A Peek into the Mind of GeminiJedi

Worked chest, back, and shoulders tonight.  Slower tempo: 5-0-1 on all sets but lateral raises, which were 3-0-1.  It felt really good.  Military press is feeling better and better each time I do it.  Still at just the bar, but my form keeps improving.  I feel my third set was my best, because when I adjusted/over corrected I could feel exactly what I was doing.  Fourth set I was tired, but I’m extremely happy with my third set.  Numbers close to last time we did this, but form has improved greatly.  This time I bumped in better increments, keeping them to 5lbs a set, which is much better.  Last week I felt like I hit a wall or something, not feeling good about my numbers, but looking at them this week I’m still increasing and form keeps improving, so I guess it’s a mental wall instead of a physical one.

Did legs last night, too.  Same story: no huge increases in weights but much improvement on form.  My knee tracks stupidly from skating since ‘93 and having my ankles weird.  They’re weak on one side, and the other has really overcompensated now for such a long time so it’s all sorts of not great.  I need to see if my insurance will cover a trip to a specialist and maybe get some shoe inserts or a knee brace or something to help force it to track right.  It’s better than it was when I started working out, but it’s not great.  I was super frustrated with this last night because it feels like I start correcting one thing and something else needs fixed.  I know this didn’t happen overnight so it’s not going to be fixed overnight.  I know this.  It’s not rocket science, but waiting for it is so frustrating!

Last night was arm night, making up for Thursday night’s pass-out-while-watching-Olympics-instead-of-
lifting fest.  I really wasn’t in the mood to lift arms, started off ok and was pushed through  my sets.  I really wanted to lighten up the weights in the last couple of sets, but it didn’t happen.  It was good, though.  Today they are KILLING me   Guess I worked them harder than I thought

Today was leg day.  I love doing legs on Mondays because we’re the only ones lifting legs on Monday.  It’s great.  Started off with squats: 8 reps, 4 of which are 6 counts down 4 counts up, the other 4 are fast, but you alternate 2 slow/2fast/2 slow/2 fast.  So on the first one Dearest Hubby placed the small plyometrics box under me and made me sit.  Well, as soon as I sat the legs disengaged and I was momentarily stuck.  That immediately led to a giggle fit and I nearly fell over!  LOL  Got the legs working again and finished out my sets.  Had ass to grass form, fairly heavy weights, really proud of myself!  Then on to lying leg curls, crazy tempo (7 reps/set, hold 12 seconds on first rep, 10 seconds on 2nd, 8 on third….) then to 20 squats super setted with a wall squat to failure (totally killed Hubby’s by sitting on him lmao!) and finished with 20 Romanian dead lifts.  Totally kicked ass!  WHOO HOOO!

K, it is on to sleep for me (off to sleep for me?) since I have finished my reading for class (OMG easy and "duh" and so happy this is going to be an easier semester because I LIVE THIS STUFF ) and have everything printed off/packed up (except lunch) for tomorrow.  I’m off to a great start this semester, though it IS only the 2nd week of classes LOL  We’ll see how long this lasts.

I feel HORRIBLE about not getting together with 1_2_Rage last night for his welcome home party!  I ended up leaving my house when it was supposed to start, and didn’t get there until about an hour late.    Smart me didn’t get a phone number to call and say "We’re here!  Where are you?" so we totally missed him   We did meet up with a couple other friends and hang out a bit.  I also was recognized from the gym!!  WTF?!?!  It was actually pretty funny, and means, too, that people are taking note.  That’s the 2nd time I’ve been recognized–well, third.  Another guy (owns a small gym locally) recognized me at the supp shop yesterday from working the last customer appreciation day.  Then at my show someone walked by and was like ‘You’re on bodyspace, right?  GJ."  Yea….crazy.  I feel like a *mini* (totally in my own world LOL) celeb.

I was thinking about this the other night after my previous blog.  There are so many people that influence me–especially on here–but the local people that I can interact with "in real life" do have a profound effect.

