Purpose and Possibility

I’ve been getting back into my groove for the most part.  I haven’t done any morning cardio for the last week though.  I can’t seem to get my butt to bed at a decent hour on the week nights.  So try as I might, 5:15 a.m. just ain’t happening unless I get at least 7 hours of sleep.   However, doing cardio after weights in the evening is especially excruciating for me (almost like an exorcism), so that should help me break my bad habit soon enough. 

I’m still searching for a trainer and figuring out the best way to make this work since I just took a pay cut at work.  I was happy to take the cut to help save my colleagues (many, not all) from layoffs, but it definitely eats into my fun money. 

My ankle is doing a lot better, but not 100%.  Still having issues with range of motion.  I constantly have to remind myself to pace it and not try to push it too hard.  No squats or lunges yet, but I’m finding new and creative ways to work my legs.  The "Butt Blaster" is actually pretty cool, albeit a little embarrassing.   

Current split:

Mondays-Legs & Abs

Tuesays-Back, Tri’s, Shoulders

Wednesdays-Cardio & Core

Thursdays-Legs

Friday-Chest, Bi’s. Abs

Saturday-Cardio

Sunday-Rest, walk on the beach =)

Gripe: I have accepted the fact that the free weight area smells pretty funky most of the time.  I swear if someone lights a match in there we will surely go up in flames.  I have accepted the fact that some people sweat profusely and don’t bother to wipe down the machines when they are done.  I have even learned to just get over the fact that some people are too lazy and inconsiderate to rack their weights.  However, what I can not deal with is when people wear dirty clothes to the gym.  You know the ones the smell like they were taken out the bottom of the hamper then worn every day in succession for a week without being washed.  I literally almost barfed & fell off the bike last night when this particular person walked past me several times.  How can he not know that he stinks…correction: wreaks?   I’m tempted to slip him a package with some Tide and quarters in it. 

I have been getting up before the sun to hit the gym for some cardio.  I have been doing this on an empty stomach.  With the exception of some water and Now metabolic & adrenal support (basically caffeine with some vitamins and herbs in a pill).  This morning I had a protein shake as soon as I was done.  Hour later I had some oatmeal and a few boiled egg whites.  2 hours later I had an apple and some almond butter.  At about 11 a.m. my blood sugar dropped and I darn near pass out.  I ate some brown rice, but that did not do the trick.  I had an "emergency peice" of chocolate which helped.  Now I love my chocolate and I will come up with all kinds of reasons to have a peice, but that’s a bit extreme even for me.  So back to the drawing board on that idea.  I was just about the interview a 4 year old when this happen.  Good thing I didn’t try to power through.

On another note, I met with a "master trainer" at my gym today.  She thought my body fat % seemed to high after looking at me.  So she did it again using the 3 point skinfold test (previous trainer used 4 point).   She came up with 18.8% (previous trainer had me at 27%). Per the master trainer, the 4 point skinfold tend to put people 10% higher.  *scratches head and wonders why use it then*   I like the 18.8% better and that is what I’m using for now.  lol!  I will be having a body scan done in a few weeks as these are allegedly more accurate.    As for the trainer, I like her style and attitude.  I asked her at least 50 questions and she did not seem the least bit annoyed.  She actually seemed happy.  Imagine that?!  And when she didn’t know, she said she didn’t know and could research it or consult with other trainers.  We worked out briefly.  She was creative, explained the movements and corrected my form.  She also took into consideration that my ankle is still healing.  So far I like her, but I still want to meet a few more, just to see who’s out there.

As for my workout, I got in some cardio this morning before work.  Got on the elliptical machine for the first time in a month sans ankle pain.  Yay!  I even did some work on my right calf and ankle.  My right calf is about 1/2 inch smaller than my left  calf right now due to my right ankle sprain, but it will catch up quick.  Thanks to years of cheerleading and muscle memory, my calves respond rather quickly.   I also did some chest work.  Not as much as I would have like though.  See what happens when I don’t have a plan.  Then finished off with some abs.  Two years ago, ab work literally brought tears to my eyes thanks to an adominal surgery.  Now it’s becoming my favorite area to work.  There are so many ways to work them that it never gets boring.

