Hello to all and let me just say that I am happy to take my place in the revolution!
I am a 25 year old female. I live in Montana with my husband, two dogs, and two cats. I was in the Air Force for 4 years and just got out in January. My husband is still in the military.
I have been reading what everyone else has been up to while waiting for my book and I am so happy to finally start in on the fun.
Some basic stats:
Height: 5'2"
Weight: 155ish
Goal: To stick with it!
I tend to start and stop a lot of different programs (WW, The Firm, Running). I always wonder if I could be applying myself better in other ways. But, this rarely pays off better than just choosing the ultimate plan and sticking with it.
Personal rant to follow. Just gotta let it out.
I am currently not employed and I am HATING it. The job market here is not ideal and I guess I am trying to find a job that I feel is worth my time. I am getting tired of waiting tho and I'm likely to take just about any job I can find if something doesn't change!! That said I feel like I can identify a lot with my blog title. It's been way to calm in my life with nothing to do day after day but clean my house. And I'm sick of it.
Squats
20lbs x 15
30lbs x 15
Pushup
30 degrees x 4, 45d x 11
45d x 15
Seated Row
38lb x 15
40lb x 15
Step up
16lb x 15
16lb x 15
Prone Jack Knife
2 sets of 8
The workout took about 40 minutes with a warm up. Most of the time was spent finding the right machine, a place to do pushups etc. I was more challenged by the workout than I thought I would be, but I can't wait to start piling on more weight.
I did the squat with 20lbs, then 30 lbs, and it felt pretty easy. Until I stopped squatting. Then my quads started cramping like crazy and I spent the rest of the workout trying not to fall over.
I'm pretty sore but I've been worse off before. I'm not complaining and I'm sure my aches and pains are just starting. And I'm so freaking excited.
I have to say that I am so psyched about eating so much. My min cals is 1950 and my max is 2230. I must admit I was practicing the eating part while waiting for the book to show up, LOL. It is a challenge to find the right combinations for good macro levels and to spread the cals out all day.
I am going to take pictures very soon. And I'm hunting for my tape measure to get the most up to date measurements... As for the scale, I'm going to put it away for this first stage. I have seen from so many other people that this transformation is not going to be one that is reflected by the scale. I know how the whole process of muscle gain, water weight, etc works, but it's funny how that all goes out the window when I step on the scale.
For now my main gauge will be strength. I'm happy to work the program as it is laid out. I can't start questioning the plan, it only leads to problems. Plus, 6 months puts me right on track for my next birthday and I think there is a trip to Vegas in the works to celebrate. Whoot!
I'm walking 60 miles for a breast cancer cure, September 11-13, 2009! Please support my walk and help me raise funds for cancer research by donating to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer 3-Day: http://www.the3day.org/site/TR/Walk/...nal&fr_id=1300
These were really HARD. Can't wait to see improvement in this move cuz I know I've seen people doing 25#s on this one. I just like to imagine myself doing that.
Wide Grip Lat Pulldown
32.5lb x 15
32.5lb x 15
Lunge
BW x 15
BW x 12
I felt the burn early. Gonna be feeling this one for awhile.
Swiss Ball Crunch
BW x 8
BW x 10
It was a good work out and I am just psyched to see these weights go up as I see everyone else doing.
Well, my rest day is going to be spent clearing out and organizing storage at the local theater, so I imagine I will be doing a double rest day. Plus there will be a St Patrick's Day Celebration at my house. Mostly just my husband and his friends using the day to drink waaaay to much. I might just pass and spend the evening at another friends house...and pray that I don't come home to the house burned down. Boys. :P
Squats
45lbs x 15
55lbs x 15
Pushup
45d x 12
45d x 12 These were so much harder to do... Didn't really even do the whole set, but did some pushes off the wall afterwards.
I hate that. But, I know they will get better.
Seated Row
50lb x 15
55lb x 15 Different machine, but I think I found the one I'll stick with.
Step up
20lb x 15
20lb x 15
Prone Jack Knife
2 sets of 8
So improvements all around, and since I am transcribing this a few days later I can tell you that I am not sore much at all.
Still working on eating. I purchased Precision Nutrition this week and I am working on learning and using the 7 Habits. Or was it 10? Anyways, I'm of to stock up on the fruits and veggies. I am going thru them quick!
So, things are starting to fall into place with starting school, working part time, and such. I guess I shouldn't be so upset about my employment status, I am just so used to working full time.
But I spent my four years in the military so I could afford to get my degree. So that's what I'll be doing. I'm a student. So I need to just relax and apply myself to what is important - even though it doesn't bring home the bacon, yet.
