Audience

Today BOTH my parents came to watch me lift. Dad said to Brian "You have an audience today, is that okay?" Brian said "Well, I'm getting used to it now with her. Before her, I never had an audience." lol. I'm glad he lets people come watch. It actually makes me feel a little better to be going to competition, because I'm used to people watching me, so I won't get so nervous that people there are watching me.

Really great day again today. The TRX System is my new love. :-) Not sure how Brian's ever gonna top the TRX System, but I've thought that before, and then he comes up with something that makes me even happier to try.

Bench with Chains - 95 lbs. Actually, Brian accidentally put 2 sets of chains on for my first set. I did 4. I said it was heavy, so he took one off and I decided that felt much closer to last week. ;-) So then I did 4 sets of 6.
Incline - 95 lbs., 105 lbs., and two sets of 120 lbs. Sets of 8 (i think).
Lateral Raises - 3 sets of 12 with 15 lbs.
TRX - Pushups, Y & T's, & Rollouts - all 2 sets, who knows how many.

And Stretching!!!!!!

Exhausted again today....but it's the best kind of exhausted to be :-) Feels wonderful. Love this cycle!!!!!!!!!

We

I think that one of the most motivational things that Brian does (in my opinion anyway) is always using the word "We" when he talks about things that need worked on and processes that need worked through. He always says "We'll figure it out." "We'll fix it." "We'll take care of it." When Jack left he said "We'll pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and we'll find something else. And if that doesn't work we'll pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off and try again." It is very comforting to me to know that I'm not alone and everything isn't expected of me to do it the right way the first time all by myself. It feels like we're a team. It's nice to have someone working with me instead of expecting from me. It helps me have a lot of respect for him too. And it is a relief that everytime I screw up it isn't a failure...it's just part of the process. It also makes me feel like I have permission to not be perfect and he's still going to enjoy training me.

"We" is a good word. It's very not accusing. No pointing fingers. It means you're in it together. I don't think I'd get far in my dream without that.

I was really happy with my workout today. I'm getting stronger in my back, which is a very good thing. That means I'm more proportionate...I'm rowing much closer to the weight that I can bench.

Cable Rows - Worked up to 195 lbs. My sets were between 10 & 12 reps.
Cable Rope Pulls Overhead - I'm pretty sure he said we worked up to 120 lbs. Sets of 12 reps.
Lateral Pulldown - Worked up to 90 lbs., Sets of 10 reps...except the last was 9.
Shrugs!!! - Worked up to 110 lbs. First two sets of lower weight were 12 reps. 110 lbs was hard on my grip, but, I did 5 and then 7.
Hammer Curls - 15 lbs., 3 sets of 15.
Chops - 40 lbs., 2 sets of 12

And of course!! <3 Stretching <3 I forgot to say stretching on Monday. Love stretching.

AHH!!! I forgot about Back Raises!! We only do about 4 or 5....and it didn't go as well today...but we didn't do them last week, so, I guess we'll see what happens next week. Brian says "We'll figure it out." :-)

Don't Worry

"Don't Worry", Brian says. "It'll come." "We'll fix it." "Everything's a process." "Don't think about it so much." Last week, after I put him through a couple of frustrating conversations, he said "Do you have fun?" And when I said yeah he said "Don't put so much pressure on yourself that it isn't fun anymore." THEN he said "Here's the mental part for ya. Quit worrying about what everyone else says and where everyone else wants you to be. They don't know what it takes for you to be here doing what you do." Today he said "Don't think about it. Isn't that what you pay me for? To think?"....and today I finally took a deep breath and went on with my workout without being disappointed in myself. He's finally starting to sink into my brain to shut it off. :-) Must mean I'm trusting him more, that he really will fix it and I don't have to worry about fixing it myself. Was a good feeling today....to just move on and know that it will take care of itself (or he will take care of it).

My disability counselor from college came to watch me workout today. That was AWESOME!!! Super nice of her to take the time to come down and do that. She's really nice. And I enjoyed visiting with her while I worked out. She was very interested and asked questions. I was glad it wasn't boring to her.

