Stella's Adventures in Squatting Journal

Testing the Water

Stella writes:

October 6, 2001

Okay Bill, I no longer think you are THAT crazy. I tried your revised
version and incorporated some"easing into it" advice provided.

I got up this morning and decided today was the day. I felt nervous for some reason or perhaps just reluctant to break a pattern (this is when I wish I lived closer to another IOLer) I am glad I called for the vote of confidence the pointers. Now my coach has a voice.

Here is the nitty, gritty.

I warmed up with some deep knee bends and a set of 8x135.

The suggested Day 1 was:
Day One: 2 x 8 175; 2 x 5 195; 3 x 3 215

I did:
2x 8 175; 2x7 195; 3x5 215

So I got my feet wet but definitely am still learning on transferring the strength into fewer reps because I could feel I could push a little more. Bill, the initial poundages you suggested were not as far off as they seemed at first and to be honest, that was a surprise to me. ;-) I took 1 minute breaks at first and felt okay with that. When I got to what was going to be the 3x3, I extended that but no longer than 2 minutes so that tells me I still have a little more in there for this rep range, I just have to find it where that is.

>>By this point you've gotten three weeks under the belt and accustomed to walking backwards with the heavier load. >>

This was harder for me last week when I first tried it but this time I just tried not to look to much at the plates. Where my wits most *want* to fail me is lifting it off the rack because I am not so used to feeling the amount of weight there. Still, I didn't find it feeling unnatural, just different. I think I got the bar position and foot position down pat.

It is funny how with only doing a few reps it becomes more ..I don't know, artistic. I just felt much more aware of my whole body being involved in this. I felt my weaknesses the most on the last two sets getting ready to come out of the bottom. My torso felt like it wanted to fall forward from my belly button and it seemed key to really keep my core strong, especially as I progress with poundage. It was great to feel all the fibers in my body so quickly into a set.

I did really love the new experience and I am excited for my next try. I think I really needed this..so thank you, thank you, thank you. This is exactly what I needed right now. I can tell because I need a nap right now and I am feeling my quads tighten a lot sooner than I normally do.

>> P.S.: you *do* know the 'grasshopper' reference, don'tyou?>>

I think its a literary reference? I dunno though, I just think of a
grasshopper as this green hoppy little thing, jumping around and sometimes I see myself that way too.

Stella

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