Strenth Training 11/30/11 Legs & Back

In pictures:

I was wearing long sleeves cuz I was cold. Took 2 scoops of jack3d and worked my ass off with some cardio circuits in between or when I was too lazy weak to do pull ups/chin ups.  Got so sweaty!!! Haha. I still feel like I cheated myself but I just can't do a pull up or chin up or a lot of it. I don't know. I hate those.

I did Legs & Back today. I was going to do Chest & Back but I took too much jack3d and I couldn't concentrate on my push ups. I was so jittery and was trying not to rub my face. Can you imagine doing push ups and your face was tingly like no tomorrow? So I did legs. I'm going to feel this later, but its all good. I need to get a physical soon because I think I have balance problems. Haha! I'm pretty uncordinated but all these lunges made me realize that I have a hard time keeping my balance! I need to work on my core more I guess. That should help. A stronger core also means better posture while running. So it would beneficial for running and life in general I guess. But I kept on thinking I was gonna fall. Maybe I was just tired? But who knows. A physical is a good thing to get anyway :-)

I was also tempted to stop mid point and just run but I didn't. I finished it.  I want to run but not yet. I'm officially registered for my 3rd half so and I want to sub 2:30 for it. I want to loose a lot of weight before then, so officially training for that isn't till February- using the Hal plan again, but I'm going to work in back in so I can blast through my "energy stores," a.k.a. chubs.

Anyway, more on that tomorrow or later tonight on my "goals blog." Have a lot going on in my mind and working out has been a good escape.

Thankful that I can.  I do because I can.

Strength Training 11/29/11

Shoulders & Arms today and in my favorite shirt ever! I love this oversized shirt. Funny thing is, I got it on clearance up here in NorCal, for $1.97!!! But its my favorite shirt to sleep in and workout in.

I've been in a rut lately that doesn't have anything to do with working out.  Been lazy and not motivated because my mind was just pre-occupied with so much junk; but this week, this day, this second is new and it may have taken me a while, but now is what matters.

Back to the grind it is! I'm on track so far in terms of weight loss, I'm actually ahead of schedule, but it all good. I broke that plateau even through thanksgiving my weight dropped (not as much as I would like but that pumpkin pie was worth it) and I'll check the end of this week how much I lost.  I'll talk more about that December 1 when I do my monthly goals :-) That way I'll have a few more days to loose some pounds!

Today's workout was good. Maybe cuz I needed the endorphins, as I always say, or maybe it "gave me a purpose," not that I'm purposeless, but it was good. I liked it. I sped it up a bit and did 3 sets of 30 second planks and some squats when I should have been ballistic stretching, so it was good.

I want to get back into running too. I've pretty much taken November off from running which is LAME but I've been sick on and off and not wanting to venture far from the house just in case I puke. Its still no excuse because we do have a treadmill, but I hate that thing.  I'm loosing muscle definition on my thighs. If you run, you know them runner legs & they pretty!

See the muscle definition? I already have defined calves [which I don't really like, but its better than cankles?] and when I started running [more specifically running hills] I gained a lot of muscle & definition in my thighs.  See that "bump" above the outer knee? I love that thing. Haha. Its like a badge of honor. It might not be "sexy" by other people's standards but to me its a sign of all the miles and hills.  Mines still there, maybe I'm just paranoid because I haven't ran in a while ::sigh::

Anyway, more about running on my December 1 entry. I need to start up a plan and stick with it when it comes to running :-)

Have a strong & beautiful day everyone!

Supplements: jack3d pre-work out & ON Whey Protein post work out

It All Starts Here...

