My journey to a healthy life. This is my progress:

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Progress photo. Currently 57.3kg at 163cm.

umbramirror wrote: »

You look incredible! Your amazing progress definitely shows. What's your ultimate goal? Or have you already reached it?

Thank you so much! I've only been working out consistently for 10 months. I'm very far from my ultimate goal (I don't plan to stop pushing my limits). I've been a lazy *kitten* for 34 years and avoided physical activities every time I could. I have to make up for that time. By the time I turn 40 I want to look and feel ah-mazing! To be healthy, lean, strong and flexible. I want to keep pushing my limits and try new things. I don't plan to stop setting new goals and getting out of my comfort zone to progress. No I focus on body re-composition, getting stronger and sculpting my body.

I can't always be on my best game. Sometimes.... life happens. I might have to take it slow but I don't stop. This is not a journey with deadline unless I die.
For example dad almost died on Saturday (he was in a coma when they got to the hospital).
He had a few strokes (he had one 15 years ago, remained half paralyzed but recovered). Anyway. Mom found him on the floor, purple, unconscious, not breathing. He hit is head, shoulder, bit his tongue and ripped a hole in his inner lip. Mom called my sister, sister called me and we all met there. So he recovered from this, even walked and we all talked. He seemed okay. Then I went to find an open pharmacy to buy something for that wound and my sister left but then called to come right back cause mom called her that dad is having another crisis. Jesus... I thought he'll die in my arms... He was convulsing, couldn't breath, clenching his jaw, he was dark purple, unresponsive, rolled eyes over and so on... Due to the Covid, we can't enter the hospital. I've been a mess the first 2 days but I finally stopped crying and managed to get some sleep. I had zero motivation and energy but I still continued with my workouts. THAT's why discipline is key. That kept me going.
Yesterday dad got out of bed and took a few steps (assisted). Also, the nurse put him on the phone for mom and they exchanged a few words. Hard to believe that 4 days ago he was in a coma. He's a fighter.

Keep grinding!

Dad's finally got sent home on Tuesday (17th). Not in the best shape of course but anything is better than dead or paralyzed from the neck down. It took him more than 20 minutes, a walker and 3 persons to help him slowly walk from the entrance of the building to his apartment. He could raise his feet but I was guiding them with my hands so that he won't trip. Mentally he seems to be the same. I can't wait for the physical therapist to come work with him on the recovery. I was hoping that in 1-2 weeks to at least be able to sit up on his own, maybe even use the toilet. My back hurts a bit from pulling him up on the pillow or up from the bed cause he weights 100 kg and I 57 but someone needs to put the muscles at work. That was a weight lifting workout on its own. Anyway... I'm glad he's home! 😊

[due to exhaustion (crying+lack of sleep+mental stress+workouts) I had to rest the last 3 days but today I feel better, so tomorrow I'm coming back strong!]

Fast forward to what happened in the last two days. The doctor came, he did an evaluation, we found out that his shoulder has been dislocated (I told you that he fell on the side, in the head/shoulder), he did some procedures and stuck some acupuncture needles in him and next thing it happened, his hand stop shaking while he was lifting it up! And he had that shaky hand for years! Also, he managed to use the portable toiled with very little help from mom! Today we went to see him and beside that he's looking much better, he stand up on his own from the bed (on Tuesday it took at least two persons to lift him on his feet), he sits down nicely (even better than before the accidents when he was kindda throwing his weight on the bed), he can sit up and take the walker on his own and use it. He is recovering amazingly well! He's like a cat with 10 lives, I swear. And considering all the years of abuses, the heart stimulator and stents, he has a very strong body. He even said that maybe in 2 months he'll drive again. I'm glad that he's optimistic and has will but of course that he's not allowed to drive anymore.
Anyways... this doctor seems to be very good and I trust that he's make dad even better than he was before the accident. Also, I've insisted with my husband to schedule and evaluation with him because after 3 years of money spent and lost time, we still don't have answers, he's still sick and this is really affecting the quality of our lives. I have this feeling that this doctor will be the answer to our problems.

I'm better, more rested, happier, calmer. Thank you all so much for being here for me. Love you.

debistack1 wrote: »

Tina, really sorry to hear about your dad, hope he's feeling better soon.
Well done for working out anyway.

