Answered Prayer!

Cory got HOME today!!!!!! I was so relieved I cried!!!! Very, very thankful that everything turned out okay. He still has a lot of recovery but will probably do much better at home. He wasn't liking the nurses to do anything to him. Made me sad to hear.

Mary needs some prayers. She had her surgery on her mouth about a week and a half ago and she came up with an infection at the end of last week and they had to go back in. She's still not allowed to lift and she's on antibiotics. It's pretty frustrating.

Very good day today at the gym :-D

Bench with Bands underneath - We had a rough start (with my form...not with each other. lol.)and we couldn't figure out why, which made it even rougher for me. I was pretty close to losing it...but things started to gel. I'm not exactly sure what the difference was, but, at least it ended up working out. I did two sets of 6 with 135 lbs. with no bands. Then with the bands I did singles and worked up to 180 lbs. So, that's really good. 180 lbs., plus the band's extra weight, hopefully means I'm around 190-195 lbs. on a good day.
Dumbbell Floor Press - Went AWESOME today. I finally did 160 lbs. pretty comfortably. A little unsteadiness at the end, but not much. First was 150 lbs. for 6, then 160 lbs. for 6.
Floor Tricep Extensions supersetted with a Side-ways Tricep Extension - 20 lbs., sets of 6, I think we did 4 or 5. This went better today....felt better in my triceps on my left arm...that's where I have a lot of trouble with tendinitis.
Shoulder Horn - 10 lbs., 2 sets of 20.
Cable Rope Crunches - 110 lbs., 3 sets of 15.

AND! Stretching!!!!! We did the whole kit-n-kaboodle of stretching today. Feeling really great!

Very thankful for 3 orders for my fundraiser already. :-D And very thankful for Brian who's helping me to advertise and get the word out there as much as possible.

Fundraiser

I'm doing a fundraiser to help with costs for competitions, training, etc., through Tastefully Simple again. If any of you are interested in ordering any items, my mom's site is tastefullysimple.com/web/cfigley. You can view all the items on there and submit orders as well. Orders can be submitted through December 15th. I'm having a taste-testing next Saturday from 11-2 at the Shamrock, if any of you that are close enough would like to attend. If you can't come, say prayers for a good turnout please. :)

Cory had been tentatively coming home today. But, he got sick when he tried to eat this morning. The doctors said that he isn't tolerating food well enough, so they're going to shoot for sending him home on Monday. Say extra prayers for that. I'm sure that spending a holiday in the hospital was not a good deal. He's been in long enough and everyone's ready to have him home.

It's a good day to just skip talking about the workout ;) Wasn't what it should have been. I'm really having a hard time getting the hang of the 'speed' part. And, I don't really have a reason that it's so hard for my brain to comprehend....it just is. That's frustrating, cuz I don't know what to fix. Brian apologized today for 'being hard on me'. But, I told him that's his job. Maybe he needs to be hard on me a little more often.

Bench Speed Drill - 105 lbs. 3 sets of 3 with all 3 grips. I did the sets of regular grip with two chains. But, Brian was very unhappy about how it was going :( So, he took a chain off. Bummer. I finished the drill with one chain.
Close Grip was off too. Worked up to 135 lbs. but only got 4 today. I was rocking a little bit, from side to side, and I was having trouble hitting my chest where I'm supposed to. I have no idea why.
Tricep Pushdowns - 90 lbs., 10. 100 lbs., I did a set of 10, Brian helped with the last few. Then we did quick sets like last week at 80 lbs., 70 lbs., 60 lbs., & 40 lbs. and the lighter it got, the more reps I did.
Front Raises - I hate these. Today Brian had me on an adjustable bench and inclined it just a little, so that when I did it, my body wouldn't pull forward as badly. THEN he got real brave and told me to use both arms at the same time instead of alternating. I did it, and it worked, and I didn't move as much as I usually do. But I still hate them. Oh...I did 3 sets of 10 with 15 lbs.
Blackburns - 5 lbs., a set of 15.
Reach-Ups - a set of 25 and a set of 35.
Skipped Medball Bounces. We were very low on time and Brian wanted to be able to stretch me :-)

Happy Thanksgiving!

Well, nothing exciting today....which is really a very good thing. :) Not really any particular theme today to discuss. All is going well though.

