Lu's Workout Journal

[Boss Man]

It's the brief moment where you stop for a nanosecond to exhale big time, then inhale big time and carry on with what you were doing

It's called free time, because Oxygen consumption is tax exempt, so you don't ever have to pay for the privilege of breathing .

[EdgarHF]

Funny thing is that it's obvious to me my left side is stronger than my right (I'm right handed)- I must've compensated for my rotator cuff for all those years, as I'm sure the cuff issues are a result of an injury I received after a 5 hour round robin playing tennis 30+ years ago.

I have the same problem where my left arm is much stronger than my right. I am right handed also. My problem is from the herniated disc in my neck I had surgery for about a year and a half ago. I still cannot do even one pushup because of it. I think that is the reason I do not enjoy weight training. I feel like the weakling of the gym

[ldematto]

I still cannot do even one pushup because of it. I think that is the reason I do not enjoy weight training. I feel like the weakling of the gym

I'm definitely NOT the push up queen - maybe 1, or 1/2 of one, once in awhile! The trainer I've seen says it's all in the technique - we'll see.....I think it's my cuff

I rode my spin bike for about 30 minutes tonight - first time! The DVD wasn't as great as I thought it would be but I think it's because I have a spin bike vs one that shows my HR etc. so I need to learn more about my bike and how it works - I kept up with the cadence of the other bikers...it was kind of neat actually being IN the bike ride....I definitely felt like I worked out - my legs were a little rubbery :):) but i know I'll get more out of it when I understand it better...oh well, not bad for a first time!

[Bonnie]

Not sure of technique but edgar use the same motivation you use to cross a finish line in running, only for pushups.Its all in the determination & practice.

[fitoverforty]

Don't give up on the pushups Lu, just keep working at them. Try doing incline pushups first, or bent knee pushups. Gradually building strength, then move on to the straight leg floor pushup. Just a thought. You have such a strong upper body, I know you can do these.

I kept up with the cadence of the other bikers...it was kind of neat actually being IN the bike ride...

That is so cool!!

[ldematto]

My arms hurt a bit today, just sore - probably the 10 lb DB's used for my upper body moves - shoulder press, incline flyes etc. so while I felt stronger the weight definitely was more challenging for my muscles

Today I used the Elliptical for 30 minutes, Fat Loss Program, increased to level 6 resistance. Felt good!

I know I need to work on my push ups - I think I will try to incorporate them using the bar bell on the Smith Machine at different heights. I just have to remember!

Have a great day!

[PandorasVise]

pushups are thorn in my side too. In the dojo we have to do knuckle pushups on wood. It just plain hurts. It is supposed to help your wrists be strong, but the pain in my knuckles is crazy. I can only get to 15 before I have to change the way my hand is placed. It is the only bad grade I get belt testing.

[Bonnie]

Les when you use your knee's you are only shortening the lever, to make them easier to do, so how does it not activate the same muscle group ?

[Bonnie]

Well the easiest push up is one done against a wall, so I guess using the smith bar, to gradually go from vertical to horizontal eventually I understand.The core would only keep that " sagging " in the lower spine, not sure how much it would have to do with the actual engagement of the pectorals/tricep assist.

[ldematto]

Today's Workout

First, as always, I performed stretching exercises including calf raises.

Squats 3 x 10, 115 lbs - (No I didn't go from 50 lbs to 115!When I went to increase the weight I realized I forgot the weight of the bar!) Increase was actually 20 lbs. from 95 to 115.
Incline Flyes 3 x 15, 10 lb DB's
Front Rows 3 x 15, 10 DB's
Single Arm Rows 3 x 10 x 2, 35 lb DB
Reverse Lunge 3 x 15 - feels more productive than a forward or walking lunge.
Standing Shoulder Press 3 x 15, 10 lb DB's
Lat Pull Downs 3 x 10, 70 lbs.

In the middle somewhere I did 50 Windmills, just felt like I needed to

I won't be posting for awhile, but I'll be back in a week or so. It does not mean I won't be exercising

Have a great day!

[fitoverforty]

I won't be posting for awhile, but I'll be back in a week or so. It does not mean I won't be exercising

Take care Lu! You will be missed.

[Boss Man]

Think of it this way Bonnie. Pushups on the Hands and Toes, encourages more resistance to gravitational pull, along the Length of the body.

Push-ups on the Knees should give you less, so you could then say theoretically that the central point of the gravitational field, is then moved nearer to the head, as logically I think there must be a central point, where gravitational force exerted on the body is at it's strongest, in order to permit distribution across the resisting surface, because the gravitational force doesn't concentrate on one point I don't think, otherwise doing something like Planks, might feel as if you were hitting 2, maybe 4 Abs, instead of all of them, if gravitational forces were concentrated and not spread.

[Bonnie]

I just reread les's post, technically the smith machine incline would be the level between the knee's & wall pushup.I understand about the fulcrum boss.I see trainers advocating bar pushups, so I'm not discounting them.I personally just got off the floor from trying both full & knee's & it does move the body or load forward if one keeps the arms directly under the shoulders.Maybe someone should redo those textbooks..

[ldematto]

Hi guys! Didn't work out much this past week - I haven't been feeling 100% - the prior week I did weights and Cardio - I'll be back to posting this week. Unfortunately I haven't been real good with food so I have a few extra lbs to get rid of....again! So, here goes!

Today
Warmed up with 50 Windmills and some stretching and floor exercises.

Incline Flyes 3 x 20, 8 lb DB's
Front Rows 3 x 15, 8 lb DB's
Tricep Curls - 3 x 15 x 2, 8 lbs DB's
Single Arm Rows 3 x 10 x 2, 35 lb DB
Lat Pull down 3 x 10, 70 lbs
Leg Extensions 3 x 15, 40 lbs
Squats - 3 x 10, 115 lbs
Plie Squats 2 x 10

Finished with some stretches and 10 minutes on the Elliptical.
Food
Weetabix w/fresh blueberries, FF milk
Greek Yogurt w/fresh BB, sunflower seeds, walnuts and flax
Salad with cukes, tomatoes, 2 slices turkey breast, 1 cheese stick, salad fixins w/balsamic vinegarette
2 large spoonfuls of Chili made with Bison over Slim Roll
Protein Bar and Weight Watchers IceCream Bar

Bad today,I had 10 Ritz Crackers with PB & J with glass of FF Organic Milk- just felt I needed something crunchy I am still feeling like I need to put something out - my cold is saying FEED ME!!!


See you tomorrow! Hope everyone had a great day!

[ldematto]

I'm not really condoning these because they're still junky, but I do think they're better than Ritz crackers: http://www.genisoy.com/products/snacks/soy-crisps/ The plain sea-salted ones are what I go for when I need a crunchy snack. Best part is, you get 17 crisps for 100 calories.

They look good, but you are right, still junky. I was at a point where I NEVER ate any of that stuff...I need to get back to that place. I have had a hard time with my head cold, sinus problems, truly feeling the need to "feed" it. But this will pass and I'll get back on track.

Last week was a tough one all around. My brother (4 years older) was found to have a right carotid artery 100% blocked and the other 80% blocked. They put him in the hospital the next day and fortunately everything went fine and he's nicely recovering. He is soooo lucky he didn't have a stroke!! Anyway I'm probably going to go for a long weekend to FL to visit him - I know he doesn't need me right now, but I have this great need to see him in person and just talk. He's my favorite sibling....love him so much!