[nfsc] drea is bulking here

[dreahere]

Entering female muscle gain.

[braggable]

In. Good luck!

[dreahere]

Thank you!

Here's my background info. From May to August 2010 I lost approximately 18 pounds doing what y'all would call keto. In August I joined the gym and in September I started lifting weights. At that time I started lurking, then posting, here and I figured out that I was not eating enough. From the stickies in the female forum, I figured out my maintenance to be 1700-1800 calories a day. By December I had lost another two pounds while visibly putting on muscle. I slowly bumped my calories up more to 1900, then 2000. For the last week or two I've been more like 2100. Since late December I've bounced back and forth between 112-115 pounds, depending on how bloated I am on any given day. (115 and bloated in my starting pics!) So while I am no longer losing weight, I'm not gaining either. Bulking, yur doin it rong. Hoping entering this contest will give me the courage to up my calories even more. Right now it feels like my metabolism is cranking.

I'm happy with the progress of my arms, shoulders, pecs, quads, and calves. Not so happy with my glutes and hammies, and my lats could stand to get a lot bigger too. I train fullbody 3x a week (right now twice w/ a trainer in small group personal training and once on my own.) I do 25-30 minutes of cardio 2 or 3 times a week, minimal ab work, and yoga whenever I can fit it in.

Oh, also, in case you hadn't noticed, I'm old. :)

[Locavore]

You sure as heck don't look old. :)

Looking forward to following along.

[dreahere]

Thank you :)

I think I got up to about 2400 calories yesterday. Yikes. I went to the game and that may have involved an extremely large Italian sausage on an extremely large sub roll. Which I ate all of. Also some popcorn. No beer though, because it was too chilly for me to drink beer outside. (I know, I know, "man up." Heh.) Anyway, I did go to the gym and lift in between work and baseball. I think that's how this bulking business is supposed to work, right? ;)

In other related news, since Monday I am back to taking a spoonful of MCT oil a day. Way too soon to tell if this will do anything other than make me flushed and nauseous, but the fact that it makes me flushed and nauseous lulls me into believing it's doing something. Ahem.

[spicyprice]

In for muskles!!

looking forward to seeing your progress!

[dreahere]

Today, on a day where I mostly sat in front of the computer, playing on the interwebs and doing my taxes (don't judge), the macros were 2124 calories, 124.8g protein, 119.8g fat, and 76.2 carbs. And 18g alcohol. I *said*, don't judge. If the universe didn't intend for us to drink pinot noir on a bulk, it wouldn't have provided grapes. God.

[Locavore]

Ha. My day yesterday included 37g of alcohol, so judgment can't come from over here. And mine included a (fatastic) mojito, which I can't claim has any health benefit. Unlike the two glasses of shiraz I had, which are indisputably good for my heart.

[braggable]

Today, on a day where I mostly sat in front of the computer, playing on the interwebs and doing my taxes (don't judge), the macros were 2124 calories, 124.8g protein, 119.8g fat, and 76.2 carbs. And 18g alcohol. I *said*, don't judge. If the universe didn't intend for us to drink pinot noir on a bulk, it wouldn't have provided grapes. God.

Solid macros. What is your lifting routine like?

[dreahere]

Ha. My day yesterday included 37g of alcohol, so judgment can't come from over here. And mine included a (fatastic) mojito, which I can't claim has any health benefit. Unlike the two glasses of shiraz I had, which are indisputably good for my heart.


Mojitos are good for your *mental* health. Like bacon. I thought everyone knew that ;)

And every glass of red wine consumed has the equivilent cardovascular benefit of running two miles.

Okay, I just made that last part up, hahahaha.

[dreahere]

Solid macros. What is your lifting routine like?

I do full body 3x a week, 3 sets in the 8-12 rep range. Pretty typical beginner workout, I guess. On the days I work with my trainer, we do it more circuit style because it's a group of us working out together. On the day I lift by myself, I do either supersets or do all my sets of one exercise together with longer rest in between.

[braggable]

I do full body 3x a week, 3 sets in the 8-12 rep range. Pretty typical beginner workout, I guess. On the days I work with my trainer, we do it more circuit style because it's a group of us working out together. On the day I lift by myself, I do either supersets or do all my sets of one exercise together with longer rest in between.

Right on. Keep up the great work. I am stoked to see your bulk results.

[dreahere]

Today's totals (some slight guessing involved because I ate dinner out) on a day I worked, walked a couple miles, and trained in the evening (not my usual lifting time): 2141 calories, 128.8g protein, 152.2g fat, 77.4g carbs. 0g alcohol! Training after dinner felt great. I think I need to arrange my schedule to make that happen more often.

Well, that was fascinating.

[dreahere]

I need to correct yesterday's entry 'cause I realized I made a mistake entering something in fitday and, yes, I am that anal. So yesterday's totals were: 2082 calories, 132.3g protein, 144.1g fat, 77.4g carb, 0g alcohol.

Okay, on to new business. Today I worked, walked a mile to the gym, and did 24 grueling minutes of cardio. Totals were: 2112 calories, 123.8g protein, 121.7g fat, 107.6g carbs, 17.7g alcohol. Also, I noticed I have a new vein in my right delt. I'm sure I should feed it some chocolate tomorrow so it knows that I lurve it. Something like that.

[dreahere]

Totals for today: 2126 calories, 124g protein, 140.1g fat, 101g carbs. 0g alcohol. No exercise today and feeling mildly guilty about that. OTOH, I bought my son cupcakes for his birthday today (don't you wish I were your mom?) and didn't eat one.

I probably coulda/shoulda run today and then had a cupcake. Probably would have made me happier all around. Oh well.

[dreahere]

Today was a great fitness day. Lifted with my trainer and group this morning and felt really strong and energetic.

I had told my trainer earlier in the week about entering this competition and she was all full of ideas for me today, lol. She thinks I should do some direct trap work and bring those along, so I did shrugs for the first time. I was all, "But Lii-iiz, won't that give me that linebacker head-directly-attached-to-shoulders look?" and she was like "No." hahahaha Then later on, a woman whose physique I *really* admire told me she avoided shrugs for a few years because she wanted a squarer look to her shoulder, without the trap bump, but then she started doing them and she likes her shoulders more now. So I'm gonna trust both of them and add in the damn shrugs.

Then, because it was a beautiful day, I walked the 3 1/2 miles home from the gym, making a couple stops along the way to do errands. Feels so much better than yesterday when I didn't get any exercise at all.

Totals for today (will be, because I haven't actually drank my planned glass of wine yet): 2137 calories, 116.3g protein, 125.9g fat, 110.4g carbs, 17.7g alcohol.

[dreahere]

Weighed myself this morning, and after one week of official bulking, I am...113. TOLD YOU I was bloated in those pictures, hahaha.

So, I'm taking 113 as my real starting weight. I'm also taking this as a sign to go up to 2200+ calories a day this week. (Hold my hand, mommy, I'm scared.)

[braggable]

Weighed myself this morning, and after one week of official bulking, I am...113. TOLD YOU I was bloated in those pictures, hahaha.

So, I'm taking 113 as my real starting weight. I'm also taking this as a sign to go up to 2200+ calories a day this week. (Hold my hand, mommy, I'm scared.)

Nice! Time to up the cals!

Good luck! Toss those weights around!

[dreahere]

After a trip to PF Changs yesterday :) my totals for the day ended up as: 2368 calories, 141.3g protein (!--wok-seared lamb ftw), 124.9g fat, 116.1g carbs, 17g alcohol. There was a Sierra Nevada Pale Ale involved. Ahem. (I had my physical today and told my PCP I have three drinks a week. I may possibly have lied.) I also did an hour of yoga yesterday, oh, and some walking around the mall whilst digesting the PF Chang's. And some housework. No cardio though :)

I'll update today's totals later when I'm done eating for the day. NOT done eating for the day yet. Walked 3 1/2 miles today and had a busy day at work. Tomorrow morning is picking things up and putting them down, yay!

[dreahere]

Yesterday ended up being a little low: 1987 calories, 129.9g protein, 114.2g fat, 107g carbs. Having to skip lunch because I was fasting for my bloodwork at the MD's meant I had a lot of eating to catch up on last night and I just couldn't cram any more calories in before I had to give up and go to sleep ;) i did IF for awhile last summer while in weight loss mode and that was my major problem with it. I was trying to eat within a five hour window and it was extremely hard for me to eat enough in that period of time. I'd go to input my calories into fitday and be like, "Holy crap! I've only had 900 calories."

This morning I lifted with my trainer, one of the other women in our group, and her teen-aged daughter (because it's school vacation week here). It wasn't my best day lifting--I'm never at my strongest at 9am--but I wasn't dissatisfied either. My trainer told me today a.) that I'm the only person she knows who actually *likes* stepups and b.)[after I was joking around, showing her my new little tiny delt vein, and saying that I like to pretend I'm cut] that she actually would consider me cut. I lurve her. It's no wonder I pay her money. Well, actually, I don't. I pay the Y money and hope she is adequately compensated.

Then I went to acupuncture and got my chi adjusted, and to Trader Joes, which involved some amount of walking back to the subway carrying groceries. So I feel like I probably burned a **** ton of calories today, even *with* the fact I always nap during acupuncture. Heh.

I really am loving bulking so far. Eating a lot of food with actual nutrition in it gives you a lot of energy. Who knew?

Today's totals at a later time.

[braggable]

Good stuff Drea. Rock those step-ups.

Why did you give up on IF? Was it because it was hard to fit in enough cals when cutting in the 5 hour window, so it would be even harder on a bulk? Also, why only 5 hour feeding window? (sorry about so many Q's)

[dreahere]

Good stuff Drea. Rock those step-ups.

Why did you give up on IF? Was it because it was hard to fit in enough cals when cutting in the 5 hour window, so it would be even harder on a bulk? Also, why only 5 hour feeding window? (sorry about so many Q's)

No prob about the questions. The five hour window was because my first exposure to the whole idea of IF was through people who were doing either the Fast-5 (just what it sounds like ;)) or the Warrior Diet. I was really attracted to the idea of doing the majority/all of my eating at night because it fit with my natural tendencies. I've never been much of a breakfast eater, once I start eating for the day I want to *keep* eating, and I like to go to bed with a nice full belly. So, especially since I was dieting, eating only between 5-10 pm was great in keeping my hunger down and keeping my food intake down. But, like I said, it worked almost too well. If I were trying to do that now, there is no way I could eat 2000+ calories in 5 hours.

But mainly I stopped because once I started working out more, it didn't fit with my schedule. I know some people have great success training in a fasted state, but I can't run or lift for **** without having eaten. And since I can only workout in the morning on my days off and late afternoons on the days I work, fasting till 5pm just became un-doable. I still think IF is a great concept, and if and when I get to the point that I want to scale back my calories again for awhile, I'd probably use it as a tool again. I'd just have to suck it up and deal with my lack of strength and endurance at the gym.

Okay, today's totals: 2185 calories, 143.2g protein (!), 129.5g fat, 111.1g carbs. I forgot to take my MCT this morning, which gave me extra calories to play with.

[braggable]

Ahh, gotcha. Good stuff there, drea. Keep rockin' this bulk! Stoked to see the results.

[dreahere]

Ahh, gotcha. Good stuff there, drea. Keep rockin' this bulk! Stoked to see the results.

Thanks for the encouragement! I see that you train fasted. I gave you major props. I wish I wasn't weak and useless without a good dose of protein and carbs in me.

[dreahere]

Just finished my bedtime snack of 2 ounces sharp cheddar, one chocolate covered strawberry, an orange, and half a glass of wine. That brings my totals for today to: 2098 calories, 118.5g protein, 138.8g fat, 93.1g carbs, 8g alcohol. Really stuffed because I ate a whole bunch of asparagus (9.5 oz, to be exact) at dinner, because it had to be eaten or thrown out. (Long story.) That's a lot of green veggie at one go, all y'all.

I spent quite a bit of time today reading here on the nutrition forum. (It was slow at work. I keep telling yous people, don't judge.) Do you know the difference between the general nutrition forum and the nutrition forum in the female section? The longest running thread there is about embracing the suck, i.e. a support thread for people who are cutting and want to gnaw their arms off from hunger. The longest running thread here appears to be pictures of incredibly decadent food pr0n. I think that sums it up :)

[braggable]

...Do you know the difference between the general nutrition forum and the nutrition forum in the female section? The longest running thread there is about embracing the suck, i.e. a support thread for people who are cutting and want to gnaw their arms off from hunger. The longest running thread here appears to be pictures of incredibly decadent food pr0n. I think that sums it up :)

LOL, I have never ventured into the female section (ok, maybe once or twice :D) but the M.E.N. Thread in the general Nutrition section is food pr0n at it's finest!

However, the most seen threads on the general nutrition section: "Critique My Diet" threads and "Can I eat _____ on a bulk/cut?" threads. They never stop! LOL.

