amysuds’s BodyBlog

I don’t know if anyone else does this, but every morning I look at my body in the mirror. I watch for any signs of improvement! I look front, side and back. Nothing great today..but that’s ok. You see, I am in this for the long haul. Having patience to reach goals is something I am always working on. We are all different. What diet works for me, may not do anything for you …same with training and vice versa. The whole process is trial and error. But the key for me is to NEVER stop, no matter what. No one is perfect, we all have areas to improve on. It all starts with goals I guess. Often times I sit with my husband and just talk about that. I tend to want everything! But I am narrowing it down, I can’t have it all. What do I really want? I want to feel good about myself 365 days of the year. I want to slowly continue to gain muscle without technically bulking. (vaca doesn’t count!) I want the chubs off the back of my legs and glutes. But not just for competition. I want it off…and maintained that way. The only way to achieve this is to come up with a plan, not just for now…but something I can always stick with. For example, my diet. I need to be realistic about what food choices I have for the future. I am working on this thought.

As I was getting dressed, I put a pair of jeans on that I haven’t worn for awhile. Everyone tells me to throw out the scale and judge progress by the way my clothes fit. Once again…we are all different. I have lost 6 pounds this past month and guess what. My jeans were SO TIGHT in the legs and glutes…I was shocked. But, my physique is changing. Maybe I am gaining muscle? Maybe my legs are swollen from the muscle repairing itself from yesterdays heavy leg workout? I don’t know. What I want to stress here is that I NEVER want anyone to stop trying to achieve their goals. Things aren’t always textbook and I have learned that. We are all just so special!!

Today I deadlifted 215 a few times….oh yeah, I like this alot!!!

I have been sick for the past 2 weeks and my strength is FINALLY back! My short term goal is to deadlift 230lb by March 15. Right now I am at 205. Tomorrow I am going for a gain. I want to mentally plant a seed (here and now )for my brain to know exactly what’s up for tomorrow.  My body has all night to prepare. Fingers crossed….game face is on.

Team Scivation is a free training/nutrition plan offered at www.teamscivation.com . I strongly recommend for anyone that needs guidance to sign up. The program is excellent and offered to all levels of fitness.

I have a good friend from this site who wrote me a summary of her experience in 2008 with this program. Thankyou Valerie!!

“I joined Team Scivation in April 2008.I was coached by Derek Charlebois for a lean mass gain program from April through August 2008. It was during that time in which I made my biggest transformation; I went from weighing 105lbs with ~17% bodyfat to 120lbs with 13.5% bodyfat. He then led me through a bodyfat cut in September and October 2008, during which period I leaned down to 11% bodyfat.

Team Scivation was a great way for me to get into bodybuilding, because it took the guess work out of everything, from the proper training and diet right down to supplementation. They provided a personalized plan based on my fitness and goals. Not only was I taught WHAT to do, but they also provided me with the scientifics behind everything.Knowing WHY everything works was beneficial in helping me change my habits because it gave a purpose behind all the major and minor lifestyle changes.

Carrying out the plan was fun because Team Scivation is comprised of many other people with similar goals who are always more than willing to share their experiences with others. Anyone on Team Scivation has the option of taking their accountability to the next level, and starting a fitness and or dietary log in Derek Charlebois’ Contest Prep Section !, right here on Bodyspace. I found a tremendous amount of support and motivation while maintaining both my Lean Mass and Cut logs in Derek’s forum.”

Stop by and check out her profile…the progress pictures are so inspiring! Keep ROCKIN V!!!    http://bodyspace.bodybuilding.com/vhart07/

It’s Amy…..it’s not hun, sweetie, lovely, sexy etc. I just don’t think it’s appropriate to be addressed as such "names". I don’t mind grandma….I mean I am one. But if you leave me a comment that is not respectful…don’t expect me to ever write back. This of course is a POSITIVE message . I am a member on this site "to help others reach their health, fitness and appearance goals." Let’s talk training!! DO WORK!!

Over the last couple years I have primarily used my treadmill for cardio. I burned 500-600 calories per session and ate clean. Then I got a recumbent bike which does not burn even close to the calories per minute for me. Lastly, I now have been testing my elliptical on different settings for results. The comparisons of actual "body changes"…not weight loss per say, just things I have noticed, especially in my legs. The treadmill, even on the highest incline..for me, does not effectively shape my legs. It does however burn alot of calories, which right now is important, but not what I am after. I also tend to burn muscle when I use it alot.

 I want to SEE changes. On to the recumbent bike….it hurts like heck. I only put the resistance up about 4-5 out of 12 I believe. I focus on the feeling in my legs…it is helping with cuts big time. But, it shows minimal calories burned.This machine is great for after my leg workout..when my body has already switched to fat burner, and it fully exhausts what’s left of them! A+ 

 Lastly…the elliptical. I have messed around with it on different programs and resistances. If I keep the resistance at midpoint..and really push to get my heartrate at 135-140( it’s tough for me to do on this machine without losing control and tipping it over)..I can feel the same aggravating muscle tension (I call it that). I love this machine! It burns about 10cal a minute for me and I get off the thing feeling like I did a few hundred walking lunges, no matter what program I set it on.If I put the resistance up high however, my heart rate does not get to where I want it to be.

 Now all of this of course is just my opinion, but I thought i would share because that’s why I am here.