A Leg Up

 

I wish I could say that I always set specific fitness goals for myself, but I really don't.  Unlike most people, I guess, I don't need it for motivation, and I really have no interest in completing a marathon or participating in an obstacle race, which I suspect would just be a sure way for clumsy me to get hurt.

My general goal is to just be the strongest and fittest I can be...in an enjoyable way. 

Currently, I have a more specific goal: I want to pump up my legs!  More specifically, I want to focus on strengthening (being able to lift more weight) my legs.  Oh and if I can make them look more ripped, I'll take that too!

I was doing heavy lifting at the gym for legs until I got pregnant with Big A and then returned to it soon after she was born.  I stopped during my pregnancy with Little A again (just didn't like the idea of squatting huge barbells during pregnancy in case I hurt my back or something), then never returned to it because of the trouble I had with my hamstrings after she was born.  I figured all the cardio activities I was doing at the time (running, spinning, etc.) was enough to keep my lower body in shape.

Once I recovered from the tendonitis thanks to daily Essentrics sessions, and stopped doing much cardio, I returned to working legs.  But the way I'd worked it into my weekday routine (Wednesdays and Fridays which are also arms days), I didn't have time to really work them, just getting in a few exercises.  It has been only Sundays, my one day at the gym, that I would actually really get a good leg workout in before my spinning class. 

Fridays I have been doing one of Jillian Michaels' Killer Buns and Thighs routine, but I am giving those a break.  First off, she is so arrogant! She goes on about how awesome she is in these videos and warns viewers not to put critical comments on her Facebook and Twitter feeds.  Um, super unprofessional!  But more importantly, I find that the high repetition body weight exercises don't do what I am looking for.  Instead of targeting the muscle belly, they work on the tendons and ligaments, so instead of getting DOMS afterwards (Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness), I just feel tight around the joints.  Its not that I enjoy DOMS, but at least I am getting a sign that I've stressed the muscles sufficiently, creating little tears which will heal into stronger muscles.  I only get DOMS from the heavy lifting. 

So this week I've re-jigged my routine.  I am going to take out the HIIT training I did with the BOSU ball on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and add legs to my routine of Back, Chest and Shoulders.  Wednesdays and Fridays will be some martial arts or cardio DVD and arms.  This will also give me more time on those days to do arms and arms are my favorite body part to work aside from core.

I just started this new routine yesterday and I am already feeling it.  Unfortunately, I suspect this means our grocery bill is going to increase even more.  Every time I bump up my lifting, my appetite also gets a bump and usually its only protein that will satisfy it.  I may have to start chugging raw eggs.  Ha! 

This fitness motivation post has been shared with the #MotivateMeMonday Link Up.  And yes, I realize its Wednesday, but who doesn't need a bit of motivation on Hump Day?  Well me, actually, because I love Wednesdays and love working out, so ha!