Bench Press Update

I'm pretty proud of myself - I've stuck with my bench press schedule since I started! Here is where I'm at:

	Sets	Reps	Weight
Week 1	5	4	50
	5	3	55
Week 2	4	4	55
	5	4	55
Week 3	5	3	60
	4	4	60
Week 4	5	4	60
	5	3	65
Week 5	4	4	65
	5	4	65
Week 6	5	3	70
	4	4	70
Week 7	5 5	4 3	70 75

The blacked-out rows are what I have already done - so I'm 2.5 weeks in. I was dubious when I went up to 60 pounds yesterday, but I haven't been sore from it today, so maybe the next set will be easier. 50lb was pretty easy, so going to 55lb wasn't bad, but I started feeling the struggle at 60lb.

In more tangible terms, my upper arms have grown 1/4 of an inch! I don't think they'll get bulky (I actually prefer that they don't), but this has been great for muscle toning and I can really tell a difference.

So thanks for tracking with me! I'm a little unsure about my ability to keep with the schedule, especially around 70lb, but I have a little time before I get there and I can add an extra week if necessary. We'll see!

How To: Calculate Your Calorie Needs

I was on the phone with my mom last week and we were talking about the vitamins I had just ordered and the healthy living we are both trying to achieve. Somewhere in there she mentioned that she found a place where you can calculate the number of calories you need based on your age, weight, etc. 

Now I've never been much of a calorie counter...I think the only time I ever did was for a couple months in college when I actually needed to gain weight because I had been really sick. But whether you want to religiously count the calories you eat or not, it can still be helpful (and at least interesting) to know about how much you need per day. 

Enter Calorie Calculating for Dummies. Just follow the math instructions for finding your number, which is the intake calculation for maintaining your current weight. If you're satisfied with your weight then just stick around that number every day, and if you need to lose or gain weight then adjust accordingly. Also take into account what you know about yourself. For example, it told me my number is 1,845, but I also know that my metabolism is on the higher end, so I'll need more than that to maintain my weight.

{As a side-note, if you're looking for an excellent multi-vitamin to keep that immune system strong and your energy level high, I recommend Source of Life. The price should decrease to $22.00 once you add them to your cart. You can also get them in a bigger pill so you don't have to swallow as many, or you may not even need to take the whole daily dose.}

Of course in the end there is more to weight loss or gain than number of calories, but it is a fundamental. So happy calculating, even if it doesn't make you start counting! 
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P.S. - An editorial note: After looking into it some more, I wonder if the Dummies calculator "runs small." I calculated my intake needs based on this website (calculate your BMR then follow the link for calorie needs) and came out at about 2,010. But then again, I'm not counting or being precise anyway, but just thought I would mention it!