The Building of a Champ

Since the beginning of January, I've been working out with a personal trainer once or twice weekly.  I absolutely love training with him because he has seen me from the start and believes in me.  He never doubts my athletic ability and always pushes me to go further...whether that be to push out five more reps, run a little faster, or increase weights for an exercise, he always pushes me.  With his help, I have learned to set goals and then do whatever it takes to exceed them.  We have a comical love/hate relationship.  It's not uncommon to hear us yelling at each other in the gym the whole time I'm training.  It's just how we roll :) He comes up with some crazy stuff for me to do sometimes for our training but it's all about stepping out of the comfort zone!!  I'm not ashamed to admit he's pushed me so hard I've cried.  But it's all about how you react when you get knocked down and everytime I feel like I can't go any further, I come back and not only meet my goal, but I try to push it even a little further.  When those around me say I can't, he's there to help encourage me to tell them haters to just "WATCH ME!" His motto is "Building a Champion" and that's exactly what is happening.  He's building a champion and helping me to build Rome.

Today I had a workout session with him and we did a lot of strength training.  It went a lil' somethin' like this:
* 8 minute warmup on elliptical machine on level 10 (levels range 1-15)
* Chest Press: 20 reps with 35# bar, 5 reps x 2 sets with 85#, 8 reps with 85#
* Forward lunges with high knee: 36 reps with 15# kettleball each hand, 36 reps x 2 sets with 25# kettleball with bigger handle in each hand
* Diamond push ups with hands on top of medicine ball with feet apart: 8 reps x 3 sets
* Squats with arms curling up to shoulder press: 15 reps with 12# each hand, 12 reps x 3 sets with 15# each hand
* Butterfly chest press: 12 reps x 3 with 7# each UE, 10 reps with 7# each UE
* Alternating stepping onto weight bench with high knee and shoulder press at same time 4 sets x 12 reps with 12# each hand
* Leg press: 20 reps with 70#, 20 reps with 100#, 15 reps x 2 sets 130#
What a great workout!! I don't think I left anything out but if I did, that's okay...you get the idea of what went on today.

Today is also National Running Day.  If you're not a serious runner but would like to get into it, what better day to start than on National Running Day!!  For me, sometimes it's not about the distance or pace I'm running at, but just a moment in time where it's just me and the pavement having a stress/anger management  therapy session.  It's an excellent way to get rid of anxiety, anger, and/or stress you may be facing in your life. Although I didn't do any running on this special day, I plan on making up for it tomorrow.  Happy training to everyone!!!! :) :)