Most people, when they want to get fit, head to the gym, but really, it starts HERE:

the bright yellow kitchen!

for the past 5 days, i didn't run or p90x. goes without saying, i was restless & mildly depressed but i did it to prove a point, mostly to myself. a lot of times when people want to "get fit," they head to the gym, what most people don't realize is that getting fit starts in here, the kitchen. i have the worst eating habits ever [not eating enough or eating enough but not nutrient dense foods], & i decided for 5 days that i would just concentrate on eating right. to me that meant bumping my 1200cal/day to 1500-1800cal/day [even when i wasn't working out, but still doing active things like living life. this was hard]. making sure i was getting my carbs [i don't normally eat carbs. i <3 bread, & if its something i <3, i normally do or die it] & making sure i get my fiber, iron, and all my nutrients in. but i also gave myself some room to eat what i wanted- specifically speaking, pumpkin pie.

five days later? I'm down a solid 5 pounds & broke the plateau that was pissing me off & I've been on for 3 weeks. i think 5 days of no running & p90x messed with my emotions [lack of endorphins] much more than anything. it sucked but i learned something about a big part of working out/getting fit that i couldn't have learned other wise. I'll do another long, separate blog post on what to eat, everyone always asks what i eat, these are just a few things that i learned on the past 5 days.

DO... eat clean! eat your veggies! for me, this is no problem, i love vegetables. i just needed to add more dark greens for iron. eat lean meats! turkey breast, chicken breast! protein helps you stay full!

BUT...

DON'T... deprive yourself. i know thanksgiving is this Thursday & it marks the start of yummy eating. just be smart about what you eat, in other words, don't use working out & eating clean as an excuse to binge. go ahead, have a piece of that dark meat or some yummy ham. i seriously ate pumpkin pie and a biscotti during those five days and i was like i'm effing myself over, but in reality, those "breaks" in food just helped me not to binge, which i know we all do over this season.

DO... keep active! its cold, nothing better than being indoors wrapped in a blanket. but stay active! i know i didn't work out & run during those 5 days, but i wouldn't be surprised if some of those 5lbs i lost were muscle weight. i know its all not because i also measure myself & weigh myself so i'm pretty familiar with my body. but keeping active- not just running or weight lifting- go snowboarding, ice skating, walk downtown, etc. will also help your metabolism to always be "on." thats another thing i'll talk about later on, how to manipulate your metabolism. i know my metabolism is always "on," i can tell, and its crazy how if you have the know how and the drive you can make your body do crazy awesome things.

BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY...

DON'T... forget to have fun. its an awesome season. everything seems to be so magical and awesome. its a time to be with friends & family. a time to reflect & be grateful for the past year & the years to come. life is a gift, meant to be enjoyed & lived to the fullest, being healthy helps you live a long one [trusting in the One helps you live forever]. enjoy it, LIVE IT!



PS. I broke my non-workout streak today with Shoulders & Arms for P90x. It feels good to be back <3 Now to shower & walk laps in the mall- I really need new pants. still wearing the same pants since before i started, i'm now down 6 sizes. i think i should buy new ones.

with the workout nectar of life, jack3d

Strength Training 11/14/11 Shoulders & Arms

According to my calendar, I'll do a different post on that later, today was Shoulders & Arms day!!! The last time I worked out or ran was Wednesday.  I had a sinus infection cold thing going on and I was so looking forward to today because I wanted to work out. I miss those endorphins! I was seriously mentally feeling the lack of physical activity.

Took two scoops of jack3d because I wasn't feeling the first one after 30 minutes and I had to take a break. Two scoops is always too much for me, my face, ears, & palms of my hands were so tingly I could barely life the weights. Also, I finally moved on to 10 pound weights where I could. Some of them I couldn't do the 10 pounds with out injuring, like dropping the weights on my face, myself so I played it safe. Suffice to say, my ass is beat.  Or my arms, but I'm glad, that means that my muscles are growing and I'm getting stronger. I'm really happy about this workout.  I'm sitting here post protein shake and I'm just glad that I did it! And form wasn't an issue and I did something!!! Four days off from sickness is four days too long! I'm looking forward to the soreness tomorrow!!! It feels good to get my ass kicked.

