Down to the next level

I mentioned last post that I was about to graduate to the next workout level – otherwise known as the basement of the gym. It didn’t happen last week because apparently I looked too wilted and sleep-deprived to take on bigger iron.

Today, however, was the day. Up by 7, eat oatmeal, hope it digests, gym by 8:45 in time to warm up. After 10 minutes on the treadmill, where I attempted to coax my half-dozing muscles to life, Stefan and I headed down, down, down to the sweaty and windowless depths of gymworld. I skitter past this nether region every time I’m at the gym because that’s where the women’s change room is.

In my mind's eye, this is what everyone downstairs at the gym looks like. And then there's me.

But I never look or talk to anyone or do anything to slow me down from getting upstairs – where I at least feel a tiny sense of belonging now, recognize a few faces, and know that, aside from planks, I am beginning to improve a little.

Change is a way of life in this whole get fit deal, though. If you don’t mix it up – and fairly often – your very smart muscles figure that out, adapt, and take it easy. (or easy-ish, anyway). And of course, one does get better and stronger over time; so leaving pre-school and learning something new – and harder – is required.

So we got on with it. I shook off that feeling of having stumbled uninvited into the wrong party, and pretty soon felt the familiar groove of move, lift, sweat, suck air. Yep, I’m still in the gym.

Today began with step-ups, something I know, though Stefan had me work with 15-lb dumbbells in each hand, a 10lb increase. So far, so good. (though I did have this OMG moment when I felt how freaking heavy 30 lbs is and consider how often I’ve lost and gained same with nary a thought. Life lesson: 30 lbs is not nothing. It’s heavy. Step-ups would have been a cakewalk if not for those 30 lbs…remember this while reaching for chocolate granola bar and consider stopping).

Then came the pre-requisite training for deadlifts – one of the most important lifts in strength training, I’m told.  Basically, deadlifting is about lifting heavy stuff up, then putting it down – WITH THE RIGHT FORM! Kids, do not try this at home unless you know how. It works all the major muscle groups – legs, back and forearms, and places that are typically weaker in most people. Here’s a picture of your basic deadlift.

My deadlift looked nothing like this. First, there are no weights on the end of my bar – that comes later. For now, I’m just learning how to lift, bend, and hold (like the pic on right) for 60 seconds without sagging, slumping or using my back incorrectly. Hey, the bar itself is heavy enough (sorry, don’t know the actual weight, will find out).

Second, my posture was bendy and wonky. But I’ll get there – and one day, another fine graduation day in my future, I’ll actually do this with weights on the end so it looks more ‘official’.

My dog has gone off with daughter for a playdate with another puppy so I’m not capping today’s workout with a walk. (Is it wrong that I feel a little relief at this? I normally *love* getting outside and ambling around with the best Cairn in world). Deadlifts – dead tired?

It is Saturday, though, and that means Dixie at the Lanc! Time to wake up and go feel the joy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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