Tag Archives: #liftweightsfaster

On-Going Lifting Commitment to Myself

25 Tuesday Sep 2018

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Now What?

I was thinking about posting all my workouts for a full year, but….I think it is time to move on….

After 8 months of this workout series I am feeling strong and capable. Soooooo now what? I’ve not decided yet if I am going to go back through all 6 programs again with heavier weight and different set and rep schemes or if I am going to design all new workout programs…..but either way….rest assured I’m keeping at it!

What I’ve Learned

Life Happens

Life Happens frequently.

If I miss a workout for whatever reason it is, I know that it is my choice. I don’t beat myself up, I don’t “make up for it”, I don’t think twice about it…..because the Lord willing…..there is another day for a workout. And if the Lord isn’t willing…..well I’m in heaven and no longer need to lift weights anyway.

Consistency is the key to progression.

You are what you do over and over again.

Changing-up the routine/programming is important.

I change programs every 5 weeks, sometimes 4 weeks. The change keeps interest and engagement high as well as elicits new stimulus to the body to promote body changes and growth.

What you put in your face matters more.

While weight training is important for health (bone density and hormonal response) and capability (muscle mass to get through life with ease), what you put in your face matters more. You can’t out exercise a poor diet. I could talk for a long time on this subject, so I’m going to leave it at that….for now.

Links to All the Programs in One Place

In the past 8 months I’ve completed the following workouts, linked to below. In each post I link to YouTube videos that will show you or teach you proper form for each movement.

Part 1 of Lifting Weights / Resistance Training

  • Why lifting weights is important to me
  • Misconceptions women make about lifting weights
  • Things to-do
  • Lifting program weeks 1 – 5

Part 2 of Lifting Weights / Resistance Training

  • My workouts for weeks 6 – 10
  • Articles that discuss general guidelines about training and the menstrual cycle

Part 3 of Lifting Weights / Resistance Training

  • My workouts for weeks 11 – 15
  • Circuit Style
  • Rest Week & Life

Part 4 of Lifting Weights / Resistance Training

  • Life Happens
  • Lifting program weeks 16 – 21
  • Full Body Workouts – Mostly Large Compound Lifts

Part 5 of Lifting Weights / Resistance Training

  • Pyramid Sets/Reps
  • Back from Vacation

Part 6 of Lifting Weights / Resistance Training

  • Still Super Sets
  • Drop Sets

Here are some of my other blog posts that discuss exercise.

If you have any questions please feel free to comment on this post and I’ll get back with you as soon as I can.

Part 6 of Lifting Weights / Resistance Training

18 Tuesday Sep 2018

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I completed the following five workout programs with modifications each week on number of sets, reps, and or weight so that each workout continued to challenge my body to adapt (aka: change).

In each post I link to YouTube videos that will show you or teach you proper form for each movement.

Part 1 of Lifting Weights / Resistance Training

  • Why lifting weights is important to me
  • Misconceptions women make about lifting weights
  • Things to-do
  • Lifting program weeks 1 – 5

Part 2 of Lifting Weights / Resistance Training

  • My workouts for weeks 6 – 10
  • Articles that discuss general guidelines about training and the menstrual cycle

Part 3 of Lifting Weights / Resistance Training

  • My workouts for weeks 11 – 15
  • Circuit Style
  • Rest Week & Life

Part 4 of Lifting Weights / Resistance Training

  • Life Happens
  • Lifting program weeks 16 – 21
  • Full Body Workouts – Mostly Large Compound Lifts

Part 5 of Lifting Weights / Resistance Training

  • Pyramid Sets/Reps
  • Back from Vacation

Drop Sets

Throughout the workouts for this past five week, I included drop sets. The drop set rep scheme I used was (6/12/20). What you do is pick a weight that you can lift for only 6 reps, then drop the weight to a weight that you can only lift for 12 reps, and lastly drop the weight again to a weight that you can only achieve 20 reps with.

