I have this deep need to have really lean and buff arms. I've written about that before. Well, this weekend, in a fit of angst and fear, I started another arm project. But this time. It isn't a formal weight lifting session with heavy dumbbells. I decided to use my resistance bands, attached to the door, and do this very weird series of arm movements. The inspiration is Tracy Anderson. Madonna's trainer. Gwyneth's trainer. I watched many videos this weekend. She does this "hand slap" routine without weights. But she also does a series with resistance bands that are attached high in the ceiling (which she uses a hooked bar to pull down). I sort of combined this type of hand slaps and resistance band, and made a funky little upper body routine that I do in a series for 15 minutes. Then I switch to 3 lb weights and do a bit of bicep curls, shoulder raises and tricep moves.
I did this on Saturday, and boy, my arms had that nice soreness that I love after a good workout on Sunday. I woke up at 5:30 a.m. this morning and did a 20 minute routine of the same. My arms are still in a bit of that soreness.
I am desperately hoping to keep this routine up. I want those bat wings gone. And I think this routine is totally doable for me. It is a cheap workout. I only need a door and a resistance band. I don't even need the dumbbells. And yes, I am totally realistic of the fact that years of self abuse by being obese may have rendered me with bat wings for life; however, I am holding out hope.
I am sidelined from cardio. I've had this nasty chest cold that leaves me coughing all night. Even with cough medicine, I am hacking up a lung. I hate it. 5k is scheduled for October 30. I am hoping to still run even with training being inconsistent.
Looking forward to Weight Watchers on Thursday. Kinda scared to commit. But I'd be committing to good health, so why am I scared? Scared to fail is probably the reason.
Do you have issues with your arms?
Hi! Found your blog on the scale junkie site. I, too, greatly desire the lean & buff arms. Probably why I've recently fallen in love with a Barbell class at the gym. Hehe - I've only done it three times and I get home and flex. I think I've seen the workout you are talking about. I saw Gwyneth on Oprah with her trainer and they were doing some strange things but hey, the results don't lie!
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to checking out your blog further :)
Hi there - found you via Scale Junkie too! Understand the bat wings completely. Great that you've found some exercise that is cheap and easy to do for it though - have you done some arm measurements to help monitor progress (besides the obvious what you see stuff!)?
ReplyDeleteAs for the scared to fail - I completely understand that one. The thing that changed my thinking of that one was that I'd probably been failing for years with regard to eating healthy etc, so any positive focus had to be an achievement. Go with what works for you even if it's baby steps!
Good for you! Keep up the great work. Even if you can't get them completely gone, at least you can tone them a bit, ya know? I hate my arms right now. It makes me so self conscience when I try to where short sleeves or tank tops.
ReplyDeleteAlso into arms, been doing Jillian Shred and seeing a bit of change.
ReplyDeleteI hope you feel better soon.
I hope you're feeling better soon. :(
ReplyDelete