Trudee’s BodyBlog

Today was a cardio morning.  I ran a 5 mile endurance routine that alternated between 5.5 and 5.8 MPH.  It was challenging but not as much as before.  My body adapts to running routines very easily…maybe that means I’m good LOL.  I felt good after my run today.

I made a big mistake and stepped on the scale today and YIKES I’m up a pound.  Granted my legs are pretty sore from yesterday so MAYBE they are holding water??  My body fat stayed the same (I don’t use the ACTUAL number just the up and down movement).  I want to make something clear…I’m not really looking to lose much weight, if any, I just want to QUIT gaining.  My fears of eating are returning with each pound as I see myself getting further and further away from where I want to be

Workout:

5 mile run

My Why question today is…Why do people who work out 3 maybe 4 days a week lose weight and I can’t get mine to budge and I work out intensely 6 days a week??  Kinda looks like a hopeless situation to me.  Don’t worry I’m not going to stop working out but it is EXTREMELY frustrating to see others lose weight as they are eating whatever and working out here and there!  It makes me want to SCREAM.  I often wonder why I work out so hard when my body seems to hate me.  My running friend has lost weight and kept it off and is thin but eats like a normal person (meaning normal portions but not always the healthiest foods) yet is STILL thin.  I feel like I’m fighting a losing battle ALL the time   I’m afraid to even get on the scale on the 15th!!  I made a vow to do better with my eating so I’m sure I’ve gained yet even MORE weight.  Yep, I’m pretty much driving myself crazy.  I’m super exhausted and out in space most days but yet I feel like I’m eating the fridge bare.   AAAAAAAAHHHHHH

Ok enough griping…on a good note and a FUNNY one, My underwear is hilariously too big!  I was checking my self out today and I pulled my pants down to look at my legs and I almost laughed at how loose my underwear was in the front!  This makes the whole weight thing hard to understand.  I KNOW I’ve gained weight but I’m smaller now and most of my pants require a belt and the sleeves in a lot of my shirts are getting a little too snug for comfort.

Today was leg day.  I switched some of the exercises.  So far every routine I wrote for this month is a lot harder than it looks on paper LOL.  I guess it’s a good push for me but sometimes if things are too hard I lose some motivation.  I like to work out and lift but feeling too worn out to function the rest of the day is not a good thing for me.  I was ready for bed last night at 6!!!  I’m going to have to possibly rethink my routine schedule.  I hit it pretty hard on the weekends because I have the time but it seems to drain me for the week.  I eat more during the weekends since I’m home and we usually go out at least once.  When I weighed 90 pounds I would go to my favorite buffet and eat at least 2000 cals in one setting…yet my weight stayed down…another frustrating thought

Workout:

Legs/abs 45 minutes

15 mi brisk walk

Either my muscles were really tired or the routine was harder because I am WIPED OUT!!  I worked chest/shoulders/tris today and they are feeling it…which is a good thing   Shoulder day always gives me a boost.  I watch myself in the mirror and to see the muscles in my shoulders that I have built up always makes me feel good.  I love my upper body so it’s great to see some of my work paying off.  I also flexed my legs in the mirror and I must say…they look pretty good.  I can see a big chunk of my quads and some of my hamstring.  The fat in my inner thigh is barely a pinch.  My calves are all muscle but they have been and that’s due to running.  I am very happy with the progress I am making and want to keep heading in the right direction.  My eating has been much better and more consistent.  I’m loving my vegetarian diet and it has done wonders for my belly.

2 more good things:

There has been a call for help with the Junior High Cross Country team and my name is being passed on!  I’m super excited.  I would LOVE to get involved with the program and especially with the younger kids so proper techniques can be taught earlier.  Cross your fingers for me

I’m picking Jillian Michaels new book up at the library today after work.    She has a body that I covet so I’m interested to read what she says.  She has said she eats 2000 cals a day and only works out 2-3 days in the gym.  She HATES working out but does it for the benefits LOL.  She doesn’t like running but totes it as the best cardio for everyone.  It will be an interesting book.  It’s her new one on hormones and your metabolism.