I'm the same height and weight as you, almost exactly but definitely not as strong. I'm 10 years older and with two kids but I started working out again this year in lockdown (Ireland) in March.
I can manage 2 chin ups and only one or two proper pushups. What do you think made the biggest difference to your upper body strength please?

ALWAYS focusing on progressive load. I always increase the weight/intensity/reps, I change the style of exercising every 2 months, I do as many variations as I can of an exercise. For the upper body the Athlean-X Challenge did it for me. I mean I was doing 25 push-ups per set by then and he was promising a 50% increase after this 3 weeks challenge and I was like... yeah, right. There's no chance I'm able to to this. But a guy insisted, I did the challenge and I had 100% increased my reps (25 to 50)!
This week I just had a new personal best for most push-ups in a workout: 180. :-)

I did this challenge in July/August among my other workouts. Check out the muscle growth:




This is the challenge:

ATHLEAN-X PUSH-UPS CHALLENGE

Get a Bigger Chest in 22 Days! (HOME CHEST WORKOUT)
https://youtu.be/Ys-JyytCu2s
*if there is a push-up variation that you cannot do at all, replace it with one that you can do
*take rest days if needed

BLOCK ONE
Day 1: Testing day
1) Max push-ups to failure x 1 set, rest 2 min
2) 1.5x max push-ups grinder style: semi-rest into a pike position, shake an arm at a time, always keep a hand on the floor, do not stand up, do not put your knees down)
Day 2: Non-testing day
1) Push-up variation: Diamond cutter push-ups, rest 2 mins
- same number from reps to failure test from the most recent test
- stop 2-3 reps shy of failure
- rest/pause until all reps completed
2) Standard push-ups x ___ test day max + 10%
- stop 2-3 reps shy of failure
- rest/pause until all reps complete

Day 3: Non-testing day
1) Push-up variation: Pike push-ups, rest 2 mins
- same number from reps to failure test from the most recent test
- stop 2-3 reps shy of failure
- rest/pause until all reps completed
2) Standard push-ups x ___ test day max + 20%
- stop 2-3 reps shy of failure
- rest/pause until all reps complete

Day 4: Non-testing day
1) Push-up variation: opposite knee to elbow push-ups, rest 2 mins
- same number from reps to failure test from the most recent test
- stop 2-3 reps shy of failure
- rest/pause until all reps completed
2) Standard push-ups x ___ test day max + 30%
- stop 2-3 reps shy of failure
- rest/pause until all reps complete



BLOCK TWO
Day 5: Testing day
1) Max push-ups to failure x 1 set, rest 2 min
2) 1.5x max push-ups grinder style: semi-rest into a pike position, shake an arm at a time, always keep a hand on the floor, do not stand up, do not put your knees down)
Day 6: Non-testing day
1) Push-up variation: plank walk ups, rest 2 mins
- same number from reps to failure test from the most recent test
- stop 2-3 reps shy of failure
- rest/pause until all reps completed
2) Standard push-ups x ___ test day max + 10%
- stop 2-3 reps shy of failure
- rest/pause until all reps complete
Day 7: Non-testing day
1) Push-up variation: rocking horse push-ups, rest 2 mins
- same number from reps to failure test from the most recent test
- stop 2-3 reps shy of failure
- rest/pause until all reps completed
2) Standard push-ups x ___ test day max + 20%
- stop 2-3 reps shy of failure
- rest/pause until all reps complete
Day 8: Non-testing day
1) Push-up variation: Crucifix push-ups, rest 2 mins
- same number from reps to failure test from the most recent test
- stop 2-3 reps shy of failure
- rest/pause until all reps completed
2) Standard push-ups x ___ test day max + 30%
- stop 2-3 reps shy of failure
- rest/pause until all reps complete



