Weekly: train with weights 3x (Happiness Manifesto Declaration #1)

I remember coming across this advice on a website about writing, and how to overcome procrastination (I get the feeling that writing is one of the easiest pursuits to procrastinate about): use writing to procrastinate about something else. I don’t see why this couldn’t work with weight lifting; it might go something like:

“Oh, maaaaaaan, I gotta take the trash out again? Didn’t I just do that last week? Hey, wait a minute, I could go lift weights instead! That sounds like a plan!” &c.

Worth a shot!

I did the usual upper body routine, and found myself quite energized and motivated afterwards. Afterwards; what a devious irony that one is not motivated before, when one could really use it.

Well it’s been a while; my equilibrium has been a bit, er, disturbed lately and I’ve just been trying to survive.

But I did a full upper body routine; the weight was a little lower than I had been doing, but it had been some time and I didn’t want to hurt myself! I’m stronger than I would have thought, though. So yay!

lower body routine (the usual)

I didn’t get to use the new set of dumbbells I got for Xmas, since the lower body stuff doesn’t (for the most part) use dumbbells but instead relies on body weight.

I’m still getting over the cold my brother so generously gave me for Xmas (it’s the gift that just keeps on giving, hack hack, cough cough), so I haven’t got a whole lot of energy still. But—I got a set of assemble-them-yourself dumbbells for Xmas also from the same brother (actually the only one I’ve got), so I hope to be trying them out soon!

Well in the last few weeks I’ve lifted weights about 2 and a half times, so I guess I haven’t entirely slacked off. We are all so hard on ourselves.

I haven’t been around here much, but I have been lifting weights plenty. I did three sets last week of the usual and am up to 15 pushups on the bathroom sink; they are definitely getting easier.

The usual lower body workout, which I’m too lazy to write down right now, but it’s exactly the same as 11/10/06, except I’m back to £15 for the single-leg calf raises.

10 one-arm row £12
10 db pullovers £12
10 db shrugs £15

10 pushups on the bathroom sink
10 lying db presses £15
10 flat chest fly £10

10 overhead press £12
10 internal rotations £5
10 lateral raises £10

10 biceps concentration curls £12
10 triceps kickbacks £10
10 wrist and finger curls £8

plank held for 15 breaths
half-handstand (even though it’s technically yoga) held for 5 breaths

I can actually see my biceps now!

Double workout, as I might not have time today:

10 one-arm row £12
10 db pullovers £12 (trying to take it easy on my shoulders)
10 db shrugs £15

7 pushups on the bathroom sink: I’m going to back up on this one, and when I can do 20 comfortably and in good form I’ll find a lower spot and gradually get myself to the floor.
10 flying db press £15
10 flat chest fly £10

10 overhead press £12
10 each side internal rotations £5
10 lateral raises £10

10 biceps concentration curls £12
10 triceps kickbacks £10
10 reverse wrist curls £5

plank slow count 15
10 pelvic tilts

10 plié squats £15
10 squats £12 pair
10 each side kneeling leg curl

10 quad presses
10 straight-legged raises, with £5 db on knee
10 side lying leg lifts

2(10) single-leg calf raises £10
10 toe raises

10 crunches
10 reverse crunches
10 long-armed crunches

Whew!