The Year of Magical Lifting

[UConnJulie]

((((((HUGS))))))

[tkinsley]

Originally Posted by Victoria

Kevin, you are always such a great source of enouragement! I appreciate it.

Julie, you may not be connected to the world up at the lake, but I'll take that any day over cell phones, email, internet, all that crap! You will have a blast...I'm jealous!

Now, on to my first major thorn...

I took the last of my tests for my license yesterday and today and I now feel sufficiently exhausted, beaten up, defeated and demoralized. There is no way I passed either one.

I realize now I was probably in a bit over my head. Being exams that relate to practical experience, hard as I tried, I simply could not learn in a few months what normally takes years to learn. The change to my normal schedule didn’t help much either—very early mornings to get to the testing center bright and early, poor eating choices throughout each day (only minimal snacks allowed in the test), not to mention a progressively deflated mood. I really don’t care very much right now that I missed a couple workouts and had a few crappy meals.

I knew these past few days would be the major thorn in my challenge. I know a good workout tomorrow morning will make me feel so much better….but, right about now, I really don’t care if I do it or not! I’m very grumpy right now…

Hmmmmm.... I would wait until you receive your scores, m'dear. You really never know.
Not to be trite, but if at first you don't succeed... now you know what to expect, at any rate. I always learn far more from being wrong, personally. Of course, I'm a stubborn knucklehead type, so there's that.

You get: ONE full day to feel sorry for yourself. Tear it up. Enjoy.

Then back to it, right?

Tina

[James Newman]

I'm with Tina. Take a day off, you've earned it. The thing to remember about this challenge is that it is happening in the midst of life. It isn't like you are being asked to accomplish anything in a vacuum or a perfect world. This is how things will always be. We'll have our ups and our downs and if you are me, the horizontals too. The point being, you are strong and you will adapt and overcome. I have always liked that phrase "adapt and overcome" because that is really what life is about. It isn't about always being prepared. It isn't about always having the answer. It is about learning and growing...moving and changing. If there is anything I have learned about you from reading your posts it is that you definitely have the capacity to excel at all of these.

You can do it!

Newman

[Victoria]

OK, grumpy time is over! Thanks, guys, for the nudge. It's back on track tomorrow!

[L'ilJ]

Originally Posted by Victoria

OK, grumpy time is over! Thanks, guys, for the nudge. It's back on track tomorrow!

Good girl!

[Victoria]

TT DB-BW FUSION FAT LOSS PROGRAM
Level 1, Workout A-3
14 June 2007

Warm-Up: (I keep forgetting to add these to my log!) 5 min. on tready. Walking lunges, Toy soldiers, Side lunge reaches, Knee push-ups, Prisoners squats


Superset (no rest btw exs., 1 min. btw sets)
DB Squat (3x8): 8 @ 25# dbs, 8 @ 25#, 8 @ 25# (+5)
Elevated push-up (3x8): 8 @ BW, 8 @ BW, 8 @ BW

HA! Did all sets of push-ups as regular!

Superset:
DB Row (3x8): 8 @ 27.5#, 8 @ 27.5#, 8 @ 27.5# (+2.5)
SB Leg Curl (3x15): 15 @ BW, 10,5 @ BW, 7,3,5 @ BW

Had to stop a couple times doing the SB leg curls. Looks like I'm going to have to buy some more dumbbells!

Superset:
Split Squat, front foot elevated (3x8): 8 @ 20#, 8 @ 20#, 8 @ 20# (+5)
DB Rear Delt Raise (3x10): 10 @ 15#, 10 @ 12.5#, 10 @ 12.5# (+2.5)

15 lbs. was too heavy for the delt raises, so I lowered to 12.5. Still tuff!


Notes: I'm really beginning to like these TT workouts. I think these workouts with the dumbbells is more appropriate for my back for some reason. I found a unilateral workout on the TT website that looks fun. Might have to try that next. I'm still not sure if 3x a week is best for me. After a few days off, I felt strong and energetic during today's workout. I get progressively fatigued doing workouts 3x a week. So, I might change back to 2x/week.

[lance02]

Way to go on the pushups! Looking good all around, actually, nice increases on several lifts. What do you think of the SB leg curls? I'm doing a similar exercise with NROL, and they were much harder than I anticipated.

[UConnJulie]

You could always alternate, getting in 5 over two weeks ... so one week do M, W, F lifting, Tu, Thurs EST then the following week swap it ... M, W, F EST and Tu, Thu lifting.

So glad you are liking Craig's programs ... I love them too ... they are challenging but not nearly as puketastic as Alwyn's!

I need to check the website ... what time do you want to meet next Wednesday?

[Victoria]

Lance, the SB curls are curiously harder than I thought. One would think, "15 reps...no problem!" But, I've had to stop and start again during the last sets. I'm at work so don't have my NROL book with me, but for some reason I think I'm doing them differently than outlined in NROL. Well, they sure seem a lot harder this time. I can't wait to see what you think of Workout B...hehe!

Julie, you are BRILLIANT! That's a great idea. I like the sound of that. I think I'll give that a try. Of course, that screws up my previously outlined goals, but, better to be working out consistently than having to take extra recovery. Uh, Wednesday...I'll be leaving work around 2p which will put me back home around 3:30, so anytime really. Whatever works for you is fine with me. I would imagine we'll have to get there a bit early for registration, etc. Where shall we meet, too?

