scouter99 transformed

Found this workout in a mag and immediately thought “oh dear lord”.  Followed by:” hmmm, think must try it.”

              TIME       SPEED        INCLINE

Warm up   2 min      4.0             0
Speed Up  5 min      4.5-6.0       0      inc speed by 0.5 each min til reach 6.0, maintain for 2min
Climb        7 min      4.0-4.5      2-10  + incline by 2.0 each min til reach 10.0, maintain for 3min
Descend    1 min      6.0           2.0
Sprint       4 min      varied       2.0    Sprint (best effort) 1 min, then jog (4.5) for 1 min,repeat
Climb        1 min      5.0-6.0     4.0
               4 min      6.0-7.0     4.0
Recover    1 min      4.0-4.5       0
Jog          1 min      5.0-6.0        0
Sprint       2 min      best effort   0
Cool         2 min      3.0              0

I need something to pep me up!  I have the serious blahs.  What ya got?

Ok- I need some supplement help.  I plan to do some serious research on it this weekend but hopefully can get some great suggestions here as well.  I think I am looking for a new multi-vitamin supp.  Right now I am taking Animal Pak.  I have nothing against it except that I take so many pills everyday and this one is a mother f’er.  I will list my supps and you will see what I mean… but I don’t want to take all my supps together so I try to space them out.  Since I hate taking this one I save it for last and it frequently gets skipped.  Plus- I’m wondering if there is a better vitamin supp out there more geared for a woman (I’m guessing that while Pak is fine for a woman, it is way more geared for a man and men and women DO have different nutritional needs)

Animal Pak:
http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/univ/animalpak.html (looking for something more geared to a woman though)
Animal Flex:
http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/univ/flex.html (love this!  I think it has been a miracle for my knees and can’t recommend it highly enough)
Animal Omega:
http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/univ/animalomega.html
Glutamine:
http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/mhp/glutsr.html (I mix this in my protein shakes or with Crystal Lite lemonade and take it after every workout at least)

Protein Powder: at least a shake a day, sometimes 2.  If I’m rushed in the morning I’ll have this for breakfast with fruit blended in, I try to have one after a workout unless I am going to eat a meal right away and sometimes I’ll have a Casein shake before bed.  These are what I am using right now:
http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/opt/cas.html - This is the Casein protein (slower digesting) and I have it in the Chocolate Supreme flavor.  I usually put in a teaspoon of peanut butter and mix with milk- it’s AWESOME!
http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/opt/whey.html this is my whey protein and I have it in Vanilla Ice Cream flavor.  It is VERY vanilla tasting so if you don’t love vanilla don’t get this.  I love to mix it with fruit.

I also put a teaspoon of ground flax seeds in my shakes.

On top of that if I have a bowl of oatmeal in the morning this is what I mix with it:
http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/bsn/dessert.html

I love the Banana Nut Bread and Fresh Cinnamon Roll flavors in oatmeal!  I always mix a scoop with my oatmeal.  Always.  I try to have a bowl for breakfast most days, but sometimes I just don’t have time or would rather have some scrambled eggs and salsa and no carbs (especially if it is going to be a rest day).

Please let me know what you take, why and what you think of it!!  

Why do you train?  Are bodybuilders vain?  Do all bodybuilders love to train?  These are just some questions that have been running through my mind lately.    Actually- I have a lot of thoughts on this subject so let’s see if I can keep this train on the track.

Training for me is as essential as breathing.  Yes, I would love to compete someday, but that is definitely not why I train like I do.  I would lift like this no matter what.  If I don’t get to the gym it affects everything.  There are very few places that I feel truly at home, and the gym is one of those places.  It is home to me.  I train for me.  I love the comments I get and those sure don’t hurt anything, but at the end of the day, I do this for me.

Are bodybuilders vain?  What a loaded question.  I can’t answer for everyone, but I can answer for me.  Yes, I believe that in my case it takes a certain amount of vanity to train like I do.  I want to look good.  I want to feel good.  I look in the mirror a lot when I train.  I want to see those muscles pop.  I love what lifting does for my body.  If I didn’t care at all about how I look then I wonder if I would love training as much?  I don’t know.  It’s possible that vanity is part of the essential equation that makes me a bodybuilder.  Some of you think of the word ‘vain’ as a negative descriptor.  I don’t.  Too much vanity- that is bad.  Too much of ANYTHING is usually bad.  But just enough vanity…. Healthy and attractive.  Keeps you from smelling bad in public and your hair washed.

