X Couch Potato Training Log

[jmcquillan]

Hi XCouchPotato,
Glad you joined the forum...it's great to read everyone's story (love your screen name). I had never done a squat before starting this program and they felt really odd to me at first too. That'll probably change after a week or two using the bar. You're doing great on push-ups (I'm still doing then on my knees ). Welcome and looking forward to reading your log.
-Jolene

[greasygemo]

Hey glad to see another lady here! your doing great! I'll be watching your progress!

[XCouchPotato]

Well, here is my log from Wednesday night.

Squat 45lb 5x5
My squat routine started off with a bang, literally. My first rep was fine then coming up from my second rep my body tried to turn itself into a projectile and head for the shiny glass mirror behind the squat cage. Unfortunately, I was still holding onto the bar which decided to become a ball and bounce all over the cage. Everyone in the gym stopped and looked to see what happened. I really hope nobody had a phone camera or I will be seeing myself on YouTube as a prime example of how NOT to squat.
I backed off and let my hubby go first so I could get my heart rate back to normal then stepped in and started over. My second attempt was much better. I widened out my hands on the bar and my stance which seemed to help. A couple of forward tilts but nothing drastic. Think I still need another practice run before added more weight.

Bench Press 60lbs 5x5 (felt good)

Inverted Rows 10, 9, 4 (I think the adrinaline was wearing off by my last set)

Pushups 4, 2, 5

Reverse Crunches 20, 20, 20 (I really like these)

[XCouchPotato]

Hi XCouchPotato,
Glad you joined the forum...it's great to read everyone's story (love your screen name). I had never done a squat before starting this program and they felt really odd to me at first too. That'll probably change after a week or two using the bar. You're doing great on push-ups (I'm still doing then on my knees ). Welcome and looking forward to reading your log.
-Jolene

Hi Jolene:

Thanks for the words of encouragement. I really needed them today. As for the pushups, don't worry about which style you are using, the important thing is that you are doing them.

[XCouchPotato]

Hey glad to see another lady here! your doing great! I'll be watching your progress!

Just don't watch too closely, you don't want to get hit by the bar

[greasygemo]

Just don't watch too closely, you don't want to get hit by the bar

your sense of humour will get you far

[XCouchPotato]

Friday May 15

Squats 45lb 5x5
Wahoo! I did all five sets with only a very small baubble coming up on my next to last rep. But I was able to recover quickly. I could feel my form and knew I was actually powering up from my legs and not my hips. It felt great! Next Monday 5 more lbs.

Overhead Press 40lbs 5x5
Had to jump 10 pounds on this one because there was nothing in between. Started with 2 20lb dumbbells but quickly abandoned them for a 40lb preloaded barbell. Must have hurt my one elbow more than I thought the other night because I couldn't get the 20lb dumbell up with my left hand more than twice. This will be my next challenge as I felt myself bring my back into play a bit tonight.

Deadlift 65lbs 1x5
Actually getting to a weight where I can feel it.

Chin Ups 60lb assist 5,3,2
Tried PUll Up at this weight but couldn't even get out one.

Prone Bridges 3x30
Tried something new with these tonight. Rather then staying on my elbows, I lifted part way up on my arms as if I was going to do a pushup. This really felt good and provided more of a challenge.

[RobCosimo]

Good work with the squats! There was an older woman doing squats in my gym today with quite a lot of weight, which was cool, but she was only doing quarter squats.

[adrianb]

Hi X Couch Potato

Missed your post on my log. I don't run competitively but have found tabata better than longer runs as the longer runs interfere more with next day's squats. I still do cardio on my off days, most days. Usually elliptical trainer or stationary bike as well as sprints. Take MSM/Glucosamine tablets for your joints if they are getting sore.

Best

Adrian

[MysCat]

Hi X Couch Potato,

I didn't know there was yet another woman on forum so I was happy to see your log. You're making great progress from what I can see. Keep up the good work! I'm looking forward to seeing your progress.

[XCouchPotato]

Hi Myscat:

Thank you for your warm words of encouragement.

[XCouchPotato]

Training Log 5/18

Last nights workout was preety good. Made even better when I got on the scale and discovered I had lost 2lbs; now down to 142.

Squats (PR) 50lbs 5x5
Felt ok but hubby noticed I was still leading up from my hips. Will repeat this weight on Wednesday to try and improve form.

Bench Press 65lb (my old personal best) 5x5

Inverted Rows (Bridged) 10, 10, 7

Pushups 7, 4, 4

Crunches 3x25 (I had to take a minute after the last rep to get my stomach muscles to actually loosen back up. Felt good!)

[pagangoddess]

Squats (PR) 50lbs 5x5
Felt ok but hubby noticed I was still leading up from my hips. Will repeat this weight on Wednesday to try and improve form.

What do you mean leading from your hips? There should be hip drive in your squats.

[XCouchPotato]

What do you mean leading from your hips? There should be hip drive in your squats.

When coming up, instead of powering through from my legs, I seem to have a tendency to unwind my hips first which has the tendency to make me go forward and loose my balance. I didn't actuall lose balance on Monday but I also wasn't feeling the power push from my legs. Hope this makes sense.

[pagangoddess]

That almost sounds like you're back isn't staying rigid and in place. The weight of the bar is pushing you forward. How high on you shoulders is the bar? I had that problem more often when I was doing high bar squats.