[dreahere]

I read probably 50 pages of the M.E.N. thread. Also, the sludge thread. I get so jellus of what and how much yous young guys can eat and not do damage to your physiques. :)

Yesterday was a grueling half hour of cardio (tm) after work, plus--you're not going to believe this--ab work. Okay, anyone reading this will believe it 'cause you don't know me, but if you knew me, you'd be shocked I actually did dedicated ab work. Trust. I don't know what came over me.

Usually Friday is a lifting day, but my trainer is having our class this afternoon instead of tomorrow morning, since the Y's closed on Easter, so I couldn't lift yesterday. This also means I'm gonna have to lift Monday after work when the weight room is gonna be effin' ridiculously crowded, grrr, or miss a day. I get cranky when I have to wait for a bench is all I'm sayin'.

Totals for yesterday: 2326 calories (think I successfully ate back my cardio), 123.5g protein, 138.6g fat, 114.2g carbs, 17.7g alcohol.

[dreahere]

Yesterday's totals: 2140 calories, 128.5g protein, 117.3g fat, 131.4g carbs, 19.8g alcohol. Macros a little off. More carbs than protein? Boo. Just wait for today's totals. I'm making short ribs for Easter dinner and that's a whopping load of calories and fat :) I think breakfast is gonna be really high protein. Once my coffee kicks in and I figure out what to have, that is.

Good day lifting yesterday, though my abs were killing me after their unexpected exertion on Friday. Coming up on my sldl's was like, owwww. Even sitting back up on the bench after presses was owww. I guess the lesson to be learned is to do direct ab work more often so when I do, I *don't* get DOMS from hell. As my mother always said, live and learn and still die stupid.

May do some yoga today, may go for a walk since I *think* it's supposed to be nice out. May do both!

[braggable]

DOMS FTW!
Keep killin' it Drea!

[dreahere]

I didn't update for yesterday yet.

My whopping totals for Easter were: 2437 calories (whoa), 128.8g protein, 162g fat, 87.3g carbs, and 18.3g alcohol. I ended up doing about 55 minutes of yoga yesterday. I found what was supposed to be an entire 40 minute hatha class on youtube and did that (though I fast forwarded through about three minutes of the reallllly long savasana at the end) and then I found another vinyasa class, which was supposed to be focusing on hip openers. I started doing it, but the cueing was horrible if you didn't already know the flow, and after about twenty minutes when a.) I didn't see any real focus on the hips and b.) I looked up at my monitor and found I was in a completely different position than I was supposed to be in, I called it a day.

Anyway, after yesterday's ridiculous load of calories, and after a week when I did manage to get my daily average up over 2200, and after the second week in a row of cutting down actual serious cardio to once a week, I weighed myself this morning and I was...113. I am continuing to be amazed by my body's ability to take the amount of food I've been throwing at it and not gain weight. My metabolism is cranking. And apparently, I'm not even getting any bloating now.

I don't know if this means I should up the calories even more or not :/

Going to the gym tonight after work to lift, but we'll see how much I get done. I'm thinking it's going to be crazy crowded.

[dreahere]

Monday's totals: 2227 calories, 133.9g protein, 145.2g fat, 105.4g carbs.

Walked 2.7 miles yesterday and lifted for 45 minutes. The Y was, as predicted, crowded but not too too bad. Managed to get me a bench, anyway. Pretty sure I'm going to get this week's cardio out of the way later on this afternoon. Got my gym clothes at work with me so I may as well use them, amirite? And now that my abs are finally done screaming at me, maybe I'll abuse them again. In fact, I think I'll look up some new ab abuse tecniques on the interwebs today, just for the lulz.

[dreahere]

Tuesday's totals: 2271 calories, 123.3g protein, 139.7g fat, 110g carbs, 12.1g alcohol. Did 27ish minutes of cardio, abs, minimal walk.

Today's totals: 2010 calories, 145.4g protein, 113.9g fat, 112.3g carbs. Calories are low, especially since I weight trained in the morning, then walked for hours shopping and doing errands. I must have burned a crapload. But since it's 10:30 and I *just* ate peanut butter, I don't think I can get any more food in. Oh, well, tomorrow's another day.

[braggable]

Drea, those macros are solid!!

~140g of fat FTW! Peanut Butter is a must, huh. LOL. I get nearly ALL of my fat from Peanut Butter and Milk Chocolate.

How is the cal increase going?

[dreahere]

Drea, those macros are solid!!

~140g of fat FTW! Peanut Butter is a must, huh. LOL. I get nearly ALL of my fat from Peanut Butter and Milk Chocolate.

How is the cal increase going?

Oh, I LOVE my fat, haha. I eat tons of dairy, I eat nuts, I eat peanut butter, I cook w/ olive oil, I put butter on my sweet potatoes, I make balsamic vinaigrette for my salads, and (at least for the last few weeks) I swallow down a tablespoon of mct oil every morning that I remember. And lest anyone think that's gonna kill me, I just had my physical and lab results were stellar. HDL 72, baby!

The calorie increase is going well, other than yesterday's slip up. I'm not freaking out about eating more, especially since a.) my weight is holding steady while b.) I've mostly been having really good gym days and feeling really energetic and c.) when I was clothes shopping yesterday, I tried on a pair of size 0 shorts that were too big in the waist. It's hard to freak out about "omg I'm gonna get fat from eating 2200 calories a day!" when the smallest size the store has is too big around the bellly. Not only isn't bulking making me fat, it hasn't even made me bloated yet, LOL. (I know this is far more than anyone needs to know, but writing this crap here keeps me from boring my friends with it. And they are grateful.)

[dreahere]

I always swore I would never be one of those people who posted pictures of what they made for dinner on the interwebs...but this place has won me over. ;)

Spring mix, grape tomatoes, goat cheese, walnuts, chicken breast, balsamic and olive oil. And I still can't figure out how to actually insert the picture into the post. Grrr. Totals for today later.

[dreahere]

Yesterday's totals: 2244 calories, 142.6g protein, 128.4g fat, 136.8g carbs. Pretty high on the carbs, especially since yesterday was my rest day, but that's what happens when you eat the first bagel you've eaten in like a year!

[kwebbers]

Hi there! I stumbled upon your bulking log and I'm in to see your progress!! despite the fact you are a few years older than me :P, we are very close to the same stats and I'm curious as to how your bulk will go! I also saw that you previously did a keto diet which is what I am currently doing for the remainder of the summer :) Once August rolls around I have decided I am going to actually do a REAL bulk myself, aka - not start "cutting" again once I realize I cant fit into my size 0 pants! lol anyway, good luck! Looking forward to reading on :)

[spicyprice]

I always swore I would never be one of those people who posted pictures of what they made for dinner on the interwebs...but this place has won me over. ;)

Spring mix, grape tomatoes, goat cheese, walnuts, chicken breast, balsamic and olive oil. And I still can't figure out how to actually insert the picture into the post. Grrr. Totals for today later.


LOl, I swore the same thing, but......... since IIFYM, my eats look so good to me that I feel like I just have to share!

Salad looks sooo much better than my boring ones! Must take notes!

You can use tinypic.com and just upload it from your computer, designate it for message boards and then upload. Copy/pasta the IMG link for message boards and BAM, food pics in your awesome bulking log.

[dreahere]

Hi there! I stumbled upon your bulking log and I'm in to see your progress!! despite the fact you are a few years older than me :P, we are very close to the same stats and I'm curious as to how your bulk will go! I also saw that you previously did a keto diet which is what I am currently doing for the remainder of the summer :) Once August rolls around I have decided I am going to actually do a REAL bulk myself, aka - not start "cutting" again once I realize I cant fit into my size 0 pants! lol anyway, good luck! Looking forward to reading on :)

Welcome! :) I just read the last few pages of your keto log and I have to say 1.) your chocolate-covered pancakes and your Easter dinner were droolworthy 2.) while I was ok drinking a glass of wine or a beer, hard alcohol hit me like a ton of bricks when I was in ketosis--I had *one* mojito while watching the World Cup final and when I got up off my bar stool, I almost fell over, LOL and 3.) I think it's awesome you're going to be a nutritionist who's okay w/ low carb eating!

I have the feeling this bulk of mine is destined to still be a recomp, 'cause I keep upping my calories, and I keep not actually gaining any weight, though I obviously have more muscle. I dunno. My metabolism is just cranking. Maybe by August I'll have gone to 3000+ calories a day like the 200 pound dudes on here and I'll be up to 118. :)

[dreahere]

LOl, I swore the same thing, but......... since IIFYM, my eats look so good to me that I feel like I just have to share!

Salad looks sooo much better than my boring ones! Must take notes!

You can use tinypic.com and just upload it from your computer, designate it for message boards and then upload. Copy/pasta the IMG link for message boards and BAM, food pics in your awesome bulking log.

Your food pics always look great. Thanks so much for the picture-inserting tutorial. I'll try it the next time I cook something that turns out photogenic ;) Which isn't often, believe me. A food stylist I am not.

[dreahere]

Yesterday's totals: 2153 calories, 127.1g protein, 133.2g fat, 121.7g carbs. EXCELLENT gym day yesterday. Could barely walk down the stairs when I got to work this morning, haha. Plie squats for the first time in a long time ftw. Went up in a few things, including trying 30lb dbs for my bench press for the first time, and managed to get one set of 6 and two sets of 8. (Oh, stop laughing, it's a big deal for me.)

[thepowerwithin]

I stumbled upon your log this morning, and I couldn't be more excited. I turn 47 in about 1 week, and I recently quit dieting, as I was sick and tired of it frankly. (I was one of those women on the ETS thread wanting to chew my arm off :)). It's too hard and consumes to much of my thoughts and life. Actually, many times I feel like it's not what my body truly needs anyway. I could really use some more muscle.

I have slowly brought my calories up from 1,350 to 1,800. There has been some immediate weight gain, but honestly I don't give a flying fck. I feel so much more alive!

I am considering taking the plunge and embarking on a bulk in hopes of revving up my metabolism and putting on some decent mass. It's been a struggle to get calories up.....not fear......just bloating and fullness.

I so look forward to following your progress and I am hoping I learn a thing or two. Hope you don't mind.

[dreahere]

I am considering taking the plunge and embarking on a bulk in hopes of revving up my metabolism and putting on some decent mass. It's been a struggle to get calories up.....not fear......just bloating and fullness.

I so look forward to following your progress and I am hoping I learn a thing or two. Hope you don't mind.


Hi, welcome :) I dunno iif what's happened with me will happen with you, but at a certain point of slowly upping the calories, my metabolism racheted up and my appetite along with it. It's not a physical struggle to get all the food in at all any more. I'm always ready to eat, haha.

I looked at your pics and you definitely, to me, don't look like you need to be cutting. You have like no thigh fat at all (I R wickid jellus :) )! I think a nice bulk will be awesome for you.

[thepowerwithin]

Hi, welcome :) I dunno iif what's happened with me will happen with you, but at a certain point of slowly upping the calories, my metabolism racheted up and my appetite along with it. It's not a physical struggle to get all the food in at all any more. I'm always ready to eat, haha.

I looked at your pics and you definitely, to me, don't look like you need to be cutting. You have like no thigh fat at all (I R wickid jellus :) )! I think a nice bulk will be awesome for you.

Thanks. It's been 2 weeks since I quit dieting, slowing bringing cals up. I am finally starting to feel hungry, whereas before it was like trying to get the food down. So, I am hoping that what happened to you will happen to me. We'll see. I've never, ever had problems getting food down. In fact, I've always been an over-eater.

My pics are 1.5 years old. I really need to get some new ones up. I think my physique has changed with 2 "failed" bulks (I totally made a pig of myself) and 2 cuts.

Thanks for the encouragement and allowing me to be part of your journey.

[CathyVee]

I've actually been following your log since the start so I decided I'd stop in and wish you luck. I did a bulk over the fall and winter and started cutting in January. It was fun (got to enjoy all the treats at Christmas) but I'm afraid that I put on more fat than muscle. Upping the calories makes for some awesome workouts at the gym!

It's nice to see another 40-something woman competing in this NFSC contest.

[dreahere]

It's nice to see another 40-something woman competing in this NFSC contest.

Ditto! Thanks for stopping in. :)

Yesterday's totals: 2266 calories, 124.6g protein, 120g fat, 144.7g carbs, 19.5g alcohol. Grrr. Too carb heavy for sure. My problem is that I'm low on groceries and my choices for last night's snack were limited. Whatever. I shall now get dressed for the gym and go use those extra 40g of carbohydrate to lift the 30lb db's again. (I SAID, stop laughing. God.) Then I'ma walk back from the gym and do my errands along the way, because it looks freakin' beautiful out there.

[kwebbers]

Welcome! :) I just read the last few pages of your keto log and I have to say 1.) your chocolate-covered pancakes and your Easter dinner were droolworthy 2.) while I was ok drinking a glass of wine or a beer, hard alcohol hit me like a ton of bricks when I was in ketosis--I had *one* mojito while watching the World Cup final and when I got up off my bar stool, I almost fell over, LOL and 3.) I think it's awesome you're going to be a nutritionist who's okay w/ low carb eating!

