Moving On

Incline Bench Press - 105 lbs, 12, 12, 8, 8
Pec-Dec - 100 lbs, 3 sets of 12
EZ Bar Bicep Curls -I think I had 10 lbs on each side, 2 sets. Not sure how many reps, maybe 10
Hammer Bicep Curls - 25 lb Dumbbells, 2 sets, 7 each arm.

Machine Bench - 220 lbs, 15, 10, 8, 7
Chin ups - 12, 11, 10
60 Reverse Wrist Curls
2 sets of 25 Decline Abs

Next week's schedule still being discussed. Adam thinks 3 days is still good, but he's not sure how long my sessions should be.

I also got another donation from a family friend...My total is $645. I'm not sure if I added that before, but if I did, it's worth repeating. I'm very appreciative.

I sent in my paper work to my case worker at the BVR, so I'm hoping she sends in the money to the school next week.

Thanks for all your prayers and support.

Burn Out

Good burn out that is....not bad burn out. I'm not "burned out". lol.

After Monday, I told Adam he needs to give me consequences when I don't do what I'm supposed to do. Monday I stopped way too many times between reps, worrying about whether I was going to get them all, instead of just lifting until I couldn't lift anymore...until I "burn out", each time.

Well, it did the trick, at least for Day 1 since saying that, because I didn't stop at all today. lol. I didn't want him to have to give me consequences.

Military on the Smith Machine was 95 lbs, 3 sets of 10 and my last set was 6. There was no way I was going any more than 6 that last set. Close Grip Pulldown was 150 lbs, two sets of 20. Single Arm Rows, first set 50 lbs 15 reps, second set 60 lbs 10 reps. Ext. & Int. Rotations with the bands, I think we went 2 sets of 15 reps for each thing on each arm. I got dubbed "Godzilla Shoulders" today. Adam said it hurt him just to watch how far I had the band stretched out to do my Rotations. haha.

Pull-ups were wonderful today. There are these brothers that come to the gym...Carni and Brian, and they're really cool...help me out a lot when they're there. Anyway, Brian was finishing up his workout, so I had him pull my chair out from under me so that my legs didn't get tangled up in it as I pulled up. 4 sets, 13, 11, 10, 7. Then in the Machine room I did Military press again, on the Cable Military machine, 130 lbs 4 sets of 12. 45 of my new Reverse Wrist Curls. Then I did Alternating Supermans, 2 sets of 25 each side.

Pool went well today..much better than Monday actually. I didn't swallow near as much water. My "drill" today was side stroke for 5 minutes. My "Pulls" were better in form today. And my Back Stroke must be my stronger stroke because it took me 10 minutes less for my entire routine than it did on Monday when I did Breast Stroke as my main stroke. Tomorrow is my long day, I'll do both strokes, 20 laps a piece. And Friday I'm training in the morning because I have a meeting in the afternoon.

Down to the Valley...

One of my really good friends at my church once gave a sermon about how we weren't made to live on the mountain tops, we were made to live in the valleys. Apparently I had been on the mountain top long enough, and the Lord decided it was some valley time.

I'm not up for much chatting tonight about my day at the gym, so I'm just going to tell you about my routine for today. It will look just fine, and like I don't have reason to be in the valley...but I still have a very long journey to travel mentally. I'll get there though...I'm not giving up or feeling defeated...I just didn't expect it today.

With Adam: Bench, 135 lbs, 8, 7, 6, 6. Dumbbell Incline Press, 35 lbs, 3 sets 12 (it was cake, he has to increase my weight next time). Skull Crushers and Close Grip Bench, EZ Bar + 50 lbs, 2 sets, SC were 12 & 10, CGB were 11 & 14.

Without Adam: Smith Flies, 70 lbs, 12, 12, 10, 8. Single Arm Overhead Tricep Extension, 15 lbs. 4 sets of 20 on each arm (this was actually more difficult than I thought it would be at that weight). I did Wrist Curls a bit differently again today, still with the EZ Bar, but my hands were palms down. I got 40. And two sets of 30 Plate Twist Crunches.

