Workouts while healing from autoimmune symptoms

The last post I did with a workout update seems like it was years ago, so I figured it was time for a recap post. I’ve made some pretty big changes in the past year and half and wanted to post them here!

Hi friends! How are you? I hope you’re enjoying the week so far! I’m headed to an event at the girls’ school, a barre class, and then have stacked client calls today until pickup and the evening routine. Here.we.go!

For today’s post, I wanted to share a workout update since it’s been quite a while. My workouts have changed quite a bit over the past year and a half, so I thought I’d post a lil update.

One of the many beautiful things about fitness is that it can evolve along with you, wherever you are in your journey. When I first got started in the fitness industry, I loved joint-pounding workouts and sweating from my eyeballs. When I was pregnant, i gravitated more towards barre, spin, and yoga. I eventually changed my focus into heavy strength training. I did years of Orangetheory. I trained for races and did half marathons. And now, here I am.

When I was hit with the eye issues last spring, in conjuction to a couple of years of joint pain, fatigue, and mystery rashes, I had a hint that my stress levels were too high. (Stress can be in the form of emotional stress, physical stress, and environmental toxins.) There was inflammation in my body, which was confirmed when two Lupus markers were positive. I was determined to reduce the inflammation, nourish, and heal my body, so I set out on a mission to support my nutrition and nervous system.

You can ready more about my healing plan here, and a huge part of that was changing up my workouts.

Before the eye issues began, I had pretty lofty body composition goals. I was lifting the heaviest I’ve ever lifted, but also had poor recovery. I’d push it at the gym and then either get sick or feel like I needed days to recover. I eventually learned the hard way that you can’t heal and get shredded at the same time. 😉

I changed up my focus, and while my body composition has changed a bit – I’m definitely not as *toned* or muscular as I’ve been in the past – I feel a million times better. My clothes still fit, but more importantly, I can move my body every day and not feel like a truck hit me. My Lupus markers were negative in December (!) and I can wear contacts agin. Over a year later, I’m finally at the place where I feel like I can push myself a bit again, so I’m slowly lifting heavier and starting to add in more intense cardio intervals, with lots of recovery and easier days in between.

How workouts have changed (healing from autoimmune symptoms and eye issues)

Here’s what my weekly workout schedule includes right now:

Daily walks with Maisey, on the walking pad, or a hike. I can’t wait for the weather to cool down a bit so I can hike more often!

Barre 1-2 times a week (either at Pure Barre, teaching barre, or an at-home Sculpt Society Strength workout)

Hot yoga or Pilates once a week

F45 (strength training days only) 2x a week

Sculpt Society dance cardio or Peloton 1-2 times a week

Am I super focused on progressive training right now? Nope. I just move my body each day and do what feels good.

Am I still lifting *real* weights at least twice a week? Yep.

I feel great 🙂

I’ve learned the hard way that you have to earn the right to train really hard and still feel good. Sleep, nutrition, and stress management are the most efficient ways to do that, and if one of those things fall off, you’ll eventually start to feel it.

It’s just a friendly reminder that it’s ok to adjust your workouts to where you are right now. Scaling back can be a healthy strategy, especially if times of heightened stress.

What does your weekly workout plan look like right now?

xoxo

Gina