Awkward

bekkilyn · 09-11-2009, 08:10 PM

I've just finished my third day of this program, and so I've now completed the first week. It all still feels very awkward though, probably because I'm still trying to figure out what weights I should be using. I also seem to spend a lot of time shifting weight plates around between my dumbbells and barbells, so I may be taking up too much time involuntarily resting.

I'll definitely be so glad when my upper body strength improves enough for me to do a regular push up. I'm at a very inconvenient stage right now where I seem to have nothing in my house that is both wide enough for my hand position, and that is also high enough off the floor to do a modified version that is not *too* high off the floor to be too easy.

I tried using a windowsill on Monday. It was okay, but it just didn't seem very effective. Today I decided to just try doing push ups off of the swiss ball, and it seemed to work much better than Monday's attempt at the windowsill.

Of course, I don't know if I'm working the areas I should be working doing the push ups that way, but I figure I can just keep moving the ball farther down toward my ankles as I progress and/or I can finally do them from the floor.

Still, I'm having fun with it, even if I halfway don't know what I'm doing.

Evie · 09-14-2009, 05:17 PM

Welcome. I think you can do pushups off just about anything sturdy. Table, countertop, weight bench, aerobic step, etc. You can also try to do standard pushups on the floor and then finish your sets on the ball, to help you build strength. It will get less awkward. Keep enjoying your workouts!

bekkilyn · 09-16-2009, 08:10 PM

I can't even do one pushup from the floor yet.

Then the counter and table are too high, the seat wobbles on the weight bench when I come in at it from an angle, the aerobic step is still too low....so I'm still doing everything on the ball.

I just completed workout A again tonight. The ball pushups seemed harder. I think I had the ball moved down farther than the last time. Harder is okay, but I'm not sure if I was getting down low enough.

Tonight was the night that I finally fell off the ball. Sad thing is that I was just trying to get it in position for the jackknife and hadn't even started the exercise! Bet the spider that's been camped out in that room for a few weeks now was nearly falling off the web laughing after seeing that.

I couldn't get through all 15 squats with bodyweight on the second time around. I was going down really, really deep though, to the point where I was almost sitting on my heels -- had they not been fastened to the ground that is.

With the bent over rows I did better though. Last time, I couldn't get through all 15 reps while using 40# barbell. Tonight I barely managed all 15 reps for both sets, so I'll be able to increase weight next time. Yay!

Step ups...ugh! Went back to bodyweight on these too. I am having a horribly, difficult time not using my other foot to help step up. I did 15 reps per foot the first round, then only 6 the second round before my left leg just refused to push up. I am wondering if half of my effort was going into doing everything I could do both mentally and physically to halt that other leg from helping.

On a good note, I didn't have to fiddle much with switching weight plates around tonight since I only used them for the rows.

I'm looking forward to workout B again on Friday!

LancelotsLover · 09-19-2009, 04:26 PM

Sounds like you're doing ok; push ups on the ball should be fine, and will add an extra challenge with the balance issue.

Step ups just suck. But you will get better at these, too. I'm starting stage 4, and though I have upped weight on them, I still can't do a total stiff-legged non-cheating rep. But I have noticed that I cheat much, much less than I did in stages one and two.

Progress comes slowly, but it comes.

bekkilyn · 09-19-2009, 06:44 PM

Workout B went really well last night. I added 5 more pounds to the deadlift, up to 55 total for the 15 reps, and feel like I could have probably done more. I finally did all 15 reps both times for the press up with 12.5 lb dumbbells, so I'll be able to up the weight on those too.

The lunges went very well. I did both sets of 15 with my back knee going all the way down to the ground. I wobbled and lost my balance a bit, but these lunges were the best I've done up to this point. I usually haven't been able to get down so low. I should be able to *add* weight for the next time.

These lunges and squats in these workouts are really going to help my Kung Fu, I think.

I'm feeling kind of "ugh" tonight though, but not because of yesterday's workout. I had a planned cheat day today due to a really cool wedding. It was casual and outdoors and the groom is a professional chef and made everything. I am stuffed!

On monday, I start the 12 rep versions of the workouts. I've decided to do the longer 8 week option for stage 1 since I'm new to lifting.

LancelotsLover · 09-20-2009, 12:14 AM

Bekkilyn, do you have a training log going yet? I just ask because it sounds like this is turning into one for you. If you have one, you can link to it in your signature, and we'll all know where to find you and keep updated on your progress.

bekkilyn · 09-20-2009, 09:49 AM

No, but I was beginning to think the same thing. I really need to get my scrawled paper notes organized too.

NYC_Native · 09-20-2009, 09:58 AM

You're doing fine. By focusing more on proper form (esp. at this stage) you'll start progressing more rapidly as you advance through NROLFW. It's better to develop body awareness at this point, because there'll be plenty of opportunity later on to lift heavier and do more challenging BW moves.

I'm especially glad to see that you're doing ATG squats, or close to it. Now that is real squatting.