Making_A_Change’s BodyBlog

I had two workouts today. It actually worked out well. We had an all-day professional development session day and we were fed well! There was chicken cesar salad, mozzerlla and tomato salad, avocados, and others goodies. It was all very fresh and diet friendly. Normally, I don’t have dressing on my salads (anymore), but I went for it! And it was delicious. I even had a few slices of sourdough bread. But I wasn’t too concerned because I was going to have my second visit to the gym. My cardio session was good, I did a sort or HIIT workout-varying directions on the elliptical and intensity. I got about 10 minutes of abs in before I had to get the little one from the gym daycare. I tell you, this gym is really working out for a sista. Tomorrow morning, is going to be legs and shoulders and the little one has soccer practice. I really like being a fit family, I just wish husband would get with it. I love seeing the changes in my body and being able to easily fit into my clothes. I am getting used to my non-hips. I think as my waist continues to change my shape will return. Why is my booty still flabby? Man, that is a hard area to target. Well, I’ll just keep squatting, lunging, and kicking back!

I didn’t workout this morning–BUT there was a method to my madness. I decided to make use of the new gym’s Kiddy Korner. After I picked up my daughter from school I gave her a few packs of Goldfish crackers and some fruit and we headed straight for the gym. Once we got there, I was going to hang around for a bit, but she said, "Okay, mommy…go to the gym…Bye!" I made my way to the changing room, spent about and hour and fifteen minutes on chest, shoulders, and triceps and it worked out great! We live in an apartment and we are constantly telling her not to jump up and down, especially at night, there she could jump in the jumper as much as she pleased! I can do two-a-days for a few weeks and really meet my summer goals–a little extra cardio and abs in the evening may make a world of difference. It was just great to see her so happy AND getting a little more play time.

I don’t like ‘missing’ workouts, but I do love when I get it together and make some time in the evening. I did 30 minutes on the stairmill and then followed that up with about 20 minutes of abs. I kept my posture upright the entire time–no leaning. I did some intervals and skipped steps. Cardio really helped with the soreness, like I thought it would. So, tomorrow–no excuses–I’ll be up and out the door for chest/triceps/shoulders.

The DOMS have set in with a vengence! Holy cow! So this is how it is supposed to feel. My quads and my entire butt are killing me. I didn’t workout this morning, so I am going to do cardio tonight–just 40 minutes and maybe some abs for 20. Cardio usually helps with the soreness. I am going to alternate heavy and moderate weeks to see if I can really get my legs to do some amazing things. Oh, and the scale is down, again–143. I figure I’ll sit at around 140 this summer and Billy said that he will slowly change the routine to add more mass. I’m really excited about the changes.

"Do you want me to throw up?" I asked Billy as I tried to catch my breath. Six 45-pound plates on the squat machine? Are you mad? But with his help I got about 6 partial reps. He burned out my hamstrings by doing some intervals with the elliptical machine and and hamstring curl machine. It was ‘fun’ afterwards, but not during. But, you know, it felt good. By the time we finished my quads were swollen and my butt was burning. The whole time I was thinking about these shorts I just bought to which my husband said, "Dude, aren’t those kind of short?" To which I replied, "Yes, they are". Ha! They are aren’t skanky short, but they are ‘fit girl’ short. I will be rockin’ the crisp, long-sleeved, button-up shirt with those bad boys. And because this is the Bay Area, you can do that. Tomorrow, will be a chest, tricep day. Going to try and go heavy on the chest presses and do alot push-ups. Because of my time constraints, I am probably going to write something out just to have a solid plan. Having access to the machines and weights isn’t a problem. So far, there have been no more than around 8 people, if that, there in the morning. I am going to keep break short and use crunches as my ‘rest’.

Today was back and shoulders. I felt really great and got a good sweat going. It seems like Saturday’s are going to be my ‘off’ or ‘light’ days, since I want to spend time watching the little one play soccer. I am getting better at managing my time, so this upcoming week should be really productive. I would like to thank Deborah Ann and Chicana Peach for their comments and assurance. I mentioned in my last blog that I had sabatoged myself a bit b/c I was afraid of getting too small. But they really validated my ultimate conclusion that as long as I  am eating clean (which I am), and eating to support my workouts then I should be good and things will continue to change and improve.