Today was also my first day of my swimming routine. It was tough and made me very tired...but it gave me more to work on and improve and push through. I did 5 laps of breast stroke and 5 laps of back stroke, rather slowly, for my warm-up. Then I did 5 minutes of a "drill" I picked to do treading with my arms straight out to the side and moving them back and forth just under the water. The core of the routine is called the "build". I did 20 laps of breast stroke. Then 4 laps of "pulls", which is keeping your arm straight and your hand together as it "pulls" the water back. Then my cool-down is the same as my warm-up. It took me about 45 minutes. That will be one short day a week...the other short day, I will do back stroke during my "build", and pick a different "drill". On my long day, everything will double, except the "pulls", and I'll do 20 laps of back stroke and 20 laps of breast stroke for my "build".

OH! I almost forgot! One more sponsor today!!!! I need $670.00. Thank you Jesus.

I ALSO forgot that I did a great set of "2 inches" today. I did it with 125 lbs!! I started with 95 lbs, at the beginning of this training phase. So, that was really awesome.

Overflow of Blessings

I got another sponsor. I need $770.00. It's going down quickly!!!

I also got word that the BVR approved to pay for my Medical Transcription schooling. So I'm VERY excited about that. My case worker is sending me my paper work and I have to send it back to her and wait for final approval. I hope to start soon after the first of the month. And the schooling is 4 months long. Then I pray I get a job very quickly. The course is from home so it won't interfere with my training. And the goal is an at-home job as well.

Training in the pool went AWESOME yesterday. It was really nice to relax and talk and be able to think of questions and have Adam demonstrate some things for me. Usually I'm so worried about taking up our training time that I don't ask all the questions that I have, about anything. So, I'm hoping to have a similar day in the weight room soon.

Today I declined on the Smith...and I was definitely on the Smith this time! lol. Not like last time when I forgot what I was doing. I did very well. Four sets of 10, my weights were 115 lbs, 125 lbs, 135 lbs, 155 lbs. I still got all 10 on my fourth set with 155 lbs. I was happy. Adam said that I could probably max out on the Smith with Decline at about 215 lbs or so. So, I'm not that high free weight, but it's coming. I asked to do Straight Arm Over Head Pulls today, so he let me. I think I might have had 15 lbs on each side of the EZ bar. I did 3 sets I think, of 20. Next was Cable Bicep Curl, but at the same time, with my arms out to the side. I don't know if I did 12 or 15 reps, 3 sets. Then we did the curl/fly thing with the bands that we did Monday. I asked for that also, because it really helped my bicep feel better when I did them Monday.

By myself was Smith Bench. I did two sets with 220 lbs, 15 and 10. Then I had to go down to 210 lbs, and did 10, then went down to 200 lbs and did 10. It got really tough. Machine Cable Bicep Curls, 25 lbs, 4 sets of 15. The new Wrist Curls w/ the EZ, 25 of them. 2 sets of Decline Abs...my favorite abs.

Great day. Lots of fun. And I now have a full workout for the pool. We finalized it today. I'll start next week and let him know how I am doing in four weeks.

Normal Day

I couldn't think of a creative title for today. Today was pretty decent. Not much to comment on. Adam was wound up, so it kept me entertained.

Dumbbell Shoulder Press 4 sets of 15 with 30 lbs.
Straight Arm Pull Down 30 lbs for my first set and 35 lbs for the next 3.

Then we did this exercise that I've never done before...They were a Frontal Raise, but then he had me go out to the side, so it looked like a Lateral Raise, but I came back to the front and then went back down. I did 3 sets of 8 of those with 10 lbs. They were pretty difficult.

I don't think we did anything else together. I did Pull-Ups, 10, 12, 10, 11. Smith Vertical Shoulder Press 120 lbs 4 sets of 12. The new EZ Bar wrist curls, 30. Supermans and Side Bends, both 2 sets of 20.

