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I tweeted that I did 50 pounds for my bicep curls at the gym last night. 50 pounds with 12 reps each 2 X 12. My first set was at my old weight 40 pounds, but it was too easy. If it’s too easy you up your weights, or your reps, I prefer upping the weights. It forces me to keep my form in the exercise honest, no cheating. Good form helps prevent injuries, and I’m all about no more of those. But I did want to clarify that I did the smaller movement bicep curls. It was the curl I was shown first by someone who had done lifting as a semi-pro years back. While down visiting friends last weekend I was shown the more complete movement for bicep curls which uses more and some different muscles. On that type I could not do the 40 I was doing at the gym then, not and get three sets of twelve, 3 X 12. I’m aiming for lower reps and higher weights. Right now I’m experimenting with 8 to 10 reps per exercise. It’s also to get us in and out of the gym faster since my schedule continues to be rather, um, hectic. (Calling my schedule hectic just feels too understatement like calling Dolly Parton well-endowed. The term just doesn’t cover the reality.)

It’s been interesting that some of you have written in to caution me that higher weights and lower reps will make me bulk up. That is actually the plan. My family’s women have a terrible medical history of osteoporosis and one of the few things that all the doctors agree on is that weight lifting will help prevent the worst of that. After watching my grandmother end her life nearly eight inches shorter than she started, and she didn’t have that much height to spare since she began life at 4’ 11". She was also in tremendous pain with it for many years. It got me thinking I’ll hit the gym.

Also, doctors tell me that if I’d had more muscle around my joints I probably wouldn’t have injured my arm. I now have permanent tendinitis, yes tennis elbow, from signing my own signature too much and too fast. (Who knew that writing was a sport?) That is one reason I have to limit what I sign at events. Doctor says if I reinjure it again, I may end up with surgery, no thanks. My leg doctor says that if I had had more muscle to support my ankle that I might not have the injury to that either. I just got off of physical therapy about a month ago for the ankle. Still not well, and it’s preventing me from doing any serious cardio which is frustrating. Ten minutes on a treadmill and the pain lets me know I have to stop. I can walk outside much longer if I have either an ankle brace or the right boots to hold everything in place.

Let’s see, two serious injuries, both might have been prevented if I’d had more muscle to support my body. I decided that Deity could stop hinting now, I’ll go to the gym, I’ll lift weights, just please don’t hurt me anymore.

Interestingly my doctor loved the New Rock boots and thought they were great for my injury. High heels actually feel better if the heel is wide, no stilettos for awhile. Once you’re in heels you just have to put on slightly dressier clothes, or I do, so I’ve never looked better on a daily basis in my life. I’m finally embracing this whole girl thing. Ironically, as I enjoy dresses and skirts and heels more than ever before in my life, I am working on putting on the most muscle I’ve had since college. Both are for health reasons, not fashion, but when you can look good and be obeying doctor’s orders it’s all good.