Endless Summer

[mom2w]

Since going into summer is supposed to be "cutting time" AND I never seem to get to where I want to be, I guess I live in "endless summer!"

I hit rock bottom (or rock top) weight wise at 143 this weekend. I will admit that a week as a counselor at Girl Scout Camp didn't help. I could have made a stink about the carb based meals, but we were trying to set an example for the girls, so.... And, I hadn't had a bavarian creme doughnut in YEARS, so when that pastry tray came through Fri am (after spending the night in a tent with raccoons scrounging around outside) I decided my choices were to pick my favorite pastry OR eat powdered donettes (in the box) and Marshmallow Mateys with the girls. I ate the pastry!

Friday afternoon I talked to my mom who was told that her weight gain has put her in a dangerous position healthwise (at risk for congestive heart failure and borderline type 2 diabetes) and remembered that I don't want to live out my life like that if I can help it. So, I had a heart to heart with dh. I don't know why all of my diets and plans haven't worked for me. Maybe I haven't put enough effort into them or maybe the timing wasn't right mentally.

Regardless, dh is training me based on how he cut this year. So in a few months I should have the ripped body of a 41 year old man. No, I mean, I'll be a hot old lady!

Diet is low carb but not a low carb free for all. It's undoubtedly water weight (the initial whoosh!) but after 2 days of following his lead, I'm down 3lbs. (then he tells me to stay off the scale, but I had to know!!!) We also decided that my "hunger meter" may be broke and I can't eat based on perceived hunger. True.

Training is based on CT's transformation. Sat was heavy lifting. HEAVY lifting to near failure. Good thing we have a well established relationship because I didn't like him much. Heavy involves some compound lifts (don't have details right here) with a warm up (light set), add a little more weight and work up to top possible weights where about 3-4 sets are done, then a back off set to failure (I did have enough humor left on the bench press to ask if he wanted me to drop the bar at the end like I'd done on the other lifts!)

Sun was a circuit from hell. He wrote it down for me about 10 minutes before we left for the gym. I started crying. I've never looked at a program and CRIED! I also cried after I finished the 4th circuit. Could be emotions from working so hard; could be because I could barely pull my *ss off the floor when I collapsed after the final deadlift. This was followed by 30 min jogging on the TM (which, since I was able to have a semi-coherent conversation when dh joined me, he said I underestimated my rate and need to go faster next time.)

Today will be a HIIT day on the bike at home. Then it starts over with the same set up using different exercises. I get 1 off day out of 7.

So that's that. We're using TNT and the AD as the basis for the low carb diet, but with some modifications based on results.

And, just in case... I was nowhere near the bridge when it collapsed. It's surreal. We were downtown yesterday but didn't know there was an "observation" bridge open now. We're being visited by top gov't officials who basically say "we need to rebuild this" DUH!!!! This is a major artery between Texas and Canada. Might be good to have it opened again.

[Lost Dog]

Hey, there!

My hunger meter is broken, too. You need to find a way to keep track of the portion sizes or something. I know TNT is supposed to take care of itself, but it's not going to for each of us. We instinctively eat (or make or dish out) what we think is the right amount. Well, that's not working, huh?

I'm more in tune with my "meter" now. But, it took time. I think the real issue for me is separating the need to feel full and/or comforted by food, with the feeling of being satisfied. My subconscious hunger meter is broken, but if I actually sit and concentrate, I can tell if I want or need to eat.

I'm doing better. You can, too. It takes some experimentation to get a method that will work with your brain and body. It's the brain that's the issue for me.

[tkinsley]

Brenda!

Welcome back!! Your goals look great, and your workouts sound to be a little slice o' masochist heaven--my favorite kind, haha!

What is your ultimate body fat/weight goal, anyway? I'm having a problem visualizing you as a 41 yr old man... ripped or not.

[mom2w]

Originally Posted by Lost Dog

I'm doing better. You can, too. It takes some experimentation to get a method that will work with your brain and body. It's the brain that's the issue for me.

It's good to not be alone! It's funny (odd funny, not haha funny) how much I've learned about my body wrt diet in the past years. Going low carb Atkins worked better than lowfat/cals but going back to that approach hasn't had the same results. Every so often, another piece of the puzzle falls into place and I get a clearer picture of what I'm working with. I wish the puzzle came with a box & picture somedays!

[mom2w]

Originally Posted by tkinsley

Brenda!

