crlgrl’s BodyBlog

I didn’t make it to the gym today, I’m in mourning for the loss of Houston Nutt. Even though it’s not  the popular opinion, I thought Nutt was a great coach and did a terrific job as head coach at Arkansas. I understand why he left, the atmosphere in Hog country has been less than united the last 2 years. It seemed like things got shook up after the deal with the Springdale players and just got worse. Anyway, thanks for a great job Coach, enjoy the 3 million.

Since I didn’t go to the gym today and it was leg day I used my 20# DB’s that my son bought me for my B.day last week and did about 200 squats. (Seriously) And lots and lots of walking lunges!!!! I’ll probably ride my spinning bike tonight; I had chocolate cheesecake for breakfast!!! (;

P.S. DMac for the Hiesman trophy!!!!

Today I decided on my goal for the next 3 months which will be to work on my V-taper and to be able to do 5 unassisted pull ups. The pullups will be a challenge due to the fact that my gym does not have an assisted pull up machine. I’ve come up with a way to do them without a spotter by putting a chair under me bending my knees where I can lay my feet across the back and push when I need to. Today I did about 30 total. I also did seated lat rows with 35,40, 45 and 45#’s. Cable press down with 60, 70, 70 and 80#’s. Seated cable rows with the small D handles 60, 60, 70 and 70#’s. Finished up with kneeling cable lat pull downs at 60,70,70  and failure on the last set. I also did ball crunches with a weight plate and v-up with a DB between my feet in between all back sets.

In the gym this AM for legs and abs. Started off with BB squats wide stance for 6 sets. 75#, 85#, 95#,105# and back down to 75# to pump ‘em up. I did crunches on the ball in between squats with 5#, 10# and then 15#. After squats I moved on to leg extensions. The first 2 sets were one leg at a time and the last 3 were 60#, 70# and 80#. Still crunching away on the ab ball. Next came my personal favorite…deadlifts! I did 4 sets with 75#,95# X3. I did planks for abs in between these and the lunges. Which were my next exercise on a box with 25# DB’s for 5 sets. Lastly I did a ton of kickbacks with my resistance band. All in all a great work out that I’m sure will make me sore tomorrow!!

I ran at the track and ran some bleachers before going to the gym today. Not as much as usual because my oldest son was working out with me and he couldn’t hang with his Mommy. JK, he just got bored I think. It is always great when I can get one of my sons or my husband to go to the gym or do cardio with me!! I went to the gym and did arms, alone, after that. More then likely I will run again tomorrow since my gym isn’t open on Sunday. To check out my arm work out go to my work out tracker; I think I’m finally getting used to it.

Tuesday, my husband and I went for a short hike (about 3 miles) around Cedar Lake in a nearby town. The leaves are SO pretty this time of year!! It wasn’t a strenous hike at all, like we normally do, it was just fun. I really think it would be a good trail for running.

Started off with 3 sets of push ups and I can do real ones now. No more girl push ups for me. Next was seated DB presses for 4 sets including one warm up set 20#x2 and 25#x2. Next was Incline DB chest press for 4 sets with 25# for 12-15 reps. I then did lateral raises with 12# DB’s 10 reps for 3 sets, the last set I did 10,8,5# till failure!! I really felt these. Finished up with incline DB flyes wth 12# DB’s for 4 sets.

I’m bored..again. I know people that do the same work out day in day out, week after week, month after month, year after year. I am not one of those people; I have to have constant change just to keep me interested and motivated. I just finished up a three month period of focusing on gaining size in my delts and definition in my quads, which I did see improvement in both areas. So now I need to decide something new to strive for. I thought about pull ups because I have been working with those for the last couple of weeks or some plyometric routines. I’ve been researching them some because I’m really not very knowledgable about them. Should I have a lower and upper body day?  Or should I incorperate them into my weight training? Should I do them at all? And why? Anyone who uses plyometrics in their training, let me know how they work for you or didn’t work.

Yesterday I ran and did bleachers, about 30 sets of bleachers and 3 miles of running. My calves are stiff this morning, as ususal, and my mid-quads are a little sore, which is unusual but I’ll take it. I think I’m up for shoulders and chest today in the gym.

To all the veterans on our site..Thank you for your service!!! I appreciate the sacrifices of you and your families!!!!

Today I went to watch my brother and nephew compete in a mountain biking race for 2 reasons. one, to support the family and two, to see if it is something I might be interested in. The atmosphere there was so exciting and it was great to see so many fit, active people around. They had 4 basic classes:novice, beginner,sport and expert. Then they divided up further by age and sex. They also had a class called the Clydsdales…men over 200#. In addition to racing you also had they option of stopping for turkey eggs. Hidden all along the trail were easter eggs containing candy, gift certificates and money. My brother found one egg with 50$ in it. The clysdale class had Little Debbie snack cakes hidden and the guy bringing the back the most un-eaten ones won the trophy called the Big Kahuna and bragging rights for the year. The trail this morning was about 10 miles and fairly easy, I’ve ridden it several times. Then in the afternoon they raced a 1.25 mile circle track for 20 minutes. Tomorrow morning they will ride another 10 mile track that I have also ridden and pushed; it will be alot tougher! Another perk..free massages for the racers. I thought about just putting on my gear, throwing a little mud on my legs, spritzing with water and getting a massage. As far as me racing next year, I’d like to try it, I don’t think I have much chance of winning but the older I get the more I just want to be able to say, "I did that once."

Alright, Angrydragon and frogprincess, it’s true I have been in a Mexican jail for a brief period of time. It happened several years back when I had taken a trip down to the city of Monterrey, Mexico. I also toured the hospitals and barrios. HA! No, I’m not a criminal, I was there on a mission trip. I go down about 1 time a year and take medical supplies and clothes and spend a week there with a group of people. I guess I have been down about 5 times and come back a changed person everytime. I wish I could tell you my grateful attitude doesn’t go away but ususally within a month or so I’m back to griping about insignificant things and not realizing how lucky I am. I took my sons 2 years and they were just amazed!! It really is an eye opening experience and one that I would recommend to anyone who gets a chance to go. And you guys thought I was a criminal. (:

When the weather is nice out and it’s leg day at the gym, I sometimes ride my mountain bike the 5 miles to the gym. I tell myself, everytime, that I will never do it again, for 2 reasons. 1 my legs are usually shot after a heavy leg work out so the ride home is miserable, pumping up the hills with my quads burning and muttering to myself, "Now I remember..we weren’t going to do this again." and 2. people here have NO idea of what to do with a cycilist on the road!! They either get right behind you going 10 miles and hour or they blow by you at 50. Or (my personal favorite) they drive right behind you for awhile and then they get pissed off and blow by you at 50 and give you THE LOOK. I ride in the lane I am supposed to (going with the flow of traffic) on the shoulder (so cars can get by) and sometimes I just pull off the road to let cars go by, because it’s really difficult to get past big ‘ole me on my big ‘ole bike when there is only 2 or 3 lanes in the road to use. Anyway, I made it home with only a few close calls and, again, told myself, "I’m not doing that again." So, I’ll be blogging about my bike ride to the gym again next week. (:

Walking Lunges with 25# DB’s 6 sets about 30 steps a set

Hamstring curls 4 sets 50# and 60#’s about 12-15 reps

Leg extensions 4 sets 60# (1set) 70# for 3 12-15 reps

Deadlifts 4 sets 85# for 12-15 reps

Front Squats 4 sets with 35# BB (thinking about the bike ride home the whole time)

My glutes and upper thighs are really sore today!!!!