Countrygirl Training Log #1

@MarkKO sounds like a good plan!! It was pretty pathetic if you would see me walking around in there. There were a lot of guys and no females in the weight lifting part so I just went to the area with machines I didn’t know how to use. I just need to get a feel for the new gym as far as busy times and where everything I need is. I also wanted to use the lat pull down but didn’t realize a guy was doing super sets and using it so I have to figure out who’s doing what before I do anything!!! SO AGGRAVATING :rage:

Ah, the delights of feeling out a new gym with different equipment, different clientele, different rules, and the like. Just to fill your log with even more semi-confusing advice, you should have a plan but also be willing to adjust it on the fly if needed because sometimes the gym is super crowded, the machine you wanted to use is broken, some jerkoff is using six 25 pound plates instead of using 45’s like a real man, etc.

One saying that I’ve always liked, in the gym and in life, is “Don’t make perfect the enemy of good” (for me, that means making sure I go to at least one yoga class every week; I’d like to get to more, but getting there once is better than saying “Screw it, I can’t practice three times a week so I’m just quitting on yoga”).

If you had a workout planned with squats, dumbbell bench, dumbbell rows, leg presses, lat pulldowns, and lateral raises and the first four exercises went swimmingly but once you’re ready to get the “lat pulldown” it’s surrounded and busy, you have a couple choices:

  1. instead of supersets, just do the lateral raises first, then come back to lat pulldowns
  2. pick a different exercise to substitute (barbell rows, seated cable rows, etc) that roughly targets the same muscle / movement pattern
  3. skip the lat pulldowns altogether and just go extra hard on the lateral raises to finish up

Obviously you don’t want to make it a habit of deviating from a set program, but sometimes you just may not be able to do things to a tee, and it’s OK. Don’t let it frustrate you or get you down. Just getting in and doing the work consistently will get you 80% of the way there. So, have a plan (and some non-negotiables) but it’s OK to improvise a little bit on the fly, as long as you keep the spirit of the workout intact.

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@ActivitiesGuy I’m so happy to see you back on here :laughing: I laughed when you talked about the jerkoff using the wrong plates. Thank you very much for pointing out exactly how I am feeling! I love the idea of having a backup plan for those circumstances but didn’t think of doing it!!! I’m also saving that quote saying you added. Your alternative advice is always welcome on here and I’m thankful you care to help.

I Am the Fire :heart_eyes: Love Halestorm

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Did 6hrs of whitewater rafting and walked many trails. It was beautiful but made me feel like an old lady!!!

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only in-humans wouldn’t feel like an old lady after this!

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Thank you :smirk: now I feel young again!!!

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My workout was a little all over the place but I did work and am happy with it!

Crunches
Planks
V-ups
Flutter kicks
…I did all of those until I couldn’t take anymore!

One-arm dumbbell rows 25lbs 3x12

The bar already had weights which totaled 125 and I EDIT: easily did the first 10 and the last two did some grunting lol -12 deadlifts just to see if I could. That was my first time doing deadlifts so I thought it was good! I am sure they were not professional perfect but I took what I see you all doing and did the same.

Hit the heavy bag hardcore until I couldn’t take anymore and called it done! Oh I tried to take a progress picture but that didn’t work. Basically I need to work harder and maybe I’ll be picture worthy in the future or continue to break the camera :laughing:

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WHOOT! on your first DLs! No FEAR!!

Everything feels a little awkward the first few times. You’re thinking about all the little cues… keep my back neutral, push through the floor, proud chest, shoulders down and back…

You’ll soon have it in your muscle memory and it will just feel automatic. Getting the first few down is AWESOME. Next time you can slowly work up to some working sets to practice your form.

It’s fun to see progress even if these beginner ones are just for you. Take a few anyway.

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Your encouragement means so much!!! I’m trying very hard to stay positive. There is a ton to think about when lifting and I tried to not over think but not get hurt. I take a lot from your detailed log and it inspires me to push. I wanted to take a couple of pictures because I know I’ll appreciate it later when I look back. I’m going to see if I can get someone to do it because doing it myself is a waste. Thank you for your comments!

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Very nice. Deadlifts are great. They beat you up, but great.

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Video your lifts. You will learn a tremendous amount and can be critiqued to greatness!

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@MarkKO thank you! I don’t mind getting beat up anymore because I always seem to have bruises on me and usually don’t know how. I think I was doing them properly but we will see when I do it again. I learn a ton from you!!!

@kpsnap that’s a wonderful idea! I need all the critique I can get especially if I could hurt myself. I want greatness for sure.

My bad, I meant that DL tends to have a far greater effect on your recovery than most other lifts.

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Oh HA I thought you were meaning the bar on my shins! Alright I understand… I’m a “slow” learner :nerd:

IN again for Deads!!! And if your shins get banged up on deads I use soccer shin guards. Get them plastic and smooth. Mine used to get pretty beat up to the point it would affect my form.

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Scrapes on your shins are a good thing - they indicate your bar path is good.

I slide my knee sleeves down to my shins when doing deadz - and I wear longer socks.

BTW, I got my sleeves on Amazon for about fifteen bucks. I’m sure they’re not the greatest, but I like them just fine and they keep my knees warm when squatting.

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My first thought was how cold is your gym? And why not just wear pants? LOL #noob

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How do you show off the gainz if you cover up with clothes??? :slight_smile:

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