My Training Regimen

Weight Training....sigh....

Lanell believes that I will grow to love weight training. Not likely. In our session yesterday, I was forced to break out my old Lamaze breathing to make it through. I was literally transported back to the birth of my fourth child, who is now 7!!

Picture it...fourth child. I got this. I know what I need and when I need it. No more natural child birth for me. I was determined that my last birthing experience would be comfortable and pleasant. I imagined myself crying with joy as I held this precious little baby in my arms only seconds after birth rather than frustrated, wounded and frightened out of my mind as with my first three pregnancies.

1. My first, was 48 hours of labor with no pain killers and she was a premie; and just over 3lbs ...very scary.
2. My second was also natural, but I hemorraged and had an emergency c-section. She was full term but also under 4 lbs. Again, scary.
3. The third came fast and furious with no time for an epidural and he had the umbilical cord around his neck causing his heart rate to drop. ugh...

So....This time, I was ready. I was showered, shampooed and shining. The baby was healthy. I knew my body and when I was ready to deliver.

I get to the hospital. First thing out of my mouth.... I want my epidural now.

"Maam, you're not ready for an epidural. As a matter of fact, you aren't ready to deliver."

"This is my fourth child," I pleaded "Trust me when I say this will be fast and I need to get checked in and an epidural administered QUICKLY."

So what do you think happened?

She sent me home.

Well, she tried to send me home. I have never been so furious. My husband also knew better, so we stayed on hospital grounds. Within 30 minutes the contractions were unbearably hard and close together. We convince the nurse to check me again. She had the nerve to roll her eyes.

Then, just as I was getting onto the bed, my water breaks. She checks me and sure enough I'm almost fully dilated.

"Damn Damn Damn!!!"

"I need my epidural now!!"

"Maam it's too late for an epidural."

As God is my witness, if I had not been in so much pain, I might have actually wrung that woman's neck. In any case, the next 20-30 minutes were a blurr of pain, breathing and cries for mercy. Eventually, I left my body and spent the last 10 minutes or so viewing the process from my imaginary hot tub while sipping on a Manhattan.

Yes, I left my body. I continued the breathing and was conscious of my sister's coaching and my husband rubbing the tennis ball on my lower back. I could also hear everything that was happening around me. Especially the nurses commenting in amazement that I had not had a break between contractions for over 15 minutes.

Most consecutive contractions with no relief is not a record that I would choose to break with no epidural.

In case you haven't noticed, you have not seen any :), lol! or lolcc!

Why?

Because it's NOT funny.

Okay, that made me laugh. lol!

Needless to say, I came back to my body to push. Bryan II was born. Love him of course, but darn it. That was not cool. Each time it's taken me a good 5-10 minutes to get that "awwwwwwhhhh, my baby" feeling. I look, see that the baby is healthy then I just need a moment to myself. lol!

Weight training, for me, is just like having a baby without an epidural. There's the Lamaze breathing, the praying and begging for mercy. And there isn't even the immediate reward of a precious little baby. And the worst part? Can't leave the body. I've tried. Gotta focus or I'll hurt myself.

Upside: In the long run, you'll feel good, live longer and get the body you want in ... what...6 months to a year... sigh...

Sidebar: You must be wondering if I can ever blog without telling a story. I'm beginning to think not. :)


BACK TO TRAINING!!!!


My training regimen consists of 4 days of weight training and 6 days of cardio.

WEIGHTS

I work out three days with Lanell and one day on my own. We start with a 10-15 minute cardio warm up and then alternate as follows.

• Back
• Legs
• Arms
• Shoulders
• Legs
• Chest

Each day includes core. It may be actual ab work or exercises using the stability ball, bosu or other tools/positions to engage the core. Although she denies it, my legs are also worked each time as well.

Who does rowing in a squat position and calls it back?! It's legs too! Ask my poor sore behind!!

Again, NOT funny.

CARDIO

Cardio consists of 45 minutes on the elliptical machine at level 7 as follows

• 5 minute warm up
• 30 minutes (1 minute at 7mph or greater 2 minutes at 4mph or under)
• 5 minute cool down

STRETCHING

Of course stretching is mandatory after each session in the morning and at night due to my injuries. I also attend Bikram yoga classes 2-4 days per week. Goal is 4. Not only does it burn major calories while stretching and toning the body, but it is an additional stress reliever and considered an "active" meditation. LOVE IT!!!

Okay, there you are. Welcome to my world. :)