I train 4-6 days a week in the gym for strength gains and overall fitness. But, I often ask myself how would that translate to real-world strength and ability. If put into a situation could I tap into all that training and actually do something with it? That is why this challenge was so perfect for me. Heaven Forbid, my husband is injured and can’t get himself out of a precarious situation. Could I actually CARRY him out? I had to know. The good thing about a desperate situation is that adrenaline would probably be pumping like crazy and that would help a lot.
We did this experiment on a somewhat lazy Sunday afternoon. Our seven year old son was our self-appointed director and the peanut gallery (a.k.a. the dog) had to be closed up in a bathroom because she was barking too much and took all this commotion as a reason to play.
There were several practice sessions and several filming sessions. I give my husband tons of credit for allowing me to flop him all over the place for quite awhile. He was dropped a few times, poked, and bruised. That man must really love me or at least wants to survive a burning blaze. 😉 I offered to let him practice on me but he responded with, “No Honey. I would just drag you out of the building. ” Indeed.
I had planned for this workout challenge to take longer than it did. I guess I need to think of a new way to challenge myself.
In the meantime, I would LOVE to hear back from YOU!!
Could you carry your husband out of a burning building???? Or would you just drag him?
How does your training translate to real-world scenerios??
Like today, I was thinking about all of my gym supersitions I have developed over the years. Kind of stupid but they sure do stick.
Here is a handful…
The weight plates MUST match.Â
Top = BAD Bottom = GOOD
My gym has two different types of plates. One set is thicker and black colored and the other is thinner, more dense, and grayish.
When I or my partner loads the bar I CANNOT have one gray and one black plate on there. EVER!! If I do the zombie apocalypse will commence that very day or the weight will come crashing down on my head crushing me and turn me into a zombie.
The weights MUST be pointing inwards.
Top = BAD Bottom = GOOD
This is another matching issue.
The plates have a flat surface on the outside and the inside is more indented for grip and also where the weight number is printed.
When the plates are loaded on the bar the indented side MUST be facing inwards, or towards me. I just can’t fathom having one flat side and one indented side pointing towards me.
I mean it will most definitely tilt over and I will fall to my doom right there. A zombie to never die.
The handles of the dumbbells must match (catching a trend here?)
Top = GOOD Bottom = BAD
There is two different kinds of grips on the dumbbells at my gym. Some are flat and some have a more raised handle.
I CANNOT have one flat and one raised grip. I will be off balance. It does not matter if the weight is absolutely the same. I will be off balance. The force will be disturbed.
I have my favorite gym shoes
They are falling apart.
These shoes carried me through my second half marathon.
I have achieved all my major personal lifting records while wearing these shoes.
They  are worn out but only because of hard work.
I really do need new shoes but these shoes are so comfy.
The bottoms are worn to the point that I can feel the floor which is good for deadlifts and squats.
Call it superstition or sentimental but it will be kind of sad when these shoes are gone.
I really hate when the dumbbells are out of order
I didn’t take a picture of this one but it is kind self-explanatory anyway.
When I am done with a particular set of dumbbells, like the 30’s or whatever, I want to put them back in their CORRECT spot. In that example, I want to put them in between the 25’s and the 35’s.
Is that too hard to ask?!
There have been days when I have totally rearranged the weights so that they flow correctly. (Note: You are welcome, fitness attendant).
I bet you are catching a pattern here.
I am VERY OCD in the gym. Ironically, I am not like that anywhere else in my life. Ask my husband. Heh!
But, there is just something about lifting heavy things that makes me want to ENSURE that everything is where it needs to be, loaded as it should, and the force is perfectly balanced.
I’m popping on here for a quick moment to let y’all know that I will be reducing my blogging schedule a wee bit over the next few weeks.
I am currently studying to be a NASM Certified Personal Trainer and I have got to really hit the books. I have been studying pretty steady since June but it is time to buckle down and get this done.
I was trying to keep up the blogging and study but it was causing too much stress. Those two things along with housework, homeschooling, job, my own workouts, my son’s activities in the evenings, etc. etc. etc. made it very difficult. I knew something had to give.
