Crystal’s Rants

today i tried something different to beat the heat… swimming, it was the first time i had worn a bathing suit in over 5 years.. it was a HUGE landmark!!  not only that but i did a bikini!!  even bigger accomplishment!!
i was out there for 2 hours.. swimming away and feeling happy then got home and realized just how much of a workout that in fact way.. BONUS.. a workout and a landmark all in one day…
i have since decided i will swim 2 times a week with my friend!!

i haven’t been posting to much lately, work has had me snowed under to the max and because of that my workouts have shifted more than i would like them to…. today is the first day to get back on track 100% in fact, so i came on here and updated my profile a little even adding my address for my twitter cause i do it a million times a day it is like a constant reminder that i have people watching on in support of my journey to my goals… i know that sounds crazy but it is soooo true!!!

Just to start this, I am probably the only person known to man who can be injured by something as simple as a laptop!  Late last week I managed to meet the wrong side of my laptop case as it shifted in my speedy turn from my vehicle toward the elevator hoping to catch it in the parking garage.  In doing so like I said the weight shifted funny and my finger went to the side in a very unnatural way.

It wasn’t at first a big deal, just a little sore, but by day two it was hurting when I attempted to move it, felt swollen at the knuckle and more so just was uncomfortable.

I taped it and kept on going although I didn’t hit the gym for three days because things were not falling in favor of being able to work out with some family things going on.  Then today I returned to the gym, thinking my finger was feeling better until about half way through my workout when it became apparent that things clearly were still not ok.  My finger began to ache and I was forced to settle for cardio after a good chest but subpar back workout.  

I did feel good about the fact that I pushed through but can’t wait to be 100% again so I can hit up my workout hardcore again.  Until then it is just another reminder of what kind of stupid injuries only I am capable of…hehe

Ok so I realize the point of a gym is to sweat, but on a day that is 90 plus out and when you work out it is a little extreme to work out in a big barn structure with no circulation at all.  This was me today as I was at the gym.  The owner of our gym determined he wanted to "save money" so he turned the gym part of the split system off and left his ac blowing strong in the office.  He had no issue with this, but it was hotter than it was outside inside.
I am all about going and sweating, but I want to work for that sweat and have an effective workout rather than walking into the gym only to pour down sweat and get a headache before i even touch the weights.
This is not the first time this "money saving" has been a factor with the gym, he turns it on when the women’s fitness class is there in the afternoon because that is when he is in the main gym but not when the normal working out people are there.  So I have an issue with this.  It was so extreme that today I switched gyms to I won’t be hindered from a great workout simply because he doesn’t want to fulfill his portion of the contract.  If I wanted to workout at a place with no AC i could do so for a lot less than the fitness club prices he has!

I have a friend who has kinda inspired me to join the Susan G Komen Breast Cancer 3 Day walk in Dallas later this year.  While I wasn’t to sure with a lot of thought I began realizing why not, I am working toward a better fitness goal all the time, so why not do something of this size!  Besides people who are in a lot worse shape can do it so why not me!

Then I really thought about it, not only is it something I can strive for but something that I can do to help raise awareness for something that is HUGE!  It is bigger than me!

So starting this week I have been changing up my cardio to get my butt in better shape for this walk that will be in November!  While I have no team as of right now, I am having my business sponsor me and will be doing fund raising for the cause as well after officially making the sign up.  I hate to ask people for funds so I am going to do so in a way that is not me just begging but more letting people see the education of the event and then if they choose to support then they can!

I know a lot of women who have had problems with Breast Cancer, I have been fortunate to not have anyone in my family who has been effected directly so as a result I want to represent all those women who cannot make the race and cannot walk 20 miles a day for three days!  I want to make a difference, even if it is just a small one!

I have come to the conclusion that when it is bad it is bad.. but when it is good it is great!!!

It is no new thing that a few weeks ago I was put in a strange position with my job where my office closed and I as the only employee was out of work.  I took that bad situation and turned it around by deciding to bite the bullet an open the office with me as the owner under a new name, this business btw is a newspaper.

I was stressed about making everything come together, how people would receive it, if there would be enough support and furthermore if I would be able to hold it together.

I put in a large investment of not only time but money in hopes of making the winning combination come together. Stress took over and the rest is now 2 week old history.

Now in the second week of the new publication, money is rolling in as are new ads and subscriptions!!  Not to mention I have been able to get things on the fast track to getting ready for new content including new interviews of local and national bands for our entertainment section and regained my press credentials with both the Mavs and the Stars!  Very exciting and I did not think it would be possible in less than a month!

Things are looking great now, support has been great and my workouts have more than ever become a time to take the stress and frustrations out on something productive!!

Once every couple weeks I have been testing my strength to see where I am standing.  Yesterday was the day to see how my bench press was coming along and I was soooo excited.  A couple weeks ago I struggled with 45s on both sides on the smith machine, totaling 115 pounds.  But after increasing my weight in my regular workouts I was excited to know that I was able to get that with ease. I added weight to 55 pounds on both sides and managed it slowly then tried to add an extra 15 pounds just to see if I could get it.  It was tough but in total I was able to make 165 once!  Big change in a short time so I am excited that it is all coming together!

My next goal is 2 45s on each side!  That will be awesome if I can do that!!!

It is no secret that lean muscle burns fat… so my pursuit of lean muscle has been an ongoing battle as I also attempt to gain strength in my legs to work off those problem areas a lot of women have.

Yesterday I met a new personal goal however on my way to this overall goal of tight toned legs, on the leg curl machine I had been working out with 120lbs but always wanted to know if I could perhaps lift the entire stack of 200lbs.  It was doubtful as the 120lbs usually worked my legs pretty intensely but nevertheless I wanted to give it a try on my last leg workout of the week.

I was already a little tired as I had completed one half of my workout already including extensions, squats and lunges but I gave it a try and was able to do a short set of 6 with the weight!!  so exciting to know my leg strength has come along so much from when I began.

HUGE goal accomplished!  Now I will work toward being able to work out with a weight closer to that for my entire 4 sets of 10 working up to being able to do workout with the entire stack for my entire set…

So this morning I woke up at like 2:30 and couldn’t go back to bed… the gym doesn’t open until 5 so i toughed it out and headed to workout…

originally i had intended to do legs and abs along with a little cardio… but lack of sleep really messes with your workout so i did legs and i was spent… i made myself go ahead with cardio but then went to tan and fell asleep for like 15 minutes in there before packing it up… maybe i will make it back this afternoon.. HATE that my sleep being off messed up my workout…

So since I couldn’t sleep looks like I will be making the early bird crowd at the gym… they open in about 20 so I figure if I get there in like 30 it shouldn’t be packed… maybe I can get in a good workout without all the grunting of the normal Wednesday aerobics crowd…