STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

aw, thanks for posting / remembering, poptart! you rock.

this morning i ended up doing the first three you posted from jen's fantastic website (squat, lunge + step-up), plus per jen's recommendation, weighted calf raises. i love that last hip abductor one... i think i'll add it for next time. you're right, i could probably replicate it with a resistance band. it was good to do a run-through this moring i know it'll take a few times to get the feel for the right weight for each exercise, but i'm excited to add these in.

i actually have a very challenging pilates dvd and several other workouts that i rotate through that focus on toning the lower half. i have to mix it up constantly or i'll go nuts.

thanks again!

jen wrote:

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Quick note: Make sure when you do lunges that you do one leg, however many, then the next leg however many, then rest. Don't switch right, left, right, left, etc. One leg movements don't work off of speed (as when you switch legs) and fatigues the muscle better. But that's the only thing-I swear that site is awesome besides that! Good luck with your weights, you'll be sore the next day!

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thanks for the tip. i worked my left entirely, then my right (yay, i got it right). i'm looking forward to being a bit sore tomorrow.

jen - how much weight would you recommend for the squats? i know i need to get something heavier, just wondering what you'd suggest. my legs are pretty strong from years of running and cycling, but obviously i've been off of weight training for a while. i only had two 10lb hand weights to use this morning for a total of 20lb, which was not nearly enough to feel muscle fatique. what do you think?