A Week in the Life of Lauren Barry
I usually have a tight schedule and must squeeze in a workout, so I often begin my day by squatting for the 2 minutes while I brush my teeth, jog to class (with a booksack on… It looks very goofy, but you gotta do what you gotta do!), climb the stairs, perform glute kickbacks while washing dishes and leg lifts while sitting at my desk. Some days, my workouts are sub-par, but I must understand that time is of the essence. I’m only given one body, so I know that I need to take care of it. On those days where I am crunched for time, I give myself 10 minutes of compound exercises so that I can strengthen my muscles while challenging my cardiovascular system. These HIIT-style workouts can help maintain my health, but progress occurs and I feel best whenever I follow my goals.
I make it a goal to walk, jog, or bike outside 3x per week. It doesn’t have to be extremely far, fast, or long. But getting in 15 minute intervals of cardio throughout the day, especially when I am stressed, gives me mental clarity and rejuvenates my spirit.
I usually train my upper body on Mondays, my lower body on Wednesdays, and I’ll do a total body workout (using my own bodyweight) on Fridays. Whenever my muscles are strong, I feel more confident knowing that I can take care of everyday activities with ease and I also find relief from back pain. Because strength and functional mobility are my goals, I regularly perform 3 circuits of 3 exercises each followed by a small exercise for 30 seconds to get my heart rate up(such as step-ups or squat jumps). Each exercise is performed for 3 sets of 10-15 repetitions, making sure to work the muscles throughout their full range of motion and with a strong, stable core to decrease any risk of injury. (Example: one circuit would include bench press, chest flies, and skull crushers followed by a 30 second cardio-style exercise. Each resistance exercise would be performed 15x before moving on to the next exercise. Each circuit would be performed 3x before moving on to the next circuit)
I often practice yoga flows or small yoga sequences after my workouts to stretch and strengthen my muscles while allowing my mind and body to relax.
I’m not going to lie: getting in a workout can be difficult; mostly because it is easy to settle into the mindset that hours at a time bust be invested to gain a healthy lifestyle and see results. As a student working two jobs, maintaining two internships, and taking a multitude of classes, I understand what it means to have a busy schedule. Some days, you get in an amazing workout and others, you just do the best that you can!
I make it a goal to walk, jog, or bike outside 3x per week. It doesn’t have to be extremely far, fast, or long. But getting in 15 minute intervals of cardio throughout the day, especially when I am stressed, gives me mental clarity and rejuvenates my spirit.
I usually train my upper body on Mondays, my lower body on Wednesdays, and I’ll do a total body workout (using my own bodyweight) on Fridays. Whenever my muscles are strong, I feel more confident knowing that I can take care of everyday activities with ease and I also find relief from back pain. Because strength and functional mobility are my goals, I regularly perform 3 circuits of 3 exercises each followed by a small exercise for 30 seconds to get my heart rate up(such as step-ups or squat jumps). Each exercise is performed for 3 sets of 10-15 repetitions, making sure to work the muscles throughout their full range of motion and with a strong, stable core to decrease any risk of injury. (Example: one circuit would include bench press, chest flies, and skull crushers followed by a 30 second cardio-style exercise. Each resistance exercise would be performed 15x before moving on to the next exercise. Each circuit would be performed 3x before moving on to the next circuit)
I often practice yoga flows or small yoga sequences after my workouts to stretch and strengthen my muscles while allowing my mind and body to relax.
I’m not going to lie: getting in a workout can be difficult; mostly because it is easy to settle into the mindset that hours at a time bust be invested to gain a healthy lifestyle and see results. As a student working two jobs, maintaining two internships, and taking a multitude of classes, I understand what it means to have a busy schedule. Some days, you get in an amazing workout and others, you just do the best that you can!
Image by Lululemon/Facebook
I hope you've enjoyed this three-part series and gained new perspective and inspiration to move in ways you enjoy. If you missed Part 1 on the benefits of fitness and/or Part 2 on what level of fitness we should aim for, find them here and here!
Lauren Barry is a kinesiology student at ULM who empowers people to ask life’s hard questions: who do you want to be, what does “health” mean to you, what is the meaning of life, and what is love? Lauren’s curious spirit led her to ULM as a collegiate athlete, then to the mountains of Nepal and the depths of the Louisiana Swamp. These experiences allowed her to discover who she was meant to be, as well as how her health, food, and fitness could help inspire important conversations and understanding across the fitness industry and the world at large.
Throughout her life, Lauren has experienced a range of body types and has learned the strength, power, and vulnerability that each new shape may bring. She hopes to graduate from ULM, then train and teach youth and adults about the importance of internal health and mental well-being with physical activity and nature. Lauren enjoys long naps on the beach, assisting her sisters in cooking new recipes (then eating most of it), and exploring the wild.
Throughout her life, Lauren has experienced a range of body types and has learned the strength, power, and vulnerability that each new shape may bring. She hopes to graduate from ULM, then train and teach youth and adults about the importance of internal health and mental well-being with physical activity and nature. Lauren enjoys long naps on the beach, assisting her sisters in cooking new recipes (then eating most of it), and exploring the wild.
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