Progress!!!!

Well it's workout #5/12 and I'm still feeling really good. I'm not sure if I mentioned the beginner program is only 4 weeks long (12 workouts). I'll decide in week 3 which Beautiful Badass program I'll move on to next.

Before I continue I just want to send a shout out to my lil sis from another momma. Today is her 25th birthday! Sending her lots of love - MUAH! 

  

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DRE!!!!!!

After my workout, I decided to get my husband to take a progress pic since it's been a while. Since August 2010 I've lost 18 lbs. I've probably lost 100 lbs by now but it's the same 5-10 lbs I kept gaining and re-losing. I've had quite a few people tell me I look like I've lost weight, but I honestly didn't believe them - until now. Even I can see a difference now after looking at my progress pics (below). I look forward to posting even more dramatic progress pics. I'll post my next progress pic in week 4. 

Today's workout:


Reverse Barbell Lunge: 1 set of 60 lbs x 6 reps and 4 sets of 45 lbs x 6 reps
NOTE: So, I confused myself, forgot what I was doing and added the heavier weights to the barbell. I was halfway through the first set on my second leg when I realized I was supposed to be lifting 45 lbs. I switched back to 45 lbs but I felt empowered to know I could lift 60 lbs at least for 1 set.


Push-up: 5 sets of 6 reps (knee push-ups)

Inverted Row: 5 sets of 6
NOTE: I took a pic of how I'm able to do the inverted row. I lean my back on the end of the bench, prop my feet on the table and lift myself up about an inch off the bench.


Side Plank: 3 x 15 seconds per side
NOTE: I was able to increase my time by 5 seconds.


I just want to take a moment to talk about something that's been bothering me. People assume I'm lazy or that I'm not trying very hard because I can only plank for 15 seconds, do girlie push-ups or come up with some odd way to be able to do the inverted row. It's taken me years to finally accept the fact that it's not because I'm lazy or not trying, it's because I'm lifting my body weight. MY body weight is a lot heavier than those people who've made comments. I'm lifting 230 lbs which is a lot harder to lift up off the ground or suspend in the air than someone who weighs 160 lbs. The important thing is I'm trying! I'm finding ways to do the exercises required, instead of giving up and saying I can't do them at all. When I get better equipment I'll be using resistance bands to make it easier until I'm able to hold up my own body weight. I may only be able to hold myself up for 15-20 seconds or lift myself an inch off the bench, but dammit I'm DOING it. Can others say the same?


Okay, I'm done, for now. =) Have a great night! I'll be back on Saturday.

Late Workout

Image via Wikipedia

Happy Tuesday Peeps. I was super tired today and almost didn't do today's workout but I managed to squeeze it in at 8:30. Of course, I feel 100 times better after working out too. I'm still struggling with finding ways to do a couple of the body weight exercises. I should be able to get the equipment I need within the next month so I'll keep making do until then.

I'm noticing little differences already, like the little definition I'm seeing in my arms. You know when people clench their jaws and you can see that little muscle in their cheek? I CAN SEE MINE NOW!!!

Monday my husband and I went over to his aunt's place and ended up helping them lay sod. At first I just watched my husband do it. I thought to myself that there was no way I could lift the sod. Then I realized hey I lift weights, why couldn't I lift sod? So, I did and it felt good to be able to help out. 

Here is tonight's workout:

Deadlift: 5 sets 60 lbs x 6 reps 

NOTE: I added 5 lbs to last week's weight

Chin-ups: 5 sets x 6

NOTE: I stood on a box and used my arms to pull myself up (my feet stayed on the box). I try to pull up as much as I can with my arms.

Standing Overhead Press: 5 sets x 45 lbs

NOTE: I added 5 lbs to last week's weight

Plank: 3 x 20 seconds

220's1!

Image via Wikipedia

Good evening my fellow beauties. Today is a great day. I am in the 220's! I weighed myself this morning and I'm at 229.8! I can't recall the last time I was at this weight. I'm still doing really well with my eating. I'm not denying myself and I find I'm not gorging on anything, not even chocolate.

Today's workout:
Barbell Squat: 5 sets of 55 lbs x 6 reps
Parallel Dip: Goal 5 sets x 6 Actual: 4 sets x 6 reps and 1 set x 4 repsNOTE: I did weighted bench dips since I don't have a parallel bar. This was crazy hard for me, but I managed to do it as best I can for now.
Bent-over Barbel Row: 5 sets of 55 lbs x 6 reps

I'm "off" till Tuesday. I'm going to concentrate of my finger exercises for my guitar. I recently started learning to play. I can play Twinkle Twinkle Little Star :) 

Ciao!

