#CURRENTLY
Finally! After giving birth over 1 year ago, I’m starting to feel like I’m in my old lifting shape again. I haven’t weighed this little since I was a 3rd or 4th year in college; and it’s so crazy to me because I wasn’t trying to get this small. I think when I start my next training cycle, these pounds will increase.
If you follow my Instagram, you’d know I’m doing the Stronglifts 5×5. I’ve been doing it for the past 2 months and the weight is moving and increasing nicely.
I’ve been working out in our new home garage gym!! This home gym thing is cool… I can work out whenever I want, wear whatever I want, and I don’t have to wait to use the squat rack because someone is doing rows or overhead press in it! I just miss seeing everyone at the gym and having the cold air conditioning!!
What are my fitness goals?
My current lifting goal (and it has been for the last 3 years) is to squat 300LB raw (using knee sleeves and a belt). The last meet I competed in was in 2018, after I came out of “retirement” from heavy lifting and before I got pregnant. I squatted a strong 275LB for my second attempt and failed my third attempt.
Next year, in 2021, I’m hoping I’ll be able to put that goal to rest and move on to other fitness goals. Maybe move on to lift equipped for a meet of two? Maybe increase my non-existent jumping or running skills?
My other current lifting goal is to deadlift 405LB raw. The most I’ve ever deadlifted was 355LB raw… will I ever get to 405? Maybe, maybe not lol. Only time will tell because adding 50LB to a lift is a lot. Hopefully I can do these before I decide to “retire” from competing again. If I don’t get it, I know I’ll definitely have a max higher than 355 and I’ll give 405 a run for the money!!!
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Yesterday, one of my Facebook friends posted that he finally reached his lifetime deadlift goal at the age of 40!!! It’s really fascinating the amount of dedication and determination he had to keep working toward it after all those years… but I’ll probably be the same way lol.
Do I plan to keep powerlifting until I’m 40? I don’t know. I wouldn’t be surprised if do. But again, only time will tell. That is literally 15 years from now. I’m just trying to reach my goals for next year, at this point!
Jalynn, why do you powerlift???
A lot of people have asked me in the past (in high school and college), why did I decide to powerlift? “Of all things, why do you like lifting weights?”
Lifting makes me feel good. Lifting heavy makes me feel powerful. Lifting equipped makes me feel unstoppable.
When I started lifting in 10th grade, my only goal was to squat 115LB raw. I did it. The next year, my goal was to squat 135LB raw. I did it. The next year, my next goal was to squat 225lb in equipment. I did it. My next goal was to squat 225LB raw. In college, I did it. My next goal was to bench 135LB raw. When I came out of retirement in 2018, I did it.
Every goal that I set for myself within this sport, I reached. I reached these goals because I worked towards them. I would get hurt, take a break, and keep working. I would lose focus, remember why I started, and keep working! No one else got me to reach these goals. I fought for them and I reached them myself. Lifting taught me that no goal is unreachable. Never in my wildest dreams I could have imagined that I would squat 225 when I first started lifting. The funniest thing for me is peoples’ reaction when they find out that I lift weights – as if a “pretty” girl can’t be strong too!
When people tell me I can’t, I show them I can. When I fail at an attempt, I get it the next time. No matter how many times I fail at an attempt, there is always another attempt. There is always another meet. There is always another season.
That’s what I tell myself for each challenge in life (at least try to). If I reach a goal “late” it will make me appreciate it even more. Life is full of chances and attempts. I just have to keep going, and working, and setting goals.
Never quit. It is the easiest cop-out in the world. Set a goal and don’t quit until you attain it. When you do attain it, set another goal, and don’t quit until you reach it. Never quit.
Bear Bryant
Powerlifting gives me something to look forward to. It helps me to set tangible goals. It keeps me in shape, it keeps me sane, it keeps me connected to a community of amazing people who love the sport as much as I do, and more.
The Bar = My Good Old Friend
Sometimes, I feel like my workouts are the only thing that give me positive results. Weights are my stress reliever and my constant throughout these past 10 years. The barbell has never changed or taken me for granted. I, however, always take it for granted lol. But every time I go to it, it tells me where I am. I could go months without lifting, but when I go back to the bar, I feel like I’m home. Of course, it asks me where I’ve been and gives me a hard time for a few days lol. But I love it and it loves me!
Yes, I am personifying weights. But it is really how I feel. When I lift certain weights, it takes me back to the last time I lifted them. When I lift light weights, it takes me back to when I first started lifting in high school. When I lift heavy, it takes me back to when I lifted in college and competed in meets. So many positive memories – I can’t believe I’ve tried to turn away from weightlifting so many times. But nothing does it to me like the iron!!
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What is your experience with weightlifting/powerlifting? I’d love to hear about it!
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***champagne and confetti***
Jalynn
pmreflection.com 