Boo on the sleep. But yay for feeling okay regardless!
Thank you!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bytsi
YWTL's suck.
That is all.
Hee-hee. A woman--erm, hamster--after my own heart! I'm developing a dislike for the db single-arm overhead squat, too, although it was a little easier today.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Celestialmom
Hey! Hi!
Workout looks great--but isn't the prone cobra supposed to be a certain time, not reps? I don't remember, so...
Yeah, that's a little weird and I haven't decided what to do about it. That exercise was actually supposed to be the Back Extension--but the "home gym alternative" was the prone cobra. I tried doing six reps, which felt silly, so I tried balancing weights on my shoulders/back to add resistance. The 5 lbs slid off every time I arched up to the cobra position, but the 10 lb weight actually stayed in place...but it still wasn't much of a challenge. Maybe I'll just go back to the timed prone cobra next time.
Oh--the other reason I tried reps instead of just doing it for a certain amount of time was that there's a set of 90" prone cobras at the end of the workout and I wanted to do something different. It didn't really work out....
Another workout! That's two weight-lifting sessions in three days, which makes me VERY happy (and pretty sore, but I guess that's kind of the point....)
This is NROL4W Stage 3 Workout A, week 2
A: One-armed db snatch 2 x 6 x 15#, 1 x 6 x 17.5# (for each arm)
B1: DB single-leg Romanian dl 1 x 6 x 2(15# dbs), 2 x 6 x 2(17.5# dbs) B2: Barbell bent-over row 3 x 6 x 55#
C1: Db single-arm overhead squat 3 x 6 x 7.5# C2: DB incline bench press 3 x 6 x 2(17.5# dbs)
D1: Plank3@60" D2: Reverse wood chop 3 x 6 x 15# db
And in the interest of creating a workout that I would actually DO, I completely skipped the body weight matrix. I might do it tomorrow, and I might substitute running for the time being. The key is that I could squeeze in a 45 min workout; there's no way I could have squeezed in an hour and 15 min workout.
I'm very happy I squeezed in that workout yesterday (lifting) and we're theoretically going running again this evening. I think the exercise is the main thing keeping me on an even keel as we dive back into the craziness of the school year.
My big stress right now is my older son, who just started high school. We had a TON of trouble with him last year, because he has pretty severe ADHD and mood problems (depression or bipolar), both of which make it hard for him to handle the increased homework load. We spent last year getting good systems in place: he has an IEP, a homework coach he loves, hand-picked teachers, and he's been stable on his current medication for quite a while now.
But as the school year starts to pick up (in week 2!) I'm already starting to see him avoid getting started on work because he's overwhelmed, put things off to the last minute, and stay up too late finishing his homework. Last night I was completely depressed because he had this HUGE assignment that he hadn't started, due today, and I've been trying so hard to keep on top of stuff so I'd be able to help him stay ahead of the work...but the bottom line is that he's going to have to do a lot of it himself. I got over it, eventually, and found a balance where I could encourage him without totally internalizing his problem as my own...but boy, did I want a few glasses of wine!
On the plus side, Dwight and I have started having "family time" with the kids every night we're available, where we each spend 15 min one-on-one with each kid. It's been terrific in more ways than I expected. Not only are the kids happier (and listen better, becuase they feel like we're listening to them), but they're also doubly motivated to finish their work earlier, so they don't miss out.
Of course, the motivation isn't working for the older son as much, because he knows he can just stay up late and work, but it definitely puts him on a more even keel. When I started pestering him last night about how he needed to start his work earlier, we had a few tense moments, but he didn't lose it and he was able to recover when I apologized (not for bugging him, but for picking that MOMENT--when he was trying to work--to bug him.) So there's hope!
Heh, I'm squirreling away all sorts of parenting ideas for when/if I have kids from all the parents here at JP's. Family time sounds great!
And even though I'm still using very, very low weights for OH squats, I have to say it makes me happy to read that they're bothersome even for those more experienced than I.
'Course, that means I'll likely suck at them for a looong time, but still...
__________________
They call me Amanda, that being my real name, and "They" being people who know me in person as I don't go around introducing myself in real life as "scribess." 'Cause that would just be strange.
