Bulging Banger

I went to the gym last night, and I saw a woman deadlifting 155 lbs. I have never seen a woman deadlift more then 95 lbs; I have made it to 135 lbs. I know of women who can lift a whole lot more, but I have never seen it at any gym I have been to, until now. I usually prefer not to talk to anyone when I train. I avoid making eye contact so as to not give the impression that it is ok to approach me. It disrupts my zen. So, it was a pretty big deal for me to go up and compliment this woman on her deadlifts. The real kicker here is to look at her you would never have guessed she could lift that much. She was an asian lady in her early 40's, about 5'3'", trim, but nothing really special. She looked like a soccer mom. I thought she was cool. Unless she drives a mini van.

Anyway, I had a great workout. AND... can you believe I went and did cardio TWICE during my lunch this week, and it wasn't even all that bad.

Workout for Thursday

Glute activation and Hip mobility stuff

Front Squats 95/105/115/125/125 lbs x 3
Back Extensions 25lbs x 8 x 3 - finally figured out a way to rig this thing up to fit my miniturness
Leg Press 230 lbs x 12 x 2
Standing Cable Crunch 60lbs x 15 x 2

Absence Makes The Heart Grow Fonder

I know all of my dedicated followers, all 2 of you (lol), have been anxiously waiting for my next post. Well wait no more! Yeah, I'm a geek. It has been a pretty busy week actually. On Wednesday, Wes and I took Tay swimming after I got off work. We have set up a chore chart and she works towards her prize. She determines what the prize is, so this time it was swimming. Anyway, Wednesday also happens to be a training day for me as well, so I decided to go to the gym at the rec center after we were done swimming. Wow. What can I say? I really don't think I will ever train there again, and it was a great reminder why I quit going there years ago. The place was PACKED! A bunch of 18 - 19 years old guys struttin around, checking themselves out in the mirror, flexing, oogling the skinny-fat chick with head to toe lulu lemon and full make up.... I had the crappiest workout, I just wanted to get it done and get the hell out. Sure makes me appreciate the gym I go to now. Anyway, I digress....

Workout for Wednesday
Band Pullaparts 15 x 2
Scap Push Up 20 x 2
Behind Neck Band Pulldowns 15 x 2
Skull Crushers (DB) 12.5 lbs x 12 x 2

Bench Press 65/75/85/95/95 lbs x 3
Bent over BB Row 85/95/105lbs x 6
Standing DB Shoulder Press 15lbs x 12 x 2
Supinated Grip Lat Pulldowns 42.5kg x 8 x 3
Lateral Raise 10lbs x 10 x 3

I gots more to say, but will have to come back!

It is just a stupid number!

Welcome to Monday! I had a decent weekend, quiet but nice. Friday, Wes and I had the evening to ourselves as a friend asked if Tay could sleep over. We went to a sports bar for dinner and shared a jug of beer, then came home and hung out. It was nice. Sunday, I went to the gym then decided to look for a pair of jeans since I was told that the one and only pair I have is not overly flattering. I was pretty happy to find some good sales on and I ended up getting 2 pairs of cords and one pair of jeans. Well, actually I bought 2 pairs of jeans, but I am going to return one, because I am not totally happy with the fit. The one thing that kinda disturbed me a little was the size; size 7/8 and a 9? I know it is just a stupid number and that it really doesn't mean squat because they vary so much from store to store, but still! I am fairly happy with what I see in the mirror, but the fact that the tag on my jeans says size 9 instead of size 3 or 5, like it used to, seems to overshadow what I am looking at. Not to mention, when I see pictures of myself, I see someone so much bigger then I thought I was. It is starting to make me wonder how people see me and whether or not I really am that big after all? (Dare I say "huge" ) I keep trying to remind myself that while I may be larger in size, my shape is better, I am healthier and stronger. Grrr, I guess it still all comes down to being more consistent with my diet and putting on my big girl pants and doing cardio. Since the beginning of this journey I have lost 5.5 lbs and a total of 12 inches, so I suppose I cannot complain too much.


