Hi! Still here.

Tomorrow is D-Day. Now I'm just trying to jostle the baby loose:

Walking - 3/4 mile at 3.2-3.5 mph/10% grade (13:45 min)
Squats - 25 lb x 20, 20, 20, 20
Incline chest press - 20 lb dbs x 20, 15, 12 (wow those dropped off fast!)
Seated rows - 75 x 10
Bent-over rows - 20 lb dbs x 18, 18 (per arm)
Bench dips (feet on floor) - 15

I had to sub in the bent-over rows for the seated ones because the gym was so damn busy. Either because it was a rainy day or because the recent spring-like weather has made folks start thinking about their beach bodies...

Also - lots of energy today! Must be the daily hour-long naps I've been enjoying. I was able to walk further and faster on the treadmill than I have in a long, long time. When Paradise City come on the shuffle, I quelled the urge to start jogging, barely resisted indulging in some air guitar and settled for upping the speed to 3.5 mph, which I was able to maintain for the whole song. No cramping or excessive contractions. I'm not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing, in terms of coaxing the baby out.

Weigh-in - Still just this side of 160.

A little more than going through the motions

In the interest of efficiency (and energy conservation, as I had a hair appointment in the afternoon and wouldn't get a nap), I decided to skip the cardio portion of my workout today. Instead, I walked as briskly as possible on the way to the gym and back. I kinda got out of breath.

So, just weight-type stuff:

Presses (modified*) - 35 x 14, 14, 14
Presses - 50 x 9 (Just one set, to make sure I still can. :-)
Step-ups - 20/leg x 3 sets
Lat pulls (chin-up grip, slow) - 85 x 9, 9, 9
Calf raises (single leg) - 10, 10, 10

* Wide grip on the bar, very slow up and down, alternatively lowering the bar behind my head and in front.

It was a small-ish workout as these things go, but I tried to make the most of it by doing the reps really slow and deliberately. I found the step-ups to be pretty hard - cardio-wise, a full set of 40 felt something like running a 400 m. (Ok, maybe a 400 m at 80%.)

Kind of a small workout, but enough for today. It's late in the afternoon, and I SO need a nap!

Gettin while the gettin's good

First time in a while that I've managed a weekend workout. I drove again to the gym, to save some energy for housework and grocery shopping later in the day. Walking's fine and tires me out, but doesn't exactly get my heart rate up... So I opted for the more vigorous form of exercise.

Rowing - 2000 m / 10:12 min (2:33/500m pace)
Squats - 25 lb x 25, 25, 25 (not exactly bodyweight, but I just couldn't resist)
Inclined push-ups (hands on bench, feet on floor) - 15, 14, 13
Lat pulls - 82.5 lb x 12, 11, 10 (nice, slow eccentrics)

I cycled through the weight sets as I usually do, but did have to rest for a bit (30 - 60 s) between each exercise (not just each round!) because each set was really getting my heart rate up there! It all felt good, and I wasn't too tired after. (Though I did have a wee afternoon nap later.)

Seriously? Another workout?

It's starting to look like I'll be posting into week 39... Sigh.

My workout today was lighter than it appears -- I drove to the gym, instead of walking like I usually do. I happen to have a car to today, and I have some shopping to do this afternoon, so I figured I'd save some energy for that.

At the gym:

Walking - 1/2 mile, 3 mph/10% grade (10 min)

Shoulder press - 20 lb DBs x 12, 10, 10
Bent-over rows (per arm) - 17.5 x 18; 20 x 15, 15
Step-ups - 20/leg x 4 sets (4" lower step than usual; gym equipment issue)

Press finishers - 40 lb barbell x 16

The weight I used for the rows felt pretty light -- as indicated by the high reps -- but I didn't want to go higher because of the strain it would put on my abs, which are currently on vacation. As it was, the weight I used felt good: the position was comfortable and I didn't have to strain at all, and I got a decent-enough burn from the reps.

I considered finishing up with a session of rowing, but kind of didn't feel like it. And maybe I'm at a point where it's just okay to not feel like pushing it. Right?

Weigh-in: 159! Maybe I'll hit 160 in my final week. (Please let it be my final week.) Or maybe I'll be back to 155 by Monday. It's all very mysterious.

"Rest" day

I promised Ken I'd rest up today, so after spending a couple of extra hours in bed this morning, I did just a light workout before picking up some groceries.

3 rounds:
500 m row (about 2:30 min each)
40 squats
12 dips (feet on the ball)

And then a good stretch. It's a gorgeous day; it was a lovely walk, and I feel quite invigorated!

Facing another week

Still feeling great. (Although I have to admit that while trying to roll over in the middle of the night, I had to ask Ken for a push.) Still feeling up for working out. Starting to have flashes of "good lord, what if my water breaks while I'm at the gym?!" Would that count as winning the gym?

4 rounds:
500 m row (ave pace - 2:26 min)
12/leg split squats (with 12, 10, 8, 8 lb dbs)

Then some upper body/back:
Incline db flies - 20 lb dbs x 10, 8, 8
Good mornings - 40 x 15
RDLs - 50 x 15, 15

(Switched from GMs to RDLs because of a twinge in my neck/shoulder from holding the barbell behind my neck.)

I have a feeling that the split squats were not a good idea in terms of pelvic/back pain, but I have a chiro appointment tonight, so hopefully will be okay.

Going for a nap now... :-)

Closing out another week

With another not-too-intense but good-enough-for-full-term workout. Think I'll make it to the end of next week, too? Can't wait to see!

Rowing - 1000 m / 4:45 min (going for speed!)

