I’m one of those people who has no spatial awareness - I’m dyspraxic! But I persevere.
Alexus - I’m not in the gym again until Saturday but I tried it with a stick at home and it just rolls forward onto my upper arm.
I’m feeling proud today, firstly because my girls beat another school at netball this evening (this my first fixture against another school, as PE teacher) and we beat them pretty soundly. They had some taller girls, and some good players, but my girls worked better as a team. (I can’t take all the credit for that as they had a good PE teacher before I came along, but damn, it is a nice feeling).
Secondly, because I have ignored the goodies (choccies and cakes) that have been in the staff room this week and have stuck to my diet. To be fair I need to - my waist is 29" and hips are 40" which is too big. I’m sure I’ll see a few pounds gone by next weigh in, anyhow.
[quote]kimbakimba wrote:
Awesome work in every aspect. You are way ahead of me on the overhead squats. I’m still looking to do the bar.[/quote]
I tried these and thought my back was going to fold into itself. I’m sooo not ready.
Cal - Your audacity with the gymnastics is inspiring. I was trying to do back bends with my daughter the other day and my wrists were killing me! Oh, and the thickness you’ve got going on your back is really lovely.
Awesome work with the will power on the goodies!!! Great stuff with the net ball, um I am feeling a bit silly maybe I will google and find out, what is net ball?
netball was the most popular girls sport when i was growing up. i went against the grain a bit and played field hockey. my brother went against the grain a bit by playing indoor netball (as a guy). congrats on the win!
if you hold your arms up a bit higher (to prevent it rolling down your arms) do you have trouble with your back / does it then roll back and choke you? i dunno, i just managed to find some point of arm raise where it sat on my delts without rolling down my arms or choking me - but of course i realize that that doesn’t mean that everyone has that sweet spot.
Alexus - if I retract my shoulder blades, then the bar sits on my upper arms no matter how high high I hold them. If I let my shoulder blades wing out then it will sit on the bottom of my delt but the bar isn’t balancing nicely, it’s being sandwiched between delts and throat/chin. I have always disliked front squats and I guess that’s why - my anatomy doesn’t suit them.
then the bar can’t sit on your delts because your neck would be in the way.
If I let my shoulder blades wing out
I just keep my shoulder blades in the position they are in when I’m standing with my arms relaxed by my sides. Then raise my arms up without shrugging my traps / shoulders. Once they get to a certain height the bar balances on my delts.
I have always disliked front squats and I guess that’s why - my anatomy doesn’t suit them.
That could well be the case. It is interesting for me to hear about how different people are happier with different exercises. Differences in anatomy etc. Things would be pretty boring if we were all the same.
(Sorry if I’m annoying with this. I’m just sad that you need to lay off the Olympic Lifting for a while. Still… It isn’t like you don’t have a whole bunch of other interesting stuff to be getting on with - as you are).
Some good stuff going on today, despite feeling rather depleted due to the low carbs last week (the last three days of which have been IF days, to boot).
Superset:
Military Press/Back Squat: Bar x 10/10; 25kg x 10/10; 30kg x 10/10; 35kg x 4/10
Was actually happy with the millies - getting that 10 with the 30kg again was good, and 4 reps at 35 (77lbs) isn’t too shitty.
Box Squats:
5 Risers + Plate: 40kg x 8
I wasn’t happy with my arch on this so I added another rise. That does mean I squat high but I’d rather squat high and not end up with a back injury. I will work on lowering the box over time, however.
(I know my elbows aren’t forward. That’s because of my golfer’s elbow which hurts worse when I try to bring them forward).
6 Risers + Plate: 45kg x 8, 50kg x 6 (see video), 55kg x 3
I don’t stop when I can’t do any more; I stop when I can’t do any more with reasonable form.
Overhead Squats:
3 x Bar x 8
25kg x 8 (see video)
27.5kg x 5
Was fairly pleased with these but it’s amazing how much difference 2.5kg (5.5lbs) can make - that last set was tough. I actually think my squat form is better with the OHS than the back squat, but I’d struggle to move a lot of weight this way.
Waiter’s Walks
2 x 20kg
About two lengths of the free weights room - only around 25 - 28 steps or so. Still, tiring.
Turkish Get-Ups
10 x 6kg dumbell
That’s 5 per side, alternating sides. I find it much harder on the left - the tough bit is going from lunge to standing.
Then handstand practise. I got vertical on every attempt - so now I’m consistent. Couldn’t stop short of the wall though. But here are some vids for your viewing pleasure. The first I took, balancing the camera on a table (so excuse the close-up of my marshmallow arse); the second was taken by an instructor, who didn’t do a very good job what with turning the camera sideways. Oh well!
And then the grand weigh-in. Today’s weight is…(drumroll)…10 stone 13lbs/153lbs, which means I have dropped 8lbs since last Saturday. I know most of this is water, but it’s good to have it gone. Oh yes.
Carb up/semi cheat day today - no chocolate or nuts, still, but I get to eat a baked potato, and some quark and berries.
Cal video! This is already a great day, then. Yup, your OH squats look better than your back squats. Interesting! Somehow you seem to have an easier time with your back and shoulder placement when you have to hold the bar above your head. It just looks much more comfortable for you.
And, I’m super impressed with your handstands. You kick up into them like a pro! I would be way too wussy to deal with that.
4 millies at 77 lbs. is also super. Keep on doing what you are doing with diet and training, because it looks like its working for you.
It also amuses me that the same music plays at gyms on both sides of the pond.
Cal: it’s awesome that you’re squatting pain free again. We have pretty similar form I think. So, of course I think your squats are delish.
And seriously get the fuck away from that wall for your handstands. You don’t need it. Your handstands are really good. I’m impressed. Your set up looks tight to me.
Heh heh. Cartwheel is actually getting better but still not vertical. I can’t often practise that at the gym due to space. If it’s a quiet time and I have all the mats to myself, then I can have a go, but that doesn’t happen that often, sadly! Same with handstands. Maybe I can attempt some free standing ones Monday or Tuesday. Likely I will anyway tomorrow as it’s my gymnastics class. I won’t have another gymnastics class for three weeks, though - the following weekend is railway works (again) and then on the 20th I have a 10K (first of the year).
I’ve actually got a shit load of stuff happening this month - I have both a house netball contest and a swimming gala to organise in two weeks, neither of which I’ve done before - so pressure’s on rather. I’ll be glad when it’s Easter (and also because I can eat chocolate!)
Liked your vids. I know what you mean about the elbow thing when you squat. I have some wrist issues that make squats murder sometimes. I also feel you on having better form on other types of squats. My fs form is way better and more comfortable for me.
Keep up the good work on your gymnastics. Very nice handstands.
Also, congrats on the weight loss. You’re determination will get you to your goal (and the Easter chocolate).
yeah, nice work on the squats and the handstands and your weight. some great progress. i actually didn’t know you were meant to hold your elbows any special way with back squats. thanks for letting me know about that.
Gymnastics was interesting today because…I was the only one there. So I got 90 minutes of one on one with the lovely Amelia (she’s a Mexican cheerleader, and a fun teacher) and she worked me pretty hard.
She took a photo of my bridge. It may not look great but believe me, that’s actually quite a lot of progress as well (bear in mind I’ve been slouching over a desk for the past 20 years and have the posture to match). I’m now working on pushing my shoulders back.
