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.