(Disclosure: This post has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone and should not be taken as medical advice #Caltrate3in1 #CollectiveBias)
Summer is my favorite time of the year! I’ve set some big goals this year and I am working to accomplish them. Currently, I am training for my upcoming triathlon and I am doing everything I can to stay healthy, uninjured, strong & ready for race day.
Now that I am in my mid forties (ugh) I have been thinking more and more about how important it is to keep myself healthy and strong so that I am able to continue doing all of the activities I love to do. There are a few things that I regularly do that help keep me moving forward.
1. Strength Training-My number one strategy to keep my bone & joint strength as I age is strength training. You will find me doing weight training and or kick boxing 3 times a week religiously.
2. Running- Of course! Running keeps me strong by providing great cardio and interval training. So whether I am running with my MRTT mamas, coaching my Girls on The Run team or just getting in my weekly miles, running keeps me strong.
3. Cross Training- I find I make huge fitness gains and improve my joint strength when I keep up with my cross training. Biking, swimming and yoga help me stay strong and feel great when I run. Also one of my favorite ways to socialize with friends. I can usually talk someone into joining me!
4. Sleep- Something I struggle with getting enough of but so important! I know I feel better and stronger when I get just a little more sleep.
5. Healthy Eating & vitamins- Probably the most important factor in my over all health and wellness. I love to cook (as you probably know) so I don’t usually get bored with food. I’ve been a vegetarian since childhood and have always focused on eating healthy vitamin packed foods to fuel my workouts and my active lifestyle. I strive to eat a well balanced diet full of veggies, fruits & protein. Sometimes, as a vegetarian, that can be challenging and require some extra vitamins to get everything in. I’ve been taking a multi vitamin and extra calcium/vitamin D tablets (like Caltrate Bone & Joint Health) for years now. I started taking them before pregnancy and kept them in my regimen ever since.
You can grab your own multi vitamins & Caltrate Bone & Joint Health at Walgreens plus find an in store instant coupon for $5 off and more savings here.
This is how I plan to stay strong and get to the next finish line.
How do you stay strong & confident so that you make it to the next finish line?
Sleep is something that I lack of as well. I wish there were more hrs in the day for that. I continue to strength train by taking/teaching body pump classes. A great total body workout!
It is so hard to get extra sleep isn’t it? I have plans to but it just doesn’t happen. Teaching classes is a great way to stay strong.
I definitely could use more sleep and take my vitamins (haven’t been that great the past couple of months).
I thought I would sleep a lot more this summer but has not happened yet 🙂
I take calcium, Vitamin D and Iron vitamins. Strength training, yoga ( I haven’t been in so long – I miss it) and of course this year – tons of cross training. You look so strong and bad A#@! in that first photo. Love it!
ah thanks!I haven’t done as much yoga as I’d like recently. I tend to do it more in the winter.
You have it all covered! I struggle mostly with adding cross training to my running…maybe one day I’ll have time!
I can’t run as much as I wish I could so I do lots of cross training. I really find it shapes my body in a way that just running would not.
Great tips! Cross training is wonderful and vitamins are so important!
Cross training is key for me!
I try to stay strong by strength training and obviously running but sleep is something I just can’t get a handle on! Can there be more hours in the day please?!
I know! I keep thinking I will sleep more this summer but it’s not happening here either
You know I’m a huge proponent of strength training! Incorporating strength training was really the turning point for me, especially as I move through my 50s (double ugh!)
I totally agree! It’s so important for women. You are great role model 🙂
I am working on all those things but do worry about calcium and my bone health, I guess it is a 40’s thing! I will look for this product today when I stop at Walgreens- thanks for sharing!
I think since I’ve been a vegetarian my whole adult life, I’ve really focused on it but it’s so important as we age.
Strength training is getting more and more important to me all the time. I am running less these days but running with intention when I do.
Now that sounds like a great plan!
I’ve started taking rest days seriouesly. After a not so pleasant running injury, I finally learned that taking time off to rest is just as important as the rest of your training. So now I’m embracing the “doing nothing all day” on Wednesdays : )
I am also doing that but it sure is hard sometimes isn’t it?!