[sona]

Just finished getting caught up in your new log--and it took me two and half days (interrupted by work) to do it. But it's very interesting reading, Victoria: your life. I am all admiration for your stated goals; you sound so balanced!

On the # of WOs situation, I think Julie's "staggered" WO idea is brilliant too, especially since it really seems that you do better all around on 2 WOs/week--your body obviously needs a bit more recovery time to bounce back stronger than ever. Her idea would be a great compromise.

I'm very sorry you were so disappointed in your test-taking experience (and I'm embarrassed to write that I was not able to get a sense of what the tests were for, something I know was gone over in your previous journal). I'm with Tina, though, that you should wait for the results before you jump to the conclusion that you did not do well. You might be surprised.

I love the looks of the TT program you're doing! I want to check out the various programs on TT. How many more weeks of it do you do?

[UConnJulie]

Victoria, boy it's hard to find out when the thing starts and what time we should be there! I don't want to repeat Paula's experience! But I tracked it down on the Hartford Track Club's website. They have a print registration form in their May newsletter. It says that registration is from 5:00-6:20 and the race starts at 6:30. We should probably be there by 5:30 I guess. I moved our haircut appointments so no other obligations that day. Do you want to meet somewhere in Farmington then come in my car the rest of the way? I know there's a commuter lot as you turn off route 4 going to Tunxis Golf Course ... the one up by the highway might work too. Or we could even meet in the parking lot at the Red Cross and go from there. Let me know where in Farmington is most convenient for you. I'll be wearing my new Nike Frees ... they make me run like the wind!!

[Victoria]

Sona, I just want to say again...I'm so glad you are back! Thanks for the kind words. You always brighten up the "room."

As far as my tests, they are for my license as a landscape architect. Now, I know what you are thinking...why do you need a license to plant trees? At least that's what everyone always thinks. Truth is, planting is only a very small part of what we do. I could try to explain in more detail but it's late, and I don't have the energy, but I think this does a good enough job. Basically, it's our version of taking the bar to be an attorney, or the boards to be a doctor...you get the picture. I just can't wait till it's all behind me. This has been a long, grueling, and expensive as heck process.

Anyway, the TT program I'm doing right now is for 8 weeks. But, it looks like most of them are for four weeks which is good for the ADD individual. So, I may stick with these for a while. I would definitely recommend them...deceptively easy looking, but a great workout! What are you doing for workouts these days?

Julie, I was thinking the same thing--missing the start would not be good! How 'bout we meet in the lot off Rt. 4 by Tunxis Golf Course? Say 5:15ish? I can't wait to see your Frees...I've heard so much about them.

[lance02]

Landscape architect -- I think that's cool. Good luck finishing it all up.

[tkinsley]

Originally Posted by Victoria

Sona, I just want to say again...I'm so glad you are back! Thanks for the kind words. You always brighten up the "room."

As far as my tests, they are for my license as a landscape architect. Now, I know what you are thinking...why do you need a license to plant trees? At least that's what everyone always thinks. Truth is, planting is only a very small part of what we do. I could try to explain in more detail but it's late, and I don't have the energy, but I think this does a good enough job. Basically, it's our version of taking the bar to be an attorney, or the boards to be a doctor...you get the picture. I just can't wait till it's all behind me. This has been a long, grueling, and expensive as heck process.

Anyway, the TT program I'm doing right now is for 8 weeks. But, it looks like most of them are for four weeks which is good for the ADD individual. So, I may stick with these for a while. I would definitely recommend them...deceptively easy looking, but a great workout! What are you doing for workouts these days?

Julie, I was thinking the same thing--missing the start would not be good! How 'bout we meet in the lot off Rt. 4 by Tunxis Golf Course? Say 5:15ish? I can't wait to see your Frees...I've heard so much about them.

Dang, I wish you all lived by me. My running partner is driving to her new base in Las Vegas this week
I guess I'll have to get a dog or something... probably would come in handy to fight off mountain lion attacks in Cali on the trails (unless it's a little dog, and then he can distract the cat in his new role as an appetizer while I high-tail it out).

Julie, how far do you run in the frees? I am afraid to do so with my stubby achilles and my brand new recurrent ankle pains. I HATE getting old.

[Victoria]

Thanks, Lance. I LOVE what I do!

Originally Posted by tkinsley

my stubby achilles

Um...Tin, what does that mean?

Today's Workout:

TT DB/BW Fusion Fat Loss
Bodyweight Circuit
15 June 2007

Warm-up: Built-in (at least that's how I read it in the manual) but I did start with 5 min. on the tready. Seems to just get me going enough.

Y-Squat: 12 x BW
Diagonal lunge: 6 ea x BW
Offset (Kneeling) Push-ups: 6 ea x BW
Spiderman climb: 8 ea x BW
Jumping jacks: 60 x BW (no stops...HA!)

2 circuits completed.

Notes: I tried a military cadence to count the jumping jacks...1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,1.....1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,2.....1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,3. It worked. I had to stop a few times last workout, but when I think of them as 6 JJs instead of 60, it goes by much easier. I just concentrated on getting to 6 and it worked, mentally.

[mom2w]

Victoria -- you are just tearing it up in the gym! Have fun at your race this weekend.