The first fictional character I created, Lydia Love, was  similar to me in many ways. She had a great relationship with her mother. She carried a torch for an old flame. And as it relates to this post, she was an avid exerciser. Where we differ is with our level of commitment.

You see, at the time of the setting of my novel, Unfinished Business, Lydia was a single woman with only herself–and the man she couldn’t leave alone–to worry about. But no matter what was going on in her personal life, she hit that gym. I didn’t write any scenes with Lydia weight lifting as part of her routine, but she was definitely that type of woman to do whatever was necessary for the best sculpting of her body.

Not quite the case with me…

5lb…8lb…12lb…15lb

These are the various size dumbbells that I have acquired over the last 20 years. Sadly, I haven’t used any of them consistently but the 5lb-ers  come the closest. As long as I’ve been exercising I should be up to 25lb, at least, but I just can’t seem to stick to weight lifting long enough to increase up to that and beyond.

Why? I’m still trying to figure that out.

I know how effective weight training is for weight loss. When I observe others doing it, it looks a lot easier than pounding away on the treadmill for 30-45 minutes or swinging my arms and legs on the elliptical. But clearly it’s something about it that has kept me from developing a routine.

I read one article that listed intimidation as one of the reasons for not women not weight lifting. Hmm…I don’t think so. I simply enjoy–if I can use that word describing exercising–cardio. It’s easy to walk outside or get on a machine at the gym and then leave. Not so much for the weights. It’s something about standing in one spot doing reps or walking around looking for the right machine or an available one that I can actually use that keeps me away.

At 40 years old, I haven’t given up, though.  This lady right here has my new inspiration. If she can start in her 50’s, it’s not too late for me! Plus I recently read this article  explaining one woman’s argument against weight training an the author/expert’s counter for why she and I need to get over it.

I hope this article inspires you to incorporate weight training into your routine like it has me. If you already have this weight training together, provide your tips and tricks for sticking with it for those of us struggling. Help a sistah out!

Naturally Yours,

L.A.