I have the feeling this bulk of mine is destined to still be a recomp, 'cause I keep upping my calories, and I keep not actually gaining any weight, though I obviously have more muscle. I dunno. My metabolism is just cranking. Maybe by August I'll have gone to 3000+ calories a day like the 200 pound dudes on here and I'll be up to 118. :)

thanks! And its funny bc I was the same way before when I was attempting to "bulk" (upping calories to over 2000 and STILL not gaining...) its crazy how the body works... But good luck! :)

[dreahere]

So unless I decide to have another snack after the snack I'm eating right now ;) (Wasabi Wow and a big ass glass of Old Vine Zin, thanks), my totals for today are going to be 2084 calories, 124.6g protein, 114.2g fat, 115.6g carbs, and 20.8g alcohol.

Gym was great today and I was indeed full o' energy from the carb load. After class I was still feeling so peppy I told my trainer I was thinking of staying and doing a little more work on my back, so she showed me how to do Hammer Strength high rows to really hit my lats. I liked! However on my way out, I realized that, oops, I guess my legs hadn't quite recovered from Friday before working them again this morning. I kinda hobbled over across the street to the cafe for lunch. I did then manage to get my long walk and errands in regardless, though a couple x when I squatted down to look at stuff on low shelves in the stores, I was kinda iffy on whether I'd get up again, lol. Thinking I may soak in the tub for a bit tonight. And/or slather myself w/ arnica.

[dreahere]

Up to 115 this morning, but since my legs are still killing me from Friday + yesterday's workouts, I am not getting too excited yet that the 2lb gain is actually a gain rather than my muscles holding water. I was looking at some pictures that I took last week (to show some online friends a dress I bought [girl stuff]), however, and I think my butt is finally rounding back out. My glutes have been, shall we say, slow to respond to the training, but now I think I'm getting somewhere. Maybe.

Let's see if this works...

http://i51.tinypic.com/kcgtcj.jpg

Oh, yeah, baby, it only took two tries, but it worked. Score one for the technologically disabled.

[thepowerwithin]

Up to 115 this morning, but since my legs are still killing me from Friday + yesterday's workouts, I am not getting too excited yet that the 2lb gain is actually a gain rather than my muscles holding water. I was looking at some pictures that I took last week (to show some online friends a dress I bought [girl stuff]), however, and I think my butt is finally rounding back out. My glutes have been, shall we say, slow to respond to the training, but now I think I'm getting somewhere. Maybe.


Did you ever think you'd be excited about weight gain, lol? It seems after a tough leg day, when I am especially sore afterward, I do weigh a couple pounds more on the scale. It could be fluid, but maybe not. Time will tell.

I think you look terrific in your little black dress!

My glutes have been the slowest to respond as well. I recently added weighted hip thrusts to my routine and I am hoping this will firm the cheeks up a little more :).

[braggable]

Looking solid, Drea! Keep up the good work.

[dreahere]

Thanks, guys!



My glutes have been the slowest to respond as well. I recently added weighted hip thrusts to my routine and I am hoping this will firm the cheeks up a little more :).

Can I ask you, do you do those with a barbell across your hips? I was experimenting with these a couple months ago, and first--'cause I saw youtube video of people doing it--I tried using a plate on my hips. However, being as I am a very short person, putting a 45lb plate on my hips meant it was hitting me in the rib cage. Fail. So then I tried it with a kettlebell, which was logistically easier, but the heaviest kettlebell my gym has is 35 lbs, and that seemed to be too easy to be having any effect. So after a couple weeks I gave up. I would like to try it with a barbell and some serious weight, but I can't figure out where there's floor space in my gym to accomplish it.

[dreahere]

Yesterday's totals: 2124 calories, 131.6g protein, 137,9g fat, 100.6g carbs. And back down to 113 on the scale this morning.

[thepowerwithin]

Thanks, guys!



Can I ask you, do you do those with a barbell across your hips? I was experimenting with these a couple months ago, and first--'cause I saw youtube video of people doing it--I tried using a plate on my hips. However, being as I am a very short person, putting a 45lb plate on my hips meant it was hitting me in the rib cage. Fail. So then I tried it with a kettlebell, which was logistically easier, but the heaviest kettlebell my gym has is 35 lbs, and that seemed to be too easy to be having any effect. So after a couple weeks I gave up. I would like to try it with a barbell and some serious weight, but I can't figure out where there's floor space in my gym to accomplish it.

Yes, I use a smaller 35-lb barbell with 110 lbs of added weight. I found this tiny corner at my gym where I can have privacy and avoid stares/comments (I was getting them!). I use a thick pad to protect my pelvis/hips. At first I was only feeling it in the hammies, so I lightened the weight, where I could really push up high enough to engage the weaker gluteal muscles and kind of hold the contraction for 2-3 seconds, really squeezing the glutes. For me, it takes actually concentrating on engaging those lazy muscles and I have to focus on it, otherwise my hammies will do all the work.

There was an interesting you tube video of these being done on the Smith machine too. I bet you can find it with a search. The girl that posted it is kait123.

I am beginning to realize the actually key to improving the stubborn glutes is adding muscle and not necessarily fat loss, for me.....finally, and you are inspiring me :)!

[dreahere]

Yes, I use a smaller 35-lb barbell with 110 lbs of added weight. I found this tiny corner at my gym where I can have privacy and avoid stares/comments (I was getting them!). I use a thick pad to protect my pelvis/hips. At first I was only feeling it in the hammies, so I lightened the weight, where I could really push up high enough to engage the weaker gluteal muscles and kind of hold the contraction for 2-3 seconds, really squeezing the glutes. For me, it takes actually concentrating on engaging those lazy muscles and I have to focus on it, otherwise my hammies will do all the work.

There was an interesting you tube video of these being done on the Smith machine too. I bet you can find it with a search. The girl that posted it is kait123.

I am beginning to realize the actually key to improving the stubborn glutes is adding muscle and not necessarily fat loss, for me.....finally, and you are inspiring me :)!

Thanks, that's very helpful! I'll look for that video. Losing fat without correspondingly building up enough glute muscle in return has led to a sad state of affairs for my azz, lemme tell you. The day I realized I don't fill out the back of my jeans anymore was a very very tragic day, lol.

Anyway! Yesterday's totals were: 2162 calories, 136.4g protein, 128.2g fat, and 129.3g carbs. No gym Monday or yesterday, but I got quite a bit of walking in just going about my business. Will lift later today and maybe do cardio tomorrow.

[dreahere]

I did NOT get to the gym yesterday for reasons too tedious to recount here. Totals were: 2049 calories, 139.2g protein, 115.1g fat, 92.2g carbs, 19.5g alcohol. Little low on the calories, but not too bad. More later.

[kwebbers]

any weight gain?? how are you lifts? i feel like its been a while since i popped in... i'm looking to follow your log once I decide to bulk come august so I'm curious of your progress :)

also, are you doing a specific macro %? or sticking to 1g/lb LBM for protein, .4-.5g/lb for fat, etc.? looks like you keep protein and fat close to the same and then the rest is carbs?

[dreahere]

any weight gain?? how are you lifts? i feel like its been a while since i popped in... i'm looking to follow your log once I decide to bulk come august so I'm curious of your progress :)

also, are you doing a specific macro %? or sticking to 1g/lb LBM for protein, .4-.5g/lb for fat, etc.? looks like you keep protein and fat close to the same and then the rest is carbs?

I've been 113 for three weeks straight, BUT I realized today that from January through March, I was bouncing back and forth between 112 and 115 depending on how bloated I was on any given day, and i don't think I've seen 112 now for a good month. So I'm willing to say I've finally gained a solid pound. My lifts are going up and I've been able to increase my volume too. I really feel very energetic in the gym.

As for food, basically I try to eat at least my bodyweight in grams of protein and fat and try to stay around, or below, 100g net carbs (though I don't record the "net" part here) and let the rest of my calories fall where they may.

[dreahere]

Today's totals: 2207 calories, 130.7g protein, 145.9g fat, 116.9g carbs.

Two cool things at the gym this afternoon. First--and this is the first time anything like this has happened to me--a woman I don't know approached me in between sets, commented on my using 25lb dbs, and asked how long I'd been lifting. She said something like, "I'm nowhere near there" and I said, "You will be!" She was like, "You think?" and I was like, "Yeah!" That was awesome. The second cool thing was when I was doing shrugs in front of the mirror, I noticed my new shoulder vein now has a buddy on the other shoulder, lol, and they were both popping today. Love. LOVE.

[dreahere]

Oh! The other thing I forgot to mention yesterday was that when I decided to officially change my weight on fitday to 113, I was looking at the record of my previous weights, and my old "weight goal" graph. My weight goal from last year was to be 120 by 6/30/10.

Okay, I thought, cool, since now I'm trying to go in the other direction, I should make a new goal on here. I tried to put it in as 118 by 8/15/11. I got a big red warning message that my goal weight is more than my current weight. Yes, thank you, fitday, for alerting me to a possible typo on my part, but I did mean 118. I tried to hit enter again and...big red warning. It wouldn't take it. They refuse to let you have a goal weight that is higher than your current weight. Bastards!

And then we wonder why we women have such trouble with the concept of bulking. Every single thing in our culture tells us we should be continually trying to lose more and more weight. They should call it "skinnyday", not fitday. Grrr.

[kwebbers]

Oh! The other thing I forgot to mention yesterday was that when I decided to officially change my weight on fitday to 113, I was looking at the record of my previous weights, and my old "weight goal" graph. My weight goal from last year was to be 120 by 6/30/10.

Okay, I thought, cool, since now I'm trying to go in the other direction, I should make a new goal on here. I tried to put it in as 118 by 8/15/11. I got a big red warning message that my goal weight is more than my current weight. Yes, thank you, fitday, for alerting me to a possible typo on my part, but I did mean 118. I tried to hit enter again and...big red warning. It wouldn't take it. They refuse to let you have a goal weight that is higher than your current weight. Bastards!

And then we wonder why we women have such trouble with the concept of bulking. Every single thing in our culture tells us we should be continually trying to lose more and more weight. They should call it "skinnyday", not fitday. Grrr.

that's why I stopped using fitday in the past!! it was very frustrating.... and disheartening :( but keep it up! :)

[dreahere]

Yesterday's totals: 2097 calories, 121.5g protein, 131.9g fat, 118.3g carbs. Should have gotten another 100 calories in, but even getting to 2097 meant shoving a piece of swiss cheese I didn't really want into my face on my way to bed. Of course, dinner was somewhat of a guesstimate, because I made meatloaf and I'm more of a Rachael Ray "throw in a handful of this and a dash of that" rather than anally measuring stuff*** kind of cook. So my macros on that could have been slightly off.

Other highlights of yesterday: I was entering my f.a.g.e 2% into fitday and I realized what I had in my custom foods and what was now on the label were different. I had it as 130 calories and 17g of protein and now it is 150 calories and 20g of protein. Oh noes, who knows how long I've been miscounting??!??!! hahaha Also, at work I had one person tell me I'm getting too thin, another person tell me, oh, no, I look great, and I flexed for my boss, causing him to feel my bicep/tricep and say (verbatim quote) "whoa!" I love my workplace. Just sayin'. And, finally, because I missed lifting on Wednesday but still wanted to get in 3 days of lifting this week, I split my workout into upper Thursday and lower Friday and added in some extra exercises and sets. Well, legs yesterday, even with the extra volume, only took 35-40 minutes and I left the gym somewhat feeling like I didn't do enough. This morning, however, I be hurting. :) So I guess I did!



***no offense to the more precise amongst us, yo

[dreahere]

Yesterday: 2244 calories, 133g protein, 129.6g fat, 126.8g carbs, 11g alcohol. 23 grueling minutes of cardio + 100 unweighted step ups on a 16 inch step. Had a freak out which I posted about in the First Time Bulkers thread, but I'm okay now. More or less.

Here's last night's dinner.

http://i53.tinypic.com/9lilj5.jpg

[jackj2011]

Yesterday: 2244 calories, 133g protein, 129.6g fat, 126.8g carbs, 11g alcohol. 23 grueling minutes of cardio + 100 unweighted step ups on a 16 inch step. Had a freak out which I posted about in the First Time Bulkers thread, but I'm okay now. More or less.

Here's last night's dinner.


oh very spicy...

[dreahere]

Yesterday's whopping totals: 2578 calories, 133.3g protein, 161g fat, 136.1g carbs, 18.2g alcohol. Lifted an hour w/ my trainer and group, walked a little over two miles. I deliberately ate an extra 400 calorie meal last night because I knew my calories were going to be down today--had federal jury duty (!) which meant leaving my house at dawn o'clock to get there, and not much opportunity for eating. Right now it's almost 4pm and I'm only at 650 calories. No exercise today, just about a mile and a half walk getting from point A to point B.

[braggable]

Yesterday's totals: 2097 calories, 121.5g protein, 131.9g fat, 118.3g carbs. Should have gotten another 100 calories in, but even getting to 2097 meant shoving a piece of swiss cheese I didn't really want into my face on my way to bed. Of course, dinner was somewhat of a guesstimate, because I made meatloaf and I'm more of a Rachael Ray "throw in a handful of this and a dash of that" rather than anally measuring stuff*** kind of cook. So my macros on that could have been slightly off.

