Megan,

I read one of your columns where you answered a new years-resolutioner that quit shortly after she began. Well, I wasn’t a New Years person, but after reading that I decided to be a late starter. I’m a little “soft” but totally dedicated. I felt really sore after my first week, and thought it was because I was new to it all, but now it’s a couple more weeks in and I’m still super, super sore. I was hoping you could critique my routine and let me know if you think anything should change?

I run five days a week (weather permitting) and I go to the gym to do cardio on a treadmill or elliptical trainer on the days I can’t run. I also lift weights five days a week where I go an upper body day, lower body day then core day. I also try and take a couple of the Pilates or yoga classes.

Thanks and best wishes in your training Megan!

Corea
Chicago

A

Corea,

Congratulations on deciding to go full force at becoming healthier and happier!  I love your motivation and I’m glad you brought this to me.

After reading over your routine, the easy answer is: You’re training too much! There is such a thing as too much of a good thing, such as with exercise. You have to allow your body to recover. Remember, you’re not building muscle in the gym, you do that back home while you’re recovering.

You didn’t mention your diet, so it’s hard to suggest a full routine, but I think you should scale back quite a bit. Start training each muscle group once a week with weights, spread out over three days, and add cardio three times a week on those same days. After you get used to that, spread your weights out over four days and add that extra day of cardio training, too, or replace it with a yoga class.

Fitness is a lifelong goal, not a temporary achievement. To stick with it, you have to love it and it has to fit your schedule. Don’t overdo it at the beginning and you’ll certainly find a way to make the schedule fit your needs and desires. Good luck!

Megan