If you can do any more reps than the designated rep range for each set, then your weight isn’t heavy enough. Most women underestimate how much weight they can actually lift. Don’t do that. This won’t work if you go to light on weight….out of fear! Error on the side of too heavy vs. too light. You can always drop down and start again.

The past 5 weeks of workouts (weeks 28 – 32) are listed below.

Week 28

Tuesday – Full Body Workout (4 Sets)

Life Happens

Don’t beat yourself up for not making it to the gym when life happens. I got sick on Thursday this week and spent about 20 hours sleeping on Friday. All that rest really helped me get on the mend. It is Monday today and I still have symptoms, but I’m feeling better and have energy to get through the day. Hopefully, I feel well enough tomorrow to start Week 29.

Week 29

Tuesday – Full Body Workout (4 Sets)

  • 10 minute warm-up – Revolving Stairs
  • 3-Way Lunge (Front, Reverse, Curtsy) – Bodyweight
  • Arnold Press (6/12/20)
  • Smith Machine Squat – 2 Set @ 50 lbs +bar / 2 Set @ 70 lbs +bar
  • Inverted Row – Smith Machine
  • Hamstring Curl – 45 lbs
  • Triceps Press-ups – 10 lbs (8/6/4)
  • Front Raises – 10 lbs

Thursday – Full Body Workout (4 Sets)

  • 10 minute warm-up – Revolving Stairs
  • Assisted Pistol Squats – bodyweight
  • Straight Arm Lat Pull-Down
  • Single Leg Reverse Step-ups – Assisted Pull-up Machine
  • Assisted Pull-up
  • Wide Stance Squats – 55 lbs
  • Triceps Pushdowns (6/12/20) 
  • Overhead Palloff Press w/ Oblique Twist – 10 lb Cable

Week 30

Life Happens Frequently 

Wednesday – Full Body Workout (4 Sets)

  • 10 minute warm-up – Revolving Stairs
  • Assisted Pistol Squats – bodyweight
  • Straight Arm Lat Pull-Down
  • Single Leg Reverse Step-ups – Assisted Pull-up Machine
  • Assisted Pull-up
  • Wide Stance Squats – 55 lbs
  • Triceps Pushdowns (6/12/20)
  • Overhead Palloff Press w/ Oblique Twist – 10 lb Cable
  • Stretch

Week 31

Tuesday – Full Body Workout

  • 10 minute warm-up – Revolving Stairs
  • Traditional Leg Press (110 lbs, 130 lbs, 140 lbs, 150 lbs) (4×10)
  • Inverted Row – Smith Machine – Bodyweight (4×10)
  • 3-Way Lunge (Front, Reverse, Curtsy) – Bodyweight (4×18)
  • Incline Push-ups – Bodyweight (4×10)

Thursday – Full Body Workout (4 Sets)

  • 10 minute warm-up – Revolving Stairs
  • Single Leg Reverse Step-ups – Assisted Pull-up Machine – 130 lbs
  • Assisted Pull-up
  • Wide Stance Squats – 60 lbs
  • Triceps Pushdowns
  • Seated Leg Extensions (varying toe positions) – 45 lbs

Week 32

Tuesday – Full Body Workout (4 Sets)

Friday – Full Body Workout (4 Sets)

  • 10 minute warm-up – Revolving Stairs
  • Upright Row
  • 3-Way Lunge (Front, Reverse, Curtsy)
  • Front Raises – 10 lbs
  • Incline Push-ups – Bodyweight (4×10
  • Smith Machine Squat
  • Inverted Row – Smith Machine  
  • Hamstring Curl
  • Triceps Press-ups – (6/12/20)
  • Stretch

Here are some of my other blog posts that discuss exercise.

If you have any questions please feel free to comment on this post and I’ll get back with you as soon as I can.

 

 

Part 5 of Lifting Weights / Resistance Training

16 Thursday Aug 2018

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I completed the following four workout programs with modifications each week on number of sets, reps, and or weight so that each workout continued to challenge my body to adapt (aka: change).

In each post I link to YouTube videos that will show you or teach you proper form for each movement.

