I ended up starting my weight training program today instead of Saturday. Decided Sundays and Wednesdays would be my days. According to the program, three days a week are ideal, but two days will work. I'm hoping I can figure out when and how to fit in that third day. It's not a huge deal, it just takes 50% longer to get through it on 2x/week.

So, onto the workout...
When I read what Stage One entailed, I admit I was a little cocky. My first thought was, "That doesn't seem like much." I figured, they were just starting me off really easy...easing my way into the program, you might say. Only 5 exercises, 2 sets of 15. (Later in the program it goes down to 12 reps, then 10, then 8, and eventually up to 3 sets). But still...with my previous routines, it was at least 8 or 10 exercises, and an hour or more at the gym.

So here's what it entailed--Squats, Pushups, Seated Cable Row, Step-ups, and Prone Jackknife (on a medicine ball).

Squats--I used 50 lbs. It didn't seem so hard, except for the fact that the squat rack didn't have a bar on it, so I had to use the shorter bars, which I had to lift up high enough to get it over my head and into position. I was sure I was going to drop it and knock myself out.

Onto pushups--I was pleasantly surprised in the first set, withbeing able to eek out 15 "real" pushups in mostly-correct form. Second set--10. Form not so great.

Cable Rows--First set -- 60 lbs, 15 reps. Second set -- 50 lbs, only 10 reps. :( And not so good form in the second half of that set.

Ahh...onto the easy stuff....step-ups and jackknives. Now, I'd never actually done a jackknife, but it looked simple enough. But first, step-ups. And I'd done them before. I confidently grabbed a 15 pound weight in each hand and stood facing the weight bench. Got that first leg up and as soon as the other one left the ground, I lost my balance. Was able to stop myself from actually falling, thankfully. But just then those "not so hard" squats decided to play games with my legs, which were suddenly quite shaky. "So, I'll do them without weights," I thought, "It's going to be a piece of cake, but after all, it's my first workout." By the end of the second set, it was all I could do to stay on my feet.

And the jackknives...let me just say this--before you attempt a jackknife, you should be able to get in position on the medicine ball and hold it without rolling all over the place and eventually falling off, as I did. Paying attention to form was secondary for me today; actually staying ON the ball was all I thought about. Something tells me that was wrong. I managed better on the second set by placing the ball against the weight bench, thereby holding it in place while I got on it. Though I don't think I did the full movement, I at managed to eek out a few at-least-half-jackknifes.

After I was done, as I stumbled down the stairs, my legs threatened to give out--not once, but twice! I couldn't believe how out of shape I was! I was sweaty, exhausted, and quite humbled.

Next workout--Wednesday, March 5th.

One more thing--the book recommends 30% of calories from protein. I never thought it would be hard, but I used my protein powder TWICE today and barely made it. If anyone has any ideas on how to get more protein in other than tuna/chicken salad--which I love, but will eventually get sick of-- please let me know!

Mtnhike08

"The country that forgets its defenders will itself soon be forgotten."
--Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower