Minor Setback

This week I had an ingrown toenail that did not allow me to workout my legs. Although the pain was bearable, I did not want to further aggravate it. My workouts consisted mostly of abs, chests workouts, back workouts, and forearm workouts. So with no leg workouts throughout the week I decided to do some catching up on school. Since registration for next semester is just around the corner I decided to look at a few classes that I was interested in.

I am thinking about being a business major but I also needed to take some common curriculum courses. I decided that I am going to take a weight lifting class next semester. I feel like the class will allow me to improve my workouts, gain some new workout buddies, and also provide inspiration for me to keep on top of my workouts. I have heard nothing but good things about the class and I am sure that I will enjoy learning some new techniques and making some new friends in the weight room. This minor setback has given me the opportunity to look at some courses that I would not have looked at otherwise. Aside from my business courses I am thinking about taking sociology and mythology as well. Stay Healthy and Hit the Weights.


iraq by The U.S. Army is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License.

Starting Up Again

After a nice extended break I am ready to hit the weights again. My body is not sore anymore and I feel stronger and rejuvenated. These past few days in the weight room have been my best days yet and I definitely think that I am on the right track. I decided to incorporate a little bit more running on the treadmills and abdominal exercises into my workout.

Here is my workout schedule for the week:
On Mondays my workouts are heavy chest exercises, curls, and shoulder machines. On Tuesdays I visit the aerobics room and work the leg machines. On wednesdays I go back to upper body with incline bench press, pull ups, and olympic lifts. Then on Thursdays I go back to the aerobics room and run a couple of miles on the treadmill then I do an abdominal workout. Lastly on friday I do another chest workout, machines, treadmill, and finish with an ab workout.
This workout plan works best for me and I feel that it keeps me in shape. I am always looking for new ways to improve and vary my workouts. After my workouts I try to eat as much as I can to get the most out of my workouts. Stay Healthy.


Heavy Things by ennuidesign is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License.

Taking Breaks

Sit back and relax

Some inexperienced lifters believe that constant and nonstop lifting will bring them the most progress in the weight room. This is not how muscles work, they need time to repair themselves. I usually take a few days off per week to give myself a mental and physical break. Then after around 6-10 weeks I take an extended break that lasts around one week. These breaks give me time to reevaluate my progress in the weight room but also to get ahead on school work. When I am not worrying about my school work I can concentrate 100% of my energy toward the workout.

During breaks I try not to eat as much as I would if I were working out. I do not burn as many calories during my off weeks and in general it is better to eat healthier food. I am trying to put as much lean muscle on as possible and eating unhealthy foods would hinder me. After a break I always feel refreshed and ready to get after my goals in the weight room. So remember to take breaks because they will help you in the long run both mentally and physically.


Hammock at River Kwai Jungle Rafts by Mark Fischer is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License.

Keeping Up With the Routine

With all the stress from school and extracurricular activities it is hard to stay focused on your workout routine. Sometimes you get swamped with so much homework that you can't make it to the gym. This is why you have to make a schedule for yourself and set your priorities. Your first priority should always be school, unless you want to be a professional weightlifter. You have to plan your workouts around classwork and activities. If you want to make progress, you have to stay committed to that plan and honor your responsibilities. I get my best workouts when I am not worrying about assignments or meetings that I may have missed.

Another great way to stay committed to the workout routine is to find a workout buddy that is close to the same strength as you. This will give you someone to push you through your workouts and keep you on track. You can coach each other on lifting form and tweak your workouts for your desired body types. Respect each other's responsibilities to academics and extracurriculars. Working out should not take over your life, it is just a way to stay healthy and to relieve stress. Stay open to new ways to improve your workouts and do what works best for you. Keep up the hard work!


twedmill the 1wire twittering treadmill by iamamoose is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License.

Starting Out in a New Environment

During the first week of school, I discovered the weight room here at Trinity University. During my high school years I was a member of both the football and baseball teams. Weight lifting is a very important aspect for both of these sports. After a while, I began to enjoy lifting weights and staying in shape. When I came to Trinity, I did not really know what to expect when it came to the weight room and other athletic facilities. I was pleased to find out that there is an excellent weight room here. The weight room has plenty of platforms, dumbbells, and several machines. This weight room allows students to do a wide range of workouts that involve olympic lifts combined with machines. Even though I am not playing sports, I plan to continue with the same workout routine because I am comfortable with it.

For my first few weeks at Trinity I have tried to make it a habit to go to the weight room at least three times a week. On my off days, I try to go to the aerobics room to jog a few miles and use the machines there. For me, staying in shape means a balance between weightlifting and running. It always helps to have someone to workout with so you can help each other through your workouts. For now I will try to keep my workout routine and try to eat healthy foods as much as I can. I will also try to broaden my horizons when it comes to new lifts and new techniques I can use to stay in shape.

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Practice by bozdoz is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License.