Idiots

It was a new day....I was ready to face it head on at 5:40 this morning.  By 8:00 I had already cleaned the house, checked email, made breakfast, and was reading the paper...(only the comics of course).  I love it when some people try to act all intellectual talking about how they read this paper and that paper...guess what,...you can be informed and yet still be an idiot.

I was so glad to be feeling better today.  I felt a little weak simply because I didn't get enough calories yesterday, but I am thankful my stomach is not killing me.  Even though I needed to rest and take it easy, I felt so lazy just hanging around the house.  I did get to watch Dr. Phil though.  What a trip.  Its funny to me that someone will go on a national television show and have their face blurred out for fear of people recognizing them...and yet do they not think someone will hear their voice or see their body/hair and immediately know who it is?!  And why would you go on there to discuss your intimate problems anyway?  Now the whole world knows your a sleeze with a cocaine problem....congratulations.  Idiot.

Whew, enough of that....
My workout was great today.  I had chest/glutes/hams.  Those of you who think lifting weights is not cardiovascular, you are completely missing it my friend.  After my third set of lunges I took my heart rate...192.  That's one near-death experience for the day.
Felt great though.  My rear was screaming.

Workout:
30* incline press 4 x 10
45* incline press/ss DB flys  4 x 10 each
Push-ups to failure/ss front DB raises  3x
Back loaded SUMO squats (glute emphasis)  4 x 12
Walking lunges  3 x 25 yards
Hamstring curls on machine 4 x 10
Hamstring pull-backs on slideboard  3 x 12-15

Thank God that is over.  I've got one lovely client this afternoon and then home to plan my brother's birthday dinner tomorrow night.  Family bonding time is always a trip with the Parker crowd.....there will be stories to come I'm sure...

Out of commision

I'm pretty sure World War III has begun in my gut.  Last night and this morning have been a series of "I feel ok....no wait, i feel nauseous....oh crap, better run to the bathroom....oh, false alarm....ugh..".  I know something's up when I take my first sip of coffee and instead of moaning like a freak, I gag.  Honestly, the only thing that kept me drinking it was my need for the caffeine.  Its official, I'm an addict.  I admit it and take the first step...but totally unwilling to do anything about it.  I have other things to go to rehab for....caffeine is the least of my worries.  And then there was my oatmeal experience.  As I said yesterday, it was tough to get it all down...and today was no different.  Its like I looked down, and the oatmeal multiplied.  I didn't know oatmeal could procreate, but apparently it can.  I felt like I'd eaten a brick.

I got through the morning clients and truly enjoyed every conversation and the many laughs that occurred along the way....but I was ready to go home.  So here I am, sitting at home on a Thursday afternoon....it feels so weird.  Its eerily quiet and I feel like I should be yelling at someone to "get their butt down" or "chest up, back straight!"...Yes, I am way to used to dictating, I know.   Its so hard for me to stop and listen to my body sometimes.  I am not good at being sick, but I know this is what I needed.  The only thing that bothers me is that I am not able to get in all my calories today.  Honestly, I could barely hold down some chicken for lunch.  I thought when you are sick you're supposed to have "comforting" foods...like soup or something.  Well, let me tell you what is not comforting....6 ounces of chicken and a spoonful of flaxseed oil.  Six ounces felt like 12 and the oil went down about as smooth as pop-rocks.  Right now my stomach seriously feels like I just ate a Thanksgiving meal...minus the inevitable moment when you try to discretely unbutton the top button of your jeans without anyone seeing.  Quit lying to yourself...everyone saw...and their pants are undone as well.  Its a sick visual...

Looks like I am taking it easy for the rest of the day.  I'm thankful I lifted yesterday, and hope I can bring my A game tomorrow.  I've got chest/glutes/hamstrings.  My hamstrings are tightening up just thinking about it....

Well I am headed to the recliner...might just stay there awhile.....and if it had a "flush" button I wouldn't move for the next 16 hours.  Back to business tomorrow!