My biceps are still hurting pretty bad...especially my left one at the head, where it goes into my shoulder. And I pulled my neck out where I just got adjusted yesterday, while doing Pull-Ups. So, I'm gonna get back into the Chiropractor soon and take a break from Pull-Ups I think. I'm thinking that Pull-Ups are the reason that my neck has been bothering me lately. I used to do Pull-Ups with Brent and I've been doing them by myself since I've had Adam...but my body sways more and I think it pulls more because my form gets thrown. Anyway, not a huge deal. It'll all work itself out. As I told my dad yesterday, God isn't going to give me all the funds and open doors to lift if I'm going to be too injured to do it. It's just working through it all.

Tomorrow Adam is going to train me in the pool and I'm very excited about that. We've never done that before, but I'm looking forward to getting tips from him.

Back in the Saddle Again

YAY FOR HAVING ADAM TODAY!!!!!! I SO appreciate knowing someone is going to be there to help me out. AND I got another sponsor this weekend! My total is down to $820.00!!!

Today was AWESOME...well, at least for bench. I got to do 125 lbs!!!!!!!!!! SO excited about that...4 sets of 8...then, of course my set of "2 inches"...holding the bar off my chest until Adam is done counting. I did really well at that as well today. Adam said I did better with that because I'm doing less reps. Anyway, I got all 8 on every set all by myself, Adam never moved toward me. And each time I felt myself using my shoulders, I caught it and I corrected myself without swaying.

Then I had to do Close Grip Bench, which I wasn't excited about. I did 95 lbs. again, and struggled pretty good...but I'm trying to learn to do that without using my shoulders, so that it actually works my triceps like it's supposed to. I did better at not using my shoulders, but it was definitely harder. My middle set was the best...I did 3 sets of 8.

On Pec-Dec I moved up to 110 lbs., but my reps were crappy, 3 sets....11, 8, 7. Not bad I guess, but it wasn't a big gain like the last time. After Pec-Dec, Adam and I did two sets of 50 with the bands in a sort of Fly/Curl exercise. I wasn't sure why, b/c today is tricep day...but he really likes to use the bands when I'm hurt, and I've been having a lot of trouble w/ my bicep, so I'm assuming that's why he threw that in.

By myself was Smith Flies, Tricep Kickbacks, Wrist Curls, and Straight Plate Crunches. I really like Tricep Kickbacks, I actually feel them in my triceps...I did 4 sets of 15 w/ 20 lbs. Wrist Curls were different today. Jack told me at my massage to break from wrist curls, because it was hurting my bicep head, holding my arms in the air...so Adam showed me a new wrist curl with the EZ-Bar, with my elbows resting on my legs. I liked them, and I didn't feel any strain on my bicep head or my shoulder. Smith Flies were interesting, because, since I did them on Saturday, Adam wanted me to do them straight-arm instead of using my hand to push. I didn't like them as well, that seemed to strain my shoulder a bit. I think because I was not tall enough. I did 8 with 60 lbs, and then went down to 50 lbs. I got 15 for the last 3 sets, but it was definitely less stress, so I was glad I went down in the weight.

Next week is hopefully my last week of three-days. I am really wanting to get back in there more often. But, we'll see what Adam says when he re-evaluates everything. He said today that next week is my last week of my sets of "2 inches". We're "doing something different" he said.

Don't Get Too Comfy...

Well, seems the Lord is keeping me on my toes about being appreciative. Just as I started to feel real comfortable in my routine at the gym, I had to miss working out with Adam on Friday and he left me a routine of things I could do on my own for whenever I was able to make it in.

My power has been out since Wednesday night and it is now Saturday afternoon...we just got back into our house. My car is stuck in the garage...in the mix of things the door got broken and so I have been without a car as well. I won't be getting that situation fixed until Monday sometime. We learn a lot about ourselves in these times...and usually, just as in this case, it's not so pretty. Thankfully I have a wonderful best friend who let's me stay there when this situation pops up, and I have a wonderful trainer who has learned, very quickly, the best ways to keep me calm.

