LOL! Thanks, Edgy!
I also benched 100lbs today, did three sets of 20 consecutive pushups each (a PR for me) and then got two dips UNASSISTED (also a PR because I have always had to have assisted weight)! I am on the most amazing roll! This is SO addicting! I can’t seem to find my ceiling. I get PRs almost every workout and I am getting spoiled by it!
Today’s workout PRs: It was leg day and I squatted 205lbs twice! Then just for practice I did three dips unassisted three times. Yay!
I didn’t get around to putting these pictures together until tonight but here is a back shot side by side from the beginning of Indigo and 8 weeks later.
wow, that is quite a difference! That is nice to have no ceiling in sight 
Thanks for stopping in Reconstruction! My goals are more for appearance and not really for strength but the numbers keep climbing! Newbie gains because I am now lifting with progression in mind? Probably. I never knew my limits even before so I am endlessly amazed at what I can do. I plan to keep on keeping on… probably going top out some time soon. We’ll see.
Looking good Catnip!
Doing some High Frequency Strength Training today.
Benched 100lbs two sets of two.
Pushups 3 sets of 20 each
Squats - See videos
Dips - Got three sets of four unassisted
What are your goals with your lifting?
I ask because I think that is way too much weight for you to be squatting at this point. You’re not remotely close to depth, so it’s kind of silly to be trying to handle that much poundage. If I were you, I would cut the weight WAY down and focus on the basics, like learning a proper walkout, how to sit back, and where depth (at least parallel) is. Avoiding an injury down the road could depend on it.
Good luck to you.
Thanks for stopping by and for your thoughts. My form is great on lower weights and that is where I spend most of my “squatting” time. Even 20lbs lower at 185 is a much different animal. For this round of lifting and previously using the same weight, I wanted to feel it and move it and to feel how heavy it is so it’s not such a shock to the system later. I have NO intention of being a powerlifter or anything like that, my goals are purely aesthetic and my squats are all done after my heavy prowler work to boot.
agree with Snap here, even though you aren’t working for strength on your squats, you need to be careful you don’t hurt yourself with that weight. It’ll only set you back on even aesthetic goals. The pick is really important to keep tight, then walk out should be solid and tight.
You certainly have made a lot of progress in a short time. It shows in your physique.
However, I agree with both Snap and Lil Power. I realize you aren’t training for strength goals but there are points at which these two goals align. I would work on tightening up my set up getting under the bar before you even unrack it. When you squat, you shouldn’t feel like the bar is just sitting on your back as a convenient resting spot. It took me a while to figure this out. Pull your shoulders together tight and create a ‘shelf’ of meat on your upper back/traps for the bar and try to bend the bar across your back pulling down on it. Get rid of the pad. If you need the pad, you aren’t doing it right. After you walk the bar out, before you begin the descent, lock your knees, take a big belly full of air and get tight. With your knees locked, stick your ass out (arch your lower back hard) and sit back like you’re going to sit on a toilet. That will help keep you off your toes and sitting back more.
I’m not sure what the aesthetic benefits are of 1/4 squats or power curtsies which is what those were. They certainly have a role for competitive powerlifters. I will often do them leading up to a meet to prime my cns for heavy weights at a meet. However, I will set the pins very high in case I run into problems and need to dump the bar. Using weights much heavier than you are accustomed to isn’t a game and can lead to injuries. After all the progress you’ve made, it would be a shame to see you get injured to prove a point.
Thank you all VERY much for taking the time to comment. I regard your input very highly since you all three are very experienced. I think perhaps I get a little anxious and ahead of myself especially since I am coming off of 9 months of NO leg work and bed rest. To feel weight again is awesome but you are right, I need to have the form right or i risk hurting myself.I’ll stick to the lighter weights for now and I’ll repost showing the correct form soon. Thanks again!
Took my new squatting advice to the gym today:
I started with trap bar dead, squat stance, from about a 4 inch deficit plus increased deficit by only loading the smaller 25lb plates. This set deficit took me through a deep squat ROM without the weight on my back, forced me to sit into the movement and allowed me go a heavier and keep form…which I then transferred to the squat rack, 100lbs only, focus on form.
Trap bar dead / squat:
105lbs x 5
155lbs x 5
185lbs x 5
Squats:
100lbs x 5
100lbs x 5
100lbs x 5
Prowler Push:
4 plates x 25 yards x 3
Prowler Pull:
4 plates x 25 yards x 2
I’m glad you took the advice with such good grace. I can’t say I would have done the same a few years ago. When things are going well, it’s hard not to reach farther and maybe reach too far. I still do it and am nursing a shitty hamstring that will rectify itself shortly.
However, you’re only 5 months postpartum and likely your joints aren’t back to what they were a couple of years ago. You probably need to be more cautious than the rest of us for a while longer. I remember feeling like my hips would shoot off into different directions for a long time. Sometimes it’s harder to be smarter than stronger
[quote]ouroboro_s wrote:
I’m glad you took the advice with such good grace. [/quote]
I agree. Taking the time to dial in your form at the lighter weights will pay huge dividends in the long run. I would encourage you to video even your light sets. It’s amazing how the camera shows things that we don’t imagine we’re doing. It truly is the best training tool.
Here’s a great video for squat set-up:
Helped me A LOT.
[quote]debraD wrote:
Here’s a great video for squat set-up:
Helped me A LOT.[/quote]
Debra, I’ve never seen that one before. Thanks for posting it. It’s very good.
Ourboro - You have it nailed! A little patience now will save me in the long run. I’ve never been the patient type so this will be a challenge for me. I like things done yesterday but in regards to weight lifting everything is a slow building process. When you start skipping steps or moving too fast you risk not building a good foundation and then find yourself injured and back to square one. I think my biggest problem is that my strength is ridiculous right now. Every session I seem to get more reps and heavier weight. Clearly I just got out of my league on that 205 squat. Goes to show that just because you CAN do things doesn’t mean you should. LOL!
DebraD -Thanks for the video! Seeing someone else doing it right really does help!
Kpsnap - You are right about videoing more. It will help to see what you are actually doing versus what you THINK you are doing! LOL!
Again… thanks ladies!
Nice shoulder work!
[quote]Hip Scar wrote:
Nice shoulder work![/quote]
x2
