The I Love Carbs Blog

Have you notice went you compliment someone, they immediately light up.  A compliment can change an entire day for a person.   Sometimes it’s life changing.  It encourages me when I read other BB’ers being positive to one another.  I know it could be considered an ego stroke, but, however you look at it, it’s all good.  It puts that person in good spirits.  Now, getting an insult out weights the good.  Just one can leave you contemplating on it for days after, even longer depending on how severe the comment was.  I’ve had a guy at the gym tell me my trainer told him I’ve been training to compete in BB, his comment was, “You’re too small to go up against those girls.”  That night, I had a crappy workout!  A total attitude change.  Lately, I’ve been feeling like a fat slob.  I’ve put on 15lbs since I’ve started bulking in September!  I walked into the gym last night, and my trainer asked what am I weighing in at?  Of course he had to ask in front of 4 other guys standing there with him.  “138″, I said.  The response I got back was great.  He said even though I’ve put on the pounds, I’m putting on great muscle and will look awesome when I cut for the show. *instant confidence booster*

With all that said, as I drove in my car, listening to Christmas music on the radio, the Carpenters came on.  I know, very old school.  But, I love Christmas.  Anyhoo, Karen Carpenter was at the top of her game, recording #1 songs with her brother back in the 70’s and 80’s.  One comment was made about her, saying she was the chubby little sister.  After reading that, she suffered from an eating disorder, anorexia.  That one little comment changed a person’s life, for the worst.   We dwell more on the bad comments.  It proves that those insults make people suffer.  So often do I read on the BB rants about bad comments left on someone’s blog, picture gallery, or profile.  It is really necessary?  Do these people find it so important to let that person know their little imperfections?  There are 2 scriptures I think about: Matthew 7:12 (The Golden Rule) “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you”  Would YOU want others to give you insults? Stop and ask yourself this question…Is this what I would have others do for me?  The second scripture is Matthew 23:39  Love your neighbor as yourself.  How hard is that?! very difficult for some more than others.

Compliments can brighten a person’s day, and give them a positive out look, not to mention a beautiful smile that appears. 

Enough of my 2 cents….My workout last night was great!  Felt pretty strong with my back workout. 

Wide Grip Pull Downs: Paralle Bar

Warm Up: 50lbs x 15

1- 80lbs x 10

2- 90lbs x 8

3- 100lbs x 8

Barbell Rows:

1- 65lbs x 10

2- 85lbs x 8

3- NEW MAX—>90lbs x 4, 85lbs x 3, 75lbs x 3, 65lbs x 6

DB Rows:

1- 40lbs x 8

2- 45lbs x 6

3- 50lbs x 6

Assisited Pull Ups:

1- (-) 40lbs x 10

2- (-) 40lbs x 8

3- (-) 40lbs x 8

Seated Cable Rows:

1- 90lbs x 8

2- 105lbs x 6

3- 105lbs x 4, 90lbs x 4, 75lbs x 8

Hammer Stength Seated Calves:

1- 90lbs x 15

2- 140lbs x 12

3- 180lbs x 10

4- 230lbs x 8

Finished with 20 Minutes Stationary Bike, level 3 / 14.5mph.

I’ve been fighting this cold, and it’s been teeter-tottering, head cold, bad congestion? or getting better?  I’ve been taking cold meds, using the humidifier at night, and drinking lots of water.  And yes, still training hard.  I know, rest is good, but, I couldn’t just skip my workout knowing how much crap I eat over Thanksgiving.  I started my workouts not knowing how they would turn out.  Before I knew it, I was into it, and forgot about my cold.  Funny how that works.  It also works when I’m really stressed out, but once I start training, all my troubles go away.  So, the moral to my story is, working out relieves cold symptoms, and stress!  Go train hard everyone!

I did legs today.  My knees are feeling good, no pain!  YIPPEE!  I’ve been doing lighter weights, higher reps, and it’s taken a toll on my strength.  I’ll probably start adding back on the heavy weights gradually to get that mass in the legs.  GROW DARN IT! 