Do all bodybuilders love to train?  Chad and I talked about this some the other day.  He has a video of Branch Warren training that he loves to watch for motivation.  He also finds different training videos online that he watches sometimes.  There seems to be a difference in them.  Some really seem to love it, and some just don’t have that fire.  I don’t think all bodybuilders love it.  I think some tolerate it as a necessary evil.  Those are probably not the most successful ones, though.  How many times on here have you read someone’s blog complaining about having to go to the gym and work out?  How many of those complainers have really done much of anything with their training?  I can use myself in an example here.  When I was in high school I was a star basketball player at my high school.  I was very very good.  Coaches on other teams would practice with me in mind if they were going to play us.  They would practice how they would defend against me to keep me from scoring.  I was very strong underneath the basket.  I didn’t have to try very hard.  I didn’t love it, but I loved that I was good at it and the attention I got from it.  Forward to college.  I tried out for a Division 1 basketball team (U of MN).  I made the team, just barely.  I would not have played at first… so I was just a glorified practice player.  So I quit.  Had I loved it, I would have worked my a$$ off so I could play- and likely would have.  But I just wanted the end result.  I didn’t want to do all the work involved to get there.  I wanted the stardom without any real effort on my part.  

So to come back around to training for me being essential.  Training definitely is.  The cutting part so I can compete… not so much.  So the question for me is this… will the love of training and my vanity be enough to push me through the part I DON’T love so I can compete and thus realize the end result?  Only time will tell.  One thing I know for sure.  I will always train.

A few posts down I talked about a crazy leg workout I found by Milos Sarcev.  If you are interested read down….

Today- Chad and I did that workout.  Originally I didn’t think we were going to do it as written- dropping off a set or two.  Yeah- we didn’t drop off anything.  We did the workout exactly as written.  3 sets of Giant set one.  3 sets of Giant set two.  

Let’s just say- if you want to call yourself hardcore, well, you can’t unless you man up and do this workout.  It was painful.  I was drenched.  Chad almost puked.  It was beautiful.  Never have my quads burned so bad.  Never have I felt as though my legs would completely stop working before.  

Next week, we do it again.

Is anyone else hardcore enough to do this and tell me what you think?

OMG- I just found something so delicious I may never need to kill my diet because my sweet tooth hijiacked it again.  I really do love something sweet sometimes.  Especially after dinner.  Yoplait came out with these new Parfait Delights (right next to the yogurt) that are TO.DIE.FOR.

So far I have tried the Triple Berry Creme and the Lemon Torte.  mmmmmmmmmmmmmm!

You must try these.  OK- they aren’t really "clean" eating.  But if you are gonna blow it if you don’t have something sweet- These are your savior.  Just Sweet Enough and super creamy- these seriously kill my sweet tooth- in a good way!

Nutritionals:
serving size- 1 container
Calories 100
Fat 1.5
Sodium 80mg
Carb 16g
sugars 12g
protein 5g

Migraine central around here tonight and now that it is finished with me I can’t sleep.  Ladeeedah.  So I’m trolling around on the best of Craigslist and ran across this one… why do I think french_pedi wrote this??

It may seem to good to be true, but I’m glad to put my BS’ing skills to work for you! Need a Van Wilder to extract you from your Taj-like existence? Have trouble approaching that hottie at the bar? Afraid you’ll get shot down by her bitchy friends (again)? This GUY is on your side (please see below).

Payment up-front.
(Ed. note: Im a guy. "But…why would a guy post in W4M?" you ask. Simple- you clearly need help otherwise you wouldnt be trolling CL personals. So please dont send me anymore cock pics, phone numbers, or messages with ‘lets **** tonight’ in the subj. line. Thats why you’re exactly the type of person Im trying to help.)

In the words of the aforementioned bb blogger: rasta team awesome!

Yesterday I discovered a workout that, even though it may kill me, is begging me to conquer it.  Just like the skydiver laughs in the face of possible pancakedom and jumps anyway, I shall attempt to live to tell about the most hardcore leg workout I have ever seen.  Have you heard of this?  If not, then you MUST follow this link to the video that unleashed the monster in me.

http://videos.bodybuilding.com/watch/6422/the-fit-show-season-four-episode-47-hardcore-leg-routine-with-milos

This link shows a bunch of dudes doing it- and a lot of puking as well:
http://www.bodybuildingdungeon.com/forums/bodybuilding-videos/22133-milos-sarcev.html
(click on the youtube video- it is blocked here at work so I can’t post the direct link, but it is on this page)

The breakdown:
1st station (Giant set, no breaks- 10 reps each-increase weight each round)
Front Squat
Smith Squats with pause at bottom
Walking lunges
leg press
leg extension (lock out at the top)
walking lunges back
REST
REPEAT TWICE

2nd station- Giant Set 20 reps each- no rest until done
Regular squat
Sissy squat on Hack machine (or reverse sissy squat on hack)- elevate hips, a$$ to ankles
Regular Hack squat
Leg Press
Leg extension
REST
REPEAT

OPTIONAL:
Drop sets on hack machine-
3 reps, drop plate on one side, 3 reps drop plate on other, repeat till done

Holy JFC…. this is going to be brutal.  I am doing this on Saturday- BUT- I am probably not going to do 3 sets of each.    I will def get up to doing it as written, but the first time around I just need to ease into it and see what’s what.  Everything will be trial and error the first time.

I’ll let you all know how it goes.  If you don’t hear from me, well, then, RIP I guess.

I won’t be doing this alone- oh no!!  Here is my partner:

Next week I start a new position with my company and I am totally dreading it.  I have the most cake schedule in the world right now, and a job that I don’t hate, but all that is about to come crashing to an end on Monday and I am sick about it.

