CardioGrl’s BodyBlog

I’m so nervous and excited at the same time!

Starting a new position today, PERSONAL TRAINER! YEAH!!! me fat ol’ me a Personal trainer… 

It’s like I’m in some kind of a great dream that I don’t want to wake up from!

I’ll know my schedule today, I need to figure out how to deliver the news that I have two vacations scheduled, a surgery, and a few days off in between… argh….hope that they don’t fire me .

Wish me luck!!!!

My dream came true!

This is it for me, I’ve completed my Personal Training course, I’m testing this Sunday, Practical at 9:30am.  And written 100 multiple choice afterwards. 

There is so much to remember, so many things to go over.  I love this subject, love kinesiology, love it, but can’t help and feel absolutely nervous.   So many thoughts, so many fears, will I measure fat properly, will I take measurements correctly, will I remember how to properly warm up the tester? What about Flexibility Assessments, the stretches, all the tests, Par-Q, risk stratification … sigh. 

I’ve been busting my ass everyday reading and reading, all the acronyms are driving me out of my mind, GXT, THR, Systolic/Dystolic,  FIT principle, Training methods; Continuous, X-training, Interval, Fartlek.  Phosphagen System, Glycolisys, Lardosis {excessive curvature of the lumber spine}, Kyphosis {Excessive curvature of the thoracic spine}, Scoliosis {Lateral Curvature of Spine}, Agonist, Antagonist, Synergist, SITS (Four muscles of the rotator cuff, stabilize the shoulder; Superspinatus, Infraspinatus, Teres Minor, Subscapularis).  How do I not confuse Biceps Femoris with actual Biceps, Lactate Threshold, Slow twitch type I fibers generate low force resist fatigue.  Type IIa- Fast twitch, generate high force, resist fatigue, Type IIx- fast twitch generate high force and easily fatigue…Oy.. my head.

My friends say “Hey M, don’t worry, you’ll pass, look at the average Personal Trainer, an idiot” (Which I personally take offense at, but hey you’re supposed to accept friends for who they are), my answer is always the same “If they’re certified they’re far from idiot, please don’t repeat this ignorant statement”. 

Part of this whole certification program is 20 hours of Internship.  Another issue that I’m stressing over, I mean, what do I do? Just approach a gym manager, any gym and say “hey I’m here to be your slave for the next 20 hours?!?!?!”

How do I calm these nerves of mine?  I’m going to need all the help that I can get it seems!

I am scheduled for a training session in about two hours.  Part of an interview for a luxury spa that I’m trying to get a job with.  I was told that the woman that I’ll be training is five feet tall, 110lbs, in tip top shape and no health issues that prevent her from performing any training. 

I never trained anyone in my life.  Though I’m almost done with school for my certification, we’ve not gone over an actual training session though I’m very familiar with most gym equipment.  It’s so weird for me to be tossed to the lions like this.  Not putting her through tests or reading her Par-Q information. 

I’m thinking of an overall body routine, something like standing overhead barbell triceps extensions, hammer curles, cable internal rotation, Cable crossover, Ab cruncher, Barbell shrug behind the back, straight arm pulldown, One arm dumbell row, hyperextensions, dubbell lunges, and plie lunges. 

I’m puzzled about the warm up, is it ever part of the training session? Do I put her on a treadmill for an 8 minute warm up?  Do I stretch her?

I’m so nervous, what am I going to do?!?!?!

It’s been a while since I wrote, thank you for emailing me the reminder.  I’m a bit busy these days.  My certification program is taking much time, but non the less it’s amazingly interesting. 

Tomorrow we cover Physiology.  I tried reading ahead, the names of the bones, ligaments, connective tissue etc is driving me insane.  I hope that we are not expected to remember them all for the exam. 

Training and Weight:
  

I continue to workout regularly even though I skip updating the Workout tracker on occasion.   

I did skip a workout yesterday, but instead we skied all day! Interestingly not a single muscle is sore .  Working-out pays off! 

My weight is not dropping much in fact, in the less month maybe 1/2 a pound or so.  But my body fat percentage dropped by one percent.  I just find it hard to believe that I, at a quarter inch shy of 5′6 will go through the rest of my life weighing 145lbs with something like 20% body fat.  Why can’t I be like the really slender muscular women? Is my skeletal structure this big?!?!?! . 

Frustrations, frustrations, frustrations! 

Tomorrow is almost here.  The Giants, the absolute underdogs, with a baby QB are facing an undefeated superior team, the New England Patriots.   

I grew up in NY, in Brooklyn.  Only two years ago moved away to the Garden State.  But it hasn’t changed the fact that I’m a huge fan.

I find it interesting that in 1925, that at their very first game they faced the  All New Britain in New Britain, Connecticut, [New England team] on October 4, 1925.  They defeated New Britain 26–0. 
 

Will they be able to defeat the Cheatriots?

May the best team win!

