Category Archives: Running
88 Days Left..Really?!
I feel like this year has just flown by! Worked 12 hours last night, woke up and hit the gym. YES, I did. I know a hot topic for a lot of us is, “Well, I just don’t have time” and you know what, nobody wants to hear me preach about the importance of making time. I feel like I do it often on here, but I cannot make myself any clearer. You just have to. I can be honest for a sec and say that when I first wake up, I am in NO mood ready, willing, or happy about going to the gym. I’m just not. I don’t force or rush myself out the door- my ritual usually consists of getting up, making coffee and throwing in 2 Eggo Multigrain Waffles into the toaster oven. If you know anything at all about me, know this, I am a creature of habit. I pretty much eat the same things over and over again. Does it get boring? No, not really, because, like I said..I am a creature of habit. I enjoy knowing what I am going to have and how it fits into my daily macro allotment. Anyway, I will eat, sit outside if it’s nice, browse and just relax and slowly wake up. The longer I’m awake, the better the idea of hitting the gym sounds to me. I can’t say I get excited, but there is a certain amount of enthusiasm that builds up over the course of the 30 minutes or so that I am sitting there thinking about what I’m going to do for my day’s workout.
Today I knew I wanted my focus to be on my shoulders. I LOVE working my shoulders and maybe that is because that is where I show progress the quickest and it’s easiest to see there. Either way, I do love a good shoulder workout. This is what I did:
DB Lateral Raises 4×12
Diamond Push-ups- 2×12 (I actually did these dead last)
Presses on the Hammer Machine-4×12
Db Front Raises 5×5
Barbell overhead Press- 4×8
Single Arm Cable front raises 5×5
cable upright rows- 4×12
Single Arm Cable lat raises-5×5 (which were supersetted with the single arm front raises)
great workout and very glad I went and got it done. NO cardio. Not a lick. I just did cardio on Sunday yo’, you know how I feel about cardio! On a side note, I was looking for a tshirt to throw on after my shower and I found my one running tshirt that has a ton a reasons why I run splashed across the front. I had a little teary eyed moment. I did. I had the strongest urge to just go out for a quick run. I did. I still think running is a part of who I am, because I do have feelings that reappear out of nowhere at times. Almost a longing , but for right now, it’s on the back burner. I’m really okay with it at the end of the day. I will go back to it, just maybe with a different perspective on it. So there you have it, I worked, I slepted and I got up and got my workout done.
I took a few pictures because taking pictures of myself (selfies If you will is a way that I gauge my progress. It isn’t because I’m conceited or I’m full of myself, CONTRARE to what others may think, it is merely another tracking tool for me) to see how my progress is coming along. Lately I have been feeling down on myself. I feel like maybe I’m not doing something right, I feel like my progress has been slow and honestly, I have been feeling discouraged. Which, btw are all NORMAL feelings to have. I took a look at the pictures and I realized that I am indeed going in the right direction and that I MUST be doing at least a little something right. I can smile on the inside a little bit more knowing that I continue to learn and I continue to work on myself and figure out what does and does not work for me. Everyday, all of this..it’s a learning process. I just hope to achieve my goals and inspire people along the way.
I turn 41 on Monday and although it is not as bad as turning 40 was, it is just a reminder that time does go by very fast. I am trying to do the best that I can to be the best version of me possible. I’m trying to learn all that I can and passing it along to those that want the help or that are interested. I LOVE helping people and I LOVE seeing the progress they are making. I want to prove to everyone out there that just because you are *older* does not mean you cannot achieve anything you want- whether it’s with your body or elsewhere. I want people to stop listening to the hype about all the reasons and excuses WHY they are overweight or WHY they can’t work out. You are NOT a failure and YOU CAN do this. Take a good look at yourself and figure out what you are going to do to make the changes necessary to be the best version of you possible.
I want to quickly add that there is also a lot to be said about being comfortable with the SKIN YOU ARE IN. If YOU are truly HAPPY with where you are at in your life, what you see in the reflection of your mirror, how you treat people and what you put out into the world, then you GO!!! Continue to strive for that every day of your life. Remember that everyone is going through their own struggles and battles in their lives. Take a minute to smile at people, say hello and brighten their day. People make mistakes in life, we are often misread, and often times we are forgotten about on a daily basis. Try to be aware of those that maybe you think you should be giving a little extra attention to, even if that person is YOU.
Be you..be true and live your life to it’s fullest.
Friday! Yes!
Now that I am down to 2 work days a week, I feel so much more NORMAL. My sleeping is back to being what is normal for me, I feel better, and I look forward to tackling my days now.