Dumbbell Rows (both arms) - 30 lbs., 40 lbs., 50 lbs., all sets of 8.
Dumbell Single-Arm Rows - 40 lbs., 2 sets of 20. (this was really tough.)
Shrugs - 95 lbs., 10. 115 lbs., 4 & 8. Then Brian got wraps for me to help my grip so I could get some reps in for the last set and I did 18.
Chin-Ups - 2 sets of 10. Then a set of 5 with a chain around my neck, and 5 more without the chain...but Brian was helping me a lot.
Face-down Inclined Lateral Raises - 15 lbs., 3 sets of 12.
Barbell Bicep Curls - 45 lbs. Brian leaned the seat back a little more today...so it was inclined a bit instead of straight up. It really made me feel a lot better...like I wasn't going to tip forward. And I got a lot better range of motion.
Chops - 2 sets of 15, each side, with 30 lbs. Plus at the end of the second set, he had me hold the cable in front of me, arms extended, and I had to stay straight ahead. It was pretty tough...but I really liked it.

I hope everyone has a most fabulous holiday. Tomorrow will be the first time I haven't seen Brian since I came back from Oklahoma, I think. :( He probably needs a break from me though ;-) Lots to be thankful for this year!!!!!!!!

Hero

So, Chelsi just needs to learn how to talk to her trainers instead of A) Pretending nothing's wrong, or B) Getting really mad and fighting about what isn't really the problem. Haven't we done this mountain before, Blog Friends? Yes, I believe it was last year, right about this time. Chelsi needs to not be so hard-headed...she goes around the same mountain much more than she should

Anyway, Brian saved the day and found another exercise to replace the one from Friday's experience. He's the hero yet again. :-) Good day.

Bench Press w/ Bands Underneath - Worked up to 165 lbs. for 3. Then did 135 for 10 for my last set.
Dumbbell Floor Press - 45 lbs., 10. 50 lbs., 8. 55 lbs., 8. I think Brian helped on the last one or two. But that's MUCH better than last week!! Bands kicked my butt and I never got off of 45 lbs. for dumbbells.
Floor Tricep Extensions supersetted with a Side-ways Tricep Extension - 20 lbs., 3 sets of 6 each way and 2 sets of 5 each way.
Lateral Raises - 15 lbs., 10. 20 lbs., 2 sets of 10.
Shoulder Horn - 8 lbs., 2 sets of 25.
New Ab/Back Exercise...I sat on an inclined bench and pulled myself up (without using my hands) from laying back against the seat. Then, he added a 10 lb. weight for me to hold under my chin. THEN he got really fancy and had me hold it over my head. lol. Just different techniques to strengthen different ways and make it more difficult. And, hopefully I'll get stronger and he'll be able to lay the seat back a little more and a little more until I can come up from lying straight. We're going to work on something else for my back, with me laying on my stomach...but, that's gonna take a little more work.

Cory's doing much better, continue to pray. Pap's doing really well. Misty's graft came open a little over the weekend, but she was sent back home. So, we just need prayers that she heals okay. Mary (that I lift with) had surgery on her mouth today. So. prayers for a quick recovery, please.

I'm switching weight classes. I'm dropping down. I need to lose about 7-10 lbs. and my funding standard will be 217 lbs., instead of 240 lbs! So, I'm on the very strict end of my diet through the holidays, and Brian's brain is working towards cardio workouts for the next cycle. Should be interesting. I'm sure he'll figure a lot of stuff out though.

I'm thankful to have a trainer that makes being a 'bif' not so bad. :-D

Italian vs. Irish

That equals two hot heads who are always right about everything. Brian's been surprisingly calm since I've been getting to know him, and backed off of most debates so they don't turn into arguments...because I don't back off of too many. Today my luck turned. He wasn't letting go...and, I didn't let go there...but, I will listen. Because, he is right. I just hate the feeling of thinking I have the capabilities to do something and have it taken away from me. I live my life for normalcy at the expense of anything. Everyone else lives to make sure I don't hurt myself in the process.

We've been a good combo so far. And we'll continue to be. I've just never been good at sucking it up when it's time to throw in the towel....especially because there's, truly, next to nothing I can go in and do on my own, without someone to assist me. It's just one of those times that I wish someone was around to 'get' it. But, I know he does...even when someone 'gets' it, they can't let me get away with everything all the time. Just a little hurt in the heart because of my lack of leg support. One more hurdle to jump. I'm glad he cares so much about me to not back down when he feels it matters most. I have to have a little give...he lets me get away with stuff at times, but there are also times to pull the reins back.