I LOVED my workout today. :-D

Bench - I did sets of 3, working up to a set of 6 at 155 lbs.
JM Press on Smith Machine - Worked up to 145 lbs., sets of 8-10
Tricep Pressdowns - 80 lbs., 90 lbs., 100 lbs., sets of 8-12. Then fast sets working back down to 25 reps at 50 lbs.
Smith Military Press - Worked up to 135 lbs. for sets of 8-10.
Blackburns - 5 lbs., 12 & 25. (The first set felt heavy. When I told Brian, he said "quit being a girl."...so I stopped being a girl and did double the second set.)
Bosu Situps - 2 sets of 15.

Natural High.

Today was COMPLETELY AMAZING. Today is why I fell in love with lifting. Brian ran me ragged. I was so spent after I got done with lifting that I couldn't do my cardio that I was supposed to do today. I did 10 minutes and felt like if I did anymore my arms were gonna fall off. It felt AMAZING!!!!!!! I'm going to LOVE this cycle!!!!! I got to do more reps. It was awesome. I haven't had that natural high for a while. I understand that we probably won't do it a lot. What I'm training for doesn't require a high-rep volume, and high-reps are not the quickest way to make you stronger...but, it felt so good. :-) Just to throw it in every once in a while to rejuvenate me is all I need.

Bench (Stability Drill) - 95 lbs. plus a set of chains, 4 sets of 6.
Incline Bench - 95 lbs., 105 lbs., 115 lbs., all sets of 8. 125 lbs., 6 1/2...bummed I couldn't get 8, but I went to failure and literally couldn't push anymore...felt REALLY good. :-)
Lateral Raises - 15 lbs., 2 sets of 12.
<3 TRX System <3 - Pushups, Y & T's, Rollouts. Was wonderful! I could hardly squeeze out my rollouts by the time we got to them. My muscles were so exhausted.

Such a wonderful day.

Sanctuary

Sanctuary - any place of refuge; asylum.
Asylum - any secure retreat.
Refuge - 1. Shelter or protection from danger, trouble, etc.: to take refuge from a storm. 2. A place of shelter, protection, or safety. 3. Anything to which one has recourse for aid, relief, or escape.

This is why the gym is my Happy Place. It calms me...makes me feel good, and safe. :-)

REALLY excellent back day. SO happy with how Brian has found ways for me to do back exercises. I have really started to enjoy back day. It definitely was a far cry from my favorite thing up until recently. But, Brian just keeps chipping away, one thing at a time, fixing anything that can be fixed and adjusting anything that can be adjusted.

Cable Rows - Worked up to 175 lbs. for a couple of sets of 8 (ish), then he'd take of the extra weight and I'd do the stack for a extra couple of reps.
Cable Rope Pulls Overhead - Worked up to 110 lbs. for a set of 12.
Lateral Pulldown - first two sets were 90 lbs., for 10. Then a set of 70 lbs. for 12. I feel it more in my lats when the weight is less, so he took it down for the last set. But, he also has to keep pushing more weight for sets so I get stronger.
Shrugs!!!!!!! :-D 95 lbs., 2 sets of 12 and one of 10.
Hammer Curls - 20 lbs., 3 sets of 12.
Chops - 30 lbs., 2 sets of 12.

Switching Modes

Today was a good day, overall. I'm still not pleased with how I feel when I bench. But, Brian and I will talk about it and ultimately figure it all out, I'm sure. I definitely switched modes in my brain over the weekend. I don't know if my actions change a whole lot, but, I definitely feel like I'm harder on myself when I'm in precompetition, rather than when I'm just training. Brain thought I got a little grumpy today, but, it was really just that I got a bit more serious about it with the official word of the competition date. I have expectations of myself and when they don't happen, it has more of an effect on me than someone going in to get in shape or lose weight or something. I don't want a lack of effort to get in the way of me achieving my dream.

Anyway, it was still a good day. Nothing major to complain about. Just my same old brain doing it's same old thinking stuff. I need to find a way to interrupt my thought patterns while I'm lifting.

