Running lately has been easy. Easy as in slow. I only stride to the point where my injured hamstring barely twinges. It’s world’s less painful than it was at first, but still, not 100%, and the last thing I wanna do is push it and risk reinjury or a setback.
Short, slow runs + vacation eating = attack of the belly fat.
I started the New Year with my jeans fitting a little (ok a lot) more snugly than I like. After a little time to let the dust settle from vacay and buckle down, I finally summoned the courage to get on the scale. I knew it wouldn’t be pretty and it wasn’t.
Workouts in Florida didn’t amount to much more than some leisurely paced runs rarely over 3 miles. The hamstring was happy. I was happy. But now? I miss my endurance. The worst byproduct of less intense workouts is this dang belly fat. I shouldn’t be surprised because I come from a long line of women with belly fat (that’s WWBF). I well remember my mom at this age and I just didn’t understand what was going on then. Ha! I sure do now.
Leave it to the Caveman to utter the words I didn’t want to hear:
“Long, slow distance won’t get rid of belly fat. Intensity will.”
Of course I already knew this. But I love running. I’ve got a marathon coming up later this year.
It’s not all gloom and doom. I’ve been rediscovering my strong this off-season. Muscle burns more calories than fat. I’m lifting more weight on the bench press, I’m back in the squat rack (light, but still I’m there) I can feel and see my upper body change. I made it back to my favorite spin class this week and NEED to make this a habit again. Weekly CrossFit workouts have been handing me my arse on a platter. Tough, and exactly what I need more of. Intensity.
The burning question: Must I spend the second half of my life as a card carrying member of the WWBF sisterhood? Or will I be able to make lifestyle changes to offset the hormonal shift? Changes that don’t involve unhealthy obsessions, food restriction, diet gimmicks etc.? Time will tell, but this is war.
Do you incorporate intensity in your runs? Other workouts? Do you use your relatives as indicators of health issues to come? How do you train around an injury?
This week’s Tuesdays on the Run topic is Winter Running Gear? Stop by and share the stuff you love!
I’m linking up with Tricia and Holly for the Weekly Wrap…
…and with Ilka and Angela for the Sunday Fitness and Food Linkup. Join us!
I’ve been relying on speed work and tempo runs to up my intensity, but I was most lean when I did a lot of strength training, so I’m going to follow your example and do more. I’m fighting the war with you!
Yeah unfortunately WWBF haunts me too. I added tempo runs back into my workouts this week, but really need to up the strength training to burn some more!
I remember what my Mother’s body looked like at my age. She had a wide square a$$ (that’s . WSA) plus the WWBF. I don’t want any letters and have fought that WSA my whole life. I did really well with my eating through the holidays and up until this marathon. I don’t want to weigh after Disney. Just no (as I’ve just inhaled an extra piece of pizza). I think you look fabulous. And strong! Thanks for linking, Marcia!
What does wwbf mean? I haven’t altered intensity in a long time as far as running is concerNed. I just haven’t felt like it!
I am all about the long and slow runs. I do not incorporate an intensity in it. My intensity is just building my endurance I suppose. Maybe that is why I haven’t been seeing any results either…haha.
I am all about the long and slow. I do not incorporate any intensity into my runs. I guess I think building my endurance in the long runs is where my intensity comes in. Maybe that is why I am not seeing any results…haha.
I’m more of a long & slow kind of gal, too. I did a lot of speed work for my marathon, and speed work is already tough…but for a tall & lanky (did I mention klutz-like?) person like me, it’s REALLY tough. I’m not focusing on finish times this year, so the speed work will not be a priority. Of course, I’ll still do it, but I”m not gonna OCD over it.
Lots of intensity at OTF and indoor cycling, not so much in my running! I just did Laura’s 7 Day Sugar Detox. I think it’s got me on the right track to get my jeans fitting better.
Feel free to chat with this 59 year old all about age hormones, belly fat, changing body from month to month & year to year & all it takes! I always had to watch my weight – never had it easy like friends in the younger years & it really sucks after all the hard work I did & do that it just never get better! xoxoxo
I don’t see my comment so hopefully it will show up later!
I wish we were neighbors.
Id flip tires with you and beg you to runwalk with me.
