This morning, while drinking my half-hot chocolate, half coffee plus creamer morning beverage, I read an article on The Huffington Post titled The Biggest Mistakes Women Make When Working Out.
Go ahead. Take a minute or two and read through it.
I'll still be here when you get back. I can wait...
Are you back now? Good. Let's discuss what we've read. I hope you paid attention, because there's a quiz at the end.
Just kidding. Sorry, sometimes old habits from teaching die hard. No quiz. (Unless its a pop quiz!)
It was an interesting article and while their mistakes were valid points, it also gave me an idea about what MY most common mistakes when working out are...
So here it is! An examination on the things that I know I could do better...
Go ahead. Take a minute or two and read through it.
I'll still be here when you get back. I can wait...
Are you back now? Good. Let's discuss what we've read. I hope you paid attention, because there's a quiz at the end.
Just kidding. Sorry, sometimes old habits from teaching die hard. No quiz. (Unless its a pop quiz!)
It was an interesting article and while their mistakes were valid points, it also gave me an idea about what MY most common mistakes when working out are...
So here it is! An examination on the things that I know I could do better...
1. Not Hydrating Enough
I know that I need to do a better job of drinking and sometimes I go through phases where I do REALLY well... And then there are days where my only beverages consumed are coke and beer.
I mean, yes, they quench my thirst... But I know I should be drinking water.
I know that I need to do a better job of drinking and sometimes I go through phases where I do REALLY well... And then there are days where my only beverages consumed are coke and beer.
I mean, yes, they quench my thirst... But I know I should be drinking water.
2. Not Warming Up Properly
Especially when running. My theory has always been if I'm going to run as a warm up, then I must as well just run... I mean, why would I run, stop running and then start running again?
I know I should warm up my body and prepare myself for my workouts...
But I don't. And I know that it's mostly laziness...
Gah...
Especially when running. My theory has always been if I'm going to run as a warm up, then I must as well just run... I mean, why would I run, stop running and then start running again?
I know I should warm up my body and prepare myself for my workouts...
But I don't. And I know that it's mostly laziness...
Gah...
3. Failing To Stretch Before Or After
For someone who spent ten years coaching gymnastics and cheerleading and helping the track teams to make sure they were properly stretched to prevent injury...
I NEVER STRETCH.
It's one of those "Do what I say, not what I do" kind of scenarios. Oh, sure, I stretch when things might feel a little tight, but stretching ahead of an exercise? Forget it. And after? Only if something is really bothering me.
For someone who spent ten years coaching gymnastics and cheerleading and helping the track teams to make sure they were properly stretched to prevent injury...
I NEVER STRETCH.
It's one of those "Do what I say, not what I do" kind of scenarios. Oh, sure, I stretch when things might feel a little tight, but stretching ahead of an exercise? Forget it. And after? Only if something is really bothering me.
And last but not least...
4. Doing The Same Thing Over And Over And Over...
I have my favorite workouts and those are the ones I enjoy doing. And I have a favorite order I like to do them in.
Time to do curls and someone is using the 40 pound bar? Let me just stand here impatiently and tap my toe in a passive aggressive manner...
Oh, we're gonna do pull ups now? Crap, someone else is doing pullups... Is it too obvious that I'm waiting if I stand here and check the time on my phone every thirty seconds...
I try to mix it up every now and then and to be more flexible, but honestly... I kind of LIKE routine. Routine is safe and comforting. But I know I can do better.
4. Doing The Same Thing Over And Over And Over...
I have my favorite workouts and those are the ones I enjoy doing. And I have a favorite order I like to do them in.
Time to do curls and someone is using the 40 pound bar? Let me just stand here impatiently and tap my toe in a passive aggressive manner...
Oh, we're gonna do pull ups now? Crap, someone else is doing pullups... Is it too obvious that I'm waiting if I stand here and check the time on my phone every thirty seconds...
I try to mix it up every now and then and to be more flexible, but honestly... I kind of LIKE routine. Routine is safe and comforting. But I know I can do better.
So there it is, folks!
Those are my biggest mistakes I know I make. And the thing is, for the most part, they're pretty easy to fix. So I'm gonna work on mixing it up. Trying new workouts. Taking the time to warm up properly and to stretch, both before and after I work out. I'm gonna focus on getting more water daily and making it a point to stay well hydrated.
Even if it does mean I'll need to use the bathroom every hour...
At least my new office has nice bathrooms, right?
So share with me! Let's learn from each other and help each other to get better!
What are your biggest mistakes? What are you going to do to be better in the new year?
And, as always...
#runlove, y'all!
Those are my biggest mistakes I know I make. And the thing is, for the most part, they're pretty easy to fix. So I'm gonna work on mixing it up. Trying new workouts. Taking the time to warm up properly and to stretch, both before and after I work out. I'm gonna focus on getting more water daily and making it a point to stay well hydrated.
Even if it does mean I'll need to use the bathroom every hour...
At least my new office has nice bathrooms, right?
So share with me! Let's learn from each other and help each other to get better!
What are your biggest mistakes? What are you going to do to be better in the new year?
And, as always...
#runlove, y'all!