I'm starting the New Rules of Lifting for Women (again) come the second week of January. Good to join you!
I'm still undecided about the challenge, because altho my sister SAID pictures, she didn't define what, exactly, that meant. (That is, she says the cute pic of my boxer puppy won't do....)
Hi Cheryl!!! I'm so happy to have you join us, and I suppose I'll understand if you don't want to do the whole picture thing...nothing like TRICKING you into signing on the dotted line!! Love ya and have a safe trip home.
Welcome, Cheryl! The pictures do get easier after a few months, but you don't have to put your face on them if you don't want to. And you can just scroll over your own really fast so you don't have to see them that long .
Hooray hooray for Cheryl! Welcome home--I was hoping you all were warm and cozy with the doggies! So call me if you need help with the picture posting. I haven't used google pics but I might be able to figure it out...
Okey-dokey...I've officially begun, even though I haven't managed to post pics yet. I'll figure that out by the deadline, though!
About me: I'm 39 yo and work from home as a part-time freelance writer and full-time mom. (Is there any other way to be a mom?)
I started a lifting program last spring, got sidetracked, and then gave up exercising pretty much entirely from October through the end of 2008 in order to spend ALL my extra time writing. I got the book finished (a children's book requested by an agent, sent out only two weeks ago; now I'm anxiously waiting to hear from him...) but I also gained about ten pounds, lost muscle, and my energy plummeted. Not a good long-term strategy!
I visited my sister, Celestialmom , over Christmas and got very inspired. Man, she's in shape! But the coolest thing isn't how she looks, it's the way her energy and mood have both jumped up a few notches. I'm stoked to start anew and get myself strong and healthy.
Fitness Goals for 2009:
Follow the NROLFW plans and MAKE TIME to lift 2-3 times a week.
Walk 90 min/week. (The dogs voted for this one!)
Track what I eat as the first step toward moving toward a healthier, more balanced diet.
Keep a positive mindset: instead restricting calories or foods (triggers for unhealthy eating habits for me), focus on feeding myself nutritious and delicious foods for better energy, health, and satisfaction.
Passed my first exercise hurdle today--I was tremendously reluctant to re-enter the weight area of my local gym. Not sure why, but I always feel really self-conscious there. But I repeated my mantra--no one's looking at me, and if they are, who cares?--and got over it and lifted. And it went great!
Here's my workout (straight from the book):
A: Barbell squats, 10 lb, 2 x 15
B1: Pushups, 45 degree angle, 2 x 15
B2: Seated row, 40 lb, 2 x 15
C1: Step-up, 2 7.5 lb dumbbells, 2 x 15
C2: Jackknife on balance ball, 2 x 8
I rested 60 seconds between each set.
I definitely could have done more weight on the squats and seated row and, midway through my second set, I realized that I was doing the jackknife with incorrect form (which might be why they were so easy!) but I still feel like this was a successful workout. My purposes were 1) to find an approx. weight for each exercise, 2) to figure out how long the whole process (travel, exercise, and shower) takes, and 3) to get myself past the mental hurdle of feeling silly in the weight room. (Anyone else deal with this?)
So...not an impressive workout, but a successful one!
Okey-dokey...I've officially begun, even though I haven't managed to post pics yet. I'll figure that out by the deadline, though!
About me: I'm 39 yo and work from home as a part-time freelance writer and full-time mom. (Is there any other way to be a mom?)
I started a lifting program last spring, got sidetracked, and then gave up exercising pretty much entirely from October through the end of 2008 in order to spend ALL my extra time writing. I got the book finished (a children's book requested by an agent, sent out only two weeks ago; now I'm anxiously waiting to hear from him...) but I also gained about ten pounds, lost muscle, and my energy plummeted. Not a good long-term strategy!
I visited my sister, Celestialmom , over Christmas and got very inspired. Man, she's in shape! But the coolest thing isn't how she looks, it's the way her energy and mood have both jumped up a few notches. I'm stoked to start anew and get myself strong and healthy.
Fitness Goals for 2009:
Follow the NROLFW plans and MAKE TIME to lift 2-3 times a week.
Walk 90 min/week. (The dogs voted for this one!)
Track what I eat as the first step toward moving toward a healthier, more balanced diet.
Keep a positive mindset: instead restricting calories or foods (triggers for unhealthy eating habits for me), focus on feeding myself nutritious and delicious foods for better energy, health, and satisfaction.
~Cheryl
Cheryl, you are too sweet! You know, I was going to post that you gave me the best compliment yet when you told me that my energy had increased. Yes, of course, I want to look good, but it really isn't all about how we look. Anyway, your goals look very good--both challenging and attainable, and #4 is most wise, oh sage one.
Quote:
Originally Posted by CherylWriter
Passed my first exercise hurdle today--I was tremendously reluctant to re-enter the weight area of my local gym. Not sure why, but I always feel really self-conscious there. But I repeated my mantra--no one's looking at me, and if they are, who cares?--and got over it and lifted. And it went great!
Here's my workout (straight from the book):
A: Barbell squats, 10 lb, 2 x 15
B1: Pushups, 45 degree angle, 2 x 15
B2: Seated row, 40 lb, 2 x 15
C1: Step-up, 2 7.5 lb dumbbells, 2 x 15
C2: Jackknife on balance ball, 2 x 8
I rested 60 seconds between each set.
I definitely could have done more weight on the squats and seated row and, midway through my second set, I realized that I was doing the jackknife with incorrect form (which might be why they were so easy!) but I still feel like this was a successful workout. My purposes were 1) to find an approx. weight for each exercise, 2) to figure out how long the whole process (travel, exercise, and shower) takes, and 3) to get myself past the mental hurdle of feeling silly in the weight room. (Anyone else deal with this?)
So...not an impressive workout, but a successful one!
I think the most impressive thing is just making time, getting out of your comfort zone, and getting a workout in. So great job, I'm excited to see how you like it!
Thanks! I was in Peru in the photo--traveled there last January with my son (age 12) and parents to teach English. What an amazing experience! I want to go back . That's part of what I'm using to motivate myself--remembering how much more I can do and experience (like going to Peru) when I'm in better shape.
Welcome, Cheryl! Very pretty picture...you look like an actress, but I can't place it!
Hi Jane and thank you! That's so funny--people tell me that occasionally, but I've never found out who it is. Someone said I look like the woman in I married an axe murderer, but since I haven't seen it, I've never double-checked.
Cheryl (who is going to figure out this whole "sig line" thingy soon....
After my first day of lifting on Friday, DH and I headed out to the ski slope Saturday because we had a rare day when both kids were busy elsewhere. I was sore from those squats, but even more sore afterward! He's laughing at me because I groan when I have to crouch or stand.
I think I'll be good to go to the gym tomorrow, but I'm hoping not to do too many squats....
Okay, I'm posting this to keep me accountable. Tomorrow morning, I face Fitness Hurdle #2: Early Rising. I plan to rise and shine at 6:00 am, head to the gym, and return before DH heads off to work. I timed my workout Friday, and the actual lifting doesn't take that long (even with those 60 sec breaks in between).
For those of you who already get up at such a crazy hour, please feel free to laugh amongst yourselves....
Building Muscles for Better Fiction
Cheryl
Love ya and have a safe trip home. 
.
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