Workout for Friday

Lateral Raise 10lbs x 12 x 2
Lying BB Protraction 30lbs x 12 x 2
Shoulder Roll 12 x 2
Face Pulls 70lbs x 12 x 2

Push Press 45/55/60/65/65lbs x 3
Pull Ups 1 band x 5 x 3
Seated Cable Row 60lbs x 12 x 2
Incline DB Press 30lbs x 8 x 3
Poorboy Shoulder Horn 10lbs x 10 x 3


Workout for Sunday

Glute activation and Hip mobility stuff

Warm Up CDL 95/105lbs x 5
CDL 12lbs x 5 x 3
Leg Press 230lbs x 12 x 2
Bulgarian Squats (db) 35lbs x 8 x 3
Cable Twist 40 lbs x 10 x 3

Take Two!

Last night, my two BFs and I went to our first Chix on Stix snowboarding lessons. It was a lot of fun. I used to ride years ago, had my own gear and all, but I sucked. I only went a couple times a year, which was not enough to make any progress. Wes went with his friends fairly often and continued to get better and better, so even when we did go together, we would never ride together. I also did not have any friends who were interested in it either. Once Tay was born, I decided to just sell all my stuff. This past fall my friend approached me about joining Chix on Stix with her, I hesitated, but decided to go for it. What was $25 anyway? Then, I was suprised to find out another friend of mine was interested in learning to snowboard as well. So, the three of us all decided to learn together. It was a lot of fun and both my friends seemed to enjoy it, even though it was their first time with a board on their feet. We also met a couple other girls and will hopefully meet up with them on the hill sometime. So, here is take two of my attempt at snowboarding.

Back in the Saddle

So after 4 days of being pretty much completely off my diet, I am back on track. My headcold is pretty much gone, just a little congestion lingering and my energy is back up. Plus, I had a great workout yesterday and I did cardio! As long as I can stay consistent with my diet, and get a couple more cardio sessions in, I know I will start seeing a lot more results. I am already noticing more definition in my arms and butt and my abs are starting to look better, although they still require more work (diet will help that). I am feeling leaner too, not sure what the measurements are saying and maybe I don't want to know. I guess I will find out this weekend when I do my bi-weekly measurements/weigh in. Not much else to report .....

Workout

Glute Activation and Hip Mobility Work

Front Squat 85/95/10/115/115 lbs x 3
Back Extension 10 lbs x 8 x 3
Bulgarian RDL (DB) 15 x 12 x 2
Standing Cable Crunch 60lbs x 15 x 3

On to Phase Two

My head cold is manageable and I am dealing with it by keeping topped up with sinus meds. Sunday, I felt good enough to get to the gym and I did my first workout for Phase Two. It felt good, I felt strong and my shoulders were even sore yesterday, my shoulders never get sore!

Workout
Band Pull apart 12 x 2
Scap Push Up 20 x 2
Shoulder Roll 10 x 2
Behind Neck Band Pull down 12 x 2
Skull Crusher (DB) 10 x 12 x 2

Bench 65/80/90 lbs x 5
Bent over BB Row 65/80/95lbs x 6
Standing Shoulder Press 15lbs x 15 x 2
Supinated Grip Lat Pull down 75 lbs x 8 x 3
Poorboy shoulder horn 10 x 12 x 2

I'm Sick

Oiy, I seemed to have caught a brutal sinus cold. My head feels like my sinuses have tripled in size! I hope I can get rid of this thing by tomorrow otherwise I will not be able to get to the gym. Plus, I am supposed to go out with my girlie friends and I don't want to miss that!

My Luck is Running Out

Damnit, I am catching a head cold!

Note to self: Attempting to buy Valentine's 2 days before Valentines Day is futile. This is my first time at this, Taylor has school every Friday, so I went out last night to buy some Valentines to give to her classmates. Nothing. Not even one! I did not have time to actually MAKE them, so I ended up buying these little valentine boxes and putting a granola bar, hershey's kisses and a few party favors. It is just a pain, because you can't even bring home baked cookies because of allergies and crap. I would have just made heart shaped cookies otherwise.

