Dare to Soar BodyBlog

Last night I went to the gym.  Talk about dragging.  I knew if I told myself I was too tired I would skip.  My workout wasn’t as intense as I would like but I got it done.  I can feel it today so I know I did it some good.  I did cardio and worked chest.  Since I am really just getting back into training again consistently, I went simple: bench press, dumbbell press, dumbbell flyes, and peck deck.  All were four sets of 8 to 12 with medium weight.  I think the maximum I did on the bench was 115.  By mid April, I will start pushing myself again with drop sets and pyramids.  Start get my bench back up to the 200 for multiple reps.  That’s my goal for now.
 

Tonight I will train legs and butt.  That is going to be a major focus area over the next 8 weeks.  I plan on working them three days a week with weights and then adding in plyometrics, kempo and yoga on down days.  I know you are thinking over training but I know what it takes to shape them up.  I am going back to split training also.  Am cardio session, evening weight and other sessions.  I will take one complete day off with active rest. 
 

My motivation is high. I am committed to making positive changes.  I am determined.  I also think my new support group will help me stay motivated. 
 

http://groups.bodybuilding.com/destination_me_2009
 

I have found that when you work together and encourage each other, everyone goes a lot farther. 
 

Well I have to get to work. 
 

S
 

PS  I am working on a scholarship to get my personal training certification.  If any of my friends would like to email me a note of recommendation I can add to my application, it is much appreciated. 

I am back from the most wonderful and romantic vacation I have been on in years.  For those of you that haven’t been to Caesars Pocono Palace, I highly recommend.  Our room was wonderful… private pool so inviting… fireplace made cuddling fun while sipping from a glass of blackberry wine…the view from the private balcony was so relaxing…the whirlpool heart shaped tub was very welcoming.  The resort so had their stuff together too.  I mean the food was delicious.  The bar served fabulous drinks… I know you really can’t mess that up.  Oh and the couples games, lets just say they got a little up close and personal but everyone had a great time.  Truly I can’t wait to go back.

Hey guys.  I am hanging in there and working out hard.  Making a few positive steps forward.  Disappointed I am not at the Arnold this year but hey life goes on.  Keep pushing.

Hey bodybuilding.com and all my friends here.  Thanks for the wonderful emails you have been sending me.  I have been busy and haven had much time to blog.  I am doing well and making some progress.  

I had some pics taken for hubby for valentines day and thought I could post a few here as progress pics.  Unfortunately I discovered that most of them would not work for this site so my friends will have to make due with the few I posted.  I will take some new ones for those of you that have been asking for updated pics. 

Until next time, train hard eat clean.

I have lost 8 pounds since January 1st. Thats my big news. 

Well it’s another day. That is all I can say.  I have to get out of this funk that has settled in around me and feels like its choking the life out of me.   I rarely get in these moods and it usually won’t stay long. This one is trying to sink its teeth in me.  Ugh.  Want to know how bad it is?   I have little sex drive.  For those of you that know me intimately know that is not a good sign.  Well it’s not non existent so there is hope. 

I am going through all the motions that I usually go through when I feel all this negative energy coming on.  Things like working on my vision board, contacting friends, working out (although they haven’t been as intense), trying to make sure all areas of my life are balanced, and throwing myself into a project. 

Right now I am developing Destination ME 2009 Support group for work.   Basically it’s a once a week meeting where employees get together and weigh in, talk about successes, and obstacles, discuss a topic for the week, and then walk away with a tip to consider and motivation until the next meeting.  I plan on covering everything from how to take measurements to proper form to choose whole grains to basic sup knowledge to stress management.  I mean there are so many topics to choose from.  I want to help them succeed. Plus it will keep me on track to drop the last of this stubborn weight that I keep carrying around. I mean really I should have already hit my goal weight and be in maintenance mode.

I just signed up to participate in the diabetes walk on April 18.  Here is a link to my page if you want to see my progress or even better donate.  http://main.diabetes.org/goto/daretosoar . My goal is $250.00.   I am hoping each my friends will donate $5.   I don’t have diabetes but I am sure I know someone that does.  The best part is we can educate to help prevent some forms of this.  Let’s make a difference together.  

Well I have to get to work. 

S

“In reality, we don’t manage time.  We manage ourselves, our priorities, projects, and attitude”   This is so true with every aspect of our life.  I mean you hear people say they don’t have time to do something.  The truth is they are choosing to do something else.   That may not be wrong but if you aren’t moving forward and feel stagnant then you need to look at your priorities.   Something is out of balance.  
 

The beginning of the year is the perfect time to do it.  I mean we have 365 days to make out of them what we want.  You have been given a blank book called 2009 that is ready to record your successes.  Are you going to waste that opportunity?   Take some time and decide what you want.  I have been working on my 2009 action plan.  I want 2009 to be a wonderful year.
 

So far I have completed my fitness plans that are listed below.  Stay tuned for the other areas of my life.
 

Health and fitness:

1. Reach my ideal weight by July 25.  That means I drop the last 50.   That is only eight to ten pounds per month. 
   
2. Learn and practice meditation at least once a week.  This will help me stay focused and help release stress.
   
3. Perform yoga and stretching at least once a week.  This is great for the muscles and for better sex.  Plus it helps with stress.
   
4. No soda.  Drink more tea and water.   Read up on the different teas and their benefits.  
   
5. Diet- go back to what works: planning all meals in advance, 5 to 6 meals a day, very little processed foods and refined sugars.  Improve the habits I worked so hard to get.  Stop being lazy
   
6. Perform 10 perfect pull ups, bench 300 pounds, and knock 2 minutes off my mile pace. 
   
7. Research for fitness obstacle courses and their requirements.   Find my starting points and work on improving them.
   
8. Pick a fun run and complete it.  Sure I know this will take me a while but hey completing it will be an accomplishment.  Plus it will give me a starting point to improve on.  I used to run cross country in school.  I was pretty good.  I want to feel that runners high again.
   
9. Do research on improving memory and work on that.  I feel like forget a lot now.  I need to work the brain muscle to get it functioning better.  I used to be able to absorb things quickly and remember them now there are times I struggle. 
   
10. Read fitness and health books/magazines or take classes to stay up on current trends and ideas. 
    
1. Change Mind/Change body
   
2. The Dietary Pursuit:
   
3. Meditation:
   
11. Improve skin health
    
12. Take the animal pack and flex daily, include muscletech sups and gaspari protein
    

Well I am back at it again.  Got focus and determination.   Shoot its the end of the year and I haventreached my yearly goal.  I am not discouraged. I met many smaller goals just fell  short on the long term.  What does that mean? It means it is time to tighten up and make a plan so that 2009 will be finish stronger and on track.   That is exactly what I am doing.

Well I have been keeping with the program.  Really not seeing the results i want so its time to tighten things up.   I am sure its the Saturday night out with my friends that is causing the issue.  So I am making some modifications.   I want positive changes. Of course I want them yesterday.  Who dont?

Overall everything is good.  Great friends, wonderful family, healthy, and job is going ok.  Whats to bitch about? 

Have a great day.