The most toned I have ever been!

It’s been more than a month now that I have been facing a runner’s block. I’m scared that I can’t run long distances any more. I haven’t done any long run this year except the one 10km in Feb. All I’m able to manage is a 5 km two times a week. At the same time, I have started baking a lot which means I’m also a eating a lot. Instead of constantly beating myself over it, I had to find something apart from running in order to keep my sanity. So for the past one month, I have added skipping (jump rope) once a week to my routine. I started with 200-300 and have moved up to 500-700 with a minute’s break after every 100 skips. I started it as a fun activity as I used to love it when I was a young girl. But then I got talking to some instructors and got to know that it is one of the best activities for –

• overall body strengthening – calves, upper back, shoulders.
•  good for the heart
•  An alternate, more engaging way to burn calories
•  improves core strength
•  Improves agility coordination
• Body toning

Like any other workout, warm up and cool down is essential and once again I learned it the hard way when I felt cramps in my calf. Also, replenishing salts post workout is essential, so I do consume electral or Fast & Up. I don’t do it too fast or too much (at least as of now), and love the way my body is toning up and things it’s doing to my upper back. I use a basic jump rope and instead of doing it on a concrete surface, I do it in the park on a less grassy patch.

I have been given a challenge to learn Double Unders (some intense form of jump rope) in 15 minutes by a Crossfit crazy friend. I will be sharing the video soon. And whether this will help me as a runner or not, I will only get to know once I start running. Sigh.

Note – Before trying out intense workout, do get your annual check up done and get a go ahead from you doctor.