actionjaxn 
"Summer's over -- need to add some serious muscle."
|
|
Archive for the 'Training' Category
Wednesday, July 15th, 2009
After a long hard look at our massive amounts of debt, the man and I decided to overhaul our finances and start Dave Ramsey’s Total Money Makeover. Everything has been going great, except when it comes to our monthly grocery budget. We’re trying to be as frugal (read: cheap) as possible, which unfortunately doesn’t bode well for our healthy lifestyles. It feels as though we have to choose between getting out of debt or eating clean because let’s face it: fresh veggies, chicken breasts, ground sirloin, and supplements really add up. Pasta, potatoes, peanut butter, and basically any other quick carbs are cheap and filling - especially when my man eats like a freakin’ horse!
I keep telling myself that the harder we work and the more sacrifices we make now, the faster we’ll get out of debt and I can go back to eating my spinach and fresh chicken breasts. I have bumped up my cardio to try and make up for my few non-clean meals, but I’m still very discouraged. If any of you have some cheap clean recipes or hints, I would greatly appreciate your help. Until then, it’s back to the treadmill.
Posted in Training
Tuesday, June 9th, 2009
What a long night/day! I received one of the worst phone calls late last night from my husband saying that there has been an accident. A bit of background info: my husband is a case manager in a rehab center for juvenile sex offenders. Every month they take the boys on an outing to get them acclimated to ‘normal’ society. Last night they went to a minor league baseball game and on the way back (my husband was driving) someone drove by the van and shot out the driver’s side window. Praise the Lord no one was hit by the bullet, but my husband was pretty cut up from all the glass. After a very long meeting with the police and writing umpteen reports, my husband finally made it home at 4:15 this morning.
Needless to say, I was a nervous wreck and was completely relieved to have him back in one piece. Since he’s been trained as a police officer, he’s handling the situation much better than I am! I’m still pretty shaken up over the whole ordeal, so I’m hoping a brutal workout will take off some of the stress. Thanks for reading — may God continue to watch over us.
Posted in Training
Thursday, June 4th, 2009
For the past month or so I’ve been really watching my diet in hopes to cut down my bodyfat. It’s worked so far since I’ve lost quite a bit of bodyfat already and have been making significant gains in the gym. To keep my sanity, I allow myself one "cheat" meal every couple of weeks. Today a friend and I went out for lunch, and I splurged on a hot dog (I know, gross, but I’m originally from Chicago and that’s how we roll). BAD DECISION!
My poor body is used to clean foods that it doesn’t know how to handle greasy, sloppy, fatty foods anymore! In some ways this is a blessing - I won’t eat garbage in fear of this intense pain. I feel absolutely miserable and want to drop everything to go run off the bazillion calories. To make matters worse, I wasted my cheat meal only to feel like crap. At least I know I’m doing something right, right?
Posted in Training
Friday, May 29th, 2009
*This post originally appeared on my public blog. Enjoy!
I almost prefaced this post with a disclaimer that I do not intend to offend anyone by its content. On second thought, it’s my blog and I’m allowed to write about whatever I like — so if you don’t like what I write or take offense to it, please let me know. Controversy is my middle name.
Lately I have been reminded of the negative view our society has adopted in regards to health and fitness. In years past, someone who was in shape and took care of his/her body would be applauded and considered a role model (Arnold, pro athletes, Olympians, etc.). Nowadays, I hear more criticism of my healthy lifestyle than encouragement. Take the other day, for example. When I decided not to accompany my office to the local Chinese buffet, several coworkers expressed their (wrong) opinions: “Oh, Lauren’s not going because she just wants to make us look bad.” When I decided not to eat the potato salad, cookies, chips, and pop at the office picnic: “Are you on a diet - because you of all people don’t need to be on a diet.” When every afternoon I drink my protein shake instead of eating a Snickers bar: “Why are you drinking that? [mockingly] Are you like some crazy bodybuilder or something?”
When has my choice of living a healthy lifestyle become a point of criticism? It’s sad that today’s society has so openly welcomed and accepted obesity that when I try to make a stand against it, I am ridiculed. Since when has it become acceptable for extremely overweight Americans to workout, eat healthy, and make smart choices, but someone like me cannot? Do I have to be terribly overweight and completely unhealthy for it to be “ok” to follow guidelines? Why is it that now I keep my mouth shut about my healthy lifestyle in fear of being made fun of? Why can’t people understand that I’m not trying to insult anyone by how I live?
Is it jealousy? Anger? Resentment? Or would Americans, or any human being for that matter, choose to live in comfortable denial rather than face the harsh truth? Let’s admit it, obesity has become an acceptable epidemic in America and it makes me sick. I shouldn’t have to feel bad about what I eat, or how often I work out, or my short and long term weight goals because I am striving to make myself better. God has given me this body and I want to glorify Him with it. I want to take care of myself to the best of my ability, not only for my own good, but for my husband and my future children (yikes!). Is this such a bad thing?
