Showing posts with label back to the weights. Show all posts
Showing posts with label back to the weights. Show all posts

Friday, April 1, 2016

The April Fool's Workout

Today
I'm a little tired and stiff this morning but nothing that feels like pain or sickness. Before I get to the gym though, I have to run an errand and drop a check off at my son's Troop Master's home. My son is already signed up for 8 weeks of summer camp, but there are two separate weeks of Boy Scout camp available, and if my husband can take some time off, he and my son can have a great time working on Scout skills and merit badges. But space needs to be reserved with a deposit. And because I'm a bit of a weenie nerd, I have to check directions on three different devices before I actually set out. Luckily, it was pretty seamless, except for the torrential rain that I totally wasn't expecting. And luckily, it stopped just as I stepped out of the car. Lucky me.

I know everyone advises against doing the same workout two days in a row, but I figure cardio is cardio. So even though I did an hour total yesterday split between the cross-trainer and the elliptical, I do it again today. But I also don't do any core, and only a warm up set of push ups. Because today I'm going to move some weights. The Smith machine is occupied by a jerk who leaves the bench sweaty and dirty, and plates on the bar. Meanwhile I knock out sets of RG BB Rows at the Max Rack, moving about 80% of my absolute max weight. It doesn't feel bad, and even though I'm about 30 degrees, I still feel the movement in my lats and center back.

Then I move to the Smith and after cleaning everything off, I give up on the Inclined Bench and swap it out for one of the smaller flat benches. Soooo much better! Again, I'm at 85% of max weight. It doesn't feel too bad, but I'm cautious because I don't want to wreck my shoulders. With this in mind, I only do 3 super sets of DB Laterals with DB Inclined Reverse Flyes. And only with 20 lb DBs. But I up the reps for the last set of the last set. Then another set of pull ups, and Intervals on the elliptical. And another set of pull ups. Well, because! I'm serious about eventually making it to 25 reps!

I do most of my Mat Stretch, something I haven't done in months. It feels pretty spectacular, and that makes me happy. Tonight is a PTO Dinner Dance, tomorrow is Chinese school and then my son has a birthday party to attend at a Rock Climbing place. Not one of his favorite things. Oh well...

Friday Workout
(6.44 miles total cardio; 24,599 lbs moved)

Steady State
Calorie :   138 CAL
Distance: 3.93 mile
Speed :    7.84 mph
Duration : 00:30:04
197.87
Set 1 : 112x23
50
Set 1 : 50 Lap/Rep
202.5
Set 1 : 55x25
Set 2 : 75x25
Set 3 : 95x20
Set 4 : 115x20
Set 5 : 135x15
165
Set 1 : 30x20
Set 2 : 80x12
Set 3 : 105x10
Set 4 : 125x8
Set 5 : 90x25
28
Set 1 : 20x12
Set 2 : 20x12
Set 3 : 20x12 SuperSet with
33.33
Set 1 : 20x16
Set 2 : 20x16
Set 3 : 20x20
190.4
Set 1 : 112x21
Intervals
Calorie :   282 CAL
Distance: 2.51 mile
Duration : 00:30:00
50
Set 1 : 50 Lap/Rep
197.87
Set 1 : 112x23

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Pulling Back Is Hard to Do

Today's Selfie
Because I feel a bit tired and have a slight sinus infection, I'm forcing myself to cut back in my workouts. Well, at least I tried to. The only thing I did manage to pull back on was the initial 3 miles on the LifeFitness cross-trainer this morning. Instead of 30 minutes, I programmed it for 20 and then went on with the rest of my routine.

When I got to the Smith machine, the bench was pulled out of the way and the bar half-way down, like someone had prepped it for me to do Inverted Rows. I'm suspicious like that. There's no Adjustable Inclined Bench readily available so I pull the Flat Bench back under the bar and do Smith Flat Bench Presses, keeping my feet up on the bench because I can't really reach the floor properly. It's been a long time since I've benched flat and it doesn't feel too bad although once I start going heavier, I have to put wrist wraps on. But I haven't worn elbow wraps for months now and I'm quite pleased about that. I can probably bench more than the 120 lbs for 8 if I cut down on my warm up sets. So far my right shoulder has only threatened to become problematic, but I don't actually feel any damage so I keep going.

Some Smith RG BB Rows and then a quick set of Smith Speed Squats before a few Smith SLDLs. Everything feels good. I am initially surprised at being unable to move the 195 lbs on the Lower Back Extension machine, but that's because the belt is set too loose. Once I tighten it, I don't have any problems getting three sets of 15 reps. Even GHRs are okay today. But the Speed Squats definitely make the Pistol Squats I do later a bit tenuous. Oh well.

