I hate holiday card time - last year I struggled SO badly with my printer and those pre-cut photo cards - they'd print sideways, miniature - anything but ON the damn card. And then if I took a break, it'd reset all over again!!!
This year, I just made 'em on a full-size page, 3 cards print at once from top to bottom, so I can slice 'em and they should fit a letter-size envelope - if it works out (so far so good???) then VOILA!!! SO much better!!! Now, if they'd just print a little faster - my printer is majorly slow in full color...
I have been plagued with printer issues since I started college. I definitely wasted some serious time and paper trying to figure out our large scale plotters at the school.
The cards turned out fine...and my DH even helped address them last night! What a guy.
Quote:
Originally Posted by kfisherx
Send E-cards... LOL! I have never understood the Xmas card thing. People send them all the time but with email and internet it really does seem funny. I guess it is sort of a cool tradition though...
Bree I have to agree with the folks on here. You are doing amazingly well. Go ahead and do the challenge. It ain't like you are going for a "win" so much against the others but against your own deamons. That is a good thing.
Yeah the Christmas card thing is tradition for both of our families. My DH's its a card AND a letter, so I have to write one of those to send to his family, too.
Thanks for the vote of confidence as well. It would definitely be a challenge with myself as I am most afraid of letting myself down. But I think its just the thing I need.
Quote:
Originally Posted by dillytl
Wine is GOOD for you!!
DH and I went to our local Total Wine store a couple weekends ago - ended up coming home with 2 cases!!
Yes it is That is a lot of wine! Just in time for the holidays. That reminds me I have to pick up a couple bottles to bring to my parents.
Thanks for stopping by!
Monday:
SS Cardio
Treadmill run 3.5 miles. some walking at the end. I was not feeling it at all! The energy was not there for some reason. I thought my meal of pasta the night before would have helped - not so much.
I saw something interesting last night - a girl on the step mill was texting on her fancy blackberry touch phone. This went on for at least 20 minutes. I can barely text sitting still in a chair let alone on a peice of equipment. I suppose it helped she was completely leaning on the hand rails But hey, like my DH always says - at least they are there doing something!
I am generally crabby this week mostly because of the weather. Driving sucks right now because the roads are ice and snow packed and temps are in the -30's with windchill. I don't hate winter completely, but when you can't breathe when you go outside and risk losing fingers if you are out for more then 10 minutes, its a little hard to love.
I have to look on the brightside - after this week I only have 3 days of work in the following two.
Coming by to say hello! Hello! A couple of things; I agree and love the GQ cover and yes, it is probably (definitely) photoshopped - but she does have an amazing body. I have always liked her too and I just love that she made the choice to do it.
Two, is it our challenge you are worried about? Don't. It is a vacation!
Your workouts look great, as usual. I am also suffering through work - trying to get to next week.
__________________
Ginger
"The miracle isn't that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start." ~ John Bingham
Bree, sorry about the cold weather--I love winter but not that amount of cold! I wish you could spread it out a little bit. We've been getting rain here. Though it's cold now I think to stay for a while.
Coming by to say hello! Hello! A couple of things; I agree and love the GQ cover and yes, it is probably (definitely) photoshopped - but she does have an amazing body. I have always liked her too and I just love that she made the choice to do it.
Two, is it our challenge you are worried about? Don't. It is a vacation!
Your workouts look great, as usual. I am also suffering through work - trying to get to next week.
Hi Ginger! Yeah its the 6 month challenge I am debating. I know its silly I think am going to just do it, Nike style.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Celestialmom
Bree, sorry about the cold weather--I love winter but not that amount of cold! I wish you could spread it out a little bit. We've been getting rain here. Though it's cold now I think to stay for a while.
Hey Celeste! Yeah its not even the cold anymore, its the hellish commutes from the ice and snow. It has taken me about double to and from work this week each day. Last night my normally 25 minute drive took close to 75 minutes.
Well I had typed up a post but lost it for some reason, so I am trying again.
