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...