I'm sporadically handing out the postcard invitations to my photo show next month. I got a box of 100 printed and figure that since they only have a shelf life of 3 weeks, I'd better start distributing them. I give one to B and her friend T. And one to each of the staff at the Front Desk. And even one to R who seems genuinely pleased. I don't hand one out to the Mayor and his cronies because I'm not sure I want them at my reception. People are surprised that I have skills other than being a bad-ass at the gym. My mother used to tell me I was a "Jack of All Trades", but then she'd follow it with "And A Master of None." My mother was good with giving you back-handed compliments. She said it was the Chinese way. I think she was just mean sometimes.

When I see D, I'll definitely give her one as well. She's the only person I've spoken to so far who completely understands my frustration with trying to repair my old printer and then the hassles of purchasing a new one because she's had several from the same manufacturer. She even told me how to sell the unopened packs of premium ink I still have since they were purchased in a multi-pack and I can't return that. The gym scale reads 110.4 lbs and that's okay considering how badly I've been eating since my husband's home. Of course, he's leaving for Boston tomorrow and won't be back until Saturday. I just want him to be home to help my hang my show.

Tuesday Workout


Calorie :   96 CAL
Distance: 2.33 mile
Speed :    6.93 mph
Duration : 00:20:00
160
Set 1 : 30x15
Set 2 : 80x12
Set 3 : 100x12
Set 4 : 110x12
Set 5 : 120x10
Set 6 : 80x25
154
Set 1 : 30x15
Set 2 : 80x12
Set 3 : 100x12
Set 4 : 110x12
Set 5 : 110x12
Set 6 : 110x12
55
Set 1 : 30x25
140
Set 1 : 30x15
Set 2 : 80x12
Set 3 : 100x12
292.5
Set 1 : 195x15
Set 2 : 195x15
Set 3 : 195x15

Set 1 : 12 Lap/Rep
Set 2 : 12 Lap/Rep
Set 3 : 12 Lap/Rep

Calorie :   236 CAL
Distance: 2.12 mile
Duration : 00:25:00

Set 1 : 00:01:10

Set 1 : 17 Lap/Rep
Set 2 : 17 Lap/Rep
Set 3 : 17 Lap/Rep
Set 1 : 112x5
Set 2 : 112x5
Set 3 : 112x3

Tuesday, October 7, 2014

Asymptomatic Allergic Reaction

Lately I've felt spacey, as if I'm on antihistamines. And I'm not. I know the ragweed count is very high, but I don't have classic symptoms like sneezing or watery itchy eyes. D tells me she thinks it's an allergic reaction to pollen, albeit much milder than what most people take antihistamines for. I'm either allergic. Or overwhelmed. Or both.

I'm prepared to take apart my Canon S900 printer to find and wash out the irreplaceable Waste Ink Absorption Pads that are no longer manufactured. But this will take time. Time I don't really have. Because I have to meet the school bus in less than 15 minutes. I've just spent a good half hour on the phone with a travel agent looking for cheap airfare to Florida, because we really do need to visit my ailing Mother-In-Law. I've booked our resort already. Unfortunately, I've missed the window to use our time-share points towards airfare and car rental, but we can use them towards theme park tickets. Yay. Not a total loss.

Meanwhile, Canon is shipping me a new photo printer for the same price that Amazon sells it for. But Canon is giving me free shipping. Kohler finally shipped the replacement parts for my bathroom basin. Again. This time they shipped everything so now I can call the plumber. Again. After the sink is finally fixed, I can either call the Fix-It man to come look at our propane stove. Or the electrician to replace the flickering fluorescent fixture on the kitchen ceiling. I want to be able to use "normal" light bulbs that I can buy at the supermarket and replace myself!

Meanwhile, my son's activities keep me busier than I'd like. He said to me, "You're just trying to fill up all my time, aren't you?" And I said, "Yes." He'd like nothing better than to spend hours every day glued to his laptop playing Minecraft or watching youtube videos about playing Minecraft. And I'm trying to minimize that time. Oh well... I might drop the angle slightly on the Smith Inclined Bench. It's halfway up so I'm guessing that's 45° although it feels more upright than that. Hmmm...