BACK to the grind

What a day so far.  I think my body is fighting off whatever my husband had because I've felt pretty blah all morning.  And the last thing you want when you are feeling nauseous is oatmeal and egg whites.  The mixture in itself looks exactly like it would if it were to come back up.  Yum... But I scarfed it down as I do every morning.  Usually, I like it...today, not so much. 

I normally have only cardio on Wednesdays, but since I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow I had to switch my lifting days.  After having an ungodly amount of quad exercises yesterday, my body was eager for a little rest.  Instead, I had back and core today.  My back was built to pull a dern tiller...forget the mule, just hire me. 

Today's workout:
Bent over BB row  5 x 8-10
Close grip pull-down with straight bar  4 x 10
Wide grip pull-up  3 x 10
Single arm lat pull-down (8x each)/ss rear flys (10x) 3x
1/2 sit-ups, legs extended  3 x 15
heel touch/ss leg lifts  3 x 15 each
Decline sit-up 2 x 12-15

*30 minutes cardio!!! Holy crap I know....I was a machine...and pretty much hated every second..ha.

Everyday at about 3:00 I hit a wall...a huge wall.  I crave caffeine or any drug for that matter that will give me energy.  I push through, but sometimes I swear I want to throw the water cooler across the room,....but I don't have the energy to do so....and lets be honest, Brian would freak out and make me clean it up ASAP.

Alright folks,...last client and then home for the World Series.  Go Rangers!!!

Back to the basics

Where do I begin...
Last night was a long night of interrupted sleep.  I awoke at least 4 times to the sound of my husband hugging the toilet...sick as a dog.  Bless his heart (as we like to say here in the South), something hit his stomach pretty hard.  By the end, I wanted to throw up just from hearing it.  There's a pleasant visual for you!  Anyway, I made it into work...taking my coffee to the face like a shot of JD.  It got me through the first few hours at least...

I knew my workout would be difficult today, and by the end it was a mental struggle.  My body was fatigued and just wanted to sleep.  I had quads and triceps today, and really wanted to focus on getting back to the basics of form and tempo.  Its so easy sometimes to be focused on maximizing the amount of weight you lift, while sacrificing perfect form.  So for my back squats I really tried to feel every inch of the movement, keeping my core engaged, back straight, and going down low enough to make my glutes scream a little.  Overall, it was a great workout day...despite moments of wanting to cry or throw up.  My legs are extremely tired....

Today's workout:
Squats  4 x 10-12
Single leg, leg press  4 x 10 each leg
Back loaded squat jumps  3 x 12
Leg extension (last set drop set to failure)  3 x 10-12
Tricep press on assisted dip machine 3 x 12
Reverse grip tricep extension/ss tricep press-down  4 x 8-10 each

Just ate a nice cup of plain green beans...yum.  I had to add a few veggies to my lunch to hold me over longer...I was getting too hungry by 5.  I would love to add more meat, but my kidneys might explode...and I can't afford a chicken coop in my backyard.  Right now I'm at roughly 215g protein per day.  Some of you don't even get that in 3 days...shame on you!  Protein is your friend...your lover...your building blocks...ok, you get the point.  On that note, I gotta finish my fish before my next client.  The last thing you want is someone in your face telling you to lift an ungodly amount of weight that you don't want to lift, with the smell of fresh cod on their breath....

One day at a time

After a fairly relaxing weekend, I was ready to get back in the gym.  I took Saturday completely off and worked on some Christmas shopping to keep me occupied.  Of course I had to try on a few things for myself.  I broke a sweat trying to get some pants over my rear...why no one has created jeans for athletically built women is beyond me.  A little more room in the legs, smaller in the waist, and loads of spandex...its not rocket science people.  Oh, and the people-watching at the mall was fabulous...I feel much more normal after leaving that place...

