What Rest?!

UGH! I haven't been a on-the-ball client. I didn't realize until TODAY that when I have been counting down to my next competition in Oklahoma, I have been including the week before....and you can't count the week before. It's not a real workout week, by any means. SO glad Brian had already taken note of my glitch and is preparing for the proper time span for my next cycle. Thankfully I got a little slack time this past week, but, it's REALLY down to business again, now. Much more than I was (mentally) prepared for. Even Brian took note today of how lax I was in my workout. I'll have to do a serious brain-gear switch in the next two days. But, I'll do it, and we'll get done what we need to get done. We'll be just fine. ;-)

Today was pretty cool. Kinda light, and not very many exercises, to kinda get back into the swing of things. Brian says we'll be hittin' it pretty good by week's end.

Log Pin Press - Warmup set of 10 with just the log. 120 lbs., 130 lbs., 150 lbs. (2 sets), all sets of 6.
Close Grip Incline - 65 lbs., 85 lbs., 95 lbs., 110 lbs., all sets of 6.
Facedown Incline Lateral Raises - 10 lbs., 3 sets of 12.

So, even though there's about 10 1/2 weeks till meet...there's 9 1/2 to train. And 9 1/2 to get the diet/weight back under control. This is why I do what I do, so, I need to get my game face back on. Stat.

Rethink Possible.

I used to hate experimentation weeks. They made me uncomfortable and something always scared me enough to make me, at least, want to cry. But, that's all a thing of the past. I have learned to be okay with being uncomfortable when something is new, and Brian usually cuts me off at the pass when it looks like I'm gonna cry, by calling me on it and distracting me some how. Not only that, but, it happens far less than it used to because I've been with Brian for so long and have been through experimentations and have learned that I can trust him with whatever he's trying.

I stole the title from the AT&T commercials. It reminds me a lot of our experimentations in the weight room. The list of exercises that we do in the weight room has grown tremendously in the last year and I'm extremely thankful for it. Even when an experimentation doesn't go right...like on Friday, I couldn't do something on the TRX...later when we talk about it, Brian's usually still mulling it over and over to find a new way. It might not come up for months, but, he usually finds a way. Friday when I couldn't do rollouts, I was talking to him later about being upset about it, and he said "Today wasn't the end of that, Chels. I still think we can correct that." And he went on to explain how he thought it was possible and what he thinks we'd have to do. You know the greatest part is? If you never stop trying, you'll die still having the faith that it could happen somehow. You'll never fail. You simply keep getting up every time you fall down.

Today was awkward and one exercise made me pretty uncomfortable. But, as the day went on, I felt the best from the exercise that made me the most uncomfortable. I've learned that everything we try is always in my best interest. If it works, it's going to benefit me a great deal. If it doesn't work, we're just going to keep trying until it eventually works. So, it's always a win/win situation.

We did Reclined Rows on the Smith Machine, and Brian put a band around my back to try to give me a little support so I could come up a bit farther. I'm pretty weak at them, so, I think it's a good exercise to work on. He also strapped my legs up on a 10-inch box to take some of the dead weight off and try to get me up higher. I liked them and I think they're gonna help quite a bit. Brian said they're a good Sunday lat exercise, and I agree.
Then we did an exercise that I'm not real sure what the name of it is. I sat on the 10-inch box with a strap around my legs and my back to the low row bench. I leaned backwards over the low row bench and Brian handed me a dumbbell. We started off with 20 lbs., and went up to 25 lbs. after a couple of sets. I had to raise the dumbbell up and then take it back behind my head. It opened up my rib cage and also worked my lats. This was the one that made me real uncomfortable. Brian knew it. And he called me on it. But, he made me focus on whether the exercise was benefiting me and where I was feeling it, instead of how it made me feel emotionally. Then he reminded me he's not gonna let anything happen. I know that, of course, but, it still helps to hear it now and again.
We also tried a log pinpress today. I was real happy to use the log. I've never gotten to use it before. Brian wanted me to get away from pressing for a while to help my shoulders recoop. But, he says with the grip of the log, my elbows can't flare, and when I press it, it's down farther than a normal press, so, it will allow my shoulders to recoop, but, still allow me to get some pressing in.

