beesknees NROL4W log

[beesknees]

Thanks ladies. I wish I had a fancy phone. I was with some friends on Friday who all have the iphone or some other fancy new device like the blackberry and I just have my old timey 2.5 year old phone. I feel like Zach Morris!

Anyway did 30 minutes biking today. HR around 140.

Let's just say this weekend was not my best. Lots of beer involved. Oh and pizza yesterday.

Back on track today though.

[Bytsi]

You need a new tech toy! Does your phone company do yearly or "every 2" trade-ups? I got a Crackberry this year and it's fun!

[realcdn]

I've got a 2-yr old phone that I only upgraded to so I could use it in Europe and Asia when we were traveling. I love toys myself (I technically own 3 different iPods and an AppleTV) but I never really got into the high-end phone. I have the cheapest plan available and will use an land line any day.

[Bytsi]

Awesome knew avi Bree!

[foodfromafar]

Well I am pretty excited to report that I have officially lost 6 pounds since starting this in March. I weighed myself last night and am about 7 pounds from my goal. It feels good to be in the midst of the 140's again.

How did I miss this? Congrats!!!!

[Celestialmom]

WOW!!! What a beautiful picture! I'm blown away! Is that your wedding pic (I assume)? Nice nice avatar.

[beesknees]

Bytsi and Anne, I am up for a new phone every two years with Sprint, but I have been waiting because my husband has verizon and his contract is up in August so we were waiting to join up on a plan together. That also reminds me that I want a new ipod! Those ipod touches look awsum.

How did I miss this? Congrats!!!!

Thanks Pauline! Slowly but surely....

Awesome knew avi Bree!

WOW!!! What a beautiful picture! I'm blown away! Is that your wedding pic (I assume)? Nice nice avatar.

Thanks ladies! Yup its from my wedding. Almost exactly a year ago! Our anniversary is on Aug. 4th. Can't believe its been a year already! I thought I would put a face with a name finally.

I completely forgot to log a workout on Saturday!

Stage 6 B3

Alt. Sets:
Reverse lunge one db on shoulder: 3x6,25 lb. db's

DB two point row: 3x6, 25 lb's

DB push press: 3x6, 25 lb db's

Alt. Sets:
Back extension: 2x10 w/10 lb plate on swiss ball.

Incline reverse crunch: 3x15

And here is what I did today:

Stage 6 A4

Reverse Chin-up: 3x

Under hand grip lat-pull down: Ummmm so I hve been doing these wrong! I was doing 2 sets of 10! Whoops, so yep I did my mod version 10 sets of 2.

Split Squat: 3x4, 65 lbs.

Push Ups: 3x4 - feet raised on two steps with pause at the bottom. I can really feel it in my core the higher my feet are!

HIIT: Hill sprints! I was a deal maker again today....said I would do 6 but did 7. 20 min total.

The husband wants to go on a bike ride tonight. It looks like its going to be a nice day so I am excited for it.

Met a friend for dinner last night. I was all excited for a nice healthy chicken salad so I ordered one with walnuts, strawberries and gargonzola. (sp?) I was looking forward to it but it ended up only being ok. The chicken wasn't all that great and the lettuce was kind of soggy. Oh well. I didn't eat a lot of it so it was probably for the best. When I got home I asked DH if he would go on a short walk with me. Him going on walks is like pulling teeth. He said no but later I think he felt guilty so he said he would go. A little extra NEAT I guess. Amazing since I felt like crap because of t.o.m. Today's workout didn't seem to be affected by it either so thats good. Had lots of energy.

[beesknees]

Procrastinating at work....

So DH and I went on our hour bike ride last night. It was a really nice night so it was perfect. I really tried to push it for the second half hour. I felt energized.

We recently had our roof re-done because of hail damage and our satelite dish had to be moved. Well since last Friday we haven't had tv because directv can't come to our house until tomorrow. So anyway, we have been moving around a lot more because of it. I have to admit its kind of nice! We went and did some grocery shopping last night and I picked up some things around the house. I found myself not sitting on the couch all night. I probably only spend about an hour in front of the tv anyway, but moving for that hour instead has helped burn some calories I'm sure.

This morning I did 35 minutes on the bike. Heart Rate 140-150. Legs felt a little tired.

And tonight I am doing something insane - lifting two days in a row! In order to get 3 lifts in before I head off on my week vacay, I had to squeeze another one in. So there will be about 36 hours between the lifts so I am hoping it will be ok. We will see!

I also have one more HIIT session to get in and I am debating on doing it tonight or waiting until tomorrow. Since my legs felt a little fatigued today I think I will wait until Friday but I will have to see how I feel after tonight!

I also have to find some shoes tonight for an upcoming wedding. I found a bargain of a dress at Forever 21. (I can't decide if I am too old for that store or not. I am still in my 20's I guess.) So I justified myself into getting new shoes and accessories because it was so cheap. I had found a different dress last week but I wasn't crazy about it so I went back to the mall on a mission.