Workout update: NADA all weekend! Not sure why--very low energy. Ick. Status update: Woke up this morning with a pulled muscle in my neck. I'm not sure this is what Leigh means when she says we're burning calories in our sleep...I think I must be burning extra!
Anyhow, I'm giong to go life now (because the other option is that I'd have to go nap ). TTYL!
Hope you're not coming down with what your kids had! Feel better soon.
__________________
They call me Amanda, that being my real name, and "They" being people who know me in person as I don't go around introducing myself in real life as "scribess." 'Cause that would just be strange.
Hope you're not coming down with what your kids had! Feel better soon.
Thank you! Whatever it was hung on all week--never terrible, but I never had much energy, either. I'm definitely enjoying the health improvement this week!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Celestialmom
What exactly were you doing while you were "sleeping"?
You have a dirty mind, girl!
So between being sick and general life busy-ness, I haven't posted in FOREVER! I have been exercising, although less frequently this past week. As for food--I don't think I've been on a deficit, but I haven't been going crazy, either. I spent all last night cooking so I have healthy meals for the rest of the week. The only problem is this chunk of fudge we bought in Georgetown over the weekend...peanut butter vanilla...it's to die for. Maybe I should just eat it quick so it stops tempting me .
That pretty much describes the past few weeks! I definitely tipped the scale WAY over on the too-much-to-do side. It's a vicious cycle: I get too busy, which means I exercise less, which makes me stressed in two different ways, which makes me have trouble sleeping, which means that I get even less done, and get even MORE stress. Silly!
I'm trying to dial it back a notch for this week! I have two lifting and two cardio sessions in my schedule before I take off next weekend for my children's writing conference.
No lifting last week for a variety of reasons, including hiking a 14-er, feeling under the weather, prepping for the race Saturday, and general busy-ness. Lifted the week before.
Last week: Run 1:
5 min warmup
1 x 5 min run, 3 min brisk walk
1 x 8 min run, 5 min brisk walk
1 x 5 min run
5 min cooldown
Run 2:
5 min warmup
10 min run
3 min walk
10 min run
5 min cooldown
Saturday: Race Day!
This was my first race ever, so was very exciting. We had perfect weather: cool and cloudy. It was a 4K Doggie Dash, so we were allowed to bring our dogs with us . We ran as a family, which was very fun.
I finished in 33 min without really pushing, because my youngest drank a ton of water just before starting and had nasty cramps almost the whole time. It was a bummer, because I wanted to see if I could run the entire distance, but it was a higher priority for everyone to feel like part of the team. So I ran with him. We had fun! And the run/walk I did was really easy, so I know I could get a much better time next time .
I've discovered that running is a great fit for our family. Dwight and I can run together, which both gets our butts moving and gives us one-on-one time to talk about stuff. We're gonig to keep training and run a 5 K the end of October: the Eerie Erie.
Ooohh. Doggie Dash sounds like fun! And 33 minutes was a great time...considering the circumstances. You're well on your way to completing an under 30min 5K.
Yay for the family togetherness! Glad running is proving so beneficial for your family.
Have fun at the conference! You're already agented, right? Or do you still plan to do some pitching (whether to agents or editors)?
__________________
They call me Amanda, that being my real name, and "They" being people who know me in person as I don't go around introducing myself in real life as "scribess." 'Cause that would just be strange.
Yay for the family togetherness! Glad running is proving so beneficial for your family.
Have fun at the conference! You're already agented, right? Or do you still plan to do some pitching (whether to agents or editors)?
Hi Amanda,
Yep, I have an agent, but I had the opp to meet with an editor for a manuscript critique, so it was sort of like a pitch. She gave a great critique and really liked the ms...and then I didn't even think to ask if I could send it to her! But I did tell her that I have another ms submitted to her house right now and she said she'd take a look for it....
Quote:
Originally Posted by LuckyStella
Ooohh. Doggie Dash sounds like fun! And 33 minutes was a great time...considering the circumstances. You're well on your way to completing an under 30min 5K.