So, that was my day. And of course, <3 Stretching <3 It was a great day. And then, everyone that works at the gym, plus Brian and Nick went out tonight for an IOU birthday dinner for me. It was a really great time. I laughed all night and had so much fun. Tomorrow, I'm back on the diet and getting back into the groove of a new lifting cycle. Back to business as usual. Only 11 weeks to go.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!

Hope everyone had a GREAT Thanksgiving!!!!! There's so much to be thankful for. Every day. :-)

I !FINALLY! got to work out again!!!! SHEESH! 'Twas a long wait! But I know it was for my own good. We did some Low Rows at 30 lbs., and 50 lbs., and then we did TRX stuff. Love TRX stuff!!!!! Brian figured out this really fantastic new way to trap and strap my legs so that my hip doesn't pop in and out all the time and I can do pushups. It felt GREAT! And, we talked. A lot. And I love those days. They're some of my very favorite days. I have a lot of very favorite days. Sometimes I run into a not-so-very favorite day, but not very often. Anyway, days like today rank at the top. It was kinda like last week when we were at the meet. Brian explained a lot of things to me and made weightroom life make a lot more sense. He listened and was able to make sense of what I was frustrated with and found a way to explain muscles and their system of working so that I was a lot less frustrated by the time I left.

And... <3 Stretching <3

Everyone have a great weekend!

Indescribable.

Well, WE did it. WE went and competed at my first able-bodied competition.

Brian and I left just before 6 this morning. I'll always accept my competitions either way, because I know I have to. And I always do well either way. But...there aren't words to describe what it meant to have him there.

The squatting event was first and we sat and discussed people's form and he explained the equipment to me. He knew some of the judges and told me about their lifting records. I was less nervous than I usually am (although, I don't really get overly nervous). I didn't have to think about anything...well, I had to have my opinion about how I was feeling. But, he was there to pick up habits of mine and know which way to take my warm-up. He got to lift off for me. And I absolutely loved having him there to psych me up and yell over top of me and get me focused during the setup and lift-off. The only girl lifting more than me was Mary...and for a change, she wasn't the only other girl!!!!!!! We stayed to watch the rest of the benching and talked more technique and discussed a little more of what he's going to do with me in the next couple of weeks at training. And we talked some more about the lifters we were watching. And all the way home, and through stopping for dinner, we talked just the same. All kinds of everything about training. It was such a great chance for me to just ask questions and soak up the knowledge that he has about the sport. It was a great day....just as I always thought and dreamed it would be, when watching the Olympians jump off the floor and hug their trainers after their routines. ....Come to think of it, I don't think I gave him a hug. But, the feeling of gratitude and excitement was there just the same.

I hit all three of my lifts, all three white lights for every lift, and I broke my Competition P.R. by 16 lbs. I think that was the greatest thing about him being there. He was there. He got to see me. And he's the one that pulled me up off the bench when it was done. He was the first face I saw and the first one to speak to me.....with a great big smile spread wide across his face. And that.....That was as great of a feeling as I always imagined it would be when I dreamed of being an Olympian. He has worked as hard toward my progress as I have. And I could tell he was proud of me. And he deserved me to get those lifts just as much as I did.

Even though today wasn't part of the Paralympic events...today, my Paralympic dream came full circle. It was everything I could have asked for...to have him there, to support me, and to be able to beam with pride that the work that we both put in together really does pay off and that what I do really does make me the happiest that anything ever could make me.

So, I benched 155 lbs., 165 lbs., and 175 lbs., and they were all technically sound, good lifts. It was a truly a day straight from paradise.

And of course, when we got back..... <3 Stretching <3

Ironic

This lyric is resonating with me this week: "Life has a funny way of sneakin' up on ya when you think everything's okay and everything's going right. And life has a funny way of helpin' you out when you think everything's goin' wrong and everything blows up in your face." ("Ironically"), both ways have occurred in my life all since Sunday. I'm extremely grateful that in the end everything seems to be salvaged and remained the same as it ever was. I love my life. I love what I do and the people I get to be around. I love the atmosphere. And I love the discoveries of so many things that I never knew I could do. I love the excitement of working towards my dreams. And I love that I've been blessed with a way to achieve my dreams. I wouldn't trade any of it for anything in the world. And I'm so thankful that nothing that has happened yet has broken the possibility to keep going, and doesn't seem that there ever will be anything that will be able to come between and divide us.

