GGsgotguns’s BodyBlog

Just went to Georgia to visit family for the holidays.  My neighbor drove us to the airport in my car.  We chose an airport two hours away as the rates were much cheaper.  When I got home and got into my car, I immediately could not breathe, I stepped out of the car and almost collapsed to find that my neighbor, who knows of my health issues had smoked in my car!  I used my inhaler and thought I’d be able to drive to work with the windows down and be okay, but I was wrong! (I had just taken a week off work and there was no way I could miss another day as I work per diem and you have to take whatever hours you can get!)  The lining of my lungs has swollen AGAIN!  I tried lifting yesterday, and it’s just not happening.  The bad part is that I have the newspaper coming to do a photo shoot on Friday to do an article on me about my breaking the deadlift record in my division at Worlds.  So, they are just gonna take a a picture of me sitting in the gym.  That so stinks!  I’m praying that I get an amazing burst of energy or can safely do a light lift to get in at least one good shot.  We’ll see, I won’t be stupid, but you all know we have to push it to the limit!

Lift strong!

GG

Hello all!

Just wanted to update you on how my powerlfiting at the World Natural Powerlfiting Federation World’s went.  Unlike most powerlfiting events that I attend where there are very few women, there were 22 women competing at World’s on Friday.  Most were from the US, but there were several from other countries as well.

I really wasn’t sure how I would do at first only being back in the gym for about a month and with the meet being drug free, I have not been able to take my diuretics to hlep my kidneys rid my body of toxins.  But I felt good and ready with all things considered.

My deadlifting was incredible!  Several of my Team USA members gave me a few pointers in the warm up room and cheered me on throughout my lifts.  I felt good in warmups and raised my opening weight from 185 to 203 as to not have such big jumps in an attempt to break the World record of 260.

I had my mind made up.  That record was mine.  I didn’t care that the other girls were in the gym 5 days a week to my 2, I didn’t care that they had had seemingy healthy bodies to my failing one, I didn’t care that they all had powerlifting coaches and I work out with my bodybuilding boyfriend.  That record was mine!

203 up easy, 226 up and away, 248 yep! Which meant I had a 4th attempt to break the record……….. Wooooooooooosh! 264.5! GOT UR DID!

The mind is an amazing thing!  Now if I can just transfer that over to my bench, I’d be in good shape!

Kick your mental demons butts and lift strong!

GG

Hey all!

I never gave up hope that I would ever get back in the gym, but I must admit that my hope was fading.  But…… I’m back.  Five months out of the gym with 2 attempts to come back before my body was ready.  But now, I have had about a month of somewhat regular training and I’m back to competing. 

I did the Can Am Nationals for WNPF last weekend and did surprisingly well.  A little dissappointed with my squat and bench, but my deadlift is almost back to pre pluerisy!  Decided to go ahead with World’s since I qualified and my sister lives in Georgia where they will be held.  I have not seen her since my mom’s funeral last November and the competition is the day after my mom’s birthday, so I thought….. why not?  Major competition experience never hurt anyone and I am lifting well enough not to embarass myself!

So…… I did a 175 squat at the gym Tuesday which is my PR, so I feel good about that for World’s as well.  Actually 175 is the National Record for my division!  Did a 240 deadlift, but my bench is still hurting.  Can’t get past 100! I know it’s mental!

But, the bottom line is even though my kidney specialist didn’t want me lifting and still won’t let me take any protein supliments, I’m still doing what I want to do. Lift! Will I still have to battle with diseases and illnesses because of my low immunity and body’s inability to get rid of toxins?  You bet! But will I let it defeat me……… NO WAY!

Lift strong!

GG 

So, I made it to teh finals for Erie Idol.  Finals are Thursday though, so I’mnot sureif I will be able to compete or not.  The winner wins a 10 songs recording demo, $500.00 cash a $200.00 gift certificate to a jewelry store and a flat screne TV.  Plus, a chance to sing a duet on a CD with a guy that made the top 10 in American Idol last year! That $500.00 would be great start up money for starting my fitness program and workout videos for kids and adults with special needs.  Or….. it would come in handy to pay for all this ding dang medicine!  I work per diem now with special neds kids and I have no health benefits!  Not too good for someone with my kidney problems. Trying to get a new job or get my special needs personal trainer business idea off the ground so I can afford ot buy some insurance!  Looking for someone to help me with grant writing right now!

