Did you get your tickets?
Monday, April 6th
It is AP Exam week! As a result, there will be less time for senior project :( Before my APES exam, I hit the gym for a period and met with Robin :) I went on the elliptical to start the day. Then, crazy stuff started. Scroll down below to see some videos :) I first did some curtsey-squats, working on strength and control. Then, I did--for lack of a better name--"rear lunge and kicks," working on balance and strength. In the video, you can see a weakness in one side in strength. Then, I tried out this new machine that keeps your feet in place -- using this, I did squats, hitting them deeper than I have before!
After this, Robin asked me if I could jump. For context, I have not jumped since I was probably 12. So, she pulled out some bars and had me hold on, as I tried baby jumps. Impact is not the best for me, but we modified the activity to make it safer, as in reality, being able to hop in some form comes about more often than we think. In the video entitled "baby burpee," you can see me doing the first jump-like thing I've done in years! This exercise models the movement of someone putting storage underneath a bed or a counter, and then coming back up.
Then, I did some lateral lifts, tricep work (in the end, combined with previously learned bicep work), and more work on core.
Tuesday, April 7th
Today, I went back to the gym. I went on the treadmill for a total fifty minutes and increased the inclination to 3.5 and at one point 4! I took a break between the fifty minutes to make sure I was not pushing myself, as the incline was greater than it ever was before. Gaining a greater endurance for uphill walking is crucial, as the Tufts campus is very hilly--almost every student I've spoken to talks about how their calf muscles are insane!
Following this, I went on the bike for thirty minutes and later did some side-steps with the red resistance band, making sure I did it on both legs.
Wednesday, April 8th
In the morning, I had my Literature exam. Following the three essays, I decided I needed to forget about the quotes and thesis formulas I've drilled into my head and went to the gym. There, I again went on the bike and the treadmill. Following this, I did some clam shells with the red resistance band and monster walks. I made sure to go to bed earlier, as I knew I would be tired the next day.
Thursday, April 9th
My past self was right--I am very tired. But that is ok because this project is going great! Today, I had no time to work on my project, as I had my AP classes in the morning and my psych exam in the afternoon. But now my exams are done, so I will have more time to work on my project :)
Here, I am doing a curtsey-squat, while holding onto the ropes.
Some of my first jump-like movements in years! This exercise models the movement of someone putting storage underneath a bed or a counter, and then coming back up.
Seeing myself do this in the mirror was unreal. Robin first held my hand while I was learning how to do this. But now I'm more comfortable and can do it independently!
Reminding myself this is not the time to do a kick-line, but rather a rear lunge and kick.
Having a strong core is the core of this project (not really, but kind of). Here, I am making sure to keep my back pressed flat against the board so that my core, not my back, takes the weight of this activity.
Here, I am doing some tricep work with light weights.