Other highlights of yesterday: I was entering my f.a.g.e 2% into fitday and I realized what I had in my custom foods and what was now on the label were different. I had it as 130 calories and 17g of protein and now it is 150 calories and 20g of protein. Oh noes, who knows how long I've been miscounting??!??!! hahaha Also, at work I had one person tell me I'm getting too thin, another person tell me, oh, no, I look great, and I flexed for my boss, causing him to feel my bicep/tricep and say (verbatim quote) "whoa!" I love my workplace. Just sayin'. And, finally, because I missed lifting on Wednesday but still wanted to get in 3 days of lifting this week, I split my workout into upper Thursday and lower Friday and added in some extra exercises and sets. Well, legs yesterday, even with the extra volume, only took 35-40 minutes and I left the gym somewhat feeling like I didn't do enough. This morning, however, I be hurting. :) So I guess I did!



***no offense to the more precise amongst us, yo

Feels good to know you lift more than your boss, huh ? ;)

Doing great Drea!

[dreahere]

Feels good to know you lift more than your boss, huh ? ;)


Don't think we weren't comparing, either. Ha!

Yesterday's totals: 1888 calories, 127.6g protein, 108.2g fat, 119.1g carbs. So just call that extra 400 calories I ate before bed Sunday night Monday's breakfast, and we're square.

[dreahere]

Tuesday's totals: 2102 calories, 124.4g protein, 133.5g fat, 71.2g carbs, 15.8g alcohol.

My trainer is away this week, learning to guide children through the wilderness, so my gym schedule is a little different/more flexible. Lifted for an hour and fifteen minutes yesterday. Some of that is due to some extra volume, but some of it is because there was a certain amount of sitting on my bench staring into space, trying to psyche myself up for the next set. Not the very best of all possible lifting days, is what I'm saying, but I got through it.

Addendum:weighed in at 114 this morning

[thepowerwithin]

Stopping by to say I am still following along. It sounds like you are doing terrific and keeping your calories steady.

I finally hit 1,900 cals this week......been doing reverse dieting. Feels good. Mood, appetite, energy all terrific. Makes me never want to cut again.

Will continue to increase cals, but not sure when. Soon.

Keep up the good work!!

[dreahere]

Stopping by to say I am still following along. It sounds like you are doing terrific and keeping your calories steady.

I finally hit 1,900 cals this week......been doing reverse dieting. Feels good. Mood, appetite, energy all terrific. Makes me never want to cut again.

Will continue to increase cals, but not sure when. Soon.

Keep up the good work!!

I think I read you say this in one of the threads. That's *awesome*. How many calories do you think you are ultimately going to go up to? I don't know if I should raise mine any higher or not.

[dreahere]

Wednesday's totals, for a day of being a slug: 2158 calories, 131.5g protein, 135.9g fat, 89g carbs, 18.5g alcohol.

More later.

[thepowerwithin]

I think I read you say this in one of the threads. That's *awesome*. How many calories do you think you are ultimately going to go up to? I don't know if I should raise mine any higher or not.

I got some feedback from Freebirdmac and I am thinking I will increase to 2,150 and monitor on that for a while.

I have been "studying" the bulking thread and it seems the consensus is that if you haven't gained on your current intake for 4-6 weeks, then increase cals. Maybe you should post over there for feedback. How much total weight do you want to gain on this bulk? Are you hungry?

When I start, I am hoping I have the nerve to actually gain 7-10 lbs. OMG!!! I dunno....

[dreahere]

I got some feedback from Freebirdmac and I am thinking I will increase to 2,150 and monitor on that for a while.

I have been "studying" the bulking thread and it seems the consensus is that if you haven't gained on your current intake for 4-6 weeks, then increase cals. Maybe you should post over there for feedback. How much total weight do you want to gain on this bulk? Are you hungry?

When I start, I am hoping I have the nerve to actually gain 7-10 lbs. OMG!!! I dunno....


It's so hard to tell with water weight fluctuations if/how much I'm actually gaining. I think I mentioned before, I was bouncing in between 112 and 115 for months, but I haven't seen 112 on the scale for several weeks now. So I can count that as a pound gained. But it's very very slow. I'm sorta tempted to up my calories more for a faster gain, but then I'm afraid it will just be fat. Ideally, I'd like to get up to 118 or so.

Yesterday's totals: 1997 calories, 129.5g protein, 101.1g fat, 112.5g carbs, 26.4g alcohol. Yeah, low on calories even with a big glass of wine. Today will be less stressful, eating will be better, and I will be lifting.

[dreahere]

Low on calories again yesterday. Bah. 1976. Macros were 135.3g protein, 114.9g fat, 114.1g carbs. A big part of my problem, haha, is that all the places I get groceries have been running out of 2% F.a.g.e and I need that shiz to hit my macros and calorie goals. It's like my superfood. I also at some point need to get to Trader Joe's because I'm out of wasabi wow, TJ dark chocolate w/ almonds, and chili lime chicken burgers. All my dietary staples, mon. Very sad.

Okay, enough of my grocery tragedies. I was in the gym for a ridiculously long time last night and I even left out my incline presses. Do not know what's up. But that's the second time in a row that I was just not feeling very peppy. Late afternoon/early evening is usually my prime lifting time too. Hopefully tomorrow will be better. Today I'm going to the gym after work to do cardio and some minimal abs and stretch and go in the steamroom. Cardio ought to be brutal because I forgot to charge my iPod. Cardio without tunes is a sad sad thing.

Oh, this journal is just full of tragedy today. Where's the eyeroll emoticon?

[dreahere]

Yesterday's totals: 2128 calories, 139.8g protein, 122.5g fat, 139.7g carbs. After two days of being under, I did better with the calories, but it took 1.8 ounces of cheddar at 10:45pm to do it, haha. And that was *after* I had Ben & Jerry's on my way home from the gym. (Yes, seriously. This place is effin' corrupting me. [Kiddie-sized coconut 7 layer bar, btw. Yum.])

So what did you do at the gym without your iPod, Andrea? Glad you asked! I did 100 unweighted step ups ans side-to-sides, and then I did a fast 23 minute walk on the treadmill with the incline cranked all the way up. To stave off boredom, I attempted to read a magazine on the tready, which, I dunno, my eyes aren't what they used to be. Don't get old, kids. Then I did abs: the weighted ab crunch machine, planks, my "Tibetan" double leg lifts. Minimal. Then I stretched. I have not been stretching or doing yoga as much as I should/usually do and it shows. Side effect of cutting down the cardio on my bulk 'cause I usually always do a bunch of yoga stretches post cardio when I'm nice and warm. (Speaking of which, I'm going back up on the cardio. This once a week thing ain't cutting it for me. My body feels better on two-three x a week. If I have to eat back the calories, I'll eat back the calories.)

Then I hit the steamroom and sauna as a treat. I had the whole locker room to myself, ahhhhh. LOVE mid-late Saturday afternoons at the gym when it isn't crappy out. This also afforded me the opportunity to check myself out in the full length locker room mirrors in the blinding locker room light in my bathing suit. The chunk on the back of my thighs which really was depressing me last week did not look so bad. I mean, it's there, but I dunno, if I saw another woman my age in her bathing suit and her thighs looked like that, I wouldn't think, oh, that's hideous. Obviously, my chunk does not morph from one day to the next, so my perception of this is entirely mental. As in, YES, I am mental.

Today it's been pouring out since I woke up at (sigh) 4:45, but I will nevertheless woman-up and get to the gym to lift regardless. Happy Sunday!

[dreahere]

Yesterday's totals: 2148 calories, 160.2g protein (!), 121.5g fat, 124.9g carbs.

Once I finally got to the gym, I had a really great workout. Much better than Friday. Flipped my usual and did upper first, then lower. Which meant plie squats were last. I was planning to walk to a couple stores afterwards, and I think "walk" was a euphemism. I pretty much hobbled the first mile. Eventually my legs loosened back up though and I'm not terribly sore today. I find that's usually the case--if I hit my legs hard but then walk home, I have less DOMs the next day. Oh, and a guy gave me advice on my shrugs yesterday. I think he's wrong, but I thanked him anyway, haha. We'd spoken earlier when he noticed I was looking for the dbs he was using, so it wasn't totally random.

Had a bagel for breakfast today. Still having a little trouble accepting that's okay, but I'm working on it. Getting rid of the dieting mindset is hard. Especially when you're tracking everything. I could probably be just fine and unconcerned with what/how much I'm eating if I wasn't forced to actually have to look at the cold hard numbers. Those are skeery. :)

[dreahere]

Random: do you know what I *hate*? The term "lean muscle." You know, as opposed to "fat muscle", I suppose.

I think I'll start using that: "Uh, yeah, I'm trying to build some fat muscle. I plan to look like a well-marbled steak when I'm done, yo."

Okay, you may resume your Monday morning. Cheers, thanks a lot.

[dreahere]

Yesterday's totals: 1956 calories, 131.1g protein, 106.5g fat, 123.6g carbs. Low on the fat, high on the carbs, thus slightly low on the calories. No exercise. Weighed 115 this morning, but I am feeling way bloated, so I'm not counting it as real. Cardio today.

[kwebbers]

Yesterday's totals: 2148 calories, 160.2g protein (!), 121.5g fat, 124.9g carbs.

Once I finally got to the gym, I had a really great workout. Much better than Friday. Flipped my usual and did upper first, then lower. Which meant plie squats were last. I was planning to walk to a couple stores afterwards, and I think "walk" was a euphemism. I pretty much hobbled the first mile. Eventually my legs loosened back up though and I'm not terribly sore today. I find that's usually the case--if I hit my legs hard but then walk home, I have less DOMs the next day. Oh, and a guy gave me advice on my shrugs yesterday. I think he's wrong, but I thanked him anyway, haha. We'd spoken earlier when he noticed I was looking for the dbs he was using, so it wasn't totally random.

Had a bagel for breakfast today. Still having a little trouble accepting that's okay, but I'm working on it. Getting rid of the dieting mindset is hard. Especially when you're tracking everything. I could probably be just fine and unconcerned with what/how much I'm eating if I wasn't forced to actually have to look at the cold hard numbers. Those are skeery. :)

This is what i KNOW will be killing me during my bulking period.... the idea of tracking calories seems equivalent to "dieting" so, counting calories on a bulk would just make me feel like a fatty! lol sigh.... counting calories for almost a year now :o

Have you seen gains in your lifts?? It doesn't seem like you are gaining much weight-wise but if your lifts are improving thats still good, right??

[dreahere]

This is what i KNOW will be killing me during my bulking period.... the idea of tracking calories seems equivalent to "dieting" so, counting calories on a bulk would just make me feel like a fatty! lol sigh.... counting calories for almost a year now :o

Have you seen gains in your lifts?? It doesn't seem like you are gaining much weight-wise but if your lifts are improving thats still good, right??

Yup, most of my lifts are going up and I *think* it looks like I'm putting on some more muscle. My trainer says she can tell my shoulders are growing. Which is good.

All this tracking is turning me into the kind of person I hate, I swear. I stand there in the store reading the nutrition labels on everything I put into my cart, trying to decide if it's fitable into my macros. It gets borderline disordered. I tracked sporadically between last May and August when I was seriously losing weight, but since probably October/November or so, I've tracked every single day.

[spicyprice]

I am with you on the tracking thing. I dont know the last time I went any longer than 2 days without entering everything I ate into thedailyplate and weighing things to the gram. I can spout off serving sizes of everything I eat (cheese 28g, PB 32g, oats 40g....) my mind is full of ##s!!!

Thats awesome that your trainer is seeing progress. It is sometimes hard to see progress in yourself when you see yourself in the mirror everyday. I put on a pair of jeans last night and was surprised at needing a belt... I would never have thought that they would be that loose. I can imagine it is easier to judge fat loss than it is to judge muscle gain.

[dreahere]

I am with you on the tracking thing. I dont know the last time I went any longer than 2 days without entering everything I ate into thedailyplate and weighing things to the gram. I can spout off serving sizes of everything I eat (cheese 28g, PB 32g, oats 40g....) my mind is full of ##s!!!

Thats awesome that your trainer is seeing progress. It is sometimes hard to see progress in yourself when you see yourself in the mirror everyday. I put on a pair of jeans last night and was surprised at needing a belt... I would never have thought that they would be that loose. I can imagine it is easier to judge fat loss than it is to judge muscle gain.

Heh. I put exactly .4 ounces of mayo on a sandwich. Without even trying. And 1.6 ounces of peanut butter.

Congrats on the jeans!

[spicyprice]

Heh. I put exactly .4 ounces of mayo on a sandwich. Without even trying. And 1.6 ounces of peanut butter.

Congrats on the jeans!

LOLOL, I think I can cut 14g of butter and pull out 60g shredded cheese with my eyes closed! (Just did these exact 2 things!)

