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.