Felt an improvement on these, they didn't feel quite so awful.
Wide Grip Lat Pulldown
55lb x 15
65lb x 15
I wasn't lifting as low as I thought on these... was a double pulley-ed machine and weight was per pulley!
Lunge
BW x 15
BW x 15
Swiss Ball Crunch
BW x 8
BW x 10
So for some reason I ened up doing a Tai Chi warm up and getting a demonstration of the beginning 6 movements. This guy with a true to life handle-bar mustache just started talking to me and didn't stop. I'm way too nice. I wasn't in a rush so it was interesting and I can see it being a very relaxing process if you wanted that.
The lifts were still hard and I was disapointed that I wasn't ready to do much more weight, but some of the movements I struggled with (shoulder press, lunges) felt better.
I'm psyched to start lowering reps and upping weight.
Wow - somebody kick me. I am really truly considering doing The Velocity Diet for the month of April. I don't think it would be completely awful. I really want to rationalize the whole thing here but... Wow - I read through a lot tonight and the results are awesome. But I find myself saying "too good to be true." I just feel like it would work best for me while I am in this first stage and would create such an advantage when I start the HIIT and Body Matrix if I was about 10 pounds lighter.
I think there have been a lot of people have success with the Velocity diet and many others whom it did not work for at all. Do tons of reading and evaluate if it will work with your mental make up and this exercise program. I would worry that this program is pretty taxing for that type of nutrition program.
Welcome to logging, btw, and good luck with your goals.
Living in Montana sounds so romantic to me, but I've never been there, lol.
Glad to see the feed back. I think having a shake 99% of the time would be a relief. I spend a lot of time cooking/considering/logging food right now. I like the concept of slowly adding meals in to come off the program. It seems like that would allow for an optimal meal plan planning without being overwhelmed of planning 5/6 meals all at once. Because I am overwhelmed.
I don't feel like phase one is too taxing for this eating pattern. Just the weight lifting and daily walks. But I wouldn't want to mess with this after phase one.
My husband is semi-supportive of it. He immediately didn't like the idea because it seemed so unhealthy to him. On a scale of healthy to not (like eating fast food 5o% of the time or more) I see this as being more healthy than the way a majority of people currently eat. The only drawback I see is the lack of veggies. I see myself adding spinach to the shakes once a day or so...
Playing Devil's Advocate DH asked me why I wouldn't want to do the program. I couldn't think of anything. It is not cheap, but neither is all the meat and veggies I buy every week. And it's hard to put value on losing 10 pounds in time for Shorts Weather in May.
Right now I'll keep reading and considering... But I'm thisclose to buying the whole package.
I'm interested to see how it goes if you decide to do the Velocity Diet. It does sound very simple.
I think it would turn me into a not-very-fun-to-be-around person. The kind that might start eating you if you turn your back on me for one second!
Oh BTW there are some guys on the physique challenge on T nation who were doing it. Check out what they said and what they did. I don't know if the girls did any.
Thanks MuscleMom. I did a lot of reading that first night and I have to say that men saw a lot of changes, but there were some women in the challenge that for all their efforts didn't see the drastic results that have been touted.
I received my Precision Nutrition book yesterday and after doing some reading through that I am willing to challenge myself to stick to the eating principles laid out in the book. Besides, my husband has started to take an interest in my eating and is trying to do just a bit better himself, so I feel like sticking with eating whole foods will help him too.
I am all to often getting excited about a new way to do things, but what I am challenging myself to in this log is to stick with something. So that's what I'm going to do.
I got a set of calipers too! I got my husband to measure the 7 sites for me... Couldn't even do the maths right away because the caliper session ended up in the bedroom. Guess I still got it!
Looks like I got 30.1% body fat, disgusting to think about 50 pounds of fat on my body. But the caliper will be a good tool to gauge improvements by. Once I figured my percentage hubby was curious about his - we got around 25% for him I think - which equals out to the same amount of fat, but he's carrying around about 50 more pounds of muscle. Wow.
I have to say that I was already fitting in quite a bit of veggies and fruits before hand - but I am finding it harder to cut down carbs to just post workout meals. My breakfasts used to be Oatmeal and Yogurt based... Now I am making an egg/veggie mix everyday. I get in lots of spinach, bell peppers, broccoli, asparagus, and tomatoes.
Have you ever tried the Veggie Steamer bags? Looks like a sandwich baggie, you throw in the veggies and anything else (garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, spices, onions, etc) and throw it in for less than 5 minutes. I am always messing with the extras, like adding chopped almonds and stuff. And it's an easy way to get the veggies done just right - I have never over cooked them. and best of all - No Pan! I love making salmon and bell peppers in them. A whole meal and no pans to wash!