Are you any good at doing it in your head for the macros? I have seen others say they estimate their macros in their head. Im no math whiz, so I think this may be beyond my abilities!

[dreahere]

Oh, no, I can't keep a tally in my head either. Even for stuff I eat all the time, I don't necessarily remember how many g of protein are in this and how many calories are in that and what's the carb count of these.

[ian0789]

I am with you on the tracking thing. I dont know the last time I went any longer than 2 days without entering everything I ate into thedailyplate and weighing things to the gram. I can spout off serving sizes of everything I eat (cheese 28g, PB 32g, oats 40g....) my mind is full of ##s!!!

Thats awesome that your trainer is seeing progress. It is sometimes hard to see progress in yourself when you see yourself in the mirror everyday. I put on a pair of jeans last night and was surprised at needing a belt... I would never have thought that they would be that loose. I can imagine it is easier to judge fat loss than it is to judge muscle gain.

I went from not giving a flying fart about tracking or weighing things out to making sure I have back up or back up battery's for my scale..... I am one sad panda....

I fear for who ever gets stuck dating me down the road..... I am 99% sure I have a problem ;)

[dreahere]

I went from not giving a flying fart about tracking or weighing things out to making sure I have back up or back up battery's for my scale..... I am one sad panda....

I fear for who ever gets stuck dating me down the road..... I am 99% sure I have a problem ;)

Oh, yeah, when my scale battery died a couple weeks ago and the first store I went to didn't carry the right ones, IT WAS A PROBLEM. LOL. The ironic thing is, I lost a good 15-18 pounds last summer before I ever started weighing and measuring everything, so I should know it's not really all that damn crucial.

[dreahere]

Yesterday's totals: 2118 calories, 153.6g protein, 119.9g fat, 120.3g carbs. Did cardio at the gym: 23 minutes fast walk with the treadmill incline jacked up, then 100 unweighted step ups and side to sides.

Today's totals (probably will be): 2198 calories, 117.6g protein, 121.6g fat, 129g carbs, 18.9g alcohol. Lifted with my trainer for an hour this morning. I totally bonked on bench press today for reasons that are totally unclear.::mad face:: All the rest of my lifts were good. Later walked about 3 miles doing errands, some of it carrying groceries.

More later.

Addendum: Nope, Wednesday's real totals were: 2362 calories, 123.6g protein, 135.9g fat, 134.6g carbs, 18.9g alcohol. I needed another snack.

[dreahere]

Today's totals will be: 2134 calories, 141.2g protein, 116.3g fat, 105.2g carbs, 18.9g alcohol.

Went to the gym today for a quick workout: bodyweight stuff, abs, and stretching. I did 100 unweighted side to sides and step ups, 48 box jumps (first time doing these and you know what? I gotta practice jumping--I lead with my left, lol), 48 pushups (18-12-18, getting better!). That all got me sweating and my heart rate up, so we'll call it mini-cardio. Then I did 21 Tibetans, 2 sets of plank, 3 sets of 12 on the weighted ab crunch machine. Five-ten minutes of stretching. My hips are way tighter than they usually are. Gotta work on that.

Been feeling bloated for days, but in a gassy, something's bothering my belly way, not a fat way. Can't figure out what I'm eating or not eating differently to cause this.

[dreahere]

Friday's totals: 2036 calories, 129.4g protein, 116.2g fat, 94.7g carbs, 18.9g alcohol. Lifted without my trainer and did pretty well. Was able to go up on a few things.

More later.

Addendum: weighed 114 this morning, second week in a row, so I'm calling it. That makes a whopping two pound gain. :)

[dreahere]

Here's some of them muscles I'm growin'. ;) You have no idea how long it took me to get a photo to come out that captured what I was seeing in the mirror. But I got so damn excited at seeing some rear delt, I was gonna get evidence if it took me all night.

http://i56.tinypic.com/23t13rl.jpg

[dreahere]

One more post and then I'll shut up for awhile. Today's totals are: 2205 calories, 129.7g protein, 109.4g fat, 142g carbs, 25.2g alcohol. Oh, yeah, carbed up, but that was after I ran 2.2 miles, something I haven't done for a long time. Oh, yeah, and today I cranked out 58 pushups (20, 18, 20). So close to 60 and yet so far. Heh.

One of the reasons I carbed up was that I tried out three new products that have been sitting in my freezer/pantry since I bought them earlier in the week. Ezekiel bread, PB & Co Dark Chocolate Dreams, and Ben & Jerrys Americone Dreams. I'm kinda unclear why Ezekiel bread is supposed to be good for you, but everyone talks about it, so I thought it was my duty as a health-conscious gym-going American to buy some. We'll give it a B-. Americone Dreams, B. Dark Chocolate Dreams, B+.

Tomorrow night I'm going to Sox/Cubs, and there will be beer, fried chicken, and biscuits prior, then god knows what at the park. I may not even attempt to log.

[CathyVee]

I think Ezekiel bread is supposed to be good for you since it's made from sprouted grains (less processed) plus it is high in fiber and has some protein. I'm not a big fan of the bread (not much of a sandwich person) but I do like the Ezekiel English muffins and the hamburger buns.

Nice rear delt! Good to see that you are making progress on the bulk. When I did one of those it seemed like the scale would never move and then suddenly it would jump. It's seems like such a hard concept for women since we've spent our lives being bombarded with messages that we're supposed to be as thin as possible.

Have fun at the Cubs/Sox game. I watched last night and it seems like there are lots of Cubs fans in attendance.

[dreahere]

I think Ezekiel bread is supposed to be good for you since it's made from sprouted grains (less processed) plus it is high in fiber and has some protein. I'm not a big fan of the bread (not much of a sandwich person) but I do like the Ezekiel English muffins and the hamburger buns.

Nice rear delt! Good to see that you are making progress on the bulk. When I did one of those it seemed like the scale would never move and then suddenly it would jump. It's seems like such a hard concept for women since we've spent our lives being bombarded with messages that we're supposed to be as thin as possible.

Have fun at the Cubs/Sox game. I watched last night and it seems like there are lots of Cubs fans in attendance.

Are you a Cubs fan, Cathy? I have a soft spot in my heart for Cubs fans. Back in 2004, I happened to have a bunch of online friends from the Chicago area on an email list we were all on (having nothing to do with baseball). The morning after the Sox won the Series, my inbox contained email from every single one of them, congratulating me and saying how happy they knew I must be. Cubs fans are good people. I'm rooting for all y'all to get your World Series sometime soon.

And, yeah, deliberately putting on weight is a real mind****. The only things that help are that a.) I like the way my muscles look--I don't care if I'm "bulky" and b.) when my upper body is too lean and all my ribs show and my spine sticks out, i know objectively that that's too thin, so I know there is such a thing, no matter what my culture pushes at me.

[dreahere]

No numbers for yesterday because, as predicted, it wasn't pretty. I'm thinking probably around 2500 calories. Trying to convince myself *not* to restrict today in order to make up for it. I'm bulking, goddammit. (Plus, my niece is coming over w/ pizzas tonight. ;))

Yesterday morning's workout went great and there was some walking around involved in yesterday's baseball/eating/drinking festivities. Today, as per Monday's usual protocol, there will be no exercise of any type.

[dreahere]

Monday's totals: 2092 calories, 147.5g protein, 120.4g fat, 116.4g carbs.

I've already eaten 600 calories today, it's not even 9:30am, and I'm still starving. I have no idea why, but I hope it means my metabolism is revving up again. Not sure if/what I'll do for a workout today. Got a mild chest cold (every single person who walked into my office last week was coughing, so quelle surprise) plus my neck and R shoulder are a little tight and uncomfortable, but I'm not feeling like I want another total rest day. We'll see.

[thepowerwithin]

No numbers for yesterday because, as predicted, it wasn't pretty. I'm thinking probably around 2500 calories. Trying to convince myself *not* to restrict today in order to make up for it. I'm bulking, goddammit. (Plus, my niece is coming over w/ pizzas tonight. ;))

Yesterday morning's workout went great and there was some walking around involved in yesterday's baseball/eating/drinking festivities. Today, as per Monday's usual protocol, there will be no exercise of any type.

Guilty. I went away for 4 days and each and every night my BF and I went to this creamery where I inhaled the best turtle sundae of my life. We would sit there in total silence and devour our "cream." That good. No lie. I also bought several kinds of fudge, ate an entire rib eye, huge country breakfast, ....on and on and on and on......

I came back 2-3 lbs heavier and yes and restricted for about a week to 1,600 cals with the justification that the 2-3 lbs were likely fat as I wasn't lifting weights.

Make sense?

I need to just do it!!

[dreahere]

Guilty. I went away for 4 days and each and every night my BF and I went to this creamery where I inhaled the best turtle sundae of my life. We would sit there in total silence and devour our "cream." That good. No lie. I also bought several kinds of fudge, ate an entire rib eye, huge country breakfast, ....on and on and on and on......

I came back 2-3 lbs heavier and yes and restricted for about a week to 1,600 cals with the justification that the 2-3 lbs were likely fat as I wasn't lifting weights.

Make sense?

I need to just do it!!

And, of course, you know the 2-3 pounds were all water really, right? ;) God, turtle sundaes and fudge sound AMAZING.

I'm still sick, but I lifted with my trainer this morning. She made me do a mini-deload but, actually, we only went down on/modified a couple of things. Did okay, but as I was leaving the gym, I sneezed a giant glob of snot onto my tank top. I had to wipe myself off with my dirty gym shorts. It was disgusting. (Yeah, yeah, thanks for sharing, Andrea.) Luckily, no one saw it and luckily it didn't happen when I was actually lifting.

Yesterday's totals were (on the premise of "feed a cold, starve a fever"): 2281 calories, 139.3g protein, 134g fat, 108.4g carbs, 15.7g alcohol. No exercise other than walking to the CVS. Had a mini crisis of doubt, as detailed in the bulkers thread.

[dreahere]

Yesterday's totals: 2199 calories, 153.4g protein, 132.5g fat, 114.4g carbs.

Plus whatever's in these sugar free vitamin C drops I've been sucking down. Refusing to count cough drop calories, sorry. I'm quite sure my metabolism's in overdrive producing this much friggin' mucus.

[dreahere]

Random food from the past couple days:

salad
http://i54.tinypic.com/1z5kxa1.jpg


pork chop
http://i51.tinypic.com/2n71840.jpg

chicken and mixed veggies
http://i54.tinypic.com/2e21duo.jpg

[dreahere]

Yesterday's totals (low!) were: 1917 calories, 129.9g protein, 93.7g fat, 104.5g carbs, 19.5g alcohol. No workout, still felt like crap. Cold's a lot better today, though, so I'll def be at the gym.

Tried to convince a friend to go here: http://boston.langhamhotels.com/restaurants/chocolate_bar.htm tomorrow, since I have a rare Saturday off, and goddamit, I'm bulking, hahaha. But she would not commit to spending $40 on an all-chocolate buffet. God. I need friends more dedicated to gluttony, is all I'm sayin'. ;)

There will be a lot of eating this weekend in any case. And there may or may not be tracking. We'll just see.

Oh! And I broke down yesterday and bought the Ritter Sport dark chocolate with hazelnuts. That stuff is too good. As in, I stuck to my 6 square serving size, but I could have eaten the whole thing at once *easily*.

[thepowerwithin]

Yesterday's totals (low!) were: 1917 calories, 129.9g protein, 93.7g fat, 104.5g carbs, 19.5g alcohol. No workout, still felt like crap. Cold's a lot better today, though, so I'll def be at the gym.

Tried to convince a friend to go here: http://boston.langhamhotels.com/restaurants/chocolate_bar.htm tomorrow, since I have a rare Saturday off, and goddamit, I'm bulking, hahaha. But she would not commit to spending $40 on an all-chocolate buffet. God. I need friends more dedicated to gluttony, is all I'm sayin'. ;)

There will be a lot of eating this weekend in any case. And there may or may not be tracking. We'll just see.

Oh! And I broke down yesterday and bought the Ritter Sport dark chocolate with hazelnuts. That stuff is too good. As in, I stuck to my 6 square serving size, but I could have eaten the whole thing at once *easily*.

OH, seriously $40 bucks.......I would have so been there with you. I looked at the menu :eek: My kinda place. When I indulge, it's usually pastries, chocolate, cake, dessert items. I have been indulging in a few squares of Lindt at night, which I don't ever feel the desire to overeat. Will have to check out Ritter Sport.....or maybe not.

Hope you start feeling better soon!

BTW, your dinner looks amazing!

[dreahere]

Feeling much better! Lifting went well yesterday. Totals were: 2216 calories, 157.9g protein, 132.5g fat, 100.3g carbs. Wound up over on my protein b/c I was planning on ordering a chicken kabob salad for dinner and I estimated in my head it would have about 4 oz of chicken on it. So on my way home from the gym, I had a muscle milk, just to make sure my protein was up there. Well. I actually took the chicken off my salad when it arrived and weighed it and it was 7.1 ounces. (And you can just imagine the grief I took for doing that, too.) I would have been just fine without the 25g of protein in the muscle milk. Started out today with a pedi and a lot of carbs. Came home to find my landscaper did not come YET AGAIN. I wonder if I'll be able to meet my macros in prison when I snap and kill this kid.

