Phase 2 workout has started!

I've been slacking a bit on recording my workouts and the weight lifted.  It is all up to date though now!

Last week was my deload week so I was really supposed to take it easy and have some fun with my workouts...so I did.  My friend and I also launched a website to help others as they are figuring out and starting their journey...and it is called The Journey.  (You can click on that...it will send you to our website...which is pretty awesome...and everyone in the world should be part of this...cause it is just that awesome)  :)

The words that I read about my workout this week...and this is word for word..."you better be mentally prepared to train hard".  For most people this would probably scare them.  For me...it just gives me a little boost to work extra hard.

This phase (which is the next 4 to 6 weeks) is all about high intensity.  There are words and phrases in this workout that I am learning about and trying that I have never heard before.  For me...this is fun, exciting and a little bit on the nervous side.  Today was all about figuring things out and learning as I went along.  All of the exercises I did today I have done before...I just had to learn what the new terms were...such as RPT and R/P.  I still need my chicken scratch notes that I made for myself but I have a lot better understanding than I did at 5am today.

Here is my workout that I did this morning!  (on a side note...I just tried to shovel some ice that we have and my arms are pretty sore...I had to stop shoveling)

• Barbell Box Squat:
  • 40 lb x 8 reps (+33 pts)
  • 40 lb x 8 reps (+33 pts)
  • 40 lb x 8 reps (+33 pts)
  • 40 lb x 9 reps (+34 pts)
  • 40 lb x 9 reps (+34 pts)
  • I was supposed to do these RPT and mixed it up...did it R/P instead. Also only supposed to do 3 sets and just increase the weights more. Will have to change this for next time around and increase the weight.
  • On the squats...I am needing to increase the weights and also need to use the right machine so I get more comfortable and can do squats a little bit safer.  Venturing into this new machine is a whole new thing for me...I have to get the nerves to do it first...and then find it when it is actually free to use.
• Standing Barbell Shoulder Press (OHP):  RPT (Reverse Pyramid Training)
  • 60 lb x 7 reps (+78 pts)
  • 50 lb x 7 reps (+73 pts)
  • 50 lb x 7 reps (+73 pts)
• One-Arm Dumbbell Row: (Reverse Pyramid Training)
  • 35 lb x 8 reps (+47 pts)
  • 30 lb x 10 reps (+47 pts)
  • 30 lb x 10 reps (+47 pts)
  • need to increase weights next time because I can do more
• Seated Calf Raise: R/P  
  Rest/Pause  (perform a set to failure...rest 30 seconds...do another set to failure...rest 30 seconds...1 more set to failure)
  • 110 lb x 15 reps (+22 pts)
  • 110 lb x 10 reps (+21 pts)
  • 110 lb x 10 reps (+21 pts)
• Seated Leg Curl: R/P
  • 60 lb x 15 reps (+16 pts)
  • 60 lb x 8 reps (+14 pts)
  • 60 lb x 8 reps (+14 pts)
  • first time doing this...felt awkward at first
• Dumbbell Bicep Curl: R/P
  • 15 lb x 15 reps (+35 pts)
  • 15 lb x 8 reps (+32 pts)
  • 15 lb x 8 reps (+32 pts)
• Elliptical Trainer:
  • 0:07:00 || Moderate (+53 pts)
  • my finisher today: did 6 rounds of intervals...did a gradual incline every 30 seconds with increase of speed for 30 seconds, then went back down to 0 incline and speed of about 3mph for 30 seconds
• Cycling (stationary):
  • 0:07:00 || 2 mi (+53 pts)
  • warm up...just a nice ride with some moderate resistance

Jessica's Journey...December 6th

What can I write about today...

Goals.

I see 2 days left of phase 2.  2 days!

Phase 2 has really pushed me and I can't say that I have enjoyed every minute of this week (and it's only Tuesday).  The exercises aren't horrible but they aren't easy.  I think the biggest thing is just increasing how many times I am doing each exercise.  I get to the amount of reps that I did last week and I can just feel my muscles screaming at me to stop at that same number.  Well, guess what?  Jeff didn't write down 12 corkscrews this week...I am up to 14.  Everything is increased!

One of my goals is to get into a certain pair of pants that I have in my closet.  I am getting closer and closer to being able to wear these.  They are capris though and since we have a few inches of snow on the group these will be staying in my closet for awhile.

I am currently thinking of what other goals I need to set for myself.  At the moment I have no idea what goals I should put in front of me...besides what I want to wear.  I have a few things in mind for goals but that is has far as I have gotten...just in my mind.

Time for bed.  I have a long workout in front of me in the morning.  This one is my favorite (well, some of it is) out of all the days so that does give me a little motivation to finish.

Funny...I'm watching The Biggest Loser right now (shocker!) and some of the exercises they are doing are ones that I do.  So cool to see other people doing what I do.

Today at the gym...I did a little bit of running.  Last night I was really wanting to run when I got to the gym and not attend spin class.  I haven't been able to run for a bit since I was sick.  I have no idea where the urge to run came from but it was there.  And then I woke up this morning.  Why did I want to run again?  I still did and I had a good time doing some intervals on the treadmill.  I went just over 2 miles and felt great!  I didn't cough uncontrollably like I sometimes do and that was probably the best feeling of all.