Gina Jackson Personal Fitness

A lot of people I work with are really trying hard as heck to lose a few pounds, build a little muscle, tone and tighten up their middle section. A heck of a lot more of us are simply trying to maintain it all. The older we get, the harder the latter tends to become!

Let me use myself for an example. I try – but am not always successful – to get 2-3 days a week of cardio for 45 minutes (minimum – sometimes 60 minutes) just to keep my weight maintained and my heart strong. I try to use resistance training with weights 2x week and Pilates apparatus training 2x week for my muscle tone, strength and overall body tone. Depending upon the demands of my clients, my work or the weather, I flow with that goal from week to week.

With the start of beautiful Spring weather, like today (and this coming week and month!! Yippee!!) however, I hit the track in the park and join the rest of the “maintenance crew” that are delighted to get outside and away from the smells and sights of the gym.

Freeing and exhilerating, a run around the track can do wonders for your head, heart and legs. I play games with my mind to complete a few miles (usually 4 miles) and frequently use the football gear along the sidelines for push ups, dips, and abdominals in-between my mile goals and/or at the end of the set.

Running up and down the bleachers is another way to get those legs warmed and charged and burn off a few more stressors of the day.

Anyway, the point to the story is that maintenance of a fitness program can be as challenging as the initial weight loss program for many people. Changing and challenging the protocols with the change of season is one sure way to keep one’s interest in the process of trying to maintain the gains.