Week 3

During my 20% time I researched strength training. I found a couple articles that said stressing your  muscles is the only way to build muscle and strength. They mentioned tips like: increasing the weights by five lbs. every week and increasing the repetitions. It said that it is a good idea to work on a  specific muscle group every workout day. I created a schedule on Friday for next week. I am going to work on arms, squats, and abs next week. Each on a different day.

This week I worked out 3 times. I worked on arms, squats, and abs on the same day. I increased my push-ups to 15 reps of 2 sets. I had trouble doing fifteen without stopping but that is how I will get strong. In the articles I read, "failure", meaning you can not finish a repetition should be the goal of every exercise. I increased to 25 reps in the exercise ball squats. On Friday, I increased the weight to 20 pounds. I maxed out at 50 decline crunches on Wednesday. I was able to attend a yoga class this week and it was an Ashtanga Inspired class. It is an athletic class and it was challenging because it was more advanced. I am learning that it is important to be uncomfortable and to be challenged in order for my muscles to break down and re-build. Next week I will continue to increase in weights and repetitions and do planks and exercises on the mat. I am going to get in a three mile run as well. I should spend time on my own at home stretching and doing exercises that do not require weights.