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Strength Training - making it interesting

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Niall27

Newbie
Messages
4
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
I was diagnosed with T2 diabetes about 15 months ago. Since then I have brought my A1C levels down from dangerously high to just within the bottom end of prediabetic with a combination of the elimination of just about all carbohydrates, a lot of walking, a certain amount of Munro- and Corbett bagging, and some daily Empagliflozin.

I was doing 30 minutes of strength training every other day, but it's utterly, utterly tedious, and I am concerned this is tapering off.

How do others make this anything other than a repetitive slog?
 
Hi and welcome.

My short answer is that I don't do any, as it's boring, solitary, and repetitive, and runs the risk of more muscle bulking than i'd like. Instead I play football three times a week and do a pilates session. Both are done in company of others and have a social aspect to them, as well as exercise, but most importantly I enjoy doing them. They weren't factors in my BG normalisation or weight loss, either.

I honestly don't think there's much point having to work at an exercise routine that you hate. Find something you like, and do that instead.
 
Does your gym have classes try body Pump if so
not heavy body building stuff but very high reps with a great variety
loads go
 
or running exercises like interval training. Slow jog for a period of time then a short burst of higher intensity running.
 
Putting the boring, solitary, and repetitive aspects aside , (everything I enjoy when exercising so each to their own ) if you are concerned about bulking up go for lower weights and increase the reps. Not wishing to be sexist as some women who body sculpt desire bulk, but in the main women want tone and not bulk so they use much lighter weights but higher repetitions. Same would apply to men.

Ed grammar
 
Thanks, folks.

Yes, cardio is not the problem. Most weeks I exceed the cardio recommendations, sometimes by a considerable margin. I invested in a set (to 3 kilos) of weights, and plus some resistance bands, and have a rowing machine left over from the height of the covid pandemic. There is no gym nearby, and I can think of few activities more dull, except maybe golf.

It's the boring and repetitive aspects of strength training that are doing my head in, which means it isn't getting done with the frequency it might.


I have no great desire to bulk. Toned and lean (achieved! (1)) are just fine.

1) I have a BMI just over 21. My BRI actually puts me in the "very lean" category. My blood pressure, even with a White Coat Syndrome problem, is "a bit low".
 
Niall27 said:
and have a rowing machine left over from the height of the covid pandemic.
Click to expand...
A rowing machine is boring, but what about actual rowing/biking/hiking outside?
I hate exercise just for the exercise, but I love open water swimming and sailing.

Or do you have access to a patch of soil? Turning soil definitely counts as strength training, and with a bit of luck you'll end up with home grown veggies as well.
Or you could offer help on a local platform, people always need help moving furniture to the 4th floor or paving a patch of garden. Free training while also making people happy!
 
I love going to the gym but you said you don’t have one nearby. During Covid my gym was in the basement, I worked out every day. Good music or a good movie, you tube video…anything to keep me interested. I love seeing the positive change in my body, weights are extremely important to me as I am a small boned person…I need retain and build muscle and help my bone density! I also walk a ton and do yoga twice a week. I will fight aging every step of the way!
I agree with a previous comment about classes….they can be very motivating.
 
Some of these are excellent ideas I can definitely look into. There is plenty of water around, but I would need to learn how to use a sea kayak safely, so I'm not sure how that would work. I have always wanted to learn to sail, and there are sailing clubs at every little harbour all around the coast here, but I don't have an accurate sense of the physical strength involved in handling a small boat. I will investigate.

I'm trying to think outside the box in terms of heavy gardening, something I once enjoyed, but no longer have direct access to, but it is a great suggestion.

It has been noted that I'm physically strong, so helpfully shifting and carrying would, as you say, be a prosocial activity with direct personal benefit.
 
An out of the box suggestion...
Just seen add for temporary workers late September through October for pumpkin pickers "must be capable of lifting"...
It's different!
 
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