 I am in desperate need of a nap–I am so tired! Hopefully the little one goes down soon, so that I can take a nap with her–it’s just been one of those days!

The family and I went shopping for a few things–getting ready for the warm weather. I have gone through my closet and get rid of alot of clothes and needed a few skirts and shirts for work and church. I could not and still cannot believe that I came home with some size 4 clothes. I was even so bold to buy a cute pair of shorts, that are short, to wear with heels. I plan to taking those to Atlanta in May. I have decided to stop being afraid of the changes that are happening. For the past few days I have taken in a few more carbs because of my ‘disappearing hips’ and for fear of being too small. For some reason, I have come to a point that is kind of scary for me. I eat well and workout at least 6 days per week, but I have begun to wonder when does it stop? I want to look healthy and be healthy and I am doing the things that support that, but I never, ever thought my post-baby body would be a size 6 much less a 4. I need to be patient and not be afraid. I need to remember that it takes time to build muscle. I will say, however, that getting more fitted clothes made me look alot better–this is an expensive hobby.

One of the great things about the new gym is the soccer program for little ones. My daughter started playing today. My husband went to the gym so that he could watch and see how she did. I stayed for the first half of her class and then got about 30 minutes of cardio in. She LOVED it. Along with the class each child gets a jersey and shorts, so she was really excited. She took gymnastics for sometime, which was good. But I really like the workout she gets with soccer. She has to run drills and is constantly moving! Her class begins at 8:30 a.m. so we get there early. I can actually see her field while I workout! I am happy that this is something that we can do together.

This week’s workouts have been okay. It’s been a time of readjustment. I feel like this upcoming week is going to be really strong for me. I got my routine and my rhythm and I’m ready to go.

I actually bought a two-piece bathing suit. It’s really cute. It’s brown with white polka dots and aqua accents. I didn’t know how to size it. I got a medium top and bottom, but I think I need large bottoms. The mediums cut into my butt making weird indentations–but I am going to keep them, buy the large bottoms, but continue to try it on until June. I really need to tighten up my back, abs, and glutes–no surprise there. But all in all, it really isn’t that horrible. It just makes me want to work harder and go heavier!

Man, did I feel weak today! I got in a quick workout at the old gym. I got up late, so I decided to knock it out there. So, my metabolism must be in high gear or something. I am on my period at at my lowest weight of 144-145. I am definitely seeing that the more muscle you put on the easier it is to lost body fat–geesh. I only managed two circuits worth of exercises a plus my 10 minutes of cardio. I think I need to eat more. I’ve been experimenting with the carbs, so there may be room for a smidge more. Today, has been a carb-loading day. We are in the midst of conferences and while I brought my lunch, I don’t want it. I had some homemade banana nut bread that was to die for for breakfast. And a small slice of pizza for lunch. And now to down it all with my Scivation-spiked water. That stuff is good, man.
Other than that I am feeling a bit better…I take full advantage of those moments of clarity in the gym and then act on them. I think changes will be coming soon.

This morning I had an OK leg day. I feel like I spent most of the time finding my ‘rhythm’. With the new layout and new machines, I am figuring out how to couple excercises so that my supersets are efficient and then I spent a bit of time adjusting the new machines. The weights that I did at the old weight don’t apply here. For example, I could lift what I believed was 210# for about 5 reps at the old gym, but was at around 150# at the new. I also didn’t have enough time between eating and going to the gym. I know because after doing some leg presses and the ‘butt blaster’ I felt nauseous. By the way, I LOVED that butt machine. I am going to miss the standing leg curl machine. I really felt like tha tone hit the spot. But I did 30# on the butt machine and it made my butt burn. I will be spending alot of time on that one! Tomorrow will probaby be a back/bicep day, with calves thrown in for kicks. I really, really miss my hips. I just tried on my black, wrap dress and I was not feeling it–at all. I guess I have to go the a-line route for fullness. Okay, I will be patient and see what happens, but are there hip-widening excercises? I am almost inclined to put on 5 pounds just to get them back.