Up at 5:15 a.m. (ish).  In the gym by 5:45 for some morning cardio.  Worked all day.  Then back to the gym for a consult with a trainer.  She worked me pretty good during the half hour we met.  She was nice enough and seems to have a lot of knowledge about nutrition, but she didn’t really seem that into my goals.  You know that feeling you get when feel like someone is just being nice.  She was just lacking the enthusiasm and edge that I’m looking for in a trainer.  Not to mention the fact that she has no experience competing or working with those that are competing.  Oh well, I have another consult on Thursday.

On another note, while the numbers on the scale are dropping and my jeans are getting to be too big, my bf% is high (based on the old fashioned measuring with calipers).   I have a lot of work to do in the next 16 weeks,but I will persevere.  I’ve been putting all my friends and family on notice about giving me crap about what I eat and trying to encourage me to eat crappy food.  So far most have gotten on board and have even been encouraged to make some lifestyle changes.

Followed up with the doctor.  My ankle is better each day.  Range of motion still limited, but I’m doing daily stretches and exercises to help loosen it up.  I find that getting on the bike helps a lot.  I take back all the negative things I have ever said about the recumbent and upright stationary bikes.  =)  They still make my butt hurt, but serve their purpose well otherwise.

I have scheduled some consults with some trainers at my gym.  Resuming my cardio at yikes! a.m. and weights in the evening.  Getting up before the sun is tough, but I feel so good once the morning cardio is done.

Thank you to everyone for all of the positive energy and messages of support.  You guys rock!
Ankle

My range of motion is still limited & there is a little swelling & bruising.  However, I have marked improvement each day.    No more splint and I can wear my cute tennis shoes.  Yay!  No pretty heels any time soon though.
Training

I trained on Monday.  Haven’t done are darn thing since. I’m sure I can come up with all kinds of excuses, but I won’t waste the time.  It is what it is.   I’m jumping back on the horse this afternoon.  I’m doing a full body workout today.  One excercise for each muscle group just to wake them up again.  I have to get creative with the leg work since I can’t do my favorites (squats, lunges (love/hate), deadlifts, calf raises) right now.  Tomorrow will be cardio on the recumbent bike and ab work.  I haven’t figure out what kind of split I want to do starting next week.  Any suggestions?

Diet

I’m a meal planning maniac, but Lord help me if I go off course.  I’ve decided that I can’t go out to eat right now.  My will power is impaired.  I will order something decent, but will dip into other peoples plates with no shame.  Of course I ask first.  =)   And my sugar cravings have been off the charts lately and it has nothing to do with my cycle.  I’ve noticed that the cravings occur between about 2:30-9 p.m.  I suspect it has something to do with my lack of adequate sleep these dates.
Challenges

I haven’t been able to sleep through the night and have been having nightmares, which is not normal for me.  It’s frustrating as hell.  I know the ankle discomfort has been a part of the problem.  Perhaps being in a new place (recently moved).  No sleep= low productivity= low chance of working out/or a poor workout= stress=increased cravings for sugar=one grumpy woman.  Argh!!!  It’s a vicious cycle that I’m determined to break.  I have been saging my new place to wipe out any negativity.  Drinking Nighty Night herbal tea before bed.  Taking relaxing baths.  It worked well one night.  Hopefully I can get my balance back soon.  I miss sleeping through the night & hate waking up scared because of some silly nightmare.  Where’s my teddy bear? =P

Competition prep

I’ve decided to get a trainer.  There is just so much to learn and so much I need to do.  I need professional advice.   I haven’t decided whether or not to go with an online program with online/phone consult or work with a live person.  Again, I’m open to suggestions.
Other stuff

A coworker recently commented on the fact that I seem to have lost some weight.  When I told her that I have lost about 17 lbs she asked me how and if I was starving myself.  My response, "Hell no".   I explained to her what I had been doing (ie. clean eating every 2-3 hours, weights & cardio prior to my injury).