Firstly there is my husband.  It’s all his fault I am where I am   Ok, not ALL his fault, because I’m the one doing the work (though technically, by definition, I do ZERO net work because the weights end up right back where they started, so they didn’t MOVE any distance, so I didn’t do any work by definition, but I digress…).  It is his influence and encouragement that has me in the best shape I’ve ever been in.  Granted I was in pretty good shape when I played hockey 6 days a week, but my diet was crap, so I still looked pretty bad.  I am happiest with myself today.  I realized yesterday (or maybe it was this morning) that I am FINALLY happy with my off-season body.  I know I’m improving, and I know next year I’m going to come in much improved over last show.  I’m finally seeing it myself, and my poor psyche is finally healed and accepting off season physique.  My husband is so encouraging and supportive and takes TONS of crap from me in the mornings and doesn’t get overly frustrated and I’m not sure how/why, but I am forever grateful. It’s really his support that gets me to the gym (or dragging me there, kicking and screaming, but I’m always happier when it’s all said and done) and eating on time and correctly.

That brings me to DK.  She’s my first "tangible" influence to compete.  Yes, there’s Marzia Prince and Jamie Eason, but they’re not local, so I don’t have any real interaction.  Yes, I met Jamie a couple years ago, and every now and then get a short conversation going on myspace comments, but that’s rare.  DK is someone I can text with questions, or get a Sunday workout with, or coaching on posing, or diet help.  She has such an immaculate diet and such  dedication to what she does, and she looks great!  Seeing in person what is possible is really inspiring.

Then there’s Rita.  She’s the lightweight builder that works out at my gym.  Every time we’d be at the gym at the same time, there was admiration for her.  She’s so strong and has such an incredible physique.  But she is a little intimidating, all 5′0" and 113lbs of her!!  LOL  SO I never said Hi or anything until she came up to me a few weeks before State and offered her help.  I didn’t take her up on it at the time, but ended up needing her backstage, and she was there with smiles and help and encouragement!   And when I saw her Tuesday it was all smiles and encouragement and I really now feel like part of the club.  It’s totally awesome to have found my niche, and know that I’m not the only crazy girl that likes to out lift the boys!

School is great after this first week.  I really like the pacing of my schedule this semester.  Eat when I wake up, slam a shake after my first class, plow through 2 more, eat lunch, get through my last class, get home and eat, hit the gym, and eat again.  Work days it’s wake up and eat, gym, eat, work, eat on lunch, come home and eat and sleep.  I feel really bad for my Exercise Physiology teacher, though.  It’s his first teaching job, and he’s a nervous wreck!  He knows his stuff (he just finished his PhD. in the subject) but is a little intimidated.  I understand, though, and hope he finds his groove!  We’ve really only had 1 day of real class, today, and so far it’s been kind of slow, but I’ve already been able to connect class with what I’ve been doing to myself this last year and a half.  I’m in a very happy place right now, and feel that 2 main parts of my life (gym and school) are in harmony.  Now the discordant note is work, but I don’t think I can do much about that until I graduate.  Luckily it’s only 2 more years so I think I can survive.  I am thankful to have a good job right now, and I do really like my boss, so I can’t complain too much.  Overall I would say that life right now is great!   (but that’s also because it’s after 10pm and this is when I get my second wind.  Ask me at 5am and I’ll say something else LOL)

Lifting this evening was awesome.  Granted I got home from school, was hot and tired, so I laid down for a bit and didn’t want to get back up.  Once we got there, however, it was good.  We work out at the same gym as Rita Rae (won the lightweight building class at Las Vegas last month, and was an ANGEL at States for me) and I haven’t seen her since States, so it was AWESOME seeing her today.  She, of course, loved my haircut   We don’t usually see her unless we go late at night, but our schedules seem to mesh now so we’ll be seeing more of her.  She is GORGEOUS and has a KILLER physique and a personality to go with it.  Anyways it was great to see her, and tell her about my off-season thus far, and have her ask when we’ll be here so we can chat more and what not.  YAY!!  Then towards the end of the workout, one of the trainers walks up with her clients and was like "Holy Shoulders!!" and I was like "Me?" and she was like "Duh, you!"    Ok, maybe the last part was more of the look she gave instead of her exact words… Still YAY!  I think I might see a bit of size if I squint real hard and tilt my head just so…It’s nice to get a third party perspective (Trixter doesn’t count because he sees me all the time…I guess the trainers there see us a lot too, but it’s different) and have some "yes, there is size there" validation.  I know I’m getting stronger because I’m either increasing weights on EVERYTHING or my form is MUCH BETTER this time compared to last time lifting.  I’d rather have a lighter lift with perfect form than a heavier lift with crappy form and risk injury.  So it’s all good