I’m leafing through the Oxygen magazines and I am looking at the workout outfits that the models wear.  I’ve been searching on the internet high and low for those boy shorts and sports tops that they wear and good god, I just can’t find them.  They look like hot shorts, boy shorts, barely covering the ass, and I’m amazed that I am simply unable to find them. 

What is a girl to do?

I’m required to read a whole bunch of chapters before the first class for personal training starts on Feb 10th.  The book name is Fitness Professional’s Handbook, Fifth Edition.  I’m covering chapter 5 on Cardiorespiratory Fitness.  I’m stuck on how to calculate CRF (Cardio Respiratory Fitness).  Which can be expressed as follows:

 * Liters of oxygen used by the body per minute (L * min-1)

* Milliliters of oxygen used per kilogram of body weight per minute (ml * kg-1 * min-1)

*METs, multiples of resting metabolic rate, where 1 MET = 3.5ml *kg-1*min-1

 So a person with the ability to use 35 ml * kg-1 * min-1 during maximal exercise is said to have a CRF equal to 10 METs (35 / 3.5 = 10)

I keep reading and re-reading and I just don’t get it. 

HELP ME!!!!

It’s so disheartening to watch what some people do on this site.  I thought that this site is for the purpose of getting oneself into shape, working out, posting workouts, pictures, progress reports, learning, getting positive criticism etc… And yet daily I see negative comments, ridiculously low ratings for people who appear less than perfect to the so called *Muscle Heads*. 

A young lady had the courage to post 3 photos of herself, she let it all out, showed herself, posted what her goals are, explained what she is hoping to achieve through hard work and proper nutrition, and yet got slammed with ridiculing statements.  How, prey-tell is one supposed to get to where they want to go if they’ll be degraded, laughed at, and told  "I simply don’t understand this, is this a joke?". 

Did we not ALL start somewhere? Or did some of us woke up all chiseled and cut up one morning? Shame on every single one of you who are in the habit of doing this.  You might have the physical beauty, but your inside is hollow and cold, you are the reason that titles like  *Dumb jock* exist.

With the start of the New Year, I am happy to report that I have not really gained weight.  Despite the parties and all the food fests, I’ve managed to take the advice given in Tosca Reno’s Eating Clean book and managed to not gain.  

Having been on the overweight side for most of my adult life I am forever paranoid that I will regain the weight.  But I suspect that for as long as I remember to eat six properly proportioned meals a day, remain active and physical my weight will not be an issue. 

Though I’ve been training, lifting, resistence cardio and remained active throughout the last weekend of December, I got lazy about entering the information in my journal.  So I began today and hopefully I’ll manage to enter the information on daily basis.

New Year Resolution:

1- To accomplish my Personal Training Certification and secure a position in a reputable gym.

2- To get down to less than 16% body fat and get defined.

Earlier today I finally did it.  I’ve been dreaming about this and promised myself that I will do this as soon as I reach a smallish goal of being able to work with a dumbell 20lbs in each arm when I bench press.  I know laughable weight but hey, I’m a girl stop laughing.

Starting Sunday Feb 10th through March 16th I shall be attending classes for Personal Trainer National Certification.  I’m taking the CPR class on Jan 19th!

It is a class which is co-sponsored with World Instructor Training School.  And part of the requirement is the 20 hour post course internship, with the host sites arranged by the program!

I’m a happy girl today :)

The gym was somewhat empty and it seemed to be safe to remove my ear phones.  BIG MISTAKE.  At first while doing Pliet Squats I noticed that some Geeze was standing behind me with his right hand in his pocket and a bulge directly next to it.  I dismissed the bulge to his hand being in his pocket and refused to even allow a shred of thought to anything else.  He had no shame, he just gawked until I’ve had enough.  Does he not realize that I am looking directly at him even though my back is turned to him? I’m facing a mirror for god’s sake! I turned around and made the 10 steps towards him and point blank asked:
“Do I remind you of someone?”  He lowered his head and walked away.  Man..what a loser! 

But worse was the woman with her two daughters who followed everything that I was doing and insisting that her daughters watch me for form and do the same.  She was trying to talk non stop.  Telling me about her youth and how she popped a blood vessel while lifting in college.  She told me of her first and second marriage, she told me how she got an infection in her nails, she told me about her abusive drug days… my gosh what was I thinking when I took my earphones off? 

NEVER AGAIN 

This is a rant I suppose, a rant that is a bit overdue.  Something that I noticed when I started exploring this site and noticed that some of the most worked-out physiques, those who show the most dedication get targeted by a group of  a*sholes that insist on screwing with the picture ratings.  

You know who they are;  They tend to rate pictures with a one.  And when they are feeling generous they’ll up the one to a three or maybe four even. They travel in packs (Perhaps the same person with multiple profiles?). They rate the same picture one after the other and never ever have their own photos or any information about who they are.  Where they are from, their goals, their routines, their achievements, NONE!  Most of the photos that they rate as one are outstanding photos of people in kick ass shape, with amazing definition that only a jealous loser would rate as a one.While I most certainly can understand that a 10.00 isn’t always deserved, and often even abused.  I would most certainly expect at least an explanation as to why the rater thinks that the photo that they just rated as a 1 has come that short.  A few words of critique perhaps, advice on what area/body part in the raters mind needs to be worked on. 

