[Training Update] Build the Foundation First
What up party people?
As I mentioned in my last blog post, I'm back to blogging for good my peeps -- for no other reason than the fact that I love to write and share my experiences.
That means some of these blogs are going to be rambles that relate to my training and my experiences -- because I've found that sharing my personal experiences not only helps me process them (both in training and in life), but may help you relate to similar situations in your own life.
Some days when I just want to fill you in on what's going on in my life, I'll give you a Training/Life update. Some days I'll feel like being super inspirational and only write the good stuff. And other days I'll give you straight up how-to's without all the babble. BUT it's my blog, take it or leave it. :) Like I said... do what you love, or don't do it at all ;)
Here we go!
[TRAINING/LIFE UPDATE]
What's poppin' currently: I had a great training session today -- Saturdays are my favorite because a group of us get together to do Olympic Weightlifting. It's usually my boyfriend Mark, his coach Chris, and a few of our friends. I PRed on my push press the other day: 100 pounds baby!!! OOOH OOOOOOH.
I started Olympic Weightlifting under the wing of my boyfriend and coach, Mark Novak. He's also a coach at Strength Camp (where I work, yes that's how we met) back in March/April of this year. I was bored with my typical training style and honestly just needed a new goal to work toward -- and Olympic Weightlifting has always intrigued me ... (aka I have a girl crush on Mattie Rogers).
This is her setting an American record for her bodyweight -- a 231 lb. snatch and 293 lb. clean & jerk.... no big deal.
Olympic Weightlifting has been such a humbling experience for me, because it truly does take your full attention. It exposes your weaknesses as you're performing the lift, but also in the areas you can improve in life too.
For example, if you're not sleeping enough; eating too little/too much or just not enough high-quality food to help you recover; if you're stressed; literally anything that's "off balance" in your life will show up evidently in your training.
It's completely different than working out, where you just go into the gym or take a class and shut your brain off/go through the motions.
With Olympic weightlifting, you have to constantly be present and pay attention to every. single. little. detail. Chest up, knees back, eyes forward, finish the pull, fast elbows -- you get the picture. Sooooo many things to focus on at one time. And if you're not aware of ANY of these things going on, your lift is going to suck.
So for a while, it was very frustrating.
There were days when I felt like throwing in the towel because I felt like complete garbage (mainly because I was comparing myself to Olympic-level weightlifters like Mattie Rogers lol #dumb). I even cried on the bathroom floor a few times #noshame.
BUT.... I never gave up.
I had to realize that I'm not striving for perfection, I'm just having fun with this.
I don't plan to reach Olympic-level stardom (unless I start takin' the roids lolll).
I just want to lift heavy weights, have goals to work toward, and most importantly: HAVE FUN DOING IT.
Because if you're not having fun, why do it?!
Since I've been Olympic Weightlifting (I started with no prior experience except for like a month of Crossfit lol)... I'm now snatching 75 lb. and my Clean & Jerk is 115 lb.
My main priority is technique in Olympic Weightlifting -- which is improving every single day. As my mobility and technique improves, my weights have also been going up.
It's the same if you're just starting to strength train -- I recommend taking the same approach: building slow and steady with CORRECT form, to prevent future injuries and so you're not forced to start over again some day (I had to do that with my squat. It sucked.)
Trust me, it's much harder to unlearn + re-learn movement patterns than it is to just learn them correctly in the first place, even though it may not be as fun initially and may take you a bit longer to hit the heavy weights.
If you need a program to start with, check out my Strong & Sexy Bikini Body Program: it's a 12-week strength training program for beginners and one that I WISH I had when I first started. It's also on sale through the weekend because of Hurricane Matthew -- why not?
Anywayssss....
If you're just starting a program and are new to ANY form of lifting, my biggest piece of advice would be:
Start slow. Build the foundation. Ease into the heavy weights. Spend lots of time working on mobility and technique.
Laying the foundation is KEY to success in any sport, and neglecting any aspect -- whether it's mobility, technique, sacrificing form just to lift heavy weights -- will come back to bite you in the azz later in life.
And no one likes to be bitten in the ass.
Unless you're into that sort of thing...........
UNTIL NEXT TIME FOLKS!
Stay Strong, xo
Julie
------
Join my FALL FITNESS CHALLENGE: October 17-December 31.
- Easy-to-follow meal plan
- Weekly workouts sent directly to your inbox (you can do them from anywhere!)
- Facebook accountability group to keep you motivated
- Me as your coach for almost 3 months!
- Guidance on how to stay on track throughout the holidays
- Weekly info sessions on everything from hormones, to fat loss, to the best ways to get lean & build muscle
Read what others are saying and find out more details!