Yesterday was a fun NSV for this maintainer. I put together a brand new weight rack for the home gym. It's been a goal of mine to get one of these for a while. I try to keep the master suite I live in as organized as possible. One of the first rules of being "mobility impaired" is to ensure there are no trip hazards. I wanted something to put both the kettle bells and dumb bells on, but left room for growth. And, the intention is indeed to grow a nice collection of weights.
I never fancied myself good at putting things together. Both my mom and brother seem to have a knack for assembling things I always felt surpassed my skills. LOL. But, after 2 weeks worth of procrastination - I decided last night it was time to do the deed, for better or worse.
I only bolted one wrack on backwards and had to "re-do" it, but for the most part I completed the project able to attest to the truth that...
I am not as think as you dumb I am :-)
It was perfect too, because today I did weights so I got to try it out
Today's WOD (workout of the day)
1. Bicep curls (3X16) --> 12 lb handhelds
2.Tricep push backs ( 3X14) --> 12 lb handhelds
3. Reverse Fly's (3X14) ---> 12 lb handhelds
4. Kettlebell rows (3X14) ---> 17 lbs
5. External rotations (3X10) ---> 5 lbs
6. Lateral lifts (3X17) ---> 10 lb handhelds
7. floor pushups (3X10)
8. Goblet squats with 17 lb kettlebell (3X13)
9. lunges w/bosu (3X12) -->10 lb weights
10. L-sit 25 seconds
11. inverted rows on stability bars --> 15 (3X5)
I'm a high rep low weight kinda gal. I want to see more research done on MS and powerlifting. Unfortunately, at this time the physical therapists as St. Lukes do not recommend or in any way suggest power lifting. They seemed head over heels relieved I worked up to all this in "increments" and do three alternate cycles before increasing reps.
I do have aspirations of power lifting. But, the hesitation on the PT's part is the effect it might have on muscle spasms and spasticity. Tax a muscle that is already prone to stay contracted for long periods of time and it will start jumping and then it will cease to work. In an MS'ers case, when the legs are impacted, it means we quite literally fall to the ground. That hasn't happened to me yet, but I've had neuro fatigue and it felt like this body was going to give out from under me and I had no control but the hope I might make it to the bed before it happened.
However, conditioning the muscles for perseverance and stamina is 100% possible and recommended by the MS society.
There is a medical research study being funded and sponsored by MS society to measure the impact of exercise on the progression of MS. I REALLY wanted to be a part of it, but I had already been working out before I was diagnosed and they were looking for the proper "control group" of folks that had not been exercising before starting the study. Last months MRI concludes yours truly has NEDA ----> No Evidence of Disease Activity. I am still in remission. Is that because of the exercise, or because of the medication? Maybe both? I may never know or will just have to wait until they complete the research. I don't know what types of exercises they are testing people on.
But, what if...
An MS'er conditioned their body first, AND THEN tried power lifting?! hmmm
For now, the next goal is to purchase an adjustable weight bench.
I also got me a pair of bleached rock star skinny jeans from Old Navy. I haven't done a before and after in a minute. Who says a mid lifer can't rock it every once and awhile, LOL ;-) Excuse the wet hair, I've been swimming around 5K per week. I try to take advantage of swimming as much as I can, because the pool closes in September. It's a short season and I love the water, it's my prozac.
I hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend.
Lots of Love & Blessings - I'll try to get my calorie trajectory posted on time this week!
