Another fight!!

As if it weren't enough to have Fat Jen and Thin Jen fighting all the time, I have recently realized that there is another fight going on in my body!  That is the fight between Runner Jen and Weight-Lifter Jen!  As I've talked about so many times I think that both cardio and strength training is essential for overall health and fitness.  

I am a believer in "functional fitness".  Meaning that you are doing exercise not just for burning calories, but to have a strong body that supports every day challenges and activities.  This means cardio (plus you never know when you are going to have to run  from Zombies!) and muscles to support lifting and hauling things without having to call a muscle bound man over!!

So here's the battle between the 2 of them - I have noticed that Runner Jen wants to weigh less.  She runs the best when her weight is under 118 pounds - she is faster and can breathe better.  As soon as the weight goes up - even by just 4 pounds or so, she  feels clunky and her per mile minutes start to increase.

On the other hand, weight-lifter Jen wants to be a little heavier.  She is happy weighing around 122 pounds.  She can lift heavier weights and feels less strain while lifting when the body is heavier.  As soon as the weight decreases, she can't lift as much and some things - like pull ups become more difficult.

You wouldn't think that just a few pounds would make that much of a difference, but it definitely does in a very noticeable way.  But I guess I can just let this battle bounce back and forth.  I am never going to be a competitive or elite runner.  And I'm not remotely interested in becoming a body builder.  So I guess some days Lifter Jen will be happy and some days Runner Jen will be.  

As my co-worker said - "How many people are in there, anyway??!!"

Now there is one area that I've mentioned before that I felt was lacking and that I've been working on - my back.  I think I am FINALLY starting to see some progress after a lot of work on things I hate doing - like pull-ups.

  Taken April 2, 2013

June 5, 2013

June 22, 2013

And finally, November 11, 2013












I still think that the back is not very well muscled, but I think there has been some progress made....

Today I am grateful for my strong muscles - not because they look pretty but because they help me out in every facet of my life!