LilMogul’s BodyBlog

I decided to try my free sample of Nano Vapor today. I was convinced it would taste bad, make me edgy, or cause veins to pop out of my arms. But it was all good.

I liked Nano Vapor better than Xtend actually. I think they are in the same family of preworkout energy type drinks (although I think xtend is more for repair). It actually tasted great, and the directions were for just 4oz of water which was cool. I just drank water with frozen strawberries for the rest of my workout.

I didn’t raise my weight, because I am limited by the weights in my home. But I got through my entire leg day in a reasonable time plus added a bonus move or two. I didn’t take any short cuts (like, sometimes I talk myself out of the Bavarian squats, or if I do walking lunges I don’t do regular lunges). I didn’t take long breaks or lose track of what I was doing. In fact I was productive during my rest minutes: boiled some eggs, bagged the trash, prepped my weights for the next move, etc. I just kept it moving.

Chair Step-Ups - 40 lb/ 3 sets of 8

Walking lunges- 40 lb/2 sets of 10
Lunges- 40lb/ 4, 8

Bavarian Squats- 30lb/ 3 sets of 8

Deadlifts- 60lb/  3 sets of 8

Squats- 50lb/ 3 sets of 8

I feel the burn already: good bootie sting going on.  I only want to use the vapor on leg days.  I need to give good workout on leg day, I don’t have a natural hunger to lift heavy (and for me the weights above are heavy). So I find myself draggin’ and wanting to take short cuts. Today I was like lets get it done.

And, whoa, last minute invite to a seafood bonanza bday party at my best friends house. She was throwing it for her mom (who had the nerve to not only TELL her that’s what she wanted and that my friend was throwing it at her house ((back history: my friend is treated like cinderella and right now she is struggling financially)) but then her mom also took all the king crab, shrimp dishes, cake and the rest of the wine home with her! And on the way out the door, her mom told the big sis ‘thanks for everything, great job’ and gave her a kiss on the cheek and then just hollered into the kitchen where my friend was slaving over dishes "Thanks M" and left. So I walked over to my friend and kissed her on the cheek and said "thanks for everything honey, great job". It made her feel better that I caught that whole exchange- or lack of).

But you know where I am going with this right? Yep, I ate king crab, salad, bruschetta, a spoon of shrimp and pasta, corn on the cob, and a spoon of shrimp and mango (that dish was bangin’). I only had about a tablespoon of each item and a half crab. Umm, and a small sliver of cake and a small glass of sparkling cider. But my body rebelled and my feet swelled as I sat there just like when I took the same friend out for dinner for her bday. Eating clean, my feet never swell. So it is either the salt, sugar, alcohol or seafood doing this to me…

Ooooooo! And I signed up for a BJs membership card ($35). I went today and stuck to a plan (bought huge tub of cottage cheese, biggie oatmeal box, 36 eggs, spinach, value pack of greek yogurt, humongo vitamin E, and fish oil because they didn’t have any EPO and a few personal items I had coupons for) and saved an additional $20 with coupons. So I figure I got biggie size of everything so I have already made my membership $ back and then some! That’s great because all this clean eating is expensive!

I got caught up in a tiff with my boyfriend (all is well- no worries!), fundraising work and watching Ted Kennedy’s funeral proceedings. If you missed it…wow! No matter your political affiliation there were so many profound moments to appreciate throughout the day.

With the day taking no particular shape, I didn’t eat often enough and forgot to drink enough water or even take my vitamins. Before my workout I was getting a bit of a headache. I wasn’t sure if it was because of the lack of water or from staring at the computer working out the details of the fundraiser.  I noticed the time, almost closing for the gym and fixed an energy drink and took off.

CARDIO:
Rowing Machine- 18 min HIIT / 5 intervals - 130cal

Bike- 15 min / lev 6 - 100 cal

Elliptical- 15 min/ lev 3 - 100 cal First time on this machine and had trouble getting a good rhythm on it.  Didn’t care for it much.  I only got on this machine because it was in front of the one TV monitor with Kennedy’s funeral proceedings.
So no upper body workout today. I will catch up Monday. Leg day tomorrow. I am going to try the sample of Nano Vapor I received. Just out of curiousity.

I need to do upper body, but with the crook in my neck I am avoiding wretching it more. So I focused on cardio tonight and will do arms, abs, and back in the morning.

I decided to try the cardio wave again. It went very well I think. This time I only did level 3 since I had done a full leg workout last night. Whether you are upright (which emphasizes the core) or bent at the waist (as in rollerblading) the key seems to be to focus on lifting your knees one at a time as opposed to concentrating on the push back. I seemed to not work against myself so long as I was hands-free. You are supposed to float (not as wimpy as it sounds) so when my hands were on the rails my moves were slightly less natural and jerky. I was getting in a good workout I think. I did notice when I moved on to the bike, both knees made a small pop. It didn’t hurt, was more of a release. But I think it is worth paying attention to. The other thing is, after the first 15-20 minutes the front of my feet were feeling the weight of my movements. I tried to shift my weight to the back of my feet, but it doesn’t really work. So again, it was important to lift the knees- and I was probably starting to slack at the end of my workout.

