Jettisoned Ponderings

A lot of things happened for me this year in terms of fitness related stuff. 2006 was when I really started to actually workout consistently, but it wasn’t until 2007 that I started to really see changes. First and most importantly, I began 2007 with a workout partner, my new wife (as of last week! ^_^)! I would never have made the progress I did this last year if it weren’t for her. The encouragement and support from her allowed me to always set the bar a little higher (…and lift a little more weight, heh) I started off the year with my first PH cycle doing the LG Scienes Trifecta. Pretty mild, but none the less it got me into the best conditioned shape I think I hit overall. Not necessarily size and strength, but certainly definition. I tried a lot of new supplements this past year, too, and really developed some favoritism and brand loyalty. Of course, a number of different styles of training were tried. Some worked, and others well… just weren’t for my body type and genetics I suppose.

Really this year was one of learning in many respects, both in and out of the gym. I’m still not sure what exactly my goals will be for this coming year. The last month was so hectic that I’ve kinda fallen out of the loop and need to get back into the swing of things. Guess we’ll see what tomorrow holds…

Ok, so despite my previous post, we did make it to the gym this morning. After a couple light warm-up sets, decided to go for high-rep volume for back/arms. 15 reps per exercise, complete all exercises, wait 30 seconds, repeat again. Courtney hadn’t done this sort of training before, so it was a bit of a shock. The first round isn’t bad, but when you try the second and at the same weight the muscle starts to get exhausted, burn, and swollen… ahh, yes, there-in is the euphoria, heh. So today consisted of:

Warm-Ups:
Peck-Deck Flies x20
Peck-Deck Rear Delts x20

Back Tri-Set: (15 reps each, 2x Through)
Medium Width Parallel Front Pulldowns/Straight Arm Lat Pulldowns/Bent Supine Grip Barbell Rows

Bi/Tri Supersets: (15 reps each, 2x Through All w/EZ Barbells)
Reverse Curls/Overhead Tricep Extension/Curls/Skull Crushers

Abs/Arms/Chest
Weighted Crunch Machine x30/Push-Ups xFail

Overall, good burn. Gotta love when you finish your last rep and the pump swell is delayed a minute, or just as long as it takes to get your water bottle and suddenly getting it to your mouth is a challenge!

I’m not expecting to hit the gym much the rest of this year. Wedding has me busy as well as with the new job jumping right back into full time massage after not having practiced for almost 14 months, it’s just not worth it to risk being run down and unable to give a good session. Massage isn’t all muscling at all, really it’s just about proper mechanics and leverage. It still can really be draining though, especially if the client really draws your energy from you. If I’m not well grounded and maintaining focus, it can really leave me with no energy at the end of the day, particularly if I’m doing multiple 90 minute sessions. I’m not about to take on 2 hour ones anytime soon. The last few nights I’ve fallen asleep a couple hours earlier than usual, yet slept poorly. I’m hoping tonight and tomorrow being off will allow me to catch up a bit and hit it full swing. I need to be ready for after Christmas when people start coming in with all their gift cards and I could be booked solid for 7 hours (at least I can request a break for some food). The nice thing about my work is that they’re really conscious of each therapist’s individual knowledge of their body and how long they can go before they need a break. It’ll be good to get back into the habit of knocking out 5 hours in a row again and having them ideally done early in the day. We’ll see what happens… Bottom line is that I’ll be ramped and craving the weights again come New Years!

I resigned from DirecTV this morning for a number of reasons. Aside from the scheduling headaches, really the job was an endeavor that began as a hope for advancement that turned into a static scenario having me stressed to the point of illness a couple times. Things started out great and I moved up into coaching for a while, but when the position went permanent and I didn’t get the job and also did not get Human Resources, Resource Management, Trainer, or Quality Assurance, I basically started to listen to my gut (aka the voice of God most of the time) and decided to turn my efforts elsewhere.

…amazing what happens when I stop trying so hard and turn an ear and open heart over to God and actually listen for a change. Total theme for me this last year. It’s brought me to a happier career path, a loving fiance, better relationships with my parents, just overall better than life’s ever been before. For once, I really can’t complain.

Finally got my week "B" workouts put in this morning. Anxious to start getting back into things more regularly. It’ll be so much easier once work and life settles down beginning of next year. *sigh* I suppose I’m also overdue for progress pics and bodystats updates. Guess I’ll get on that…

This week has been a wreck. Work is officially getting to me in a bad way. Got stressed enough on Monday that I went home ill. Things got better, but reverted a couple days later. It’s not good, and I’m going to start looking around for other work just in case things don’t clear up.
As for workouts, got legs in yesterday at long last. It’s been a couple weeks, so I went very light. My goal was just to get through the whole workout, which I pretty much did aside from omitting the last 2 sets of walking lunges. Got nausea a couple times, but still pushed through it. I know legs aren’t worked as often as upper body, a problem I need to fix, so for now I’m just gradually working up to my old weight and focusing on slower reps and higher rep volume. Eventually it’ll push out all the toxins on top of what’s being released from the cleanse/detox. Bottom line is that I’m starting to get back into things. The diet’s in good shape and I’ve been leaning out well. Probably need to up my protein intake a little more, but I can see my abs nicely again and my intercostals are starting to stand out, too. Should be in good shape by the wedding. Only 19 more days!