Now I'm torn between going to the gym for cardio, which I haven't done all week, rewashing the kitchen floor and cleaning the tub before my house guest gets here, or going to the supermarket. It's a dilemma. One I'll probably solve by hanging on the computer for awhile.

[thepowerwithin]

I catch so much **** for weighing stuff from my boys and my BF. They actually report it to other people, "My mom weighs her food.....isn't she weird." If. I. ever. took a scale out at a restaurant, they would have me institutionalized. No lie.

Your landscape boy.....I think a plan is in order :) Know of a good defense attorney :D? Down here in the Florida Keys it's called Keys Disease.....contractors lie and keep putting you off (hungover I think). My kitchen is 3/4 done for about 1 year. Waiting on final touches.

house guests......oh boy.....good luck!

Keep up the good work!

[dreahere]

I catch so much **** for weighing stuff from my boys and my BF. They actually report it to other people, "My mom weighs her food.....isn't she weird." If. I. ever. took a scale out at a restaurant, they would have me institutionalized. No lie.

Your landscape boy.....I think a plan is in order :) Know of a good defense attorney :D? Down here in the Florida Keys it's called Keys Disease.....contractors lie and keep putting you off (hungover I think). My kitchen is 3/4 done for about 1 year. Waiting on final touches.

house guests......oh boy.....good luck!

Keep up the good work!

To clarify, my salad was takeout and all measuring was done in the privacy of my own kitchen. No friends or loved ones were publicly humiliated. And yet I STILL am treated like there's something odd about my behavior, go figure. LOL. Want to know what my landscaper's excuse was yesterday? He was rearended *on his way to my house* (what are the odds?!??) and had to go to the ED for stitches in his knee, where he smashed it on the dashboard. Other excuses this week have been that he had to take his mom to a couple doctors' appointments and that he bought the crushed stone he needed for my work but after he left Lowes he realized they'd loaded the wrong stuff into his vehicle and he had to return it. Next week I expect his grandmother will die and the dog will eat his homework!

If you've been waiting a year for your kitchen to be finished and you haven't killed anyone yet, I give you major props. ;)

What I ended up doing yesterday while waiting for my friend to arrive (besides cleaning the tub) was cleaning my bedroom closets and switching over the cold and warm weather stuff. Threw out a trashbag full of stuff that wasn't good enough to donate and filled a big box of stuff that is. Interesting thing: I was going to get rid of a couple pairs of workout capris that I haven't worn since last fall, because I'd be running in them and they'd start to fall down. I tried them on yesterday before throwing them in the donate pile and...they seemed just fine around the waist. Apparently my middle is thickening. ::sad face::

Yesterday's totals: 2093 calories, 116.7g protein, 104.9g fat, 144.4g carbs (yeah, I ate a bagel), 19.5g alcohol.

[dreahere]

Totals for the past two days: who the eff knows? Let's go with A LOT.

There was ice cream and many cookies and taco salad and steak and corn and beer and wine. There was also a lot of walking around and a great gym session this morning where I felt strong as fukk (and my friend who was visiting got to meet my trainer, which was fun) plus I also gave a massage this afternoon. So I'm thinking my calorie burn was probably pretty good. Not that this wasn't two days of dirty bulking, but I was definitely not a slug while I was doing it.

The only downside is that I'm having a little elbow tendinitis on the right. Like, y'know, tennis elbow, except it's actually Kindle elbow. While I had my cold last week and was feeling crappy, I spent a lot of time reading. And repetitively "turning the pages" with my right thumb. I've been downing ibuprophen, icing it on and off, slathering it with arnica, did not do any triceps or biceps isolation exercises today, AND have stayed off the Kindle (even though I really want to finish my book, lol), so hopefully it'll be feeling better soon.

Tracking and eating sensibly will resume tomorrow,

[dreahere]

Tuesday-that-feels-like-a-Monday's totals: 2033 calories, 128.6g protein, 100.4g fat, 158.4g carbs. Too many damn carbs, but there are still homemade cookies left in this house and they are gonna get eaten. No exercise today because I had acupuncture after work.

So, I wore this pair of cargo capri pants today that I bought in the summer of 2003, right after my mom died. I weighed about 112-113 then, which I remember because I had been at my "happy" weight of 118-ish and then the month that she was in the ICU and ultimately died, I lost another 5 pounds from stress and not having time to eat. I remember feeling too thin. All my ribs and all my vertebrae were clearly visible, and my immune system was shot--I came down with one minor infection after another. I eventually gained that weight back and more, and somewhere around 2009, I figured I was never going to be below 125 again, never mind 115, and I got rid of all my really small clothes. Except for a very tiny number of things that I was just really fond of. The pair of pants I wore today was one of them.

There's a point. It's coming right up. When these pants *did* fit me back in 2003/2004, they just fit. They were snug, though not too tight, at the waist, lower abdomen. Today, at the same weight (slightly higher, actually), they're noticeably looser in the ab area. Also at the same weight today, I don't feel too thin. I'm not so noticeably bony up top. My body doesn't feel depleted. Obviously, it's because my body composition is better and I have more lean body mass. So, yay for eating my protein and yay for lifting weights.

Like I have to tell YOU people that ;)

[dreahere]

There will be no tracking today. I went to a Tibetan buffet for lunch. I honestly don't know what half the **** I ate WAS, never mind what the macros in it are. However, I did weigh myself this morning. !22. I've gained 8 pounds in the last two weeks. Um, yeah. ahahahaha

I think it is physically impossible to gain 8 pounds of fat in two weeks when you've been eating ~2200 calories a day with a couple days over PLUS my pants still fit fine. So I'm assuming I'm retaining some incredible amount of water. This still does not make me happy. I haven't been over 120 in almost a year. I'm attributing this to a.) overeating, especially carbs, this weekend plus b.) the first humid weather of the summer plus c.) I've been downing ibuprofen like crazy trying to keep the inflammation of my elbow tendinitis under control and I think that makes me retain water and d.) I may have PMS, though, hello perimenopause, my cycle is so nutz these days, who can tell?

So I ate some more of my homemade cookies and threw the rest of the pan away. Starting tomorrow, I am back off the carbs and eating really clean till this bloat is gone. 122, you have got to be freaking kidding me.

My workout with my trainer was good this morning, however. I did skip curls and dips again b/c of the tendinitis. Went up on a couple of things, tried a new version of cable row, made plans on what I'm going to push next session.

[ms_mac]

Yep, sounds like water retention to me. Don't sweat it.....everyone needs a diet break every now and again. Does a body good :)

[dreahere]

Yep, sounds like water retention to me. Don't sweat it.....everyone needs a diet break every now and again. Does a body good :)

I was googling last night and found a bunch of other people who said they immediately gain 5 lbs in water weight when they're taking NSAIDs, so I felt even more reassured that's part of the problem. Tendinitis is feeling a lot better today too, thankfully.

Struggling with keeping the carbs back down so far today, but doing it. (It's tough after spoiling myself w/ eating crap.) Drinking as much green tea as my bladder will allow. ;) Going to do cardio after work. That's the plan so far.

[dreahere]

Yesterday's totals: 1911 calories, 131g protein, 125.1g fat, 74.2g carbs. Ah, much better.

Did go to the gym for cardio and abs. 16 minutes on the treadmill, plus 100 unweighted stepups and side to sides. Two sets of plank, one set of "Tibetan" leg lifts, 3 sets weighted ab crunch machine thingy. Tendinitis was feeling so much better, so after my planks and leg lifts, I thought I'd bust out some pushups. I did 12 and then owww, shouldn't had oughta fukkin done that. I am so stupid. Why can I not let it rest? It wasn't too bad last night or this morning, though, thankfully, but I did need some ibuprofen. And my weight's down to 119 this morning, so three pounds of that ridiculous bloat is gone.

[dreahere]

Today's totals: 1928 calories, 145.4g protein, 112.2g fat, 88g carbs.

Had a weird day at the gym today. Did lower body first and was doing great. Went up on my db sldl, went up on leg press, went up on stepups, did (static) lunges for the first time in forever. Then when I went to do upper body, I sucked. Couldn't get all my reps in in hardly anything and my right arm (with the tendinitis) felt especially weak, even though it was hurting much much less today than it was on Monday or Wednesday when I was able to lift just fine. Grrr.

[dreahere]

Today's totals will be: 2140 calories, 122.8g protein, 136.5g fat, 85.5g carbs, 20.8g alcohol.

Didn't go to the gym for cardio after work because <insert rant about my irresponsible landscaper here> but did get a little over three mile walk in after dinner, just to the store and back. I weighed 117 this morning, which means I have managed to pee out 5 pounds of bloat in four days. My brilliant plan to scale back the carbs and drink endless mugs of green tea is apparently working. So back to bulking!

[CathyVee]

My guess is that it was water weight. Does green tea really work? I've heard the same thing about NSAIDs. When I was obsessively weighing myself every day I noticed that my weight seemed to pop-up when I took naproxen (Aleve).

What's a "Tibetan" leg lift?

[dreahere]

My guess is that it was water weight. Does green tea really work? I've heard the same thing about NSAIDs. When I was obsessively weighing myself every day I noticed that my weight seemed to pop-up when I took naproxen (Aleve).

What's a "Tibetan" leg lift?


I don't know if green tea actually does do anything other than make drinking a crapload of water palatable for me :) but whether it's a property of the tea or just the amount of water, it does flush me out really well.

Tibetan leg lifts is how I refer (goofily and probably sacrilegiously [sorry, Tibetan Buddhist monks!]) to Rite #2: http://www.mkprojects.com/pf_TibetanRites.htm

[thepowerwithin]

I don't know if green tea actually does do anything other than make drinking a crapload of water palatable for me :) but whether it's a property of the tea or just the amount of water, it does flush me out really well.

Tibetan leg lifts is how I refer (goofily and probably sacrilegiously [sorry, Tibetan Buddhist monks!]) to Rite #2: http://www.mkprojects.com/pf_TibetanRites.htm

I struggle big time with water. Don't like it. Have to be really, really thirsty. Don't get really, really thirsty......maybe once a year. I am up to 2 liters per day, and it's a painful struggle to get it in me. Maybe I need to quit buying crap like Crystal Light so I don't have a choice.

The leg lifts look hellish.

Glad your bloat is subsiding.

Landscaper issues still????

[dreahere]

I struggle big time with water. Don't like it. Have to be really, really thirsty. Don't get really, really thirsty......maybe once a year. I am up to 2 liters per day, and it's a painful struggle to get it in me. Maybe I need to quit buying crap like Crystal Light so I don't have a choice.

The leg lifts look hellish.

Glad your bloat is subsiding.

Landscaper issues still????

See, I don't think there's anything wrong w/ crystal light, and that it still counts as water. The only time I can drink plain water (not flavored, not sparkling, not made into tea, lol) is when I'm working out. And the little **** landscaper *finally* finished my yard this afternoon. He's still got yard waste to haul away, however, provided the city doesn't take it, which they won't. Unless the trash guys are feeling very charitable tomorrow a.m.

I still had some weakness in my right arm at the gym today. Really lost power by the end of the workout and had to scale back the benching. Did manage to do cable curls and dips today (first arm isolation work in over a week) and my upper body work wasn't, on the whole, as pathetic as Friday. Lower body stuff was great. My trainer showed me reverse lunges, which she's just started doing, and to my surprise, I think my balance is better on them than forward lunges. So I'ma try adding them in. My trainer also told me she got a new 1 rep squat max yesterday. 250. Holy fukk. I lurve her.

Today's totals: 2105 calories, 127.2g protein, 119.5g fat, 106.4g carbs, 19.5g alcohol.

[dreahere]

Really busy active running-around day today. Got in at least 3 miles of walking, plus cardio at gym (22 minutes + 100 stepups and 100 side to sides) and, for the first time in a week, some really good stretching. I really have been neglecting that lately. Note to self: you were supposed to do more yoga during the bulk, get on it.

My R arm still feels weaker than normal and more painful in the shoulder now, instead of the elbow/forearm :( I'm afraid when I started that ill-advised set of pushups on Thursday and then went, oh sh*t, I may have fukked up my brachial plexis. Looking back, it was Friday that the arm started feeling weaker instead of painful. Booked a massage for Wednesday afternoon and will lift what I can Wednesday morning.

Scale was wavering between 116 and 117 this morning, and that's after having two cups of coffee and having eaten half my breakfast. If that means I am actually up 2-3 pounds over the last 3 weeks, that would be good. I think. The pants I'm wearing today felt slightly tighter than they used to be, but certainly they still fit fine. I'm feeling very...solid, and compact.

Just had some cherries. (20 cherries. I freaking counted.) I look forward to that every June/early July. One of my favorite foods.

Today's totals will be: 2139 calories, 140.2g protein, 113.9g fat, 118g carbs, 19.8g alcohol.

