get really toned looking

Today was a totally different story in the weight room. I killed it with the weights…not to burnout, but I was shaking like jello, which means I pushed myself hard enough. I like that feeling. Makes it all worth it. As a side note, sometimes as I’m working out I’ll push my self a little harder because I think of all the contestants on the Biggest Loser and how if they can do it, then surely I can do it. It’s an awesome feeling to be getting stronger and see the benefits paying off

I worked out but not as hard as I could have, I think I will have to up the weights next workout

I’ve been logging my intake at caloriecount.com and it has been an eye opener for me. I am consistently getting WAY tooo much sodium, which sucks, because how am I going to change that? I’ve noticed it’s in store bought bread (which I get whole grain, whole wheat) deli meats and canned tomato products (ie, Marinara sauce and tomato soup) that I use. I thought I could try out getting a rotisserie chicken and using that for sandwiches instead of the deli meat. Plus it’s lot’s tastier. I also bought some Ezekial sprouted bread to try again (i’ve tried it before) It is really low sodium and sprouted, so a win win situation. I’m open to any other suggestions on how to reduce sodium intake. Also if I just drink extra water will that balance out my sodium levels so they’re not too high???

Today was a better than ok workout, but not phenomenal. I did lunges with 30 lbs, wide grip lat pulldowns at 40 lbs, deadlifts at 60 lbs, planks for 1 minute, and overhead presses at 15 lbs per arm. The lunges were killer. I have callouses from the deadlifts and we’ll see how the rest of the workout fared with my body tomorrow. I’m still working on getting the right weights for everything, but I’m making progress, so it’s good. I saw muscles in the mirror while I was working out, It’s so motivating. I love it.

i swung all the way across the monkey bars today :-) my hands are proof…they have mini callouses

I started today, following the workout plan outlined in Lou Schulers book. It was just an ok workout. I did squats with a 30lb bar. 15 regular push ups, 45 lbs seated row, step ups with 30 lbs and 45 jackknives. The hardest ones were the pushups and jackknives. I think next workout I will be increasing my weights on the other exercises as I didn’t feel nearly as worked as I would have liked to feel. We’ll see how I feel tomorrow as that’s usually when my muscle soreness kicks in. (Isn’t that the sign of a good work out?) I may have used less weight because the last time I worked out with my weights I pushed myself a little too far and was sore for a week. It will be a little trial and error to get the right balance. I am thinking of doing a measurements post and pictures post so I can compare before and afters. The workout plan takes about 6 months to complete. So it will be a while before the afters come up. However there are 7 stages, so maybe I’ll do updates at the end of each stage…still unsure on that.

Just finished reading this book by Lou Schuler. It’s got some great recommendations and routines. The main premises are to work your body muscles in conjuction with each other (ie…push ups and squats) vs single muscle exercises (bicep curls and leg extensions) and to not be afraid of lifting heavy weights. Their are a couple chapters on nutrition. He advocates for a balanced intake of the macronutrients (carbs, protein, fat) I think this is going to be the hardest part for me. It is a LOT more protein and fewer carbs then I am used to. I am tracking my intake at caloriecount.com, to see where I stand currently. I’m not aiming to lose weight at all, just wanting to build muscle. Will keep updating as I go along

I’ve been going to my local YMCA (which I love btw) for a while now. I haven’t had any specific goals, just to maintain my weight and health. I enjoy the release exercise gives me. I’ve been lifting weights and was encouraged to hear hubby tell me I had a 6 pack. I’ve never had a 6 pack I don’t think, at least not noticable. I would like to work more towards this look…not body builder type (not that that’s bad) but just more noticably toned. Maybe it’s vanity, but I don’t care. A girl can have a guilty pleasure now and then. I plan on lifting heavier weights and eating more vegetables as form of carbohydrates. Also plenty of protein and fat. I don’t really have much more of a plan than that at this point, it’s a work in progress