I was really impressed with my routine that Adam made for me, when I got to the gym to pick it up. The only thing I needed a spotter for is Incline, 105 lbs, 12, 10, 8, 9. The rest I did on my own.

Smith Flies - 60 lbs, pyramid to 7, plus 7 more...just couldn't get that 8th one.
Smith Bench - 200 lbs, pyramid to 7.
Dumbbell Bicep Curls - 15 lbs, pyramid to 11...I stopped at 11 because I could feel myself pulling my arm up with my shoulder, instead of my bicep.
Chin-Ups - pyramid to 6, plus 6 more...again, couldn't get that 7th.
6 Wrist Curls, and 2 sets of 30 Decline Abs.

Not bad...my numbers weren't what I thought they would be...but I forgot my strap to use on the Incline, and my spotter wasn't the best. I don't know her, and she kept grabbing for the bar, it seemed like every rep, so it made me a bit nervous. I also forgot my gloves. But, I'm really not disappointed about it all. I feel pretty good...it was my first full workout without someone with me...ever...even from back when I had Brent. So, it wasn't bad. My Instruction Sheet under my routine said "Bottom Line....DONT GET FRUSTRATED!". So...I didn't. I follow instructions very well. lol. I just closed my eyes and told myself to not think, just push the weight...Adam's famous line.

Truly Blessed

I'm easing into my gym routine...I don't have quite as much to say about the whole day. I'm getting comfy and going in and doing my thing. I did help Adam discover a new stretch today that he was rather excited to do himself.

I did Bent Over Rows and supersetted it with a kind of Row Press thing, 40 lbs. 4 sets of 10/6. I did Lat. Raises for the first time in three weeks. It felt pretty good. I only used 5 lbs. since it's been so long. Next were some Rope Pulldown things, lol. I'm not sure, they were like a row but I pulled from above my head and down to my chest, 150 lbs. 3 sets. I think that's all I did with Adam

On my own was Pull-ups, 8, 5, 7. Smith Military, 120 lbs. 3 sets of 12. 6 Wrist Curls. Alternating Supermans and Plate Twist Crunches w/ a 25 lb. plate.

What I do have a comment about is all my sponsors that have given to me. My total is down to $920! I'm just shocked, and so humbled. It's the truth, that when there seems to be no way, God will make the way. My sponsors will never know how much it means to me that I get to stay working with Adam and I don't have to go it on my own with a bunch of spotters. It's a life-saver. I don't think I'd have the mental strength to be able to do it without knowing I have a trainer that will be there every day and has worked with me to know what I need.

Prayer requests for the day are my Paralympian friend Mary, who is having that exact struggle with almost all of her spotters. And pray for Adam. He has Plantar Fasciitis in one of his feet and today he talked about a bone spur in his heel. I'm not sure if they go together or if they're separate. His foot was really bothering him today, and he said the only thing they could do for him would be surgery. Which of course he says "No Thanks" (just like I would), because he's supposed to be in his first full Triathlon in August.

MAX OUT

Well, today went much better than last week. But still not as well as I would have liked. I still swayed a bit while benching...but I would catch myself and concentrate on not using my shoulders. I didn't get a chance to make up for the reps I didn't get last week. Adam only had me do reps of 10 instead of 12, but I got all 10 on all 4 sets all by myself.

The oh-so fabulous Dumbbell Bench Press was next. But it went rather well. I got a little scared on my last set, toward the end, but I did well. I used 40 lbs and did three sets of 12.

Skull-Crushers were supersetted with Close Grip Bench, both for my triceps. Adam put lots more weight on it. It was the EZ bar plus 40 lbs. I'm not sure how much the EZ weighs, but it's not as much as the regular bar. I was being kind of a pain before my last set of them, b/c I was feeling really tired. Adam wanted me to say that I was going to get 10 and I wouldn't say it. So we just "hung out" for a while. It was pretty funny. I think we're both just as stubborn as the other.

