The happiest country

 Hello from Finland, the happiest country in the world.

Why are we so happy, and are we that happy?

Maybe the answer is, that many things are going well here. 

Also we have the world's biggest archipelago and 75% of the surface is covered with forests.

Other nice things are clean air, safety and a long winter. Not to forget strawberry cake.

Strength training at home gym

Now I have trained seven times at home gym. How has it been?

In fact it has been better than I expected. My training has two parts, warm up and strength training. I'm doing the warm up on a treadmill and strength training with Caliber app.

Training with Caliber has been better than expected. The app gives you the training program and collects the data from every time you are training. The excercises can be done with two barbells.

How about motivation? Some days I have not been very motivated. Still I have done the exercises three times a week. And on the treadmill it's possible to watch Netflix. It's on 8 degrees in the room. that feels a bit cold. It will become a bit warmer though when winter is over. And treadmill training helps to get muscles warm. Then the low temperature doesn't bother so much.

To stay motivated I asked ChatGPT about the benefits of strength training.

Strength training 

• increases muscle strength
• improves  physical appearance and boosts metabolism
• improves bone health
• helps to maintain a healthy weigth
• enhances functional strength
• helps strengthen the muscles surrounding the joints
• can boost energy levels
• is associated with a risk of developing chronic diseases
• enables you to maintain vitality, mobility, and independence

Gym training at home

I used to go to CrossFit -classes at a gym for over a year. This year I have started training at home. To be honest, not many times yet, I have done my first training yesterday. 

The main reason to start training at home is that we have a space for it and some equipment. Also the freedom to choose what time to train, and the curiosity to try if this will work (without a coach and other people). 

I have Caliber app on my phone, and each time I choose a workout to do. Also I do at least a warm up. This is the plan.

How about equipment? We have a treadmill, some barbells and two kettlebells. Also a jump-rope, punching bag and a foam roller. We will see how it works out. It’s possible to buy some new equipment if needed.

Now it’s all about self-discipline. My goals are to train 3-4 times a week. To finish one Caliber training each time and to use the treadmill for warm up. Then to add some movements to it, depending on how much time I can use for training.

What are the advantages?

• Convenience and flexibility. There is no need to travel to gym and you can exercise whenever you want.
  
• Cost savings. No costs, unless you want to buy new equipment.
• Access to personalized programs. There are lots of them available, also for free.
• Family involvement. My husband is also training.

Are there downsides?

• Limited equipment and space. At the gym there you can do more varied training.
• Lack of social interaction and motivational challenges. This is one challenge for sure. It requires a lot of self-discipline to train alone and also to stay motivated.
• There is no professional guidance at home gym.

Home gym, a threat or possibility?

Hello new year!

What's new this year? 

I can tell you at least two things.

• I have a life planner
• Done with CrossFit -membership (for now)

From now on my life will be more planned and I will start gym training at home. Or at least I hope so.

Gym training will be interesting, because now I will be setting up my own schedule. It's all about self-discipline. Will it work? I honestly don't know. It's much easier to go to a gym and let the coach tell you what to do.

How about being your own coach? Well, if the training doesn't become a routine, it will not work. I know a variety of movements that can easily be done at home. 

More about this later, when I get started.

This week the weather has been much colder as usual. Yesterday I went with friends and kids ice skating and kicksledging on the lake.

Happy New Year!

 

Summer memories

Some pictures from Bulgaria last summer.

The sun and the sea, what else do you need?

Pictures are from Sunny Beach.