I had all intentions of doing my Sunday cardio after church, and then for whatever reason I was awake and ready to roll at 5:15.  My internal clock is beyond whack.  On the treadmill by 5:30, and hamstrings screaming by 6:00.  I can hardly bend over.  They are extremely tight today...going to the bathroom is torture....but haven't figured out an alternative.  By Sunday afternoon I was due for a nap...so I did...

Today was a great workout day.  Shoulders, biceps, and core.  Any cardio would've killed me, so I didn't do any.  Ha, I really don't have to spend much time talking myself out of cardio.  And the last thing I want to do at this point is too much cardio so that I am craving sugar and losing muscle.  Cardio will be my last resort to losing fat....I'd rather eat cardboard.  Who am I kidding, I bascially do...

Today's workout:
BB shoulder press(8x)/ss standing 'Y' press to failure  4x
Seated arnold press  3 x 12
Upright row/ss lateral raises  3 x 10 each
EZ bar curls  4 x 12
Underhand lat bar pull-down/ss hammer curls  3 x 10 each
Alternating incline DB curls  3 x 8 each arm
Sit-ups, legs on bench  3 x 15
Decline 1/2 crunch 3 x 15
plank hold 2x

Tired...but feel good.  Thats one more workout behind me.  Its always one workout,...one set....one rep, at a time.  On to the rest of my day...

My caboose

I was hoping for a solid 8 hours last night, and yet my eyes clicked open at 4:15...then again at 5...and then I finally got up at 6:30.  Tonight I might have to drink Nyquil like cool-aid and pray for coma-like sleep. 

I went to hit a few golf balls before going to workout....it was not a pretty picture.  Being very athletic and growing up playing 3-4 sports, I cannot stand to be mediocre at something.  And mediocre would be the nice way of describing today's driving range adventure.  By the end I wanted to take my 9i to the side of the van parked beside me.  Not that I had anything against the van, except that its a van,  but for whatever reason hitting something seemed like a good idea... My friend says I'm not good enough to get angry when I hit a bad shot.  He now knows its like trying to stop a train....with a big caboose.  Just gotta roll with it...

Today's workout was genuinely hard.  I had back (mainly upper/lats) and hamstrings/glutes.  My rear is one giant knot right now.  I was a little tired, and by Friday everything feels heavier.  When I start feeling like I am "fading" in a workout, I really have to refocus and take everything one rep at a time.  If I look at the clock and know I have 40 minutes left I might throw something (theme of the day).  Perhaps I need to work on my anger management...naaahhh...

Workout:
Wide grip pull-up 4 x 10
Close-grip lat bar pull-down 3 x 10
Single arm Lat pull-down 3 x 8 each
Narrow grip cable row/ss rear flys  3 x 10 each
Leg press on assisted dip machine (glute emphasis) 3 x 10 each leg
Walking DB lunges 3 x 25 yards
Hamstring curls on machine (single leg)  4 x 10 each
Straight leg deadlift  3 x 10-12

Felt a little queezy  after today's workout...a brief nap helped.  Looking forward to a relaxing night and a low-key weekend....

Friday yet?!!

Wow, what a day.  It is not even 10:00 and feels like 1 am.  The only thing worth staying up for is the latest episode of the Office, and if I don't laugh out loud at least 3 times I might take back that comment. 

Today I was demonstrating an exercise to a client and happened to mention that I was extremely sore.  She kind of laughed and said she assumed that I was in such good shape that I do not get sore anymore.  HA!  Ok, time to clear up that myth right now.  No matter how in shape you are, you can still get sore.  As you get stronger, more fit, you simply raise the intensity of your workouts.  I mean my God, right now my lower body feels like I just rode Seabiscuit bareback for two days straight.  I'm basically sore everyday....its a little annoying at times, but I'm pretty much used to it.

I had a great workout today...chest and triceps.  I love working chest more than most guys.  Perhaps if I had enormous twins I wouldn't feel the same way...  And my triceps pretty much want to take over the world.  They were built to do dips day and night until Jesus returns.  I try not to go super-heavy weight on tricep exercises, so the supersets definitely help with that.