I have probably spent a two weeks applying the PN principles, getting closer everyday to being 'compliant.' I have noticed a real change in my moods and energy levels. I think it must be eating so often and getting in the 'good' calories. I have so much more energy - and I feel like it is at an almost manic level... I am more jazzed/hyper than ever before. I often have trouble sleeping through the night and I will wake early with little hope of falling back asleep. I feel like I am more sensitive to sugar and caffiene highs right now too. I haven't been as down in the dumps. It feels pretty good.
I haven't ventured into the individulazation part yet... but I feel like I am doing realliy well how I'm going so far.
Squats
55lbs x 12
65lbs x 12
Pushup
45d x 2, 60d x 13
45d x 2, 60d x 13 Feeling better and better - I have adjusted what I consider 60 & 45... Anyways - did 15 of these just because I couldn't last time. I feel like I will keep this rep number the same until I can do 15 regular pushups.
Seated Row
60lb x 12
60lb x 12 Step up
20lb x 12
20lb x 12
Went from 5 risers to 6. Can feel myself 'cheating' more now by pushing off with the back leg. Will work on that.
Prone Jack Knife
2 sets of 10
I followed up with 4 rounds of 30 seconds jumping-roping and 45 seconds rest.
I'm supposed to do my next workout today but since it's Easter I am not sure I will make it to the gym. But It is open for limited hours, so I will try!
I overdid my eating yesterday - tried to wait to long to eat, then started craving the worst things. I'm feeling a bit of a food hangover today, very interesting how awful I feel. Ha. So I'm jazzed to get back on track and I'm planning some challenges for myself to make sure I am doing my very best.
For two weeks I am going to focus on eating by the PN principles... I have mapped out what I will eat through the whole day and I am still looking at 1500ish calories. I'm wanting to aim higher than this because that is barely 10x my BW. I will probably end up having a shake before bed to up the cals.
I know I am getting much lower carb numbers since I taking in more veggies than grains... but it hasn't been effecting me negatively at all. Still doing good with energy as long as I am eating all day.
Tomorrow I am going to work on sneaking in more calories to some of my meals, taking my fish oil supps, etc.
I think it is funny that the cookbook I got lists meals that are less than 800 kcals apiece an suggests that they be divided into fourths for women. I need more than 200 kcals a meal if I am ever going to hit a healthy intake!!
Wow I never heard of those bags! And kudos for compliance. I am not compliant and I don't know if I wanna be . I personally don't feel very good on that program but there are so many that are! Be sure to have some extra ideas for bfast on hand, I hear the sick of eggs things hits them all!
There is a trick to eating ENOUGH on PN and a trick to not eating too much on it also! I fell into the not enough catagory! Peruse those boards if you haven't already. They are a gread resource!
DB Shoulder Press
12lb x 12 (+2)
12lb x 12
Wide Grip Lat Pulldown
70lb x 12 (+5)
70lb x 12
Lunge
5lb x 12 (+5)
5lb x 12
Swiss Ball Crunch
2 sets of 10
Workout A4
26 March
Squats
65lbs x 12
75lbs x 12 (+10)
Pushup
45d x 4, 60d x 11
45d x 2, 60d x 10 Wow - these still feel AWFUL.
Seated Row
70lb x 12
75lb x 12 (+15)
Step up
24lb x 12
40lb x 12 (+20) Went back to 5 risers, less cheating. BUT, I wanted to see how much weight I could handle - Holding two 20lb dumbells wasn't impossible. I went a bit slower, but was still able to complete 12 reps. Should probably start doing even more.
Prone Jack Knife
2 sets of 10
So I can tell from this last workout that I am not pushing myself in some areas. gains of 15 to 20 pounds in some areas mean to me that I am getting closer to my max potential. This will keep growing so I need to keep adding... I can't wait til there are 3 sets so I have the possibility of adding weights each set.
EATING
I am doing well at maintaining 90% compliance with my eating. It feels good. I am excited to do measurements after 2 weeks. I have been checking out the PN forums quite a bit, which is why I haven't been lurking/posting so much here in the past week.
I feel like I am building a very good base right now. Good strength and good nutrition. I see myself accomplishing a lot in the next 6 months. I really should get those pictures taken...
Great job with the nutrition! I found the same thing - limiting carbs has made me more sensitive to sugar. I ate some jelly beans at work a week or so ago and I got really light-headed and shakey. The positive thing was, I haven't even been tempted by candy since then.
Those veggie bags sound awesome, I'll have to find them.
They sicken of the calm, who knew the storm.
Linear Mode