So, I am going to post four times a week (Monday-Saturday) instead of typical six.
I plan to test no later than the end of October. And then, Lord willing, good things will happen. 🙂
Have you noticed I am a very visual person? That is how I learn. Visually.
Pictures, videos, writing, reading, etc. all speak to me. If you want something to stick in my head I have to see it. And that’s why I LOVE videos so much and that’s why I share them so much. 🙂
One of my favorite videos from early on in my transformation journey is the above by Gym Class Heroes, The Fighter.
I LOVE this song to begin with but this version is especially my favorite.
This guy is working his ever-loving tail off in the gym. He is going after his dreams with all of his heart. He is busting it.
He is a FIGHTER!!
There are times that I don’t feel like anyone really cares what I do or how hard I work. There have been plenty of times that I feel totally beat down by those around me. Truth or my perception? Who knows…
But, seeing videos like this and spending time in prayer reminds me that I can use these bad feelings as fuel….
…Fuel to keep pressing on.
…Fuel to keep fighting.
…Fuel to keep making goals that are bigger and better.
…Fuel to make myself better.
….and not as poison that will keep me down.
I could keep going on and on but I think the lyrics say it the best. So, read on…
“The Fighter” (feat. Ryan Tedder​)
Just waking up in the morning
And to be well,
Quite honest with ya,
I ain’t really sleep well
Ya ever feel like your train of thought’s been derailed?
That’s when you press on – Lee nails
Half the population’s just waitin to see me fail
Yeah right, you’re better off trying to freeze hell
Some of us do it for the females
And others do it for the retail
But I do it for the kids, life threw the towel in on
Every time you fall it’s only making your chin strong
And I’ll be in your corner like Mick, baby, ’til the end
Or when you hear a song from that big lady
[Bridge]
Until the referee rings the bell
Until both your eyes start to swell
Until the crowd goes home
What we gonna do ya’ll?
[Chorus – Ryan Tedder]
Give em hell, turn their heads
Gonna live life ’til we’re dead.
Give me scars, give me pain
Then they’ll say to me, say to me, say to me
There goes the fighter, there goes the fighter
Here comes the fighter
That’s what they’ll say to me, say to me, say to me,
This one’s a fighter
[Verse 2]
And if I can last thirty rounds
There’s no reason you should ever have your head down
Six foot five, two hundred and twenty pounds
Hailing from rock bottom, loserville, nothing town
Text book version of a kid going nowhere fast
And now I’m yelling, “Kiss my ass”
It’s gonna take a couple right hooks, a few left jabs
For you to recognize you really ain’t got it bad
[Bridge]
Until the referee rings the bell
Until both your eyes start to swell
Until the crowd goes home
What we gonna do ya’ll?
[Chorus – Ryan Tedder]
Give em hell, turn their heads
Gonna live life ’til we’re dead.
Give me scars, give me pain
Then they’ll say to me, say to me, say to me
There goes the fighter, there goes the fighter
Here comes the fighter
That’s what they’ll say to me, say to me, say to me,
This one’s a fighter
Everybody put yo hands up
What we gonna do (hey!) [x4] y’all?
What we gonna do (hey!) [x3] y’all?
If you fall pick yourself up off the floor (get up)
And when your bones can’t take no more (c’mon)
Just remember what you’re here for
Cuz I know Imma damn sure
Give em hell, turn their heads
Gonna live life ’til we’re dead.
Give me scars, give me pain
Then they’ll say to me, say to me, say to me
There goes the fighter, there goes the fighter
Here comes the fighter
That’s what they’ll say to me, say to me, say to me,
This one’s a fighter
‘Til the referee rings the bell
‘Til both ya eyes start to swell
‘Til the crowd goes home,
What we gonna do kid?
I’ve been thinking about the workout challenges lately after talking with my ever supportive husband. He made the point that most challenges last a month or so. One week in between challenges is just too quick and who honestly does them each week.
Can you prove him wrong?? If so, please comment. LOL!
