I'm back...and with a challenge!

Sorry for the long absence!  I haven't been feeling all that special, and this blog is the first thing to suffer in times like that.  However, I'm back with a bang, and I want you to join me.

I am starting a 30 day challenge.  You can go along with me, if you'd like, and do everything I'm doing, just in the comfort of your own environment.  Don't start unless you get your doctor's okay, though, especially if you are of the older, more mature variety.  :-)

This will be an arms challenge.  I'm providing a before picture of my poor, neglected arm muscles.  At the end of 30 days, I'll do a side-by-side comparison and, hopefully, we'll all bug our eyes out and hang our mouths open for several seconds.  It's a wish I have...

So, without further ado, here's my arm:

Great Googly Moogly!  Ten inches of pure bicep monster!

Throughout this challenge, I'll update weekly with different things to do.  I want to confuse your muscles with, like, math and stuff.  I'll work the biceps, triceps, shoulders and forearms.  You'll need some equipment, like hand weights of various sizes, a yoga mat, a chair on 'concentration' day and proper outfits.  No workouts in cocktail dresses!  I also want your body to become familiar with one of my faves:  Tabata Intervals.

So, here is the schedule for week one:
(B)icep, (T)ricep, (S)houlder, (F)orearm

Monday (Biceps, Triceps):  3 circuits -- Done!
12 Standing Dumbbell Curls (B)
Rest 30 seconds
12 Tricep Dumbbell Extensions (T)
Rest 30 seconds
12 Hammer Curls (B)
Rest 30 seconds
12 Tricep Kickbacks (each side) (T)
Rest 60 seconds

Tuesday (Shoulders, Fat-burning):  -- Still recovering. Tabata is no joke.
12 Standing Row (S)
Rest 30 seconds
12 Lateral Raise (S)
Rest 30 seconds
Begin Tabata Interval (from video above)

Wednesday:  Rest -- This is good, since I can't move my arms.

Thursday (Biceps, Triceps):  3 circuits  -- Everything is easier after Tabata day...
8 Concentration Curls (B)
Rest 30 seconds
15 Tricep Dips (T)
Rest 30 seconds
12 Hammer Curls (B)
Rest 30 seconds
12 Lying Tricep Extensions (T)
Rest 60 seconds

Friday (Shoulders):  4 circuits --Easy squeazy!  Maybe not next week.
12 Overhead Press (S)
Rest 30 seconds
12 Front Raise (S)
Rest 30 seconds
30 Second Straight-Arm Plank
Rest 60 seconds

Saturday (Fat-burning):  -- Ugh
45 Second Straight-Arm Plank
Rest 30 seconds
45 Second Straight-Arm Plank
Rest 30 seconds
Begin Tabata Interval (from video above)

Sunday (Forearm):  2 circuits -- Harder than I thought, doing 60 seconds.  Hmmm...
60 Second Straight-Arm Plank
Rest 30 seconds
8 Dumbbell Wrist Curls (F)
Rest 30 seconds
60 Second Straight-Arm Plank
Rest 30 seconds
8 Dumbbell Reverse Wrist Curls (F)
Rest 60 seconds

 Slowly stretch the muscles you worked after each workout.  That should do it.  Are your arms hurting already? If you aren't familiar with some of the exercises, let me know...or check out the internet search engine of your choice.  There are great videos on youtube on how to do these exercises in a safe way.  Just remember to keep things tight (don't flail about as you handle hand weights) and always, always check your form.  Also, if you feel the need to stop because you are about to puke (thank you, Tabata!), do so...but try to finish after you recover.  Concentrate, y'all.  It's your temple you're dealing with here!

If you do this, measure your arms, take pictures, whatever.  Slow and steady wins this arms race.

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