Building a Better Jay

Here ya go: 24 hours that you didn’t have for the last 3 years.  It’s a gift to you from the universe (and you didn’t think the universe cared).  Too cool, isn’t it!  What will you do with these 24 hours?  If you’re like me, not much, LOL.  I’d like to say I’m going to do something terribly exciting or at least interesting, but I’m just living my normal life for an extra day.

Day-to-day life is not really uninteresting, though.  It’s the little idiosyncrasies of each day that make them special.  For example, if I said "today I went to the gym and then work" it would be a rather ho-hum sounding day - just like every other.  If I take 1,000 steps back and look at my life, this is what I see: a little dot on a map not doing much.  (Who would have ever thought I’d be a dot on a map - I’ve arrived!!!)    However, if we take 1,000 steps in and look at the minutia, everything gets interesting.

Today, I wore a tight t-shirt in the gym.  It was arm day and I like having something with shorter sleeves so I can see my muscles work during my workout (helps concentration to actually see it working).  I am still not really happy with my arm size, but the shape looks good and hey, isn’t it all about looking good? LOL

Anyway, I was in my 3rd set of reverse preacher curls and one of the gym regulars saw that I was about to fail.  He walked over and helped me get in a few more reps.  Totally cool of this guy who I’ve said nothing more to than "Hey" or "g’ morning".  I would’ve shook his hand or patted him on the back, but my hands were sort of locked down at my sides because of my fried bi’s (something you won’t find on the new Mc Donald’s menu).  I thanked him though - it was just a cool moment in the middle of a decent workout.

I need to go get more coffee and plan my weekend.  I have to keep a 2y/o busy and hopefully live to tell about it.

Oh, and there was a workout:

• cgbp: 1×20x45, 4×8x135
• skull crushers: 4×8x75lbs
• tricep cable pulldowns (v-bar): 2×10x85, 1×8x85 (fail), 1×6x85 (fail)
• bb curls: 1×20x40, 2×7x80, 1×6x80 (fail)
• incline db curls: 1×8x30’s (fail), 1×8x30’s (fail), 1×7x30’s (fail)
• reverse preacher curls: 3×10x45, 1×6x55 (fail), 1×6x55 (fail)
• reverse grip bb curls: 2×8x55, 1×7x55 (fail)

  Cardio (Elliptical):

• 5min wu
• intervals (work / rest): 5x 15s / 45s
• 5min cd

I almost hurled today during my 3rd set of 20rep squats (at 15reps).  I took a deep breath, choked it down, banged out one more rep and then crumpled to the floor like a rag doll - completely spent.  Failing on squats is so dramatic, I’m always worried someone is going to run over with smelling salts and the gym’s defibrillator.  You just know there’s some guy there that is itching to use that thing.  I can just imagine his disappointment when he sees I’m actually breathing and my heart is beating.  Poor guy - I’d feel guilty.  Anyway, my pre-w/o shake stayed where it belongs and I survived to scuffle off to the rest of my workout.

You know, I am finding a new respect for myself at the gym.  I have never pushed myself this hard before and it sort of caught me off guard.  I mean, I work hard, but this is like a new level.  Why?  Fear.  I am terrified that the muscle I built post-surgery will just waste away as I try to strip off some body fat.  That hard work would all be for naught and I would be angrier than hungry 2 year old watching the food network.  Fear is a damn good motivator.

One thing to note about my lower calorie/carb intake: it is addling my brain.  (That may have something to do with only sleeping 5 hours last night, too, though.)  I had a few things I was supposed to do this morning at home before I left and I just completely forgot.  Simple stuff, really, but it just never even entered my mind until I was sitting at my desk at work this AM.  I do NOT like being forgetful!!  Soooo, sticky notes to the rescue!  I find that sticky notes are perhaps the world’s best invention.  Have something to remember in the morning?  Stick a sticky on the coffee maker where you know you’ll see it.  Need to take the car in for an oil change - sticky on the windshield.  Having trouble remembering to buy milk on the way home - sticky on your car keys.  If I’m worried about remembering a birthday or a holiday - sticky note on my work calendar.  Seriously, these things are great!  Until I get a watch with artificial intelligence (which I’m sure won’t be too long - that Apple company is very inventive), stickies are definitely the way to go!   …unless someone knows how to train the cat to make oatmeal?

Today’s w/o: