csiems’s BodyBlog

So, today at the gym, I went for the purpose of gettng one rep max numbers.  I really hate squats with the barbell.  It bothers my back greatly.  As soon as the bar is set on my shouders, I can feel my spine compounding.  I cannot be the only one this effects.  Anyways, I figured I would write down my other figures here:

Squat Machine: 400lbs

Hipsled: 455lbs

Pullups: 2 (ouch! My goal is 10)

And because I am currently working out with a friend I am going to record his max reps here too…if I leave them on the piece of paper on my desk, they will be lost forever!

Bench Press: 240   Squat: 270   Deadlift: 315     Bicep Curl (cable): 150/all weight available     Barbell Row: 165     Overhead Press: 165     Pullups: 30+     Hipsled: No max, had all 45’s it could hold, plus me on top.

So, I recieved a request to sub for core and strength training classes tonight.  So I will not be doing the workout I posted yesterday.  Instead, I think I will do that Thursday.  Below I have laid out my plans for classes this evening.  Since this is not my class, it is difficult to gage what the members want.  I believe they typically do lots of reps.  This pains me, because I typically do high weight, low reps.  That, and its such a challenge to get people to engage in correct form - no matter how many times you repeat yourself or correct a person.  I find it frusterating to teach people who are there to simply go through the motions.  If you’re going to be there for an hour, why not make use of your time and push yourself?  That’s the only way to see results.  If it’s easy, its not worth doing.

Results from working out have become status quo.  If there is no goal, how can improvement be achieved?  And, if there is no need for improvement, what’s the point in mindlessly going through the actions?  So, I have decided to join this as a means of measuring self improvement, gaining knowledge, perspective, and motivation. 

When you see yourself in the mirror everyday, it’s challenging to see changes in your body.  Same seems to hold true when you go to the gym everyday and don’t notice increase in weight lifted, reps completed, etc.  I figure this will be a nice way of tracking progress over a long period of time. 

We had a great Thanksgiving, but glad to resume routine tomorrow.  Back to the gym!  I’ve had a personal trainer over the past four months, but have decided not to train with him during December as the holidays always seem to be so busy.  That, and I will be going out of town for close to a week.  I am curious as to how I will fare.  I think I have gained enough knowledge from meeting with a trainer 3 times a week for four months that I can do this on my own… for a while.  Though, I am concerned about losing any ground that I may have gained.  It’s so much more challenging to push yourself to do things than it is to have someone else pushing you.  I’ll just consider this the mental strength training - which will do me some good too.

I am getting pictures taken for my husband for Christmas on Wednesday, and trying to get in a couple good workouts before then.  Tomorrows workout:

10 min. warm up on eliptical

• ladder squats on bosu 1-10-1
• one legged quats on smith machine 3 sets of 12
• lunges with 20 lb weights - across fitness floor x3
• Attempt squats standing on top of ball

plyometrics, 30 sec each of:

• jumping lunges
• jumping squats
• top taps on step

5 min. abs 30 seconds per type

50 min. cardio/cycling

I will probably go back and take cycle again in the evening…depending on how the day goes.  Between training, and teaching, I will typically spend anywhere between 2-5 hours a day at the gym.  I do not consider the classes I teach as a part of my workout due to the fact that I am not giving it my all.  Instead, I am working on correcting students, etc.  Which brings me to a question of how do you determine if you are over training, and what are the consequences?  Can this slow down achieving results?  And, how do you find a good balance?

Eating will be my biggest downfall.  It always has.  I do consider myself to be a binge eater.  I have been known to eat entire pints of ben and jerrys in a sitting all by myself!  Mmmm.  I try not to keep junk food in the house, but with husband and child…  Well, junk does seem to find its way in. 

So, the motto I am going to try to keep chanting to myself is: "Consistency, consistency, consistency!"   

Wish me luck!  I’m gonna need all the luck and help I can get!

Carrie