And, I drank too much last night. Bleh. I feel gross today. Too much sodium & alcohol - I feel bloated and weird. Not tired or sick, just... I feel gross.
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"If 'toning' is the goal, strength is the method." ~ Mark Rippetoe
OK workout today. I was amped about my front squats (I only did 70 last time; I got it wrong in my log here for A1). My lunges were pretty bad, though. My hamstrings & glutes were screaming at me. Oh well... that leaves room for improvement.
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"If 'toning' is the goal, strength is the method." ~ Mark Rippetoe
I'm struggling this week. Work is stressing me out and I dont' know what is going on with my body. I'm having a hard time sticking to my diet, and I just took a break 3 weeks ago. I don't really feel like I need another break, I just... I don't know, I'm getting tired of thinking about IS THIS HEALTHY, HOW MANY CALORIES/GRAMS OF PROTEIN IS IN THIS, I CAN'T EAT THAT all the time. I'm tired.
I'm a week late on my period and I've taken two pregnancy tests - both negative. I'm sure it's 100% stress. I've gone to bed before 10pm nearly every night this week and woke up feeling rested, but felt tired again toward the end of the day.
I've spent my day so far today cleaning the house, changing the kitty box, running errands, and grocery shopping. It's making me cranky. I want to be sitting on the beach relaxing, reading my book, and not thinking about all the shit there is to do around the house. I didn't do a single chore last weekend (except laundry) because I didn't want to, but of course now that means the house is extra gross.
GRRRR. I took a bath today hoping it would help me relax, and it did, but my stress level just went right back up when I got out of the bath and saw that there was laundry to do, the floors were gross, the kitty box needed to be changed, etc etc. I hate that I can't deal well with a messy house. I have been putting off getting housekeeping service due to the recurring expense but I think I'm just going to do it. What's an extra $200 a month or whatever. It is worth my peace of mind. Cheaper than a therapist.
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"If 'toning' is the goal, strength is the method." ~ Mark Rippetoe
On the bright side, I'm still under 140 and getting leaner. My thighs are really looking great these days and this morning I could see shadows of a 6-pack coming through. I should be proud of all the work I've done this year and be excited at what I've been able to do with my body. My shoulders look fantastic; when I move my arms you can see my muscles moving around under my skin and it looks awesome.
Sometimes I just feel like i want to quit for the rest of the year and stop caring. But then I know I'd just gain weight and be disappointed in myself for quitting when I'm SO CLOSE to having the body I want and have worked so hard for.
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"If 'toning' is the goal, strength is the method." ~ Mark Rippetoe
Yesterday at work was another beer tasting. I brought two Rogues - Chocolate Stout and Hazelnut Brown. They were both a major hit and I think the Chocolate Stout changed some people's lives. The nut brown was more popular, but the stout got more dramatic reactions from people (all positive).
Amy's Beer Friday is catching on; I love it.
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"If 'toning' is the goal, strength is the method." ~ Mark Rippetoe
Hang in there, DM!! I can relate to how you are feeling. I hate that overwhelming feeling when everything needs done. Just tackle one thing at a tiime. You can do it. I had a cleaning lady for years. BEST money spent, EVAH! Unfortunately, she moved, and I cannot find anyone else as good as her and as trustworthy. It is a big expense, but I found iit worth every penny.
As for the diet...I hear you there, too. I normally don't have a hard time, but there are times I think like you.....do I have to think about EVERYTHING that goes in my mouth. Will I ever be able to go out and have a burger and fries? What's the point....I'll be dead someday. Who cares about my body? This line of thinking goes on for about a day and then I snap out of it! LOL! You are right...you've made such great strides this year. Now is not the time to sit back.....give it a day and get back on track. You'll be glad you did. Hang in there, girlfriend!!
Thanks missjane. I know it's just a temporary mindset and that most of the time I'm pretty set in my goals.
How'd you find your cleaning lady, by the way? I'm starting to look around (have been the past week) but how on earth do I know which company/service/contractor is good?
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"If 'toning' is the goal, strength is the method." ~ Mark Rippetoe
It was a total fluke. Years ago, I just called someone from the yellow pages. Turned out I was calling a place that did businesses, not residences. The lady who owned it said that her best employee just quit because she wanted to go out on her own and get away from team-based business cleaning. So, she gave my name and number to her and away we went. She was the BEST. She was with me through 2 of her pregnancies, and when she was on maternity leave and I had someone else fill in, that's when I truly realized how great she was. I was so sad when she left. My house is not the same.