Good News/Bad News
Bad News:
- driving anywhere in this city sucks big time right now. 2 hour + commutes are not unheard of
- candy and treats are arriving daily at work - see posted picture below
- had a rep lunch and learn yesterday (aka free food) that we are expected to attend and partake in. It was sandwiches from Panera. I only ate half my ham and swiss but decided the cookie looked good. I looked it up to track it and it was 350 calories!!!!!!!!!! Not worth it. I had to adjust my dinner
- My sister in law got induced yesterday morning and still hasn't had any progress....baby come out! Say prayers for her.
Good News:
- I have only had a few planned pieces of chocolate from the treats.
- My weight is staying at my 6 year low of 141 which is good going into my week off.
- I had a good workout and got lots of NEAT in last night between shoveling and doing other random stuff around the house
- Only 3 days left of work before my week off
- I might get to meet my new nephew soon!
Here is last nights workout:
Superset:
Deadlift
w/u 15 x 45
10 x 95
8 x 135 - grip failed
10 x 135 - *discovers mixed grip*
Flat bench press
12 x 60
12 x 60
12 x 60
Superset:
Bulgarian Split Squat
10 x 30's
10 x 30's
10 x 35's - most at this many reps I think
underhand grip lat pulldown:
10 x 85
10 x 85
10 x 85
Superset:
RDL w/ bent over row:
10 x 65
10 x 65
10 x 65
crunch:
12 x 20#
12 x 20#
12 x 30#
Intervals:
Treadmill 2 min warm up then 6x 1 min 8 mph, 1 min 5 mph
- then did 20 minutes of walking/jogging kept heart rate at 140-150
- THEN shoveled for 45 minutes, temperature while shoveling: 0 degrees
NICE deadlift! I love mixed grip! Just be sure (I know you already know this) to switch the grip every set so you don't get too used to only doing it on the left (or right)...
That chocolate... is just... obscene!
Quote:
Bad News:
- driving anywhere in this city sucks big time right now. 2 hour + commutes are not unheard of
- candy and treats are arriving daily at work - see posted picture below
- had a rep lunch and learn yesterday (aka free food) that we are expected to attend and partake in. It was sandwiches from Panera. I only ate half my ham and swiss but decided the cookie looked good. I looked it up to track it and it was 350 calories!!!!!!!!!! Not worth it. I had to adjust my dinner
- My sister in law got induced yesterday morning and still hasn't had any progress....baby come out! Say prayers for her.
Good News:
- I have only had a few planned pieces of chocolate from the treats.
- My weight is staying at my 6 year low of 141 which is good going into my week off.
- I had a good workout and got lots of NEAT in last night between shoveling and doing other random stuff around the house
- Only 3 days left of work before my week off
- I might get to meet my new nephew soon!
Seems like the "good stuff" wins, overall. I HATE when something has more cals than I thought and I have to adjust later, especially when it wasn't worth it... but good job overall, especially on the chocolate. Sending "come on out" vibes to your nephew!
Bree, I just read your log (over a couple of days) because Celeste said something in her log about your DLs. I was looking for your secret . You're doing FANTASTIC with them and I echo Celeste on the regular grip--I was stuck at 110 until Celeste mentioned trying the mixed grip a couple months ago. (Course I'm still at 120-125, but lots of other stuff happened on the way, so that's neither here nor there.) Anyway, very nice DLs and workouts in general!
Great workout, Bree, and that chocolate is just plain unfair.
OK, so I'm doing 105# dls with an overhand grip and that's really good? I haven't tried mixed grip yet. Hmmm, maybe that will help me bump up to 115? Silly goal but I want to be able to do a dl using 35# plates instead of loading up smaller ones. Maybe even 45# plates one day. Ha!
NICE deadlift! I love mixed grip! Just be sure (I know you already know this) to switch the grip every set so you don't get too used to only doing it on the left (or right)...
That chocolate... is just... obscene!
Seems like the "good stuff" wins, overall. I HATE when something has more cals than I thought and I have to adjust later, especially when it wasn't worth it... but good job overall, especially on the chocolate. Sending "come on out" vibes to your nephew!
Thanks Bytsi - that cookie made me mad. Oh well, live and learn.
Quote:
Originally Posted by realcdn
This is why people always make weight loss goals in the new year.
