newlyfe’s BodyBlog

This is a prayer chain for Robert Gregg of Absolute Fitness here in Tampa.  He suffered a major medical emergency.  Please pray for a speedy recovery.

Okay, this is stupid but I’m going to share it because this freaked me out.  I was shaving my armpits yesterday and was having a strangely difficult time.  Why, you ask?….. Because the muscle development between my back and chest is such that they’ve created a ridge.  I no longer have a flat surface to work with but a valley between the muscles. 

Oh, you know I think I’m the shizit right not.  Full steam ahead on the workouts.

Okay, went to a Max Muscle store opening yesterday and got to talk to pro figure competitor Brandie Gardner, very cute by the way.  Got to ask for tips, so that was cool.  I found out there is a competition sooner then the one I am aiming for.  I’m aiming for the NPC Hurricane Bay, early October.  There is a pro/amatuer competition in August here in Tampa the 7 and 8.  Now let me say, she is either extremely nice or she saw in my appearance I could compete in August because she gave me all the info.

Any who, the 2 tips she gave me is to be confident, smile, own the stage. The other was get the bodyfat down as far as possible for definition.  So 5 months, seems like a long time on one hand and not enough time on another.  After I left there, the first thing I did was eat, BBQ.  Felt like it was last meal.  BUt I am motivated, 2 shows within 2 months of each other.  One will jump start me into the other.

Here we go.         

I’m sitting here with a bum knee.  I have arthritus in my knees.  And, every once in a while the pain creeps up.  I know I’ve put in about 20 miles of walking/running last week.  I’ve worked all upper in the last 4 days and today is leg day with the trainer.  I can’t even step up on that leg. ;0(   Have to call and cancel. If I try to push thru it I can injure the knee and miss work.  Not good.   

It was recommended that I get a deep tissue massage.  Some people can’t find the time to work out and here I am unable to find the time for a massage.  I am trying to cut out the space of time where I can get the massage, go home and not have to do anything.   I can shower, eat something already prepared, have some tea and lay down and enjoy the results of the massage. Go into a deep sleep and wake up refreshed.  That is such a foreign concept right now.

There is a miniture boot camp this Saturday and I am hoping resting the knee will enable me to attend and participate.  If not, I spectate.  Have to pump up the upper body before I go.  hehe      

I often look for ways to turn a physical activity into an exercise.  I had to rake and clean the yard yesterday after a couple of cold weeks.  Yes, it does get cold in Florida and we have fallen leaves to rake, although the conditions are unlike the north.

Raking is using your arms and abs to twist, picking up I did squats. I got 6 large yard bags of leaves so I got a workout.  I then trimmed large palm trees and cut back dead plants plants and trees.  I really feel it in my arms.

Chest and tri’s today; bought heavier weights at home to do upper body workout in a pinch so I’m doing that today.

Been emotional eating.  I hate it.  Had those donuts I have be really wanting for months now.  They were tasty but I’m good now.  Couple of other meals this weekend, even though they were decent meals were more the I should have eatten.  Thank God I work at night and I work every couple of days.  If I was on the day shift and home every evening, I would not even be on this site.  I would be over weight for real, with little will power.  I’m prepping for work for the next 2 nights right now, cooking chicken, turkey, boiling eggs, bagging protein powder for shakes,…….I am really good on work days.  This has kept the weight down.  Weekends like this past is what keep my weight set and not going further down. Frustrating but only my fault and mt will power will continue me through this journey.  Training is on point and I continue to get stronger.    

Written January 31, 2009

I went to the gym last night….well first off, I had my training last Wednesday with Rob, my trainer.

We did chest and back.  Let me tell you. When the next client came in, he looked at me and said, “Your shaking.”   And I was.  4 sets each exercise with the last set to exhaustion. 

So last night, I go to the gym and do shoulders and abs.  My routine was split to a 4 day a week, legs and abs, back and bi’s, chest and tri’s, shoulders and abs.  So I walked in, thinking I’d be alone at 11:00 PM. There was another dude there, big…BIG…. Throwing BIG weights. And just as in any situation at the gym everyone is keenly aware of what others doing.  It was my personal responsibility to lift as heavy as I comfortably could with the best form, some time a little heavier then I think I would have.   Sometimes it helps to have another person in the room even if you are not training with them.  I was in there with much smaller weights then that guy.  He had some heavy dumbbells off the bottom rack.  So I was the puppy in the big dog pin.  

I followed with a HIIT in the treadmill.

So here it is Saturday morning.  If I cough or take a deep breath… between my chest and the front of the shoulders………..eek!!  My poor boobs are tender.  I truly, truly, worked it out.  I like the 4 day break down I concentrate more on what I have to do.

Have noticed that my will power is real good on the nutrition when face with work area functions.   I am pretty good, but I’ve been skipping cheat foods.   I’ve been sticking to the routine.  I was so feeling a donut today and it’s been a year since I’ve had one.  I ended up with a bran muffin.  Hey, the bran was beneficial.  I have cut red meat of all kinds. Lots of fish, chicken and turkey.