NotTooLate’s Boring Ramblings ;)

I kept my journal up through the setback and I’m glad I did because it didn’t last long and I was right back on top of the game. It’s very strange, I have lost almost an inch (flexed) in my arms but gained in strength. I’m thinking perhaps I have lost some loose skin because of tightening? Mystery lol

I’ve been experimenting with working the same muscles daily. So far great gains in strength. Over a 2 week period I have gone from 27.5 lb DB concentration curls to 35 lb. DBs. All my lifts have gone up and I’m seeing improvements in my legs for the first time ever. This is without squats because of cervical compression issues. There is a little shape in the quads coming along. Thank goodness, my legs are so hard to build!

This may be all attributed to a change in routine but I have changed my routine many times and not had gains like this. I’m going with what works lol Bruce Lee used to experiment all the time so I’m following his lead!

I am having some cervical spine issues again. There is some pain. My wrist is still not healed from my prior injury either and it’s hurting every time I lift anything. I have taken 9 days off hoping that the pain would subside but the time off has not really helped. Yesterday I started back at it but I’ve lost quite a bit of muscle and strength. I can see a reduction in muscle size in my arms which is very depressing since it’s such hard work to put it on in the first place. I have to lift lighter for awhile until I gain back some strength and the previous muscle that I’ve lost. I hate going backwards! This is very depressing. I am not even going to log my workouts in my journal anymore until I have gained back what I’ve lost. Why now, right before summer when I want to be at my maximum best? Grrrr

Less than a year in this game and time to review.

I started my fat loss journey in June 2007 and tapered out on that in February. I am now maintaining. It’s been a chore trying to build muscle and lose fat at the same time but I think I’ve got the formula down now. I’ve learned enough in this process to actually cut for a competition though I won’t be entering one of those for a long time, if ever.

Here is a review of the last year since June

Chest

bench press

8/07 10 lbs lol

10/07 35 lbs

11/07 45 lbs

1/05/08 50

2/04/08 70 lbs

2/20/08 75 lbs

3/25/08 80 lbs

4/02/08 90 lbs

4/09/08 95 lbs

flat DB presses

11/07 15 lbs

1/05/08 17.5 lbs

1/28/08 20 lbs

2/04/08 25 lbs

2/12/08 27.5 lbs

3/25/08 30 lbs

incline DB presses

11/07 12.5 lbs

1/05/08 17.5

1/28/08 20 lbs

4/02/08 22.5 lbs

Close grip bench press

4/09/08 50 lbs

Shoulders

pec deck

8/07 10 lbs

upright BB rows

10/07 30 lbs

11/07 35 lbs

1/05/08 40 lbs

upright DB rows

2/04/08 20

2/14/08 25 lbs

military press

11/07 30 lbs

1/05/08 45 lbs

2/20/08 50 lbs

seated DB presses

11/07 12.5 lbs

1/05/08 15 lbs

1/21/08 17.5

1/28/08 20 lbs

4/09/08 22.5 lbs

lying laterals

2/04/08 10 lbs

3/05/08 20 lbs

3/25/08 25 lbs

Back

machine rows

8/07 10 lbs

10/07 60  lbs

lat pulldowns

10/07 62.5 lbs

2/06/08 75 lbs

3/05/08 87.5 lbs

bent BB rows

10/07 55 lbs

1/05/08 60 lbs

1/27/08 70 lbs

2/01/08 80 lbs

one arm DB rows

10/07 25 lbs

2/01/08 30 lbs

2/10/08 35 lbs

3/01/08 40 lbs

deadlifts

11/07 80 lbs

1/05/08 100 lbs

1/18/08 120

2/14/08 122.5

3/29/08 130 lbs

Arms - Biceps

DB curls

8/07 10 pounds

10/07 17.5

1/05/08 22.5

BB curls

10/07 30 lbs

11/07 35 lbs

1/05/08 50 lbs

4/06/08 57.5

concentration curls

10/07 17.5

2/01/08 20 lbs

2/10/08 25 lbs

3/10/08 27.5

hammer curls

10/07 15 lbs

1/05/08 17.5

2/01/08 20 lbs

Arms - Triceps 

cable rope pulldowns

8/07 20 lbs

10/07 60 lbs

1/21/08 70 lbs

2/22/08 80 lbs

DB pullovers

10/07 15 lbs

skullcrushers

1/30/08 35 lbs

Legs

leg curls

8/07 10 lbs

10/07 70 lbs

1/05/08 80 lbs

leg extensions

8/07 20 lbs

10/07 30 lbs

1/05/08 70 lbs

squats

10/07 40 lbs

1/05/08 50 lbs

cable kickbacks

8/07 20 lbs

10/07 50 lbs

I was 105 for many years until I gained weight when I got pregnant around 30 yrs old so I’ll maintain when I get around that weight. I have very small bones so 105 is not too light. I’m not trying to lose weight but I have a feeling that I will naturally lean out until I get to about 105/108. Summer’s coming and I want to look my best so building muscle is my priority right now.