I'd be quite tempted by some of those... as some look like chocolate covered fruit (my favourites).
Hi Anne! yeah they are good to quite good
Quote:
Originally Posted by Celestialmom
HOORAY!!!! Welcome
Definitely saying "come out" prayers!
BREE--are you telling me you've been deadlifting 135 with a regular grip?! WOW! I was stuck at 115 until I discovered the mixed grip!
And good job on sticking at your low weight! Whenever I hit a new low I tend to bounce back up for about a week and then hit it again...
Yeah I don't know why I haven't tried it before! I will be happy to hang out at this weight for a while...and I guess if I gain a few next week it will be a good starting point for the challenge. More room for progress.....right?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Karen411
Bree, I just read your log (over a couple of days) because Celeste said something in her log about your DLs. I was looking for your secret . You're doing FANTASTIC with them and I echo Celeste on the regular grip--I was stuck at 110 until Celeste mentioned trying the mixed grip a couple months ago. (Course I'm still at 120-125, but lots of other stuff happened on the way, so that's neither here nor there.) Anyway, very nice DLs and workouts in general!
Hi Karen! Thanks for stopping in here. It was kind of a duh moment when I did mixed grip - like why haven't I done this before? My 135's are still a little shaky, but I want to keep working on form at lower weights so I can get better as I go on.
Quote:
Originally Posted by foodfromafar
Great workout, Bree, and that chocolate is just plain unfair.
OK, so I'm doing 105# dls with an overhand grip and that's really good? I haven't tried mixed grip yet. Hmmm, maybe that will help me bump up to 115? Silly goal but I want to be able to do a dl using 35# plates instead of loading up smaller ones. Maybe even 45# plates one day. Ha!
Hi Pauline! 105 is great! I have always used overhand grip up until this point and I noticed I was holding the bar more with my fingers then my palm, and changing over to mixed help me hold the bar better with my whole hand, as well as making it easier to lift. You are well on your way to the 45# plates! I got some stares at my gym when I loaded them up. Not many people at my gym do anything lower body. Its mostly meatheads doing shrugs, bicep curls, and benches. There is one guy I see each day who does squats and was using the power rack next to me on Tuesday so I watched him do a few reps and he didn't even come close to 90 degrees. It was like a little curtsy, lol.
Anyway, my SIL got sent home from the hospital. No baby yet! I haven't talked to her in person and don't think she is in the mood. Very frustrating!
Wednesday - cardio day
Treadmill run 3.5 miles, with some walking. 42 minutes total.
I had thought about switiching it up and using the stairmaster, but don't get the same level of sweaty unless I run for some reaosn. So I suffered through. To make the treadmill just a little more torturous, the dude next tome had the worst BO. It was painful. And stinky
In other frustration news, our oven seems to have stopped working. Its brand new....the broil and burners work, but not the bake. Its a gas GE - probabaly only a few years old. Grrrrrrrr.
Sounds like that baby just isn't ready to greet the world yet!! Sending baby vibes your way!
Quote:
I had thought about switiching it up and using the stairmaster, but don't get the same level of sweaty unless I run for some reaosn. So I suffered through. To make the treadmill just a little more torturous, the dude next tome had the worst BO. It was painful. And stinky
Your workouts are looking great! I'm sure that girl texting on the stepmill must have really strong thumbs! I would have fallen off trying to do both at the same time.
I do DL with the mix hand grip and can pretty much max out on my body weight. I've never done them with the overhand grip, so not sure if it makes a difference or not. Also, do you wear gloves? I used to, but found they bother me more in the pads right where my fingers meet my palm. For me, I get a better grip without gloves, but do get some callouses in that area.
Hope your SIL has the baby soon. I'm surprised they sent her home if they induced her. Poor thing!
Sorry to hear about your oven. Hope it's a quick fix. My hubby goes to an appliance repair site online and does a troubleshoot quiz. He's been able to fix some of our stuff that way or know when to call someone.
Nothing wrong with doing stairmaster or something else if you're not feeling it... OTOH, good job pushing through! (wow, could I be more indecisive?)
Ha! I am going to do a bonus cardio workout this week (I don't know why its a bonus?!?) tomorrow and think I will do something nice and gentle like the stair master or elliptical at a more leisurely heart rate.