Today's workout:
30* incline DB press  4 x 10
45* incline DB press 3 x 10
DB flys/ss tricep press down 4 x 10 each
Front DB raises in neutral position/ss bench dips 3 x 10-12
Single are tricep extensions on cable 3 x 10 each

I had a little more energy today, which was nice.  My body is still adjusting to the diet changes....a few headaches hear and there, but nothing unbearable.  Three months from now it maybe a different story.  My husband might put me in a padded room and send me broccoli under the door...

Long day, but looking forward to some extra sleep tonight....some much needed beauty rest :)

Balancing Act

Ready to roll at 5:00 this morning.  I had the chance to sleep in a little bit and instead of enjoying every last second, I was wide awake an hour before I needed to be.  Happy hump day.  It was a good morning and I was truly thankful all I had today was cardio and a some core work.  My legs were screaming.  If my quads could talk today it would be totally explicit....just being honest.  I made it through 40 minutes of walking on a high incline and about 20 minutes worth of some ab exercises.  I was simply pooped to say the least.  Looking forward to lifting tomorrow....chest and triceps.  I am still using as heavy weights as possible, but I can definitely tell my strength has not been as consistent.  Some days I am fine and throwing up weights like Rocky, and other days the dumbbells feel like they weigh an extra 10 pounds.  That gets frustrating.  It blows my mind how EVERYTHING effects you in the weight-room....rest, nutrition, mental state, stress, and the list goes on.  There is balance in there somewhere....when you find it, let me know.

At this point I am struggling to keep my eyes open.  The bed is calling.....and I'm about to answer.

Survival of the fittest

I often find that its a little harder to get-going on Tuesday mornings.  Its like Monday's-hangover.  And it bothers me when clients can tell I am tired.  I am by no means a "peppy" trainer (that word hardly exists in my vocabulary), but I do like to be on my game from the time I walk in the door.  I had a great conversation with a client this morning just about training and this blog.....and it was very eye-opening to me to hear how different people perceive working out and my pursuit back onstage as a whole.  I think for most, one of scariest things is to get onstage in front of hundreds of people in a skimpy swimsuit and smile as if you own the place.  I totally get it.  Then again, life is one giant stage.  We are judged everyday whether we want to be or not....although, we are generally wearing more clothes....hopefully.

My workout today was exhausting.  I collapsed on the PT table afterward and fell asleep for a few minutes.  I've decided that super-setting leg press and leg extension should be considered a form of torture.  Thus, I will use it in the future on some of you! ;)  Honestly, my quads were on fire and I literally had to jump out of the seat after my last rep.  Quad definition/size is definitely something I've never been marked down on when I've competed...if anything, I am slightly concerned that they maybe too big...we'll see...the odds of me taking it easy on my leg workouts are about the same as me becoming a vegetarian. And that's a whole other subject I can't wait to vent about.  Brace yourselves folks...

Today's workout:
Squats 4 x 10 (drop set on last set)
Leg press/ss leg extension 4 x 10 each
Explosive squat jumps 3 x 12 
Bent over BB row 4 x 10
Back extensions 3 x 15

I did decide to do some lower and mid-back exercises today.  That way I can bombard my traps and lats on Friday.  I was pleased with my workout today...which is always a bonus.  I honestly hate getting to the end of my workout and feeling like I could have pushed harder or lifted more weight.  Stupid perfectionism.  I like to have a near-death gym experience.  Too bad that never carried over to my school work.  Eh...overrated.  Survival of the fittest...not the smartest.  Little Johnny might know how to make a spear and where to find food on a deserted island, but if I can beat him up and take his fish that's really not going to matter will it?  Just saying...

Running on E...

