Nia Peters

Nia Peters, December 2021

Challenge Description: The goal is to engage in 1-hour weight lifting session on weekdays

Motivation: Adding to my cardio workout. Toning, balance, and strength training. Overall I’m just trying to engage in healthier habits. I know cardio helps my heart so now it’s time for me to give me limbs and muscles some love.

Expectations: B+

Outcome: So using the ActiveTrax app from the YMCA, I woke up everyday at 4:30am and lifted weights. No cardio, just weights. I’m a Zumba instructor so I continued to teach on Tuesday and Thursday, but Monday – Friday I was in the gym. I like the ActiveTrax program because it works different areas of the body each day including abs everyday. It also corresponds to the numbers on the machines in the YMCA so I don’t spend a lot of time figuring out where things are (great for novices starting our in the gym). Finally it shows videos of how to do the exercises properly. I can track long-term progress by logging into the website. The downside is I have to be proactive and challenge myself (which is more of a reflection on me rather than the app). If I start to feel the weights are too light or the workout is too easy I have to increase the weights myself and log it. To my understanding the app will then adjust accordingly. This way I avoid plateauing which I have been known to do if not careful.

I didn’t always feel like getting up at 4:30am, but I pushed myself and consistently felt good after every workout. I was so energized that I made morning smoothies and read before the rest of the house woke up. It really gave me back a lot of my day. I give myself a B+ because I missed a few days because of holiday travel, but I still did pretty well.

Next Steps: I’m going to continue! I enjoyed this month’s challenge and I want to see where this journey leads me. I’ll continue to explore other times, but the morning is usually my best time. Like I said the major downside was that struggle to get up that early in the morning and I admit I would burn out earlier in the day and need an afternoon nap. Other than that the benefits far outweigh the cons, including morning energy in the morning, productive morning activities including smoothie making and getting my daughters ready for school. I also feel in a much better mood on the days I have a morning workout.