Light workout today, but felt great. Things seem to be right on schedule. I feel great. Brian says my technique is perfect and my pauses look great. A little cardio tomorrow and a massage and then Saturday is showtime!!!!!!

Bench with pauses - 95 lbs., a set of 5. 135 lbs., numerous singles, a couple doubles, and another single or two.
Dumbbell Rows - 20 lbs., 4 sets of 15.

<3 Stretching <3

I'm so ready! :-)

5 Days :-)

Bench with Pauses - 95 lbs., 3 sets of 3. 115 lbs., 2 sets of 3. 135 lbs., single. 145 lbs., 5 sets of singles.
Blackburns - 5 lbs., 3 sets of 10.
Facedown Laterals - 12 lbs., 2 sets of 15.
Triceps Extensions - 12 lbs., 10. 15 lbs., 3 sets of 10.

<3 Stretching <3

5 days till competition :-)

Less than a week

It's been a long eve and I wanna go to bed so this is short and sweet.

Low Rows - 50 lbs., 12. 60 lbs., 10. 70 lbs., 2 sets of 10.
Scarecrows - 20 lbs., 4 sets of 12.
Cable Biceps Curls - 10 lbs., 12 & 2 sets of 15.

<3 Stretching <3

Under a week until my able-bodied meet!

Understanding

I love when Brian and I have an actual span of uninterrupted time to talk about training and what he's doing with me and why. He's taught me so much over this last year. And I know he has a lot more to teach me. He has years of knowledge under his belt and I've only scratched the surface by being with him a year. He made me feel a lot better today about my workouts this week and where I stand as of right now. My brain is actually calm tonight. ....And it's the week before a competition.

Brian isn't putting a lot of emphasis on this meet....but, I put emphasis on anything remotely resembling a meet. So, I'm kinda freakin' out similar to how I always do. I think I'm a little more subdued this time. But, it's still there. And Brian just listens and takes it all and explains what he can and then listens some more until it all sinks in with me and I understand what he's been talking about all along. God bless him.

Today was a very good day :) Terry Cope came to watch me work out for a while (Thanks!) and I hit 175 pretty decent today. I'm a rather doubtful it would pass at a Paralympic sanctioned meet. But, Brian said it'll pass at the meet next week. So, that's awesome :) That will be a 15 lb. PR for my in-competition lift. That's really great!

Bench with Pauses - 155 lbs., 165 lbs., 175 lbs. all for singles. Back to 155 lbs., for 4 singles. And then I hit 135 lbs., for a double.
Flies - 20 lbs., 2 sets of 12(ish)
Triceps Pressdowns - 60 lbs., 12. 80 lbs., 12. 100 lbs., 10. (these felt great today!)

<3 Stretching <3

Brian lost a very good friend this week to cancer, so please say an extra prayer for him. Thanks.

Back and Forth and Back again.

So, this technical side of powerlifting absolutely drives me insane. I was in excellent shape about 6 wks ago. Slid back a bit cuz I took a deload week. Got back on track for a while, headed to approximately where I was before deload, and now in the last week or two I've lost about 7 lbs.....which 'seems' to have put a tiny damper on my strength. Not bad. But, enough to frustrate me. Brian's amazing. He keeps me level-headed. I just need to be able to keep in my mind what he said after I leave him. If you all remember correctly from Adam(or have known me for any length of time at all) my brain has always taken over and gone nonstop with concerns and thoughts. Blah. Oh well, I'm (very slowly) getting better at overcoming that, so, I just have to keep working at it.

Today was still okay.

Bench with Pauses - 135 lbs., 150 lbs., 165 lbs., 155 lbs. All for sets of 2. I 'attempted' a second set of 165 after the first. But, I only got the first. I wasn't tight enough on the second and the bar went crooked on me and I couldn't get it off my chest. (Again....blah.)

<3 T-Bar Rows <3 - 45 lbs., 60 lbs., both sets of 10. 70 lbs., & 80 lbs., sets of 5.

Y, T's - 5 lbs., 2 sets of 12.