A little crazy Monday morning, but that's what they're for, right?!...By workout time, I needed to refocus.  My energy level is lower then what I'd like at this point, and might add in a few extra carbs in my diet for now.  I just have to figure out where I want to put them.  I mean, I'm used to being tired on a daily basis, but I shouldn't be ready to bang my head against the wall by noon....by 4:00 is understandable.  I would drink more coffee, but I swear if I go to the bathroom anymore than I already do I'll be wheeling around a bag like a hospital patient.

My workout went well...I had shoulders, biceps, and abs.  I'm fairly pleased with how my shoulders have developed, but when you stick me on stage beside a woman on roids I might look like a twig.  And there is nothing "twiggy" about me.....we'll see...

Today's workout:
Military shoulder press 4 x 10
Overhead BB press 3 x 10
High row/ss bent arm lateral raises 3 x 10 each
Cable curls with lat bar 4 x 10-12
Alternating incline curls 4 x 8-10 each
1/2 sit-up, legs extended 4 x 15
6" leg raises, SLOW 3 x 15
Crunches on decline 3 x 12-15

I had someone ask me today what supplements I take, so here ya go...
Whey protein powder
BCAA powder
multivitamin
green tea extract
glucosamine sulfate
vitamin B12
fish oil
flaxseed oil


On to my afternoon...more clients, and home a little earlier tonight.  In theory, I'd like to spend some time reading...in reality, I will probably get stuck in the recliner and channel surf until my arthritis flares up....some of you know exactly what I'm talking about.

Thunder thighs

I think there is definitely something to be said for Sunday being a day of rest.  My body hated me every step of my run today.  I swear my legs weighed 30 extra pounds.  I waited to run until after we got home from church because the weather was absolutely amazing, and well, running at 6am just didn't seem as appealing.  I got through it for sure, but I was panting like a smoker.  I honestly thought it would be easier since I had a nice full day off yesterday, but apparently not.  I might retire from running...

I always find it interesting to know what people think about when  they run.  I hardly notice anything around me...probably not a good thing being that there are cars on the road.  And I am not a fan of the whole "Share the road" thing.  I get it, but honestly if a 2-ton vehicle is headed straight at me, my "share the road" fist-pump isn't exactly going to save me.  Anyway, since committing to the show, I spend most of my time visualizing myself on stage.  Sounds corny, but you have to do it.  If you can't see yourself there, you won't get there.  The remaining 10% of the time I spend thinking about something that fires me up....makes me ill...or out right tempts me to lose my religion.  Seems to get the blood flowing a little better.  A few of you who know me well could easily list off about 7 things right now that fall in that category.  And a couple of you may laugh because your list is strikingly similar....which is why we are friends...

Headed into another week and I'm pretty pumped.  I've got a big workout day ahead of me and lots of bland food to eat...  It hit me the other day that I will be in full-fledge diet mode during Christmas and New Years.  Let's not even talk about it.  I can pretty much pass on most stuff that day except corn pudding and chocolate pie.  No matter how stuffed I am by dinner time, I will eat that mess like I've been in the Sahara Desert for 3 weeks without food.  Might have to come up with plan B this year....like duct taping my mouth shut...or saying something totally offensive so my family actually kicks me out of holiday dinner.  The latter is probably more likely...

On that note, I'm headed to bed...

 

Running...nowhere

I genuinely love Saturdays.  Even though my "to-do" list seems endless, I don't have to get up at 4:30 and can at least relax a little bit.  I had all intentions of going to bed at a decent hour last night and then before I knew it I was looking at my alarm clock and couldn't believe it was already 10:45.  Needless to say, I was a zombie this morning.  My body was sore and my mind only semi-coherent.  I honestly don't think I could have worked out if I'd tried.  Its one thing to push through a workout mid-week when you're stressed and surviving off of a 4 hour sleep night, but when you've had adequate rest and your body feels heavy and slow, you gotta listen to it.  I listened....and as far as exercise goes, I only ran to the bathroom. 