[dreahere]

Tuesday's totals: 2285 calories, 135.9g protein, 119.2g fat, 135.7g carbs, 22g alcohol.

Wednesday's totals: 1952 calories, 125.8g protein, 104.3g fat, 141.7g carbs.

Carb-heavy both days. Went to Starbucks both days. Is there a correlation there??!?!!??? lol

Brachial plexis still effed up :( Right arm still weak. Got a massage today and while it was great and he worked on a lot of trigger points in my traps and levator, I am sure that's not what's causing this. That being said, when I lifted today the only thing that really suffered was bench press. Thinking that when I lift Friday, I may just really blast my legs and let my upper body have an extra day of rest. My trainer showed me how to do standing calf raises on the smith machine today, 'cause I asked.

And in great bulking news--I saw my back in on of those 3 way dressing room mirrors and holy crap! my lats are comin' in! Hope it shows in next week's pictures.

[braggable]

Great work here, Drea. (Yes, I am still lurking)

Congrats on the Lats progress!

[thepowerwithin]

Curious...are you concerned about consuming too many carbs? As a newbie bulker, I was too and I posted in the bulking thread and the feedback I got was, as I am sure you know, get adequate protein/fats and fill in the rest with carbs.

I am getting approximately 200+ gm of carbs per day, approximately 160-170 gm of protein, and approximately 80 gm of fat per day. It's never exact and never the same.

I feel terrific and carbs make me so happy. Last year I was cutting on 70 gm of carbs a day with a could of refeeds. Now that I can compare, I realized how lethargic I felt. I got down to 115 lbs though. Couldn't support the look though. Never again.

[dreahere]

Great work here, Drea. (Yes, I am still lurking)

Congrats on the Lats progress!

Thanks!


Curious...are you concerned about consuming too many carbs? As a newbie bulker, I was too and I posted in the bulking thread and the feedback I got was, as I am sure you know, get adequate protein/fats and fill in the rest with carbs.

I am getting approximately 200+ gm of carbs per day, approximately 160-170 gm of protein, and approximately 80 gm of fat per day. It's never exact and never the same.

I feel terrific and carbs make me so happy. Last year I was cutting on 70 gm of carbs a day with a could of refeeds. Now that I can compare, I realized how lethargic I felt. I got down to 115 lbs though. Couldn't support the look though. Never again.

I prefer to keep my carbs around 100-ish, with an occasional (nonscientific) car load thrown in here and there. I feel good there, plenty of energy to work out, and without the hunger and cravings for more sugar and more carbs that I get when I eat too many, especially junky sugar carbs (::cough:: frappuccinos::cough::). Plus, it allows me to keep my fat up there. From experience, the more fat I eat, the less fat I am.

Today's totals: 1999 calories, 126.9g protein, 123.3g fat, 106.7g carbs. Eh. Should probably have one more small snack.

[dreahere]

Yesterday's totals were: 2137 calories, 144.2g protein, 120g fat, 124.3g carbs.

Only did legs at the gym yesterday to give my arm and shoulder the extra rest. Now I'm in a quandry what I should do today when I go after work. My trainer is away tomorrow, so I don't have to lift tomorrow, but I could. There's also no reason I couldn't lift Monday other than the fact I hate lifting on Mondays (too crowded usually).

So my options are: a.) do cardio/abs only today, lift full body tomorrow (and thus miss one upper body workout for this week) OR b.) do upper body today, skip the gym tomorrow or do cardio, then lift full body Monday (missing no workouts) OR c.) do upper body today, lower body tomorrow, upper body Monday (missing no workouts, but getting no cardio in). In any of those scenarios, I'll be good to lift full body with my trainer on Wednesday as usual. I'm thinking I'm going to wing it and just see how I feel when I walk onto the gym floor.

Oh, and I was 116 again today on my scale, so I think I have gained a total of four real pounds on my bulk since mid-March-ish.

[CathyVee]

Congrats on the 4 lb weight gain.

Personally, I'd go with scenario C but then I'm no fan of cardio. Haven't done any in 3 months and am continuing to lose. But if you really love cardio then scenario B might work better for you.

[dreahere]

Congrats on the 4 lb weight gain.

Personally, I'd go with scenario C but then I'm no fan of cardio. Haven't done any in 3 months and am continuing to lose. But if you really love cardio then scenario B might work better for you.

I wouldn't say I really love cardio ;) but since bulking, I've cut it down from 2-3 times a week to 0-1 times a week, and I'm finding that makes me feel pretty sluggish. So I'm trying to go with 1-2 times a week. I did cardio Monday and it feels like it's probably time to do some again. Leaving work and going to the gym in about 5 minutes, so we'll see how the spirit moves me when I get there.

[dreahere]

Saturday's totals: 2014 calories, 137g protein, 112.8g fat, 133.9g carbs (29.9g fiber! hahaha)

Ended up doing upper body at the gym yesterday PLUS 18 minutes of grueling (tm) cardio and stretching. How's that for covering my bases? Actually it felt great. My strength is still down somewhat, or maybe I should say my endurance? My right arm's still getting easily fried and running out of power. Frustrating. But better than it was. Gonna go with plan C and do lower body this morning and upper again tomorrow. Also going to do some manual labor this afternoon :) helping out a friend, so I expect my calorie burn will be pretty high today.

116 again this morning. The flat spot in my glutes is rounding back out (yay!) and whether that's with muscle or fat, I don't give a fukk, 'cause it looks better either way. Belly's looking bloated today though :( Good thing I'm not some 25 year old girl worried about how I'ma look in my bikini, lulz. I do have to take those midpoint pics this week, though. Y'all are just gonna have to suffer my Buddha belly.

[dreahere]

Yesterday's totals (estimated): 2402 calories, 151.9g protein, 118.2g fat, 158.8g carbs, 16g alcohol. Estimated because my last meal of the day was a gorgonzola burger and fries at a brew pub; I just counted it the best I could. Obviously I overate. I ate too much protein, and thus calories, earlier in the day because I was worried about where we were going to end up eating and if I'd be able to get a satisfactorily protein heavy meal (the idea of Chinatown had been floated).

This is where I start to think this is all a bit disordered: worrying because you may come in a little light on your protein one day or refusing to eat somewhere because their food might not fit your macros. If you are a competition bodybuilder? Sure. For the rest of us? Chill the eff out. (That's my pep talk to myself, not casting aspertions on any of all y'all.)

And also: trained legs yesterday, walked a mile from the train to friend's house, spent four hours filling trashbags and recycling containers, then hauled it outside, walked another couple miles to and from where we parked friend's car (legal on-street parking being tough) when we went out later. I think, as anticipated, I must have burned quite a bit yesterday. Maybe 2400 calories wasn't *that* much overeating.

Today will train upper body and maybe do a little cardio at the gym after work. Depends how busy it is and how annoyed I get when I get there.

[dreahere]

Kinda disappointed in the lack of difference between the pictures. Extremely disappointed I cannot take a picture without there being a tag hanging out somewhere.

Without further ado:

This was April.

http://i54.tinypic.com/28ksvv5.jpg

http://i53.tinypic.com/w21rmg.jpg

And this is today.

http://i51.tinypic.com/1fbr7s.jpg

http://i54.tinypic.com/2h5pg5x.jpg

http://i54.tinypic.com/5poih3.jpg

http://i55.tinypic.com/21e2dsn.jpg

That's a three pound difference, 113 to 116.

[dreahere]

Oh, and today's totals: 1897 calories, 123.8g protein, 94.7g fat, 150.2g carbs (27.8g fiber).

Upper body wo did not suck, but neither was it great. Well, except for when I got in a full set of 8 reps of 40s db rows with perfect form for the first time EVAH. That was great. (Well, 8 on the left, 6 on the right. Goddamned mother****ing right brachial nerve. I'm sure it will heal up completely soon and my right arm will return to full function as scheduled.) Also did brief cardio and abs.

[braggable]

3 pound difference and looking great! Keep up the great work, Drea!

[thepowerwithin]

I love your journal. You always put me in a good mood. I love the way you express yourself! I am a lot like that too. REAL.

[dreahere]

3 pound difference and looking great! Keep up the great work, Drea!


I love your journal. You always put me in a good mood. I love the way you express yourself! I am a lot like that too. REAL.

Thanks, guys!

Yesterday's totals were: 2075 calories, 120.1g protein, 111.7g fat, 121.5g carbs (6.2g fiber), and 19.2g alcohol. Total rest day from exercise. Walked maybe a mile doing errands, that's it.

This morning had a great great day at the gym. The other woman who trains with us on Wednesdays is on vacation so it was just me and my trainer. Which led to me going, "Liz! Can we squat today?!!??" So we did! We actually did a bunch of stuff that we usually don't do when there's a whole group of us training together, for logistical reasons, and it was so fun. (Plus, cheapest personal training EVAH. Heh.)

[dreahere]

Yesterday's totals: 2214 calories, 123.3g protein, 136.5g fat, 109.7g carbs, 19.2g alcohol.

Holding steady at 116 now.

More later.

[dreahere]

Yesterday's totals: 2031 calories, 128.8g protein, 105.2g fat, 119.9g carbs (14.8g fiber), 18.9g alcohol. Did about 30 mins low intensity cardio yesterday, some minimal abs and stretching.

Weighed in at 115 this morning. WTF. (The reason I weighed myself--I'm not an everyday weigher by any means--was that I *felt* light this morning. I can't explain it.) I really really thought the 116 was sticking and didn't include any bloat weight, but apparently I was wrong. :(

Gotta push the calories back up again. My average over the past two weeks, according to fitday, is 2094. Gotta try to go back up to 2200 or so, I guess. Maybe more, and just stay off the scale so I don't freak myself out with the bloat number. I don't know. This is hard.

[thepowerwithin]

Yesterday's totals: 2031 calories, 128.8g protein, 105.2g fat, 119.9g carbs (14.8g fiber), 18.9g alcohol. Did about 30 mins low intensity cardio yesterday, some minimal abs and stretching.

Weighed in at 115 this morning. WTF. (The reason I weighed myself--I'm not an everyday weigher by any means--was that I *felt* light this morning. I can't explain it.) I really really thought the 116 was sticking and didn't include any bloat weight, but apparently I was wrong. :(

Gotta push the calories back up again. My average over the past two weeks, according to fitday, is 2094. Gotta try to go back up to 2200 or so, I guess. Maybe more, and just stay off the scale so I don't freak myself out with the bloat number. I don't know. This is hard.

I am gaining rapidly.....it's unnerving. Every time I step on (weekly), it's up! Cals are 2,150. Can't wait till it's a bit more steady.

I could easily eat 2,200 or more :eek:. I am a pig. I am having to restrain myself at 2,150.

Sowhatchagonnado? Raise them? I know it's a mind phuck. I have moments were I don't care and then moments where I am like WTF am I doing. Meh, mostly don't care. If it's too much fat, i know how to get it off :rolleyes:.

[dreahere]

I am gaining rapidly.....it's unnerving. Every time I step on (weekly), it's up! Cals are 2,150. Can't wait till it's a bit more steady.

I could easily eat 2,200 or more :eek:. I am a pig. I am having to restrain myself at 2,150.

Sowhatchagonnado? Raise them? I know it's a mind phuck. I have moments were I don't care and then moments where I am like WTF am I doing. Meh, mostly don't care. If it's too much fat, i know how to get it off :rolleyes:.

Remind me again, how long did you reverse diet for? I think I upped my calories so freaking slowly over soooo many months that I missed that temporary rapid gain thing. But if I had done it quicker, I'd probably have bigger muscles now!

I think what's frustrating me is I still don't have a clear grasp on what maintenance calories are for me. I *think* I flipped from very slowly losing to very slowly gaining somewhere around 2000-2100, but now I'm losing again at just under 2100? I gotta (wo)man up and get above 2200 again, apparently. But between the eight pound temporary bloat over Mem Day weekend and the fact that I wasn't lifting as heavy with my injury, I got scared I was eating too much. I guess I wasn't. I need one of those bodymedia thingies. Maybe I'd believe I could eat that much if I had scientific proof of how much I'm burning, lol. Maybe.

[dreahere]

So, yesterday I managed to make it to: 2183 calories, 124.3g protein, 113.7g fat, 132.7g carbs (20.6g fiber) and 24.5g alcohol. It took a big ass glass of wine and some chocolate, but I almost made 2200 calories. :D

Also yesterday, I went to the gym after dinner, which NEVER happens. Usually on Fridays I go right after work, but I had to go home first because I had a guy coming by to give me an estimate. Did not mind lifting at 7pm-ish. In fact, if the gym wasn't here X---and work here X---and home here X, making it logistically stupid for me to go home then back, I think I would do it more often, especially in the summer when 7pm doesn't feel like nighttime, lol. My right arm is still bothering me a little and is weaker than it should be, much more so pushing rather than pulling. I brought gym clothes to work with me today so that I could do some cardio later if I felt so moved, but I just realized that my iPod is at home, plugged into the speakers charging. Cardio without the iPod, I may have mentioned, sux. So, we'll see.