DM - we all have frustrated times... but hang in there. Maybe you need a day (or week) off if you're feeling like this - but don't give up. You have worked SO hard and been really consistent and you've made amazing progress - YOU CAN DO IT!!!
Yeah, I know - part of what's so frustrating is that I'm seeing results but am still feeling down on myself I'm thinking about upping my calories & exercise - still lifting 3 days a week but rowing 3 days a week as well (for 30 minutes). And increasing about 200 calories/day. I'm not sure yet if I'm going to do it, but we'll see.
We went out for Indian food last night and I got chicken tikka, which is tandoori chicken breast. I also got Naan. It really hit the spot, but I didn't feel uber-guilty about it. It was pretty low fat and couldn't have been that high in calories. There was no sauce/gravy so it was a pretty good compromise I think. I'm going to have to do that more often. I need to make more Indian food at home. I am pretty decent at it and I'm sure I can make some high-protein, low-fat, low-carb indian dishes. I used to make it a lot when I was vegetarian and have some cookbooks from India that have reliably delicious recipes.
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"If 'toning' is the goal, strength is the method." ~ Mark Rippetoe
Today's workout
It went better this time than it the first time. Not many PRs but I didn't feel like dying. On the other hand, it's possible that this time around I knew what to expect so I had all day to prepare myself.
FLII Workout B2
Snatch-Grip DL
3x12x115
T Push-Up
3x12xbw
Bulgarian Split Squat w/OH Press
3x12x10e
These absolutely kill my traps. Toward the end of my last set I'm really struggling to keep my form. Crazy.
Underhand Grip Lat Pulldown
3x12x90
Had to stop in the middle of the last set, rest about 10 seconds, then finish.
Romanian DL w/Bent-over Row
3x12x70
5# more than last time.
Lower-body Russian Twist
I did these with my knees just slightly bent (45 degrees I'd guess) and they went SO much better. Thanks missjane for the tip.
Progress pics tomorrow.
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"If 'toning' is the goal, strength is the method." ~ Mark Rippetoe
Progress update
Weight - 139.6
Program performed during time frame: NROL Fat Loss I and 3 FL2 workouts
Diet: 1200-1300 cals/day, 45% protein, 30% carbs, 25% fat (on average), 2 cheat meals per week, including beer
Left Pic: Aug 2, 2008
Right Pic: Sep 1, 2008
Biggest difference here - check out those thighs! You can't see it so much in my right thigh (must be the light) but you can see the definition I've been talking about in my left thigh. I'm not flexing in this picture (beyond what's required to stand). I think my arms look pretty good as well. Tummy, well...
Poor lighting/exposure in the August pic but not a whole lot of change really. More indentation under my ribs making my belly flap look like it sticks out more More arm definition.
Hmm...
OK so I'm a little crooked. My muscle imbalance between my right & left sides is definitely lessening.
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"If 'toning' is the goal, strength is the method." ~ Mark Rippetoe
I should mention - I wasn't going to do progress pics this month because I didn't feel like it, I didn't think I'd made much progress, and I didn't really think there would be a point. But, I did want to see if my increased barbell work helped with my L/R imbalance so I did them.
I'm glad I did because they helped me see some progress and made me feel better. Maybe this month I will work on my figure poses and show off my thighs when they're leaner.
I always look so serious/stupid in my front pose though. :p
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"If 'toning' is the goal, strength is the method." ~ Mark Rippetoe
Your pictures look good. However, when I look at your stance, it looks like you step a little back with your left foot hence causing the left thigh to flex more than the right.
__________________ Just because your mother thinks you're special doesn't mean I do
Your pictures look good. However, when I look at your stance, it looks like you step a little back with your left foot hence causing the left thigh to flex more than the right.
How about that! Thanks for pointing that out - I never would have noticed that myself.
You know, if I do that in a static pose I wonder how much I do it when I'm lifting, causing differences in balance & weight distribution. I'll have to pay attention to that in my workout tomorrow. Thanks again.
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"If 'toning' is the goal, strength is the method." ~ Mark Rippetoe
Your pictures look good. However, when I look at your stance, it looks like you step a little back with your left foot hence causing the left thigh to flex more than the right.
