Kathy's Training Log

[Kathy]

Thanks for all the well wishes everyone.

@mjh: that kiddie weight rack is too cute. The 6 yo was looking over my shoulder at it and was interested! One of the reasons I do all this is to be a good example for them at an early age. I never learned that fitness is fun and can be enjoyable, not just something you have to do to be healthy.

@goddess: it will be cool to have your daughter with you! I am always amazed at how naturally athletic us humans are as I watch my boys swinging from monkey bars/trees, running with abandon and squatting ATG to look at something on the ground. Then I look at my hubby who has no flexability whatsoever. What happened between youth a middle age? Too much sitting, I guess.

@Jolene: I would love to know how men can just eyeball the plates and know how much is on the bar I sit there for a good 30 secs adding it up and STILL get it wrong I even write down what plates should be on one side of the bar before I go into the weight room and somehow, I still don't get it right periodically. I blame it on all the blood going to my legs during squats!

[BenH]

Looks like everything is coming along really well! You're squat weights are amazing. I'm with you, it takes me forever to warm up for squats. You should see how pathetic my first squat stretch is. I basically have to completely hunch over to get down around parallel because my hamstrings refuse to move at first. Keep up the good work!

[gargoyle]

@Jolene: I would love to know how men can just eyeball the plates and know how much is on the bar I sit there for a good 30 secs adding it up and STILL get it wrong I even write down what plates should be on one side of the bar before I go into the weight room and somehow, I still don't get it right periodically. I blame it on all the blood going to my legs during squats!

Ha, I certainly don't have that knack. I have a spreadsheet I put together for my weight set that is in my workout note book. 45-350 lb in 5 lb increments. I only blow it when I look at the wrong line (like on my last set of deads last time).

[jmcquillan]

Ha, I certainly don't have that knack. I have a spreadsheet I put together for my weight set that is in my workout note book. 45-350 lb in 5 lb increments. I only blow it when I look at the wrong line (like on my last set of deads last time).

The spreadsheet is a great idea...I just might do that. I too write down the plates before my workout, but still end up double checking them. Anything to save time!
-Jolene

[ksizemore]

@Jolene: I would love to know how men can just eyeball the plates and know how much is on the bar I sit there for a good 30 secs adding it up and STILL get it wrong I even write down what plates should be on one side of the bar before I go into the weight room and somehow, I still don't get it right periodically. I blame it on all the blood going to my legs during squats!

Ha, I certainly don't have that knack. I have a spreadsheet I put together for my weight set that is in my workout note book. 45-350 lb in 5 lb increments. I only blow it when I look at the wrong line (like on my last set of deads last time).

This is genius! I think I'll make up this spreadsheet while at work today!

[XCouchPotato]

As I am not really good with spreadsheets, I just rely on my log which I fill out before I go to the gym. I write down the individual plates multiply by 2 then add the bar for my total. My only problem is I keep forgetting to add the bar, doh!

[greasygemo]

As I am not really good with spreadsheets, I just rely on my log which I fill out before I go to the gym. I write down the individual plates multiply by 2 then add the bar for my total. My only problem is I keep forgetting to add the bar, doh!

as long as you dont forget to add the bar when your loading, or you'll be in for a shock!

[XCouchPotato]

Haven't done that on yet, but if there's a way, I probably will. LOL!

[Kathy]

Ok...I'm a bit behind on logging the workouts.

Fri, 5/15

Squats
95lbs x 5
115 x 5
155 x 5
170 5x5 Still not completely comfortable at this weight...will do again. Plenty of gasping during last reps on sets 4 & 5.

205lbs walkout ... just for fun. Happily, was not squashed like a bug!

OHP
45lbs x 10
55 x 5
70lbs x 3 GAH!!
65lbs 5x5 <sigh> have to develop new approach to this lift.

DL
145lbs 3 x 5 just realized I'm not warming up for these. Probably should but it is SUCH a pain to load the bar when it is on the ground.

Chins
2/2/2 from standing position

Forgot Rev crunches...make up for it next session.

[Kathy]

Mon, 5/18

Squats
95lbs x 5
115lbs x 5
135 x 5
155 x 5
170lbs 5x5 Better today, still gasping at the end. Will give 175lbs a shot on Wed.

BP
45lbs x 10
65 x 6
100lbs 5x5 Thank all gods/goddesses/fate/mother nature/whatever you worship!!! Finally, 100lbs and it wasn't that bad. Been trying to get this weight for a long time (seems like anyway). Tried a slightly wider grip and I think it made all the difference.

Inv Rows
5/3/3 Bah...

BentOver Row
45lbs x 5
65 x 5
75 2x5 low back began rounding...
70lbs 3 x 5

Roman Chair (make up for Fri)
2 x 12 alt bent leg and straight leg. Quads dead at this point.

Pikes on Stability ball
2 x 10

Bah...forgot pushups.

[pagangoddess]

Excellent on the Bench Kathy.

Thank all gods/goddesses/fate/mother nature/whatever you worship!!!

You're welcome.

[MrWalk]

Looking good!

Great on the 205 walkout. That's the weight I stalled on twice and am deloaded from. I've got to get in gear before you kick my tail!

Keep in mind that the OHP is just a hard lift. Remember to get tightened completely up, elbows in front of the bar, draw a big breath and use the valsalva manoeuvre while pushing that sucker. Not saying you don't know all that... just sayin'. It can be a very hard lift to progress on after a point, especially 5lbs at a whack. Some people invest in 1.25s to make the jumps smaller. I am considering that myself. It's always a good idea to search the forums on the lift as there is a lot of info to be gleaned from other folks - which I'm sure you know also.
Warming up for deads is a good idea, but I don't do many sets for them myself as the squats, etc. are good warmups already. In fact, like you mentioned, just loading the bar is a pretty good warm up.

[MrWalk]

Hey, and awesome job on the bench now that I see you posted another workout while I was reading other stuff.

[LizzyLifts]

Kathy, awesome Fri. and Mon.workouts! I like reading them back to back...more dramatic that way!

Squats
95lbs x 5
115 x 5
155 x 5
170 5x5 Still not completely comfortable at this weight...will do again. Plenty of gasping during last reps on sets 4 & 5.

205lbs walkout ... just for fun. Happily, was not squashed like a bug!

your squats are amazing as per usual...what is a 'walkout' exactly? Did you unrack then rerack the 205, or did you bring it down and set it on the safetys?

Congrats on that Bench Press too!

[guru]

what is a 'walkout' exactly? Did you unrack then rerack the 205, or did you bring it down and set it on the safetys?

You unrack the weight, stand in the rack for a few sec., just to feel the weight on your back & rerack it. It's a reassurance that even the higher weight can't crush you down. It helps with the mental aspect of the heavy lifts.

Kathy - how did it feel to have that 205 on back? If you do it beforehand, it can certainly have an effect (good) on your work sets. Great lifts all around. Keep moving them up.