Bench Press - I think I started at 110 lbs. for 10. Then, 135 lbs. for 10, & 145 lbs. for 7. I definitely should have had more than 7. But that's how it goes sometimes.
JM Press on Smith Machine - 50 lbs., 70 lbs., 80 lbs., 100 lbs. I'm pretty sure they were all for 10 reps.
Tricep Pressdowns w/ Fat V-bar - 80 lbs., 90 lbs., for 10. 100 lbs. for 8. Then we did a stacked set where he takes the weight down real quick and I don't get rest between.
Smith Machine Military Press - 50 lbs., 70 lbs., 90 lbs. All for 10 reps.
Blackburns - 5 lbs., 2 sets of 20.
Sit-Up Abs on the Bosu (I FINALLY learned the name!!!) - 2 sets of 12.

Stretching :-)

It was a happy day, even if I didn't lift what I should have :-)

Ripped to Shreds

That's what my abs felt like today. Completely ripped to shreds. But it's so much fun!!!!!! :-) It's hard work to push through something like that. But it feels amazing once it's accomplished!!

We did some speed work on Bench. 95 lbs. with chains, sets of 3. Then the last set I did 5. Brian's trying to teach me to push my pelvis/butt into the bench to make me more stable. He said I did pretty good at it today. It seems to help. But it's very hard to do...and it hurts pretty good. But, I think that's mostly because I'm not used to it. I'm sure it will straighten up the longer I do it.

Then we did Incline Bench. Worked up to 135 lbs. for sets of 8. I haven't done this for about 5 or 6 months. It was odd feeling at first. Actually, I think what made it odd was that Brian and his, yet again, genius brain figured out how to strap me to keep me more stable than I've ever been on incline. I didn't move around at all. It was pretty awesome!!!

We did some more JM presses on the Smith Machine. Worked up to 35 lbs. on each side. This does a good number on the triceps. But it also takes a lot of pressure off of them, so it's a pretty good exercise. We worked with some different sized blocks of wood to get different angles of my arms coming down.

TRX SYSTEM!!!!!!!!! We did the roll-outs again today, where I start with my hands beside me and then take them completely in front of me so my body is totally stretched out, then come back in. This just royally mutilated my abs. But I ABSOLUTELY ADORE that I can use the TRX system!!!!!!!! Brian did some playing around with the placement of my legs today, which was the main reason we did them again today. He wanted to make sure that we can figure out a system a little quicker if he's going to add them into my routine. He did good at figuring out what to do today. My hip only popped one time...which was a miracle after Wednesday. ;-)

<3 Stretching <3 Life is definitely good in the gym. It's my Happy Place.

I'm where I need to be in the lower weight class. Monday I weighed in at 120.6. So that's awesome. I got word on Wednesday evening that my qualifying competition is May 8th in Virginia. That means I'm 12 weeks out tomorrow. And it also means we can drive instead of fly!

TRX system!!!! Yeah Buddy!!!!!!

LOVED today!!!!!!!!! ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT!!!!!!!!

Well, first we did Cable Rows, but Brian attached two chains to the cable and put separate handles instead of the long handle. It worked out REALLY well and I felt it A LOT in my lats., especially with different angles that he tried. It seemed the straighter I sat, the better I felt it. 90 lbs., 15 & 20. 130 lbs., 2 sets of 12 & 1 of 15.

Then we did Lateral Pulldowns. It's usually not my favorite, because it pulls me up in the air so much. Brian holds my shoulders, which helps a lot. It doesn't really make me nervous or anything, it's just uncomfortable and it's hard to feel it in my lats because of stabilizing reasons. We've figured out though, that if Brian stands right up against my back and keeps me pretty much straight up & down, instead of me leaning backwards, that I feel it a lot more. Then, today he also had me hold it for a second at the bottom and actually, intentionally, squeeze my lats together to learn how to activate them. I really felt them a lot more than I usually do!!!! 90 lbs., 3 sets, somewhere between 10 & 15.