For the past 2 1/2 years I have worked as a recruiter and HR person at a mid-sized food distributor.  I work in the office 3 days a week and from home 2 days a week.  I have lots of flexibility and in turn I have improved their retention in ALL areas by astronomical amounts.  It has been mostly blissful (ok, I’m not super challenged, but traded that for a great schedule).  This has allowed me to be there for my kids whenever they need me, and keep them out of daycare 2 days a week.  Bliss.

Two weeks ago it was decided that we needed to decrease headcount- again.  We are struggling like everyone else.  I should be grateful they didn’t just cut me totally (I was associate of the year in 2008- guess that DOES count for something!).  Instead- they want me to do my job AND someone else’s job and work in the office 5 days a week.  The other job, Profit Management Coordinator.  Working with Earned Income.  Accounting.  One look at my resume and you will not even find the word accounting in there.  Or anything to do with numbers (except increased retention ).  I am so gonna blow at this job.  But it was either that or be unemployed.  I’m no dummy.  

So today I sit working from home- my LAST Wednesday to work from home.  I am so bummed I feel sick.  I would give ANYTHING to just work with bodybuilding and fitness all day long…. anything and everything to do with fitness and bodybuilding.  I could eat, sleep and breathe it and be so happy.  That is my dream (own a gym, work as a trainer and nutritional counselor) Why can’t I do this?  Maybe I could create a foundation that would allow me to do this!!  What do you think?  With the money I raise I could open my own gym, get my PT cert and a degree in nutrition (so I would have paper credibility), and support myself and my family until the rest start making some money (the gym, personal training and stuff).  NOW is the perfect time for me to change my life and start reaching for my dream!  You can help!

I don’t need much.  Just food, a roof over my head (including utilities), car insurance, cell phone payment (so my new clients can reach me), cable payment (Kids need to watch something while I’m learning and studying and working out).  You know, the basics!  Then money to buy and stock a gym- but if you donate to the foundation you get a free LIFETIME membership!!  Come on- I know someone out there has WAY more money then they know what to do with, right?  You could make a poor Minnesota girl’s dream come true!!!  I promise I won’t squander it.  I have drive, dedication and commitment!  I will make you proud!!  All my former managers will tell you that I am a very hard worker and every one of them is a reference for me now… that says something, right?  I will use my work ethic here!!  Your money will not be wasted on me.  

Haven’t you ever wanted to just help someone just for the f* of it?  Sure you donate to charities.  Yes, those homeless kids need food, shelter and clothing (I volunteered at a homeless shelter for a whole summer once).  Yes we do need to cure cancer and diabetes (my step daugher has Type 1 diabetes and my mom died of cancer).  There are so many worthy causes out there and I by no means want to take away support from them!!  BUT- I know that there are some people out there who have so much moolah that even AFTER they donate to those worthy causes they STILL have boatloads they could never touch.  If you have ever wanted to be like Oprah and just give money to someone just because- here is your chance!!!!  I will submit a business plan, give you progress and status updates, and really show you that I am serious.  Sure this blog is tongue in cheek- but the dream is OH SO REAL!!

Please- don’t let my dream die.  Don’t let me die a long slow death as a profit management coordinator.  I have so much more to offer the world!

PS: this could make some kick a$$ reality TV as well!!  You help an ordinary schmoe realize her dream and she creates the most kick a$$ gym in the upper midwest and helps thousands of people get fit and healthy.  Bodybuilders from all over will come here to workout.  It will be awesome and you will have helped create it!!  And all this just from the goodness of your heart!

I went to a superhero event at a local museum this past weekend because some I admire very much was going to be there.  Laureyh (her username here on bodyspace) won the Ms. Natural Minnesota Bodybuilding title at an NANBF pro qualifying event last year.  I met her earlier this year and would love to train with her at some point before I compete.  They had a few bodybuilders there in superhero type costumes doing a posing routine for the kids and families.  It was VERY cool!  The coolest thing, though, was seeing how much progress Laurey has made since I met her earlier this year in putting on size.  Her goal is to compete in the Jr. Nationals and Masters Nationals in 2010 and she is taking this year to put on size.  She has been WILDLY successful so far and I am so proud of her!

It got me thinking about some stuff.  How many of us set a goal only to lament over and over again about our lack of progress?  What do we do about that (instead of complaining)?  I am in that boat as well.  I want to drop bodyfat and show all my hard earned muscle.  Yet, time and again I come here with no positive progress news.  The only difference between someone like Laurey and myself is one thing.  She has set a goal and is making MEASUREABLE progress toward that goal and I am not.  But all is not lost!!  See- I have achieved one goal of mine.  That being to put on a huge amount of muscle.  I have done that.  Now, I can use that success and harness the inspiration I have all around me to achieve this, my next goal.  Drop bodyfat.  If I keep my focus and not let myself get sidetracked I can do this.

And now I have this picture of Laurey and me to help me keep my eye on the prize!!!  I am not thrilled with how I look in this picture (especially next to ultra lean and mean Laurey).  But it is great motivation!