BLOCK THREE
Day 9: Testing day
1) Max push-ups to failure x 1 set, rest 2 min
2) 1.5x max push-ups grinder style: semi-rest into a pike position, shake an arm at a time, always keep a hand on the floor, do not stand up, do not put your knees down)
Day 10: Non-testing day
1) Push-up variation: Cobra push-ups, rest 2 mins
- same number from reps to failure test from the most recent test
- stop 2-3 reps shy of failure
- rest/pause until all reps completed
2) Standard push-ups x ___ test day max + 10%
- stop 2-3 reps shy of failure
- rest/pause until all reps complete
Day 11: Non-testing day
1) Push-up variation: Power pushaways, rest 2 mins
- same number from reps to failure test from the most recent test
- stop 2-3 reps shy of failure
- rest/pause until all reps completed
2) Standard push-ups x ___ test day max + 20%
- stop 2-3 reps shy of failure
- rest/pause until all reps complete
Day 12: Non-testing day
1) Push-up variation: Step through push-ups, rest 2 mins
- same number from reps to failure test from the most recent test
- stop 2-3 reps shy of failure
- rest/pause until all reps completed
2) Standard push-ups x ___ test day max + 30%
- stop 2-3 reps shy of failure
- rest/pause until all reps complete




BLOCK FOUR
Day 13: Testing day
1) Max push-ups to failure x 1 set, rest 2 min
2) 1.5x max push-ups grinder style: semi-rest into a pike position, shake an arm at a time, always keep a hand on the floor, do not stand up, do not put your knees down)
Day 14: Non-testing day
1) Push-up variation: Hover plyo push-ups, rest 2 mins
- same number from reps to failure test from the most recent test
- stop 2-3 reps shy of failure
- rest/pause until all reps completed
2) Standard push-ups x ___ test day max + 10%
- stop 2-3 reps shy of failure
- rest/pause until all reps complete
Day 15: Non-testing day
1) Push-up variation: Frog push-ups, rest 2 mins
- same number from reps to failure test from the most recent test
- stop 2-3 reps shy of failure
- rest/pause until all reps completed
2) Standard push-ups x ___ test day max + 20%
- stop 2-3 reps shy of failure
- rest/pause until all reps complete
Day 16: Non-testing day
1) Push-up variation: Prowler push-ups, rest 2 mins
- same number from reps to failure test from the most recent test
- stop 2-3 reps shy of failure
- rest/pause until all reps completed
2) Standard push-ups x ___ test day max + 30%
- stop 2-3 reps shy of failure
- rest/pause until all reps complete



BLOCK FIVE
Day 17: Testing day
1) Max push-ups to failure x 1 set, rest 2 min
2) 1.5x max push-ups grinder style: semi-rest into a pike position, shake an arm at a time, always keep a hand on the floor, do not stand up, do not put your knees down)
Day 18: Non-testing day
1) Push-up variation: Stagger Plyo Push-ups, rest 2 mins
- same number from reps to failure test from the most recent test
- stop 2-3 reps shy of failure
- rest/pause until all reps completed
2) Standard push-ups x ___ test day max + 10%
- stop 2-3 reps shy of failure
- rest/pause until all reps complete
Day 19: Non-testing day
1) Push-up variation: Divebomber push-ups, rest 2 mins
- same number from reps to failure test from the most recent test
- stop 2-3 reps shy of failure
- rest/pause until all reps completed
2) Standard push-ups x ___ test day max + 20%
- stop 2-3 reps shy of failure
- rest/pause until all reps complete
Day 20: Non-testing day
1) Push-up variation: Pendulum push-ups, rest 2 mins
- same number from reps to failure test from the most recent test
- stop 2-3 reps shy of failure
- rest/pause until all reps completed
2) Standard push-ups x ___ test day max + 30%
- stop 2-3 reps shy of failure
- rest/pause until all reps complete
Day 21: Final test (number of initial maximum reps in one set + 50%
1) Max push-ups to failure x 1 set, rest 2 min
2) 1.5x max push-ups grinder style: semi-rest into a pike position, shake an arm at a time, always keep a hand on the floor, do not stand up, do not put your knees down)
Day 22: Max push-ups from day 1 test + 50% in 1 set, unbroken
*What you used to do in “grinder” style, you now can do unbroken

New personal records:
15 dec: 6 min plank (start point 30s in January). I haven't trained for this. It was a challenge in a workout and I did it. I was surprised. :-)
16 dec: barbell hip thrust 46kg (82% BW)
19 dec: barbell high squat 46kg (82% BW)