Also for my triceps, with Adam, I did Cable Straight Arm Single Arm Pulldown out to the side with 40 lbs.

On my own was Smith Flies (60 lbs, 4 sets of 15), Single Arm Overhead Tricep Extensions (25 lb Dumbbell, 12, 15, 12, 10), 6 Wrist Curls (WITHOUT STOPPING!), and Side Bends for abs (2 sets 20).

I'm exhausted, but it was awesome.

New Total

I keep forgetting to blog about my new financial total!!! Well, I adjusted the total a bit, because I was able to afford the month of February on my own, so my total that I need to get from March to September would be $2,700. I've gotten more sponsors this week, and my current total is down to $1,670!!!!! I'm so thankful to everyone that has donated to me. The Lord has really proven faithful, over and over. He always does, but it never ceases to amaze me when He does it again. I've been talking to my Paralympian friend Mary, and it almost brings me to my knees in humility and thanksgiving that I'm able to find people generous enough to help me keep Adam...Mary has been having quite an interesting time with all of her college spotters this semester. It almost sounds like it's not worth it to me...but she's been teaching me a lot about persevering...even more than I already knew. So, I'd appreciate it if everyone could keep her in your prayers, because, although she's very good at keeping that optimistic attitude, I understand how hard it is to go through that, and it is extremely mentally draining. The time that I've put in to raising money to pay Adam has definitely been worth every minute of it. Thanks for all of your prayers for me!!!!

Freeze Frame

If I could freeze frame today, and keep it in my brain every day that I go to lift from now on, I'd have all the "oomph" I'd need...ever! Every exercise that I did, I felt in the exact muscle that I was supposed to. Adam caught me "cheating" a couple times, and helped me correct my form, but I still felt everything that I was supposed to. We had a really fun day together again. AND!!! I made really good gains from a couple of weeks ago.

Incline 95 lbs., 4 sets of 12. Two weeks ago, 95 lbs. 2 sets of 12, 2 sets of 10.

Pec-Dec 100 lbs, 4 sets of 10. Two weeks ago, 90 lbs, 10, 8, 6, 6!!!!!!!!! That's a 10 lb. increase PLUS an 8 rep increase!!!!!! I was VERY excited.

Hammer Curls, 25 lbs., 2 sets of 10 (each arm).

Single Arm Cable Curl, 40 lbs, 2 sets of 15 (each arm).

Flat Bench Dumbbell Flies, 25 lbs, 3 sets of 15. I asked Adam if we could do these today. I really like Flat Bench Flies. This was one of my cheats that he had to correct because I started to turn my hand out, which would have made it into a shoulder exercise (big surprise, huh?). The other cheat was on Cable Curl, I was using my shoulder with my left arm because my bicep is hurt. But I'm getting that all straightened out.

On my own was Chin-Ups, 9, 8, & 4. I was supposed to do 4 sets but my hand was going numb from my bicep. 5 Wrist Curls. Decline Abs...my ABSOLUTELY FAVORITE AB EXERCISE. I should really say they are incline abs, cuz I don't lay upside down, but it IS a decline machine.

Wonderful, wonderful day. So much fun, and done right with the correct muscles. Now, you all email me on Monday morning before you head to work, and remind me to use my chest when I bench...lol.

MUCH better.

Today was shoulder/back.

I Military Pressed with Free Weight, 85 lbs., 6 reps every time. Adam laughed again because my third and forth set, after he started talking a little more, was better than my first and second set. He told me to tell the Paralympic people that I need two "warm-ups" before I can lift, cuz my third set is always better than my first and second. haha.

Backwards Rows w/ 35 lb. Dumbbells were next. I really like them...except, I just got home and I have bruises on my forearms already from hugging the bench to stabilize myself. I don't know why I like them so much, but I really like them. Adam says they're his least favorite aside from leg exercises, and that everyone usually hates them. Leave it to me to feel the safest when everyone else doesn't, right?!