[Shell81]

Originally Posted by beesknees

I also have to find some shoes tonight for an upcoming wedding. I found a bargain of a dress at Forever 21. (I can't decide if I am too old for that store or not. I am still in my 20's I guess.) So I justified myself into getting new shoes and accessories because it was so cheap. I had found a different dress last week but I wasn't crazy about it so I went back to the mall on a mission.

You know, I thought I was too old for Forever21 too until I went in on a whim the other day (maybe to relive shopping for spring break in Miami???) Anyway, They have some awesome stuff pretty cheap, so hell, I think we deserve bargain prices even if we are too "old" for a store. Age is just a sate of mind right? (I know, cliche...) Also, it's not all belly and booby baring stuff like tellos and rave.

[beesknees]

Hey Shell - I agree! There are some really cute things and I even found a few shirts that were work appropriate. I find myself in between stores sometimes. Not quite old enough for the stores my mom goes to, but too old for stuff like Hollister OMG.

Did two workouts yesterday. Whew! Here is the lifting portion (I also biked in the morning):

Stage 6 B4

Alt. Sets:
Reverse lunge one db on shoulder:
4 x 30
4 x 30
4 x 30
4 x 30 The most for this exercise - my legs can handle more but I can't lift more than 30 onto my shoulder yet.

DB two point row:
4 x 30
4 x 30
4 x 30
4 x 30

DB push press:
4 x 30's
4 x 30's
4 x 30's
4 x 30's - the last one was beyond failure! I am already sore today.

And just because I had some insane amount of energy ..... (must have been the coffee I had at work in the afternoon beforehand!)

dumbbell split squats
8x65
push ups w/feet on two steps
8xbw

Alt. Sets:
Back extension: 2x10 w/10 lb plate on swiss ball.

Incline reverse crunch: 3x15

This morning I did 32 minutes on the bike. Heart rate was around 150 for the whole time.

I did really well with food, too. Even fit a glass of wine into my calories for the day. I am glad I started using daily plate. Its nice to see how the little things add up. I am counting everything that goes into my mouth and it has definitely made me think twice about having an piece of dark chocolate or a handful of nuts.

A lot of people have been talking about goals lately and it made me realize I don't know if I have ever talked or thought about a specific goal. When I started this I wanted to be stronger of course. But overall I want to lose body fat. I have a certain image in my head of what I want to look like, but I don't know what body fat or weight that image is. I have one of those accumeasure caliper thingys and I haven't used it much so I am not very consistent, but I got 24%. I guess its not bad, but I would really like to see 20 or below. So maybe that should be my goal. Its hard to do since I don't really have a good way of measuring. For the longest time I wanted to weigh 135. I think if I shoot for the body fat goal, the weight goal will fall into place. Just need to keep working on the food part of it.

Oh and I guess I have always wanted my thighs to be smaller! That is the reason I can't buy smaller pants. Where do you guys measure your thighs? I have always been doing 6 inches above my knee. They feel solid, and I can see a lot of definition, but haven't gotten much smaller since I started this program. I want them to be strong, but not gi-normous. Sigh. Its hard because my upper body is quite small. Never had much fat on it - even my stomach. I can fit into small dress sizes because of this. Its very misleading!

So, after my vacation next week is over I am going to really step up the fat loss efforts. When I get back it will be stage 7. Hopefully I can keep the energy in check with those tough workouts. And when I am done with that, I am debating between two programs. I know it doesn't matter much which one I do, just that my food is on track.

[Bytsi]

Great goals!
FWIW, at work we measure the thigh at the widest part, but for consistency, pick a spot (like you have) and just stay there. Someone suggested if you have a freckle or something as a guide, you can always use that as a mark to measure by...

[beach_plums]

Thanks for stopping by my log. It should be an interesting weekend for me. Good luck with your vacation and have a wonderful time!

It's funny you mention goals here. I've been re-evalutating mine for the upcoming August challange. They've changed so many times since I started NROL4W back in Feb. But the ones that remain consistant are the lower BF% and smaller butt/thighs. I think we're probably pretty similar in shape--I've got a size 0 top and size 6-8 bottom. I love a-line dresses where I can buy the 0 or 2 and have them flair out enough to cover my butt and thighs. It is misleading, but I'm not complaining.

[beesknees]

Happy Friday!

Even better is that I have next week off! Whoo hoo! So I am a little exhausted today after my workout. I did a little extra this week because I wanted to get all my lifts, cardio, and HIIT in before I left. Here is what I did this morning:

Stage 6 A5 - Last one!

Reverse Chin-up: 3x

Under hand grip lat-pull down: Did as many as I could of the feet on bench mod.

Split Squat:
10 x 65
10 x 65 - got my heart rate goin!

