To me that’s what fitness is all about….preferences. Its such an important aspect for leading a healthy lifestyle…but it certainly doesn’t come in a ‘one size fits all package’. Similar to eating philosophies in my opinion…I get a bit peeved when people start preaching about their uber specific way of eating. I think as along as you are trying to make good choices when it comes to fitness or eating, you’re doing a hell of a lot better than most people out there! Just being aware of healthy choices is a step in the right direction!
A little background on where this post is going…a few days ago I discovered another Podcast obsession! In search of something similar to Jillian’s (since I listened to EVERYONE of her podcasts already!), I came across Two Fit Chicks and a Microphone. I was hooked from the first episode! Carla and Shauna have awesome personalities for podcasting and I love the connection they have to the blog world….its makes them so relatable! Plus I love when they discuss bloggers I actually know!
Anyways the episode I listened to today was filled with readers questions…a lot of them surrounding fitness and workout preferences. The ever popular questions of….
When should I workout?
and
Should weights come before cardio or cardio before weight?
…came up.
These questions are similar to those that come up surrounding food (i.e.. what ‘diet’ is the best? what time should I stop eating for the day? no carbs after 1?). And my perspective on the answers to these questions is pretty much the same as well. Do what works for you!
The ladies brought up a great point…maybe if you are an Olympic athlete or training for a professional event, then you should focus on the details of your fitness regiment. But for overall health and happiness, DO WHAT YOU CAN WHEN YOU CAN.
Sure there may be studies out there that show one way of working out is optimal or working out at a certain time will produce better results…but to me, as long as you are moving in some way, then you’re doing yourself a whole lot of good.
I keep comparing people’s attitudes about food to those surrounding fitness because in a lot of ways they really are similar! Just as certain diet trends come and go every few years (right now gluten free and paleo seem to be go to ones), fitness fads do the same. Cross fit, anyone? The shift from cardio centered workout routines to heavy lifting?
People get on board with these trends and then start contradicting everything they ever said about what they used to do in regards to eating or working out. They have these apparent ‘epiphanies’…as if they have finally seen the light and are now on the path to ultimate health because they’ve jumped on the latest band wagon.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, no one way of eating or working is ever going to be proven to be the be all end all! There will always be someone out there who swears by their own personal beliefs and those that will follow those beliefs.
Overall, I would have to agree with what Shauna and Carla said about these kind of questions. It’s not that there is a right or wrong way of being fit, it’s just that people have preferences. And preferences are fine…they’re a good thing! They’re what make us unique! But when we start imposing our specific preferences on other people that’s when bad things can happen. People start to feel inadequate and like they don’t live up to others when they really should just embrace their own capabilities.
Pheeeeeew….sorry for the long rant! I didn’t really know where I was going with all that but I felt inspired after listening to the two girls chat! Keep it up ladies! I am loving the discussions!
Your turn:
What are your fitness preferences?
Morning or evening exerciser?
If I am able to, I like working out in the morning best! It just gets my day started on the right foot and I also don’t fall into the trap of getting demotivated as the day goes on. But I am not opposed to afternoon or evening exercising….I just like to move!
Cardio before weights or weights before cardio?
If I am doing weights and cardio at the same time then I always do cardio before weights…if I do the reverse I always feel to tired for cardio. But if I am breaking up my workout into two different times in the day (i.e.. weights in the morning and cardio at night or vice versa), then I don’t really care what comes first.
And before I go…
July Blogging Challenge Day 15- What is the last good deed you did for someone?
Today while I was riding my bike I noticed a car that pulled up beside me had both it’s brake lights out. I got the driver’s attention and it turns out they didn’t even realize! Saved them some major money in tickets right there lol!
Have a happy day, friends!
Kaila
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10 responses to “Fitness Preferences”
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man these podcasts seem awesome! all the topics are so relevant.
I totally agree with you. People get so preachy about how exercise has to be … and you’re right, unless you are really training for something, it’s no biggie!
So true! Such a great post. I know so many people that think it’s their way or the highway. In reality, it’s everyone’s OWN way and preferences. Honestly, I am ALWAYS switching it up. Sometimes I work out in the morning, sometimes in the afternoon or at night. Sometimes I want to do cardio first, and sometimes I want to do it after. Sometimes I don’t want to do cardio at all! And I’ve been from running long distances, to barely running. In my mind, as long as you are doing what makes you happy, you’re all set 🙂
I agree 100%. There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to diet and exercise. Every body is different and reacts differently to how it’s fueled and trained. That’s what makes us unique! It’s so important for us to find what works for us and not stress over following anyone else’s regimes.
Personally, I prefer cardio before weights! It warms my body up and, since I usually work out in the morning, it helps me get more alert before I lift any weights. (:
I totally agree! When you tell people they HAVE to eat/workout in a specific way, they are much more likely to fail. Finding out what works best for me makes me much more likely to stick with it. I love working out in the morning, but lately, I’ve been doing night runs because of my work schedule.
I think this is spot on! People go on and on about being independent and not following what others do but that all seems to fly out the window, especially when it comes to diet and fitness lifestyle! May because nutrition is such a difficult topic? and it is certainly not easy to learn and practice everyday! But that is because it is really different for everyone! I agree with you, do what works for you and let your neighbor do the same!
O, and I am a cardio girl who knows weights are needed but can’t find the will or the way! and I love a morning exercise, but with my schedule getting more “adult” I have had to switch it up and embrace the afternoon and evenings!
I completely agree with this post! People need to just realize that everyone is different, and nobody is perfect so why should we try to make our nutrition and fitness be “perfect”? Personally I prefer to exercise in the morning after my breakfast has digested, but if that can’t happen, I am flexible and can workout in the afternoon or before dinner. I prefer cardio before weights to warm up my muscles, but overall strength training is my favorite exercise 🙂 I’m horrible at running, but I do like it and want to get better at it!
I agree 100%. I hate how people think one diet, fitness trend will work for them because it works for someone else. I truly believe that no one can exercise/eat the same and see the same results. Ever.
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So interesting! I definitely think that workout comes down to personal preference too. I like running..but not all the time. And I’m okay with that!