Load! DJ the Football Mom on the Hill

Up the Hill!

Almost three weeks ago we launched our Game Ready Mom summer workout challenge.   My co-host, Mia Jackson, intern, Janay James and I made a pact to get ready for the football season by getting in the best shape possible.

I love the idea of working out with others even if we are not in the same city.  I also like a challenge!  I decided to jump right in and rev up my workout.  I put on my pedometer and began walking long distances 5 days a week.  I was so happy that I was walking 5-6 miles a day but it was taking a lot of time to get my walk in and I wasn’t seeing the results I had hoped for.

My dear friend, Sanja came to town over the weekend and gave me some advice on my routine.  She is a volleyball coach and just retired from 15 years of playing the sport.  She said “Momma J! You need to replace all of that walking with some strength training and some resistance and interval workouts on the treadmill.  She promised me that it wouldn’t take as long and I would see faster results.

I began my new routine four days ago and I am feeling stronger already!  I take my resistance bands to the gym and do a series of upper and lower body moves.  I was not a fan of the treadmill but I gave up my beloved elliptical to try her suggestion of walking on the treadmill, increasing the incline and doing intervals of speed changes.  I was amazed that I was able to exercise less than an hour but get in a better workout than my two hour walk.

I took it to the next level this morning by trying out a spinning class. It looked so easy when I would pass by the classes.  I was in for a rude awakening! I actually got out of bed at 4:45 and was at the gym by 5:10am! The instructor, Amy, greeted me and my niece and helped us get the bike adjusted.  I was used to my gel seal cover on my real bike and sitting on the little hard seat on the spinning bike took some adjusting to get comfortable. I felt like I had to stretch my legs to reach the pedals but Amy assured me that I was in perfect form for spinning.  She told the class that each time she yelled “load” we were to add more resistance.   We started on our uphill journey and every 5 minutes or so, she would yell “load” and the journey would get harder.  Before too long I was drenched in sweat and actually had it running into my eyes-YIKES! I now realize that sweat bands were not just accessories for my outfit but really had a purpose.

By the time we reached the top of the virtual hill, I couldn’t wait to be done.  I discovered that adding on small loads made the journey bearable and I was actually able to finish the 45-minute class.  My entire body could feel the workout and it was a great start to my day.  It felt good to start my day being good to my body.  I had a power shake with fruit, spinach and broccoli and now I am ready to take on the world.  I cannot wait to see the results after a month of clean eating and good exercise.  My next goal is to tackle being still and resting. I suspect that will be much harder for me but I intend to use the lessons I learned today and load a little at a time.  Right now that means continuing with the treadmill each day,  spinning class twice a week and taking 15 minutes a day to sit still and just breathe.  I’ll let you know how it works out.