August Strength Challenge - Power up everyone

[neutronnorman]

cafe_et_creme 0/300
chinadoll 0/800
liv 0/750
Norman 252/720
stacy 0/600

[stacy3477]

Ugh! Day 4 and I'm still at 0! I need to get motivated!

I see Norman is chuggin' along !!

How's everyone else doing?

[cafe_et_creme]

cafe_et_creme 30/300
chinadoll 0/800
liv 0/750
Norman 252/720
stacy 0/600

[liv]

So what can we do stacy to get you going.
Yes Norman started strong
I am off with some yoga - plan on lifting tomorrow

cafe_et_creme 30/300
chinadoll 0/800
liv 50/750
Norman 252/720
stacy 0/600

[neutronnorman]

Originally Posted by stacy3477

Ugh! Day 4 and I'm still at 0! I need to get motivated!

I see Norman is chuggin' along !!

How's everyone else doing?

Believe me, I hate squats. With a passion. What keeps me motivated? You guys and a look in the mirror. I tend to have thin legs. If it wasn't for this squat challenge, I'd look like a bird. I tend to put on muscle easily on my upper body. I'm squatting to get a sort of an hour glass figure. I'm hoping my hip area will expand a bit. My shoulders are very wide but my hips are not. That's why I do three sets of full situps because I know they work the hip abductors.
I usually do six sets of squats. I begin with a light weight, say about 145 lb and maybe crank out 40-75 reps depending how I feel. I add weight until I reach my last set, which usually taxes me fairly well. On the last set I might do 4-8 reps. I do not use a lifting belt until my last, heavy sets. I usually use converse sneakers, high tops, because of the flexible soles. Well, I use converse sneakers most of the time for everything. I keep my heels on a 2' x 4' and I go a just bit lower than parallel about 190 degrees. I wear a heavy sweat shirt and I rap the bar bell with a towel because when I go heavy it causes bruising around my traps and deltoids.

My favorite routine is super setting the bar bell back squat with dumb bell or bar bell pull overs. It's funny how the body compensates. When I first started the squat / pull over superset, when I finished a set, I'd find myself on the floor sweating profusely and gasping for air. I now hardly feel it.

By the way, the weights I use are irrevelent. The trick to working out is intensity.

I notice how few men, if any, sign up for these challenges. Exercise intensity knows no sex bounderies. We all have a purpose and that's to be the best we can be. Some of you might struggle with 5 lb dumb bells and I'm having trouble breaking the 325 lb limit. It's not the weight you use, the amount of reps you do or the total number of sets done, but the effort each and every unique organism puts into their work out routines.

Just try to do your best and do not compete with anyone else posting their reps, etc. Compete with your self and set realistic goals.

[Pretty Lady]

Some how I was not included in this challenge even though I signed up for it, no worries I'll just added my name to the list.

cafe_et_creme 30/300
chinadoll 0/800
liv 50/750
Norman 252/720
pretty lady 60/600
stacy 0/600
__________________

[NoDakMama]

I hope it's not too late to sign up for this challenge! If it's not, I'd like to pledge 75 minutes per week of pilates using ankle weights. (so... 75 x 5 = 375 for month)

Let me know if I'm too late!

[stacy3477]

Liv and Norman, thanks so much! I just needed a little motivation to get started. Pilates today and hopefully the gym tomorrow (and I'll take your advice about intensity to heart).

cafe_et_creme 30/300
chinadoll 0/800
liv 50/750
Norman 252/720
pretty lady 60/600
stacy 30/600
NoDakMama 0/375

[liv]

Ahh Pilates. Those are tough. I to try some once in a while. They sure work though.
I did yoga and some strength exercises at home. Gym was closed for repairs. Open tomorrow and I may do some weights then

cafe_et_creme 30/300
chinadoll 0/800
liv 120/750
Norman 252/720
pretty lady 60/600
stacy 30/600
NoDakMama 0/375

[Pretty Lady]

cafe_et_creme 30/300
chinadoll 0/800
liv 120/750
Norman 252/720
pretty lady 90/600
stacy 30/600
NoDakMama 0/375