Dani's Rebel Log

Training Training Logs
2918

On further thought, I think I was kind of wrong. I do think there is a Pareto effect in weightlifting. But I think the 80% benefit comes from the heaviest set. This is usually only the first set if you only do one.

I think more gyms should have dogs^. Particularly the newer gyms emphasizing wellness and balance. In fact, dogs should be a more prominent part of the public space. The Toronto subway system has many problems, but took a bold and positive step when they decided to allow leashed dogs who behave. I try to be the person my dogs think I am.

^I understand not everyone likes dogs, allergies are a thing, some people have had traumatic experiences which understandably affect their views. However, these views are still wrong, and dogs should be everywhere.

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2919

I saw this and thought you might like it, because, #nailedit. lol

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2920

In Colorado you actually do often see dogs in gyms. We’d never bring ours because they’re not socialized for that, but it’s nice to see pups who are well behaved in the gym.

When I did CrossFit (a long time ago) there was a coach who’d bring his blue healer. And he was the happiest roly-poly guy I’d ever met. He could just sit in a corner and watch people with a big smile on his face. He’d make eye contact with you and you’d feel like the most special person in the world.

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2921

Haha I do tend to lean that way but totally see the value in some of that other list as tools. I want to depend on God for all the things, but sometimes feel like I could use an outside set of eyes to help with some very specific challenges.

Hope your December is off to an awesome start! :smiling_face:

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2922

I figured I’d ask this here instead of starting a different thread. I’m doing Christmas shopping and my attempts to get fitness/lifting items for my wife (40, mother of 2, wants to lose weight,) have fallen flat.

For example, the gym bag I bought her wasn’t cute enough, so now it’s mine because it’s too masculine.

She’s motivated, and I want to encourage her in her own way, so are there any items that you (or anyone else) have found to be good fitness accessories that are more on the “I like bunnies and I am proud that I can leg press the whole stack but need energy to to go to my 8 am class,” kind of ideas?

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2923

It depends what she is into. If too hard to read, get her a gift certificate at a place which sells fitness stuff.

In general, women at my gym seem to like^:

  • yoga gear
  • good shoes
  • those ankle collars for back kicks
  • nice water bottles
  • personal use items hard to find at the gym (or rarely cleaned) such as landmine handles, angled grips, squat/pelvic foam cylinders, bands, gymnastic rings, dip belts, kettlebell handles, mats, gloves, cute wear

^Women vary widely. Many would not want a fitness item. Some women love pink and others do not. Being into CrossFit, yoga or powerlifting might change preferences. I do not claim to understand women or think these are suitable for everyone. In my experience, women’s minds are like the sky: bright, expansive, sunny and like the clouds - in a definitive fixed pattern that knows exactly what it wants, but is also something completely different fifteen minutes later :wink:

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2924

Aw you get husband points for the thoughtfulness. Fitness-related gifts can be tough!

So, if other women see this, feel free to chime in. Or guys, if you’ve found something your wife loves, please feel free to share it.

My first thought was cute workout apparel or shoes. For clothing Born Primitive is my current favorite, but Lululemon is the most popular among my fitness-loving friends. If you’re not sure exactly what she’d like, a gift card always works.

  • Apparel
  • Shoes
  • Beverage Containers
  • Snacks (that happen to be healthy)
  • Supplements*
  • Activities**

*If she’s not on board with supplements yet, something as simple as an electrolyte drink can work wonders. I like LMNT since they send free samples to their customers on occasion. Grapefruit and watermelon salt are the best.

**If there’s a thing that can make a person more active without being an obvious fitness tool, that’s a huge bonus: think ping-pong table, ballroom dance lessons, or a rock climbing pass. If it’s something you’re willing to do with her, even better.

A gift card to a massage place would be a nice fitness-adjacent thing.

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2925

Thank you, this is very helpful.

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2926

I second Born Primitive for clothing.

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2927

Here’s me chiming… @Brant_Drake

Not to plug myself or occupation, but a consult with an dietitian might be a good option if she’s motivated on the nutrition front and would like some guidance or help putting a plan together. I’ve had several male clients gift this to their wives. Just another idea, otherwise, Dani’s list is pretty amazing. I’d love to get any or all of those things as gifts and I agree on the LMNT - grapefruit and watermelon salt for the win!!

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2928

Oh heck yes, that’d be an awesome one! Plug yourself and your services anytime on my log. :raised_hands:

I accidentally got a bunch of the mango chili last year. It was super weird at first but then kinda grew on me.

They keep sending us the hot cocoa flavors and I just can’t. I don’t want to drink hot salt, so we have a cabinet full of it. :joy:

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2929

She has free access to a chef/trainer/giggalo, but a husband’s advice is alway sus.

What would you recommend in selecting a dietitian? She actually brought this site up the other day as something up her alley.

I’m rolling my eyes at it, but since the best program is the one you stick with, and this is for her, I’m being as hands off as possible.

Especially since I know how much life insurance I have.

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2930

First session at the new gym!

It takes a bit of time to get your bearings if the equipment and options are wildly different than what you’ve been using. And sometimes you can’t tell who’s still using a thing since people often leave plates loaded on machines after they’re done. :face_with_raised_eyebrow:

So what do you do when you’re the new girl at the gym and the options are a little overwhelming? Easy. You deadlift.

Barbell RDL: 4 x 8

Hip Thrust (Machine!): 4 x Failure

This one’s going to take time getting used to. I got a huge pump in the glute max but didn’t quite feel as much of a mind-muscle connection as I can get with the barbell version. It left me out of breath though, so something was definitely happening.

Seated Rope Pull Cardio Thing: One minute was enough of that.

Awesome way to warm up before upper body work. I needed to warm up my upper body muscles before jumping into upper body lifts because for some reason, my elbow tendons think they’re super special and are trying to bear the brunt of all resistance. This machine actually took the stress off the joints and pumped a lot of blood into my biceps, lower traps, and lats. It also got me out of breath… again.

Arnold Press: 4 x Failure

I set the back of my bench at a very slight angle and it felt way healthier on the joints than sitting at a 90 degree angle.

Superset:
Light Lateral Raise (with pauses at the top): 4 x Failure
Chest-Supported Row: 4 x Failure

Unfortunately this gym doesn’t have a T-bar row and they only have one chest-supported row option. So I need to get used to the angle and strength curve. What’s weird is that it seemed to hit the delts… and of course I turned that up a notch by pre-fatiguing them with the lateral raises. Hopefully this means I’m going to have beastly shoulders soon.

Straight Arm Pulldown (Dropset): 4 x Failure
Tricep Pulldown: 4 x Failure

EZ Bar Bicep 21s (reversed order): 3 sets

I felt conspicuously jacked today. Great first session.

Other Stuff

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2931

Just for you.

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2932

It’s only 25 years old - didn’t it come out in 1999?

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2933

THAT IS NOT ACCEPTABLE.

On another note, here’s a meme to send to your wife…

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2934

That sounds about right. Today’s twenty-somethings seem to think that everything that happened before the year 2000 is old.

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2935

My name around the house is “General shitfingers,” since anytime there is a diaper, toilet, or laundry incident, I’m the one to report for duty (doody.)

I’d actually rather deal with that instead of emotional shit.

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2936

Haha yes! :rofl:

That actually makes a lot of sense.

2937

I love the seated rope pull cardio thing! I find it best on the lower resistance settings. Aim to pull hard for 30 seconds, resting as long as needed (even five minutes or whatever you need) and go for five pulls. Work up to a minute and shorter rest breaks. Stretch goals include shorter rests and more pulls… but think of it like doing sprints. The best sprinters don’t usually do more than 5-10 at once.

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