I've gotten much better at taking some days completely off.  I remember a few years ago when I would run everyday for 3 weeks straight before I'd take a day off....which is beyond ridiculous.  Now if you told me to run for 3 weeks straight, I'd probably figure out the fastest way to injure myself...and you.

I was thinking today, and I can't believe its been 5 years since I've competed.  In some ways it feels like yesterday.  I was telling a friend how much I enjoy it...just being up there in front of everyone (despite nerves)...there's definitely a rush...followed by a prayer that you've done all you can to present the best product possible.  Then at some point you realize there's no use in worrying, so you just smile and project an overwhelming confidence that you hope grasps the judges and audience.  But you can't help but look and analyze every BODY backstage.  Its like a meat-market...except painted brown....and sprayed with crisco.  I remember the first show I did and having to stand on this big tarp while some stranger sprayed me down with PAM before going on stage.  I think I was greasy for about 3 days after that....and perhaps a fire hazard.  I just gave some of you a sick try-at-home idea I'm sure...

Well, tonight will be low-key.....and tomorrow all I have is cardio.  Positive thoughts....positive thoughts...eh...

Ready for rest

By Friday I am spent....
Every muscle in my back was sore this morning and my daily dose of coffee only seemed to scratch the surface of getting-me-going.  It was a late night at a country concert, and so getting to bed at midnight was torturous.  Its sad that just a few years ago we would be going out at midnight...my God, I feel like I'm 70 years old sometimes.  And I'd like to thank the ladies in front of us last night who so kindly shared their cigarette smoke with us several times throughout the evening.  When you are pounding Natural Light in public like you're at a frat party, I guess the cigarette almost makes you look classy.  They probably have dolphin tatoos as well.  Way to go ladies...

So my workout today started out great.  I scheduled chest/glutes/hamstrings....I really enjoy training chest and then tolerate the other two.  Lunges leave me winded, but they are nature's butt-lift...thus, they are done weekly.  If you want a nice rearend and refuse to squat or lunge, you can pretty much go ahead and count on a flat backside.  Or, you can opt to order some butt-pads.  Yes, they do exist and I'll probably never own them...my rear is large enough.....and I can imagine a few heads nodding right now.  I know who you are and where you live.

Today's workout:
DB press on slight inlcine 4 x 10
Single arm incline press at 45*  3 x 10 each arm
Cable flys  3 x 10
Push-ups to failure 2x
Kettlebell swings  4 x 15
Walking lunges with DBs  3 x 25 yards
Hamstring curls on machine  4 x 10
Single leg glute raise on bench  3 x 15 each leg
Lunge jumps  3 x 20

The last 3 exercises were such a battle.  I was tired, moody, and my hamstrings were screaming at me.  I got through it, but I wasn't as pleased as I'd like.  Going through the motions just doesn't cut it.  Anybody can do that....in fact, I'd say that most people do.  Next time you workout think about the exact muscle you want to move that weight, focus on every degree of movement, and contract that muscle as hard as you can.....every rep is about precision and tempo.  There's the meat-head coming out in me....and now I'm about to go eat some more chicken.  Wow, that didn't sound much better...

Baby got BACK!

My sleeping patterns are completely ridiculous....wide awake once again today at 3:40 a.m..  I am actually waking up more hungry than normal even though I eat my last meal sometimes at 8:30.  But then again, I could eat most people under the table...I'm a human garbage disposal...minus the garbage.  In high school, everyone at the lunch table would just pass me any food they couldn't finish...at 115 lbs. I would polish off cookies, pizza, basically anything.  My husband asks me why I don't eat like that anymore...HA...ok, first of all because it would slowly kill me...secondly, because when I take off my clothes I don't want to get the "Oh dear God!" look.  Let's be honest...

This morning got off to a great start....I was able to work with a client I have not seen in months and excitedly share about life/competing details.  There is definitely something to be said for support and encouragement.  Its powerful...and an endless resource...so give it freely! 