Another Great Workout

Image by sun dazed via Flickr

I woke up in a good mood this morning, but as life happens...my coffee maker went kaput and I discovered my expensive headphones have been torn in two. Thankfully my father in law had an extra coffee maker, so that's been replaced. My husband helped me get to the bottom of how my headphones broke - it was an accident, so all is forgiven.

I'm still eating at the table and surprising myself with how little I'm eating. I waited too long to start supper so I was extremely hungry by the time I sat down. I didn't put as much on my plate as I normally do but by the time I finished I was stuffed! Even my husband is surprised at how little I've been eating.

I had such a great workout today. The sweat was just pouring off of me! Here's today's stats:

Barbell Reverse Lunge: 5 sets of 40lbs x 6 reps per leg

NOTE: I have to say a part of me hates exercises where I have to split it per leg. It just feels like more work, haha. I must say other than a few balance issues I was quite please with my performance.

Push-up: 5 sets of 6 reps

I did the girly kind. I tried a regular push-up but just couldn't do it. At least I'm not still doing wall push-ups.

Inverted Row: Goal was 5 sets of 6 reps. I managed 4 sets of 6 and one set of 3.

NOTE: I just about killed myself with these inverted rows. It took me a while but I finally found a way to do them with the equipment I have and then it took a while to figure out how I was going to pull my 230 lbs up. I managed to pull my body off the bench by about an inch. Hey it's a start.

Side Plank: 3 times to a count of 10

NOTE: I can feel my whole body shaking when I do these, but I was surprised that I could do them at all.

Being Elle Meets Organic

Good evening! Well, I must say eating "real food" went well today. I did have a vanilla iced coffee from McD's but I didn't have lunch there so I still count that as a win. I ate every meal at the table without distractions like my phone, tv, computer or reading something. The best part is that I didn't eat nearly as much as I usually would have.


I went grocery shopping today and while at Sobey's I hit up their 50% aisle. I bought organic tomato soup, organic oatmeal cookie mix and organic brownie mix. I don't usually care to buy organic, it's usually a lot more expensive, but I do try to make things from scratch as much as possible. Hey this stuff was like $1.49 so I splurged.


I've never really looked at the organic products, but I have to say I'm really impressed! I looked at the ingredients and I know exactly what each ingredient is and how to say it. The organic oatmeal cookies contain: organic wheat flour, organic brown sugar, organic rolled oats, salt and baking soda. A non-organic version would have a bunch of other crap in it that I couldn't pronounce, let alone understand what it is. It makes me super happy that I make most things from scratch.


I made the organic brownies and my own homemade oatmeal chocolate chip cookies. The kids all enjoyed the brownies I had a small bite sized piece. I remember reading not to deny myself, but to wait until I really want something. It's kept me going today. I find it easier to know I can have a food but that I'm choosing to wait until later or "tomorrow".


I'm still not feeling 100% so I did not do my hill sprints. Tomorrow is reverse lunges, push-ups, inverted rows and side planks and I can't wait!

Becoming a Beautiful Badass

Image by undergroundbastard via Flickr

It's been about a month since my last post. I overdid it after the marathon, then ended up with poison ivy. I'm finally getting back to normal and then I caught whatever my kids had last week...oh the joys of being a parent. I've had a fever for 2 days and a seriously sore swollen throat. I can handle the sore throat it's the fever that turns me into a big baby.

A while ago I happened upon a link via a fellow blogger's site and I was introduced to this no-nonsense trainer Nia Shanks. This woman is certainly someone to look up to. She can deadlift 315 lbs! She recently released her new training program "Become a Beautiful Badass" she had me at the title. So, I thought about it, talked it over with my husband and decided not to purchase the program...and then I decided you know what? What do I have to lose? It really is common sense and simple. To find out more sign up for the Beautiful Badass Mini Course.

I'm committing to following these simple guidelines over the next 12 weeks (to start). I'll keep you posted on the results. I'm excited about focusing on strength and improving performance instead of weight loss. I will follow her simple nutrition guidelines as well.

Instead of waiting for some perfect day to start (remember I'm still feverish) I didn't want to wait. I started today. Here is today's workout:

Deadlift: 5 sets of 55 lbs x 6 reps

Chin-ups: 5 sets of 6 reps

NOTE: So, at 233 lbs chin-ups aren't happening right now, so I did my best. I used my weight bench and barbell to pull my torso up off the bench. I made sure to use my arms to pull myself up and even at that it was not easy. At some point I hope to get a power rack and resistance bands. For now I'm doing my best with what I've got.

Standing Overhead Press: 5 sets of 40 lbs x 6 reps

Plank: 3 x 15-20 seconds

NOTE: I surprised myself with this one, I held on longer than I thought I could.

Tomorrow I'm off to find a hill and run some hill sprints. September 13th will be my 12 weeks. I can't wait to see how strong I am then!