Routine was really good today :-D

Speed Bench Drill - 95 lbs. + 2 sets of chains, regular, medium and close grip, 3 sets of 3 each.
Close Grip - Worked up to 135 lbs. + 2 sets of chains for 5 reps. Did two sets of 5 before that. Then a set of 8 with 95 lbs. + chains.
Tricep Pushdowns - 70 lbs., 12. 90 lbs., 10 (Brian had to help the whole time). 80 lbs., 2 sets of 10, with a little help from Brian...then he had me do some quick sets of 5 with just a few seconds between sets.
Front Raises - 15 lbs., 3 sets of 10.
Blackburns - 5 lbs., 2 sets of 15.
Reach-Ups - 2 sets of 20....Brian held my legs in the air and I had to touch my toes.
Med-Ball Bounces - 2 sets w/ 8 lb. ball for 40 seconds.
And - stretching - :-)

I'm sure we'll have more days like today...but, it's more because of my hard head than his. Just another reason I need to be thankful that he does everything that he does for me. Cuz, like I said on Monday, I'm a pain in the you-know-what to have to train.

My grandpa's doing much better. Cory's doing much better. Thanks for your continued prayers.

Prayers and Praises

Hey Everyone, Cory got out of ICU on Tuesday night. He was doing well, making improvements. But, he had a rough night last night. Please continue prayers for him. My grandpa was doing a lot better, but today he's very swollen...not sure what the swollen is all about, but it doesn't make me too happy. Prayers please.

My Uncle Joe is home from Fla. He and Uncle Fred and Uncle Mick came to see the gym on Tuesday and meet Brian and take pics, like last year when Uncle Joe came home. :) Love my family.

Very thankful for a surprise sponsor this week :) AND! I got invited by my national head coach to attend a 'new athlete's clinic' that she's only asking 5 new athletes with potential to attend.

Brian stretched me today. :D (as usual..but I just wanted to acknowledge it since I'm blogging). And we had a really good talk that eased my mind about some things. :) Things are great.

I felt very bad that I didn't add these things to yesterday's blog. They are all important enough to get a bonus blog to be mentioned, since I kinda got lost on a different subject yesterday.

Observing

I was watching Brian run around today. I started thinking about how I just sit there, and can't really help him with anything and I just lift the weight once he has everything set up. It's really a pain in the you-know-what to have to train me! All my trainer's deserve atta-boys. But, if Brian keeps me longer than a year, he deserves something more than that. I looked at him and thought "He probably wishes there were about 5 of him around...one to strap me, one to hand me weight, one to hold me down, one to set up the equipment, and one to load the weight that I need on whatever I'm doing". And I KNOW he wishes there were easier ways to stretch me. But, it throws physics all off whenever half of your body doesn't function. He tells me all the time that he's proud of me just for being there and not giving up....well, I'm pretty stinkin' proud of him for just being there and not giving up. All I have to do is push weight...the hardest part of my job is trust. I don't have to run around like a chicken w/ my head cut off though. Now that I trust him, my job is pretty much over. It's pretty crazy, all the stuff I go through with a trainer...once you're my trainer I think it's easier to understand why it's so hard for me to switch trainers. It's hard to find a system with someone when there's so many demands on one side. I feel demanding without even being demanding, just because I can't do half the things. Just what I observed for the day...just reiteration that I need to stay thankful and humble for all that Brian does for me and never take it for granted.

Anyway, here's today's workout:

Dumbbell Rows (both arms) - 25 lbs., 12. 35 lbs., 12. 2 sets of 45 lbs., 12. Brian didn't hold me on these today. Neither one of us thought he'd need to...but, every time I pulled my arms up, I slid back a little. So next week he's going to hold me like he does on Single-Arms.
Dumbbell Single-Arm Rows - 30 lbs., 2 sets of 25.
Shrugs - 95 lbs., 10. 2 sets of either 105 or 115 lbs., I'm not sure what he added. 5, & 8. I was quite disappointed at these. I know I've shrugged more before. My grip was just bad. I still need to work on it.
Chin-ups - 3 sets of 8....haven't done these for a while...a little weak, Brian helped a little.
I'm not sure what the next exercise is called...it's prolly something pretty simple that I should know...it was similar to a "T" that I do in YTW, but I was laying flat, and I kept my arms bent a little bit. Anyway, I did 1 set w/ 12 lbs., 12. Then 2 sets with 15 lbs., 12.
Barbell Bicep Curls - Used the EZ bar and started w/ 5 lbs., each side, 1 set of 10. Then two sets of 10 with 10 lbs. on each side. Brian held me back once he put the 10's on...it helped SO much.
Chops - 30 lbs., 3 sets of 15, both sides.

