So, after a few days break (read: laziness and out for several party like things) I’ve done the 30 Shred 2 days in a row (Saturday and yesterday) and will do it again tonight. The break probably gave my body a bit of time to recover and rebuild it’s muscles because I felt a difference in my stamina and performance. For most of the exercises I could go without a break and even managed a rep or two extra for a couple.
With regard to the Dread Anterior Lifts with the Side Lunge. I asked my trainer buddy about the More Reps v. More Weight question, and he actually advised me NOT to combine the movements. That your legs can take a lot more weight than your arms can, so isolate them and go with MUCH heavier weights on the lunge portion (with arms just hanging by my side holding them) and as much weight as I can tolerate for the upper arms, even if I do fewer reps. The trick is, once you get to rep that makes you feel like you can’t do anymore, do at least one or two more - that’s where the muscle failure and the physiological trigger to build muscle happens. I tried it that way and found it to be less challenging for my arms. Since my fitness is so low to begin with, and my upper arms strength is exactly nil, I think I’ll go back to the JM way, until I’ve completed all three levels of the DVD, then, when it’s time to switch it up, do more serious strength training. But I will combine this with his advice - I’ll keep up at the 7lb level and will concentrate on getting more reps in over time - push past the failure stage.
It’s weigh in day.
Current Weight: 172.3
Last Weight: 172.3
Difference: +/- 0.0
Starting Weight: 179.0
Total Difference: -6.7
I’m pleased by the ‘no change’. I was actually expecting it to be up a bit. It’s been a week full of carbs, cake, birthdays, baptisms etc, and there was no end to the indulgence. Mostly I’ve made good choices and stuck to the plan; I’ve worked out and not fallen off the wagon and I actually feel good knowing I can keep some ‘indulgent’ foods in my diet and maintain. In its way it makes sticking to this lifestyle that much easier.
This week I’m going very hardcore because we’re taking a trip over the weekend and, while I plan to stick to it as carefully as possible, I’m also going to enjoy my mini-vacation. If there’s a local food I MUST try, I’m going to try it - a reasonable portion of it, but I’ll enjoy it. I don’t know about working out, but if there’s a gym I can get to, I will at least once.
It’s typical to the point of being a cliche for me that I as approach 10lbs down, that I either fuck myself over or fuck myself over. This is just like always, except that, even though I may still only maintain next week, I don’t feel frustrated. I feel like this is just part of the ‘journey’ and that I will just go through it until I get out the other side. And that other side is 10lbs down on the way to 60. Even if it takes me a couple of extra weeks to get there. After all, those weeks will pass by anyway, do I want to be down at the end of them or up? But the 10lb prize will be major.
I’m pretty sure the universe is PMS-ing right now, and she’s directing all her hormone driven rage at me. Not cool, universe… not cool.
Project Prevent Procrastination (3P) was all set to have a killer day, until life threw a giant curveball. The plan went out the window to put out fires, but I’m cautiously optimistic that tomorrow can get me back on track. I’m going to need to start building “emergency” time into the protocol.
(Source: closetfullofskeletons)
Uhhhh, very low energy today. Also had an eye appointment with the pupil dilating drops, which may have made me a bit unbalanced. Or at least I hope so, because I was tipping a lot during the lunges.
Makes me want to switch to lower weights, which just makes me mad at myself and determined to get good with the 7lb-ers.
It’s weigh in day.
Current Weight: 172.3
Last Weight: 174.3
Difference: -2.0
Starting Weight: 179.0
Total Difference: -6.7
So, a very good week overall. I put in 4 JM 30 Day Shred workouts and holy crap could I feel them. I did have one piece of cake yesterday, with a milk coffee, definitely not PALEO, but well within the open meal per week limit. Much like the gnocchi from last week, I ate it, enjoyed and didn’t feel the least bit bad because I knew it wasn’t a ‘cheat’. It was life. And what’s the point of life without an occasional piece of cake? The rest of my day was fully paleo and I don’t have that sense of having to fix falling off the wagon.
And, very excitingly, I hit 5LB down, which means I get my prize!!!!! Photos to follow.
For next week, I want to do at least 5 30 Day Shred workouts and, most importantly, stay on track so I can get past the 10LB mark in the next couple of weeks. My last few attempts at weight loss have gotten right up to the 10LB mark at which point I fall right off the wagon. And I do that thing where ‘hey, since I’m off the wagon, I may as well go right off the reservation.’ Stupid. No more stupid.
OK, getting a groove going. Except for the anterior raises with the side lunge. I fucking dread this move. I’m not sure if my weights are too heavy or if I’m an uncoordinated weakling with noodle like upper body strength.
I need some advice Shredder-peeps. I’m barely getting through half the anterior lift/side lunge reps. Should I lower the dumb bell weight from 7 to 5lbs, or should I just keep going, concentrate on form and try to slowly increase the rep number?