I have felt sick ALL DAY after leg workout.  Squats, stiff-legged deads, leg press, prone leg curls.  YOWSA!  4 sets of 8 reps for squats and deads, 3×10 for leg press and curls.  Actually managed all of it this morning before work.  I’m proud of myself for pushing through even though I was so queasy after deads and kind of light headed half way through leg press.  Stomach hasn’t been happy with me all day, but oh well.  OH!!  And I think I’ve FINALLY figured out form (my knees are finally starting to track correctly ) I really think I’m going to start seeing the gains I want/need.  HAPPY DAY!

School starts tomorrow.  I’m pretty excited for that.  Got some of the books from a friend tonight, hoping to find the others super cheap elsewhere.  Though I may end up finding my own copies of these and keeping them around for my own use after graduation…Stupid books lol

This morning was a grumbly start.  Didn’t feel like lifting, really wanted to do it tonight.  So after a LONG day at work (yay pent up anger energy) we invited our buddy over to watch some of the Opening Ceremony of the Olympics and to lift with us.  Yay for Kris, because whenever we go lifting with Kris I always put up excellent numbers.  Like, personal record numbers.  Must be the competitive, little dog syndrome I have: can’t lift girly and light with 2 big guys.

Tonight was 8 sets of 2 reps,  prefaced by enough warm up sets to be good and loose.  Squats, bench and Deadlifts were on the menu.  I worked up in 5 lb intervals to the following weights:

Squats 155 (jump from 145 cuz it felt good )
Bench 115 (ok, last 2 sets were 115)
Deads 120 (first 3 sets were 95)

And to prove it, here’s video:

Training for strength this week.  Monday was 5×5.  Today was 6 sets of 3 reps.  Friday is 8 x 2.  Very much looking forward to that.  Personal best on squats today: 145 x 3.  The numbers looked like this:

Back Squats: 95, 105, 115, 125 ,135, 145
Close Grip Bench: 85, 90, 95, 100, 100, 105
Bent Barbell Rows: 75, 85, 95, 105, 115, 135

I needed to start the rows at 100 and finish at 125, but it’s a benchmark.  I’m really liking the numbers I’m putting up. I apparently am gaining some size, too, because at the Renaissance Fair last weekend one of our friends remarked on my arms.  It was specifically in regard to the pillow fight thing (didn’t do it, sorry guys lol) but it was to the tune of "I can’t go against her: she’ll totally kick my ass!  Look at her arms!  No way I stand a chance."  The best part of all that was I did absolutely ZERO trash talking myself.  I sat there, kind of stunned, actually.  They’re not that big, nor are they separated, nor are they capped by beautiful delts yet.  But I totally took the CW moment and grinned!!
Weight is about 118-119 right now.  Not sure what bf% is at, probably 14-15% (being optimistic).  Not horribly worried, but obviously I don’t want to get much higher than that because it will be a pain to loose for my next show.  Need to take measurements this weekend too, especially shoulders, since that is my main focus.

While subjecting myself to more ham/quad/shoulder torture this morning I realized how much the glutes were feeling left out.  Acutely.  In the form of a nice cramp after alternating lunges.  Quads started cramping a bit during the back squats, but chilled out after a couple stretches.  Good Mornings I’m sure started the glutes thinking, then some shoulders, then alternating lunges.  Yea.  Got a nice "Thanks for forgetting about us!" cramp after the 2nd set.  I stretched after my last set.  And stretched some more.  Realized I wanted to be able to do the splits again while I was stretching.  So I think I’m going to add "splits" to my goals, but I need to do it without spending 4 hours a day stretching like I did last time, because I definitely don’t have 4 hours a day to stretch :\ unless I do it like I did before: stretch while doing homework.