THEN!!!!!!!! He busted out the TRX system!!!!!!!!!!!!! WOOHOO!!!! I've been waiting and waiting for him to come up with stuff I can do with it!!!!!!!!!!! It's one of those things I watch everyone else do but because I can't use my feet to dig me into the ground, I never thought I'd be able to use it. That is....until Brian came along with his genius brain and his no fear, try everything once attitude!!!!!!!!!!

If you don't know what a TRX system is, google a picture of it. It's kind of like a single strap that's hooked around the top of the power rack and about half way down it turns into two straps with handles on the ends. It's for exercising with your own body weight. You can do pushups and pull ups and sit ups and curls and all kinds of stuff pulling yourself around holding the handles.

SO! First we tried Y's & T's. I laid on my back and then pulled myself up toward the system, first with my arms up like a Y & then with them to the side like a T. It went really well. A LOT harder than they look, but I know better than to assume anything anymore. You're own body weight can kick your butt any day, any time. Brian held my legs so that I didn't pull them toward me and contradict my own body...but actually he let go for a set just to see what would happen and I really didn't move too much.

!!!!!!!!THEN!!!!!!!!! The major kicker of the day. I don't even know what they're called. I got on my knees and Brian held my legs down right behind my knees. I grabbed the handles, put my arms to my sides, then I stretched them out in front of me so that my whole body (to my knees) lengthened out, then I pulled my arms back in by my sides. It was SO FREAKIN COOL!!!!!!!! It almost made me cry. When I sat up after my set, I couldn't quit grinning at Brian. We had to work for about 5 minutes trying to find the right positioning, but we found it!!!! I wasn't giving up once he got me started...I knew we could find a way to make it work. It was even hard to find it for the second set, but we did find it again and I REALLY liked them. It's not anything I ever thought I would be able to do. I felt it in muscles that I didn't even know I could use!!! That's been happening a lot since I met Brian! :-D

So, then I did some pushups with it as well. Which was a little freaky because Brian stood off to the side to watch me, he didn't hold my legs in place. Once I got them positioned, I didn't need him to, but it was rather entertaining to watch me find my position, I'm sure!! lol.

When Brian brought out the TRX system I was taking a drink. He looked at me and I just started talking about something. He smiled and he said, "Ya know, Chelsi, this is a really great point in our relationship because you don't even look at me funny while I'm setting things up anymore." I told him that's because I trust him now and I know that if it doesn't work I'm not going to end up on my face.

After we were done, Brian told me I did a really good job today with everything....especially on the TRX. I told Brian he did a good job making me try it. He said all he did was bring it out and I'm the one that jumped in and tried. But, sometimes I think he still doesn't get how important it is to me that he's even willing to get stuff out in the first place for me to try. Any number of people would have looked at a TRX system and immediately assumed I couldn't use it. But because he's so good at observing me and my balancing techniques, he knew there was a good chance I'd be able to do it. And I did. And if I couldn't have, at least we know...and he's right there to pick me up and move on to the next thing. That's why he's my Guardian Angel.

Funk

Hey All,

Sorry I didn't blog Friday. I'm kinda in a funk. Nothing bad is going on, I'm just way over-loaded and my brain is not really having anything to say. Training is going very well. Everything's fine. Just a lot going on.

Friday went something like this:
Bench Press w/ Bands underneath - Worked up to 95 lbs.
Close Grip - Worked up to 135 lbs.
Military Dumbbell Press - 25 lbs, 35 lbs., sets of 10
Tricep Pressdown - Probably somewhere around 100 lbs.
Blackburns - 5 lbs., 2 sets of 15.

Not sure if I'm missing anything, but it's very close.

