I Am A Warrior

I like sets of 5 reps because it lets me get up to higher weights, and this study shows between 3 and 9 reps to be the most effective when gaining strength.

I tried circuit training but the gym I go to is often pretty busy, so for the most part I do consecutive sets of the same exercise, getting as heavier with each set, until I can’t complete an entire set. I then go down to the weight before, and lift to exhaustion.

The exercises I do are (in order of preference, I do them in whichever order I can access equipment lol) :

- deadlifts

- bench press

- forward row

- plank

- weighted squats

Currently, my macro goals on training days are:

Carbs = 140g * 4 = 520 kCal Fat = 30g * 9 = 270 kCal Protein = 120g * 4 = 480 kCal  Total = 1310kCal per day

On non training days, I forgo a protein shake so my macro goals are:

- A negative mindset

Bullying myself into changing has never worked for me in the past, and I’ve ended up miserable and starving. This time I’m going to start getting a little more Chris from Parks and Rec. it has actually helped. At the moment I try to say positive things to myself when I’m alone and avoid saying negative things in public (and boy is that a big mindset shift) but eventually I would like to say more positive things in public.

- Severe Carb restriction (Keto, Banting etc.)

Actually I might try this one again, but it doesn’t work for me at the moment. If I restrict carbs, I break. It’s too big a change for me, and I know that the laws of thermodynamics mean that so long as calories burnt exceed calories in I will loose weight, so this is not a priority for me right now. Low carb diets do have other benefits, which I may want to explore later, but for now, let’s stick with comlipliance. Also pasta. Got to learn what a portion looks like though, if I’m going to do this. So I’m going to buy a food scale to help me with that.

- Gyming in the morning

There is a possibility I will try this again too, but with me eating breakfast now, morning gyming has become that much harder, and my compliance has gone way down. I’m lucky to currently be in a position to gym during the day, so I’m going to take advantage of that

- Following workout plans

Honestly I don’t like not being able to see my progress from week to week, because I’m using a different workout. For the time being I’m going to stick to my all-purpose heavyweight gym workout, and if I get bored, I’ll change it

I want to feel strong and confident in my own skin. I want to have my brain chemicals doing chemically things all the time, and I know going to the gym helps me with that.

My whole life I’ve wanted to be things that required me to cause myself harm. I’ve wanted to be straight, skinny, a ‘proper’ girl. I am none of those things, and I’m starting to accept that. But now I want something new. Something that will benefit my body and my mental health. I want to be strong.

I want to be strong so that I can lift up my dogs and I want to be strong so that when I find someone to date, someone who respects me and can really love me, I’ll be able to pick them up, and do all kinds of cute shit. I want them to feel safe in my arms. I want to be able to protect myself, and others when the situation calls for it. I don’t want to have to particularly worry about making things worse if I intervene on behalf of someone who needs help.