Part 1 of Lifting Weights / Resistance Training

  • Why lifting weights is important to me
  • Misconceptions women make about lifting weights
  • Things to-do
  • Lifting program weeks 1 – 5

Part 2 of Lifting Weights / Resistance Training

  • My workouts for weeks 6 – 10
  • Articles that discuss general guidelines about training and the menstrual cycle

Part 3 of Lifting Weights / Resistance Training

  • My workouts for weeks 11 – 15
  • Circuit Style
  • Rest Week & Life

Part 4 of Lifting Weights / Resistance Training

  • Life Happens
  • Lifting program weeks 16 – 21
  • Full Body Workouts – Mostly Large Compound Lifts

The past 5 weeks of workouts (weeks 23 – 27), I threw in a day of Descending Pyramid Sets/Reps.

The benefit of descending pyramid training is that it builds strength and muscle, which is the name of the game for fat-loss, looking good, and feeling and being capable of making it through life (carrying groceries, not falling down, and if you do…being able to get back up again not injured).

Throwing in different styles of training also prevents plateaus, it switches-up the stimulus on your muscles and bones to allow for continued growth and positive change on the body.

Depending on where you are with your strength will determine how much weight you can handle through this pyramid style training. Some people use the same weight throughout the rep scheme, some folks start with heavy weight getting lighter as needed throughout the rep scheme, and some people start off with lighter weight with the most reps working their way heavier and heavier as the rep scheme progresses down to 1. I suggest you try all three weight schemes to see how your body responds.

This style is also combine with a super-set style to keep the heart-rate up the whole time; you can see via the color groupings below.

Week 23

This was my first lifting session back after vacation; I took my time and rested when I needed to. This was a nice change from my usual set/rep scheme. It was fun and I really enjoyed this workout. I felt really good afterwards. It was difficult and effective. I was quite sore the couple of days following this workout. I took some amino acids, foam rolled, and stretched to help with my soreness.

Saturday – Descending Pyramid Sets/Reps

  • 10 minute warm-up – Revolving Stairs
  • Forward Lunges (6 sets) – starting at 6 reps (5, 4, 3, 2, 1)
  • Hammer Curl (7 sets) – starting at 7 reps (6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1)
  • Goblet Squat (7 sets) – starting at 7 reps (6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1)
  • Overhead Press (7 sets) – starting at 7 reps (6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1)
  • Bulgarian Split Squat (4 sets) – starting at 4 reps (3, 2, 1)
  • Front Raise (4 sets) – starting at 4 reps (3, 2, 1)
  • Plank (5 sets) – starting at 30 seconds (reduce by 5 seconds each rep)
  • Push-ups (5 sets) – starting at 15 reps (10, 8, 5, 5)
  • Stretch

Week 24

Tuesday – Full Body Workout (4 Sets)

Thursday – Full Body Workout (4 Sets)

Week 25

Saturday – Descending Pyramid Sets/Reps

  • 50 minute walk – Treadmill (getting in my steps)
  • Forward Lunges (6 sets) – starting at 6 reps (5, 4, 3, 2, 1)
  • Hammer Curl (7 sets) – starting at 7 reps (6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1)
  • Goblet Squat (7 sets) – starting at 7 reps (6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1)
  • Overhead Press (7 sets) – starting at 7 reps (6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1)
  • Bulgarian Split Squat (6 sets) – starting at 6 reps (5, 4, 3, 2, 1)
  • Front Raise (6 sets) – starting at 6 reps (5, 4, 3, 2, 1)
  • Plank (5 sets) – starting at 30 seconds (reduce by 5 seconds each rep)
  • Push-ups (5 sets) – starting at 5 reps (4, 3, 2, 1)
  • Stretch

Week 26

Friday – Full Body Workout (4 Sets)

  • 10 minute warm-up – Revolving Stairs
  • Wide-stance Squat – 50 lb dumbbell
  • Lat Pull-Downs – 50 lbs
  • Barbell Hip Thrusts – 50 lb barbell
  • Dips – 50 lbs
  • Traditional Leg Press – 100 lbs
  • Assisted Pull-Ups
  • Overhead Palloff Press w/ Oblique Twist – 10 lb Cable
  • Garhammer Raise – bodyweight