New Cycle

Today started a new 4-week lifting cycle. I'm really tired. lol. It kicked my butt. But, that's great. Makes me happy. Good day.

Bench Press with Bands - 135 lbs., 145 lbs., 155 lbs., 135 lbs., all for 5. This time the bands are down underneath the bench instead of hanging on top the rack. So, it's pulling it toward me, instead of hanging away from me.
Dumbbell Floor Press - 45 lbs., 4 sets of 10...Brian had to guide me on the last few of just about every set, but I don't know if he actually helped me.
Floor Tricep Extensions supersetted with a Side-ways Tricep Extension - 15 lbs., 6 sets of 6 both ways.
Lateral Raises - 15 lbs., a set of 12 and 2 sets of 10.
Shoulder Horn for Rotator Cuff - 8 lbs., 25. 10 lbs., 20.
Rope Crunches - 90 lbs., 100 lbs., 110 lbs., all sets of 15.

Prayer Updates: Pap's still swollen, they're switching his water pill. He's very unsure on his feet and doesn't want to drive or go up and down steps. But I think he feels okay. Cory had surgery today on two abscesses and he has fluid on his left lung and he's going to be doing respiratory therapy. Misty's surgery site is healing well. There's much more to be praying for, but these were the most severe for now. Thanks everyone. :)

10 lb. gain!!!

So, today I got a surprise max-effort day. :-D Love it. Did about 5 reps at 135, 3 at 155, hit a couple singles and maxed at 185 lbs.!!!!!!! YAY!!!! That's up 10 lbs. from before my meet!! Very excited about that. So's Brian. :-)

After Bench, I did 6 sets of 12 tricep pushdowns, 1 set at 70 lbs., 2 sets at 80 lbs., 3 sets at 70 lbs. Then I did some pulls similar to Rope Iron Crosses on the cable but it was with the wide bar. I did 4 sets, not sure how many, I Iet Brian count. 50 lbs, 70 lbs, 100 lbs, 60 lbs. Med Ball bounces with 8 lbs.

I forgot to get my info from Wednesday. I know I did Cambered Rows, I think with 85 lbs. I did a set of Single Arm Dumbbell Rows, 35 lbs. I did 29 with the right arm and 28 with the left arm. I did 20 lb hammer curls, I think a couple sets of 10. Lateral Raises facedown on the incline, 15 lbs. I can't remember what else.

Forgot to add all my prayer request updates: My grandpa came home today. Misty's surgery went well, but she's in a lot of pain. And my cousin Cory is doing pretty good, talking more and the pain seems to be subsiding. He might get moved from ICU soon.

Prayers Please

My grandpa has been in the hospital since Monday morning. Just got moved from ICU to a regular room tonight. Everyone say an extra prayer for my grandpa. Things are looking really good at this point, but extra prayers never hurt. Also, my cousin's 3 year old son was kicked in the stomach by a horse on Sunday. He had to have surgery to repair a perforated bowel today and get bile cleaned out of his lungs. He's in ICU. And one more...my friend Misty, whom I went to camp with, has surgery tomorrow to graft a pressure sore. She has 3 kids and her husband has two jobs. Please say prayers for all of these this week.

I did work out today. It went really well. Brian has really figured out how to work my back in the most productive way. But, I can't even think to remember what all I did, let alone my weights. So, I'll get everything from him and I'll post it with Friday's training blog. Brian stretched me today (as always) and he said he is noticing some change in one of my knees not being so contracted. And, I've noticed my hips not being so bad for about a month now. Feels so much better. I'm glad it's working. I'm so thankful that he takes the time to help me out with it.