My workout today was good....I was pooped by the end.  I had back/core.  My back is actually pretty well developed, but I feel slightly weak in my lower traps.  Back detail is tremendously important on stage.  Its a lot easier to train the muscles we can see versus the ones we must solely lift by feel.  My upper traps are out of control....look like a linebacker.  A good friend came up to me and tapped me on my traps one day and he said "I want some of those".  For the record, even as a personal trainer who loves good muscularity and definition, when a MAN is envious of your traps, that is slightly worrisome.  And guys, never tell a woman you like her football-player-like back muscles....might as well tell her you like her pecs as well....and then pray she doesn't Judo-chop you.

Today's workout:
Wide grip pull-up 4 x 10
Close grip lat pull-back 3 x 10
Bent over BB row 4 x 10
Seated cable row 3 x 10
Rear flys 3 x 12-15
Sit-ups, legs over bench 4 x 15
Leg raises 3 x 15
Oblique crunches on decline 2 x 20

Going to a concert tonight...and this is where competing gets interesting.  The fact is that I have to get in all my meals/calories everyday, no matter what.  Most normal people are sneaking in beer...I will be sneaking in a protein shake and almonds....and if I'm good, I'll even fit a chicken breast in there.  Something about that just seems so wrong...

Hump Day...

Eight hours of sleep was absolutely amazing.  I think I went into a broccoli-induced coma.  By Wednesday my body is ready for extra rest....which is why I schedule only cardio.  Let's talk about cardio for a second.....for all you runners out there who love to get on the treadmill and just go until your ears bleed, I think you are out of your mind.  I went through a spell once where I tried to increase my mileage each week and then one day ran a half marathon on the treadmill.  I came to the conclusion that it was a waste of almost 2 hours and I had no desire to even put a "13.1" sticker on my car.  I don't understand those by the way.....its basically wanting a pat on the back for running that far.  Ya know what, I want a pat on the back for doing 45 minutes of cardio today.......where's my sticker?!.....My 13.1 sticker would actually stand for the ounces of chicken consumed before 3 p.m.......
Let's just say I do cardio because its good for my health, to burn a few extra calories, but in no way am I a cardio-junkie.  I got through it...I got in the zone and kept moving.
 
I've started looking at suits for my show.....right now its a toss-up between purple and royal blue.  Any opinions on that are welcome.  Honestly, we might as well be naked....those suits have about as much material as a Build-a-Bear outfit....and cost more than a monthly car payment.  A little ridiculous.

Overall, today's been a great day.....a few funny moments with clients is always a bonus.  Laughter is severely underrated.  If you haven't laughed out loud in the past 24 hours,...shame on you....for surrounding yourself with humor-impaired people...Life is too short.


Well folks, the afternoon awaits.......now go laugh a little bit :)

Don't think, just DO.

Ever have one of those mornings when you wake up and swear that you were hit by a 18 wheeler in your sleep?  Yeah,...it was one of those mornings.  Well, except I'm pretty sure that driver popped it in reverse and hit me again.  I was genuinely tired yesterday and fought a headache for nearly 8 hours from lack of sugar/carbs.  Welcome to the competition world!    Generally, when I wake up on Tuesdays the first thought I have is that my workout will begin with squats......my rear was still screaming from 70 squat jumps and 80 lunge jumps on Saturday.  I have a love/hate relationship with squats.  I hate to do them, and love it when its over.  It's funny to me that people think you have to love every second of working out, and if you don't then its not even worth it.  Ha.  Oh please...and this is why America is obese.  Truth is you are not going to love every minute...I certainly don't, but some things you just suck up and DO.  Embrace the suck.  Sometimes its a matter of mentally pushing ourselves to the next level...but other times we need to stop thinking so much and let our bodies do the work.  9 times out of 10 we can always do one more rep, sprint, etc... 