Thank you! Theoretically, my husband and I want to run in a 5K on Halloweed morning. At least, that was the plan before I spent the last few weeks so sick. I haven't run since the race! Hopefully, I haven't lost too much adn we can still do it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bytsi
Fun race! Glad you found something that's good for your whole family!
Thank you! It was really a blast.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Celestialmom
Awesome that you all raced together! So cool! Even the dogs! That sounds really fun.
How's the tracking and workouts coming?
Hope you have fun at the conference...
Hi Celestial! Yes, it was pretty fun, although the dogs can make it more of a workout. they're finally starting to get the idea, though: they're ATTACHED to me, so they shouldn't go bounding off in all directions.
Tracking and workouts--well, in the past weeks, not so much, but I'll post about that in a sec. The conference was great! Except I got sick. Really sick. Bleh. What's that about? I was getting used to this whole healthy thing!
So...as for where I've been the past few weeks, I kind of got flattened by pneumonia :P. For a while there, I was in total survival mode, getting out of breath walking up and down stairs and sleeping most of the time. That's improved, thankfully--it's just taking FOREVER to get back to myself. I actually lifted weights two days ago, though. I'm pleasantly sore and am about to go lift again . Sickness sucks, as I'm sure y'all know.
Other than that, life's been pretty good. I just had to put exercise on hold, which has been really tough on me emotionally. It's definitely had a major impact on my mood! I'm happy to be getting back to it again....
Life's still crazy-busy, as it tends to get this time of year, but I'm no longer in that mode of cutting every non-essential from my life. I've missed getting on here!!!
Pneumonia?! Glad to hear you're back among the living and good to see you back
__________________
"Time and patience are the 2 elements that most people don't include in their plans."
-Alan Aragon
"The scale simply tells you how much the earth loves you on a particular day."
-Ogedei (Keith)
I'll tell the artist he has fans. That's a sidewalk-chalk family portrait. It means a lot to me because I'm not biologically related to the little guy (was live in childcare and haven't lived there for several years) but he still tells people I'm his second mom and includes me in family drawings.
__________________
"Time and patience are the 2 elements that most people don't include in their plans."
-Alan Aragon
"The scale simply tells you how much the earth loves you on a particular day."
-Ogedei (Keith)
In a radical move, I thought I'd actually post a workout. It's from Sunday--last workout of NROL4W Stage 3. On a side note, I discovered that my weight bar weighs 5# more than I thought, so I've been underestimating all my weights!
Barbell Romanian Deadlift 3 x 6 x 65#
Partial single-leg squat 3 x 6 ea. x 15# Pullover 3 x 6 x 30#
Back Extension 3 x 6 x bw* YTWL 3 x 6 x 5# dbs**
Swiss Ball crunch 3 x 6 x bw Jackknife 3 x 6 x bw Lateral flexion 3 x 6 ea. x bw
Prone Cobra 3 x 90" x bw
*Definitely best back extensions ever--had my dh sit on my legs
**This was the first time when I actually felt like I was able to do YTWL's with decent form! Yay!
I was really happy because this was my first post-sickness workout and I'd expected to lose some lifting ability--but I didn't! I didn't improve much, but I didn't lose either, which is something given that I didn't lift for about 6 weeks . Man, it felt great to exercise again!
My challenge for the next two weeks is that we're heading out of town. I'm debating whether to take weights with me....
You could take stretchy bands - they're a lot lighter to pack!
x2
Plus you can pull together ideas for some bodyweight stuff, those are even easier to pack.
__________________
"Time and patience are the 2 elements that most people don't include in their plans."
-Alan Aragon
"The scale simply tells you how much the earth loves you on a particular day."
-Ogedei (Keith)
A woman--erm, hamster--after my own heart! I'm developing a dislike for the db single-arm overhead squat, too, although it was a little easier today.
. We had a TON of trouble with him last year, because he has pretty severe ADHD and mood problems (depression or bipolar), both of which make it hard for him to handle the increased homework load. We spent last year getting good systems in place: he has an IEP, a homework coach he loves, hand-picked teachers, and he's been stable on his current medication for quite a while now. 
. Man, it felt great to exercise again!
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