<3 Stretching <3 and <3 Extra stretching <3 ...My pec minor's are getting pretty tight. So, Brian helped me out with that. He had me whimpering, but, it felt better after :-)

Bout a week and a half till the meet!!!!!!!

Lack of Energy

What I did was a very good workout. But, we had to cut out Close Grip Floor Presses. I got extremely tired when I was benching. I think it's been coming. Brian had to cut my calories way back because I got overweight. But, I think my metabolism finally kicked in, and now it isn't enough again. I'm gonna go get weighed tomorrow (instead of Wednesday) and if I've lost weight, I'm gonna bump the cals back up, because I can feel another crash coming on. I've had a headache after I've worked out for about a week and a half. And couldn't figure out why. But, today's sensation that I got, of being out of energy is all too familiar of what I felt like leading up to the last crash I had. I'm just glad I knew what it was this time so we could catch it before it happened.

Bench with Pauses - 145 lbs., 155 lbs., 160 lbs.(2 sets), 150 lbs., all sets of 3.
Dumbell Military - 35 lbs., 40 lbs.(3 sets), all sets of 6.
Skullcrushers - 50 lbs., 55 lbs., 60 lbs., 50 lbs., all sets of 6.

<3 Stretching <3

Things are great. Less than 2 wks before the able-bodied competition in Bedford Heights. Keep praying for Brian...he's still a bit on the stuffy side. But, today was his last day of Physical Therapy! So, that's a plus. Now, I just hope his body cooperates so he can get back to the shape he wants. (Extra prayer for you all.)

Sooooooo Technical

Well, yestrday's contest wasn't too bad. I was the only girl so no one beat me ;-) I hit 160 lbs. real easy. I couldn't hit 170 lbs. The benches were very short and they were very slippery. I couldn't get set enough to use my lats. Brian and I had quite a conversation about why ya can't lift the weight when you're not in your groove. It makes a lot of sense now. I always was so frustrated that it wouldn't at least go up crooked or something when I wasn't set right. But, he gave me a good example and it makes much more sense now and should help me with my mental game and give me lots more incentive to practice getting set properly when I'm even warming up. I can't really explain it by typing, but I'd be happy to show any of ya any time!

Today was a lat day:
Low Rows - 50 lbs., 12. 60 lbs., 4 sets of 10.
Cable Scarecrows - 20 lbs., 4 sets of 15.
Chinups supersetted with red miniband Triceps Pressdowns - 3 sets of 6/20.

<3 Stretching <3

Easy Day.

We took it a bit light today, because I'm lifting tomorrow in a push/pull contest tomorrow. (Obviously) I'm only pushing. lol.

Bench with Pauses - 95 lbs., 2 sets of 4. 135 lbs., 3 sets of 6.
Blackburns - 5 lbs., 10, 12, 12.
Then Brian showed me a stretch for my shoulder capsule and that took a few mins.
Then Brian had some experimenting to do. And I'm not sure what the exercise is called, but, it's for my lats....on the cable, pulling the bar down toward my knees and rotating my hands on the way down. I did 60 lbs., and 70 lbs., I didn't count how many reps, but, it was over 10 each time.

<3 Stretching <3

Please continue to pray for Brian to get better. He's still not feeling the greatest.

Will check in with a report on tomorrow's benching.

PRESENTS!!!!!

Brian came back to work yesterday!!!!! That's a Grade-A present right there! :-) He sounded a lot better. Then my birthday presents arrived. They're wonderful!! I got a new zipper hoodie and new wrist wraps from elite fitness. Love them. And just as great as the presents was the presentation of them. Brian came walking in the aerobics room upstairs and had already opened the box that they came in and start tossing everything at me. It made me laugh. I hate the big center of attention open gifts ceremonial thing. And I've never told him that, but, somehow I didn't need to. I tried everything on and it's all just perfect. Wonderful presents.

He sounded better today than he did yesterday. But, we were unable to do T-Bar rows, cuz he wasn't up to lifting me, which tells me he's not feeling good at all. Plus, his back is bugging him a bit, so, I'm sure he'd appreciate all your prayers for a quicker recovery.

My weight is FINALLY back to where it was when I was in Malaysia. I'm praying hard it stays there. I'm competing in a meet this weekend to help raise money for our troops. Brian's helping to run it and I'm lifting. Gonna be fun! If anyone is interested in donating, get ahold of me.