Today:
Bench - 95 lbs., sets of 10 with a red mini band around my wrists. I had to pull it apart to achieve the proper grip. It is to teach me to keep my lats tight and grip the bar tighter and pull the bar apart. Then we did a few sets of 10(ish) with the band around my wrist and the 95 lbs plus 10 lbs hanging from black mini bands on the ends of the barbell. It's to teach me control...staying tight and hitting my spot while the weight is trying to sway.
Smith Machine JM Press - 30 lbs. on each side of the Smith, 3 sets somewhere around 12-15
Tricep Pressdowns - 70 lbs., 20. 80 lbs., 14. 70 lbs., 16.
Plate Front Raise - 25 lb., 2 sets of 10
Chop Holds - 20 lbs. & 30 lbs., a hold on each side with each weight.

<3 Stretching <3 Saves my life :-)

Also, yesterday I had a little bit of an extra workout. The photographer next door of the gym came to take some pics of some of the things Brian and I do...so I got to do some stuff yesterday for action shots that I usually don't do on Sundays. It was a lot of fun :)

Swamped.

Brian's had 3 people call for personal training since we had our news segments...two of which inquired about training someone with a disability. :-) He's really swamped right now. I'm thinking it's the busiest time for personal trainers because of everyone's "New Year's Resolutions." So, he can't be taking too many more (if any) on. But, I'm really happy the segments drew some of the attention that I intended them to draw. He had a cancellation and still has 50 sessions this week!!!!!!! That's crazy. I hope he can balance out enough to make a time slot for himself. But, I'm very happy that things are going so well for him. I'm hangin' in there with school and such. I think I was a bit better today, mood-wise, than I started out the week being. We're both pretty tired with our schedules...but, it's all good things that are filling up our time, so there really isn't anything to complain about.

Good day today :) That's a good habit that we started.

Cable Back Rows - Worked up to about 3 sets with the stack + 25 lb. plate. then Brian would take the plate off and I'd have to do some extra reps. averaged between 10 & 15 reps.
Kettle Bell Inclined Shrugs - 50 lbs., 3 sets of 12.
Dumbbell Rows (Single Arm) - 45 lbs., 20 reps.
The Very Wonderful Back Raises! Brian was REALLY happy about these today. I positioned a bit different and I ended up coming up a lot higher. We had a long talk about these...hoping I can learn to use my hips to stabilize myself on the bench.
Lateral Pull-downs - worked up to 100 lbs., for 8 or 10.
Face Down Inclined Lateral Raises - 15 lbs., 12, 15.
Cable Bicep Curls - 50 lbs., 2 sets of 10.
Chops - 2 sets of 12.

Stretching :-)

Overwhelmed

I think the training/school schedule is getting to me just a little bit. I'm not sleeping as much, and I'm fighting off a cold or something because of that. I'm feeling a little extra moody the last few days, and I think it's because I've got all kinds of tests this week. I really can't afford to get sick, cuz we're not allowed to miss class unless we're in the hospital....plus I can't afford to have my training be crap right now from not feeling well. I also gained a pound over the last two weeks...which wouldn't be bad if I was where I wanted to be, but it just adds more that I need to get rid of.

Anyway, it's really not that big of a deal. I'm just feeling a bit cranky tonight, so I thought I'd let you all know. Wasn't that nice of me??? lol.

We had a really good day again today. Don't know what my Overhead Triceps or Ab weights were. If I can't see the pin, I don't ever remember to ask or pay attention to what I did...and on these two exercises I have my back to the cable. But, Brian made a comment on Triceps that I got stronger. And we also reconfigured abs again today and I really ended up liking them. He took the pad out of the Preacher Curl seat that you put your arms over, and that gave me a lot more room to open up and work my abs, cuz I could lean back farther. The Preacher Curl seat is what I do my cable Triceps and Ab exercises on.

Other than that we did a set of 12 with 15 lbs. on Lateral Raises, then did 2 sets of 12 with 20 lbs. We did the new Hip Raises to work my lower back. Dumbbell Press 40 lbs., 10. 45 lbs., 2 sets of 10, arms at 45 degrees instead of 90 degrees. And Reverse Band Press we worked up to 225 lbs. for a single with a mini black band.

That's pretty much completely opposite of how we did it, because we always start with whatever bench exercise I'm doing and go from there...but I'm tired, so, it's okay that it's backwards. :-) Everyone have a good night.