Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Wednesday Workout Update

Subtitle: Let's Talk About Linda!

You all know Linda, my lovely cardio trainer. She is a ball of energy and just plain makes workouts fun, even when I'm not enjoying them at that exact moment (argh, the stepper!). She truly inspires me to go beyond what I think my stopping point is - and I'm always glad she gives me that extra push.

Not only does Linda train, she also works out with Brad in another group. Of course, since the only time I see her is when she is training my group, I've just heard rumors of how hard she works out. However, a couple of weeks ago, I got to witness Linda in action, and all I can say is WOW!

Case in point: Linda worked out with our Tuesday group (she had missed her workout that morning) and we did the Filthy Fifty - 50 reps of ten exercises each. The last time we did this was the infamous "box jump" episode. We do this trying to beat our previous time...my previous time was 43 minutes (that box jump took a lot of extra time!). Linda's was 19 minutes. So while I was just trying to get through the entire set (and testing out my stomach muscles on crunches for the first time since the surgery), Linda blasted through the Filthy Fifty TWICE. In less time than it took me to get through it once. And I was ok with it...I'm 10 years older than Linda, and let's face it, a heck of a lot less fit! But she was a sight to see - a whirling dervish in action! I was stunned at her focus and intensity. Girlfriend got the job done!

Oh - you know how I've been wanting Samantha Harris arms? Well, forget that - I have a new goal...lovely Linda's back and shoulders. She wore a tank top while working out, and at one point when she was doing push ups while I was doing bicep curls, I looked down at her and was so amazed and inspired by her gorgeous back muscles! I want that! I told Linda she should wear tank tops while she's training us so we can be reminded of what can happen if we work hard. Really, really hard. OK, I might not get there...but I can try, right?!?

Updating my workout situation, as I predicted, my legs finally started feeling better on Friday. I don't know what I did, but that was too much pain for me. A day or two, I can take...but not five! MizFit suggested a massage might help, and while I didn't (and don't) have the funds for one now, I'll keep that in mind should this ever happen again.

I was able to go for a bike ride on Sunday and I think that helped get my legs ready for Monday's workout. We were doing an "Olympics" set with four minutes at each station in the gym, doing as many reps as we could, adding everything to get a grand total for the gold, silver or bronze. Except that one station was the wall-sit. A four minute wall-sit. For every time you rested, you got 10 reps taken off of your total count. I was dreading this one - I just knew I'd lose everything I'd worked for at my previous station! But guess what? I did it. A four minute wall-sit. I know! I can't believe it either! I even asked Linda the next day if I really was doing it correctly, because I was still so shocked that I did it! She said I was. I will say that my legs were visibly shaking for the last 90 seconds, and there may have been an F-bomb dropped (quietly) - but I completed that dastardly wall-sit! Victory (and the gold) was mine!!!

20 comments:

  1. I'm so glad that your legs are feelings better. Biking always makes my knees feel better. I'm not sure why though!

    Excellent job!

    Diane

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  2. amazing work!!! Congrats!!! It's so awesome when we get so motivated!!! Glad your legs are feeling better!!!

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  3. Whoo hoo! I toast your gold medal with a bit of kashi/yogurt and a rasberry!

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  4. I just wanted to tell you, because of your blog I finally tried Greek yogurt and well, I guess it is an acquired taste that I didn't quite acquire. I tried adding some fruit and that still didn't help. I bought a different brand than the one you eat, so maybe that was it.

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  5. Shelley, your workouts inspire me.

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  6. You're so awesome....I gave you a Lovely Blog award on my post this morning. You deserve it. :)

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  7. Congrats on that 4 minute wall sit, and on your gold!

    I also find muscle envy very motivating . . . here's to great arms, backs and shoulders, and the work it takes to get them.

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  8. Glad your legs are feeling better. I'm exhausted just reading about your workouts. Great job!!!

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  9. Oh Shelley, how did you have any strength left to blog about it?! I'm amazed! Keep it going.

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  10. Wauw Shelley you did an amazing job on your workout! Congrats!

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  11. LOL at the F bomb!

    Seriously - you are doing brilliantly (I want Linda's back too)!

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  12. Ohmygoodness, Linda sounds hardcore. You're so lucky to have such an awesome, badass trainer. But, I'm still in awe that you can do those box jumps within 40 mins or so. I'm pretty sure someone would be calling 911 if it were me at the gym. I get a good feeling you will be catching up with her very soon.

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  13. I'm sending a blog award your way. I really enjoy reading your blog. Stop by my blog to pick up your award.

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  14. oooh and you know what I found out this weekend?
    the massage school near me is doing free massages if you will let them "practice" on you.

    maybe check that out in your area as well?

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  15. Now why havent I been here before? Mercy girl, you have gobs of stuff here to read. I'll be back tonight to read after the kids are in bed. Put on the tea and set out a piece of cake. Oops, forget the cake. I must remember dieting is not a piece of cake! *wink

    http://dietingisnotapieceofcake.blogspot.com

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  16. Way to go Shelley! I am picturing you doing the wall-sit, with legs shaking..."f-bomb"! :-)

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  17. Your workouts are really inspiring me! I have been jogging but I really need to add some strength training to tone up, I love reading about how hard you are working and the things you are trying...I think I may join a gym someday...

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  18. I feel your pain with the stepper

    KIM

    http://theweightlossdebutante.blogspot.com/

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