Workout:

Chest Press 3×10

Shoulder press 3×8

Dips 3×10

Ball Pushup 3×10

Arnold Press 3×8

Skull crushers 3×10

Fly 3×10

Side Raises with band 3×15 alternating sides

Extensions with band 3×10 alternating arms

Pushups on wall 3×12

Front raises 2×8 1×5

Kickbacks 3×10

Pushups  3×10

Rainbow lift or full circle shoulder lift  3×5

Shrugs 3×15

Abs : Bicycle 3×15  Heel touches 3×15  Hanging Leg raises 3×10

!5 min walk at 4 MPH

Thursdays are now speed days for me with my new schedule.  I threw caution to the wind and did a speed workout from runnersworld.com.  I’m a bit delusional I think…I look at things on paper and they look easy and then I get in the middle of it and I’m about to die LOL .  That’s how this run was.  It was a 37 minute speed workout (not HIIT).  It alternated between 5.5, 5.8, 6.2 and 6.4 and the 5.5 was done at 5% incline.  I will be doing a 5 mile run this afternoon with my friend but that will be at a slower pace.  I want to RUN the turkey trot so I need to build up then taper.

All my pants are now requiring belts but I’ve gained a total of 4 pounds since July.  I started lifting heavy mid June so I’m sure some of it is muscle.  I guess 4 pounds in 4 months isn’t outrageous but it’s still a weight gain   I put my scale away and only plan on using it the 15th and last day of each month.  My BF has dropped a little too so I know I’m not turning into a blob of fat.  I’m feeling pretty confident in myself and my abilities.  I’m stronger and somewhat wiser   I can do this and live life without being 90 pounds!

Workout :

Speed workout

5 mile PM run

I decided to switch some of my routine to my resistance tubing just to switch things up and honestly I thought it would be a little easier for a few weeks LOL…WRONG!  After 1 set my biceps were on FIRE!!!  I ahven’t felt them burn that bad for awhile.  WOW I’m hoping that makes a difference and helps them grow.  Not only did I think it would be easier but I thought it would be a quicker workout…WRONG again.  It took me 45 minutes to get through my back/biceps workout today!  I loved every grueling minute of it. 

My butt is starting to drag during the day due to waking up at 2:30, then 3 then 3:30 am for the past 3 weeks.  I’m pretty sure I know why and I’m trying to fix it but I can’t fix it fast enough to make my body happy.  This usually happens when I up my training but don’t up my food accordingly.  My vow for November is to try to get up to 1800 calories consistenly.  Right now I hover between 1600-2000 which is ok with me but I tend to go the lower route.  I eat higher calories on the weekends which is also my long running days so I don’t really get my catch up eating done.  All I can do is move forward at my own pace and it will come to me.

Workout:

Row with band 3×15             Curl with band  3×15

Pullup using bar 3×15            Hammer curl 2×8 1×5

Lat pull down 3×12                Alternate curl 2×6 1×5

Superman  3×15                   Cross curl  2×12

One arm row  2×10 1×8          DB Curl  3×15

Reverse Fly  3×10                  Side curls with Band  3×15

Pushups  3×15                    
  21’s with Band  3 sets

30 sec. cardio bursts between sets

Abs:  Bicycle, Double Crunch, Toe Touches, Punches

15 minute brisk walk

My legs weren’t as sore as I thought they would be BUT they are TIRED.  I had a 13 mile run Sunday, Leg Day Monday, and Cardio (5 miles) today.  They will get some rest tommorow albiet only a little LOL. I made a vow to myself to TRY to make November the month that I overcome some of my eating issues and TRY to eat just a little more.  I know it’s affecting my workouts more so AFTER than during.  I’m not recovering as well or as quick and I’m pretty tired during the day after a tough workout (which is most days).  I haven’t really replaced the calories from meat in my diet so I need to work on that.  I’ve ordered a few Vegetarian cookbooks and I checked a few books out from the library and of course I’ve been web surfing the topic.  The protein in my smoothie in the morning is my main source of protein for the day so I make sure I get a full scoop.  I’ve been doing tons of veggies, lower fat cheeses, beans, some soy convenience foods though I watch the sodium in those, low fat dairy though I have to be careful because it makes my face break out, nuts, whole grain bread (been making homemade-YUM) and whole grain pasta.  If you have any great non meat sources (besides TOFU…I tried and I couldn’t do it LOL) shout them out!  I am still amazed at how much better I feel…ie cleaner and lighter.  I have almost nonexistent stomach issues!

Workout: Cardio-5 miles alternating between 5.5 MPH and 6 MPH every 1/2 mile

2 mile WATP DVD after work

Wow my leg day was tough today.  I upped weight on some of my moves and I KNOW I will be feeling it before the day is out!  I did my same routine in reverse order and I changed a few exercises.  I upped the weight on my squats and deadlifts and WOW what a difference.  I plan on upping some arm weights too and lowering my reps.

November marks the 4 year anniversary of my 100 pound weight loss.  I’ve maintained it for 4 years.  I will attach some before and after pics below.

