Stella's Adventures in Squatting Journal

The Fear of Success

When I first thought about trying some heavier squats, I thought I might be training up to 225 over the course of months. Remember, I almost laughed at Bill many times throughout this process because I just had never imagined myself going beyond 225. Much of what we accomplish (or don't) in life is closely related to how we perceive our own competance. Other people will skeptically doubt your abilities-- don't let those attitudes become your own sense of self-limitation and doubt. Fight to overcome this in each day of your training.

I'm beginning to scare myself a little bit. I wore a belt this time and
focused on keeping my back straighter and the hip drive and noticed a big difference. I know I'm not supposed to be pushing every workout.....but by the last set it's so hard not to.

180-225-265

Either this is just my thing or I am doing something really wrong because I pushed on my last set and got 265 x 10 ((pant, pant)). To be honest, I was sort of mad at the time because an older man and his son were sort of looking my way disdainfully like I might drop it or "shouldn't be doing that". You know, I get a certain feeling when I perceive that others think I will fail and it makes me more determined to do twice the job. I'll work more on blocking out this kind of negative reaction from others though-no need to hurt myself trying to make a point that I can do something.

How come initially I felt I was so at my "limits" and now all of the sudden I feel there is no ceiling? I mean, I know eventually I will get to a place where I really reach my true limit where I can't go past it but it is just amazing how quickly the human body adapts. Part of the regeneration process has been that I can no longer stay up all hours of the night. While I don't "hurt" from these workouts-I do note the desire to sleep as much as possible so that is how I think my body is spending its time getting stronger.

I do not feel afraid or apprehensive of the feeling of the weight as I first unrack (improved that by not looking forward as I unrack) and I'd say the belt *was* useful on Saturday..mostly as a reminder to keep my torso tighter and better aligned. What is a little confusing to me is the strength you can build on higher reps/more volume and how that can transfer over into this if you learn how.

For tonight I think I'll stick with 180-225 and then 270 if I'm feeling good about my first set. Part of me wants to hop on a plane to have you check things out before I go any further. I'll just have to keep looking for Jason (abs teacher's hubby) and asking him to check me out.

Stell

Bill:I haven't commented much (in fact, not at all) on Stella's recounting of her Squat Journey here on IOL. Shame on me.

It has truly been a joy helping her discover the possiblities over the past couple of months. My recommendations for training on the squat ran counter to everything else she had been doing in her lifting from the beginning. And while there was some initial
trepidation over the radical new direction, she didn't hesitate and went for it.

Whatever I suggested, she put in the requisite effort to make it work. And the feedback was phenomenal, enabling me to fully understand her physical and mental states to make necessary tweaks and adjustments.

The ideal trainee for any coach. She made the effort to understand what was required, put in the work, and -- most importantly -- stayed committed to the program. The results are nothing short of phenomenal, in my view, and shows what can happen when one commits to a course of action.

Bodes well for anything she undertakes.

Bill
(very proud of the Grasshopper)

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