And I had a bad night last night. I have been craving all the bad carbs like crazy this week. All I want is chocolate and toast. I ended up caving last night and had a mini binge of junk. Just had to get that out of my system I guess.

I also bought new snowboard, boots and bindings. Figured I would give this snowboard thing another shot. I have a couple friends now who are interested in learning and Wes seems to think that if I have better boots (my old ones made my feet cramp up BAD) and a proper board (I had a junior board before), that I may actually be better. I like how he makes excuses for me!

Had a good workout last night. It was my last workout for my deload phase; I will start phase 2 on Sunday.

Workout

Glute Activation and Hip Mobility stuff

RDL 115/125/135 x 5
Leg Press 270 lbs x 10 x 2
Split Squat 75 lbs x 12 x 2
Cable Cross Chop 30 x 10 x 2

Going to go to the gym at lunch today and do some HIIT. Gotta burn off all those carbs I ate yesterday!

Outside the Box Isn't That Bad

Last night, I met up with my friend at the gym, afterwards she came over to my place so we could visit more. I needed to eat, but I did not want to eat out, nor did I want to ruin my diet but, I also wanted to make something that she might like and preferably not just the same ol salad with chicken. I know how much she likes tacos and I had taken out some bison intending to cook it up with some taco seasoning. So, I came up with a "creation" that I tested out on her. I had some rice in the fridge as well, so I topped 1/2 cup of rice with 100g of bison with taco seasoning, then about 1/3 cup of cottage cheese, shredded head lettuce, sliced black olives and salsa. It tasted similar to a taco salad, minus the taco. I quite enjoyed it and so did my friend. In fact, afterwards she commented that she was so full and satisfied, she was having a hard time believing we just had something that was healthy, low fat, good protein and carbs. Which BTW, is also the making of a great post workout meal. Even Wes tried a bite and wasn't disgusted by it. It got me thinking that I think some people get so stuck on "normal" foods that the thought that something is good for you, or "diet" food, should be bland and not overly satisfying. The problem here is if you want to continue to eat well and make a lifestyle change, you have to find alternatives. If all you live off of is plain salad with no dressing and dry chicken breasts, there is no way you will be able to keep that up, which is generally how yo-yo dieting ends up.



My sister does not eat gluten or dairy, some would automatically assume that a piece of toast for breakfast or a sandwich for lunch is out of the question. Or that she would never be able to have ice cream ever again, or pancakes, cookies, cake..... One would end up living off of only fruit, veggies and meat! You just have to think outside the box and experiment. If you want to make a lifestyle change, it has to be one that you can see yourself sticking with, find some alternatives to your favorites. Heck you might even prefer it. Granted, it will likely take more work then going through a drive through, but hey, if it was easy there would be no such thing as obesity.


My 'creation' may not taste exactly like a taco salad, but it is pretty darn close. And you know what? My sister does eat ice cream, pancakes, toast and cake, the only difference is she doesn't go to a store or open a box to have it.


Well, as I mentioned at the beginning of my rant, I went to the gym yesterday....

Workout

Bentover Flyes 10lbs x 12 x 2
Lying BB Protraction 25lbs x 12 x 2
Seated Scap Depressions BW x 12 x 2
Face Pulls 70lbs x 12 x 2

Military Press 45/50/55 lbs x 5 x 3
Chin Ups 1 band x 5 x 3
Seated Cable Row 75 lbs x 8 x 2
Incline DB Press 25lbs x 12 x 2
Lateral Raise 10 x 12 x 2

Jumpin Jitterbug

meh, really couldn't think of a title....
Yesterday was my first day back to work from holidays. I am liking this job, so I didn't have that horrible dread when my alarm went off. As a bonus, my mom decided to keep Tay for the night, so I managed to get in an unexpected workout.