Leg workout:

Side leg raises on the floor (inner and outer raises) 3×15 both sides

Leg extensions 3×12

Jump overs 3×15

Deadlift 3×12

Calf Raises 3×15

Plie squats 3×15

Hamstring curl  3×12

Squat Jumps 3×15

Step ups 3×10

Reg Squats 3×10

Lunge variations 3×10

Cross kicks with toe touches 3×12

Jump rope 30 secs between each set

ABs:

Reverse crunch 2×15

Double crunch 2×15

Bicycle 2×15

Side plan raises 1×15 both sides

Toe touches 1×15

Single leg lifts 1×15

15 minute brisk walk on treadmill

I had a lot on my mind this morning and don’t remember much about my workout???  It must not have been overly hard.  It was back anc biceps.  My arms are really sore as I’m typing but I must’ve been in space and hour ago.  I’m rounding the corner to my 4 year 100 pound weight loss anniversary and I’ve been reflecting on the bad turn it took for 2 years and how dark and ugly that time was.  My mind is in turmoil today over my past and I’m feeling some shame from the hiding and the secrets and the lies.  It’s just another hurdle in my journey that I need to overcome.

I’m going to take some progress pics today and compare them and I know the difference will be amazing from 2 years ago.  I did weigh myself but I’m going to do a 3 day weigh in because it fluctuates so much.  My BF was about the same but my weight was up a pound.  I’m sure my legs are still holding some water as they are still pretty sore.  I have lost about .25 inch off my midsection (though I think that’s more due to the fact of no meat).

I’m struggling with my food intake.  My running mileage has gone from about 20 miles a week to 25 and sometimes topping out at 35.  I need to eat more food.  I still hate the feeling of a lot of food in my stomach.  It makes me uncomfortable and squirminsh LOL.  I know the time has come to bump it up and stay up.  I’m having several clues like not sleeping, being tired, my body being tired and more sore, and having a harder time recovering.  Some days my weights seem heavier too.  I’m gaining weight on what I’m eating now so I hate to eat even more   This usually happens at the end of the month..I say it’s my body catching up to my workouts.  One of these days it’s going to have to now or never…move forward or stay put…recover or constantly battle.

Workout:

Back, Biceps, Abs

1 mile brisk walk

I’m paying the price for my leg circuit training workout yesterday but the price is so worth it!  I’m awesomely sore in the right places…my trouble spots   Circuit training has always been my thing in the past and it has worked for me so I’m guess I’m going back!

My legs were sore this morning but not the I can’t move sore which would suck considering I’m on my feet 90% of the day!  Today was a cardio day and I knew it may be a little tough since my legs were sore but working them again is usually what alleviates the soreness.  I’ve been reading a lot lately and most articles say running and lifting with your legs work the muscles 2 different ways so there’s no reason you can’t run after a leg day (unless of course you don’t want to or can’t move LOL).  My legs always feel better after I run the day after (that’s a lot of afters hahaha)  I have read in numerous places that it doesn’t sacrifice any muscle and so many people state.  Actually a lot of what I read on the forum turns out to be mostly hype when you actually read up on it from respectable sources.   A lot of the things on the forum seem to be like scare tactics!…I still enjoy reading some of the things but I take some and leave some.

workout

5 mile Am run  alternating between 5.5 MPH and 6MPH for 5 miles

5 mile PM trail run-I love it

WOW…I lessened my sets to 3 instead of 4 but did all the exercises circuit style and my LEGS are burning and I can barely move.  I had to climb stairs from the basement after my workout and I felt like I needed a crane.  This shows me quality over quantity.  Honestly I tend to get bored with more than 3 sets so 3 quick sets I think will work perfect for me.  I finished up with 1 mile of brisk walking on the treadmill and I feel good to go.

I just have to say AGAIN how amazing I feel being meat free.  I did have 1 small piece of popcorn chicken last night but I didn’t have that "Oh I miss this" feeling!  I haven’t really had any meat cravings either.  I’ve been experimenting with tofu.  I’m not a big fan but every once in awhile I can make it work.  With that said I have decided not to eat things I don’t like just because I’m supposed to…for example-Egg whites, I can’t stand them so I will no longer eat them LOL  I will keep them for recipes and that’s it.  No more forcing myself to eat foods that make my stomach turn LMAO.  I will eat the roasted veggies I love, I will eat what I like!  I have been substituting boca crumbles and chicken for any meat recipes I decide to make.  I have also found the tofu noodle things and will be trying those this week.  So far I am enjoying my meat free diet which is a big plus.  No bloating, no stomach issues, and I feel about 10 pounds lighter!

workout:  Leg Day

15 min brisk walking at 4 MPH