So, I’m going to post a monthly workout challenge that will be a bit more challenging and more fun. That includes for me too.
With No Further Ado…
The new workout challenge was inspired by the people over at FiveX3 Training.
I saw the post last week entitled, “How to Carry Your Husband Out of Burning Building” and I was INTRIGUED. I shared the article on my Facebook page and messaged my husband saying, “Challenge Accepted! All you have to do is lie on the floor motionless.” His reply? “I can do that.”
So, my challenge to you for the month is to train yourself to pick up another adult from the ground (like he/she is unconscience) and carry that person out of the room.
That person can be a husband, wife, teenage child, stranger at the gym, etc. Small children don’t count because we already pick them up all the time.
Yes, I know. It is hard. Think about how practical that is!!!! Think about how empowered you will feel when you do that for the first time.
Me? I can’t wait.
Here are some stats for me:
My husband weight 145ish pounds.
I weigh 165ish pounds.
So, the feat won’t be as impressive as the lady who originally sounded this challenge. Maybe I’ll upgrade to a bigger male later. 😉
And now the video part…
I was thinking some more (Dang! Gotta watch out for that thinking stuff) and I figured I needed more flare to my blog. I am a big reader so I don’t mind reading long posts but I know a lot of people don’t want to always be reading.
Pictures are good.
Videos are good.
We are a visual society.
I am going to start taking videos of myself or whatever and posting them here. I’m not promising a certain frequency but it will be more than one every blue moon. *wink*
So, here goes nothing….This is ME!!! 🙂
Holy Moly! I can’t believe I just did that. 🙂 There is a steep learning curve when it comes to videos. So, bear with me as I learn and improve. I just figured if I want to do videos I have to start somewhere.
Yesterday, I talked about being careful about what we say around our children so that we break the curse of bad body image.
Today I want to talk about teaching the same children that they can indeed do anything they put their minds to.
What brings on this topic?
Well, I was watching this video last Saturday.
I am a big fan of ultra-marathons and especially the Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run in June every year. The video features Timothy Olson who set the course record in 2012 and then came back in 2013 for another amazing win.
I am always amazed (AMAZED) by ultra-athletes so I enjoy watching videos of their achievements.
Anyway, I was watching the video and my son came up to me and said, “WOW!! A Hundred Miles?!?! I could NEVER do that!!”
That statement hit me right in the heart. BOOM!
I turned to him and I said, “Son, you can do whatever you want to do.”
“Do you think he could run 100 miles at first??”
“Well, No.”
“That’s right. One day he ran one mile and the next day maybe two. He worked hard and then one day he ran 100 miles.”
“Hmmmmmmm.”
“With the proper training and super foods you can do whatever you want to do. You just have tell your body what to do and then be smart about it.”
“Really?”
“Yes. So, if you want to run 100 miles someday your Mom will be right there to cheer you on.”
“Wow!”
That conversation made me think for awhile.
What can I do to teach my son that he can INDEED to whatever he wants to do?
Run 100 miles? Why not…
Compete in a Full-Ironman Triathlon? Go for it.
Swim the English Channel? Better start working on your laps….
All I know is that I want to demonstrate to my son he CAN do it.
I do have my own transformation story and I am still adding to that story. Maybe someday I can tell him that story in words.
I just hope that he SEES me working hard each day to reach my goals. I hope that he sees me making exercise a priority. I hope he sees me choosing to each a salad for lunch instead of a hamburger.
Gosh! I pray that I am making a difference.
What are your thoughts? How can we show our children that the sky is the limit?
Comment here or come on over to my Facebook page and join the conversation. 🙂
Today, I want to talk about something that is very close to my heart.
That is how we talk about our bodies…especially around our children.
Our children are sponges and they take in everything we say. That includes the good and the bad. They pick up on our attitudes and our opinions.
I know I am guilty of show discontent with my body around my son. I make a point to never say, “I really dislike X, Y, or Z about my body” straight to him. But, I know he has heard me make hard statements to other people. If he is around me he is going to pick up on what I say.
What is this teaching my son??