Today's Workout wasn't the best....but it was definitely far from the worst.

Bench with Pauses - 115 lbs., 6 & 4. 145 lbs., 155 lbs.(2 sets), 145 lbs., all for sets of 2.
Dumbbell Rows - 35 lbs., 5 sets of 10.
Y,T's - 5 lbs., 2 sets of 12.
Lateral Pulldowns - 60 lbs., 80 lbs.(3 sets), all for sets of 10.
Dumbbell Biceps Curls - 15 lbs., 2 sets of 10.

<3 Stretching <3

I'm getting a lot better at talking to Brian when I feel I'm having an off lifting day. And he's really great (always has been) at making it known that everyone has those off days that lifts all the time. I'm better able to believe him when he says it. I'm learning so much. And I've come a long way in the last year. I don't know if it's always apparent, but, I'm still learning and getting better at things. And Brian is always there to lead me and teach me.

I posted a blog about a song a while back and today this part of the chorus fit extra well for me again: "Two hearts, one dream, I wouldn't trade it for anything. And I ask the Lord, every night, for just another day in paradise."

Role Reversal

There were lots of lessons hidden in the course of today. Brian took the entire day off to get over being sick. So, I was 'it' for taking care of the gym. So, I missed therapy. Plus I needed a spotter (i'm 3 wks outside a meet, ya know? I had to workout somehow!). Plus I wouldn't be stretched. Lots of 'in a perfect world' thoughts began to enter my head from very early this morning. And somewhere in the midst of the day, after about the 15th person was so relieved that Brian actually took some time to himself, those thoughts started to dissipate. My dad filled the spotter role. (Thanks Dad!!!!!!!!) And, very thankfully, there was a guy who is used to watching Brian stretch me and was willing to do so after he completed his workout. As my day came to a close around 4ish, PJ showed up to take care of the gym for the evening, Brian texted to see how everything ended up, and when we were finishing the conversation, his last text was "Thank you." That's all. No other words included. Just "Thank you." And I smiled. And I realized that even though it wasn't 'in a perfect world'.....I still got stretched, I still got to work out, and Brian got to rest so that he can come back and resume his many roles at the gym. A few inconveniences, and not the way that Chelsi is used to having things, but no major catastrophes. The day was smooth and everything got taken care of, just as it should have gotten taken care of.

It was a great reminder of Who sent me My Guardian Angel. And that He can send me just as many fill-in guardian angels as He needs to in a pinch (or not in a pinch). It was a great reminder that inconveniences happen beyond our control, and yet, I manage to live through each and every one of them. And, I think most importantly, it was a reminder to not let my thoughts distract me from the true intentions of my heart. I want Brian to be healthy, and I'm more than willing to do anything he needs me to do any time.....despite any 'in a perfect world' thoughts I might have. I'm happy knowing that he knows he can count on me and that all he has to do is say the word.

When I got that text, and my day kind of all came together in my mind, it reminded me of a chorus to a country song that says "When all is said and done, I'd never count the cost. It's worth all that's lost, just to see you smile." And even though his 'Thank you' was through a text, it was just as worth it as a smile. I know he needed the time to himself to rest and get better.

So, I got to be the guardian for My Guardian for the day. And it made me really happy to be able to be there for him when he needed it. I love helping him out. I'm on him all the time to let me do it more. It gives me a purpose. And it fills up a void in me, that nothing else really fills. I'd do anything he needed, any time he asks. Just because I want to. And one 'Thank you' makes it all worth it, every single time. :-)

Dumbbell Floor Press - 35 lbs., 10, 5. 45 lbs., 5. 50 lbs., 3 sets of 5.
Smith Machine Close Grip - 115 lbs., 2 sets of 3. 135 lbs., 3. 150 lbs., 2 sets of 3.
Military Dumbbell Press - 30 lbs., 35 lbs., 40 lbs.(2 sets), all for sets of 5.
Skullcrushers - 45 lbs., 55 lbs., 60 lbs.(3 sets), all for sets of 5.

And Shawn stretched me. :-)

So, say a prayer for Brian to be better. And we'll see what tomorrow brings ;-)