Exercise Update

So I ended week one of my new routine today, and since I said I would post about it, I thought I'd better stick with that. So, no weight loss yet, but I didn't really expect any. I did exercise every day this week, including today (Saturday morning)! I worked with the personal trainer, Catherine, one day on arms and the next on legs and developed my first routine which I will continue for the next six weeks.
I learned to do my strength training before my cardio every day. I thought I would share my routine in case anyone else wants to try what I do. So first is legs -
I start with squats. I use a pilates ball against the wall, which helps to keep the form and helps me balance. I also hold 8 lb free weights as I do my squats. I do three sets of ten, breaking between each set for a short 20-30 seconds.
Next I use a machine - but I don't know what it's called. It's for your quads - there are four different muscles in the upper leg and it works well for all of them. Again that's three sets of 10 (this is the same for all my exercises, so I won't repeat that again). After the machine I do something that is a substitute for the lunge. Holding 8 lb weights again, I go to a bench and I put one foot up. I pull myself up onto the bench on that leg and touch my other toe on the bench and then go back down. After sets with one leg, I do sets with the other, so this exercise takes a little while.
Last I get on the floor with a pilates ball. I make a T shape with my arms and lay flat on my back. I dig my heels into the ball and lift my butt off the ground. I roll the ball towards me with my feet, and then roll it back out, so each time my legs go from straight to making a 90 degree angle with my knees. This is the hardest and best part of my workout on legs!
So I do those four things on legs day, and then I spend 30 minutes on a cardio machine. I tried the treadmill, but got horrible shin splints, so I switched to a cross-country trek kind of machine, or a ski machine or a stair master and all of those are fine on my legs (and I think more involved because a bunch of them have arms as well). I do 30 minutes of cardio on one of the machines every day, so I won't go over that again.
For arms/abs day, my routine takes somewhat longer. I use two different machines, one that does my lateral muscles (upper back) and one that does my triceps (hangy down part of the arm). Triceps are hardest for me. On free weights I get on an inverted bench (where my head is lower than my butt and I use a bench press bar and bench over my chest. This strengthens the part of the pecs that support your boobs, which is great for someone who is large-chested. Makes you perkier :). I also do another tricep excercise where you make a T with your arms at your sides and raise and lower 8 lb weights. I do this while balanced on a half pilates ball. (Those balls have a specific name but I don't remember what it is).
For abs I do a bunch of hard things. One is like making snow angels, except you lift your legs and your upper back/shoulders off the floor. If you can get that visual, you can probably figure out how to do this. Another is called the plank. This is the hardest for me. You lay on your stomach, then lift yourself up on your arms and toes. Your arms should rest on the ground to your elbow (make an L with your arm on the floor. Flatten out your body (tuck your tummy and butt) and hold for 30 seconds. Do it again, lifting one leg. Again, lift the other leg. And one last time with both feet on the floor. That is the hardest thing I've had to do so far! The last ab exercise is to lay on your back with legs and shoulders off the ground (like in the first exercise) and grab one knee to your chest. Switch legs back and forth letting one kick straight out and up and the other come in to your chest. Do some slow and some fast like this.
Anyway, pretty organized workout system. I feel great doing it, and I really like my gym and the trainer. Sorry the blog was so long, but I thought it would give you an idea of what all I'm doing...