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Thursday, May 28, 2015

TGIRD...(Thank God It's Rest Day)!!!

This 2nd week of Phase 1 of the Muscle Building program has been pretty tough! Between calculating macros(never done before), doing 4 sets of 15 reps(I am used to 3 sets of 5 reps) and adding lots of cardio(haven't done much of that lately), it has been challenging to say the least. And let me tell you....Leg Day is NO JOKE!!!


Seriously, I had to walk down the stairs BACKWARDS and even sitting on the toilet was painful. But, it's getting better and I am seeing changes in my body already, so I am super happy about it.

Speaking of changes, and it the interest of full disclosure, here are my "Before" pics:


Front - Before Flex
Right Side - Before

Left Side - Before

Back - Before

Back - Flex
Now that I have recovered from the trauma of "putting myself out there", here is what I have been up to:
This was my first day for HIIT Cardio, I did Treadmill Sprints.

Shoulder Day! 

In the pic above, there is an entry called "Swiss Ball Pikes". In case you don't know what that is, let me explain:

  1. Get a Swiss Ball (Yoga Ball, Stress Ball, Labor Ball...big blow up ball you sit on)
  2. TRY to gracefully get on the ball with your legs resting on the ball and hands/arms in push up position (Try is the operative word)
  3. Simultaneously, pull your feet forward and push your butt upwards, while not falling off the ball (easier said that done)
  4. Repeat 14 more times (if you can, without stopping)
  5. Repeat Steps 1-4 three more times
Here is a video showing me doing said maneuver:




I will spare you the sight of me getting OFF the ball... :)

Until next time!

Shannon



Tuesday, May 26, 2015

First Workout Recap

My first work out for the Muscle Building program! I actually started on Saturday, instead of Monday, so I was calling those workouts "Week 1.5"... :) Here is my journal entry from that one:



I don't have some of the equipment set up at home yet, so I had to substitute some of the movements for equivalent ones. My hubby is really good at figuring those out and he is super helpful and supportive. After being used to lifting heavy for sets of 5, it really did not seem like a lot of weight (I started with what I THOUGHT were pretty low weights) but, 4 sets of 15 reps relieved me of that misconception REALLY quickly. Though my arms were feeling pretty pasta-like, I still felt pretty good until SUNDAY...*cue sinister music*

Yep, pretty much sums it up...
I felt like an OLD lady...a SORE, old lady, and I had to have help dressing because my arms did not want to go over my head. I was thinking..."HOW am I going to train today?" But, I did it, and I even did Cardio on top of it! I will fill you in on that one next time.

Shannon

Monday, May 25, 2015

Here we go!


Hello friends! This week, I began a journey that did not require a passport, luggage, traveler's checks or avoiding the local water. My journey is to start AND finish Jessie Hilgenberg's 14 Week Muscle Building Program. It's quite different from what I have been doing, so I expect a HUGE learning curve. 

 If you don't know who Jessie is, here is a picture:


Not only is she strong, beautiful and healthy, but she is also one of the most positive and up lifting women in the body building world. Her programs are healthy, not extreme and the women that use them (Jessie's Girls) are incredibly supportive of one another. She is a lifter, an athlete, a celebrity, but also a mother, a friend and a mentor to thousands.

My previous strength training regimen, Starting Strength by Mark Rippetoe, was a great foundation builder, and I was looking for something additional to keep my ADHD brain engaged. I had been following Jessie Hilgenberg for a while and, with a "thumbs up" from the hubby, I got the Muscle Building Program and have jumped in with both feet.

This is my "BEFORE" face...you can tell because I am not beet red and sweaty!
.I plan to document my journey, step by step, so grab your workout gear, some water, a towel and your motivation and join me as I become a Jessie's Girl!

Shannon