The 131 mile Walk and Henry's Tips for Weights

Hello fellow Challengers... I've been away for a while due to work! I've mentioned before that I'm a teacher. However, I've not really gone into the specifics of my job. I am a full time theatre and leadership teacher. Which means, I direct three shows a year and run numerous activities in our school. The last two months of school are some of my busiest. I direct a musical which includes teaching numerous choreography numbers. I run assemblies, work with students on personal projects, chaperone field trips and...more. School is finally out and needless to say: I'm tired.

Not only am I tired from just the sheer amount of activities and obligations... but in tracking my activity levels at work... I have a right to be exhausted! From May 27 - June 23, I was averaging 50 minutes of intensity minutes according to my fitness watch. On June 14, I did 161 intensity minutes just doing my job! My step count for the last four weeks was 294,413 steps... which roughly translates to 131 miles. NO WONDER I'M TIRED! Many don't believe teachers are very active. They assume we perch lightly on the edges of desks or stools to look cool in front of the class. Or walking slowly around the room to check on students. Not this teacher. So, it's no surprise that I had very little time for "work outs" or being at my computer for that matter. Good news...is I was basically working out already! Henry is known for his long walks with his buddy Kal, and knows it can help keep you fit!

Food Update

I recently joined a food delivery service in hopes it would help me stay on track with my goals. Let me tell you... it did! GardenCup is flipping fantastic. Delicious salads, soups, and more delivered to your doorstep. Everything is fresh and ready to each with zero preservatives or processed foods. With my increase in intensity minutes and replacing one or two meals a day with things from GardenCup, I've lost eight pounds! I'm shocked, and also quite happy with the results.

Let's Get Back to Henry's Fitness Advice!

The myth that heavier weights equate to better results often hits home with a lot of people who are just starting in their own fitness challenge, or are jumping back into it. I myself always thought I needed a super heavy resistance band to get results. However, Henry Cavill, reminds us through his Instagram post that the key to success lies not in the weight itself, but in the quality of the workout. He wisely shares:

"It's not the weight that matters, it's the workout. So if you're shy about going to the gym because there is always someone next to you using mahoosive weights, don't be. You do your weights, just make every workout count. You might end up looking better than the fella or lady next to you that's using those heavy weights."

First...I giggle with his made up word, "mahoosive"... However, when beginning your fitness journey, it's important to find weights or resistance band levels that suit your current abilities and allow for progression over time. This approach not only minimizes the risk of injury but also ensures that each workout contributes to your overall strength and fitness goals. Henry's commitment to fitness during his hectic schedule has taught me the importance of consistency and quality in workouts. Whether I opt for resistance bands, free weights, or a mix of both, I need to prioritize ME over struggling to lift heavy weights.

This week, I've been doing my regular walking schedule and am getting back into my resistance band training. Believe me when I say, the struggle is real. Once you've stopped doing your regular workouts, and do alternative exercise for a while, you may have to scale back from the weight/resistance you were using previously. I tried to jump straight back into the routine I was doing previously, and should have heeded Henry's advice!

Remember fellow Challengers, your fitness journey is personal—find what works best for you and enjoy the process of reaching your goals.

Also, a quick note just to say how ELATED I am for Henry and his lovely lady, Natalie, in their journey to become parents! They are going to be fabulous parents no doubt. Henry has mentioned how much family means to him, and that his goal in life was to have a family of his own. So, excellent news from them!