Remember when I said last that the upcoming semester was going to be a hellish one? I was correct.
It was easily the toughest and most demanding semester, but I walked out of there with 3 A's and a solid B (in anatomy none the less).
I had a hard time keeping up with diet and my exericse routine, I pretty much had the mentality of "I'll get there when I get there", I still managed at least 3 days a week though. But my progress has stalled, significantly. I knew this was going to happen, but I guess I didn't realize how hard things were going to get.
Lately, I've been playing around with different types of training to see what I like and how I respond. I've dabbled in CrossFit which I do love but it's not something I'd like to take on full time. Recently, I've discovered how much I absolutely love olympic lifting. I've started with the basic movements (i.e. snatch, cleans..etc), my body responds really well to movements like that in terms of my overall development. However, I don't think it's getting me leaner...if anything it's giving me thicker muscles (not complaining, just still too much body fat is covering them!) And some areas are lagging. My upper back, shoulders and legs are fairly strong...it's getting the rest to catch up.
So, which leads me to think I might have some results if I did a split again with high reps/lower weight. It's been almost a year since I've done a split body routine, maybe my muscles just need something different. Plus, I've never done a split body since I actually sorta know what I'm doing now. I'm interested to see how my body responds...
Also, I plan on starting a carb cycle. Nothing overly crazy since I have blood sugar issues now since losing weight, I noticed though they start getting whacky if I lack complex carbs. It's a work in progress for sure, as anyone in the game knows. I just gotta stop making excuses and get even more consistent than what I have been doing. Clean up my diet even more, I've already cut out my Splenda which was torture at first...but not so bad now.
Bought a giant dry erase board to monitor my stats, and calipers now that I'm much more concerned with losing ACTUAL fat. I figure this dry erase board will help me stay focused by looking at the thing every morning. It's easy to disregard tracking online, at least for me.
I've also canceled my membership at Planet Fitness, I had about had it after I was lunked for deadlifting. I guess making clinking sounds with plates is considered dropping them *shrug*. I'm at Bally's now, which is alright...
Not sure how I feel about it...the setup is weird. Too many machines for my taste, but at least they have like 6 fuckin bench stations and 2 power racks..AND...I noticed in the corner BUMPER PLATES!! I never noticed them during my tour, but my eyes lit up when I saw them. Not very many adjustable benches or EZ curl bars :( It's nice to be at a gym where I see powerlifters and bodybuilders. Granted, I stick out like a sore thumb and I feel a little uncomfortable but I'm giving it more time. The weight room has a very gritty, old school feel to it which I'm not quite used to. I have to keep in mind the regulars probably think I'm a New Years Resolutioner. But even so, fuck what people think.
But now it's time to really evaluate my goals for 2011!
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Making up for lost times.
So...I decided to take a break from studying to update this thing.
Where the heck was I last, other than having to add in like 10 freakin' workout logs?!
I started school on the 7th. Doing another semester at CCRI since I switched majors and it set me back another year (joy).
I'm taking
Human Anatomy
Human Sexuality
Intro to Computers
Business Writing
Business Writing, I absolutely love my professor. She's easily one of the most motivating teachers I've ever had, and doesn't tolerate nonsense (which is a nice change, too many professors these days let students run the show).
Human Sexuality is....going...to be...interesting to say the least. We basically talk about doing it for 2 and half hours. Mostly all women, part of me feels sorry for the three guys that are in the class.
Human Anatomy is stressing me the fuck out, and it's only been one week. It's extremely difficult to keep up with the massive amounts of information. I'm trying so HARD, but my anxiety about "what if I fail" keeps getting at me. The people in my bench have taken it before, which helps...a lot. They've been super helpful to me so far. But, I won't front...I'm absolutely terrified I won't make it through. My plan is to attack my workouts like I'm in a lab...and hope it helps. (On a good note: I did learn like 2 things already that are going to help me with my workouts)
I've yet to take the computer course, which starts next Monday. Can't report back on that one yet.
I haven't worked out as much lately, just because I'm getting used to a new schedule...my eating habits haven't been the "best" either. Not like I'm eating like crap, but I've been forgetting to eat sometimes...and then my stomach awkwardly grumbles in the middle of class during a silent period.
I expected this though, it's gonna take me a good 2 weeks to get my schedule down. Just gotta stop over thinking, otherwise I'm going to have a hellish semester.
Missing workout logs to come (I can tell you I graduated to 45 plates on my squats though, YES!)
Where the heck was I last, other than having to add in like 10 freakin' workout logs?!
