Now Entering Phase 2…

I’m super excited to be making progress with my goals! Even though I can’t do some of the things I love (biking, running, hiking) I’m finding other things I enjoy and keep me focused on the positives instead of the negatives.

Phase 1

My favorite exercises in the first 6 week program ended up being the triceps kickbacks, Single-Leg Romanian Deadlift and the bicycle crunches.

I loved the triceps kickbacks because it was an activity I previously thought I couldn’t do and slowly increased the weight each week until I was up to 17.5 pounds! That filled me with confidence and happiness.

The Single-Leg Romanian Deadlifts are good for me because it pointed out just how imbalanced my body was. I could stand on my left leg til the cows came home, but as soon as I switched sides to my right, I could barely stay upright. I spoke to my physical therapist about this and he agreed that there was an imbalance in my body. As the first six weeks progressed, I got a little bit better on my right side. I still have a LOT of work to do in that area. I’m enjoying seeing progress.

Bicycle crunches? I like them because I can FEEL them.

Even as I move to the new phase, I will still do the above exercises as part of my normal workout routine because I enjoy them! The important part of sticking to a fitness routine is LIKING IT!

Phase 2

I gave Suzanne my doctor’s orders for the 6 week break of all lower body activities. She said she was confident that she could build me a routine according to my doctor’s orders because she does a lot of plans for people who have had reconstructive knee surgeries and the like.

She gave me a new workout that is still focusing on my core, triceps and glutes. The lower body activities she gave me are more like the physical therapy exercises I’ve been doing with resistance bands.

There are two moves that were my favorite from the start of Phase 2. The first is the “Glute Bridge.” It’s similar to some of the glute bridge moves my PT gave me but this one includes a stability ball. The video makes it look so simple but it’s actually incredible difficult. I LOVE IT! It makes me feel like I’m working really hard to strengthen my glutes and core. I always feel this move! I think it will help my balance and stability, too.

The second move is not new to me and I’m wondering why I never included it in my workouts because I love it!

The rope pulldown for triceps is so much fun and it’s also incredibly hard. Even though I spent 6 weeks working on my triceps before Phase 2, this exercise always makes my triceps sore. I love that I can see definition and progress in my triceps.

There are a bunch of other exercises in the second phase but I’m not going to share all of Suzanne’s magic. I definitely encourage you to consider signing up for her services. I’m so glad I did. I think it’s kept me sane during this knee injury rehab. I paid for Suzanne’s services, and all of my reviews are entirely my own. No freebies and it was money well spent.

I’m currently in week 2 and so far I’ve noticed that I’m stronger now than I was just a few weeks ago and the moves are easier. I did not struggle as much to learn the moves in week 1 like I did when I first started the program. My trick this time around: I saved all the video descriptions she sent me in a Youtube playlist called “Phase 2 Workout.” So if there is a new move I’m unsure of, I just look it up super quick. So much easier!

Stay tuned for the before and after results of phase 2!

What is your favorite weight lifting exercise?