Woke up this morning and felt as if someone was sitting on my chest.  Went to the ER to find out that I now have bronchitis!  Doctor thinks it’s from inhaling too much smoke at the bar where my singing competition was Friday night!  I’m usually pretty careful as I know my immunity is down with my kindeys not doing well, but I didn’t think it was that smokey.  I usually don’t go to bars for that reason.  So……. who knows?  Taking it one day at a time!  Still not ready to give up! Planning on a super lite day in the gym tomorrow. We’ll see!

Lift strong!

Woke up with a 103 temp and throwing up like crazy.  Long week of trips to the hosiptal for tests and tons of blood work.  Cholesterol and blood pressure up and iron low. Not good conditions for lifting!  But normal in the life of a renal patient!  Just trying to stay strong mentally and stay positive. I don’t care what anyone says.  Whenever I am not able to lift it is so much harder to get and stay healthy.  I know it doesn’t make since to most doctors, but I know most of you know what I mean.

Anyway have a competition in Pittsburgh Saturday.  Haven’t had a regular workout week in weeks.  Still lifting strong when I do get in the gym, just not pushing it.  Trying to decide about my competition Saturday.  It’s in Pittsburgh.  I competed Novice in my first power lifting competition last month.  I did really well and scored high enough for Nationals and placed high enough for Worlds but cannot compete in Worlds as a Novice.  I have to do at least one meet as  Master and this is the only meet I can attend.  So….. think I’m just gonna go and see what the competition is like and if I can get a score and place without pushing it.  But if I’m lagging in score I can always pull a half way decent deadlift out of my butt.  It is by far my best event and I have never missed a weight!

 We’ll see…………

Made it to the gym with Terry and his son yesterday!  Did some abs and legs and a few sets of squats. Felt really good! Then went into the sauna and actually sweat for the first time ever!  Had no chose but to take the diuretics perscribed by my doctor.  I use to run marathons and never break a sweat.  Everyone thought it was great, but it’s not fun not being bale to cool yourself down and to retain everyonce of water you drink while running 26 miles!  Okay, it does come in handy when you don’t have to stop in the middle to use the restroom.

So, needless to say, I am getting better, my kidneys are trying hard to work effectively for me with lots of pharmsudical help. I’m feeling stronger everyday and can’t wait to get back to my normal workouts!

Hoping to be off the diurtetics in time to compete the 28th.  I know that there are people that abuse them, but for me it’s a life thing!  It’s saddens me that I cannot compete while on them.

Hello everyone!

Just at my computer wishes I was at the gym.  Havent; been abel to work out in over a week and it’s killing me.  But I’m determined to get back to lifting soon.  Just doing my best to stay positive and get and stay stronger everyday! My kidney disease depletes my iron so I go for intensive intrevenous iron treatment three consecutive days every month.  I have been spilling toxic amounts of protein, so my activities are limited until hopefully the new medicines can get my levels back to what my doctor feels comfortable with. The disease also increases my cholesterol. It stinks, I eat very well (vegetarian) and and very fit and yet I have the cholestoerol level of a 300 pound women that frequents McDonalds!  Go figure!  Nothing I can do, but keep taking what’s prescribed to me and to keep on keeping on!  Find out Thursday when I can start lifting again! So….. the next time you want to skip a workout for whatever reason, GET TO THE GYM!  Because it really sucks when you CAN’T go!

Hey, just wanted to take some time to wish everyone a Happy Holiday!  For those of you fellow believers out there…. "Happy Resurrection Celebration!"  My kids really aren’t that much into candy, but I realized how easy to is to pop some chocolate into your mouth when you’re putting that Easter basket together.  The sad thing is that I don’t even care that much for chocolate.  But when it’s right there……… So beware of the chocolate and leave it to those that won’t have to deal with the sugar crash during training! I’m off to die some eggs and celebrate new life!

Hey! 

I have been being treated for a kidney disirder for 13 years now.  At times t’s worse than othres, but I have helped slow down the progression with life and nutrition choices.  Since my disease causes me to spill protein, I cannot take protein suppliments.  It also causes me to retain water.  Sometimes as much as 10 - 12 pumds worth!  My weight ranges now from 123 - 135.  I weighed in at 127 at a competition a week and a half ago and I am now weighing 132 and I was in Hawaii last week on vacation and it was too hot to eat so I should technically have lost weight!

Someone told me about parsley being a natural diueretic and it worked for a while, but I think I’m immune.  With competing all natural, I cannot take diuretics.  Anyone have any suggestions?