Blessed

Hey everyone, it's deload week. And I was already warned last week not to be giving any grief about it. So, since I'm a good girl, I'll do what I'm told. ;-)

Reverse Band Press - 135 lbs., 20. 165 lbs., 2 sets of 20 with pauses for about a set and a half.
Dumbbell Floor Press - 45 lbs., 3 sets of 10.
Floor Tricep Extensions supersetted with a Side-ways Tricep Extension - 3 sets of 8 both ways.
Arnold Presses - 20 lbs., 3 sets of 12.
Y,T,W - 10 lbs., 1 set of 12.
Stretching :)

Everything went really well today. I'm more blessed than I could ever express to any of you to have found Brian to train me. He "gets it." That's rare and it literally makes it easier to breathe when I come across it. That "it" encompasses a great many things. The whole situation puts me in awe of my God and the things He does for His children. I know that He's been preparing Brian for many years, even though Brian didn't know it, to get ready to train me and be a mentor in my life and become a part of 'my family'. I'm reminded every day, because of Brian's generosity & how much he cares for what he does & who he works with, to stay completely humble and thankful for what I've been given in my life.....it doesn't always come in the ways that we want it to or think it should, but what we need is always provided for us.

Off

Not the best, definitely not the worst...just a little 'off'.

I forgot to add to Wednesday that I did Lateral Raises, facedown on an Incline, I did a set with 15 lbs and i think two sets with 20 lbs.

Today:
Speed Drills - 90 lbs, 3 sets each grip, plus two singles with 135 lbs (i think).
Close Grip - 135 lbs., 5. 155 lbs., 4. 135 lbs., 8.
Single Arm Tricep Pressdowns - 30 lbs., 2 sets of 12 & a set of 10.
Alternating Military Dumbbell Press - 25 lbs., 12. 35 lbs., 7.
Blackburns - 20
Spread Eagle Sit Ups - 3 sets of 15.

Stretching. :-D

Dethroned ;-)

Well everyone....it's a sad, sad day in Chelsi-ville. I picked my perfect training time when Brian quit his job to be at the gym full time, because I'm the princess so I got dibs. But, tonight Brian dethroned me. He is training someone else too close to my time, so I must forfeit my perfect plan and go an hour earlier.

LOL. I don't really care. Just have to bust his chops a little bit. And I needed a title for tonight's blog anyway. :-D

We had a really great day today. We hit it pretty hard b/c, well A) it's max week, so we're supposed to, but B) I missed out on a lot last Wednesday when I wasn't feeling good. But, it felt awesome and it went really well.

Cambered Rows - 100 lbs. a couple sets of 5 or 6.
Dumbbell Single Arm Rows - 35 lbs., 1 set of 25 each arm. This actually goes very well, when I learn to get over myself. It really helps me out a lot when Brian puts his hand on the opposite side of my back. Works very well to steady me.
Shrugs! - Worked our way up to 135 lbs.! YAY! I did 6. I had done 10 & 8 in the previous sets, but not sure what weight.
Hammer Curls - 15 lbs., 10. 20 lbs., 10. 25 lbs....can't remember how many I did, but I think 10 sounds good. It might have been 8.
Chops - 3 sets of 15, both sides. first set 20 lbs., second and third were 30 lbs.

Stretching! Yay!

IT'S OFFICIAL!!!!

CONGRATULATIONS BRIAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

He finalized everything on the gym today!!!! He really owns it now!!!!!!! Thank you everyone for your prayers!!!!!!!!

Okay, back to the workout stuff. Today was a max-effort day.

Reverse Band Press - 185 lbs., 5 reps. 225 lbs., 3 reps. Then I did 3 singles, last one at 270 lbs.
Then the dumbbells & I had a battle of wills today and the dumbbells won. I'm not sure what Adam and I did to smooth all that stuff over but I need to find a remedy to make me buck up again REAL quick. I'm very out of practice and it made me REAL mad.
Lying Barbell Tricep Extension - We used the 35 lb. barbell, I'm not sure how much weight. We did 3 sets, Brian had to help me with the last rep of the last set. I did 10, 8, 6. But, I'm not sure if he had 2 1/2 lbs. or 5 lbs. to start and I'm not sure what he increased it by.
Rope Crunches - 80 lbs., 20. 110 lbs., 12. 130 lbs., 12.
Y,T,W, - 5 lbs., 20 each way.

Stretching :) Love the stretching.