On December 16th, I will find out my 1RM for barbell squat. One of my 2 targets for 2015 was to squat my weight, and I am within a few pounds @ 5 reps, so theoretically (mental state not withstanding!), I can do it. So we set the date to go from 'theoretically can' to 'done'. While we are at it (getting 155#), we are going to add in 5# increments and see where my current ceiling is. Probably 160, but who knows, maybe I can even do 165#.
Either way, we'll find out in 9 days! The Chin up is a ways off yet. But not impossible. .
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Two months left to hit my target and....
Got this from Pastel Rainbow on Fiverr. Fiverr is a great concept (I have done some other small projects) and this seller was no exception to my great experience so far. And now I can put this on my blog. Yay! The annual "thanks for the boatload of money" award goes to......ME. 'Cause the money went to Goodlife. It's essentially thanking me for doing 144 PT sessions in a year; so , like yeah, thanks for the money. :) That being said, I don't regret a single cent. It's among the most worthwhile investments I've ever made. I actually I'm tempted to go on and on about what I love about it, .... But I just got back from the gym, and I feel strong and calm.... And I think that says it all. It's been a year since I joined the gym... so I thought maybe instead of some anecdote's about the current state of affairs ... I'd give some history. And since I have only 1 follower (and a charmer, he is)... I guess it's more for me than anyone else. :)
In late August 2014, I was bringing laundry up 2 flights of stairs, and found myself huffing and puffing. I did a lot of loads that weekend, and once I noticed it, it became very apparent that this happened every time. Being out of shape was not new.... It didn't happen overnight, but the realization was so vivid, and I was near panicked about doing something about it. We joined the gym right away. Garth said he'd come along for the ride to support me. We also got personal trainers for a short period (6 sessions?). I wanted to aggressively approach my wellness, and it felt important to learn my way around the equipment and what would help me achieve my goals. The initial sales pitch assessment included a review of what I wanted, and my as-is. My 4 items to improve, very much in order of importance to me, was
In terms of strength...when we added weight to my dumbell squats (after a few weeks) it was 5#. Now it's back squats .... 120#. I did 135# once (sort of), but I tried a dumbbell (front) squat this week to do an apples-to-apples comparison, and 60# was do-able. So from 5# to 60#! In terms of endurance: I did Mudderella in July. MUDDERELLA. with some girlfriends. I was tired, but I kept up. And Garth and I do 15 mile bike rides on many weekends. FOR FUN. And we have 121 shows on our PVR that we have not watched, because our couch time is way down. Re: Flexibility... I am not really sure. I didn't have the same kind of benchmark that I did with the other stuff. I don't really notice anything, but it does not bother me. Once I hit some of my other targets, maybe I will cycle out one weight session a week for Yoga. Anyway; it's been one of the most amazing things I have ever done for myself. I am proud of the hard work I have put into it.. And I still have fun EVERY time I go to the gym. Pretty cool.... NikeFuel showing my slowdown ..... Well, 2 days I just didn't even bother wearing it. The rest is me geared down. But a week and a bit of physio (I figured, why mess around?) I actually feel better than ever.This guy was amazing: PHYSIO It's been a few days since my last session, and I still feel great. Even when I went to that one.... I wasn't feeling like anything was sideways.
I still probably lost a month of progress on deadlifts and squats, which has me less than stoked. I am already a late bloomer and a slow progresser ....but I try to think that it's good for my character. I feel like I graduated to big girl pants today! We finally added some plates to the Olympic bar for my (back) squat. OK, only little ones.... 2.5# each! But still, it took me around 5 months to get this far, so I am celebrating!!!
They may not look like much to you.... but these little marks (I admit, you have to look closely) are my deadlift badges. Little callouses .... big deal. I got a pair of great gloves for Christmas, but I have to admit... I am kinda partial to the callouses...they attest to the fact that I have been gripping a knurled bar. :) So bare handed it is! JW continuously modifies stuff so I can get it. I am struggling so much with basics that he must be exasperated, but if he is, he keeps it to himself. I feel like the most awkward thing ever. The first few modifications, you can see him going through a list of 'regression' of the posture that he has done before. Then he gets to a point where it's a pause... and then a suggestion. At it's worst... he actually says he'll think about it before the next session, on how we modify it further so 'we' can get it. I challenge him on the 'we'.... but he takes it pretty seriously that we are in it together... which is probably one of the reasons I have not given up. :) I'll get it, eventually....
I have decided I like him a bunch! He explains things I don't get without judgement. I lucked out. Hopefully he sticks around. |
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