Friend sent me these, they’re right on!  ^_^
You you’re a Bodybuilder…

• …when your shirt unintentionally bursts open the first time.
• …when  clothing shops do not have your sizes anymore.
• …when unknown people ask how  much you bench press.
• …when people turn around in the street to stare at  you.
• …when you cannot scratch your neck.
• …when the bar won’t come all  the way down to your chest anymore.
• …when you wear out pants in a matter of  weeks because of inner thigh friction.
• …when you cannot reach the opposite  shoulder to shave.
• …when you cannot undress a tight shirt without  assistance.
• …when your feet turn flat because of your weight.
• …when your  shopping cart is filled with as much as possible of a few things.
• …when  unknown men and women come running across the street asking to feel your  arms.
• …when your food bills exceed your clothing bills.
• …when you have  sacks or piles of tubs of protein visible in your kitchen.
• …when you need to  apply vaseline between your thighs when walking in shorts.
• …when you have no  choice but to wear gym clothes at work.
• …when you must sleep on your back in  bed.
• …when sex in a bed from IKEA becomes doubtful.
• …when you need two  bus seats or aircraft seats when travelling.
• …when you bring food and  protein drinks with you at all times.
• …when the table in front of you  squeaks and cracks as you merely rest one arm on it.
• …when people declare  you a brainless musclehead but simultaneously can’t hide how much they want you  for sex.
• …when you no longer fit behind the steering wheel of European city  traffic cars.
• …when fellow passengers scream at the air stewardess: I don’t  bloody want to sit next to HIM!
• …when fellow professionals ask if you have  added “bouncing” to your other qualifications.
• …when you without thinking  about it bounce your pex and flex your arms in public.
• …when you change your  sounds and vocabulary in the gym doing 600+ lbs squatting.
• …when you spend a  good part of the day in the bathroom … reading.
• …when butt-whiping becomes  an effort in terms of reach.
• …when you shy away from the word  “small”.
• …when one of your turnons is muscle soreness.
• …when you know  more about physiology and pharmacology than your family doctor.
• …when food  becomes function rather than pleasure.
• …when your shadow provides sunshelter  for at least two people.
• …when you can’t help looking like jumbojet taking  off with lats forcing your arms outwards.
• …when you have to go through many doors sideways and can give up the thought of heeding Nature’s Call on board an aircraft or a train.
• …when you walk like you have wet yourself.

You know you’re a Figure Competitor when…

1. For a few days each year your toilet seat is brown and this time it aint the husbands fault.
2. You can honestly say you have spent more on a bathing suit than your wedding dress.
3. Six inch clear hooker heels is your footwear of choice in your own home (and not just in the bedroom).
4. Someone asks about the man in your life and you tell that Gym is fine!
5. You have two sections in your wardrobe. Contest and Offseason. And they arent mix and match. (Rae’s note: not with my coach it isn’t… there is no off-season… LOL!!)
6. Your top three priorities on any given day:
   A. Workout.
   B. Eat. Clean.
   C. Check the fitness forum board.
   Not necessarily in that order.
7. You can name any pro figure competitor by seeing her butt alone.
8. When someone wants to take your picture, you immediately spread your lats, tighten every muscle in your body, point your fingers and SMILE!
9. You take more pills daily than your 80 year old grandmother.
10. Your idea of dressing up is taking your hair out of the pony tail its been in for a week.
11. If you have had someone close to you, hide food from you in your own house.
12. An easy day is lifting and only 1 cardio session.
13. Instead of carrying a Gucci pursue you accessorize with a Coleman cooler.
14. Waking up so sore you can barely move puts a smile on your face.
15. You cant do any work because you are to busy counting down the seconds until your next meal!!!!!!!!!
16. The faint smell of Pro Tan gets your heart pumping faster than your man’s cologne.
17. You leave a little trail of Splenda packets, tupperware, and empty water bottles everywhere you go.
18. Your hubby makes you pee in the guest bathroom because every meal includes asparagus.
19. You consider Beano an essential part of your supplement regimen.
20. Your jaws are sore because you can’t stop chewing sugar free gum!
21. You spend at least 5 minutes grilling your server at arestaurant, and another five minutes re-writing the menu until you’ve got a meal that meets your diet’s specifications…and then you devour it in less than 60 seconds flat!!
22. You consider a day when you only have to make ONE trip to the gym a luxury!
23. You think about having “relaxed hands” and sticking your butt out while standing in line at the grocery store. (Hey, a girl’s gotta practice her posing!!!)
24. You consider condiments and diet coke taboo!!!
25. And…your neighbors start gossiping that you’ve had lipo cause there is no way a girl could get that fit in 12 weeks!