Sunday – Full Body Workout (4 Sets)

  • 10 minute warm-up – Revolving Stairs
  • Under-Hand Grip Bent Over Row – 40 lb barbell
  • Straight Leg Deadlift – 40 lb barbell
  • Bicep Curl – 30 lb barbell
  • Step-Ups
  • Overhead Press – 20 lb dumbells
  • Goblet Squat – 30 lb dumbbell
  • Overhead Triceps Press
  • Hand Walkouts

Week 27

Tuesday – Full Body Workout (4 Sets)

  • 10 minute warm-up – Revolving Stairs
  • Seated Leg Press – 120 lbs, 130 lbs, 140 lbs, 150 lbs
  • Seated Row w/ Short Bar – 40 lbs, 50 lbs
  • Single-Leg Foot Elevated Glute Bridge – Bodyweight
  • Bicep Curl – 30 lb, 40 lb barbells
  • Straight Leg Deadlift – 60 lb barbell
  • Triceps Pushdowns w/ Short Bar – 20 lbs
  • Single Leg Box Squats – bodyweight
  • Overhead Triceps Press – 10 lbs
  • Stretch

Thursday – Full Body Workout (4 Sets)

Here are some of my other blog posts that discuss exercise.

If you have any questions please feel free to comment on this post and I’ll get back with you as soon as I can.

 

 

Part 4 of Lifting Weights / Resistance Training

28 Thursday Jun 2018

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Previous Posts – Lifting Weights / Resistance Training

Part 1 of Lifting Weights / Resistance Training

  • Why lifting weights is important to me
  • Misconceptions women make about lifting weights
  • Things to-do
  • Lifting program weeks 1 – 5

Part 2 of Lifting Weights / Resistance Training

  • My workouts for weeks 6 – 10
  • Articles that discuss general guidelines about training and the menstrual cycle

Part 3 of Lifting Weights / Resistance Training

  • My workouts for weeks 11 – 15
  • Circuit Style
  • Rest Week & Life

I completed the three workout programs linked above with modifications each week on number of sets, reps, and or weight so that each workout continued to challenge my body to adapt (aka: change).

Lift Weights Faster

The accomplishment of consistency feels so good.

My next 6 week of life and 5 weeks of workouts (weeks 16 – 21) are now complete, check them out below.

Week 16

Life Happens

It is important to be flexible to accommodate things like seeing your cousin for dinner who you haven’t seen in almost 4 years, so I didn’t work out on Tuesday this week. I was going to work out on Monday instead, but I was still really sore from Saturday….so no biggie.

I woke up Thursday morning to a car that wouldn’t start, so my husband drove me to work and he went to work. So, after work….instead of going to the gym….we are going to figure out what is wrong with my vehicle.

This week I made sure to get my steps in, which is super important movement each day. Over the weekend I did some kayaking with my sister.

Week 17

Tuesday – Full Body Workout

I left town on Thursday evening, so wasn’t able to get in a second day of lifting this week.

Week 18

Friday – Full Body Workout

Sunday – Full Body Workout

  • 10 minute Warm-up – Revolving Stairs
  • Lat Stretcher w/ Narrow-Grip – 50 lbs
  • Wide-stance Squat – 50 lb dumbbell
  • Rear Delt Cable Face Pulls – 25 lbs
  • Bulgarian Split Squat – Bodyweight
  • Neutral Grip Chin-Up – Bodyweight
  • Traditional Leg Press – 100 lbs
  • 10 minute Cool-down – Treadmill Walk

Week 19

Tuesday – Full Body Workout

  • 10 minute Warm-up – Revolving Stairs
  • Feet Elevated Glute Bridge (Single Leg) – Bodyweight
  • Seated Neutral Grip Row – 50 lbs
  • Traditional Deadlift – 50 lb bar
  • Reverse Lunge – 30 lb front loaded barbell
  • Overhead Press – 40 lb barbell
  • Smith Back Squat – Bar +25 lbs

