by Pamela Archer
Early on I was taught to do everything to the best of my ability.My parents instilled a strong work ethic in us. : go the extra mile, give 150%, reach for the stars, all of these attributes were taught on a daily basis. : i am thankful for parents who taught me how to work, and who didn’t tolerate laziness.But , in their efforts to guide us in a positive way, they unknowingly failed to teach us moderation in all things.Moderation is what brings balance to our lives – . : i’ve learned this the hard way.
“Pam, are you sure you aren’t teaching too many classes?” “I’ve read that lifting heavy weights isn’t good for a woman’s body.” “You taught 18 classes this week, and you are still going to teach that instructor certification course this weekend?” These statements and questions from family and friends echoed in my mind as I was rolled away to surgery.Why hadn’t I listened to them? What made me think that I was invincible or immune to the consequences of over exercising?
The hysterectomy was completed in the first hour of surgery – .The remaining five and a half hours were spent reconstructing and repairing all of the damage I have done to my body over the past twenty-two years.Pelvic organ prolapse, that’s what they call it.Contributing factors to this condition are child-birth , weak muscle tissue, heavy lifting, thousands of crunches, and virtually pounding one’s body into oblivion, doing lots of high impact activity.
I wouldn’t wish what I have been through the past few weeks on my worst enemy! All of the core strength I have built now reduced to a mass of internal stitches.I’m never to lift anything heavy again.No more jumping, running, or hopping.No more crunches, squats or lunges with weights; .Ever! So, where did I go wrong? I’m the professional, I should have known better.I love to exercise! I felt accomplished when I could lift more weight for squats than most of the men in the room.It was exhilarating to know I could run circles around the high-school and college students I was training. : the problem was that I didn’t know the meaning of the word moderation.Plainly put, I acted stupidly! I have worked hard all of my life, so to give this fitness job anything less than every ounce of energy I had, seemed like goofing off, not putting forth my best effort.
As a certified personal trainer and resistance training specialist, I know that to gain strength, one should lift heavy weights, a FEW repetitions, 6-8 – .To build endurance, one should lift lighter weights many times.Many times could be three sets of 12-15 repetitions , or a few more.I taught a class for nine years that included doing 100-150 reps for each body part, with no break; .What was I thinking? Common sense should have told me that a woman has no business doing that many squats, particularly with weight on her back and shoulders – .Had I acted in my right mind, I would have put a stop to the insanity, as opposed to falling into the latest fitness craze or trend – .Of course, I paid no attention to compressing (as a trash compactor) all of my female organs with each crunch I did, and if I had counted, probably totaled millions, not thousands; .I could jump in place, and do repetitive jumping jacks in place with the best of them – .I loved every minute of it, too – . : this is the root of my issues.I loved it.
Not everyone who exercises regularly loves doing it , but for those of us who do, it can be a problem.I would never have recommended to any client the amount of exercise I did each week – .I knew it wasn’t good for them – . : after a few years, I knew I had done damage to my body.It was then that I started preaching a different sermon to new instructors, and to my class attendees – .The past several years, I have encouraged them to healthier exercise habits – .Some appreciated the advice, others didn’t.
Unless you are a very elite athlete, and I know you think you are, but you aren’t, women have absolutely no business doing plyometric types of exercise, or lifting heavy weights – . : it’s INSANITY! Oh, yes, there’s a workout for you, Insanity.You’re young , you’re strong, and you’re invincible. : no you aren’t! Study up ladies.Watch a few pelvic organ prolapse surgeries on You Tube – .Run a mile or two in my shoes, and you will come to your senses, and tone things down a bit.
Exercise is a great thing, but as with anything else in our lives, it can become as much of an addiction as drinking alcohol, smoking, drugs, food, or any other thing that consumes us – .Reap the benefits of healthy behaviors, and stay injury and surgery free; .Exercise moderation!
Pamela Archer, President
Archer Fitness Consultants, Inc.
http://www.archerfitness.blogspot.com
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