I started school on the 7th. Doing another semester at CCRI since I switched majors and it set me back another year (joy).
I'm taking
Human Anatomy
Human Sexuality
Intro to Computers
Business Writing
Business Writing, I absolutely love my professor. She's easily one of the most motivating teachers I've ever had, and doesn't tolerate nonsense (which is a nice change, too many professors these days let students run the show).
Human Sexuality is....going...to be...interesting to say the least. We basically talk about doing it for 2 and half hours. Mostly all women, part of me feels sorry for the three guys that are in the class.
Human Anatomy is stressing me the fuck out, and it's only been one week. It's extremely difficult to keep up with the massive amounts of information. I'm trying so HARD, but my anxiety about "what if I fail" keeps getting at me. The people in my bench have taken it before, which helps...a lot. They've been super helpful to me so far. But, I won't front...I'm absolutely terrified I won't make it through. My plan is to attack my workouts like I'm in a lab...and hope it helps. (On a good note: I did learn like 2 things already that are going to help me with my workouts)
I've yet to take the computer course, which starts next Monday. Can't report back on that one yet.
I haven't worked out as much lately, just because I'm getting used to a new schedule...my eating habits haven't been the "best" either. Not like I'm eating like crap, but I've been forgetting to eat sometimes...and then my stomach awkwardly grumbles in the middle of class during a silent period.
I expected this though, it's gonna take me a good 2 weeks to get my schedule down. Just gotta stop over thinking, otherwise I'm going to have a hellish semester.
Missing workout logs to come (I can tell you I graduated to 45 plates on my squats though, YES!)
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Bragging rights!!!!
Today I went to a local track to get in some sprints. The sun was out and I wanted to get reacquainted with it since it's been gone for four days.
I got in 6 sprints, halfway around the track...I felt kind of slow, but I was big time distracted by ignorant parents who fail to watch their kids.
I digress.
I found a sturdy little tree...looked up at and thought to myself..
"Hmm, I wonder if I can manage a few underhand pull ups..."
I DID THREE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Granted, I did have to give myself a jump to for a little momentum....and my arms couldn't quite reach the brand, but I did it...and I'm super proud.
A year ago that wouldn't have even been a thought in my mind!
I got in 6 sprints, halfway around the track...I felt kind of slow, but I was big time distracted by ignorant parents who fail to watch their kids.
I digress.
I found a sturdy little tree...looked up at and thought to myself..
"Hmm, I wonder if I can manage a few underhand pull ups..."
I DID THREE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Granted, I did have to give myself a jump to for a little momentum....and my arms couldn't quite reach the brand, but I did it...and I'm super proud.
A year ago that wouldn't have even been a thought in my mind!
Day 3 of the macro change.
-Feeling A LOT better...no headache in the morning. Still having random dizzy spells but not nearly as often or as long. My vision isn't shitting out of me when I them either.
However, since I've been eating grain again...it triggers that addiction I once had to bread, pasta, cereal...what have you. Even if it is cleaner, higher quality grain.
My brain still sees it the same.
But to be fair, I do have my period....so hormonal changes should be factored in. Hell, I had vivid dreams about donuts last night. Wtf?
I think it's gonna take a while for me to figure out if I regularly want to keep grain in my diet. :-/
However, since I've been eating grain again...it triggers that addiction I once had to bread, pasta, cereal...what have you. Even if it is cleaner, higher quality grain.
My brain still sees it the same.
But to be fair, I do have my period....so hormonal changes should be factored in. Hell, I had vivid dreams about donuts last night. Wtf?
I think it's gonna take a while for me to figure out if I regularly want to keep grain in my diet. :-/
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Doing what's best for my body...
As you know...at the end of May I took up the Primal Blueprint eating plan and started getting into heavy lifting.
Eliminating grains made me feel FANTASTIC. At least temporarily...
For the last 6 weeks I've been experiencing insane dizzy spells, most of them were happening at night. One night, while I went to make something to eat I totally fainted in the middle of my kitchen floor. I had absolutely no memory of what happened. Needless to say, it terrified me.
The following day, I visited the doctor who chalked it up to dehydration. Okay, easy fix. Drink more water.
So I did that, the dizzy spells still kept going on.
Then I started to wonder if it was the weed that I smoke at night. Perhaps it was giving me tiny anxiety attacks. So, I stopped that for a while...
Dizzy spells still continued to creep on me.
Then my symptoms got worse. I was getting dizzy in the daytime and waking up with SPLITTING headaches. My head literally felt like it weighed 100 pounds.
