The Beginning Is A Good Place To Start

     Em was feeling a little under the weather today so instead of fighting to get her to do a lacklustre workout, I decided to head down to the dungeon by myself tonight.

      I've always been the type to do best with a structured plan. By that I mean I need all of my exercises written out in sequence before I start. If I'm left to my own devices to wing it and figure it out as I go, it's guaranteed to end in frustration. With that in mind, I thought, I need a simple, whole-body routine that I can ease myself into the bar with. Where do I start? Well, the beginning sounded like a good idea. So, I googled a beginner barbell circuit. I found one that was a 2 day plan. I altered it to do both days in one round instead of the prescribed 2 rounds of "day 1". I also used some dumbbells for the upper body so I wouldn't have to keep moving equipment in and out of my way. Certainly nothing to be thrilled and proud of, but it got me off of the couch. Here's what got done:

BACK SQUATS:

Bar x12

*NOTES*

My knees were wrapped a I didn't dare go any heavier. While they felt just OK, I wasn't going to press my luck with heavier weight. It's frustrating because my legs could have definitely done more. The knees, however, are not to be trusted.

DB BENCH:

25lb x10

PLANK:

Elbows; 1 minute

DB BENT ROWS:

25lb x10 (ea. side)

REVERSE LUNGE:

Body Weight x12 (ea. side)

*NOTES*

Again, my knees were wrapped but these were worse than the back squats. I don't know if it's the specific movement or it they were just already sore from the squats, but I hate them.

BARBELL RDL:

95lb. x10

DB SEATED PRESS:

25lb x6

SIDE PLANK:

Elbows; 30 seconds ea. side

PUSH UPS:

x6

     As I look back, I know I could have and should have pushed myself to do another round. I also realized I miss the second set of bent rows. Tomorrow I will try to do it all again. It's actually very depressing to look at this in black and white. All I can do is keep going and hope that the endorphins will kick in and make it a little easier to keep going. 

     You can find the full workout and instructions here