Thursday – Full Body Workout

  • 10 minute Warm-up – Revolving Stairs
  • Lat Stretcher w/ Narrow-Grip – 65 lbs (I think something is off on this cable weight)
  • Wide-stance Squat – 50 lb dumbbell
  • Neutral Grip Chin-Up – Bodyweight
  • Traditional Leg Press – 100 lbs
  • Rear Delt Cable Face Pulls – 30 lbs
  • Bulgarian Split Squat – Bodyweight
  • Overhead Palloff Press w/ Oblique Twist – 10 lb Cable

Week 20

Thursday – Full Body Workout

  • 10 minute Warm-up – Revolving Stairs
  • Seated Leg Press – 120, 130, 140, 150 lbs
  • Seated Neutral Grip Row – 50 lbs
  • Traditional Deadlift – 50 lb bar
  • Bent Over Row, Under-Hand Grip – 50 lb barbell
  • Smith Back Squat – Bar +20 lbs
  • Overhead Press – 40 lb barbell
  • Bicep Curl – 30 lb barbell
  • Triceps Extensions – 10 lb dumbbell

Week 21  

Tuesday – Full Body Workout

  • 10 minute Warm-up – Revolving Stairs
  • Lat Stretcher w/ Narrow-Grip – 65 lbs
  • Reverse Lunge – Bodyweight
  • Rear Delt Cable Face Pulls – 25 lbs
  • Bulgarian Split Squat – Bodyweight
  • Traditional Leg Press – 100 lbs
  • Bicep Curl – 30 lb barbell
  • Triceps Extensions – 10 lb dumbbell

Thursday – Full Body Workout

  • 10 minute Warm-up – Revolving Stairs
  • Wide-stance Squat – 50 lb dumbbell
  • Seated Neutral Grip Row – 50 lbs
  • Romanian Deadlift – 50 lb bar
  • Upright Row – 30 lb barbell
  • Reverse Lunge – 30 lb front loaded barbell
  • Overhead Press – 40 lb barbell
  • Smith Back Squat – Bar +25 lbs
  • Overhead Palloff Press w/ Oblique Twist – 10 lb Cable

Stay tuned…..next week, I’ll be sharing my vacation body-weight workouts.

Here are some of my other blog posts that discuss exercise.

If you have any questions please feel free to comment on this post and I’ll get back with you as soon as I can.

Lifting Weights / Resistance Training (Part 3)

22 Tuesday May 2018

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Please check-out Part 1 of Lifting Weights / Resistance Training post where I covered:

  1. Why lifting weights is important to me
  2. Misconceptions women make about lifting weights
  3. Things to-do
  4. Lifting program weeks 1 – 5

Then check-out Part 2 of Lifting Weights / Resistance Training

  • My workouts for weeks 6 – 10
  • Articles that discuss general guidelines about training and the menstrual cycle

I completed the 10 weeks of the two workout programs linked above with modifications each week on number of sets, reps, and or weight so that each workout continued to challenge my body to adapt (aka: change).

My next 4 weeks of workouts and 1 rest week (weeks 11 – 15) are now complete and it feels so good!

Side Note: The next 5 weeks will not be as many super-sets as the last 10 weeks, but larger circuits. This means more volume and a little lighter weight (or not). Circuit training is a higher intensity training regime that builds strength and requires more muscular endurance than a super-set does.

The first workout of the week will still be a super-set style training. The next two workouts are circuit style training. As each week progresses, I will still modify the weight to continue to challenge by body to adapt.

Week 11

Tuesday – Full Body Workout (4 Sets of 8-12 Reps)

Thursday – Full Body Circuit Training

You can use one set of dumbbells for the whole circuit or you can set-up various weights around you to grab as you change exercises to fit where your current strength is, which is what I like to do.