Dropped the kids off at school and headed to the gym (gotta love those early morning workouts, get em’ done and claim your day!) Today was chest, shoulders, tri’s and bi’s. I’m deloading so all my weights are light. I feel like screaming in the gym- “I AM ON A DELOAD WEEK! DELOAD! THIS IS NOT MY TYPICAL LIFTING WEIGHT!!” but, then I figure, who really cares? Nobody is watching me NOR do they really care. When you workout, never compare yourself to anyone other than YOURSELF.
Even though my weight were low, I went with higher repetitions, and yes, by golly I am a little sore. My routine was this:
Bench Press
Cable Cross-overs
Incline Flys
Incline DB Press
Bicep Curls
Single Bicep Curls
Tricep Rope pull downs
Dips off a bench
Presses
Lateral raises
Rear Delt Raises
I did some Ab work as well.
Most of these were 4 sets of 12-15 AND supersetted with one another.
So I have to share. I had stopped to go to the bathroom (well, because that is what happens when you drink close to a gallon of water a day), and a lady (a little older than myself) stopped me and asked what I did in terms of working out. She said she is absolutely amazed with my physique and my body is her inspiration. I was so COMPLETELY and UTTERLY flattered. Her and I spoke for the next 20 minutes (normally this would bother me as I was in between sets, but I wanted to answer her questions), she told me how she lost 45 lbs over the last two years and how she has come to love going to the gym. She even went as far to say that she goes home and tells her husband about me, and how badly she has been wanting to talk to me (her husband finally pushed her to just talk to me..so FUNNY! I just cannot imagine that) We had such a great talk and I so badly wanted to tell her to quit the daily cardio she is doing- BUT, I refrained. The first thing I have learned in this whole process is to NOT tell people what they are doing WRONG, but encourage them in all they are doing RIGHT. She even went as far as to ask me if I thought it would be weird if she wrote down everything she saw me doing next time I was at the gym (stalker much? NO, KIDDING!! TOTALLY), of COURSE I said YES! I was so flattered. NO really. I hope to be an inspiration to SO many MORE people out there. I want people to know that this is a REAL attainable goal. You CAN do this. I am HAPPY. I am not restrictive in ANY WAY. NONE. I don’t have any forbidden foods, I don’t do LOW carb, Low fat, Low ANYTHING. My workouts are SO rewarding. I love them.
I would not be fair for me to say that you can look like me or have the physique you want without saying that nutrition REALLY is a HUGE part of it. HUGE. You can go to the gym all you want, but you really have to close that nutrition loop. I am not talking about crazy diets (It isn’t a diet it’s a lifestyle), rock bottom calories or being miserable. So please, just take those thoughts out of your head. I realize that not everyone wants to have to measure their food, or watch their intake. I realize it may turn people off right there. I may have just lost someone in that last statement. It’s ok. When they are ready they will come back. The first thing is that you need to get an idea of HOW MUCH you are actually eating in a day. The only true way to do this is to TRACK your food for a week. EVERYTHING that goes into your mouth, write it down. There are TONS of apps out there, that you can download to your phone. My favorite are Mynetdiary and Mymacros. There is myfitness pal as well, but I don’t care for it honestly. This way you can see where your calories are. That would be step 1. You really cannot just go all willy nilly and guestimate. It’s too important. I want you to be able to see if you are eating too much OR too little. Believe it or not, too little is a common theme.
I personally choose to follow my macros. I enjoy this way much better. I will talk about that tomorrow. However, for now, a good tip I received from a reputable source is this:
If you want to lose weight, multiply your weight by 12. If you want to maintain, multiply your weight by 14/15. That is a good GUIDE/STARTING point. This way you have a general idea of numbers. Well, I don’t want to bombard today, so I will post more soon. Remember, give it a chance. Track your intake for a week. It’s a real eye opener. Try not to be conscious of what you are eating. Just eat the way you are right now. Measure it and track it. Go!
It’s been awhile..
I have had so much going on, that it’s been hard to keep up with everything. I will try and update everything this week at some point..
Cliff Notes:
I have begun my journey to getting my Nutrition and Personal Training Certifications through NASM. Have my books, materials and online learning tools, I’m about a month in. So excited that I finally took the leap of faith!
I have another goal for the end of 2014 (well near the end), but I won’t post about that just yet..
I have been weight training daily, I’m getting fantastic results and have FINALLY figured out the eating portion of it all! Yes! Finally! This truly has been a journey and one that I am so glad I decided to take a leap into. Everything thus far is on point and I could not be happier with the way things are going. Granted, everything truly is a work in progress and I learn new things daily, BUT, I am definitely heading in the right direction.