Workout

Hip Mobility/Glute Activation work

Full Squats 95/105/115 lbs x 5
DB High Step Up 25 lbs x 10 x 2 (the step could have been a little higher)
Pullthroughs 70 lbs x 12 x 2
Standing Cable Crunch 70 lbs x 15 x 2

Didn't get home until almost 8:30 pm as I had to wait over 30 minutes for the damn bus. That is one downfall of taking the bus all the way from the Park. After 6 o'clock, it only runs every half an hour instead of every 15 minutes. Sat up my butt in front of the TV and surfed the net. T'was a good evening, although went to bed too late.

It's Good to be Back

I had a great workout yesterday! I am doing a deload phase this week since I took last week off from training.

Workout

Band Pullaparts 12 x 2
Scap Push up 20 x 2
Behind Neck Band Pulldown 12 x 2
Skullcrusher (DB) 10 x 12 x 2

Bench Press 65/70/75 lbs x 5
Bentover BB Row 65/75/85 lbs x 5
Standing DB Shoulder Press 17.5 lbs x 8 x 2
Lat Pulldown 60 lbs x 12 x 2
Lateral Raise 10 lbs x 15 x 2

I even did 25 minutes on the treadmill! Ok, so it was just a brisk walk, but hey, I have to start somewhere. Plus, I did about 15 minutes of stretching which is just what my legs needed.

There is 2 months left in the challenge and I had better kick it into high gear. Of the 5 weeks so far, 2 have been close to a write off. Even so, I have not gained, but I am not losing either. I need to put more focus on getting cardio done more consistently, eating all my food for the day and drinking enough water.

As for cardio, I am going to make an effort to go during my lunch break at least 3 times a week, even if it is only for 20 minutes. I will aim for at least one HIIT session/week to start. The more I go to the gym, the more water I drink as well (as a rule), so this should also help boost my water intake. I also need to make a better effort to eat everything I am supposed to eat during the day. I have a tendency to forget to eat, or just choose not to because it doesn't really appeal to me and I am not overly hungry. I need to eat to increase my hunger. Sounds warped I know but, the more often you eat, the more your metabolism will speed up; therefore burning more fat, which is what I am wanting. I am tired of looking puffy, I want to be able to see my muscles! I realized yesterday, while I was at the gym, that the reason I think I look good while I workout is because my muscles are pumped, so you can actually see them. When I am not in the gym, I feel like I just look larger and puffy, because you can't see the muscle to know that my size is not fat, but actually muscle mass.

Time in the Desert

Tay and I are home! We had a great trip to Phoenix, despite being delayed a day. 2 o'clock Saturday morning Tay woke up barfing. I have anxiety issues flying alone with Tay as it is, yet alone when she is yaking every 20-30 minutes. We ended up rebooking to fly out on Sunday, at a cost of $535. Not overly impressed, but worth it to see my sis. Although, I am not too sure how impressed she was when we managed to contaminate her entire family with the flu. Sorry Kim!

We went for walks almost daily and we managed to turn those into cardio sessions with the kids demanding that we run up and down the hills while pushing the double strollers. My sister is a fantastic cook, and quite creative in the kitchen. I would highly recommend that you check out her blog, if you have not done so yet. She has some great gluten and dairy free recipes. I am not sure Tay was as appreciative as I was with the variety, she seems to be a much pickier eater then I ever expected. I am pretty sure she lost weight in the 6 days we were there.

My sister is amazing. I have a whole new respect for her. She is a fantastic mother and it boggles my mind how she manages to keep her sanity with three kids. I can barely keep it together with one! I only wish we lived closer.

Here are a few pix of our holiday....

Tay and Rori in the hammock swing

Tay and Sage sleeping in the stroller after a heavy duty walk. You'd think they were the ones pushing the stroller, running up and down the hills

Tay helping Justus with a drink.

My sister, Tay, Sage and Justus having a picnic in the desert.

Our picnic spot.