[Is that really me]

So I've been slowly acclimating to lifting weights for the past three weeks. Took a bit to stop being sore from the legwork (wide squats and close squats and lunges, oh my!!) I started w/a four day a week split (Mon, Thurs - UB; Tues, Frid LB). This past Sunday I did the UB and LB workout together 'cause I thought my kids were going to have a snow day on Monday. I did the UB and LB workout yesterday (Wednesday) as well. If I do another UB and LB workout tomorrow (Friday) or Saturday, is this too much for one week? Just wondering if 3x/wk is ok, my muslces won't freak on me or anything, right?

Also doing HIIT on the treadmill. Starting out w/short sessions (3 min warmup; 30 sec jog followed by 30 sec sprint for a total of 6 "rounds"; 2-3 min. cooldown). Want to work my way up to 20-25 min. sessions, 3x/wk. At the end of the workout if I'm experiencing that "runners high", that means I'm doing it right, doesnt' it? That might sound like a dumb question, but I never really got a runners' high doing longer/slower treadmill stuff. Sure wish I could buy that high in pill form! Thanks for any input!

Jo

[Lydia227]

If I do another UB and LB workout tomorrow (Friday) or Saturday, is this too much for one week? Just wondering if 3x/wk is ok, my muslces won't freak on me or anything, right?

Hi Jo,

Congratulations on your lifting workouts. When I first began I did full body strength training three some times four days a week. I would lift and do cardio on Monday, cardio on Tuesday, lift and cardio again on Wednes...and my muscles didn't freak out on me. I was a little sore on the days that I was lifting but not so much that I wanted to postpone my workout for the next day. However, everyone's body responds differently and you really need to listen to your own. Believe me, it will tell you when you have done too much and need more than 48 hours to recover.

At the end of the workout if I'm experiencing that "runners high", that means I'm doing it right, doesnt' it?

Sure. And doesn't feel just awesome.

One thing that I would caution you against is running every day in a row without a break. You haven't stated that you were doing this but I just want to put this out there. Give your "running" bones, joints and muscles a little rest so they may repair after each run by using another form of cardio like a really fast walk.

I never really got a runners' high doing longer/slower treadmill stuff.

You know, I did but only in the very beginning. After about three months I found that I needed to do a more intense cardio session to continue to feel the endorphin rush.

Sure wish I could buy that high in pill form!

Yeah, but the insurance company probably wouldn't cover it.

It sounds like you are really doing an awesome job! Enjoy those lifting days!