That's Better

[shanmonster]

I feel a lot better today than I have all week. I celebrated by going to the gym tonight. I was tired, and had to take longer breaks than usual between sets, but boy oh boy, did I ever see improvements, anyhow! Straight-armed side planks are no longer killer. That means I need to step them up. Next time, I'll do side planks in a star position, with my top leg raised. My reverse grip dumbbell bicep curls have improved, too. I went from 20 to 30 lbs. It's hard as hell, but definitely doable for all three sets. I could never have done that, before. My hard work is paying off. My calf raises have gone up to a whopping 380 lbs, and I want to bring that to 400 within the next month. I think I can do it.

I started doing bentover barbell rows, and they are brutal. But watching my form in the mirror gave me the kick in the pants to finish the set. My lats pop while I'm doing them.

I am getting stronger and losing weight all at the same time. I guess I'm burning off fat and building muscle at the same time. I think that's pretty awesome.

Right now, I'm chowing down on some roast beef, sweet potatoes, and onion. I put them on to cook while I was at the gym, and it is fucking delicious, let me tell you....

I might not have a job yet, but I'm kicking ass, and that counts for something.

Comments

[etcet.livejournal.com]

When doing your bent over rows, are you using an overhand or underhand grip, or do you alternate with each set?

Those reverse-grip curls are nasty; I can barely do half or a third as much weight with them as I can with traditional ones.

Feeling good and strong is definitely a great way to bust up a bad mood. :-)

[shanmonster.livejournal.com]

I've been using an overhand grip with them. I hadn't even thought about grip for them, because I was more concerned with keeping my abs engaged and my torso parallel to the floor throughout the exercise. Should I be alternating?

Yeah, I like the reverse grip, because they're so much harder and I feel them working my forearms so much more than the regular grip.

Yes, feeling and looking stronger goes a long way to making me feel better, over all.

[etcet.livejournal.com]

much like swapping from pullups to chinups, going from overhand to underhand on the rows shifts the muscular focus; in this case, underhand rows bring in more bicep/trap engagement, as opposed to the lat/rhomboid dominance of the overhand variant. make sure you're sticking your butt out and keeping your back flat, as at the beginning of a deadlift (which you probably are).

i hadn't realized just how much i enjoyed lifting until the injury & illness prevented me from doing it; even today's relatively modest session made a huge difference for me.

[shanmonster.livejournal.com]

Considering I'm doing all this work solo and without input from someone to correct my form, I think I'm doing pretty well. I'm glad all my years of dance teaching and martial arts have given me a good eye for form. I've been studying technique photos and videos, and then copying the technique at the gym. So far, so good. I've even caught a couple of the muscleheads watching from time to time, and they give me a little nod which makes me think that I'm on track. I don't think they're leering. ;)

Yes, I hadn't realized how much I'd missed lifting until I started doing it after a rather lengthy absence.

I'll be glad when that little pull in my back is completely gone. It's making me be far more cautious than I'd like, but I was able to do back extensions and leg raises on the captain's chair without any twinges, so that's good.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

What weight are you using for the bent-over rows? Just curious! I'm at 17lbs and thinking I'm going to try 20lb next week.

[shanmonster.livejournal.com]

I'm using a 50-lb barbell. Rarr!

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Holy crap! Go, you!

I'm not certain I could even lift the 50lb once, in good form.

[shanmonster.livejournal.com]

This exercise is new to me, but my core has always been strong. I can do it with good form, but it's certainly not easy. I watch my form like a hawk with this one. One wrong move, and I think I could hurt myself pretty easily with that much weight.