Gym Milestones

After 6 months of serious, regular heavy lifting, I finally decided to test my limits on heavy lifting. I did pyramids, so working very close to my 1 rep max here. And yesterday was leg day, so - squats.

Set 1 - 85 to warm up

Set 2 - 135 x6

Set 3 - 165. And that, folks, is my own body weight (give or take a few pounds)

I did 3 at this weight! 4 would have been pushing it. So my absolute 1 rep max might be approaching 180? And now I know I am able to squat my body weight which is a milestone in weightlifting I think.

Set 4 - 155 for 5 reps

Set 5 - 135 for 6 reps

Set 6 - 95 for 10 reps

Set 7 - 75 for 15 reps

Set 8 - just the bar, quick tempo for 15 reps

(Now, after doing all that.... why was I unloading a barbell after a different exercise... and taking a 10lb plate off tweaked my back??? WTH!) It hurts but I don't think I did anything to the spine, it's on the right side only so I probably just aggravated the tissues. All this from a damn 10lb plate! 

So yes. I feel pretty awesome, it's not a massive amount of weight but I doubt many chicks in my gym can say they can load up their body weight, put it across their shoulders, and squat.

It's nice to see all these gains and see noticeable strength, and even physical changes as well. I'm not perfect. I will never have a low body fat %, abs, or any of that mess. I love food too much. But for me it's all about performance. What I am able to do in the gym, in everyday life, and on the course is what matters to me.

** Another big milestone - for the first time ever I am able to fit into REGULAR sports bras! Like the Spartan bra pictured above. I have this in a medium, then I have the blue and yellow one in a large. And the large is actually kinda big! Last week I got this sports bra on sale at Dick's in the black and grey color. A large fits me perfect! This is huge for me because I have never even been able to get these bras over my chest in the past. I have always used the Under Armor Protegee which is a zip up. I still use it, just ordered another one in fact, because I do love them for running. But it's nice to know I can go with a "regular" sports bra for lifting - and have more color options for once.

I got my run in already this morning. Been slacking off in the running department, so I'm very glad I got my ass back out there. Just a 3 miler, my GPS wouldn't cooperate this morning so I said to hell with it and ran blind. I guesstimate it took about 28 minutes. No bathroom issues this time but I didn't eat anything beforehand. I'd say not bad for running at 6:40 am with no food or coffee. Good thing I got out so early because they are calling for a heat advisory today. Ouch.