Step-ups - 3 x 20/leg
Lat pulls - 70 lb x 15, 14, 14
Presses - 50 lb x 10, 8, 7
Calf raises - BW, 3 x 10/leg

Rowing - 1000 m / 5:20 min (taking it easy)

And after walking home, sitting for awhile, napping, and doing a little puttering, the back feels fine.

Weigh-in: 155. I guess we've seen the end of the weight gain. (Admits to breathing possibly-premature sigh of relief.) Though I do have a potluck shower AND wine club tomorrow...

Easy on the hips

After most workouts these days, my lower back (sacral area) and hips stiffen up and make it uncomfortable to walk for the rest of the day. I'm seeing a chiropractor twice a week (pre-emptive treatment to prep for labour), and it doesn't help. So, I'm going to experiment with adjusting weight and exercises to take the strain off my lower body, to see if it helps.

In today's workout, I opted for rowing instead of walking, bodyweight instead of barbells, and sitting instead of standing.

3 rounds:
500 m row (sub 2:30 min each)
40 squats (BW)

Weights:
Incline chest flies - 20 lb dbs x 12, 10, 9 (+3 chest press to finish each set)
Seated rows - 75 lb x 10, 9, 7

Extra-long stretch. I'm also now avoiding the toe-touch stretch (hanging from the hips), because that seems to cause an achy back too. And I'm not really getting any closer to touching my toes, even with the help of relaxin. Grr.

And what do you know?! My back hasn't been sore all afternoon/night. I shall continue with this strategy. It may also help my chiro adjustments hold. We'll see.

Lightening up -- a little

This week, I'm working on a) getting to the gym, and b) taking it sort of easy while I'm there. I don't think either goal will be too difficult -- trickier will be making sure I get in the post-workout nap I seem to need these days! The tired seems to strike any time, any place.

So, at the gym:

Row - 2000 m/10:15 min
Presses - 20 lb dbs x 8, 8, 7
Walking lunges - 25 lb x 16, 14, 14
Good-mornings - 45 lb x 15, 12, 12
Calf raises - BW x 12, 10, 10/leg
Row - 1000 m/5:15

Weigh-in - 156/57

Today felt great: I felt like I had plenty of energy and strength, and my back isn't sore at all. (Lately, it's been pretty sore walking home and for the rest of the day after a workout.) I think it's helped that I skipped a third trip to the gym last week, and stuck to resting and walking. Also, I didn't go to the grocery store, and therefore didn't have a load to carry home. Tomorrow is walk/grocery day.

Labour induction strategy

I've discovered a possible technique to induce/entice labour when the time comes: step-ups. I did a bunch today, and each set brought on a solid contraction. Nice. (The contractions were not uncomfortable or anything, so I assume they are a good thing. Working out the uterus and all.)

Anyway, come week 38 or 39 (just around the corner!), you'll find me on the stairs, or (if the weather holds) over at the park, walking up and down the hill that Ken and I normally use for sprint training.

Today's summary:

Rowing - 2000 m/10:20 min
Incline chest flies - 20 lb dbs x 12, 12, 12 (finished each set with 3 chest presses)
Squats - 35 lb x 20 (one set - killing time waiting for the step stool)
Step-ups - 4 sets of 20/leg (step bench with 5 risers - about 16")
Bench dips (feet on a ball) - 7, 10, 10 (ouch, my wrists!)

So, I tried flies today -- something I almost never do -- because 20 lb dumbells are a little light for chest presses, but 25 lbs are hard (ie: dangerous) to wrestle into place. Flies are a little harder... They felt pretty good. I'd hoped to alternate with step-ups, but a bunch of dudes were camped out on the step stool (as they took turns on the squat rack), so I just went up and built myself a step, and alternated stepping with dips. I'd abandoned dips because my wrists have become really sore. They'd been feeling better, so I tried them today. Probably a bad idea, and they'll be worse for a bit, but I was happy to discover that I'm still dippable.

All in all, it felt pretty good. I had plenty of energy, felt strong, don't feel too wiped out now. Though I've decide to decouple working out and grocery-getting -- that's getting to be a bit much all at once. I'll walk to the store for supplies on non-gym days, thereby ensuring I'm getting daily exercise.

Weigh-in: 156, of course.

Last week of required gestation

Hi. I can't believe I made it this far. It doesn't feel different than last week, but this week is the last week my body is officially required to house it's current resident. Next week, we'll be considered "full term" and ready to go at any time.

In the spirit of celebration, I of course, did some squats. :-) Actually, I went to the gym late in the day and it was packed, so I didn't have much of a choice. Although I'd planned on doing a circuit involving rowing and bodyweight stuff, the squat rack was the only quiet place in the gym, so I camped out there for while, alternating between squats and shoulder presses.

Weight - Squat rep/Press rep:

45 - 15/15
50 - 15/10
55 - 12/7
60 - 12/5
65 - 10/3

Lat pulls (chin-up grip) - 100 x 6, 85 x 8, then some chick took the machine while I snuck in some calf raises, even though my towel was hanging right on it. She even changed the bar.

Calf raises (per leg, BW) - 10, 12
Push-ups (knees) - 15
Walking - 1/2 mile, 3 mph, 8% grade. Couldn't go higher than this without contracting.

The heavy "chin-ups" were really hard on my abs, as were the push-ups. My abdominal muscles no longer meet in (or near) the middle, and they just don't function efficiently any longer. Future lat pulls will be with lower weight, and I've seen the end of push-ups for the time being. Another one bites the dust.

It felt like a short workout, but I did have the 2 km round-trip walk to the gym, toting groceries the second half. That ain't nothing any more.

Weigh-in: 156. Sort of hanging out here, huh? The 159 last week must've been water, or lingering puff pastry.