Push Ups:
15 x BW
15 x BW - was AMRAP, but I couldn't quite get another one out

HIIT: 100 meter sprints. 6x w/ 5 min. warm up and cool down. Wow - these were tough today. I was beat! And I could SEE the moisture in the air it was so humid. Gross.

Well next week is my rest week. I haven't taken more than 5 or so days off since I started this whole thing. It will be good timing before starting stage 7 when I get back. I am hoping to do some push ups and maybe some body weight stuff at the cabin. Most of my activity will probably be cardio though. Biking, running, and even golfing. I am hoping also my brother will do some HIIT with me. He is always up for crazy stuff like that.

Then next weekend its a wedding! One of my DH's good friends - he was a groomsmen in our wedding and we all have such a great time when we are all together I am really looking forward to it.

But the ones that remain consistant are the lower BF% and smaller butt/thighs. I think we're probably pretty similar in shape--I've got a size 0 top and size 6-8 bottom. I love a-line dresses where I can buy the 0 or 2 and have them flair out enough to cover my butt and thighs. It is misleading, but I'm not complaining.

Similar shape yes, but my bottom is around 8-10. But it really depends on the brand! I was reading the thread about vanity sizing. I still get most of my clothes in the juniors departments and stores like urban outfitters, so in some of their pants I am at the top of their sizing. I wonder though what size pants I would be at a store like Ann Taylor that is probably more appropriate for someone my age. Either way, no matter what pants I buy they are always way too big in the waist because they have to accommodate my hips and thighs. And I hate wearing belts, so its a problem. I have found that Joe's Jeans fit me best - their Honey jean is great. The only problem is the price - 150 a pair. For me, finding jeans that fit right is priceless so I don't mind, but try telling that to my husband!

Well I have been doing pretty good with 1600 calories. I won't really know until I get back though to see if its working. I was pretty tired today but I haven't been too hungry since I started aiming for 1600. This next week will be challenging though. I am going to do my best to watch portions. And I am going to get some healthy options for snacks and make sure my dad can grill a few chicken breasts for me since we usually grill every night at the cabin. Either that or fish fry, but we have to catch the fish first and the last few years we haven't been as lucky! I might also bring some of my protein powder with so if I get hungry I can have a shake instead of being tempted by the bazillion snacks that are always around.

Well wish me luck! I am hoping to not do too much damage but at the same time I think my body is ready for a break.

See ya in about 10 days! (unless my dad brings his laptop and there is actually internet in the middle of po-dunk MN, I might check in here or at the very least log some stuff on daily plate)

[beach_plums]

Originally Posted by beesknees

Similar shape yes, but my bottom is around 8-10. But it really depends on the brand! I was reading the thread about vanity sizing. I still get most of my clothes in the juniors departments and stores like urban outfitters, so in some of their pants I am at the top of their sizing. I wonder though what size pants I would be at a store like Ann Taylor that is probably more appropriate for someone my age. Either way, no matter what pants I buy they are always way too big in the waist because they have to accommodate my hips and thighs. And I hate wearing belts, so its a problem. I have found that Joe's Jeans fit me best - their Honey jean is great. The only problem is the price - 150 a pair. For me, finding jeans that fit right is priceless so I don't mind, but try telling that to my husband!


Well wish me luck! I am hoping to not do too much damage but at the same time I think my body is ready for a break.

See ya in about 10 days! (unless my dad brings his laptop and there is actually internet in the middle of po-dunk MN, I might check in here or at the very least log some stuff on daily plate)

Last time I bought pants at Urban Outfitters, I was towards the top of their size-scale too. I think it may have been an 11. I was a little bit heavier then too. At Ann Taylor, I'm a 6-8 depending on the cut.
I've the same probably with everything being big in the waist. I was so happy when the low-rise jeans became popular. But I really hate my butt hanging out when I sit down. I'll have to look into the Joe Jeans. I'm willing to pay for something that fits well.

Good luck! I'm sure your body will thank you for the break. Have a great time.

[T-Put]

Originally Posted by beesknees

A lot of people have been talking about goals lately and it made me realize I don't know if I have ever talked or thought about a specific goal. When I started this I wanted to be stronger of course. But overall I want to lose body fat. I have a certain image in my head of what I want to look like, but I don't know what body fat or weight that image is.

Gosh, I have the same problem too - an image in my head and a goal to finish NROL4W by January, 2009, but then I start feeling better about myself and I tend to think ok, if I look like this, that's it, i'm done, no need to work out anymore. Like you, I've been active since youth and it never took much work to look good. Now it does!

As I start to feel better, I especially slack off in the eating area... I have to remember this is a lifestyle change, the vision is to be healthy well into my 90's. The goal is to eat well from week to week, one week at a time. I have trouble planning for a whole week, but only have time to shop once per week.

If you have any tips, let me know!