Welcome back!! Your goals look great, and your workouts sound to be a little slice o' masochist heaven--my favorite kind, haha!

What is your ultimate body fat/weight goal, anyway? I'm having a problem visualizing you as a 41 yr old man... ripped or not.

I'd like to settle in the 120-125lb range. Based on getting down to 111 and coming back up, that was where I felt and looked the best. I know I can always add more bodyweight and I'm more aware of not jumping off the deep end and going too far again, so there's control of not going beyond what's reasonable.

Oh, and I won't even be 41 until January, so I've got time for a trip to Sweden!

[mom2w]

Here are the down and dirty details of my lifting week so far...

Sat:
(not listing warm ups and build ups or back off sets)
Squat 2x4x105
Mil Press 4x5x54
Chin Up 4x3 (assisted at the end)
RDL 2x6x115
Bench 3x6x65
Hammer Strength Row - didn't have time (he gave me a plate machine rather than bent over b/c he figured I'd be pretty spent & form would suffer at this point)

Sun:
Circuits
2 circuits with 55lb BB (bar plus 10#), 2-30sec rests during set 1, 1 rest during set 2
2 circuits with 45lbs (bar only), no rests during either
Goal was 1 more circuit at 45 but I could barely lift the bar
All exercises were to near failure
Mil press
Lunges
Cleans
RDL
Push ups
Front Squats
BB Row
Deadlift
Followed by 30 min on treadmill at 4.5mph (short potty break after 5 min but 25 continuous)

Mon:
HIIT
bike at home
30:90 intervals x 8 plus 5 min cool down

I either restart the plan tomorrow with different exercises (TBD tonight) or take a rest day. However, with only 1 rest day per week planned, I might want to save it for Fri. We'll see how it goes.

[Lost Dog]

lookin' good!

circuits look brutal.

[L'ilJ]

Hey Brenda! I missed having you around here! Glad you're back. Your goals look good and the workouts sufficiently brutal. Are the kids going back to school soon? Will you be posting more often?

[Victoria]

Brenda, it's great to "see" you again! Sounds like your summer is busy, and fun.

It's funny (ironic funny, not haha funny), I'd give anything to be 143 lbs right now. The important thing is that you keep questioning, exploring, experimenting until you get there. I appreciate your struggle...it's not easy!

[mom2w]

It's good to be back! School is still a month or so away, but the busy-ness of summer break is winding down. I'm really gonna miss these guys though. I remember co-workers talking about hating summer because they had to deal with the kids for 3 months straight. I still don't get it.

Anyway, here's last night's fun:
(again, not posting warm ups, build ups and back off sets)

Deadlift: 4x4x135 (almost at my bodyweight for deads!)
Front Squat: 5x5x75
Pull ups: 4x4x#10 assist (52lbs)
Dips: 4x5x#7 assist (34lbs)
1 arm shoulder presses: right --5x4x25; left 1x4x25 & 4x5x20

I have today's program in hand but won't do it until late afternoon. Circuits plus 30min running today. The big plan is to do my workouts late afternoon when possible so I can eat more "normal" at dinner with the family. I guess I'm just abnormal the rest of the day???

Gotta get the kids moving and ready for work...

[UConnJulie]

Good to have you back Brenda!! Glad that you have been brainstorming and seem to have come up with a system/plan that will work for you!

[L'ilJ]

Nice DLs!!!

[mom2w]

Originally Posted by L'ilJ

Nice DLs!!!

Thank you ma'am! By next Tues I hope to be equal to or over my scale weight on them (possitively thinking that I'll be a)lifting more and b)weighing less!)

A humour columnist in the local paper just posted this little diddy regarding our bridge falling down last week. In the midst of the horror and disbelief, it's "great" to know that people (ie nutjobs and elected nutjobs) can give us something to giggle about!

"New Bridge-Collapse Theories Blame God, Gaia
Submitted by James Lileks, Star Tribune Editor on Wed, 08/08/2007 - 10:34am.
The collapse of the 35W bridge has provided many pundits and B-grade demagogues an excellent opportunity to shoot their mouths off before the facts are assembled. You might wonder if there’s still room for others to clamber on board and press their own agenda.

Well, of course.

Fred Phelps and his contemptible claque believe that God made the bridge fall because Minneapolitans didn’t round up the gays and burn them a Loring Park bonfire, so they’re going to protest the funerals of the people who died in the bridge collapse.

Fred has issues.

