GiryaGirl - Kettlebell Fitness Training for Women

Find a physical activity you are passionate about which will challenge and engage you mentally, physically, and emotionally.

Boxing is more than just the way Lisa keeps fit, it also seems to be a way that she has achieved a sense of balance in her life.  Talk about a real boost to exercise adherence!  Are you going to skip or put off something which keeps you mentally and emotionally in balance?  Likewise, are you going to put off training when you have a scheduled fight coming up?  I would hope not.   She also seems to derive an empowering identity outside of "wife and mother" by thinking of herself as an athlete and competitor.   These are all powerful motivators.

Generally speaking, the average woman doesn't tend to identify herself as an athlete.   How can self-identifying as an athlete help you in your quest for health and fitness?  She makes the argument that as a boxer, you will feel the need to take care of yourself (as opposed to her stated 'womanly tendency' of putting everyone else first).  Similarly, most athletes have become very aware of their pre-during-post training nutritional needs, and the necessity of addressing minor and major injuries as soon as possible.  You can't do the "oh I skipped breakfast because I want to lose weight" metabolism destroyer and expect to perform well physically.  **Preachy-moment here: NEVER skip breakfast**  Likewise, participating in a combat sport like boxing will almost force you to address your physical needs.

Boxing isn't for everyone.  Honestly, I am not interested in participating in a sport which has the high likelihood of fists flying in my face or giving me a "shiner", I'm just vain that way.  I do admire the type of intense training which is necessary to support participation in boxing and other combat sports like MMA.  If you think about what is physically required for boxing success you find a recipe for muscular strength and endurance, as well as cardiovascular endurance.  Add that to flexibility and you have the ideal blend of physical fitness so many people strive for.  Working towards these tenants of physical fitness will also have the side effect of putting you near your ideal weight.  Note the difference here - the ideal weight occurs as a result of training, not as the primary reason for training.  "Look at what I can DO" is much more powerful than an arbitrary dress size or BMI score.

So, how do you get similar results to the same high intensity training as boxing without having fists fly at your face?  After achieving a base level of general physical conditioning, try intense cardio intervals, jumping rope, and Crossfit style workouts with timed sets and rest periods.  See what you can do with your amazingly complex body - if you're in good health, push yourself to the limit every once and a while to find (and ultimately eradicate) weaknesses.   I love to pick through the training websites of MMA tough guys, military/tactical specialists, and assorted manly-men to find new highly effective workout strategies.  Do you need a spirit of competition?  Choose a workout partner who is at a similar level of fitness and work out together, or do what I do - compete against yourself, set a performance goal and gradually work towards it.   Don't be afraid to try new exercises (start with low or no weight to learn the form), or hire a certified personal trainer to be your "coach" and motivator.  Most of all, start thinking of yourself as an athlete and aspiring badass, put the world aside during your workouts, and get passionate about your physical fitness.