Stop blogging for a while and the whole thing changed

Burned out on lifting heavy, I did a light power workout Saturday 4/21, got a dog who exhausted me for over a week, ran on the treadmill the next Saturday, and did Oly lifts today. 4/21: Squats, 1 x 12 x air, 1 x 10 x bar, 1 x 5 x 65, 1 x 5 x 95, 5 x 3 x 115, 10 push-ups. Overhead press 1 x 8 x 45, 1 x 3 x 65, 1 x 2 x 70, 10 push-ups, 1 x 1 x 70, disgusted with myself, 1 x 4 x 65, shoulders felt like jelly. Deadlifts 3 x 3 x 135, 10 push-ups.
Today, Squats, 1 x 12 x air, 1 x 10 x bar. Front squats 1 x 8 x bar. 10 push-ups, 1 x 8 x Squat press, 10 push-ups.1 x 8 x squat press (these are just with the 45 bar) 10 push-ups, 1 x 8 squat press, 10 push-ups. Power cleans 1 x 5 x bar, 2 x 3 x 55, 2 x 3 x 65, 5 x 3 x 75, I was surprised and how successful these were. Leg press 1 x 10 x 90, 3 x 8 x 180 and done.

Interval run

Treadmill day, intervals warmed up w 4.0, 5.1, 4.0, 5.1 then turned it up for 6.0 intervals until 3 miles, cooled down for .5 mile. The faster intervals were just hard enough to be interesting. I'm still trying to decide if I am totally burned out on the compound lifts or not. This must be the point where it gets hard, and as a lifter alone, ugh. The session should be squats 3 x 3 x 135, overhead press 3 x 3 x 72.5, bench press 3 x 5 x 90, deadlifts 1 x 3 x 150.

Fun day

Squats 1 x 12 x air, 1 x 10 x bar, 1 x 5 x 65, 1 x 5 x 95, 1 x 3 x 115, 1 x 3 x 125, 1 x 3 x 135, nice deep squats, 1 x 1 x 135 wTF happened? 1 x 5 x 125, 1 x 5 x 115. Suddenly, I couldn't face one more minute under the barbell, so decided to do other stuff I will call my Bro workout.

Dumbbell standing shoulder press 1 x 8 x 15, 1 x 5 x 20, 3 x 5 x 25. Dumbbell row 3 x 8 x 25. Dumbbell bench 3 x 8 x 25. 3 x 10 push-ups. Leg press 1 x 8 x 90, 2 x 6 x 180, 1 x 8 x 180. I stretched and came home. Sometimes I think one has to do something different. On the bright side, having had those 90 lb bench presses last week means that I am close to a 100 lb bench, which is one of my lifting goals for the year. Push-ups helped I bet, while doing them I pretend I'm Chuck Norris pushing the Earth down. :-)

Saturday lifts

Heavy day, I don't have my log on hand at the moment and the cat is sitting on my lap, so will go from memory. Squats, 1 x 10 x air, 1 x 8 x bar, these warm-up bar squats are often the toughest until the work sets, 1 x 5 x 65, 1 x 5 x 95, 1 x 5 x 105, I don't remember if I did five or three at 115, went up to 1 x 2 x 135, yet another 'helper' came over to spot me because I was leaning over. I am seriously going to take the SS book to the library and copy the pictures of a low-bar squat, staple the pages together and carry it in my gym bag to give to these fools.

Topped out squats at either 3 x 3 x 135 or 4 x 3 x 135- it felt good.

Overhead press 3 x 3 x 70. Bench press topped at 1 x 5 x 90 with a good spotter, 1 x 2 x 90,couldn't find the good spotter and ended up with a crap spotter, personal trainer at the gym OF COURSE, pulled the fucking bar up for me as soon as it started slowing down. I will never ask that guy for a spot again. Racks were full and I was annoyed by the benching incident so I skipped deadlifts.

Something different

I took the UFC class tonight- which to my chagrin started out by sprinting around the soccer field OUTSIDE, but it wasn't too hot so it was okay. Then we all went back upstairs and did the usual circuit training andsprint intervals on the treadmills. So, it was pretty fun, I'll do it again on Thursday night for a change of pace and a new challenge. That will have to count as a light lifting day, tomorrow I'll have an easy run 5k or so on the treadmill and then plan to max out lifts on Saturday.

Saturday, however, is not without its possible issues as my stylist is having a Spring Fling at his salon and I absolutely have to go as he invites me to everything and I never show up. Also, Friday is my little niece's birthday, which means it may be celebrated on Saturday. If so that will fill the day up even more. I've been working on a piece of art for her for a month now. She loves sparkels and swimming, so I painted a mermaid for her with crystal eyes and other crystals sprinkled around, and sequin fish and mermaid tail. I hope she likes it!

Looking forward to the treadmill

I have been at the bank all morning watching the employee there fiddle around on the computer creating my business account. The starting out part of being a corporation is tedious. Now I'm home, had the delicious lunch of cottage cheese, tuna and red pepper flakes. Yum! It actually isn't that bad and gets protein in me without a lot of fuss.

Today is a running day, my calf feels completely normal so I hope that continues. If it is fine I'll go for four miles, if it starts to bother me again I'll stop at three.


Okay, I feel much better now. The calf is a bit tight but not bad, I went for a couple of half mile intervals too. I'm considering taking an Ultimate Fitness Challenge class tomorrow night instead of lifting. Both trainers who teach it are cool and it should be a fun change of pace. I've been feeling pudgy lately too, yes abs are made in the kitchen blah blah...changing things up a bit can't hurt. Then I can do cardio again Friday and max out or rep out Saturday. Now just to force myself to stay awake at least another hour to work, must make money!!!

