Getting into shape.

[Dontrike Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Dontrike]

Today's workout went alright. I changed my crunches to sets of 50 at a time, I was noticing that towards 100 the crunches didn't really feel like much towards the end and I was only doing like half a crunch. I am pretty sure I felt the same burn as doing 100 then 50. After today I think I will start adding 2 push-ups every time, rather than just one, but I had to get to an even number first, although I could have just done an extra 3, but oh well.

• Bent Over Barbell Row
  • 67 lb x 13 reps
  • 67 lb x 8 reps
  
  
• Crunch
  • 50 reps
  • 50 reps
  • 50 reps
  • 10 reps
  
  
• Push-Up
  • 6 reps
  
  
• Barbell Squat
  • 67 lb x 13 reps
  • 67 lb x 8 reps
  
  
• Barbell Curl
  • 67 lb x 13 reps
  • 67 lb x 8 reps
  
  

[Toadstool Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Toadstool]

OHhhhh ohhhh look who's doing those pushups! Props to you, my friend.

[Dontrike Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Dontrike]

Yeah I figured it was about time for some shoulder work, plus they are a little easier then I remember them being.

[Dontrike Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Dontrike]

Another day and another workout. I definitely felt the crunches today, which may mean splitting them up was a good idea and I finished the curls and squats faster, along with the rows.

• Bent Over Barbell Row
  
  • 67 lb x 14 reps
  • 67 lb x 9 reps
  
  
• Crunch
  
  • 50 reps 25
  • 50 reps 25
  • 50 reps 25
  • 15 reps 7
  
  
• Push-Up
  
  • 8 reps
  
  
• Barbell Curl
  
  • 67 lb x 14 reps
  • 67 lb x 9 reps
  
  
• Barbell Squat
  
  • 67 lb x 14 reps
  • 67 lb x 9 reps

[sweetie52 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close sweetie52]

Wish me luck this weekend. I am running in the marathon!!!

[Dontrike Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Dontrike]

I wish you luck then and then wish you luck when you are actually running.

[Dontrike Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Dontrike]

I checked my weight today and it is 335, so I am a few pounds heavier then a month ago, which I suppose is understandable considering that the medication that I was recently put on stopped me from exercising for a couple weeks or so.

I bet if I had been working out that would have been a few pounds loss rather than a gain, although with me unable to do the farmer's walk I won't have a big exercise until spring rolls around.

[Dontrike Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Dontrike]

Today's workout was definitely a workout, much slower and a little more tired today, but I got through it.

• Bent Over Barbell Row
  • 67 lb x 15 reps
  • 67 lb x 10 reps
  • 67 lb x 5 reps
  
  
• Crunch
  • 50 reps
  • 50 reps
  • 50 reps
  • 20 reps
  
  
• Push-Up
  • 10 reps
  
  
• Barbell Curl
  • 67 lb x 15 reps
  • 67 lb x 10 reps
  • 67 lb x 5 reps
  
  
• Barbell Squat
  • 67 lb x 15 reps
  • 67 lb x 10 reps
  • 67 lb x 5 reps
  
  

Edit: Did some errands.

Walking

• 00:15:00 | 0.7 mi
• 00:15:00 | 0.7 mi

[Hockey_NY Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Hockey_NY]

Change your crunches up all the time to keep you body guessing and to help your abs bulk. Get 5 to 10 pound leg weights that you velcro around your ankles and do leg lifts and other types of crunches that incorporate your legs. Your core will work so hard to keep your body stabilized during the leg lifts with those weights on your ankles, you would be surprised.

Hold a plate or dumbbell on your upper chest when you do your run of the mill crunches.

[Dontrike Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Dontrike]

I was wondering if something like weight would work, I'll just have to find a way to hold them while I do it as I usually put my hands behind my head, so an adjustment will probably need to be done.

[Hockey_NY Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Hockey_NY]

I was wondering if something like weight would work, I'll just have to find a way to hold them while I do it as I usually put my hands behind my head, so an adjustment will probably need to be done.

I'm not a trainer by any means, but I would see how it works to not use your hands like that. Many times it forces you to pull up on the head, which can hurt your neck. Your neck and head should be in a straight line with your upper chest. When doing regular crunches, I usually have my hands or fists next to my ears with elbows pointing towards knees.
Holding a weight can be awkward and painful at first, but once you get used to it, it should be no issue. Make sure you are keeping nice form when you do them with the weight.

[Dontrike Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Dontrike]

I looked up weighted crunches and I it will be different, but I am sure something can be done, plus I can start at really low weight, something like 5 pounds. Plus my current crunches were taking a little longer than I would like so this definitely could be the change of pace I was looking for. Thanks for the info.

[Dontrike Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Dontrike]

Another workout. My knees hurt a little before starting, but after moving around some they didn't bother me anymore.

I won't be doing 30 weighted crunches, I was just trying to find a position that worked for me and ended up doing 30. It definitely felt like I did around half of what I used to just with the 10 pound weight so thanks for telling me about this idea.

• Bent Over Barbell Row
  
  • 67 lb x 16 reps
  • 67 lb x 11 reps
  • 67 lb x 6 reps
  
  
• Push-Up
  
  • 12 reps
  
  
• Weighted Crunch
  
  • 10 lb x 10 reps
  • 10 lb x 10 reps
  • 10 lb x 10 reps
  
  
• Barbell Curl
  
  • 67 lb x 16 reps
  • 67 lb x 11 reps
  • 67 lb x 6 reps
  
  
• Barbell Squat
  
  • 67 lb x 16 reps
  • 67 lb x 11 reps
  • 67 lb x 6 reps

[Dontrike Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Dontrike]

Today I learned that after 15 reps these workouts become a pain. I did the jumping jacks as it was suggested to be by my dad's to help target my inner thighs, if that is wrong don't hesitate to tell me and suggest an exercises that does that. I made sure that the crunches and push ups were the same number, just easier to remember that way.

Yet again I had this weird almost charlie horse pain in my right arm while doing the squats, I think there isn't really enough room for my arms while doing them with the barbell, as it is a little small, but I figured out how to do it.

• Jumping Jacks
  • 15 jumping jacks
  
  
• Push-Up
  • 12 reps
  
  
• Weighted Crunch
  • 10 lb x 12 reps
  
  
• Bent Over Barbell Row
  • 67 lb x 17 reps
  • 67 lb x 12 reps
  • 67 lb x 7 reps
  
  
• Barbell Curl
  • 67 lb x 17 reps
  • 67 lb x 12 reps
  • 67 lb x 7 reps
  
  
• Barbell Squat
  • 67 lb x 17 reps
  • 67 lb x 12 reps
  • 67 lb x 7 reps
  
  

[Toadstool Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Toadstool]

I think crunches are a crappy exercise. You might feel a burn or whatever, but they won't be doing much in the area of building strength in your core. Actually, you may be hurting your lower back and neck.
Switch to leg raises! Just make sure that your lower back is firmly planted on the floor. You can start with the knees bent and then, over time, work your way up to straightening the legs out.

For your squats, you can decide to remove the barbell completely and just use your body weight. You'll want to go as deep as your possibly can while doing them. Squats are an awesome exercise! If you can't do it one way, try it another!