Squats:

Warm Up: (2) 45lb x 15

1- 65lbs x 10

2- 85lbs x 10

3- 105lbs x 8

Leg Press:

1- 90lbs x 15

2- 180lbs x 12

3- 270lbs x 6

Leg Extensions:

1- 105lbs x 10

2- 120lbs x 10

3- 135lbs x 8

4- 150lbs x 6

Stiff Legged Dead Lifts:

1- 85lbs x 10

2- 105lbs x 10

3- 115lbs x 8

4- 135lbs x 8

Seated Leg Curls <SUPER SET> Seated Calf Press:

1- 75lbs x 12

2- 90lbs x 10

3- 90lbs x 10

4- 105lbs x 10

Seated Calf Press: Leg Press Machine

1- 95lbs x 20

2- 115lbs x 20

3- 135lbs x 15

4- 155lbs x 12

Standing Calf Raises: Smith Machine

1- 50lbs x 15

2- 70lbs x 12

3- 90lbs x 10

4- 100lbs x 8

Finished with 30minutes on the TreadMill, 3.0mph, 6% Incline.

I’ve caught a cold.  But, I turned on the humidifier last night and took some cold meds and felt a little better.  Well enough to lift.  My strength wasn’t all together today, but my  workout wasn’t bad.  I did a little abs, and finished it off with 30 minutes of cardio to fight off those extra fats from yesterday.

Straight bar Curls: Warm Up: 20lbs x 15, 20lbs x 12

21’s:

1- 30lbs

2- 35lbs

3- 35lbs

Concentration Curls:

1- 15lbs x 10

2- 20lbs x 8

3- 20lbs x 8

Incline DB Curls:

Sets 1-3: 15lbs x 10

Hammer Curls <SUPER SET> Wrist Curls:

1- 15lbs x 10 —- 15lbs x15

2- 20lbs x 8 —– 15lbs x 15

3- 20lbs x 8 —–15lbs x 12

Bent Over DB Laterals:

1- 10lbs x 10

2- 15lbs x 15

3- 15lbs x 12

Cable Face Pulls:

1- 60lbs x 10

2- 70lbs x 10

3- 80lbs x 10

4- 80lbs x 8

Standing Cable Rear Delt Pulls:

Sets 1-3: 20lbs x 10

Abs:

Leg Raises:

Sets 1-4: 15 reps

Stability Ball Crunches:

Sets 1-4: 15 reps

30 minutes on the TreadMill, 3.0mph, 6% Incline

I started the training with a nice warm up.  After I finished with shoulders I went onto traps, but in-between my sets, my trainer was also doing his own workout.  This guy is insane.  He gives a new meaning to "Full Stack".  He has perfect form, takes advantage of the positive and negative.  He was doing calves on a machine, full weight, and asked for my help.  He had me stand on the machine for added weight!  The guy did 3 sets with my added weight.  I thought he was finished so I went to finish my sets.  He then called over a guy that weighs 230lbs to stand on the machine!  Holy moly!  That’s just freaking awesome.

My workout was great.   I’m really trying to focus on my shoulders and legs, so I hit them hard.  My weight is also up.  I’m a whopping 137.4.  I’m kind of feeling a cold coming on, so I loaded up with vitamins.  Hopefully I feel better in the morning because I really want to get my workout in before the feast.  Happy T-Day everyone!

DB Press: Warm Up: 2 sets: 15lbs x 10

1- 20lbs x 10

2- 25lbs x 8

3- DROP SET: 25lbs x 8, 20lbs x 6, 15lbs x 8

Cable UpRight Rows:

1- 80lbs x 10

2- 90lbs x 10

3- 100lbs x 7

DB Side Laterals <SUPER SET> DB front Raises:

1- 15lbs x 10 —-12.5lbs x 10

2- 15lbs x 10 —-15lbs x 8

3- DROP SET: 20lbs x 5, 15lbs x 5 —-15lbs x 5, 12.5lbs x 6

Hammer Shoulder Press:

1- 20lbs x 15

2- 50lbs x 10

3- 60lbs x 10

DB Shrugs:

1- 30lbs x 15

2- 35lbs x 15

3- 35lbs x 15

4- 40lbs x 15

Hammer Strength Shrugs:

1- 90lbs x 1-

2- 110lbs x 10

3- 130lbs x 10

4- 140lbs x 9

ABS:

Stability Ball Crunches:

4 sets of 15

It bothers me to see people at the gym working out really hard, but using the worst form ever.  First of all, they’re going to injure themselves, and secondly, just put the ego aside and use the proper weight to use good form to reap the benefits of your hard training.  Why waste your time?  There’s a guy at my gym I like to call Full Stack.  No matter what machine he’s on, he’s using all the weight with terrible form.  He’s training hard, and he’s in there almost every evening, but still looks the same for over a year now.  If only he would take that effort and focus on the task at hand instead of how heavy he can push it, he would see some major results. 

I did chest and a little abs tonight.  I feel absolutely fat, and cannot wait to cut.  I’ve bought new clothes.  And let me tell ya, it’s frustrating the heck out of me.  I’m eating, and even after I finish eating, I’m STILL hungry.  Boy o boy, I’m going to have a difficult time cutting.  I can tell you now, it’s going to be tough to control myself at the Thanksgiving table!  I should just warn all family members to keep out of my way—BULKING IN PROGRESS!  

Okay back to my training…

Bench Press: Warm Up: 45lb bar x 15

1- 45lbs x 10

2- 65lbs x 10

3- 75lbs x 10—-> will move up in weight next week.  

Pec Deck:

1- 60 lbs x 10

2- 70 lbs x 8

3- DROP SET: 70lbs x 3, 60lbs x 3, 50lbs x 4

Hammer Strangth Wide Chest Press:

1- 90lbs x 10

2- 110lbs x 10

3- 120lbs x 8

DB Incline Press <SUPER SET> DB Flies:

1- 20lbs x 10—-15lbs x 10

2- 25lbs x 8 —-15lbs x 8

3- 25lbs x 6 —-15lbs x 8

Abs:

Leg Raises:

4 sets of 20 

Yeah…I am a quitter. I started out having a good workout. Started with squats, leg presses, and then walking lunges. I did relatively lower weight, but not too low, higher reps to keep it intense. I’m not sure if it was the intensity that made me feel sick, or just not drinking enough water with taking my creatine but I was cramping and nauseous. Once I started doing Stiff Legged Dead Lifts, into my second set, I had to call it quits. I felt bad. I’ve never just left my training before finishing. To top it all off, I only got in 5 meals yesterday. I really had to force myself to get in meals 4 and 5. I feel good today, but will take the day off for some catch up work around the house. Fun, fun, stuff. I would much rather be at the gym! I saw the photos from Nationals. The ladies looked awesome. Perhaps someday I’ll get the pleasure to be up on that stage

Squats:

Warm Up: 2 sets: 45lbs bar x 10

1- 65lbs x 10

2- 85lbs x 10

3- 95lbs x 10

Leg Press:

1- 90lbs x 15

2- 140lbs 12

3- 330lbs x 12

Walking Lunges w/ 20 lbs:

1- 30 steps

2- 25 steps

3- 28 steps

Stiff Legged Dead Lifts:

1- 85lbs x 10

2- 105lbs x 10

*On the bright side my knees didn’t hurt! 

DB Tri Extensions:

Warm Up: 2 sets- 20lbs x 12

1- 25lbs x 10

2- 30lbs x 10

3- 35lbs x 10 —->will try 40lbs next week.

Cable Push Downs:

1- 90lbs x 8

2- 100lbs x 8

3- 110lbs x 6 —->NEW MAX WEIGHT!

Rope Extensions:

1- 50lbs x 8

2- 60lbs x 8

3- DROP SET: 70lbs x 5, 60lbs x 3, 50lbs x 3

DB Kickbacks:

1- 12.5lbs x 10

2- 15lbs x 10

3- 20lbs x 10

21’s:

1- 25lbs

2- 30lbs 3- 35lbs

Incline DB Curls:

Set 1-3: 15lbs x 10

Preacher Curls: Used 17lb ez bar.

