Tag Archives: glute lift

The Law of Diminishing Returns

Today’s 44 was another squat variation – this time with alternating glute lifts.

squat
squat
lift right leg behind
lift right leg behind
squat again
squat again
 lift left leg behind
lift left leg behind

The key is to squeeze your butt on the way up and when you lift your leg behind.  Since I counted a right and left lift as 1 rep, I actually did 88 squats to complete the 44.

I pulled out another workout DVD that I haven’t done in years – Michelle Dozois – Your Best Body Circuit.  This was a good workout that included some nice cardio sections with plenty of strength training.  I liked that the strength training included moves with dumbbells and resistance bands.  The workout is almost an hour (58 minutes) and does a great job targeting all body parts and keeping your heart rate up!!!

Screen Shot 2014-01-27 at 6.52.47 AM

OK – I have never studied economics so this isn’t going to be about economics in any way, however, I think that this statement is also true in the fitness realm!!!

I have been participating in a challenge this month that Taylor (Lifting Revolution) has going on – the Core Challenge.

The way this challenge works – 

  • Week 1 – 45 second plank followed by 20 push-ups (every single day)
  • Week 2 – 60 second plank followed by 30 push-ups (every day!)
  • Week 3 – 75 second plank followed by 40 push-ups (still every day)
  • Week 4 – 90 second plank followed by 50 push-ups (also every day!!)

I’m still doing this every day  – I haven’t missed a day yet but near the end of week 3 I noticed that my push-ups were becoming more and more of a struggle.

Screen Shot 2014-01-27 at 6.51.25 AMThis week doing 50 push-ups is a downright hard.  I feel like I’m going backwards on the push-ups some days!!!  I break them into sets of 10 and then do a quick stretch break usually to complete all 50.  There have been some days that I’ve had to drop to my knees in order to complete all of the reps with good form.

Screen Shot 2014-01-27 at 6.53.23 AMI thought about dropping back down to 20 or 30 push-ups to finish the challenge but I’m hoping that if I keep pushing through I will see the results once the challenge is completely over.

Plus, I don’t want to feel like a Screen Shot 2014-01-27 at 7.11.55 AM

So, I’m going to keep pushing myself and hope that this will pay-off in the long run and make me stronger!!!

What are your thoughts on the Law of Diminishing Returns as it applies to fitness?

Happy Monday!!

Kim