Wendy's Transformation

[fengshway]

there is something about me and strength that is genetic. I know some of it can be built, but I think I started out with decent strength. I learned how to row crew a few years ago--most of the power in crew comes from leg power, and I always had a lot of power on the erg for some reason. and my grip strength is high. rowing is the only sport where I was good at it from the start. I have no hand/eye, so ball sports are bad for me.

and while I would love to be a fast runner/triathlete, alas, I will never have that build, lol. there are runners I know that sign up for their first 5k and run in the low 20's. I am still at 29 flat for my PR.

the great thing about all of it, though, is regardless of genetics, we can all improve at whatever sport we choose.

I am just thrilled that I am improving at age 43. it is a lot of fun lifting in the morning with all of the 20 something boys who could be my kids. there is this one duo that always battle me for the squat rack. today, after I did my squats, they were doing barbell bicep curls with 85 but it was way too much weight and he was using his pelvis more than his biceps to move the weight. and of course they never do any leg work, it is all about the arms! too funny.

[missjane]

You are very lucky, indeed, to be blessed genetically and it's great that you are using those God-given gifts! I, on the other hand, was the skinniest, weakest kid in school! LOL! So, any gains I make are quite the challenge! But, like you said, everyone can improve and I can certainly say that I have. After all, at age 44, I never thought I'd be able to do a push-up (a REAL one)!

Keep up the good work!

[LisaS]

How are you liking Mag Mob? I need to work on hip and ankle mobility as well. I've read most of what's available on the web and am thinking I need to bite the bullet and get MM.

[stingo]

Originally Posted by LisaS

How are you liking Mag Mob? I need to work on hip and ankle mobility as well. I've read most of what's available on the web and am thinking I need to bite the bullet and get MM.

It's quite helpful - I was skeptical myself about the price, but I think it's well worth it now, having done some of the routines.

[fengshway]

you go jane! real pushups are a blast. I never thought I would be able to do one either. I was able to when I dropped weight. I would have needed serious upper body strength to do a real pushup at 228 pounds!!!


RE mm: I have the dvd, but haven't started it yet. but the active dynamic warmup out of the perfect body diet uses some of the exercises. it has made a huge difference in my lifting--I am MUCH stronger after a proper warmup.

[Littlemermaidklb]

You've posted on here a couple times about doing this "active dynamic warmup". What does it entail exactly? I need to find an actual warm-up, since all I do is warm up on a treadmill for 5 minutes...hehe

[missjane]

Originally Posted by Littlemermaidklb

You've posted on here a couple times about doing this "active dynamic warmup". What does it entail exactly? I need to find an actual warm-up, since all I do is warm up on a treadmill for 5 minutes...hehe

There is a dynamic warmup in the book, too.

[fengshway]

I like the warmup in the perfect body diet much better than NROLW. PBD is more comprehensive, closer to magnificent mobility

basically about 15 exercises or so that you do one right after the other, around 8-15 reps each--all body weight or very light weight

prisoner squats
Y squats
side lunge with twist
walking hamstring stretch
walking knee pulls
toy soldiers
different cobras Y, T , I
bird dogs


perfect body diet describes them and describes why an active dynamic warmup is preferred to cardio. I use to just run 5 min on the treadmill, but since I have been doing this warmup, I lift much heavier.

[fengshway]

ran 13.5 miles today at exactly 12 min mile pace and that time INCLUDED all of the piss breaks, water breaks, walk breaks etc...this is the longest I have run since early nov and I am psyched! 10 min mile pace for the run segments felt easy. my heartrate was very low, average 135, so this was a very easy effort. I haven't lost fitness! I felt very strong the whole way, I think the strength improvement was showing today. good posture, not tired or droopy. yeah!!!

[Littlemermaidklb]

Wow, I don't know how you run that far... I would die! Props to you!

[Victoria]

Originally Posted by fengshway

I also purchased an electronic caliper...

Do you need a helper to use it? Do you have a link?

Originally Posted by fengshway

I am just thrilled that I am improving at age 43.

I'm with you on that one, Wendy. I'm 45 and I am so much more focused and determined with workouts than I ever was when I was young and physically invincible!

Originally Posted by LisaS

How are you liking Mag Mob? I need to work on hip and ankle mobility as well. I've read most of what's available on the web and am thinking I need to bite the bullet and get MM.

Buy it!

Nice workouts, and great run, Wen!!!

[RebeccaC]

Super job Wendy. I really miss living in Seattle and doing long runs every Sunday (10-15miles) with my best buds. Then we would hit Starbucks after and go eat eat pancakes!

[LisaS]

Originally Posted by Victoria

Buy it!

OK ... if you say so.

[LisaS]

nice job on the run Wendy (I hate to run)

[fengshway]

thanks mermaid!

tracy, the caliper is caliper is called Fat Track PRO from shopwars.com but I got it at amazon.com --around 60 bucks. havent tried it yet, will use it next week for our first set of measurements.

rebecca, find some local running people!! jeff galloway has awesome group runs -- runinjuryfree.com see if they have it in your area. we went to panera after. I prefer starbucks coffee, but nothing like panera soup and salad post long run.

lisa, my husband hates running. he played college basketball, and to him running=punishment

[LisaS]

one of the runners here used to have that as a sig line "my sport is your sport's punishment"

[nutbar]

Nice run, Wendy!! I'm jealous.

Originally Posted by Victoria

Buy it!

Originally Posted by LisaS

OK ... if you say so.

Lisa's such a push over.

Okay, okay, I'm saving up for the MM/IO combo myself but I'll never admit it in public so there!