July WT #1 of 8

Not only did I do 3 sets of each exercise, I also did the first set at a higher weight!

It was much heavier, but I was capable of one set at 20 lbs vs my usual 10 lbs. Maybe in two weeks or so, I'll be capable of two sets at 20 lbs. :D

June WT #8 of 8

I made it! Not only did I keep my goal of 8 weight training workouts in June, I also improved my lifting ability. It's gotten noticeably easier.

I discussed buying another set of dumbbell rods a few days ago. I realized tonight that the smarter solution is to keep on with the amount I'm currently lifting, but add another set (I'm currently only doing 2 sets).

My goal for July is another 8 workouts, doing 3 sets of each lift.

June WT #7 of 8

Ok, so far so good. I just need to do one more WT on Tuesday and I've made my goal. Yay!

I'm thinking about buying another set of dumbbell rods. I think I'm ready to up my weights on a couple of exercises, but not on the majority. It's such a pain unscrewing the clips to change weights that it just won't be happening.

The weekend wasn't so bad pointswise. I went over because I'm never very strict on weekends, but not horribly so. Lucy and I did get in a walk each day. We'll see where the scale falls tomorrow.

June WT #6 of 8

It almost didn't happen. I kept procrastinating, ignoring the idea that if I got it done, I'd feel so successful. First it was too hot outside to take that walk afterward. Then I was too hungry for dinner. Then I was too full from dinner.

Finally at 10pm, finding myself just aimlessly surfing the web, I put on my workout clothes and "got 'er done." I didn't walk afterward, and I didn't do the crunches (I hate crunches), but I can legitimately increment my counter and still have a chance of making my June WT goal.

June WT #5 of 8

After getting off the weight training wagon last week, I hauled myself back up tonight. One more workout down, three to go for the month. Looking at the calendar, looks like I can still make it if I do one Thursday, Sunday, and next Tuesday.

YAY for building some flexibility into my goal!

June WT #4 of 8

I feel like I might have over-extended my calves doing calf extensions tonight. Also a slight twinge in my lower back. The calves were fine after the 30 minute dog walk.

Hope I'm in shape to run tomorrow morning.

June WT #3 of 8

I upped my sets today. Instead of one set (12 reps) of each lift, I did two. I almost wasn't able to finish the second set of shoulder press, but that was close to the end of my workout, which includes a fair amount of upper body. At least I'm confident that I'm using the right weight amount.

Tonight's workout (links to demonstration of lift on ExRx):
3 minutes of light intensity cardio (recumbent exercise bike)
2 sets of 12 squats
2 sets of 12 dumbbell row
2 sets of 12 dumbbell bench press
2 sets of 12 arm curls
2 sets of 12 dumbbell shoulder press
2 sets of 12 calf raise
2 sets of 12 bent over dumbbell row
2 sets of 30 crunches

I finished with a 30 minute dog walk. Lucy was appreciative.

June WT #2 of 8

I'm probably not stressing my muscles enough, but starting out very slow has other benefits, right? If I don't dread the workout, I'm more likely to do it. Hmm?

Anyway, at least Lucy appreciated the 20 minute walk.

New Goal : June Weight Training

I've been trying to focus hard on running lately, establishing a habit and all...

But I also really want to start weight training again. I plan to do two weight lifting workouts each week in June (total of 8 for the month).

I've reached back into my weight lifting history to Krista's (stumptuous.com) "No Fat Chicks" post along with ExRx for exercise instructions. Like the Couch to 5k plan, Krista starts you out slow with a couple of weeks of quick, easy workouts progressing toward harder, more reps on a 12 week schedule. I like this format.

I have everything I need at home: dumbells with some assorted weights, an adjustable bench, even a recumbent exercise bike for quick cardio warmups. I'm logging (weight, sets, reps) my workouts in a spreadsheet on GoogleDocs.

Krista suggests 10-15 minutes of cardio after the workout. Instead of more jogging or spinning, I'll take this as a directive to take Lucy for a 20 minute walk to the high school and back.

I did my first workout today after work. I'm glad that this plan starts out slow, because multiple sets of squats in the past have left me with shaky legs the next day. I'm running tomorrow morning, so I really really hope my legs will be up to the task.