Strength training schedule question

some thoughts

- it seems like you didn't love cardio at first, but eventually found yourself loving it after doing it for some time. the same could very possibly happen with strength training; it did for myself, and it has for lots of other people. it also may not, but it's something to keep in mind.

- have you considered adding a strength element to your cardio? here are some examples:

- pulling a weighted sled
- farmer's walks
- tyre flips
- hitting a tyre with a sledgehammer

i personally really don't like cardio, but i do like these; you might like them too. i'm not saying replace all your cardio, but it's a way to kill two birds with one stone.

- why specifically do you prefer cardio to strength training? if it's because you don't like being cooped up in a gym, then you don't have to be. buy a kettlebell or some other equipment and do your training outdoors. you can get a LOT of benefit from a small amount of equipment, and training outside is a great feeling.

- your schedule looks fine enough, but you could definitely flesh it out a bit. i'll see what you think about my first suggestions and then based on that we can go from there.

Hmmmm. This made me think.

Why do I prefer cardio? Partly it is the being outside part. Because I do not especially like the treadmill and the exercise bike is probably my least favorite exercise of all (and that includes strength and circuit). But I think the part I like best is that it gives my mind a chance to "roam free" and if anything is stressing me out, by the time I finish my run (my most used cardio), I have worked out solutions to my problems. I can be alone with my thoughts. Often I daydream or generate ideas (I am in a creative profession). I cant do those things when lifting. I have to count sets, or at least concentrate on what I am doing to get it right. Maybe that it why a circuit dvd has worked better for me than straight lifting. Then at least I dont have to count, and the prompts keep me from getting completely off track on form. But my mind still doesnt get its preferred break as in cardio! Funny, I count strokes when I swim, but it still relaxes me, because of the rhythm and monotony. Actually , perhaps it is partly the rhythmic aspect of cardio that is so relaxing to me (I am a musician).

I have thought about running with weights in a vest to add a bit of strength aspect. But I havent really investigated. As for the other types of strength/cardio, it sounds like I would need a gym or a track for those, which would not make them regular exercises for me. My time is so constrained that I do not have the freedom to go to the gym, etc. I always have to get my workouts in between dropping off and picking up kids for their practices. That is another reason why walking and running have worked so well for me. As long as I have comfy clothes and running shoes, I can do them anywhere, and tailor the length to whatever time is available. So I can drop kids at pool for practice, and then run in the neighborhood around the facility, etc. But I live close enough to their practice pool that I could get home and get a short dumbbell workout in and still get them picked up on time. And then go back out for a short walk, run, or ride after I pick them up.

Have thought of getting a membership at their practice facility but we are already members elsewhere for my husband, and another membership gets expensive. Plus it is really intimidating to be working out right next to where your kids are being trained, and have the coaches watching you too!!

Any other ideas on how to include strength with cardio?? (besides circuit) Interesting idea.
Or pointers on as you say fleshing out the schedule? Right now I would just break the sections of "body for life" up into different days since that program seems to be an ok framework.