Work continues to be work, but luckily my schedule is pretty stable for the next 5 months or so, so for that alone I am grateful. My sleep has gotten so much better, which has improved my overall moods. I have continued to see who my real friends are over the course of the last few months and sadly I have lost one, but, I have to look at it in terms of, when you grow, sometimes people don’t like it. Perhaps it scares them, makes them nervous OR it makes them take a look at themselves and they find out who I am becoming makes them feel uneasy about who they are, or make them realize that perhaps they have changes to make within themselves as well, and maybe they are not ready for that yet. It hurt a lot at first, but, I have to be ok with that. It’s their decision to stay or go.. and If your reading this NO, it’s NOT YOU. You know who you are 🙂 We are still friends, just have to figure out how to make the time to nourish the friendship.
I’m more than half way through this 365 day journey and I have not intention of stopping at the end of the year. It has made me realize how very much into fitness and nutrition I really am. You will see more fitness related stuff coming from me in the near future as well as a LOT of pictures of my recipes and food concoctions. I am finding that I love to cook and share my recipes as well as my fitness tips.
I also have a page on Instagram, where I am building up a following. You will find mainly progress pictures, cooking pictures, food pictures and some motivational captions. You can find me @browneyedgirldee on Instagram! Come and follow me!
I also have a new page on Facebook called Runningawaywithme (surprise, surprise!). I am trying to keep my fitness related stuff separate from my personal page, because I realize that not everybody has the same frame of mind that I do. I’m ok with that :-).
Well, I’ll be back to give a more updated post, about where I am with my weight training, my eating and my recipes. Stay tuned!!
196&195
Yesterday was a rest day. Slept in a little, got errands done. Baby girl had a softball game last night. What a little monster she is out there! Who would have thought!! Good for her! Back to work tonight, but then, unless I pick up extra I’m off for 7 nights in a row! Booyah!
Today: main lift is;
Bench: warm up- 5×41, 5×51 and 3×61
Actual: 5×65, 5×75, 5+x85(10)
Chins: 7 sets of 2 with good form
5×10@51lbs -benches ( I’m doing BBB of Wendler, hence these)
EZ bar curls-3×8@35lbs
Skulls:3×8@10
Days 198 and 197..
Yesterday was a rest day, I worked and did not drag my butt out of bed until almost 4pm! Then of course, we had a softball game to attend, so I had to hustle hustle! Tried to get to bed at a reasonable time, but lately it’s never before midnight, and this morning I had to get up to take the kid to the gym for 9am.
Today: Day 197
Ran 3.5 miles- more like slog, but I got out there and got it done.
Main Lift: Squat
Warm-up- 5×65, 5×85, 3×101
Actual- 5×110, 5×125, 5+x141 (8) I probably could have eaked out 1 or 2 more, but Wendler is pretty consistent with saying don’t take It to failure. So I take it to where I’m definitely tired, but if I had a gun to my head, I could do 1 or 2 more. HA!
Then:
5×10@85lbs
Lying Leg Curls- 3×10@45lbs
Standing Military Presses-3×8@20 (Dumbells)
Plie’ Squats-3×10@30lbs
I was beat. My legs were like WTF lady!! I will try walking lunges again on my deadlift day in a few days.
I’m tired and I’m beat. I really am. Tomorrow will be another off day, I *think*… it will only be Wednesday and I only have two more lifting days to get in this week. I can spread them out. Maybe I will walk, definitely no run. I think I will try, TRY to get back 3 running days into my schedule, 2 will be before my leg workouts and one more will be sprinkled in somewhere. Why run on a leg day? Well, because it will maximize my leg day, and It won’t over tax them. Say I chose to do my runs on NON leg days, it would be like my legs are getting NO rest at all. Upper, Run, Legs, Run, Upper, Run, Legs, Run. I’m going at it 7 days a week at that rate. I need at least 2 complete rest days in there with NOTHING going on. I asked around as well, and that seemed to be the consensus. Well, the consensus was actually that I did not NEED to do cardio at all, or if I wanted to, do very little and make it HIIT, so I lose no muscle mass. I think it’s safe to say that I’m the kind of gal that needs a little cardio in her life.
So this is the problem I run into. I lose all my weight up top FIRST..then it comes off the bottom. NO, I’m not holding this in! How do I washboard this? Crunches. I HATE crunches. YUCK. Why can’t crunches and ab work be fun?!
199 Days! Under200…
Wendler Cycle II- Week 1
Main lift: Press
Warm up set: 5×25, 5×31,5×35
Actual: 5×41, 5×45,5+x51 (11)
Then: 5×10@31
Hammers: 3×8@25
Skull Crushers: 3×8@10( should be at 12, but someone lost my 12lb DB!! Only have one!!)
Alternating front raises: 3×8@15lbs
Tired and off to work I go!!!