Cardio Wave- 30 min/ level 3/ 200 cal

Bike- 18 min/ level 6/ 100 cal

Again, I hope I am doing enough cardio. I am exhausted so there is not much more I couldv’e done today.

Neck was a bit better today. More mobility- except I can’t bend my ear toward my shoulder…not even a nano-inch. At least I am not pointed chin up and to the left anymore!

Again, I napped after work. What is up with that? Two days in a row. Got myself together and had a banana and a protein drink. When I walked into the gym local Fedex guy hollered "why are you paying for a personal trainer when you look better than her?" Oh my goodness- I was mortified. The whole lobby of staff and PTs got quiet and waited for my response and I just remember saying, "Well I have a long way to go, thanks, um…have a good night"… Everyone returned to what they were doing. Thank you, nothing to see here.

Then I bumped into a nice girl who is there regularly. She was on this machine called the Technogym Cardio Wave. She was smiling at me so I asked if she liked the machine.  She was standing on it and her feet were moving in a speed blader motion- great for glutes right? I snuck a peek and she had a nice high round butt- lol. She said she liked it better than the treadmill because she doesn’t get bored and it burns more calories. So of course I got on it. If you bend at the waist the burn does go straight to the glute area. It was extremely awkward and the machine kept telling me to peddle faster to maintain a certain spm (usually 90). It was challenging my muscles from a different angle so I can’t wait to see how I am feeling it tomorrow.

Cardio Wave- 30 min level 6 190 cal

Leg Press- 45lb/ 3 sets of 12

Leg Extension- 45lb/ 3 sets of 8

Leg Press- 125lb/ 3 sets of 8

Calf Press- 125lb/ 3 sets of 12

Calf Raise- 70 lb/ 3 sets of 8

Glute KB-100lb/ 3 sets of 6

Stairmaster- 20min level 6/ 120 cal

I am exhausted. I had just enough energy to fix a protein/ carb shake and cottage cheese, wash my hair and shower. So now I am taking my sore butt to bed.

Had one of those rocky sleeps last night and when I awoke, reluctantly, I reached out my arms to stretch. And…dope!!! I just stuck there with my neck in a funny direction (kinda pointed up and to the left) and stayed that way all day at work. Oh how painful to try to turn my head the opposite way. I was worried it would affect my workout later. So, as I left work I called the chiropractor.

My chiro dude is so awesome. He had me in his clutches 20min later. And he was givin good crack all up and down my neck and shoulder. He was like "Dang, you got a lotta grissle in there eh?" I didn’t even know what that meant but he was rolfing my shoulder like crazy at the point which felt fantastic and I didn’t want to get him off focus by asking. It was hella noisy. Crack, crunch, rip!!!  Apparently, my C4 and C5 were having serious issues and he was on point. I am probably the only person who gives positive feedback with every good crunch (yes! way to go! that was awesome!) and applause when its over (yay! you’re the best, doc! thanks!). I was still somewhat stiff afterward, feeling like a piece of tenderized meat and tired from last night’s lack of sleep. Also, a bit of DOMS had finally settled in from yesterdays PT session. So I laid down and had what felt like the most restful sleep in ages. Nothing could wake me. Better late than never. I will still need to go back to the chiropractor in a few days.

I rose at 7:45PM and prepped for the gym. I didn’t wanna wretch my neck again so I stuck to cardio on the bike and treadmill.

bike- 30 min lev. 6/ 175 cal

treadmill- 23 min 3.8/ incline 3- 135 cal

Hmmm, not a whole lotta calories burned. I hope this doesn’t mess up the whole point of my refeed?

Refeed over. I was not very good at losing control, lol! I don’t have random carbs just lying around the house since I don’t eat them much. But I think it all added up in the end. I started feeling fattish today. Success! (?)

I thought the best way to start off after the refeed would be with some power packed sessions with trainer Tracey. In January, as now, I could only afford 4 sessions. Ten minutes into the sessions I would be sweaty, dizzy, gasping, flush, veins popping out my forehead, heart trying to escape my chest. She would sweetly say, "Can you do 1 more?" and I would force a smile and do it— all the while thinking, "no bitch! do I LOOK like I can do 1 more?" I didn’t mean it of course. It’s like when the doc tapped your knee and you kicked him. You didn’t mean it. I would leave the gym feeling sooo defeated and demoralized. It had to be stressful for Tracey, right? I mean. I could have DIED or something!

So I felt like it was the first day of school today- not freshman year. But sophomore. I kinda know what’s going on but not sure if I can cut it with the big fish yet. I was excited and nervous. I came home, changed and got ready. Whole grain bread with EVCO, check; banana, check; protein drink, check; B complex, check; asthmanex and inhaler, check; brushed teeth, check. Okay I think I am ready to do this.