If one more person tells me not to get too skinny or that I am losing to much weight, I’m going to scream.  Then strip down to my skivies and show them I’m not all skin & bones.   Well at least no one is monitoring whether or not I’m eating.  I appreciate the concern, but dammit!  I don’t know how/why people think I’m starving myself when I never have.   Except the times when I had food poisoning and tonsilitis.  I’ve even managed to get my grub on when I have had the flu.  I was raised in the south.  We believe in "feeding a cold".  =)

The doc took me off the crutches and I returned to the gym last night.  I’m still wearing the splint part time and walking a little gimpy, but hitting the gym sure felt good.   I have resumed my love/hate relationship with the recumbent bike.  While it wasn’t the most pleasant experience, it sure helped loosen up my ankle and calf muscle.  I also hit the free weights and hit the chest and triceps.  I may not be able to go heavy (for me), but my form looks pretty darn good if I do say so myself.
Just over 18 weeks out and I have a lot of work to do.  I started to waver a little, but when I dreamed that I was wearing a posing suit and practicing my posing I knew what I needed to do.  It’s on baby!  Have a beautiful day everyone.

Went to the doctor for follow up on Tuesday.  He told me to start slowly ditching the crutches, but I have to keep wearing the splint.  I’m slow as molasses in the winter time and I shuffle like Fred Sanford, but I’m happy to be getting off the crutches.  According to the doc, my ankle feels pretty sturdy.  So I’m just waiting for the ligaments to heal.  I asked about going to the gym and trying the bike.  The doctor told me that I could try and see how much it hurts.  =/   I’ve decided to give it one more week.  My range of motion has improved since last week.  I still have swelling & tenderness on the outside part of my ankle where the tear is located.  All in all, I think I’m progressing pretty nicely.

Although, I haven’t been as active as I like to be, I have been eating reasonably clean.   I indulged in some miniature brownies and a cookie during yesterdays budget meeting at work.  They bring chocolate to those meetings for a reason.   ;-P

My left leg, back and upper back have been taxed.  It doesn’t help that I just moved to a 2nd floor apartment.  Well my friends & family did the moving, but I still had to haul my ass up/down the stairs.  Talk about a work out.  My foot swelled up to twice it’s  normal size.  I resorted to crawling on the floor a few days ago.  LOL!

The good news is that after spending the last 2 days doing almost nothing (I seriously haven’t even gone outside), the swelling has gone down considerably (can see some of the veins in my foot again), I can get by with one crutch and I took a few steps sans crutches without any pain.  My range of motion is still extremely limited, but I’m sure that can be worked out in physical therapy.  I go in for a follow up later today.  Wish me well.

So that pop I felt when I hurt myself were my ligaments.  So for now I am totally taking it easy and doing everything the doctor tells me to do/not to do.  This includes not driving.  I’ve had sprains in the past, but never tore anything.  I’m just hoping it heals properly and that I will be as good as new in 6 weeks or so.

While working no less.  I don’t know how many times I have gone traipsing up make shift stairs in the mountains, down dirt paths on a hillside and all kinds of crazy situations while working and wearing high heels.  But while wearing tennis shoes and going down stairs I manage to sprain my ankle.  Oh well.  Such is life.  At least it’s not  broken, there was no obvious tendon damage and thankfully I have health insurance.  Actually, I injured myself while working so it will be workers comp.  Even better.  =)  So what does this mean for my training?  Once I get the okay from the workers comp doc I will resume some type of physical activity.  I can work on my upper body.  I can also resume the bike once I’m able to put pressure on my ankle.  Any suggestions?