Your awesome strong:) love how you pin pointed each of the most important keys to becoming strong.
Strength training has always been my weak link, I know I need to incorporate more of that into my weeks!
Great post!!!
Thanks so much friend! Strength training really is a life saver IMO
Love this! I stay strong in very similar ways – working out, eating right (most of the time ;-P) and taking a multivitamin.
Eating right is half the battle right?!
I pretty much do the same thing youngster (mid-50s here!). We have to keep moving to stay young AND strong.
LOL! Keep moving forward right!
yes yes yes to all of this! I love your approach to fitness! The focus on strength and flexibility is so important! I love that you incorporate all these awesome workouts into your week!
Well thank you so much! I certainly try to get it all in there.
Sleep is definitely a big one for me, too! I’m sure to get sick when my schedule gets crazy and I stop making sleep a priority.
I planned to be better about this summer but it’s not working so far. 🙂
40s are the new 20s! I run. I try to participate in active activities (SUP, rope courses, etc). I drink more water and eat my fruits and veggies.
yes 40’s are not what they used to be thankfully!
Deborah, you look GREAT for being in your mid-40s. Weight lifting is so important for healthy bones and joints!!
Ha ha thanks friend! Yes I agree weight lifting is so important for women to keep up their muscle mass.
Love it! I am totally with you on the strength training and cross-training. Even when I am super deep in triathlon training I still make a point of fitting in strength training sessions, even if they are at a lower intensity than what I’m used to. I agree that vitamins definitely have their place in helping us stay strong, however I have to admit I’ve been slacking on mine recently!
absolutely! It’s so important for women to cross train.
You are getting a lot of cross-training in, that’s just awesome. Eating right is just as important for me as working out. Without the right fuel I feel sluggish, tired and unmotivated. You are so right about the strength training – it just makes you stronger overall, and a better runner!
I totally agree!
I love how you incorporate such a variety AND you set the example for the GOTR girls- love this! I am the founder of our GOTR council here and am now the 5k Director. I need to incorporate more flexibility but I can’t seem to find the time…. probably because I don’t love it.
Oh wow didn’t know you were so involved with GOTR I love it. I am going to lead the new Girls got sole program here this fall
I can’t seem to comment on your blog I will try again later
Love it. You ARE so strong! I guess I stay strong by staying active and running/lifting. 🙂
You sure do too!
Sleep is SO pivitol for me. If I’m behind on sleep I feel it in all areas of life. I can’t wait for Sundays when I get to sleep in =) Good reminders!
sleep is definitely an important part of staying strong and healthy for me too
Great post! I am trying to do all of these things to get to my fall marathon uninjured. Strength training is super important and stretching, I do take a calcium supplement too.
I feel like trying not to get injured is a lot of work!
I love functional training! Sandbags, kettlebells, battle ropes, TRX. Running of course and sleep is a must!
Me too! And yes sleep is a necessity for energy to do all of the workouts
Love all the ways you cross-train! Your post is very inspirational and a great example of being strong. Best of luck with your goals this summer. [client]
Thanks so much! Trying to age as slowly as possible 🙂
We stay strong in the same ways! I’ve gotten so much better about getting more sleep 🙂
That’s the one I need to work on!
I think you have one of the best, well rounded fitness practices around. I get bored very easy and end up falling out of love with things. My biggest issue is cardio. Since outside running isn’t working in my schedule right now and I do not have the room for a treadmill, I decided a bike trainer would be a perfect substitute. My bike is just collecting dust anyway. So, it’s ordered and should be here by next Friday! I am looking forward to my first ride!
Well that sounds fun! I hope you like it. I do like to vary my workouts so I don’t get bored. Thanks!
As you know, sleep is the hardest thing for me. I do take vitamins and calcium supplements to support my bone health!
Sleep is hard! I am trying to go to bed earlier but doesn’t always happen
I have a love hate relationship with cross training! biking too much made my shin splints come back!
Really?! That’s what usually saves me from shin splints!