<p>I’m using them for the one-arm 3-pt dumbbell rows, too. I’m OK for eight reps on the right arm, but the left arm is a real battle for the 7th and 8th reps. Those rows are supersetted in this workout with split squats (2 x 35 lbs), eight reps per leg. I see some pretty high heart rates (85% of max) during that part of the workout. It’s pretty unusual for me to see those kinds of heart rates during strength workouts these days.</p>
<p>These DB deadlifts are working out well. I’ve got them on short stools to my sides so they are in about the same position and height as the higher hand position on a trap bar. When I’m “on”, I can do the whole set without using the knees – a pure hip hinge deadlift using the hamstrings and glutes. Knock on wood, I seem to be avoiding any back issues.</p>
<p>I do think the DB version is probably a little more challenging than a trap bar because you’ve got to stabilize each of the two DBs independently.</p>
<p>The trainer was a no show yesterday morning – apparently his power went off during the night and his alarm didn’t work. So, my Fitness Assessment will be rescheduled. </p>
<p>No gym for me today – we have an early morning appointment with the Hunter Douglas dealer to finally get measured for window treatments. (No more changing in the closet!) If I don’t work out in the morning, it doesn’t happen. But, the weather is nice, so no doubt we’ll be walking the 'hood.</p>
<p>It’ll be fun to hear what all a “Fitness Assessment” entails.</p>
<p>The one I’d be curious to do is the FMS (Functional Movement Screen). It’s a series of 7 really simple tests that measure range of motion and overall movement at the major joints, paying particular attention to imbalalances from one side to the other.</p>
<p>Each of the seven movements is graded on a scale from 1 to 3. For example, one of the tests is lying on your back, keeping one leg straight on the floor, raising the other straight leg slowly to test hip flexibility. If you can’t get the raised foot above the stationary knee, it’s a 1. If you can get it to the knee, it’s a 2. If you can get it to mid thigh (nearly vertical), it’s a “3”. 2s all around would be pretty good score.</p>
<p>There’s one reaching behind the back to test the shoulders. Doing an overhead squat with broomstick in a doorway. A split squat. Stepping over a hurdle for single leg balance. A birddog to test core rotational stability. And so forth. </p>
<p>It’s developed by physical therapist Gray Cook and starting to be widely used, even by some NFL teams to identify problem areas that could lead to injuries.</p>
<p>Today’s schedule: run for 27 minutes. I did 2.9 miles. I tried to keep a somewhat even pace but that’s going to take some practice. I thought about going to the gym and running on the treadmill so I could set it for a particular pace for 27 minutes, but I wanted to use my shiny new toy :). I really like being able to load all the info into the computer.</p>
<p>Well, ouch. Pulled a muscle in my mid back during yesterday’s workout, and I’m still feeling it with certain movements today. I thought I was using good form, but I must have messed up on something.</p>
<p>Ouch. Sounds like an epidemic of back pain on College Confidential. I hope that both you and NMINN heal up fast. I don’t know what it is with back muscles. I think it’s that we don’t use them very much, so doing exericses that involve them often result in soreness.</p>
<p>I just lay low for a day or two when I start feeling back soreness. So far, it’s all been just standard-issue muscle soreness that has cleared up in a day. Hopefully, that’ll be the case for you.</p>
<p>hops:</p>
<p>Thanks. I would proabably not do that great on your test. 12 minutes would be a walk/jog for me. Maybe on a treadmill, I could get to a mile. I’ve never done a barbell bench press or a leg press in my life. I have decent arm and leg strength for my age, I guess… but, I wouldn’t get any bump from familiarity with the tests. I don’t know how DB press translates to barbell bench press. I’d pass the BMI test now, as I am officially (but barely) in the “normal” category. Having lost 93 pounds, I’m probably a horrible candidate for skin fold calipers.</p>
<p>Barbell is easier than dumbbell on presses. The bar acts as a stabilizer left and right. The bar is mounted too (easy to mount a bar), so you don’t have to get it off the ground.</p>
<p>You Rely on Convenient Transportation
You Love Your Diet Cola
You’re Off in Outer Space
Your Friends Don’t Support You
You “Diet” During The Week – But Go Hog Wild On The Weekends
You’re Getting Fewer Than 5 Hours A Night</p>
<p>Written by someone with a lot of letters after her name. Seems to be one of the fluffier articles out there on dieting.</p>
<p>And, that’s saying something. There’s some stiff competition in the *fluffy diet article * category!</p>
<p>I like this one:</p>
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</p>
<p>That’s a “well, duh”. Who do they think drinks diet soda? Skinny people? I’m guessing that the biggest market for diet soda is, uh, fat people! And, metabolic syndrom and Type 2 diabetes are associated with being fat. </p>
<p>Diet soda may or may not be the best thing in the world for you, but drinking diet soda is certainly not causing Type 2 diabetes. Drinking sugar is a real culprit.</p>
<p>Yardwork day for us. We pulled all dead plants from the garden, mowed the lawn for the last time this year, raked some huge maple leaves, and picked the fruit from the quince tree. Not exactly a back-breaking workout, but I’ll take it. The yard really needed our attention.</p>
<p>I drink diet soda – generally, around two cans a day – and I am by no means fat. There are so many other things to do that can make one fat. I don’t think diet soda is one of them.</p>
<p>And, IMHO, if one enjoys the bubbles and the flavor from the soda, far better to drink diet soda than sugared soda.</p>
<p>I agree with that. I haven’t seen anything very conclusive to suggest that diet soda isn’t a hugely beneficial change from sugar drinks. I certainly don’t think that diet drinks cause metabolic syndrome or Type 2 diabetes!</p>
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<p>Add me to the list of CC’ers with a tweaked back. I think it was picking up a sofa to move it back into place after cleaning a rug. I put the legs on one end on furniture sliders and then picked up the other end. Feels more like muscles after a good workout than any kind of sharp pain.</p>
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<p>The Garmin watch managed to reset the time properly all by itself. The computer, the cable TV box, and the Garmin all figured it out. That’s all that matters!</p>
<p>I don’t drink diet soda cause I can’t stand the taste, and the bubbles don’t do anything for me either! And I don’t drink regular soda because of the sugar. It’s water or iced tea for me, generally.</p>
<p>I have read, however, that diet soda causes a release of insulin the same as soda with sugar in it. Our bodies can’t tell the difference in what’s coming down the pike and release insulin in anticipation. Just like we start salivating at the thought of something yummy coming our way. So there may be something to the link between diet drinks & metabolic syndrome.</p>
<p>Today was the NYC marathon. A friend of mine was running and I tracked her times online. No postings after mile 17 so I guess she didn’t make it all the way? </p>
<p>DH and I raked leaves yesterday & walked an abandoned golf course today. Lovely weather for getting out. :)</p>
And, metabolic syndrom and Type 2 diabetes are associated with being fat. </p>
</p>