anything, and almost sick. Taking it down to just one intense workout a week helps with that and I don't dread it. |
10-13-16, 12:30 PM | ||
Join Date: Nov 2008
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After much experimentation I've found a sort-of routine that seems to be helping me regain strength, flexibility and coordination after what feels like an eternity of not being able to figure out what my body wants. Harder, longer workouts just made me sore and tired, and the discomfort didn't subside the way it did when I was younger. Nowadays, I aim for a 'I feel worked out, and love the way it feels when I stretch' sort of result. In recent days, I've found that my fitness level seems (finally) to have moved up at least a half notch, so yay for me! With that increase, I find I'm working my muscles more deeply, and need a bit of recuperative time between workouts, but not an excessive amount. So I guess, for me, it's not a simple question. Recovery started with being consistent with gentle workouts and has progressed to being able to work my muscles more deeply. I'm more comfortable doing the moves and feel stronger, but am also actively resisting the urge to work out in a way that might make me too sore the next day. Too much enthusiasm is counter productive for me, so even though I CAN do harder, longer workouts, I've learned I get a better result with shorter, less intense work that's kind of spaced out over the day. (i.e., CS in the morning, with maybe a Jessica walk or a KCM workout with weights if I feel it's something I can manage. I've been actively taking rest days lately and finding them beneficial, they don't seem to be turning into 'the rest day that turned into a month'.)
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Anna |
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10-13-16, 04:42 PM | ||
VF Supporter
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Raleigh, NC
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Stephanie |
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10-13-16, 06:13 PM | |
Join Date: Nov 2003
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I think there's no simple answer. If you're looking at a shorter time frame (say 4-6 weeks) then yes, you probably want to ramp up the volume and intensity. However for anything longer than that you may be risking injury/burnout. So what many athletes do is to periodize their workouts by alternating higher intensity weeks to increase fitness with lower intensity weeks to promote recovery.
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10-14-16, 03:20 PM | |
Join Date: May 2010
Location: PA
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Absolutely!
I'll have to check out your check-in, it sounds like I'd fit right in!? (Only that I'm terrible with keeping up with posting daily... ) Thanks to your post I've started Lisa's 10 day trial!
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~*Val*~ "Change what you can. Accept what you can't. Live peacefully with all that's left." |
Tags |
high intensity, intense workouts, long workouts, results |
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