Finished Chest/Shoulders/Triceps yesterday and I've learned the lesson to sit down several weeks too late. What I am talking about is many of the weights-over-the-head exercises (tricep extensions and shoulder presses). I have been struggling with some of these because it is awkward trying to stand while moving the weights around above your head. I've thought about it and talked with others and determined there is no reason to stand during some of these exercises. In fact, standing takes your focus away from where you really need your energy. I wish I would have learned this six weeks ago as I could have pushed much harder and been much easier on my back for the past five times I did this workout.
Another lesson I've learned is to pause the DVD during many of the maximum rep exercises. I am commonly doing push up variations far past the time they do on the DVD. I'll automatically stop because I've used up the allotted time. However, I've started pausing the DVD at the beginning of the exercise and then do my max reps. I'm actually doing this on other exercises that aren't max reps so I can really focus on what I am doing without being distracted by either the pace or banter on the DVD. I'm not criticizing the program...the pacing and banter was really useful early on. I just feel like I've moved past much of it and can do this stuff on my own better.
I am really learning how it feels to push yourself to exhaustion. When I first started the program, I would go until I really thought I was exhausted. Later on, I learned how to push past that point to REAL exhaustion...like when the muscle isn't just uncomfortable but literally will not operate any more. Specifically, it seems like push ups do this for me. It is actually an awesome feeling powering through past what I thought my limits were.
