Progress

How do you record your progress when it comes to diet and exercise? Do you write it down in a journal or use any of the online websites and apps? I actually use both of those mentioned. I faithfully keep a workout journal (I've now filled in 3), occasionally write in a food journal, and for runs and bike rides use the MapMyRide app. I find to have a log of workouts is really helpful in being able to look back and see how far I've come from when I started. So motivational! I was thinking about this after a tough workout yesterday. So I thought I would share one of my first logged (I'd done many workouts before I started logging them) workouts with you and compare it to last night.

I started the journal on September 1, 2008 with a swim, however on Sept. 3, 2008 I was at the YMCA and here is what I did:

1 Hour workout
60 bicycle crunches
30 sit-ups
30 leg lifts
2 16sec planks

Table w/40 leg lifts each leg
Hip lifts 2 sets 20 reps
Stiff-legged deadlifts 2 sets 20 rep
10 walking laps around the indoor track
20 pushups
Triceps kickback 12.5 lb weight 2 sets 10 reps
Concentration curl 12.5 lb weight 2 sets 10 reps
Triceps dip 2 sets 10 reps


Here is my workout last night September 19, 2012

1 Hour spin class
1.5 hour weight training

 Leg Press 140lb 2 sets 20 reps
                  150lb 2 sets 20 reps
                  160lb 1 set 20 reps

Hip adductor 130lb 2 sets 20 reps
                      140lb 2 sets 20 reps

Split squat 3 sets 15 reps each leg

Walking lunges holding 20lbs in each hand 4 sets 15 reps

Triceps dip straight leg, 35lb plate in lap 3 sets 20 reps

Seated lateral raise 12.5lb 3 sets 12 reps

Rear delt flye 12.5lb 3 sets 8 reps

Pushups with feet on bench 3 sets 15 reps

Weighted back extension 25lb 2 sets 12 reps

Standing low row to triceps kickback 15 lb 3 sets 15 reps

One legged deadlift with high row2 sets 15 reps each leg

Lateral Pulldown 70lb 2 sets 10 reps
                             75lb 1 set 8 reps

Calf raises 35lb plate in lap 3 sets 15 reps

Knee tucks (look ma no hands!) 4 sets 25 reps
Bicycle crunch 4 sets 25 reps
Reverse crunch 4 sets 20 reps


I'm amazed at how much more I can do, how much weight I've added and the endurance I now have four years later.
Want to know how you are doing? Write it down, you'll be amazed and motivated too!

-Lori

Inspiration

What or who inspires you?
We all have those that push us to work harder, that motivate us to keep trying, and encourage us to be or do the best we can. I find inspiration everywhere, at work, home, the gym, dance class, even politics.  I mean it's election time and who can't be inspired by people like Michele Obama or Bill Clinton, even if you don't agree with everything they say, they are very strong, influential people dedicated to their causes.

Inspiration comes in many forms. My students and clients motivate me, by reaching their goals, to create new and energizing workouts. My friends and family encourage me to continue following my dreams, even when they seem out of reach and workout buddies push me hard in the gym, sometimes they don't even know that they inspire. Which leads me to why I wanted to write this blog post in the first place.

When I first met Jess Mazalusky, I walked into her spin class with a friend who had encouraged me to try spin, as I'm an avid cyclist already. This was my first spin class EVER! I know, many of you who take her class have already told me I must have been nuts! Can I just say that I thought that was one of the hardest classes I've ever taken, not the hardest, but certainly one of the hardest and I consider myself pretty fit. I was exhausted!

I attend classes when it fits my schedule and I like the instructor. I wasn't sure if I liked her style or not as she pushes and yells at you things like "Don't bounce in my seat", and "Keep your shoulders down, don't look like a turtle"! I've been attending her class ever since! Jess has recently taken on a personal goal that is truly inspiring. She has been training for a fitness competition that is coming up in another month or so and it has been very grueling for her. I've been reading her blog The Gym is That Way that details some of what her life has been like since she started this journey. Her meals and workouts are very restricted and her emotions have been like a roller coaster, but the results are AMAZING!

Now she'll be the first to tell you she wouldn't recommend to everyone, or maybe anyone, I know this because I heard her say it last night, but why I find her inspiring is not primarily the end result, although I am pretty envious of that, it's her DEDICATION. She set a goal, she has done everything she was told in order to reach that goal, not letting obstacles like dinner parties, and being tired get in her way, and she's achieving her goal. That is inspiring!  I felt the need today after taking her spin class last night to tell her and you that in this post. You are doing a great job, Jess, you should be very proud of yourself. I am.

So who or what inspires you?

Here is a pic that I just saw in a FB post that I think fits with today's post.

Stay inspired, keep moving forward!

Lori