Meanwhile, others speculate that climate change smote the bridge. Choice excerpt:

"Melissa Hortman of the Minnesota House of Representatives 'speculated that 90-plus-degree heat Wednesday and the above-normal temperatures of the past two summers may have been a contributing factor,'and said 'You wonder if this bridge was built to withstand the massive heat we have had this summer.' Or even if it was built to withstand heat."

Heat? No, engineers don't factor in stuff like heat.

By the end of this week I expect the LaRouche people to insist that the bridge was brought down by Queen Elizabeth, who donned a wetsuit and planted charges on the piers. "

BTW: Navy divers have been on site since early yesterday morning (they snuck into the waters around 2am without fanfare so local media was reporting they'd yet to show up until they found out they'd been right under their noses all day! -- then again, I guess stealth is a quality you'd want the military to have at times!)

[mom2w]

Wednesday's Fun:
These are 3 circuits. Do A, rest about 2 min or how long to set up for B, rest, C, rest A.... 3 times through the 3 mini circuits total. 15 reps for the goal. All are dbs. (just writing the explanation feels difficult!)

A
1 arm bench: 25/20/17.5
1 arm standing shoulder press: 17.5/15/12
lat raises: 8/7.5/5# plates (where did those dbs go so fast?)

B
1 arm row: 30/30/25
up rows: 12.5/10/10
1 arm snatch: 15-15-15

C
alternating lunges: 20/17.5/15
RDL: 30/30/25
1 leg DL: 17.5/15/12

for some reason this club had a few 8# and 12# dbs; usually don't see them unless they're pretty colors -- these were black & metal!

Treadmill: 30min plus cool down; 4.7mph; no bottle holder so quick water breaks at 10 & 20 min.

Disturbing moment at the gym though. Since I'm an employee I talked to the mgr on duty.

While I was lifting, I noticed this younger kid was back there (not a problem). BUT, some guy (late 20/early 30's) came over and started talking to him. Could be innoccent, but the kid seemed a little put out. Anyway, guy asked him how old (14), what school, what sports and then told him they could get together sometime and play tennis (sport of choice earlier) b/c he could give him some pointers/ help his game/ etc. As a parent it gave me a sick feeling in my stomach.

Should we long for the "good old days" when only women were getting bugged by men in the gym? I relayed the situation to my kids over dinner to see what they would have done. DS (9) answered perfectly. DD (7) had the right idea but I'm going to keep my eye on her -- she was looking for too many loopholes "what if..." so she needs some more refined stranger danger awareness. Yuck.

Then again, it could be perfectly harmless, but it just felt wrong.

[Lost Dog]

Hopefully it was innocent. A 30 year old guy should know better (and feel like he has better things to do?), so that's disturbing enough right there.

[mom2w]

Originally Posted by Lost Dog

Hopefully it was innocent. A 30 year old guy should know better (and feel like he has better things to do?), so that's disturbing enough right there.

EXACTLY!!!!

I know the general manager a little so I felt more comfortable voicing my concerns. Plus she has a teenage daughter so she "gets it" too. I really, truly debated before I said something but kept coming back to worrying about something happening in the future and then regretting not raising a flag. It's a small club so she'll be able to see how he interacts with others in the future.

It's so freakin' hot today! The kids went to slip'n slide only to find the connector is broken. Being good at making things up, they put the hose at the top of the slide and got out a snow tube to slide down the shoot. What's worse "mom won't go to Target and blow another $10 for a new SNS" or "summer is so short here we don't bother to deflate our snowtubes?"

[Lifty]

hello Brenda! Well we are all here together to work with each other. Seems as if you are doing pretty darn well so far! I just started the TNT yesterday. Started Adam's monday then moved to TNT yesterday. I feel energetic, but I am feeling a bit bloated or something. I dunno. I am going to give it a week and change amounts of fats if I see no better change. Heck maybe after the weekend I will to experience the 'whoosh' effect. Let's hope.

That guy in the gym, I want to rip his eyes out. I hate HATE HATE creeps. It makes me sick. I would have had to use all my power not to say something to him personally. Although I do know that can be dangerous. Watch out for him and watch yourself walking in and out of the gym. He could be a women assaulter too. You never know. The people I hate the most in this world are the ones who harm children, the elderly, and/or animals. It makes me mad every time I even mention it. Hence, Michael Vick. I believe you did the right thing. Anyhow on to a happier place.

I am glad you are here to share your story. You know, you could be helping someone else along with yourself. We need you like you need us.