<3
It is war sister! No one wants that belly fat or to be trapped in a pair of spanks the rest of their life either! I know you are not giving up! Keep inspiring!
I am more comfortable with long and slow but I try to get myself to add intensity occasionally. Doing those BBG workouts was definitely high intensity but I really didn’t enjoy it after a few weeks. I like adding in some faster paces to my runs but its nothing like what I do when Im training for a race. I think strength training and the other things you are doing will help alot!
I miss my runs, period. Walking is fun and all that, but I miss cruising 😀
I’ve been fighting the WWBF beast for the past year or so. I do think that CF I’ve been doing has helped keep it at bay. It was creeping up on me, but since I was diagnosed with RA, I’ve dropped a few pounds. That confuses me.
Keep on flipping those tires! Have they brought out the evil wheel yet?
I miss my long slow runs, and am looking forward to getting back at it here in the next month or two. The belly fat struggle is real!
WWBF. I think it is inevitable. I had been thin my whole life and once I hit 60, it appeared!!! I doesn’t go away if you lose weight either. I guess I should try working out instead of covering it up with loose long tops. LOL
BTW: you look great – so strong and fit!!
I’ll be reading to see if you find a fix. Hopefully it’s not too late for me.
That tire flipping is good intensity!! I am a card carrying member of WWBF all my life, I come from a long line too. I know I need the heavy lifting, but I have been on a little roll with the home dumbbell workout just because it feels so different, the combo moves feels more intense so I am going to give it a try awhile. I haven’t felt able to push and do strides or any speed work yet, I hope the time is coming for both of us 🙂
I can’t see my comment – argh! I hope you see it 🙂
Oh my gosh, we so need to sit down over a glass of wine and whine together! I have been so pissed off this entire week about my weight …gain that is. It totally sucks! I’m with you ..is there any way at all to combat this wicked evil belly fat??? It seems like no matter how much I work out, it just keeps piling on. I’ve been the freaking Queen of cross training the past few months …Spin classes, tire flipping, stair mills, weight training etc… and what do I have to show for it? 5 extra damn pounds! I’m making an appointment with the doctor ..I need hormone pills! That’ll fix it, right?? (I know the answer to that …but one can dream, can’t they?)
Thanks for letting me vent. I feel better …until I go put my jeans on …then I’ll be all pissed off again. Sigh.
I have been reading more and more about how working out harder and longers and more is not the way to go to reduce belly fat as we get a bit older… these things add to our cortisol levels and that holds onto belly fat. So, the suggested thing is eat less, exercise less and do more to reduce physical and mental stress. Long hot soaks, leisurely walks, resistance training in moderation. Dr. Jade Teta… metabolic effect. Interesting.
Yup, my Jillian Michaels workouts always have the “get the heart rate up, burn that fat.” I’m huffing and puffing, but I swear I’m in shape. I’ve certainly made adjustments as I’ve gotten older. I cut out the sugary treats (for the most part), and since I toned it down to 5k’s and 10k’s, I’m not craving all the things.
I come from a long line of heavy, but for the most part curvy women — although I’m more pear than my mom was/is. I also work out much harder than she ever did (although she is still pretty darn strong for almost 89 and barely ever does anything).
Doesn’t mean I have a flat stomach, no siree bob. And I’m still caught in the no man’s land of wondering whether or not I have a cycle. I strength train because I like the way my body looks when I do — at least, when I do and eat right, that is.
But it’s definitely a struggle as we age!
You just hit on a subject I have been realizing I am going to have to do more of.
I’m working on dropping some pounds myself and I think I might be starting to plateau off a little and Intensity is exactly what I’m going to have to put into my workouts/runs to get beyond that!
Thanks for sharing!
OMG my belly fat is taking over and I canNOT deal with it. I’ve been totally freaking out about it over the last week or so too. Lol! Thank god I just started training again and the holidays are over…
Way to get more intensity in! I really love that pic of you with the tire! I too need to work on my belly fat and the ice cream cake I made for Hubby’s bday is not helping in that dept. :p
I’ve been avoiding the scale and anything tight fitting except my workout leggins! You know you can wear a different pair to work almost 5 days a week???
I’ve been trying to sneak back in some speed work a bit. It’s quite hard when someone isn’t making you do it!