Baby Steps to Change

I have gotten into a huge rut lately with my workouts. When the weather was nicer, my husband would go run with me outdoors. Otherwise, I just did Cathe's step DVDs. Running on the treadmill is just so incredibly boring. But, the weather isn't going to improve until spring, so I have been reluctantly going tot he gym to get in short runs. If I'm only going to run, then I'll do a HIIT workout or possibly tempo drills. It's the only way I can stay distracted from watching the time. But you shouldn't do those every day, so I finally decided to take my husband's advice and try a spin class.

We went together, so it was motivation for the both of us to go. I ended up enjoying it enough to start going consistently. So for the past month we have been taking the spin classes on Mondays and Wednesdays. It really has helped to remotivate me in the cardio area. However, on days when I don't have spin and on the weekends, I'm back to my Cathe DVDs. As much as I love them, I have hit a point where I just can't do them any longer. I know them backwards and forwards and need a break.  Oh, but there might be some good news! The new Shock Cardio is due to ship Friday. I can hardly wait to get those workouts in. I'm hoping that'll shake things up a bit more for me as well. I can let my other DVDs rest a bit.

But it's not just cardio that I've gotten bored with. It's the weight training I've been doing as well. I absolutely loved doing STS and enjoyed the October rotation (did for 6 weeks). I also did a heavy strength rotation for 8 weeks at the end of the summer. It's time for something new though. I've been wanting to try to do some sort of rotation sans DVDs. The idea sort of puts me in panic mode though. I'm just not confident in myself I suppose. I have no problem with pushing myself. It's more about putting together the exercises correctly (reps, rep patterns, etc.) to be effective. With the DVDs and pre-made rotations, it's done for me. 

However, there are some advantages to foregoing the DVDs that I have been using as a crutch. 1) I can listen to my own music and 2) I can take the workout to the gym and lift heavier because I will have a squat rack, barbells, and more dumbbells to choose from. The disadvantages are 1) lifting in front of others and 2) lifting in front of others.  

But I need to get out of my comfort zone in a major way. I think the best way for me to do this is by taking baby steps. Today was a big test for me. I took my workout sheet that I created that lists the exercises and reps from Cathe's Pyramid Upper Body workout to the gym. These are done in supersets with a basic 2:2 pattern. Not complicated. There would be no reason to have to watch someone else demonstrate. I put on Black Eyed Peas and got to it. I am already feeling the DOMs (delayed onset muscle soreness). Oh, and if people were watching, I didn't notice. I also did spin after my weights, so I am officially spent. Very glad that I had put together a vegetable soup in the crockpot during lunch.

The Workout:

Pyramid Rep Pattern:

lightest weight for 12 reps

heavier for 10 reps

heaviest for 8

heavier for 10 reps

lightest for 12 reps

The Supersets Included:

Chest flys/chest press

Pullovers/double arm row

Rear delt flys/lateral raise/front raise

Kickbacks/overhead extension

Hammer curl/bicep curl

I am now thinking that I may take the Pyramid Lower Body workout to the gym either tomorrow or Friday. Talk about a breakthrough! Ok, time to eat now!