Today's workout:...Quads and triceps

Squats 5 x 10
Leg press 4 x 10
Leg extension 3 x 12...last set, drop set to failure
Tricep press using dip machine 4 x 12
Reverse grip tricep extension with lat bar 4 x 10

My quads hate me.  By the second set of leg press I had to stop looking at the weight and just push.  I get in that machine and I feel like I'm about to give birth....not that I would know what that feels like.  But, at this point I'd rather press 405 lbs.  Overall, good workout...I was exhausted.

So I have to vent for a second...(shocker, I know)...
I went to the grocery store after my workout to pick up a few things....and by few, I mean like 6 items.  So naturally I go to the express lane to checkout, where the sign says "About 20 items or less".  Ok, I totally understand that it does not mean exactly 20 items, but give or take 4-5 items is acceptable.  I glance up to see the lady checking out just ahead of me who continues to pull crap out of her basket like Mary Poppins.  34 ITEMS....I nearly lost it.  34?  Really?!...Last I checked "About 20" had nothing to do with 30 or more........Come on people...

On to the rest of my day...a few more clients...a lot more protein...60 more ounces of water...and thus, an ungodly number of trips to the bathroom....bed by 9.....

Manic Monday...

It's Monday....my body woke up at 3:40 and for the life of me I could not fall back asleep.  I was ready to get the day started...well, ready or not, the day was waiting.  A week into "competition mode", and I've learned to look forward to the smallest things that have inevitably become "treats"....like my morning coffee with a scoop of mocha-cappuccino protein powder.  Its like liquid crack.  And yes, I basically put protein in everything....I'd probably put it on my chicken if I didn't think my kidneys would go into complete shock.

Perhaps I should back up a bit to explain how I got here...
I've competed in figure competitions before.  My last one was in 2006, and at the time I was going through "various transitions" in life if you will, and everything compounded sort of led me to exit the competition world for awhile.  I continued to train of course (I am a meat-head to my core), and love the gym more than...well...a lot of things.  In college I would skip class to go lift weights...yes, I was that kid.  So for the past 4 years I've simply trained because I enjoy it and want to maintain a healthy lifestyle.  Well, in recent months I've just had an itch to get back on stage....I miss it, I find tremendous accomplishment and satisfaction in competing, and its always good to have something to work towards.  Not to mention I get to wear nearly nothing in front of a panel of judges and hundreds of complete strangers...who wouldn't like that?!!  SOOO...after several conversations with my husband, a few close friends, and myself (probably the most interesting conversation of all), I decided to go for it.  So here I am....preparing to compete in the spring of 2011.

This will be the longest 6 months, and yet will fly by if I don't have a solid game plan.  Right now the plan is to lift heavy, eat an absurd amount of protein, get good sleep, and pray I don't face-plant when I walk out on stage in those stripper heels.  I regretfully got rid of my last pair....$50 down the drain right there.  I put them in the church yard sale...which is wrong on a whole other level.

So here was today's workout:

Shoulders/biceps/core
BB shoulder press 4 x 10
Alternating seated shoulder press 3 x 8 each arm
Bent arm lateral raises 4 x 10
Front DB raises 4 x 10
Bicep pull-down with lat-bar  4 x 10
Alternating incline curls 3 x 10 each arm
Standing BB curls to failure 2x
Sit-ups, legs on bench  4 x 12-15
Leg raises 3 x 15
Decline sit-ups 3 x 15

When I went to the shower I could barely get my arms over my head....so it was a good workout.  My shoulders are probably one of my weaker points (as in, they need to be a little bigger/well-rounded).  I know, I'm one of the very few females in the world who wants bigger shoulders.....but I also figure bigger shoulders can compliment my bigger rear. Ha.  Let's just put it this way....this backside was made to squat a house.

On to the rest of my day....a handful of clients left to train, and an ungodly amount of chicken and veggies to consume before I hit the bed and do it all over again tomorrow.  At this rate, I can't wait to see how my energy level is by Thanksgiving.....I'll probably kill the turkey myself...