Sara’s Rants & Raves

Well, seems I’m not doing the best, but I know that I have increased weights in every muscle area this week.  Sure, I may be eating more and not watching it like I should, but I know I am making mass or at least strength gains.  My legs are looking stronger in the quads.  That really excites me because I hate leg day, and Ive been working at it like pain is my desired pleasure.

I know I’m doing well.  I am getting every workout in, and though my diet may not be what I want it to be… at least I know where I need to improve.  The house is still full of food from the holiday so it doesnt help, but I am not allowing myself to get too out of control… though I did have pizza three times in the last week… after going without cheese for a few months it was a taste-satisfying treat!… Or at least I like the way cheese feels between my teeth.. Im not sure what it is.  Anyway.. I know I need to stop that, and I know I have leftovers in the refrigerator.  Lol… What’s a gal to do?

I know.  I want to look better in my bathing suit and its my own fault that I dont.  That’s the hardest part.  Just knowing that I could be so much better than where I am at.  It gets to me.  Oh well.. it could be a lot worse too!!!

Yesterday I hosted our family gathering, so I did both workouts today.  I should have challenged myself on the workout for today that was lower abs and hamstrings, but I am still sore from squat day, and I wasnt going to hurt myself after working out chest and back.  I am back on schedule and can do a short/intense cardio workout tomorrow.

Hosting the family Memorial day gathering allowed me to stay on track with my diet.  I also live near the town, so we took walks down to the river and around town, which was nice after the meal.  I feel like I am keeping on track and continuing to progress despite how hectic life seems right now.  At least I am not allowing myself to skip a workout!  That’s always step one!

Well, It is Sunday, and I finished my leg workout today that should have been done Friday.  The workouts begin again tomorrow, so at least I didnt skip one!  I increased my weights in my leg workout, and then I lowered them but apparently missed one of the weights, so I was actually lifting the same heavy amount.  Once I discovered it I was quite pleased that I had completed two more sets on that weight.  I didnt know I had it in me.

I am hosting Memorial Day at my house, so I have a whole lot of cooking and preparing to do.  I dont know how far I will get into it, but I’m excited to see everyone.  If I hadnt volunteered to host it I doubt any of us would be getting together, and I am not about to let my family fall apart!  But still, I am going to make it to the gym before anyone shows up!  Cant miss out on the gym time either! Lol.

So, Wednesday I ran three miles and felt good, but started feeling sick.  Thursday I did my usual upper body workout, felt the good burn, and didnt feel too bad.  Today I am fighting off this cold!  I started showing signs Sunday, and I hoped it was just allergies with all the plants at work.  But, the last two days have been rough, and on a week where I really cannot afford to miss work with the holiday coming up!  There are few symptoms, though, that a Benedryl wont take care of for me.  I should find a way to make sure I am getting my vitamins, because since the move I have taken them only once or twice.  Oh well, I will come back strong.  But, I have to make sure I get my leg workout in tomorrow, because I sure didnt feel well tonight and I dont want to miss a workout when Ive been doing so well!

Hamstrings were sore during today’s workout, but I pushed hard to keep up my weight and be consistent with my sets/reps as previous weeks.  My lower abdominal portion of the workout was easier than previous weeks, which means I can add weight next week!  That’s thrilling!  My calves are tight and sore as well, but I did more than I did last week, so I wont complain.  I’m excited for my cardio day tomorrow.  Rest and no heavy lifting!

My eating has been fantastic today!  Even spoiled myself with some cooked beets in my dinner… Oh, so good!

My upper back/shoulders are sore from yesterday, and that excites me as well.  I know I am doing well with my training.  Just a few more weeks and then I will update pictures!  I just have to stay consistent with clean eating!

More volume training.  Increased my initial weights though, so that felt promising.  I had one of the trainers at the gym commenting on my back muscles protruding as I did wide-grip pull ups.  I look forward to tomorrow’s training already, as its usually my most challenging day, besides doing squats on Friday.  I know I am gaining muscle; I feel I look better.

The biggest downfall: I really let myself yesterday at work with my nutrition.  I’ve done well for today, keeping it clean, but I will have to continue that the rest of the week.  I really did horrible yesterday.  I didnt want to weigh myself today also because my brother turned 21 this last week too, so I consumed some calories that I normally avoid.

I also need to work on getting better sleep.  What’s wrong with me!  haha.. I know, I am a work in progress.  I have to push harder.  I want this more than anything.  To be healthy and fit.  What am I doing allowing myself to not press forward with 100%?  I need to refocus; I need to get my act together.  I want more than I am giving myself!

Yesterday I was still not sure if I would finish my workout; the group power class still had my quads shot and more squats didnt feel like an option.  But again, I pushed through in order to not miss a workout and am I ever glad I did!  I feel great after that.  I stretched out really good too and that always seems to help.

Its amazing as one part of my life seems to sort out the others seem to come into a fog.  I will not allow anything get in the way of my training though!  I am excited about this process and cannot wait for the next "off" week of full body workouts to be done so I can get into some hypertrophy training! 

Today I may do a light cardio, but I think that it would be best for me to just get what I need to get done at the house completed.  The things I must get done will take enough energy!  Anyway… I must be out.. it’s far past my bedtime… but Relay for Life is still going on maybe two blocks away.  I love it!

So, yesterday I had group training in a Power class and today in a Ride (cycling) class.  Let me just say I am sore and exhausted.  Did my workout for today as well.. Upper body, mostly biceps, triceps, and delts.  Regardless, I PUSHED through today’s workout like a champ; I was feeling good, but the pain nearly got me, lol.

Yes, I work early in the morning tomorrow, so I hope the abs feel better!  And then tomorrow’s workout involves more squats and calf raises, but after that Power class yesterday I am just glad I can still walk up and down stairs.  I did do some light cardio after the class to loosen me back up, and of course I have been eating more!!!

Well, here’s to the night!  I cannot wait to get in bed!  Good rest to you all; I’ll be back tomorrow, God willing.

That means only 130 days to go!  […With this program at least.]  I can already see results, and its amazing how other people are noticing as well.  I made it through my workout today, though I hurt badly on the first few sets of lower abs.  But I made an adjustment and survived the rest.  I went in to workout hamstrings, lower abdominals, and calves… and came out with some soreness in all three.

I ate like a starving person last night, so I avoided the scales today.  I’ve been doing well, though, but I think some deep depression kicked in full gear last night.  Hopefully I kicked it in the rear today during my workout.  I know it would help if I got some more good sleep.  Perhaps tomorrow night! haha

So it looks like a short cardio session and stretching tomorrow, followed by a group power class in the late afternoon, and definitely some good sleeping tomorrow!  I have a lot to do around the house but not the motivation to do it.  At least I’ve been thoroughly and consistently excited and motivated to workout!  That’s what has mattered most to me recently!

So, repeating last weeks workouts with more volume training.  Went through some chest and back exercises today and hope that the soreness will kick in tomorrow.  I dont look forward to tomorrow’s lower abdominal workout; I still hurt some from last week’s.  The pain has made teaching my classes at the gym a challenge.

Yes, today I took another body composition test, and like last week it came out lower.  15% it read more than once!  I am excited.  Hopefully getting adequate rest this week will help as well.  Wish me luck for tomorrow’s workout!