Week 9 – Rebuilding Strength: From Jars to Kili
I used to be strong. Not just kind of strong, but throw 20 litre water drums on the bench like they were nothing strong. I could carry heavy stock, shift furniture, and lift things most people would struggle with. Now? Some days, I struggle to open a bloody jar.
At first, I brushed it off,just one of those things, right? But the more I think about it, the more I realise I’ve lost a lot of strength. Maybe it’s the inactivity, or maybe the cancer treatment did more damage than I thought. Either way, I am no longer accepting this as my new normal. Strength isn’t just about looking toned or lifting heavier weights, it’s about functional independence. It’s about making sure that 10, 20, 30 years from now, I can still do the things I love.
Why am I adding Strength Training Now?
I’ve done so much work cleaning up my diet and resetting my body, now it’s time to rebuild it. My legs have been getting the kilometres in as I train for Kilimanjaro, but my upper body? That’s been neglected. And if I want to make it up that mountain, I need to train my whole body not just my legs.
I was given a strength program before Christmas. I looked at it, nodded, told myself I’d start next week… and, well, here we are in Week 9 and I still haven’t committed. I have to do this now. No more excuses.
I am Making Strength a Non-Negotiable I want to see how I will be in 12 months time being consistent with it.
James Clear (the guy behind Atomic Habits) talks about how habits stick when they’re embedded into your routine. If you leave them on a to do list, they’ll get pushed aside. If they have a time and place in your schedule, they happen.
So, my new rule? When my husband’s alarm goes off at 3:45 AM, I get up too, and strength train first thing.
No thinking. No debating. Just do it.
I won’t be lifting every day, my program is four times a week, which is plenty. And yes, waking up at 3:45 AM sounds insane, but this is important, I’ll make it work.
The Real Reason Strength Training Matters
This isn’t just about lifting weights, it’s about bone density and long-term health.
I’ve been attending workshops run by and endocrinologist once a month, and what I’ve learned is shocking. Women start losing bone density at 25. Once we hit menopause, that loss speeds up even more. And here’s the kicker: bones don’t regenerate the way other tissues do. Once you lose density, it’s gone. There are medications that help, but prevention is key.
And then there’s calcium. I always thought full fat milk had the most calcium, but guess what? It doesn’t. Skim or light milk actually has more calcium, but it’s also higher in sugar. And calcium? It doesn’t do much without vitamin D. These things work together, which is why bone health isn’t just about drinking more eating more dairy, it’s about strength training, proper nutrition, and giving your body what it needs.
Stronger for Life, Not Just for Now
I don’t want to be the person who struggles to carry groceries at 70 or avoids travel because my body isn’t strong enough.
Strength training isn’t just about today’s workout, it’s about future-proofing my body.
So, no more excuses. No more pushing it to “next week.”
I’ve put my body through years of abuse, stress, inflammation, poor habits, alcohol, but I have the power to change that NOW.
From this week on, I’m lifting, pushing, pulling, and rebuilding. Because every decision we make today shapes the body we live in tomorrow.