Circuit 1 – (Repeat 3x) – (You need a flat bench for this circuit)

Circuit 2 – (Repeat 2x)

Circuit 3 – Bodyweight (Complete 1x)

Saturday

  • 20 min Walk with Dad
  • 30 min Kayak with Sister

Week 12

I wasn’t feeling very well in the gym this day. I managed to get in 4 sets of the following, but it was really difficult. I still needed steps by the time I got to the gym, so I also warmed up and cooled down with 10 minute treadmill walks.

Tuesday – Full Body Workout (4 Sets of 8-12 Reps)

  • Reverse Lunge – 20lbs front loaded barbell (added reps)
  • Half Kneeling Single-Arm Overhead Press – 15 lb dumbbell
  • Smith Machine Pull-up or Inverted Row – Bodyweight
  • Smith Machine Back Squat – 25 lb bar + 2x 25 lb plates

Thursday – Full Body Circuit Training

Circuit 1 – (Repeat 4x) – (You need a flat bench for this circuit)

  • Seated Overhead Press – 20 lb dumbbell (increased weight)
  • Chest Press – 20 lbs dumbbells
  • Reverse Lunge – Bodyweight (increased reps)
  • Bent-over Row – 20 lb dumbbells
  • Goblet Squat – 35 lb dumbbells (increased weight)
  • Seated Leg Press – 130 – 140 lbs

Circuit 2 – (Repeat 3x)

  • Straight Leg Deadlift – 50 lb barbell (increased reps)
  • Bent Over Row – 50 lb barbell (increased reps)
  • Bulgarian Split Squat – Bodyweight
  • Upright Row – 30 lb barbell

Circuit 3 – Bodyweight (Complete 2x)

  • Push-ups – Incline
  • Plank

Week 13 – Rest & Recover

Week 14

Tuesday – Full Body Workout (4 Sets of 8-12 Reps)

  • Reverse Lunge – 20lbs front loaded barbell
  • Standing Single-Arm Overhead Press – 15 lb dumbbell 
  • Wide-Stance Squats – 45 lb dumbbell 
  • Standing Cable Rows – 65 lbs (alternating underhand and overhand grip)
  • Alternating Hammer Curls – 15 lb dumbbells 
  • Seated Leg Press – 130 – 140 lbs

I only managed to get one lifting session in this week, which is unfortunate, but ok. I spent the last part of this week preparing for a large and fun Mother’s Day lunch on Saturday.

Week 15

Tuesday – Full Body Workout (4 Sets of 8-12 Reps)

Front Squat (1 Set of 20) – 20 lb barbell

Circuit 1 – (4 Sets of 8-12 Reps)

Circuit 2 – (4 Sets of 8-12 Reps)

  • Seated Row – 50 lbs 
  • Push-ups – Bodyweight 
  • Plank

Goblet Squat (1 Set of 25) – 25 lb dumbbell

Thursday – Full Body Circuit Training

Circuit 1 – (Repeat 3x) – (You need a flat bench for this circuit)

  • Seated Overhead Press – 20 lb dumbbell
  • Step-ups – bodyweight
  • Chest Press – 20 lbs dumbbells 
  • Reverse Lunge – bodyweight
  • Bent-over Row – 40 lb barbell
  • Goblet Squat – 30 lb dumbbells 

Circuit 2 – (Repeat 3x)

  • Straight Leg Deadlift – 40 lb barbell 
  • Upright Row – 30 lb barbell
  • Bulgarian Split Squat – Bodyweight
  • Biceps Curl – 30 lb barbell

Saturday – Full Body Circuit Training

  • Reverse Lunge – 30 lb front loaded barbell
  • Half Kneeling Single-Arm Overhead Press – 15 lb dumbbell
  • Smith Machine Back Squat – 25 lb bar + 2x 25 lb plates
  • Smith Machine Pull-up or Inverted Row – Bodyweight
  • Wide-Stance Squat – 45 lb dumbbell
  • 15 min treadmill walk

Here are some of my other blog posts that discuss exercise.

If you have any questions please feel free to comment on this post and I’ll get back with you as soon as I can.