Tuesday Workout



Calorie :   145 CAL
Distance: 3.68 mile
Speed :    7.33 mph
Duration : 00:30:00
126.67
Set 1 : 30x12
Set 2 : 60x12
Set 3 : 80x12
Set 4 : 100x6
Set 5 : 100x8
Set 6 : 100x8
140
Set 1 : 30x15
Set 2 : 80x12
Set 3 : 100x12
Set 4 : 100x12
Set 5 : 100x12
Set 6 : 100x12
140
Set 1 : 50x12
Set 2 : 80x12
Set 3 : 100x12
292.5
Set 1 : 195x15
Set 2 : 195x15
Set 3 : 195x15

12
Set 1 : 12 Lap/Rep
Set 2 : 12 Lap/Rep
Set 3 : 12 Lap/Rep
Calorie :   240 CAL
Distance: 2.13 mile
Duration : 00:25:00

Set 1 : 00:01:05

15
Set 1 : 15 Lap/Rep
Set 2 : 15 Lap/Rep
Set 3 : 15 Lap/Rep
149.33
Set 1 : 110x10

Thursday, September 18, 2014

Too Easy On Myself

Some mornings I wake up and feel as if I've snorted adrenaline before I hit the gym. It's just instant espresso (which my husband claims has no caffeine in it whatsoever) and oatmeal. I reverted back to adding an egg and honey, and some dried strawberries just for fun. At the school bus stop, it's just me and my son. We haven't seen the little girl who just started kindergarten or her mom for the past few days. "She's done", I tell myself. "Her mom needs a hobby", my son tells me. I laugh to myself.

At the gym, Shaggy is on one of the LifeFitness cross-trainers. I clamber onto the one at the end with the TV that is permanently stuck on channel 4. Because I don't care. I don't watch the tv while I pedal with my hoodie pulled low over my face so I can just see the cross-trainer screen. I switch between hands and feet to just feet every 5 minutes. I'm feeling pretty good and I log in over three and half miles in 30 minutes. Then I stretch a little at the Cage before wandering over to the Smith with my fingers crossed that it's vacant.

Island Jerk is in the DB area with a new "client", a young woman I saw him assisting yesterday. At least he's not in my way, and he's not monopolizing scads of DBs, BBs and everything in between. Yay! I decide to do Smith Inclined Bench Press because 1) I can actually place my feet flat on the floor using the adjustable inclined bench and 2) Inclined Presses have been less stressful on my front delts. Because I haven't lifted in a month, I start off easy. Perhaps too easy. I add weight after finishing each set. After 6 sets, I know I need to start with a heavier weight next week.

There are regulars like the Mayor, M, Jude, Tall Pace clustered at one of the Breaker Benches. I see a tall blonde woman doing DB flyes by the BB rack. She has nice arms. Very few women at my gym have decent arms so I tend to notice those who do. I pull off my hoodie because it's going to get in the way of doing BB Rows (it's a boy's XL so it's a little big on me) and I immediately feel people staring while trying not to stare. I'm actually amused, but I don't let on. 

Three Quarter Back
Sticking to my Full Body plan means doing a new movement today: Smith RG BB Rows. Again, because I don't really know how much I can lift, I'm conservative with upping the weights. My body is definitely more parallel to the ground with this movement so I don't want to stress my lower back. I can feel my lats so I figure the weight is good. But when I get 20 reps on the last set, I realize that I should really up the weight.

I skip Squats because I think Pistol Squats are already thickening my quads again. I don't need my legs to be any bigger than they are because my pants fit just fine, thank you. But I do only three sets of SLDLs at the Smith, bumping my hips into the bar at the end of the movement. Then three sets of GHRs at the Lat Pull Down Station. Done! Yay! I scramble back up to the cardio platform to pedal for another 25 minutes, and then back down for a Mat Stretch. I realize that benching isn't nearly as hard as doing sets of 50 rep push ups so I go back to 3 sets of Dive Bomber Push Ups, but I add a few reps. While I'm doing those, I can see someone on the adjacent mat in my peripheral vision. It's a guy. I'm not sure but I think he's having trouble with regular push ups. Okay, I'm not even looking at him.

Thursday Workout

Calorie :   145 CAL
Distance: 3.66 mile
Speed :    7.28 mph
Duration : 00:30:00
140
Set 1 : 30x15
Set 2 : 50x13
Set 3 : 70x12
Set 4 : 80x12
Set 5 : 90x12
Set 6 : 100x12
133.33
Set 1 : 30x15
Set 2 : 50x12
Set 3 : 70x12
Set 4 : 80x12
Set 5 : 80x12
Set 6 : 80x20
168
Set 1 : 80x12
Set 2 : 100x12
Set 3 : 120x12
12
Set 1 : 12 Lap/Rep
Set 2 : 12 Lap/Rep
Set 3 : 12 Lap/Rep
Calorie :   212 CAL
Distance: 1.98 mile
Duration : 00:25:00
Set 1 : 00:01:05
15
Set 1 : 15 Lap/Rep
Set 2 : 15 Lap/Rep
Set 3 : 15 Lap/Rep
140.6
Set 1 : 111x8

NSAIDs Are Making Me Fat

Yesterday I stopped taking the daily dose of NSAIDs that I've been using to tolerate the discomfort from my sciatica. For weeks my sciat...