Birchie, I was trying to put it politely: I believe I could have lifted him up and benched him rather than a barbell.

Monday, Oct. 13th:

45 minute spin class, during which I felt badly for the instructor, who said she wasn't feeling well and that it was hard for her to show up that morning. She still worked us but it was clear she was out of it. And I was distracted by feeling concerned for her. Hope she is feeling better now.

Tuesday, Oct. 14th:

FINISHED New Rules of Lifting for Women Program!

Started: Sunday, April 20th
Finished: Tuesday, October 14th

Not easy, but oh so worth doing!

Congratulations Saef!!!

Jessica, thanks! So you & I are both on the roster of those who completed that endless program, with its perpetual planks, stuff done balancing on one leg, squats, lat pulldowns, oh boy!

Wednesday, Oct. 15th:

45 minute spin class, the instructor feeling a little better, and me sweating profusely because temps rose into the 70s and the humidity increased, too

Saef - many congratulations! What next??

(This morning I spent three minutes standing on one leg, holding a 3kg dumbbell, and then three minutes on the other. Nothing more elaborate at the moment because I've pulled that muscle connected to the SI joint again. Did it whilst showing off so that should teach me.)

Congratulations Saef!!!

Sharon and Birchie, thanks. I have to tell you, following a six-month program designed to work and build up one's whole body over a period of time was a revelation. I really like structure, as it felt similar to completing two consecutive semesters of course work -- and I thrived in college -- and I like seeing tangible metrics for progress in terms of higher weights or increased reps.

Some days, when I was stressed, the more elaborate workouts seemed to exacerbate the overwhelming complexity of my to-do list.

Other days, it was great to go from my job, where there is much labor and interpersonal relationship stress and not a lot of immediate results or feedback, to the gym, where stuff is simpler. You put in the effort, you pick things up and put them down.

I plan to start Bret Contreras' "Strong Curves" program. I fall between his beginner and experienced levels, so I am going to add weight to the beginner program.

For now ...

Thursday, Oct. 16th:

45 minutes elliptical, and it killed me, because the humidity is so very high here and it's weirdly warm. It's that tropical depression weather that comes with hurricane season, which I hate.
60 minute Pilates mat class in the evening. The instructor praised my rollup.

Saef, wow, didn't realize it was six months. I felt the same feeling about the nine week couch to 5k. It was great having specific goals set for me and to see the improvement. I'm adding 30 seconds to 1 min of my running and want to see if I can improve my first 5k when I run another one next week.

I'm slowly adding more weight with my trainer but sometimes I don't feel he is very structured. But, I like him and I can see much more definition than I have ever had.

Jogged on M, W, and F and then did the weight lifting T and Th. I know we are biking on Sunday, but not sure about tomorrow.

This ios8 on iPad is a little annoying, ugh! I keep having to fix typos and sometimes I can't see what I'm typing.

Friday, Oct. 17th:

Just three days later, moving into a different strength program:

My first time doing Workout A in the Beginner program in Bret Contreras' "Strong Curves." Back to holding plank for two minutes.

Just curious saef and you don't have to answer but what are you using all that new strength for? Or is that a byproduct of the workouts?

Dagmar

Maybe I should join a union and go out and work in construction, Dagmar?

Because I can? Like running, what else do people use all that speed for?

Saturday, Oct. 18th:

60 minute spin class
60 minute Pilates mat class

Sunday, Oct. 19th:

More of Strong Curves, the second beginner workout. I added some sets of pushups. My shoulders and back look decent after NROLW and I'm worried about losing that muscle on this new program, which is focused on the lower half.


Monday, Oct. 20th:

45 minute spin class, pretty tough, thank you all that leg training I've been doing

Tuesday, Oct. 21st:

Strong Curves, third beginner workout. In line with the dudes in the gym to squat.


Wednesday, Oct. 22nd:

45 minute spin class. Instructor overcame her bout of illness and pushed us with a vengeance this morning.

Thursday, Oct. 23rd:

60 minutes elliptical, alternating forward and backward, trying to "activate the glutes" as Bret Contreras is advocating.
60 minutes Pilates mat class, in room that was too stuffy and humid. The heat is up too high, though it's cold and damp outside.

Friday, Oct. 24th:

Starting Week 2 of the Strong Curves beginners' program, and I believe it's already helping my glutes & posterior chain. We'll see ...