Strength train

i went to the gym that one time almost a year ago and that was pretty much as far as i got with this. yeah, kind of lame. i really think i should get around to it again.

i want to gather strength. i want to grow in personal power.

i should come up with a schedule of manageable exercises i can do at home with my little hand weights three or four times a week. i need to have a more concrete and practical action plan if i am to get anywhere with this goal.

i might even make this a challenge, but not until after exams.

my mother got osteoporosis at a young age. we’re both thin framed, so i really need to make sure i strengthen my bones and keep them strong so i don’t fall into the same trap she did. it’s a good time to cultivate this habit in my life.

plus, it will make my arms look less twiggy and help me feel like a badass.

i went to the gym today with a couple of guy friends. apparently, i impressed them. i was not that far behind one of them on weights. i definitely held up on the ab work better than he did too. that made me feel alright. not that it’s a contest, i just get self conscious about being too thin sometimes, so it was nice to show off a little strength. i don’t have a lot of fat, but i am not a little weakling either.

it’s good to be strong woman.

1. higher metabolism (more energy, body=more efficient)
2. strengthen muscles (tone body)
3. strengthen bones (good for when I get older)
4. be healthier in general
5. be able to go on adventures like hiking, biking, mountain climbing, etc!

Sunday – 20 mins cardio, Lower back for the rest of the hour
– Lunges, Hip abd/adductors, leg extension, leg curl (supine machine), and calf raise machine.

Monday(today) – 20 mins cardio, upper back
– Lat Pull down machine, chess press, shoulder press, tricep pushdown, bicep curl, row/lat machine,

still visiting the gym 3x a week (I hope I can keep this up, but it is becoming increasingly likely that I will for the quarter), and I am having fun on the weight machines. I also use free weights, but not as much – only for squats and lunges and curls sometimes. the machines are really fun! I especially like the inner/outer thigh machine – it is a very neglected area.

Wandered into the weights section and was very intimidated (there were only guys there, and they all looked like they knew what they were doing), but I did some bicep curls, behind the backs and lifts with 2.5 lbs. Only did it for 10 minutes or so, because I was kind of scared and kind of tired from running for half an hour, but it was good that I did. I’ll spend a few more minutes each day doing it.

I’m doing push ups every day.

Next Monday, I will start a strength training course for the next three months. Oh, I say bring it on. Has anyone checked out crossfit.com before?

i’m thinking of buying a bowflex.