First Rule of Holes:

I just got done reading an EXCELLENT book called "Mind Gym", recommended by my bench buddy, Big Wade. I think it's my favorite sports psychology book that I've ever read. This week as I was finishing it up, I read this: "The First Rule of Holes: When you find yourself in a hole, the first rule is to stop digging." I had kind of already started to do that, but, when I read it, I put all the pieces of the puzzle together. Just go back to the basics & trust yourself, the book says. It's HARD to stop digging, especially when you're an action person...but, it doesn't take long to see that if you keep going, you're going to be in a whole lot of trouble.

I'm still not asking Brian for my numbers....especially bench. I wanted to check in with you all though. I've had a couple of people say that they miss my blog entries. Things are going much smoother than they were. I think I finally am getting the hang of relaxing. Brian ever-so-graciously rearranged my workout again to adapt to the mindset I was struggling with. I'm so lucky to have him.

I DO know that I did 25 lb. dumbbells for 8 reps on triceps rollbacks on Monday & I've never done that before. Usually after 2 reps with 25 lbs., Brian takes them from me cuz my form falls apart from not being able to handle the weight. So, I was really excited about that. Also, my close grips w/ boards went up 10 lbs., from last week to this week, with the same reps, same RPE.

We've been following what the TRAC says to do according to my stress level and that seems to be helping out a great deal. I was pretty leary of it and was stressing about my stress level, until this week when Brian pointed out my close grips were increasing by the week. That REALLY helped me calm down & my stress level fell the next time we were supposed to work out :) Such is the life of an over-analyzer. lol. I'm much more comfortable with it now and glad it's there to help guide us.

Thursday I was driving down the road and I pushed myself away from my steering wheel!!!!!!!! Probably the only one reading this that will understand what I mean would be Brian. lol. That was literally monumental! Brian, and Wade & John (The bench guy that came to do the seminar in April) have all tried to tell me and teach me how to push myself away from the bar, not push the bar away from me. I just couldn't figure out what they meant! I tried so many things! When I'd try to do it, most of the time, my scaps wouldn't stay together, or I'd do good for one rep and not be able to do it any more. :( SO! As I was driving down the road and doing my scap exercises, somehow I stumbled across pushing myself away from the steering wheel into my seat and my scaps stayed together!!!!! Voila!!!! All it takes is one time!!! Bench felt THE MOST stable that it has for MONTHS yesterday!!!!! Brian made a lot of comments about me getting stronger. I know I did 8 reps, but, I don't know what the weight was. lol. But, he said he didn't expect me to get 8 reps, so, I was pretty happy about that!!!!!!

Everyone have a safe and happy Fourth of July. I'll be back periodically for an update. :)