My thoughts: anyone who has time for such juvenile games is a loser, a lonely angry individual, perhaps even a religious zealot who knows.  My advice to them is that they seek help.  Find a way to escape such anger and bitterness.  Find a way to open that door that is keeping you trapped in such unfulfilled life.  And good luck to you pal/s, you need a lot of it!   

Today I began a two month intense training; Oxygen magazine’s Feb 08 Push Pull routine;

 Sculpt Your Dream Body Today!

>>Jolt your metabolism and drop inches with Oxygen’s new workout series.  Starting this month and continuing over the next two, we give you a new, progressive resistance program for fast results<<:

The Plan
Induction Phase week 1 and 2:
Monday: Push

Tuesday: Cardio

Wed: Pull/Abs/Cardio

Thurs: Cardio

Friday: Lower Body

Sat: Rest

Sunday: Active Rest/Abs

Same thing for week 3 & 4 more intensely higher weights.

I decided to continue doing my cardio daily regardless.  I’m hoping for some amazing results! (Pray for me

Today I drove to the East Brunswick gym.  I wasn’t supposed to work out today, in fact, I was supposed to spend the day with my girlfriend shopping.  But she bailed out last minute and I decided to hit the gym that has the Stairclimber (The real stairs coming at you like an escalator).  
I completed my Chest and Stomach workout, but I really wasn’t feeling it.  I was dragging my ass and can’t say that I really enjoyed my work out as I normally do.  I’m wondering if it has anything to do with the fact that this isn’t really my *home* gym, or the fact that I had my mind set to do other things and those things didn’t pan out. 
I wish that my * home * gym had stair climbers or stair  masters.  But they don’t, so I’m stuck on occasion driving to the other gym.
Bummer!
 

My overall goal is to tone up more, cut up, thin out, and grow stronger. 

I don’t have programs or routines.  I know that my body, every part of it, has to be worked on and pushed further every week.  Biceps, triceps, shoulders, legs, back, abs, ass, etc.  

I always start with cardio, I try to push for an hour, I really enjoy packing 6 hours of cardio per week.  But it doesn’t always workout due to time limitation.  And with the recent dramatic nutritional change I notice that cardio though necessary isn’t as important as lifting.  I’m finding that with the recent dietary change I am losing weight steadily, so lifting is absolutely paramount. 

I make sure that I do at least 3 different exercises per body part (ex: 3 for biceps, 3 for triceps, and if I have anything left I go for 4).  

I like the recent changes in my body, so I’m going to stick to my none structured workout.  It works for me.  But still I wonder, are routines and structured programs necessary in order to reach your goals?

Wow am I sore!

Initially I thought that perhaps I’m sore from working out yesterday, or perhaps that fact that I’ve worked out six days this week.  I felt my upper aching as I turned at night from side to side.  I woke up this morning wondering, is it because I pushed myself yesterday? Hmmm the sore isn’t feeling the same as always though.  And then it hit me. 

It’s leaves that I went to collect from the front lawn that did me in. For 2 hours after the gym I was raking and cleaning up the leaves that covered the lawn.  I wonder how many calories I burnt doing that.  My upper back, lats, front chest are aching.  It feels good though, I really enjoy the soreness of muscles. 

Taking today off, it’s snowing outside, we’re finishing up the holiday decorations today, the fireplace is on.  Life is good!

Happy Sunday!

I was always that woman/girl who was told “if you only lost some weight you’d be so beautiful”.

And now, that I have lost weight, the very same people are telling me “You look emaciated”.  Others tell me “Why have you bulked up so much do you want to look like a guy?”
Is there a happy medium? Are people ever happy for the success of another human being?

I hated myself when I was heavy, wouldn’t take pictures, wouldn’t go near mirrors.  I hid myself from the world in a bucket of lard! I was making myself sick.  Didn’t want to socialize, didn’t want to go shopping, not only did I neglect myself physically I also deteriorated mentally. 

I often hear overweight individuals take snipes at people in shape, calling them vain, full of themselves, Barbie, Ken etc…  How beauty is from within yada yada yada…

The reality from where I stand, and from having been in the shoes of the fat person, I can tell you right off the bat it’s pure bullshit.  NO ONE wants to be fat, NO ONE wants to be unhealthy.  We’re all vain.  And while, beauty certainly is part of what we have inside, having a beautiful inside and an ugly / unhealthy outside is never anything that anyone wishes for.  So when I hear the typical bullshit line of “I’ve accepted myself for how and who I am” and it’s coming from an unhealthy overweight individual, I shrug and move on and wonder just how much more dishonest can someone be?.