I brought this to the LS forums because I was petrified of what was going on. This needed to be taken care of before school started, otherwise studying would have been impossible.
It was then that I realized my diet completely lagged complex carbohydrates for almost four months...and I'm trying a new macro split for the next week to see how I feel.
Before I was doing 45/30/25 (F/P/C) and now I'm doing a more balanced split...higher protein, higher carb, lower fat. My split isn't where I want to be just yet, since that takes good practice to get the hang of it.
I ate sweet potato last night for dinner, and steel cut oats pre workout (which I wasn't a huge fan, I still prefer the simple carbs pre-workout). I'm also making it a point to eat REAL food post workout after my whey shake...even if it means forcing it down my throat.
I'm feeling a lot better in just a matter of 2 days. My head doesn't feel heavy, I feel more focused and I'm a lot less dizzy.
Still not quite sure what exactly was causing the dizziness, but the definitely poor post workout nutrition was part of it.
And honestly, I'm going to keep starchy carbs in my diet...at least until I feel 100%.
Don't get me wrong, I loved the Primal Blueprint...but I'm not a fan of some of the things Sisson suggests like not tracking food and only eating/drinking when hungry/thirsty. Apparently, I do not have those switches...
I'm WAY too active for the 100g of carbs a day crap. It's probably just fine if you follow his fitness plan to a T but I don't. I lift and do HIIT more than he suggests.
It did however open up my eyes to importance of rest, sunlight,sleep and functional fitness...and it's basic principles is something that I've incorporated into my lifestyle.
I'm still avoiding gluten as much as possible..but it's important to listen to your body. If something isn't jiving, figure out what the causes maybe and narrow it down from there. This is still a big learning process for me. Trial and error.
Anyway...here's my workout log.
Deadlift
2 x 105/12
DB Shoulder Press
2 x 30/12
Wide Grip Pull down
2 x 75/12
Lunges
2 x 35/12
Swiss Ball Crunch
2 x 15
Extras:
Plank
1:02 (feet apart)
-44 sec (feet together)
-37 sec (feet together)
Cable Press
30/10
30/9
and I stopped after, it was irritating my left shoulder.
I feel like I'm forgetting something though, I'm working off memory here. My training log is in the car, which I'm entirely too lazy to go get. Bed, you win this time...
Eliminating grains made me feel FANTASTIC. At least temporarily...
For the last 6 weeks I've been experiencing insane dizzy spells, most of them were happening at night. One night, while I went to make something to eat I totally fainted in the middle of my kitchen floor. I had absolutely no memory of what happened. Needless to say, it terrified me.
The following day, I visited the doctor who chalked it up to dehydration. Okay, easy fix. Drink more water.
So I did that, the dizzy spells still kept going on.
Then I started to wonder if it was the weed that I smoke at night. Perhaps it was giving me tiny anxiety attacks. So, I stopped that for a while...
Dizzy spells still continued to creep on me.
Then my symptoms got worse. I was getting dizzy in the daytime and waking up with SPLITTING headaches. My head literally felt like it weighed 100 pounds.
I brought this to the LS forums because I was petrified of what was going on. This needed to be taken care of before school started, otherwise studying would have been impossible.
It was then that I realized my diet completely lagged complex carbohydrates for almost four months...and I'm trying a new macro split for the next week to see how I feel.
Before I was doing 45/30/25 (F/P/C) and now I'm doing a more balanced split...higher protein, higher carb, lower fat. My split isn't where I want to be just yet, since that takes good practice to get the hang of it.
I ate sweet potato last night for dinner, and steel cut oats pre workout (which I wasn't a huge fan, I still prefer the simple carbs pre-workout). I'm also making it a point to eat REAL food post workout after my whey shake...even if it means forcing it down my throat.
I'm feeling a lot better in just a matter of 2 days. My head doesn't feel heavy, I feel more focused and I'm a lot less dizzy.
Still not quite sure what exactly was causing the dizziness, but the definitely poor post workout nutrition was part of it.
And honestly, I'm going to keep starchy carbs in my diet...at least until I feel 100%.
Don't get me wrong, I loved the Primal Blueprint...but I'm not a fan of some of the things Sisson suggests like not tracking food and only eating/drinking when hungry/thirsty. Apparently, I do not have those switches...
I'm WAY too active for the 100g of carbs a day crap. It's probably just fine if you follow his fitness plan to a T but I don't. I lift and do HIIT more than he suggests.
It did however open up my eyes to importance of rest, sunlight,sleep and functional fitness...and it's basic principles is something that I've incorporated into my lifestyle.
I'm still avoiding gluten as much as possible..but it's important to listen to your body. If something isn't jiving, figure out what the causes maybe and narrow it down from there. This is still a big learning process for me. Trial and error.
Anyway...here's my workout log.
Deadlift
2 x 105/12
DB Shoulder Press
2 x 30/12
Wide Grip Pull down
2 x 75/12
Lunges
2 x 35/12
Swiss Ball Crunch
2 x 15
Extras:
Plank
1:02 (feet apart)
-44 sec (feet together)
-37 sec (feet together)
Cable Press
30/10
30/9
and I stopped after, it was irritating my left shoulder.
I feel like I'm forgetting something though, I'm working off memory here. My training log is in the car, which I'm entirely too lazy to go get. Bed, you win this time...
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Workout log/newbie gains?!??!
I've taken some time off...after I gave out a pint of blood I was feeling weird...weak and reoccurring headaches.
I needed a few days off from lifting anyway. Anxious to get back into the weight room :)
Today I felt good though, I went to the gym and cranked out some HIIT.
8 x 30 seconds with 1 minute rest in between. Mentally, this was hard to get through...for the fact that I dislike indoor cardio. I f'ed up my left ankle at work the other day (slight sprain, I think) so I didn't want to do anything that was going to directly impact that, so I opted for the elliptical machine.
Finished up with 15 minutes of stretching.
Anyhoot...
I also weighed in today.
I'm down just under 2 pounds in 3 weeks, and apparently gained an inch in my thighs. I either measured incorrectly the previous time, or I'm experiencing n00bie gains. No changes anywhere else though. :(
Though, I can visibly see more back muscles these days and oblique lines in darker lighting. YES!
Next weigh in...Sept 5th!
I needed a few days off from lifting anyway. Anxious to get back into the weight room :)
Today I felt good though, I went to the gym and cranked out some HIIT.
8 x 30 seconds with 1 minute rest in between. Mentally, this was hard to get through...for the fact that I dislike indoor cardio. I f'ed up my left ankle at work the other day (slight sprain, I think) so I didn't want to do anything that was going to directly impact that, so I opted for the elliptical machine.
Finished up with 15 minutes of stretching.
Anyhoot...
I also weighed in today.
I'm down just under 2 pounds in 3 weeks, and apparently gained an inch in my thighs. I either measured incorrectly the previous time, or I'm experiencing n00bie gains. No changes anywhere else though. :(
Though, I can visibly see more back muscles these days and oblique lines in darker lighting. YES!
Next weigh in...Sept 5th!
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Feelin' good...
*see title*
Warmup:
-Squat to stands (15)
-Lateral lunges (10 each leg)
-Inch worm
-Push up (10)
repeated twice.
Deadlift
2 x 105/12
DB shoulder press
30/12
30/8
35/6
Wide Grip Lat Pulldown
2 x 75/12
Lunge
35/12
30/12....balance was still weird on my right leg so I lowered the weight
Swiss Ball Crunch
2 x 15
Plank
36 seconds
1 minute
I fucking owned those deadlifts today, which is really awesome for me. They've been such a thorn in my side for literally 6 months. I'm really starting to build up that explosive strength. WIN!!! I had attempted to do some interval work at the end of my workout, but my legs were just beat to crap. Maybe after dinner tonight I'll have the energy to get some out of me...
My diet had a few slip ups today, but it's all good. I started my day off with a crappy breakfast because I over slept...which for me my breakfasts sets the tone for the day. Makes those broken work cookies seem so much more tempting.
;)
Warmup:
-Squat to stands (15)
-Lateral lunges (10 each leg)
-Inch worm
-Push up (10)
repeated twice.
Deadlift
2 x 105/12
DB shoulder press
30/12
30/8
35/6
Wide Grip Lat Pulldown
2 x 75/12
Lunge
35/12
30/12....balance was still weird on my right leg so I lowered the weight
Swiss Ball Crunch
2 x 15
Plank
36 seconds
1 minute
I fucking owned those deadlifts today, which is really awesome for me. They've been such a thorn in my side for literally 6 months. I'm really starting to build up that explosive strength. WIN!!! I had attempted to do some interval work at the end of my workout, but my legs were just beat to crap. Maybe after dinner tonight I'll have the energy to get some out of me...
My diet had a few slip ups today, but it's all good. I started my day off with a crappy breakfast because I over slept...which for me my breakfasts sets the tone for the day. Makes those broken work cookies seem so much more tempting.
;)
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