ZenusWarriorPrincess's Journal, 02 October 2023

If a person had to choose b/w strength training and cardio for longevity, the answer is strength training Not cardio. I'm a cardio lover and currently working on loving strength training. Years ago, I loved lifting weights and was really strong. But I traveled a lot and it was difficult keeping up with the routines due to the required equipment. I would gain/lose muscle which was really annoying. I would stay places that didn't have equipment and sometimes I would bring my own dumbells, which was not sustainable. So I eventually stopped. I'm trying to get back into it with boday mechanics and resistance bands, but I'm realizing I suck at this and need to hire a personal trainer who specialuzes in light equipment resistance training. 

@outerlimit... IMO, with all of the person trainers on YouTube these day, hiring a trainer is a waste of money, UNLESS you just need that extra push. Just my opinion... Good luck on your restart! One good thing about your situation is muscle memory. 😉😊 

Sitting on the floor, getting out of the tub, negotiating stairs, opening jars, carrying packages - just a few things that can get away from us when we don't mind our muscle strength. 

I've been using youtube for strength training with mixed success. I think I need more mirrors to check my form. I'm hoping that in-person training will bridge the gap. I'm super thankful that youtube alone has gotten me this far!! 

Outer and Z and lady, I find that I STILL need a personal trainer just for accountability. Hoping eventually to get my own drive back (which i do have the drive for daily walking). Outer, if you dont have good form you can injure yourself so at a minimum make sure your form is correct. Some injuries can be very long lasting. Form is far more important than heavy weights or stronger bands. Form first, then slowly build up.  

I was really surprised in the difference between cardio and strength training. it wasn't until this year I even realized that I could be doing the wrong one. for example I didn't realize that biking so much to and from work was actually working against my muscle gains. between that the jumping jacks and the other cardio activities I was doing I was technically working against myself. of course now I just don't have the energy to do as much strength training as I need to but I'm working on that. I wish there was more education that would have taught me as I went through school or otherwise what exercises I needed to do for what parts of my body and when to do them and for what purposes. at least then I wouldn't have wasted time and effort. right now I'm trying to learn to use resistance bands and my small weights to get things done. I can't afford nice big weights for at home and I haven't yet worked going into the gym into my schedule between working so many hours with our critical staffing at work. although it sounds like I could also look into this YouTube channel thing and maybe get some help there. although Ladyindeenim; you mentioned that strength training can help you (too open things) what kind of strength training allows you to do that I struggle with doing some of those activities. I'm not sure that it would actually help cuz their MS based problems and I have a lot of numbness issues so I can't actually feel my hands as such it might not help but if it could it would be nice to be able to open jars again... 

@leah I searched YT and found this: https://youtu.be/0-zldN7IwJs?si=XVtaeZoPWB-7Xk-2 

Strength training is amazing as we age and something I wish I would have known about earlier in life. I did have osteopenia but I reversed it with lifting weights and my primary told me to keep it up and I probably won't have to worry about osteoporosis.  

My mom went to a gym and had a trainer until she was in her late 80s. It definitely helped her balance and her ability to care for herself. Unfortunately she had a stroke and had to quit but she is still alive. She turned 96 a week ago.She still bathes herself and takes care of some of her needs. It's amazing what strength training does for us!💪🩷 

little things like doing squats will help us as we age—-doing squats now will keep me strong so as I can get off the toilet and out of a chair 

@Lady... EXACTLY! ALL of that was slipping away from me.  

@OutterLimit... Yes, form is the most important thing! If I feel my form slipping, that's my last rep no matter how many more I may feel like I've got left in the tank. 🙅‍♀️ Nothing is worth injury.  

YOH... It's awesome that you are self-aware of your own personal needs. The Hevy app, and one buddy in particular there, keeps me motivated. I spend HOURS researching on YouTube for the best exercises for what I want to accomplish, # of reps to do, form, etc... I find different info/opinions on some things, like # of reps, so I listen to them all & come to my own informed conclusions. 🤷‍♀️🙃😂  

@Leah... they sell little grip strength training thingies at Walmart (not sure what they are called) very cheap. Body weight workouts on YouTube maybe very helpful for you. You would be surprised how much even just sitting an squeezing the muscle tightly helps. Anything is better than what I was doing... Nothing, pretty much. 

@RPL... CONGRATS!!! 🥳💃 That is AMAZING!!! You are a boss at your workouts!  

@travelmo... 💯 

@Diana... Wow! That is awesome! Your mom definitely passed down the secrets to you. I'm sure you will do just as well! You do an excellent job in the gym & away from it! 👏🙂 

@Joe IZ Exotic... 🤝 I've come to love it all over again! 🫠 Nothing feels as good as a little pump! 😁 ...especially in the glutes. 🫣🫢🤗 

I'll look for one of the gripper thingies. In the mean time I'll try to watch a couple of the videos this week. Probably not today going to try to catch a nap I had nightmares during the 4 hours of sleep I tried to sleep last night. Happens a lot when I have a doctor's appointment part of my anxiety I think. Could also be a side effect of my medicine it's funny though before all this medicine I didn't have any issues sleeping ever. Oh well still happy to have the opportunity to have the medicine even if it comes with the nightmares. Thank you for the advice have an awesome day! 

@Leah... sorry, there was another part of your comment that I wanted to respond to but forgot: Yea, I've read the cardio can interfere with muscle gains. I haven't been doing any, unless you want to count leisure walks at Walmart or the fleamarket, which I do some days, depending on the time spent there...lol. I will probably switch up and do a bit more cardio in Jan/Feb. We will see...