Ouch.

[elfs]

All last week, under the stress of doing the single dad thing for a week, I had no time to hit the gym. Instead, I ate poorly, drank too many carbs, and generally lived a caffeine-and-sugar fueled existence.

This week, I returned to the gym, determined to get off the plateau I've been sitting on for the past two months. I've got fabulous biceps but am sitting with a spot on my abdomen labeled "spare tire goes here (someday)" that I want to get rid of. After watching The 300 Workout, I decided to change two things about my workout: vary the daily circuit, and add more full-body stuff.

It doesn't make much sense if I can do a dozen presses of my body weight, but only four pull-ups, and ten push-ups. Something is out of wack. I overstress my biceps (my, they look good) and don't stress the rest of my arms and chest enough.

But I think my quads are the real problem. They've got stamina but no real strength. I put in some squat lifts and a military press to the routine today, and I totally hurt when I was done. Even better, the long-lasting metabolism boost I used to experience is back. I've found where my weak spots are. It's just going to hurt to turn them into not-weak spots.

Comments

[jenk]

It doesn't make much sense if I can do a dozen presses of my body weight, but only four pull-ups, and ten push-ups. Something is out of wack. I overstress my biceps (my, they look good) and don't stress the rest of my arms and chest enough.

Ah, yes...keeping the body in balance with itself. In my case, I'm up to 10 squats but I'm still doing footboard push-ups*.

The other thing is to know what your goals are. I'm focused on "functional fitness" - better balance, endurance, and strength. So squats, walking, push-ups, and yoga.

*I started with wall push-ups. Now I'm using my footboard. Next I plan to use the 4th stair step, then 3rd, and so on, until I eventually graduate to "normal" floor push-ups. When that's too easy the feet can go on the bottom stairstep... ;)

[blackcoat.livejournal.com]

That 300 Workout looks brutal.

I should try it out for a couple months, see if it helps.

[intrepid-reason.livejournal.com]

You are one hard bodied babe! {;o) I need to use you as an inspiration...bleh.

[orcaarrow.livejournal.com]

Take heart, I can't do one pull up.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_candide_/]

I put in some squat lifts and a military press to the routine today, and I totally hurt when I was done.

Lucky. You've got good knees.

I've already had 2 rounds of knee surgery (malformed cartilage), so when my "bad knee" started bothering me again, I went to see an orthopedist. I was told no more squats, walking lunges, dead-lifts, or any other exercises that put stress on the knees. And, unfortunately, he was right: my knee problems stopped a couple of weeks after I eliminated leg exercises from my routine. :(

Problem is, leg exercises are a guaranteed calorie-burner for me. My lower body's always been well-developed, even without working out.

Feh. I hate getting old.