Please let me reiterate that I by no means intend to brag about my accomplishments. I struggle with my body image just as much as any other woman (ask my husband if you don’t believe me) and I do not consider myself as any type of standard. I work extremely hard and have had to make many sacrifices to get to the place where I am today. I also fail and make mistakes on a regular basis (read: the double cheeseburger meal from McDonald’s last weekend). I whole-heartedly applaud and support anyone, regardless of body weight, who makes the tough decision to change their life. And by golly, it’s hard! It’s not easy to choose a turkey sandwich over sweet and sour chicken. It’s almost impossible to pass on the DoubleStuf Oreos or Sharon Bellomy’s homemade chocolate cake. And Lord knows, Starbucks is in existence solely to tempt me.
BUT, after all is said and done, and after listening to criticism left and right, I look in the mirror and I am proud of myself. I only wish society would stop making me feel so doggone guilty for finally doing something right. Now if you’ll excuse me, my chocolate mint protein shake is calling my name…
Posted in Training
Tuesday, May 5th, 2009
Is it just me or has bikini season come out of nowhere?! I know it’s just the beginning of May, but the warm weather will be here before I know it, and Lord knows I need to get my body back into "beach mode." I’m finally starting to get back into a fitness/nutrition routine after a 3 month hiatus — but for good reason — I was a little busy getting married and stuff. 
It’s a blessing that my now-husband also shares a passion for fitness and has also committed himself to living a healthy lifestyle. What sucks is that he can take 3 months off, gain 20 pounds, then go running 4 times in 3 weeks and have his six pack back again! Sometimes it’s just not fair…..and yes, I know I’m just jealous. I’ve started a new program to lose 10 pounds in 6 weeks and so far it’s working. I absolutely HATE doing cardio, so that’s been a major challenge. I shouldn’t complain though since I was at a friend’s house the other day and to quote her, "You’ve got abs! You BITCH!" I’ll take that as a compliment.
So while my coworkers are chowing down on chocolate chip cookies, I’m chugging away at my mint chocolate chip protein shake. It’s a bit disheartening, having to be the only one with self-control, but one look in the mirror makes it worth it. I’m going to try and have my husband take some progress pictures since all of mine are very outdated. Til then, go big or go home!
Posted in Training
Thursday, September 11th, 2008
It’s not like anyone really reads this, but for the select few who do, thanks!
This summer has been uber busy with vacations, a job promotion, getting engaged, subsequently planning a wedding, moving into a new house, etc. I’ve still done my best to stick to my workout routine for the gym is my only "quiet" place. Luckily my fiance loves working out just as much — if not more — than I do, so he’s kept me motivated. (By the way, he just maxed out his bench at 350lb…..he weighs 165…ridiculous!) I’m hoping that by our wedding day (February) I’ll be in even better shape than I am right now.
I currently work in the Student Accounts office at a private university, so I use the fitness center on campus free of charge. This also means that I have to subject myself to young students who really do not understand the fundamentals of weightlifting. Also considering that our marriage rate here is almost 100%, there are a lot of soon-to-be brides who need some shaping. I’m thinking of starting an "LGN" program (Look Good Naked) to encourage women that weightlifting is their friend. My fiance already has his own program, "The Blue Bar" for guys who are looking to excel at police/military/security fitness exams.
I don’t have much more time to update as my workday is drawing to a close and the gym is beckoning. As always, go big or go home!
Posted in Training
Tuesday, January 15th, 2008
I have to vent here. I understand the the greater majority of the world is set out to lose weight in 2008, but that doesn’t mean you take up space in my gym! I usually workout at 5:30pm (when I get off of work), and the gym is PACKED with these slutty looking girls in neon capris and overly skinny guys trying to look bigger by wearing under armour. If you’re here to chat with your girlfriends or to impress the ladies with your lack of physique, STAY OUT OF MY GYM!
I’m a girl who likes to weightlift. I have been weightlifting for almost 5 years now, which means I have a pretty good understanding of what I’m doing (not to mention I’m a semi-pro football player and soon-to-be ACE certified). It pisses me off when these young 20 year old guys comment on my lifting style or try to give me "advice." You’re the one arching your back so far to try and curl 30 lbs., so don’t tell me how to lift. When your shoulders & back look as good as mine or when you can deadlift as much as me, then maybe you can open your mouth. Until then, shutup and learn how to lift.
And to the girls…….more is more. More time, more clothing, more weights. Sitting on the stationary bike for 10 minutes and then doing 10 bicep curls with your purple plastic-coated weights is NOT a workout. The gym is meant to be dirty & sweaty–if you don’t like it, join Curves.
*sigh* I feel so much better now. Thanks.
Posted in Training
Monday, June 25th, 2007
For as much as I love working out, I have felt so unmotivated these past two weeks. Life has been hectic with transitioning to a new job, moving into a new place, and trying to juggle all my responsibilities.
Frustration happens. Discouragement happens. Life happens.
I should be more motivated considering I leave in less than a week to go hike 190 miles across England. Maybe I should quit my job and become a pro so that doing what I love will pay the bills…..yeah right!
Until then, go big.
Posted in Training
Wednesday, June 6th, 2007
I’m obviously new to this whole "BodyBlog" craze, but I figure I’ll give it a shot.
Posted in Training
Wednesday, June 6th, 2007
Welcome to the Bodybuilding.com BodyBlogs. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start blogging!
Posted in Training
|
View all comments | Leave Comment