Don't worry, I'm still here

Just working out AND posting about it is more than I can handle, apparently. Two weeks ago, I did miss a Wednesday workout because Ruby had come down with croup the night before and we spent a few hours in the middle of the night at CHEO (an overreaction on my part; she probably would have been just fine. BUT, worth the trip because she got steroids that minimized the drama for the next few nights. Something to look forward to for you New Parents in the audience. :-) )

ANYWAY. I only missed the one day. Since then, I did some 55 lb cleans (or maybe it was 65 lbs? a little heavier than last time, anyway), and then this past Friday I did 95 lb squats: 4 sets of 10. So I guess I can up THAT weight.

One problematic thing though: I'm not giving any time or effort to warming up or stretching, and also my muscle imbalances, particularly in my back, are enromous right now because of baby-carrying. It's not a big deal under normal loads, but when I start lifting heavier-for-me weight, the knots, twists, and tweaks because really exaggerated.

Bottom line: I must get myself to a massage therapist.

Anyway, carrying on.

Also, the moms and I have given up desserts for Lent. It's the first time I've given up something for Lent since I was a kid (mainly because I think the whole idea is horseshit, even if I was still Catholic), but I thought that this bandwagon might be worth jumping on. Accountability and all. And lo! Behold! My third and final pair of skinny jeans now FIT. Possibly more comfortably than ever. Though 2 kids = more muffin-top than ever. Nonetheless, it means I now have self-given permission to go and buy new jeans. Woot.

Week 3: Adding some weight

This is almost becoming a habit! This week I dug the small plates out of the garage and added a bit of weight to the bar.

Wednesday:
Squats - 65 x 12; 75 x 12, 12, 12 (obviously will continue to add weight)
Thrusters - 3 sets of 12 (just the bar)
Pull-up progession (inverted rows: feet on the floor, back parallel to floor, pulling up to the bar) - 3 sets of 8.

(I also tried a set of rows with my feet up on the ball, but only managed about 5 and couldn't get my chest close enough to the bar, so reverted to feet-on-the-floor.)

Friday:
Cleans - 55 x 12, 12, 12 (still pretty light, but working on form)
Hip raises (single leg) - 3 sets of 10/leg
Push-up progression - knees on the ball - 3 sets of 10 (hard!)

The Doob is a great workout partner. Of course, it's hard to catch my breath while singing "If You're Happy And You Know it", "Miss Polly Had a Dolly", and "Skin-a-ma-rinky-dinky-dink" between sets...

Also shovelled the driveway on Monday. Offered to also shovel CeLilly's driveway, but they were not up for the required childcare trade-off.

Week two: check!

Last week I did manage to do my "workouts". Both with Ruby watching; once in my PJ's.

Wednesday:
4 sets of 12 thrusters
3 (or 4?) sets of 8 inverted bodyweight rows (ie: pull-up progression)

Thursday:
4 sets of 15 cleans (needed to up the weight, but the small plates were in the garage and it was minus one billion degrees outside)
3 sets of 10 push-up progessions (knees on the balls. Apparently this is progress from bench push-ups. Straight up push-ups are next, but I'm not ready...)
3 sets of 15 hip raises (no weight) *

* I've already got the minivan; don't need a saggy butt to complete my "soccer mom" look. Incidentally, I read this later in the day: "Pelvic Floor Party: Kegels are NOT invited." (Via Elsbeth V.) Share the link with your midwife when she bugs you about doing your kegels!

Also, my New Year's diet is going well, and I'm back into two of my three pairs of skinny jeans. Diet is very basic: "Only one treat per day. More or less." (Oprah beer counts as a treat. Harsh, I know.)

Workaround

Another run, another cramp. WTF? Anyway. This morning I decided to persevere and attempt to get past this stupid hurdle. I covered the same 2.5 km that I jogged last week, using a combination of walking, walking lunges, and short bursts of "fast" running (400 m pace?). I figured if i could stand a cramp for 30-40 m, I may as well be moving vigorously!

It ended up being 20 minutes of harder exercise than a 20 minuute straight-up jog would've been. And I was able to jog the last bit cramp-free.

So, a small win.

Running FAIL

Tried another "could you just hold the baby for 15 minutes while I pop out for a" run. Got a cramp seven steps in and just bailed. The 2.5 kms didn't seem worth the agony. Also, it was night and I was wearing all black... not safe, even (particularly?) on the bike path.

Returned home and did 100 squats (sets of 25), and 40 inclined on the hood of the car push-ups (in sets of ten). Then some stretching, which my muscles tell me I also haven't done in 6 months or so.