Mommy is not happy with her body. I wonder what is wrong with mine.
Not good.
My desire for my son is to love his body for the amazing creation that it is. I want him to see his body as a Temple. It is worthy of our care because God created it.
I want him to view exercise as a good thing because it keeps his amazing body healthy, strong, and active.
I don’t want him thinking we exercise to keep ourselves pretty, handsome, or to fix something he doesn’t like. At that point, exercise becomes a chore and a curse that will ultimately bear no fruit.
Why?
We will never be satisfied with our bodies. We live in an imperfect, fallen vessel. Amazing? Yes. But, still imperfect.
So, let’s consider our words.
Do we (me included) demonstrate discontent for our bodies around children?
Directly or indirectly?
If we do, we have got to change the family tree. We cannot pass the curse of bad body image onto our children.
It is hard to break that curse in ourselves. Let’s not pass it down.
Okay?
Let’s covenant together right here and right now that everyone reading this (or writing this) will STOP ALL poor body image talk around our children.
Let’s covenant that we will teach our children that their bodies are AMAZING POWERHOUSES that God created with a purpose.
Let’s covenant that we will teach our children that they can do whatever they darn well please with that AMAZING BODY with the proper training and diet.
That is one of ways I like to keep my faith at the forefront of my mind and my day.
Today, I want to talk about another habit.
Blessings
Gifts
Good Things
God Winks
Whatever you want to call them, we need to count them.
I know this is not a new idea. I mean, the absolutely beautiful Ann Voskamp of A Holy Experience wrote the book on it.
When I feel particularly down I like to put myself through what I like to call “Blessings Therapy.” That is when I sit down with a piece of paper and I just start writing all the good things in my life.
Some are big….like my ever loving and faithful husband
Some are teeny tiny….like that sweet bluebird I just saw out my back window.
Size doesn’t matter. If it is good, I write it down.
And then I stare at my paper and thank the Giver of all good things for all the blessings in my life.
Then…
I CHOOSE JOY!
It works.
But, you know what. I really should count my blessings each and EVERY day. I shouldn’t wait until I feel sad and low and then seek blessings as ‘therapy.’ Counting the good things need to be as regular in my day as prayer and reading Scripture.
With that said…
I am going to start following the ‘Joy Dare Collection’ and writing down three blessings over at my Facebook Page everday. You can get the ‘Joy Dare Collection’ for the whole year here. I know more than half the year is gone but you start here and now, right? Count 3 blessings a day and you’ll hit one thousand before you know it.
Will you join me?
I would love to start a small (or large *wink*) community of counters on my Page.
Let me know if you ever entertain these thoughts…..
I’ll start Monday.
When I can afford a gym I will get in shape.
When the kids are back in school I will be serious about my exercise.
When the kids are older….
When I can afford better food….
When things slow down at work….
When I lose X pounds I will….
My New Year’s Resolution is….
I have had many of the same thoughts.
But, the truth is that they are just excuses. Don’t let excuses run your life. Ever! They are merely lies we tell ourselves to protect us from doing new and scary things.
When it comes to starting a fitness routine you have to start somewhere and that place is right here and right now.
Change has to start now and not in the future.
If you want it….truly want it…you have to go after it.
The first step is always the hardest.
It is scary to step out the door for a walk or a run. Just the thought of stepping into that gym can shake you.
But, you have to do something.
So,………
Go grab the best set of exercise clothes you have. (Do NOT going shopping.) Use what you have. Put it on.
Take a deep breath.
Say to yourself, “I CAN DO THIS!”
Say that again…
And again….
Then start moving.
You can go for a walk. Go for a run. Start jumping rope. Get in the car and drive to the gym (You have to get out of the car and actually go in the gym. LOL!). Do some burpees. Do some pushups. Pick a Youtube video to do.
Whatever you choose, do something.
Be proud.
YEAH! You didn’t listen to any of your excuses for waiting to a later date. You started right here and right now.
Pat yourself on the back.
You did the first step and now it will get easier from here on out.
She Is Clothed With Strength 