Thank you! I'm feeling a lot better today about myself than I have been. I was tired today, though, and one of my projects has a major problem because it was sold incorrectly so that stressed me out.
I did, however, go to the jewelry store and talk to the jeweler to have my wedding ring designed. I had printed out about 6 different designs I like and told her what parts of each design I liked most. She's going to put together 3 different ring designs (virtual) and email them to me and I get to pick one (or none) and she'll start working on my ring. So that is very good news and I'm excited.
I don't like the setting for the stone, though, so I showed her a couple that I did like. So, that was exciting.
When I got home I just felt like relaxing. I almost talked myself out of my workout today but stopped myself and did it.
FLII workout A3
Front Squat
3x10x75
I am getting better at these - I should be able to do 85 by the time I'm done with FLII.
Seated Row
3x10x90
I did a regular grip (instead of wide) because of the way our cable stack is. I can't get a full ROM with the wide grip because the handle is inside our power rack and extends wider than the posts. So, the handle hits the posts when I pull back. So I did a regular grip instead to get a full ROM. Not sure which is better - partial ROM with wide grip or full ROM with normal (shoulder-width) grip.
Supine Hip Extension w/Leg Curl
3x10
My hamstrings hurt today.
Barbell Push Press
3x10x65
Should be able to do 67 next time and 70 after that I think. This is becoming one of my Favorite Exercises of All Time(tm)
Dynamic Lunge
3x10x70
I almost fell on my last rep but caught myself - phew. My right quad nearly gave out.
Upper-Body Russian Twist
3x10
Going to add weight to this next time - these are fun.
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"If 'toning' is the goal, strength is the method." ~ Mark Rippetoe
today's workout - 5km rowing (24:13). Amazing how much work this is. Felt great though
Today's eats -
1. egg white omelet with turkey, mushroom, onion, bell pepper, and cheese
2. baked beans, BBQ beef, BBQ turkey, and a brownie (MMMM)
3. carrots & turkey breast
4. sauteed beef with broccoli, mushrooms, onions & celery seasoned with s&p, garlic and cayenne
don't know how many calories, not counting.
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"If 'toning' is the goal, strength is the method." ~ Mark Rippetoe
Well, I haven't worked out since ^^ and BOY did I take a break!
I did a lot of walking Friday (scavenger hunt in the city w/coworkers) then did about as much drinking. I drank 3 gin & tonics, a 7&7, and did a shot of tequila. hadn't eaten very much all day, though, and ended up getting completely wasted. I had a great time, but MAN i was drunk. Amazingly, I didn't feel hung over on Saturday. But wow. It's been a long time since I've had nearly that much hard liquor and it showed. At least I didn't make an ass out of myself with my coworkers.
I ended up talking about two things nearly the entire time: work and fitness One woman said to me, when a few of us were talking about struggling with our weight, that she thought I was "one of those perpetually skinny and fit women". I had to laugh - funny the impression people get of you when they have only known you for one phase of your life.
I've taken a moderate diet break the past several days as well - still trying to moderate calories but not caring about the macro breakdown or healthiness of the food. I'm back to working out & dieting per usual for the next 2 weeks. When John gets back from London around 9/22, we're both starting Ultimate Diet 2.0. I've been thinking about doing it for a while and I'm pretty damn close to low enough body fat to do it and get benefit out of it. Should be interesting.
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"If 'toning' is the goal, strength is the method." ~ Mark Rippetoe
Took a week off between workouts. I cycled 30 minutes yesterday and did a lot of walking over the weekend so I kept my activity up... just stepped back from the weights. I'm right on track to complete FLII before starting UD2.0.
Today...
FLII Workout B3
Snatch-Grip DL
3x10x120
T Push-Up
1x10xbw
2x10x5e
These were fun. I got more depth/ROM on my push-ups due to the added height from the dumbbells
(Death by) Bulgarian Split Squat w/OH Press
1x10x12.5e
2x10x10e
Underhand Grip Lat Pulldown
3x10x90
Great tempo on these, but my entire upper body was already tired by the time I got to these so I didn't up the weight.
Romanian DL w/Bent-over Row
1x8x75
2x10x75
Lower-body Russian Twist
3x10
Legs getting straigher
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"If 'toning' is the goal, strength is the method." ~ Mark Rippetoe
The nut brown was more popular, but the stout got more dramatic reactions from people (all positive). 
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