What First? + FFF Features
Posted: March 12, 2011 at 2:47 pmI cannot express the joy I have that the weekend finally came! This week was a long one in mommy world. It started off with a growth spurt and little sleep, then ended with a sick Makenzie. In light of yesterday’s tragedies, I feel silly for concerning myself with such things that are in reality true blessings. I’m still thankful we seem to be over it all now though. And I’m ready for a fun day ahead – including a hair cut and blogger meet up!
This morning I had a desire for some weights, so I went to the gym to get in a great full body strength training session along with my run. I tried something a little different this time. I did my run first and then followed it up with weights. I did my Week 6, Day 3 Couch to 5K workout - warmed up for 5 minutes, then did 25 minutes of running at 6.5 mph (9:13 pace). Followed that with this full body workout I made up:
| Leg Press | Legs | 3x12 |
| Lat Pulldown | Back | 3x8 |
| Walking Lunge | Legs | 3x12 |
| Pec Deck | Chest | 3x10 |
| Overhead Press | Shoulders | 3x10 |
| Preacher Curl Machine | Biceps | 2x15 |
| Tricep Press Machine | Triceps | 2x15 |
I always hear about the benefits of completing your weights first so your body will burn up available energy, then use its fat stores during cardio. I don’t think switching up the order of the workout makes such a noticeable difference. Honestly, I think you should put what you need the most energy for or what you’re focusing on at the start of your workout. Switching up and doing my cardio first, gave me more energy for a great run. I don’t feel like my weight training suffered coming second either. In fact, I may have worked harder during my weights because I felt so pumped from the run! Yet again the moral of the story is you don’t have to follow “the rules” to effectively workout, eat, train for something, etc. Trust yourself and your preferences.
And with that, we move on to this week’s FFF Features! Happy Saturday, y’all!
Featured Move: Something Different
I couldn’t go to the gym in the morning again yesterday, so I had to go in the afternoon. When I glanced at the gym’s class schedule I noticed a Zumba class at 5:30. Then I thought “What the heck?!” I’ve been before but it was only a few times during my competition prep training when I searched for any way to get in some fun cardio. I haven’t been since then, so over a year and a half ago? Wow! It was quite the fun workout. Give something new or that you haven’t done in awhile a shot sometime soon!
Featured Moment: My First Outdoor Run
It went soooo much better than I expected. Loved. Every. Second!
Featured Meal: 5 Layer Veggie, White Bean, & Pesto Strata
I loved this new recipe! If you think vegetarian meals can’t be hearty…think again! Tons of veggies. Tons of flavor. Tons of healthy. Tons of easy thanks to the crock pot.
Featured Quote:
When something robs you of your peace of mind, ask yourself if it is worth the energy you are expending on it.
Featured Cuteness:
I love those chubby cheeks! Now if only I could catch his heart-melting smile on camera!
Featured Reading: Heather @ Heather’s Dish – Letters To Our Baby
I love Heather so dearly and my heart aches for her having to go through her current struggles after a miscarriage. This post shows her heart and beauty so immensely. She is one of the best people out there and one of my closest blog friends. Love you, my friend!
Question – Do you do weights or cardio first when doing both?
PS – I added a separate Fitness tab at the top for detailing workouts and favorite fitness posts. Also, Month 2 Body After Baby progress post coming on Monday!
Tags: FFF features, running, strength training
I do cardio first and actually prefer it. I love cardio, but I weights more. I feel like my weights are a treat at the end!
See ya tonight Tina!
I love you too 🙂
I usually do cardio, then weights. So glad you’re loving running, especially running outside. I hate heading to the treadmill after running outside for a few weeks.
I always like to get my cardio in first so that it can be a quality workout (usually a run). I like to lift until my muscles fatigue, and that would just make my legs super heavy for a run, ugh! But I agree, do what is best for your own body. And for me… that is cardio first! But sometimes I just do weights and that’s enough for the day 🙂
I’ve actually never tried Zumba, isn’t that crazy?! I really want to try, especially after hearing how so many people enjoy it.
