jchap’s BodyBlog

Ever have that happen? Yesterday was one of those "wake up dog tired" days. Thought I would not make it but somehow gained a laser sharp focus through my activities of what I want in the up coming year.

Maybe it was the fact I had the whole day to myself and I never left the house. It was snowing and then pouring rain and I decided to buckle down. I set a goal of making muffins and doing some studying for my PT cert. I manage to do all that and more. Actually finished all 33 quizzes, when my original goal was to go from quiz 8 to 15. I was on a roll!

Re energized.

Today woke with the "I can conquer the world" feeling. WHat changed? I did something to make me feel in control of my destiny. Isn’t that what it is all about?

Had a wonderful back/bi workout and hopped into a 45 minute spin class before heading to work. Now some computer time and organizing the next phase of my plan toward the completion of my certification!

6 days until I turn 49. No stopping me now!

I must have been mistaken. Actually woke this morning to 6 inches of snow on the ground. Fortunately my boss is so good about me flexing my hours as well as my muscles, I will report in tomorrow and had the day at home.

I looked at my schedule for the week and realized I was going away for the weekend so my rest day moved to Saturday. I made it a light day, 30 minutes light steady state on my elliptical and a core workout. Later I did a mini yoga workout. My hamstring was funky all day but really appreciated the heat compresses and yoga. It actually feels pretty darn good right now!

I am well on my way to my goal of getting certified thru ISSA as  PT. I was many years ago through AFAA but wanted to try this program. I have to do a huge amount of online quizzes before I can sit for the exam. 22 out 33 done as of today, out of 178 questions, I only missed 4! As tired as I am I am going to see if I can crank out a few more today! So good to use my brain again. (sadly my job is SOOOOOO boring-thank goodness I love the people in my office!)

Pure exhaustion, isn’t that what we aim for? I think I hit it today! I was merrily going about my life feeling pretty good about how  much I have been able to push lately. And then today, after a brutally hard functional workout with my buddy,  I looked at my workout plan for the next few days and said AMEN to rest day! Wonder how my friend is doing, she just started with Cathy Savage about 6 weeks ago and we modified a lot for her (she teaches monster spin classes so she has NOTHING to be ashamed of herself!)
I do have a hard time resting but if all I do is a little cardio to keep the blood flowing, I will be happy. Rest and Re-feed here we come!

Yeah, had to do two posts in one day to catch up but tis good! Mondays I always dread, mostly cause it is a workday and I do legs. Not always one or the other but today was both. For some reason I woke with tons of energy even with the monster work outs the day before.

Just as my forearms are almost 90% recovered, I have noticed my left hamstring reminding me I aint no spring chicken anymore. Of course I will not let that stop me, nursing the cold compresses for a day and some advil. Today after my 40 minutes on the elliptical, I switched to heat. Felt so good!  My leg lifts after work today felt fabulous. This month is only one day of legs but lots of balance and core built in. I was drenched with sweat today!

Oh and my competition heels arrived in the mail. Now starts the 15 minutes a day walking practice. What a trip to walk around my kitchen cooking dinner at 5′6"!!!!!!

Such a busy Sunday that I decided I better play catch up a day later!

It started out waking to a beautiful snowy covered world. First snow of the year always is the best. I don’t realy love the cold weather or outdoor sports in the winter but I can sure appreciate Mother Nature’s magic at transforming everything to a beautiful, sparkling white. It made my drive to Cathy Savage Studio for my once a month Sunday Session lovely. I never mind the 45 minute drive, I get to reflect upon how my body has embraced all the demands I put upon it to perform and respond. As usual it was a kick-ass  workout and the girls who join me all are so focused on their goals it is empowering everytime. Just when you think you can’t do more, Cathy pushes you to believe you can. If she doesn’t the other girls will.

Home, poor hubby strained his back during his workout so I spent the rest of the day catchingup on some things I needed to do. PLUS I managed to pump out a special shoulder workout that was on my program. It was a killer after Sunday Session but I did it!

I was alittle concerned that my weight seems to have been dropping this week. I was at 105.5 for a few days even with eating more. I work so hard at keeping the weight ON!

I solved my dilemma, go for the heavier weights. I think my wrists seem happier today even with a heavy shoulder/ab routine yesterday and chest and triceps today, my body seems happier.  So happy I decided to celebrate with a 35 minute High Intensity Interval session on the stair climber.Now just have to hope my arms hold out for Studio training tomorrow!
:-)

Booked hotel for competition, 5 months will go too fast!

Confidence booster, at the gym today,  fellow spinner told another spinner that I was an inspiration, I do it all, spin, lift!

So today I have officially committed to my first competition. I sent my registration in and submitted my music selections to my coach. Twelve more days until I turn 49 and I am focused on all the things I plan to get accomplished before I turn 50. My first competition is just one!

Today kicked off with a shoulder and ab workout followed by a fun energetic spin class. My PT, actually subbed for the usual instructor and the whole class had a PARTEEEE feel to it!

A dilemma, lift heavy or lighter??

First lift day of new program and it was Back and Biceps- with a huge emphasis on the Bi’s. Although I think the higher reps lower weights are good to do once in awhile, I miss my heavier lifts. I am heading my coach’s program cause she is the pro but I may run this one next week differently. My forearms were great except burned like hell once I got past the 8th rep. Maybe it is what I need but what a mind freak having to drop the weights just to finish the reps.

Although I do have to say, less rest is needed and I get through the session faster and I had OOOODLES of energy for a fabulous spin class.

I thought I was in for trouble when I woke up at 4 AM with my arms aching. I do my best to avoid taking pain releivevrs of any kind but knew I had a long day on the computer at work so I opted for the Advil.Amazing, once I was up and around my arms felt great and no soreness at all after yesterday’s brutal day. Even hours upon hours after the Advil wore off!
Supposed to be a rest day but headed out soon for a yoga session to relax my mind and body from a long day.

Today started with an amazing functional workout, egged on by my PT, Lolly. Now you would think her name would mean she is sweet and all that but, no, nothing like someone yelling during sprint suicides, Legs up up up up or during mountain climbers, no cheating!

My forearms felt good using the Tigar Paws but after all the X-plank push ups and such they were a little cranky last night.

Hot yoga later in the day was a special treat since my hubby had a dinner meeting.

New Program started today but there were some bugs in it and it had to be revamped so being Wednesday as rest day, I really don’t start it until Thursday and it looks like a winner!

Back/Bi

Chest/Tri

Shoulders/abs

Legs

One day Functional

One day special series (varies each week)

Plus my 4-5 days cardio of 30 minutes and yoga when I can it will be a busy month!!!

BRING IT ON!