I’m nearing the end of my week as the *OV40 Transformation of the Week* here on BB.com. I am honoured that I was chosen as the selection of the week and even more honoured that I was the first woman in the new Over 40 Transformation category

I sincerely hope, that by telling my story, more women near my age group will be motivated to lose fat and gain muscle. Anyone can do this. Sometimes obstacles seem insurmountable but I am here to tell you that almost any obstacle can be overcome with some determination, a personalized plan and consistency. Eating clean, incorporating cardio and implementing a weight training program into your life offer the best results.

Start slowly and do your research. There are many articles here on BB.com to utilize and there are experienced members on the BB.com forums to offer suggestions if you need more help.
I look forward each day to challenging myself to improve on my personal best. I hope to one day be chosen as a Bodybuilding.com *Amateur Bodybuilder of the Week*! Watch for me!

Today is the day, it’s never too late.

I went to my first ever kickboxing class tonight with my 21 yr old son.
It was 1 1/2 hours of a deadly cardio routine including kicking, punching, running, floor exercises like pushups, crouching down and kicking legs out (like those Russian dancers), flinging your legs around while your crouched down, and a lot more intense exercises all in a fast paced nonstop workout.

I did really well. I couldn’t stand on my hands but neither could anyone else except for one of my son’s friends who used to be in an acrobatic school. He walked across the room like that :/

The instructor commented that I was in good shape and didn’t need his supplimentary class that he recommends to most people. He teaches them to eat clean and get fitter. I told him I eat clean and he wasn’t surprised

A girl in the class, the only other female, told me at the end of the class that when she came in she was afraid he was going to pair her with me and she was worried because she saw my muscles right off and thought “Oh god she’s strong, she’s going to kick my butt” LOL I took that as an excellent compliment

My son said I didn’t embarrass him much. I said how did I embarrass you at all. He said because your old LOL

It was totally fun and I wish I could go often but I can’t afford it. I will go once or twice a month if I can.

My thighs, on the top, are aching right now from the Russian dancer thingies that they had us doing. Oh well, I’m used to pain. It’ll probably hurt more tomorrow.

Lost another 2 pounds. I’m down to 116! LOL That’s 12 pounds off in January alone. I don’t know why, I’m not even trying   You better look at me now because soon I’ll be invisible LOL

Jan 31, 2008   116.0 lb (52.7 kg)   -2.0 lb (-0.9 kg)   -1.7 %
Jan 24, 2008 118.0 lb (53.6 kg) -2.0 lb (-0.9 kg) -1.7 %
Jan 17, 2008 120.0 lb (54.5 kg) -3.0 lb (-1.4 kg) -2.4 %
Jan 12, 2008 123.0 lb (55.9 kg) -1.0 lb (-0.5 kg) -0.8 %
Jan 10, 2008 124.0 lb (56.4 kg) -1.0 lb (-0.5 kg) -0.8 %
Jan 2, 2008 125.0 lb (56.8 kg) -3.0 lb (-1.4 kg) -2.3 %
Jan 1, 2008 128.0 lb (58.2 kg) -1.0 lb (-0.5 kg) -0.8 %

The clock has ticked over and I’m now half a century old!!!!!!!! Wow, I actually did it lol

I’ve seen lots of changes in 50 years, some of them good, some bad, but one of the best changes was deciding to improve my appearance and personal fitness level. Lost 42 pounds in under 8 months and have improved my health a hundredfold.  I have energy now that I haven’t had since I was 16. I almost feel invisible. Weight training has also really increased my self esteem. Reaching my short term goals in this sport has really shown me that if I can do this I can do anything no matter how hard it seems. With perseverance, patience, and hard work we can all reach our goals.

I intend to keep weightlifting and eating clean and by the time I’m 60 you young chicks better watch out! hehe

I was going to log it all in the blog but it takes up too much room so it will be here:

http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=6436581

It’s entitled NotTooLate’s *Goin’ for a 2 pak* lol
Hopefully I’ll find some abs in there somewhere

I can barely see some abs as of January 9th

Not bad so far

I’m totally stoked about my progress this last year. I know I don’t look like a beauty queen and I’m still going to be 50 in two weeks but I have made a lot of great progress that I am so proud of. I stuck to my nutrition plan through the holidays and lost weight! Today I weighed in at 125! I haven’t weighed that much since I was in my 20s and before I had any kids. Wow I still can’t believe how eating more (of the right foods) decreases fat. I am so happy. I feel 20 again haha

I think I’ve put on quite a bit of muscle in the last 7 months and even though I found out that my testosterone levels were at 2.5, on a scale of 0.5-7.5 normal for women, I must have some way to overcome a shortfall in this area. I am pretty happy about this. Still on my way to becoming a Amazonian champion lol

If ever I have done anything right in my life it’s this. I’ve always sucked at sports but this is one thing I seem to do pretty well at because I am competing only against my own mind. I look forward to more of this in 2008.

My birthday is in two weeks. One of my goals was to look pretty good for my birthday. I think I’ve done ok and am happy.