I also did planks. It seems so easy, but really your core gets a workout, pretty much your whole body. If you guys & gals want to work out your core withou weights, just planks. You think its easy, but wait till you do it.

googled this pic :-)

So pretty much you lie on your tummy then prop yourself up on your elbows.  Keep your elbows below your shoulders and keep that 90 degree angle steady.  Suck your gut in, make sure your back & legs are straight and hold for 30 seconds, down for 5 seconds.  Repeat as many times as desire! You can challenge yourself to do a minute straight, or 5 minutes straight if you're really ambitious and hard core. Warning tho, its really not as easy as it seems. There are variations too, but I think I'll do an entire entry devoted to planks. They are so much fun, challenging, & its a good simple workout.  I did 1 minute today, and it doesn't seem much but add that to the work out and I'm done. I'll probably do some again before I go to bed. 

Speaking of weights, I saw this the other day and I want it!

Its a hannya kettle ball! Its 35 pounds and its $140~ish! Its an entire set of "demon" balls, but the story behind the hannya is something I love.  Kettle balls are "requirements" for P90x2, so its an excuse to get one, but for $140~ish I can get a set of non awesome but still functional kettle balls.

Anyway, tomorrow is hills or tempo run. I'll see how I am with running because I'm still not 100% there in terms of this sickness but I really want to get out there and do it!!!

I also need to sign up for Turkey Trot if I do decided on doing it.  And if so, 5k or 10k? Its a big even for the city, and anticipate 17,500 runners all in Downtown! Its going to be crazy!!!

Have a strong day!

Strength Training 11/09/11

Chest & Back

I'm so determined to have proper form for chest & back. I know my form isn't the best and I'm really doing low reps with proper form but so determined. I feel like I can only tackle one a time and now that my form is passable for shoulders & arms I want to work on chest & back. I know I should be doing proper form for everything [including running] but I don't want to get overwhelmed! I'm so weak. Since I can't do a lot of reps for any time I just planked, the exercises kind, not the trendy kind. I want to plank for a minute without shaking like crazy. 

I wanted to run this morning but this cold gave me a cold. I need to boost my immunity, which means I need to be smart and consistent about my vitamins. I know I don't get everything from what I eat because I haven't been eating right.  Its "clean" but maybe too clean if you get my drift. I'm below calories and I'm practically on a vegan diet because I don't want to eat meat. I only want chicken. Or turkey and we have neither. I'm being so picky at the moment. I really want to drop that excess weight.  But I know I'm gaining a lot of muscle as well.  Which doesn't show on the scale but it shows everywhere else.

Speaking of running, I also need to sign up for Hollywood Half before December. I'm debating about doing Turkey Trot this year. I haven't done a 10k race but I've done a 5k & a half-marathon. Haha. Oh yeah, this enabler has been enabled!!! I just want to say thanks to my enabler for this:

That Running Warehouse [my favorite shoe store!] box holds something. I'll divulge soon, but lets just say it feeds my addiction! I know its a gift, but enabler knows I might return it. I need to read up on it and see, but dang, if it isn't awesomeness in a box!!! I mean awesomeness!

And really awesome words here:

I always tell people this, even before I saw this graphic, I've told those who are on the fence about pursuing their dreams to do so.  Those who know me know I'm an enabler.  I share life because I want others to know they have the freedom to share theirs with me, and others. Sometimes, were afraid to "go first." Were afraid to share our dreams, our struggles, our worries, our cares, or even take the first step to wherever, because we don't want to go first.  I think one of the great things we can do is "go first," that way, those who are afraid, will have the courage to go at all. Running, & working out, for me has become so much more than a physical thing, it really is something that benefits your body & mind, and majority of runners I've met in real life and online are all surprisingly kind and down to earth and keeps it real. Regardless,  we are all in life together. Don't be afraid to share your dreams, to show your dreams, because you never, I mean never, know who is willing to help you and how great that help can be.

Strength Training 11/08/11

First, it would be a diservice to myself if I don't greet you all a happy Modern Warfare 3 Day!