Got to the gym early, did HIIT warm up on the treadmill (5 hills @100%; 3.4speed- 122 cal) and killed time on the rowing machine til she got there. She started right in with walking lunges. Lots of them. With a jump-switch every 4 steps. She immediately commented on my progress. (!) Balancing squats and twists with medicine ball or punching with weights on the bosu ball. Jump on one foot the entire length of gym and back. Balance on each foot and bend forward to touch a kettle ball on the floor and then back up. Again to the sides, but squat on one leg to reach the kettleball. Pikes, knee ins, planks and push ups on the swiss ball. Balance has improved a lot. Again, comments on my strong form. Woohoo! Bandwork. And a very random trip to the tricep pulldown machine all the way over in the circuit room (hmmm???- guess she noticed my arms are still fleshy…not jiggly, just fleshy! Remember mom? "That’s great honey, now you just have to slim up those arms"). It was kinda funny! I wasn’t even giving Tracey time to ask if I could do another. It was more like she’d say, "Oh, okay you are doing 1 more- great!" We finished up stretching with the swiss ball. I was like, oh? we are done already?

I had little beads of sweat, my heart rate elevated, and I will certainly feel it in the morning…But none of the drama of the past. Next time I wanna box with her again. Put on the gloves and practice some explosive moves. That was killer when I tried it in January.  Err, I almost fainted.

But, I am not THAT girl anymore!!!!

I have a long way to go. But I have come a long way too.

Okay, I started a refeed yesterday and continuing through today- ironically because I didn’t get fatter/ bloated/ heavier- lol.  Tonight I am taking a "rest" except for 15min ab lab at the gym. Tomorrow…dun, dun, dun!!! I start seeing my personal trainer again! Just for 4 sessions because that is all I can afford, but at least I will FINALLY get my BF tested- although not tomorrow because I will be retaining water from the refeed. haha- it’s always SOMETHING! Maybe next week…

Okay, I started a refeed yesterday and continuing through today- ironically because I didn’t get fatter/ bloated/ heavier- lol.  Tonight I am taking a "rest" except for 15min ab lab at the gym. Tomorrow…dun, dun, dun!!! I start seeing my personal trainer again! Just for 4 sessions because that is all I can afford, but at least I will FINALLY get my BF tested- although not tomorrow because I will be retaining water from the refeed. haha- it’s always SOMETHING! Maybe next week…

I came to the conclusion yesterday that I need a refeed. With the exception of morning oatmeal and pre/ post workout meals I generally don’t consume carbs. I eat real clean. I have been doing lots of cardio and resistance training. My body has been doing some good stuff, but for the work I put in I feel like it should do more.

So I am preparing myself for being freaked out about looking like I am going backward for a few days. And moodiness? Fatigue? Brain fog? Don’t forget I am hypothyroid peoples! I imagine I need to NOT look at or touch my belly or get on the scale for at least 4 days.  Yikes. Yikes. Yikes! If/ when it starts looking blown up again I have to keep my head together and not worry about how long it will take to get it down to my little bubble again. Can I do it?

It started last night with a…dun, dun, DUN: sandwich!!! This morning I had my yogurt and oatmeal. I am about to do a pre-workout shake. Today is heavy leg day, continued carb refeeding, and then I will take tomorrow off.

Home- Abs:
Front Plank- 60 sec

Side Planks- 30 secs each

Running Planks- 1 set of 12

Medicine Ball (roll with feet) 2 sets of 12

Reverse crunch- 3 sets of 20

Scissor Legs/ Toe Touch-  3 sets of 20

Bicycle- 2 sets of 40

Swiss Ball Pass- 4 sets of 8-12

Sit Ups (Medicine Ball Overhead)- 3 sets of 12

Crunches (Medicine Ball Overhead)- 2 sets of 12

Russian Twist- 3 sets of 8

Wood Chops- 20 each side

Wasn’t setting any records but the flow was great and I did do better than Monday. And that’s what it’s all about right? Later this afternoon was about the arms and my LAST cardio of the week!!! Yay - I made it!!! I am starting to feel like I am "fit" and "in shape". Starting to like seeing different angles of myself, or catching a glimpse of muscle where I hadn’t seen anything the last almost 40 years. In all these years I have never successfully maintained a fitness routine for this length of time before—and it’s ONLY been 8 months! So that gives you an idea of how quickly I would fatigue and get ill. I am no where close to my goals. I still haven’t lost that inch in the waist. The bbbf is still prominent in my profile, no sucking it in. Haha- you know you are older when you just wanna be able to suck it in!!!  But everything else is getting toned and developing more shape. I will do progress pics in a week or so. Hopefully the camera will pick it up. lol.

Before going to the gym, I had a half dose of Xtend. My last cardio day of the week is the toughest for me. Just like tomorrow’s heavy leg day will be rough.
Gym:

Pullups 2 sets of 6
Dips 2 sets of 8
Back extension 2 sets of 8
Crunch Machine 50 lbs- 2 sets of 40

Lat Pulldown 3 sets of 12

Lat Row 50lb- 3 sets of 8
Delt Row 50lb- 3 sets of 8

Treadmill 3.8/ 15 min 110 cal

Bike lev 6/ 20min 100 cal

Stairmaster lev 6/ 20 min 100 cal