I normally do weights+bodyweight exercises while doing cardio in between! but now things may change more from time to time, since I just got back into running. Just one day of running made me want to do it again and again. 🙂
Love that you’re so excited about running again too. Crazy how that happens, huh?
I always do cardio first and then weights, it’s tradition 🙂
Those cheeks!! <3
I’m happy the weekend is here too!
I usually do weights after cardio — my body is warmed up and ready to go!
I would always do my cardio first, but I have heard it’s better to do weights first too! But as you mentioned, I would worry about my motivation draining if I switched it up.
Ahh that picture of Baby B totally steals the show of this post — his cheeks are precious, my brother and I had them too 🙂
Glad you are enjoying your weekend, TIna!
I actually do separate cardio and weight workouts since I’m training for a half and my runs are so time consuming. When I was doing combo workouts though, I’d run for 10 minutes to warm up, do the weights, and then do 30 mins of cardio at the end. I do agree with the idea that you should do whichever one you’re “feeling” more at the beginning!
He does have some chubby cheeks! Too stinkin cute! I bet you smooch all over them 😀 Have a great day!
I am all about doing the cardio first simply because I like to get it over and done with 🙂
i always do cardio first and i much prefer it! i find that if i do my strength training first, i don’t have much energy to run. i’m the same as you though – when i run first, i don’t think my strength training suffers!
i’ve never tried zumba – there seems to be a lot of love for it out there in the blog world though. it makes me want to try out a free class at my gym!
I usually either do weights OR cardio, but if I do both of them, I”ll do weights first just because I know I won’t do it after my cardio. 🙂
Your glowing face in the picture of your run outside inspired me to just get out there myself today after a very long time. 🙂
Yay! Hope it was a good one. 🙂
I love zumba! Glad you had the chance to try it. I mix up the order that I do my work outs in depending on mood, time, etc. I think variety is great 🙂
My runs are pretty time consuming, because usually I run at least 3 miles when I run… so usually I do runs and weights on totally different days. Zumba is a pretty fun workout too, but I rarely do it because I spend a lot of time running and training for races so yeah…
Love the baby pic!
I do cardio first!! Always. I’m generally in an impatient mood when I lift weights, so it helps to have the endorphins and sweat going before I start them!
B’s cheeks are ADORABLE. Oh my goodness!!
I am another one that always does cardio first these days. I like making sure I get it done and the energy I have when I’m done pushes me through my weight workout 🙂
I’m sorry to hear about your friend’s loss 🙁
Remember the days when we would NEVER do such a thing? LOL
Haha yes!!
What an adorable picture of Baby B!
I almost always do cardio before weights. I like warming up my muscles, and find that I’m too tired to get through a run/elliptical routine if I lift first.
So glad you enjoyed your outdoor run! I recently discovered how invigorating exercising outside can be (I’ve always been a gym rat!).
Hope you’ve had a great weekend!
When I do both in one day, I do my cardio first, solely because I really don’t like running but I love strength training 🙂
Woohoo for your first out door run!!! I wish I were having more of those lately:)
I agree 100% with your philosophy of focusing on the activity you are hoping to improve first!
I totally agree with you on the weights thing. If I am doing both cardio and weights, I always do cardio first because for some reason, if I do it second, I tend to dread it because the weight workout was taxing! But if I do cardio first, it warms me up and the adrenaline is pumping. High fives on a great workout week! I hear you on that!!
I usually do weights and cardio completely separately because I often don’t have enough time to do both at once, but I definitely agree about picking the order that works best for you. I like to do my cardio first and my weights second. If I do weights first, especially legs, I tend to have very little energy for a good treadmill session.
Loving the sweet little baby picture, by the way! Too cute!
Baby B’s face is just melting my heart!!! What a sweet pea! <3
I always do cardio first. I hope you have a great week!