Then we did some band stuff...one was Bent Over Rows, and one I think he put down as an "Iron Cross". I held my arms straight out in front of me and pulled till they were straight out to the side.

On my own was Smith Military, Single Arm so I only used 30 lbs and my stability was WAY off even on the machine...so we're scratching that. Pull ups 6, 6, 5, 5,...which actually was pretty good because he increased my tempo to holding myself up for two seconds instead of one. I did 5 wrist curls and I DID NOT take a break in between!!! YAY!!!!!!!!! And Supermans, 2 sets of 20.

Really good day...a lot of fun...very conversational so it kept me preoccupied, swapping stories back and forth and whatnot. Kept him a little preoccupied too, but that's another story. lol. It was a good time. I really didn't even mind Free Weight Military as much as usual...I still struggled, but I'm getting there.

Finding the Right Focus

Today was very discouraging to me. I was on a good run of doing really well too!!! lol.

I did 115 lbs. on Bench, 12, 12, 10, 9 reps.
Then I did Close Grip Bench for my triceps. I think I had 15 lbs on each side of the bar, 10, 8, 10 reps. Straight Arm Pull Overs, two sets, probably around 30 lbs. or so, but I finally got myself to stop counting, and I forgot to check the sheet for what I did, so I'm not sure of my reps. Single Arm Skull Crushers, two sets, and again, I'm not sure of the reps, but I used a 25 lb. dumbbell.

On my own were Smith Flies, 50 lbs, four sets of 15. Overhead Tricep Extensions w/ a bar (about 20 lbs I'm guessing). 5 Wrist curls. And two sets of 20 Weighted Laying Twists.

The reason it was so discouraging was because I struggled a lot with my form. I also finally heard all of the thoughts that distract me so much from just lifting. It's like they are such a regular occurence that usually when Adam asks me what I'm thinking, I say nothing because I don't realize that I was.

I had a great warm-up. I was "ready"...meaning mentally...for Adam to come back to start my session. I worked on my form during warm-up and I did very well. But I laid down to bench, once Adam put the weight on, and on the first rep, I swayed...not bad, I don't even think Adam moved toward me because of it. But I did, and it threw me off for the rest of my workout. I got very consumed with swaying with only 115 lbs., and thinking about how I have to get to 225 lbs. And I also got very consumed with wondering if I was swaying because my form was off.

I told Adam, before we ever started our sessions together, that I'm not much of a "goal oriented" person. I said that because the instant a goal is placed into my brain, I have a very hard time not obsessively trying to make it there as quickly as possible. And when I don't do what I think I have to do to get there, I get very upset with myself. I think "Wow, I'm tired after 6 reps and he wants 12" or I think "How am I going to make it to certain weight by certain time if I can't even do this now." And most of the time, I don't realize I'm thinking those thoughts...because I've been so hard on myself for so long...I guess it's just natural now.

I'm having a rather difficult time benching because I enjoy it now...I feel like there's too much to focus on...I'm too worried about whether I'm using my shoulders instead of my chest, and I'm too worried about getting the right amounts of reps so that my weight can go up. I'm not just being happy with what I can do now, in the moment.

I struggled so much with Close Grip Bench as well...but right before my last set, Adam said "Don't think...just push the weight." And BAM! I punched out 9 of 'em, took a quick break and did one more, just like that. That's Adam's line that draws me out of my brain. I'm really glad there's a way out...I just need to imbed it in me, so I can do it myself.

So, I'm not sure if I'm not focused, or if I'm too focused, or if I'm just focused on the wrong thing. But whatever it is, it's really annoying. I need a breakthrough...like I had on incline...to show myself it's okay to get tired, and rack it...but don't anticipate it coming. I get so consumed with wondering if I'm going to get all my reps, that I take all these mini breaks and waste my energy.

That was today though. Adam says, when you have a bad day, let it go and move on. I plan on following his advice.