1- 27lbs x 10

2- 37lbs x 10

3- 42lbsx 6

Hammer Curls <SUPER SET> Wrist Curls:

1- 15lbs x 10 —– 15lbs x 20

2- 15lbs x 12 —– 15lbs x 15

3- 20lbs x 10 —– 15lbs x 15

Training has been great.  My eating is like clock work.  Adding in those extra carbs didn’t really phase me.  I’m thinking I’m going to have a tough time when it comes down to cutting for the show.  I’m trying to really watch my fats.  I don’t want to do any unnecessary cardio later on.  I have had an occasional brownie here and there, but nothing to worry about.  Also, knowing that the holidays are coming around, I know I would like to splurge a bit and not be so strict on the diet.  Gotta have some pumpkin pie!  I’ve already gone past my highest weight, beside pregnancy weight.  It’s really quite a trip.  Trying to get used to this new body and mind set is something I’ve never experienced.  I would really go nuts if it wasn’t for my husband being so supportive.

My teenage daughter started lifting.  It’s now in her cycling training plan to do some mild lifting to strengthen her muscles.  She lifts twice a week with my husband.  Her first couple workouts were like pulling teeth.  But, her second week, she felt more comfortable with the weights and form, and had a smile on her face.  Seeing some progress really made a difference.  Hopefully she’ll enjoy it.  I was thinking on asking my trainer to teach her proper form on the machines, and her first comment was…”I will not be bulking!”  Ahhh teenagers, gotta love em’.

Here’s my workout for today.  I set a New Max Weight on my Cable UpRight Rows.

DB Press:

Warm Up: 2 sets 15lbs x 10

1- 20lbs x 10

2- 25lbs x 8

3- 30lbs x 6

Cable UpRight Rows:

1- 70lbs x 10

2- 80lbs x 10

3- 90lbs x 8

4- 100lbs x 6—->NEW MAX WEIGHT

DB Side Laterals <SUPER SET> Front DB Raises:

1- 15lbs x 10 —–> 12.5lbs x 10

2- 15lbs x 10 —–> 12.5lbs x 10

3- 15lbs x 10 —–> 15lbs x 6 ( to failure)

Arnold Press:  (by this time my shoulders are fried)

1- sets 1-3, 15lbs x 10

DB Shrugs:

Sets 1-4, 30lbs x 15

Straight Bar Shrugs:

1- 50lbs x 15

2- 60lbs x 15

3- 80lbs x 12

1-

This is more like “advice” for the day.  It’s off of the show The Office, a quote from Micheal (Steve Corell), the boss.  Specifically chosen for MM.

Reverse psychology is an awesome tool.  I don’t know if you guys know about it, but…basically, you make someone think the opposite of what you believe, and that tricks them into doing something stupid.  Works like a charm!

My weight is up.  I’ve gained 10 pounds in 9 weeks.  I’m steadily holding at 135-137.  Not bad.  Strength has gone up as well.  I’ve been busy, but I’ll definitely have to take some new progress photos.  The Preacher at my church "heard" that I want to compete in BB.  That was a weird conversation.   I had the feeling that he had some misconceived ideas about it.  Most often, people assume you’ll be taking some special supplements.  I don’t feel as though he was accusative, but just to clear it up, I cleverly let him know my training is all natural.  It’s always interesting to hear people’s take on it.  He was cool about it, very interested to hear what I’ve been doing with my training.  I wonder who told him?  HMmmm.

Traininig was great today.  I did chest and 30 minutes of cardio.

Flat Bench Presses:

Warm Up: 45lbs bar x 15

1- 55lbs x 10

2- 65lbs x 8

3- 75lbs x 6

Incline DB Bench Press <SUPER SET> DB Flies:

1- 20lbs x 10 ——> 15lbs x 10

2- 25lbs x 10——-> 20lbs x 10

3- 30lbs x 8 ——–> 20lbs x 10

DB Pull Overs: (I did these while waiting for the Hammer Wide Chest Press)

1- 30lbs x 10

2- 30lbs x 10

3- 35lbs x 10

Hammer Wide Press:

1- 90lbs x 10

2- 110lbs x 8

3- 130lbs x 6

Finished it by doing 30 minutes on the TreadMill at 2.7mph, 6% incline.