Whoot, made my lifts!

nice session today, squats 1 x 12 x air, 1 x 10 x bar, 1 x 5 x 65, 1 x 5 x 95, 1 x 3 x 105, 1 x 3 x 115, 1 x 3 x 125, 1 x 2 x 130, 10 push-ups, 1 x 3 x 130, 10 push-ups, 1 x 3 x 130- need to watch depth, 10 push-ups, 1 x 2 x 130.

Overhead press 1 x 8 x 45, 1 x 3 x 65, 1 x 3 x 70, oh yeah! 10 push-ups. Bench press 1 x 10 x 45, 1 x 5 x 65, 1 x 3 x 85, 1 x 4 x 90- had a lift off and spotter, 1 x 3 x 90, 1 x 3 x 90. Each set had an assisted rep and the end I'm not counting here. Easy deadlifts 3 x 3 x 135.

Easy interval run/walk on the treadmill tomorrow.

Whoa, a change of heart?

So I was on a strength forum last night, browsing posts and I usually check the posts by women lifters as there aren't many of us and I like to see how they are doing. One in particualr is very strong, and recently squatted 300 pounds. I had to check out the video, and here is when it happened. I think she is way too, wait for it....bulky! This is a personal freak out because, on paper, a woman who is dedicated to lifting and outlifts many guys should be someone I look up to, and here I am somewhat, hmm what is the word? Replused is too strong a word, taken aback is too weak a phrase so I'm not sure.

It could be her genetics, or she could be on steroids for all I know (which Is why I'm not linking to the person) as high-level female lifters usually look like normal yet superfit women (not to be confused with female bodybuildrs on steroids who totally look like guys). Huh. Something to think about.

My lifts tonight should go up to 130 lb squats, 70 lb presses, 90 lb bench if a spotter is around, and, because I'm maxing out on all the previous lifts, 3 x 3 x 135 deadlifts. I will update later with the results.

Finally a good lifting session

Probably due to being out of wine last night and sleeping in today. Squats 1 x 12 x air, 1 x 10 x bar, 1 x 5 x 65, 1 x 5 x 95, 1 x 5 x 105, 1 x 3 x 115, 3 x 3 x 125, 2 x 3 x 115, 1 x 5 x 115.

Bench press 1 x 8 x 45, 1 x 5 x 65, 1 x 5 x 75, 1 x 3 x 90, 1 x 2 x 90, 1 x 3 x 90, 1 x 5 x 90, went for six and he helped on the last rep.

Deadlift 1 x 3 x 135, 1 x 3 x 145, 2 attempts at 165, couldn't get it up, 1 x 1 x 155, 1 x 3 x 135. And out til Monday.

Didn't think this last session was worth posting

But I may as well. This week was stressful to say the least. At one point I looked in a mirror and was surprised to still look normal. If stress manifested outwardly I was sure to have large boils all over or hives or something awful. Huh, I guess that is the good side, still appearing human even when not feeling like it. Ah well, deep breath and big payment to the Govt and now I need to get back to life.

Thursday evening's workout reflected the crap week. Squats 1 x 12 x air, 1 x 10 x 45, 1 x 5 x 65, 1 x 5 x 95, 1 x 5 x 105, 1 x 5 x 115, 1 x 2 x 125, 8 push-ups, 1 x 3 x 125, 125 was too heavy for me to deal with tonight. 8 push-ups, 3 x 5 x 115, 1 x 5 x 105. We will consider that, volume day.

8 push-ups, overhead press 1 x 8 x 45, 1 x 5 x 55, 3 x 3 x 65. These were hard. Every fucking thing was hard. Bench press 1 x 8 x 45, 1 x 5 x 65, 1 x 5 x 75, 1 x 1 x 85, 1 x 4 x 85, asked the hottest guy in the gym to spot me, 1 x 5 x 85, 2 x 2 x 85. Hey, another bright spot!

Today after meeting with the CPA for two hours I dragged my brain-exhausted ass to the gym and got on the treadmill. Still trying to rehab that calf muscle, 3 miles alternating walking at 4.0 and slow jogging at 5.1 This went okay, also stretched. Home.resting tonight and going to lift tomorrow.

Yikes that was a while

Finally got in the gym Monday, last lifting session before that was on Thursday. Monday's lifts were,
Squats 1 x 12 x air, 1 x 10 x bar, 1 x 5 x 65, 1 x 5 x 95, 1 x 5 x 105, 1 x 3 x 115, 1 x 3 x 125, 1 x 3 x 130, 1 x 2 x 130, failed to the rails on the third rep, 1 x 1 x 130- got scared and wussed out, 1 x 1 x 130, 2 x 2 x 130- got mad and did them. 1 x 3 x 125, still heavy, 1 x 5 x 115. Tough squat day.

Overhead press 1 x 8 x 45, 1 x 5 x 55, 2 x 5 x 65, 1 x 4 x 65. Bench press 1 x 8 x 45, 1 x 5 x 65, 1 x 5 x 75, 1 x 1 x 85- did not have bench today. Deadlifts, 1 x 3 x 135, 1 x 3 x 145, 3 x 1 x 155, not bad. Saturday I went to the gym to run, left calf muscle seized up while running resulting in hopping on one leg instead, ended up walking the rest of the 5k. Sunday did yard work at mom's house in her gargantuan jungle yard. That must count for something!

Today, I tried to do step-ups at home and seized up the calf muscle again, tonight will go to the gym and do a 5k, possibly have to walk it. Tomorrow going for 130 lb squats again.