Quote:
Originally Posted by dillytl
Sounds like that baby just isn't ready to greet the world yet!! Sending baby vibes your way!
I know, no baby yet.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Celestialmom
Yeah, grody.
I know! Clean clothes=good.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Flab of Steel
Oh, my! That is chocolate heaven!
Your workouts are looking great! I'm sure that girl texting on the stepmill must have really strong thumbs! I would have fallen off trying to do both at the same time.
I do DL with the mix hand grip and can pretty much max out on my body weight. I've never done them with the overhand grip, so not sure if it makes a difference or not. Also, do you wear gloves? I used to, but found they bother me more in the pads right where my fingers meet my palm. For me, I get a better grip without gloves, but do get some callouses in that area.
Hope your SIL has the baby soon. I'm surprised they sent her home if they induced her. Poor thing!
Thanks! and LOL @ strong thumbs! I would have fallen too - it takes most of my concentration to not fall off the treadmill while watching the teevees. I don't wear gloves and am forming some sweet calluses. They go nicely with my dry cracked knuckles. I have this dry hand problem in the winter. Its attractive.
Yes, I feel bad for my SIL. I haven't spoken with her. I am sure she isn't in the mood otherwise she would have called me. We are pretty close. I am lucky to have her and I keep thinking about her and the baby!
Quote:
Originally Posted by foodfromafar
Sorry to hear about your oven. Hope it's a quick fix. My hubby goes to an appliance repair site online and does a troubleshoot quiz. He's been able to fix some of our stuff that way or know when to call someone.
I talked to a guy I work with who used to manage an old apartment building so he is a jack of all trades. He gave me some ideas about what to try and look for. For some reason gas appliances frighten me - I have this fear of blowing up! So I am going to wait until DH is here before I start taking things apart. I haven't had a chance to googlize any help sites, but that is my plan tonight! I also am not sure about a warrany because the appliances were here when we bought the house. They can't be more then 2 years old though. Thanks for the ideas!
Big news! We officially booked our trip for our friends destination wedding in June. Its at the Grand Palladium south of Playa del Carmen. I am super excited! I hate to use "bikini season" as a goal, but at least this gives me a date and a tangible end to the mission I will begin for the challenge in January.
Here is what I did tonight:
Squat
15 x 45 - warm up
10 x 95
10 x 115
10 x 115 - went atg on all of these - last few were tough!
cable row:
10 x 75
10 x 75
10 x 75
Superset:
swiss ball one legged bridge
10 x BW
10 x BW
10 x BW - ouch!
barbell push press:
10 x 60 - most at this many reps
10 x 60
10 x 60 - these took what energy I had left after the squats right out
Superset:
Static Lunge
10 x 65
12 x 65
12 x 65 - maybe a PR?
leg raise:
15 x BW
15 x BW
15 x BW
Intervales (watch out I like to make up Spanish words now that the trip is on my mind)
Treadmill 2 min warm up then 6x 1 min 8 mph, 1 min 5 mph - HOLY PUKEY today
- walked to cool down for about 10 minutes
Commute took me an hour again for no good reason. I decided to ditch the highway and take "side roads" - this is never a good idea. It never takes less time. I guess the scenery change was nice.....oh who am I kidding it sucked! I am so tired of being in my car. I need some things at Target but would rather remove one of my own limbs then get back in that metal and glass box of hell.
/rant
Ya think someone needs a vacation much? A vacation from driving for sure.
WOW Bree! That is one AMAZING workout! I cannot even begin to try to keep up with you in those squats! Heck, or the lunges, or the bridges, or.... Great workout!
Big news! We officially booked our trip for our friends destination wedding in June. Its at the Grand Palladium south of Playa del Carmen. I am super excited! I hate to use "bikini season" as a goal, but at least this gives me a date and a tangible end to the mission I will begin for the challenge in January.
Thanks everyone! You all make me blush. I admire all of your workouts, too! I do take some pride in my work at the gym - especially when people look at me funny and wonder what the heck I am doing!