With that said, I just finished Shoulders & Arms for P90x! I also noticed this:

I always end up matching all my workout & running gear! It never hit me when I was buying my gloves that it would match my Nike Free Run+2 that I have now delegated as workout and short run shoes, I still love them, but I can't hang with them for long runs, too much arch support. But they do match!

Anyway, I need to buy either 9 pound weights or just suck it up and use my 10 pounds but either way, I'm graduating from 8 pound weights!!! Whooo!!!

What I really want is this:

but that will have to weight.. I mean wait. Get it? Its that post work-out endorphins talking crazies, or corny!

Anyway, workout was good. I really love Shoulders & Arms but I know I need to mix it up. My back needs help and also my once a week ab-ripper needs to be done. Anyway, I drank my protein shake and now I'm off to shower the stink away!

Have a strong day everyone!

Strength Training 11/01/11

First of all, press play:

You may now read:

I can actually count the number of times I've done P90x Legs & Back in one half of my hand. This is only the 2nd time I've ever done Legs & Back for P90x.  Since I run, I never really did legs. I know hill work is really effective in building leg muscles, but I haven't done solid hill work in a while so I did legs & back.  I'm going to feel this later, both with legs and my back since I actually use my brand spankin new-to-me pull up bar for serious. Of course I had a little help from a chair, but the point is, it got done.

Here is a gratuitous picture of my legs. Its no where near what I want it to be, but considering where I came from to where I'm at, I'm damn proud.

Hence the song: RUMP SHAKER! Running hills & my random lunges are paying off like crazy. Strong glutes & hips also help you're running form.  As they say, we are runners, not models, we don't sway down the runway, we run roads strong and controlled.

Like I said, no where near where I want to be, but its closer than I was 2 months ago, hell even two weeks ago. I'm not after skinny, I'm after strong! Those legs will run the hills of San Francisco one day! Maybe this year, maybe not. I'm scared of the hills and to sub 3 hours, but we shall see! I'm still debating about doing SF Marathon.

Anyway, protein shake time, shower time, then work time!

Its NO-slacking-VEMBER just because its the season of "indulgence," doesn't mean the fun stops!

November Goals

Its NO-slacking-VEMBER!

Far from perfect, I am; but the more I do, the more I get better ;-)

Yesterday was the start of season of "indulgence," of candy. November has Thanksgiving and December has Christmas. Its the season of hibernation, for most. For me, I want to drop at least 10, hopefully 20 more pounds by the years end. Its going to be an awesome challenge since my family is a family of awesome cooks! But its all in moderation & self control!

Anyway, its time to set some goals for November!

• Drop 10 pounds of chub, not muscle. I hate loosing muscle.
• Run at least 50 miles, 100 preferred. I want to do at least 100 miles but I should really work on speed work, hill work- the hidden speed work- so I'll see. Unless I find a half marathon in December/January/February/March, my next half is on April. So I'm not going to seriously train till January. No runs over 10 miles. If not I'm just going to bring my baseline higher and while thats a good thing, I really don't want 10 milers to by my normal runs. Not yet anyway!
• Ab ripper at least once a week. I avoid Ab Ripper like a plague. Its just blah, but I need to work on my abs.
• Eat clean. This is something I'll be strict on because there will be days of gorge fest.

I think thats my general goals, I'll probably have a lot more smaller goals, but to be broad, those four are the top ones.

Also an over all goal in terms of running is this:

Complete a full marathon by 2012. I'm looking at Either Pasadena which means beginning of 2012- May, or the end of 2012, so about a year from now. I'm not confident about Pasadena yet, so I'm targeting about a year from now, and I'm not sure what event I would run, but I would love to travel for it, so either Atlanta or Chicago- but Chicago has been iffy temperature wise.

After completing my first marathon, its at least one full marathon a year until I no longer can. I'm so excited for this goal and the fact that I want to do at least one full marathon a year make me look forward to getting older!

Anyway, time to go!

Happy November everyone! Happy Binary Day! Happy Birthday Hello Kitty!

Happy NO-slacking-VEMBER!

Have a strong day!