I think I over did it last night though. I haven't had a problem with getting tired or extra hungry after intense workouts like others seem to report, but last night I was watching a little TV and thought to myself I should get up and do something...but my eyes were so heavy and my body did not want to move! I have a little DOMS goin on already too. Some still left over from Tuesday I think. I was hoping for a drop on the scale last night, but think that some water retention was happening because it was the same number. Staying the same is fine with me though at this time of year.
Its my last day of work for a week......I am sooooo lazy today!
Very nice squats! And having a Mexico vacation to look forward to is great!
Thanks Karen! I am looking forward to it, but its still 6 months away. I wish it were in the winter too. Something about going somewhere very warm when its very cold at home!
Well, originally we were going to be on the road right now. A nasty storm moved in yesterday morning and dropped about 6 inches of snow and between that and -20 wind chills and blowing snow, they are advising no travel, so we stayed home. So I will get to go to the gym tomorrow - one more day then planned. I am not going today because I am really sore from yesterday and I have no desire to go out in the cold and wind. And Sunday is usually my rest day. So here is what I have been up to the past two days:
Friday:
treadmill run 3 miles. And some walking - 40 minutes total
Saturday:
Superset:
Deadlift
w/u 15 x 45
10 x 95
8 x 135
8 x 135
10 x 135
Flat bench press
10 x 65 - not a lifetime PR, but recent for flat bench
10 x 65
10 x 65
Superset:
Bulgarian Split Squat
8 x 35's
8 x 35's
10 x 35's
underhand grip lat pulldown:
10 x 85
10 x 85
10 x 85
Superset:
RDL w/ bent over row:
10 x 65
10 x 65
10 x 65
reverse woodchop:
8 x 30?? I think?
8 x 30
8 x 30
back extensions
just one set @ 10# - trying to keep working on lower back strength
Intervals:
- just did 4x 1min @ 8mph, 1min @ 5 mph
then some walking
THEN.....
45 minutes shoveling!!!!! brrrr
then cleaned the entire house, laundry, etc. So I didn't really sit much at all yesterday! Apparently all my activiy and the fresh bitter air wore me out, because I fell asleep on the couch!
The funniest thing happened yesterday, too. My brother goes to college here and for some reason his phone stopped working on Wednesday. Well, my parents had been trying to get to him by email and I was sending him messages on Facebook to no avail. (He is ALWAYS on facebook so that was strange too) No one had heard from him. This isn't unusual for him, but his finals were over and they have a break from hockey for two weeks, so he was supposed to be going home. He was also supposed to get something fixed with his car, and needed to talk to my dad about it.
Well after 3 days of not hearing from him they were starting to worry. So was I. I decided I would drive over to his school (about 6 miles away) and see if his car was there. So it took us over 30 minutes because of the snow. We get there and his car was there...we try to go into the dorm but they were all locked. We were standing in the lobby and we were about to leave, and then I decided I woudl ask the security guard if she could call his room or see if anyone was there. Just as we were about to ask, guess who comes busting out a stairwell with six bags in hand...my brother.
The most random thing ever. Such a strange coincidence! He was so frazzled, poor kid. He just got done with finals, his cell phone didn't work, his car was broken, and his attempts to call me and my parents collect hadn't worked. He looked happy to see us!
He finally made it home yesterday in 3 hours for what is normally a 1 hour drive!
Today I don't have much planned. I thought about busting out one of my old cardio dvd's....but might just relax and enjoy our day at home together. My DH is making a bunch of snack/appetizers today. I am going to try to not overdo it, but am feeling a little burnt out on tracking that I might relax about it and just enjoy the day. I think we are going to open some presents from DH's parents today, too!
We will leave for my parents house tomorrow night - Friday, so those will probably be my days off from working out. Not quite a week, but with all the food I will probably have in those 3 days that is probably all I need!
Bree, have a great Christmas with your family and take it easy--you've been doing great! And glad your brother was ok--he's lucky to have such a caring big sister!
Bree, have a great Christmas with your family and take it easy--you've been doing great! And glad your brother was ok--he's lucky to have such a caring big sister!
That is a lot of wine! Just in time for the holidays. That reminds me I have to pick up a couple bottles to bring to my parents. 
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