May be going to the beach tomorrow for the first time this year if those weather bastids ain't lying to me about it being a beach day. If so, I probably will not track my food other than in guesstimates, because my beach buddy and I always bring enough snacks with us for four hours at the beach as if we were going on a two week road trip. Last summer I was dieting all summer practically and it fukked with that tradition, so I think if in bulk mode, I ought to bring it back big time this year. (Also, this tradition is how we ascertained scientifically that the only food a seagull will not eat is baby carrots. True fact!)

[thepowerwithin]

Remind me again, how long did you reverse diet for? I think I upped my calories so freaking slowly over soooo many months that I missed that temporary rapid gain thing. But if I had done it quicker, I'd probably have bigger muscles now!

I think what's frustrating me is I still don't have a clear grasp on what maintenance calories are for me. I *think* I flipped from very slowly losing to very slowly gaining somewhere around 2000-2100, but now I'm losing again at just under 2100? I gotta (wo)man up and get above 2200 again, apparently. But between the eight pound temporary bloat over Mem Day weekend and the fact that I wasn't lifting as heavy with my injury, I got scared I was eating too much. I guess I wasn't. I need one of those bodymedia thingies. Maybe I'd believe I could eat that much if I had scientific proof of how much I'm burning, lol. Maybe.

I am the worst historian (I have to ask my kids what year they were born :o). I went back and looked at threads and apparently my cut ended 4/19/11, at which time I was consuming 1,350 cals for some time (miserable). I increased by 100 cals weekly, hitting maintenance of 1,900 cals in early May, where I stayed until June 1st, at which time I began my bulk at 2,150 cals.

I don't think anyone truly knows what their maintenance cals are exactly, and for me it would vary so much from week to week, as my activities vary so greatly. I deep clean once a month and the week of my period I am a slug and in between who knows.....depends on my mood and what's going on. Thing is not to over think it....I think ;) and just do. I try to stay out of my head quite often.....it's dangerous territory.

Meh, you don't NEED a BM thingy. IMO, it's.....well.....weird, but to each his own. If I wore one, it would be for a week and that's it. An experiment so to speak.

Are you seeing a consistent downward trend on the scale or was it just the loss of 1-lb? I would give it another week, then reassess to see if in fact you are actually losing or if it was just a bodily "fluctuation." If you are not gaining and/or actually losing, increase a little and monitor weekly and USE THE MIRROR. You don't look fat and you won't wake up and suddenly be fat. Becoming fat takes time.

Personally, I am shooting for 135 lbs. I am at 128 now...started at 124. But I will let the mirror be the judge.

[dreahere]

Meh, you don't NEED a BM thingy. IMO, it's.....well.....weird, but to each his own. If I wore one, it would be for a week and that's it. An experiment so to speak.

But I am weird. You have no idea. ;)


Are you seeing a consistent downward trend on the scale or was it just the loss of 1-lb? I would give it another week, then reassess to see if in fact you are actually losing or if it was just a bodily "fluctuation." If you are not gaining and/or actually losing, increase a little and monitor weekly and USE THE MIRROR. You don't look fat and you won't wake up and suddenly be fat. Becoming fat takes time.

Personally, I am shooting for 135 lbs. I am at 128 now...started at 124. But I will let the mirror be the judge.

Okay, May 31 I was 122, which was that horrifying bloat reading--up from 114 two weeks before. By June 6, I was back down to 116. Then I held at 116 for ten days, so I felt like that was a true weight, that whatever bloating I had was all gone. And that would mean that since the beginning of the NFSC April 11, I'd gained 3 pounds of muscle. Or 3 pounds of muscle and fat. But, either way, actually gained something that wasn't just water weight. But if I weighed 115 yesterday, that means either 116 wasn't a true weight and I haven't gained 3 pounds or else I did and then I lost one again.

I guess either way, the solution is to eat MOAR. I've had two kashi granola bars at work today, which might as well be high fiber candy, so seriously, I'm working on it. :p

[dreahere]

Yesterday's totals: 2189 calories, 137g protein, 125.9 g fat, 146.1g carbs (23.4g fiber). Did go to the gym and do 25 minutes of cardio, thought about doing abs and said hell no, then walked my sweaty self the approximately 3.5 miles home from the gym. I was dead when I got home, but it felt good. Today is gym, lunch, beach, probably more food, Home Depot, collapse. Feel like I should look up how many grams of protein are in fried clams so that when I get talked into them on the way home from the beach, I can pretend it's for making my muskles grow. Happy Sunday!

[thepowerwithin]

You could stop all the cardio if you don't want/can't bump up calories :).

I am "enjoying" one 30-min bike ride per week, only....and only.....because my S.O. is trying to drop a few. Of course, he won't listen about diet and lifting. Full of excuses. I mean who comes in from a bike ride and pours themselves a tall glass of grapefruit juice to quench their thirst? Might as well stayed home. Sh!t drives me insane, but my lips are sealed ;).

[dreahere]

You could stop all the cardio if you don't want/can't bump up calories :).

I am "enjoying" one 30-min bike ride per week, only....and only.....because my S.O. is trying to drop a few. Of course, he won't listen about diet and lifting. Full of excuses. I mean who comes in from a bike ride and pours themselves a tall glass of grapefruit juice to quench their thirst? Might as well stayed home. Sh!t drives me insane, but my lips are sealed ;).

I tried cutting out the cardio completely at the beginning of my bulk, but honestly it made me feel like crap. Sluggish. Believe me, I'm not doing much now and absolutely nothing hardcore. Not even running at all. Just fast walk with the incline cranked up on the treadmill and/or bodyweight circuit, and never more than 30 minutes at a time. Doing that 2 or 3x a week just makes me feel so much better physically and mentally.

It's so funny about your SO and the juice. I was just thinking the other day, "Why don't you ever hear about people who are bulking just drinking a gallon of juice a day? Drinking your calories is so much easier than eating them, especially when it's hot."

Not posting totals from yesterday, because they'd be rough estimates, but I had ~2350-2400 calories. And it was a wonderful bulking day psychologically, which I will post about in the bulking thread when I get a chance.

[thepowerwithin]

I tried cutting out the cardio completely at the beginning of my bulk, but honestly it made me feel like crap. Sluggish. Believe me, I'm not doing much now and absolutely nothing hardcore. Not even running at all. Just fast walk with the incline cranked up on the treadmill and/or bodyweight circuit, and never more than 30 minutes at a time. Doing that 2 or 3x a week just makes me feel so much better physically and mentally.


I totally GET this ;).

[Old Bob]

Drea,

You've made some solid progress lately. I've been lurking here on your journal and tried to send you a PM but you no longer accept them. :(

Anyway... I'm in for the journal.

I graduate from school July 1st and counting the days down now... ;)

NSO Bob

[dreahere]

Yesterday's totals: 2191 calories, 140.6g protein, 113.6g fat, 134.3g carbs (24.4g fiber), 21.7g alcohol. I was at almost exactly 2100 calories and ready to stop eating for the day, but then I said to myself, dude, you're supposed to be shooting for 2200 this week, man up. So I ate some grapes. :) That's bulking success right there. Yesterday was a rest day, though I did do a little weeding after dinner last night. Otherwise I sat on my butt most of the day.

More later.

[dreahere]

Today's totals will be: 2264 calories, 127g protein, 124.9g fat, 125.2g carbs (16g fiber), 20.5g alcohol. And I could eat more! Hunger's really kicking in today.

No gym today, just on my feet a good part of the day at work, a short walk from the store to home, and some more gardening. Tomorrow morning, we squat! ;)

[dreahere]

Great day at the gym yesterday. My right arm is almost all the way back. Yeah, baby. Learned how to do bb bent over rows. Also got in a little walking around post gym. Fairly active day. Made and implemented the decision to ramp up my calories to 2300 b/c the weight gain has been so slow.

Yesterday's totals: 2290 calories, 146.7g protein, 118.7g fat, 133.3g carbs (22.7g fiber), 21.4g alcohol.

[dreahere]

Yesterday's totals: 2314 calories, 151.7g (!) protein, 135.9g fat, 131.9g carbs (15.5g fiber).

Spent a lot of yesterday sitting--not on my feet much at work, a lot of time on public transport, got a pedi after work, no exercise. Certainly can't yell at me for too much cardio this week, 'cause I ain't done none. Weather was back to being horrible yesterday and that continues today. Projected high temperature of 59. The end of June. Bite me. I will however be going to the gym and lifting this afternoon. I'm hoping the extra calories from the last couple/few days are gonna turn me into a beast, heh, but I'm afraid my right arm still is not gonna fully cooperate. We'll see!

[dreahere]

I wanna say I had my first completely humiliating gym FAIL today, except I've probably had them before and just blocked them out. ;) PTSD n' all that, lulz.

I was going to do seated calf raises. Last week one day I had gone from 90lbs to 95, decided that was too easy, and gone up to 100, and on my last set, Liz (my trainer) was like, "Going for 105?" and I was all, "No thanks, I'm good." But she had implanted the idea in my head, so today I decided I'd try 105 x12 x3 and then on Sunday triumphantly tell her I did them. I got the first set out with no problem, rested a minute, did the second set...and when I reached rep 12, I couldn't push up the extra inch to get the machine into the locked position. I tried pulling on the hand holds. Nope, didn't help. I rested in the down position for a minute, did another rep, and, nope, couldn't get it up far enough to lock.

What the hell am I going to do? I pondered. I considered yelling for help. Then I realized if I let it go all the way down to the floor, nothing was going to happen. So I did, got off, took off a couple plates, and then got it up and locked. Oh, the embarrassment, hahaha.

The rest of my workout went just fine :) My push movements still aren't 100% back, but I'd say the right arm is 95% better. No problem at all pulling now or holding heavy dbs when I do stepups or sldl.

Food totals for today have yet to be determined. I still need to get in at least 10 more g protein and at least 250 more calories.

[dreahere]

Saturday's totals were something like: 2333 calories, 153g protein, 116g fat, 138.6g carbs (13g fiber), 19.2g alcohol. But that's just an approximation because I didn't cook a lot of that myself. No workout yesterday, just got in about a 3 mile walk, doing errands after work. Broke down and ordered a Bodymediafit with the sale at drugstore.com.

Today will be gym and walking and helping a friend hang curtains, so I'm expecting I'll urn quite a bit. Hence my 634 calorie breakfast :)

Happy Sunday, all!

[dreahere]

Yesterday I ate... a lot.

I was at ~1200 calories at 6:30 pm at which point, after an afternoon of going to Home Depot (to get stuff *I* needed), returning to friends' house to start curtain hanging project only to find cheap curtain rods from IKEA did not come with the screws to attach rods to wall. so running out to another hardware store, back to actually complete project (which meant moving furniture and crap away from said windows and cleaning behind it first, as friend had not thought about that [guess friend's gender! ::eyeroll::]), we went for a walk and out to dinner. Dinner which had to have been a whole nother day's calories all by itself. Split a shrimp quesadilla appetizer, had a glass of cava, had fish and chips, had various bread from breadbasket with butter, has 2/3rds of a beer, had some bites of friend's caramel apple bread pudding w/ vanilla ice cream. Felt sick!

Oh, but I killed it at the gym yesterday morning. I am happy to say my right arm strength is now back to where it was 3-4 weeks ago before I effed it up and upper body lifts are all going up again.

My muscles feel really hard and full today. Staying away from that scale. :)

[thepowerwithin]

Yesterday I ate... a lot.

I was at ~1200 calories at 6:30 pm at which point, after an afternoon of going to Home Depot (to get stuff *I* needed), returning to friends' house to start curtain hanging project only to find cheap curtain rods from IKEA did not come with the screws to attach rods to wall. so running out to another hardware store, back to actually complete project (which meant moving furniture and crap away from said windows and cleaning behind it first, as friend had not thought about that [guess friend's gender! ::eyeroll::]), we went for a walk and out to dinner. Dinner which had to have been a whole nother day's calories all by itself. Split a shrimp quesadilla appetizer, had a glass of cava, had fish and chips, had various bread from breadbasket with butter, has 2/3rds of a beer, had some bites of friend's caramel apple bread pudding w/ vanilla ice cream. Felt sick!

Oh, but I killed it at the gym yesterday morning. I am happy to say my right arm strength is now back to where it was 3-4 weeks ago before I effed it up and upper body lifts are all going up again.

My muscles feel really hard and full today. Staying away from that scale. :)

Sounds like my Saturday night of eating out cept I DID NOT go to gym, BUT I did (shhhh :o) a 2+-hour bike ride on Sunday with my SO. I DID NOT stay away from scale....up 2 lbs just from that dinner, but I KNOW it's NOT FAT :D.

The seated calf raise incident.....I had one of those doing bench presses and I did have to holler out for help.

So glad your right arm is feeling better!

How's the body thingy working out?

I love the bulking thread, but I feel so out of place at times. The thread seems to be a magnet for women struggling with ED's. I don't always know the "right" thing to say, and when I do say something, the person(s) are not always receptive. I guess I feel helpless and lack understanding and even get frustrated at times. I can be very direct sometimes and some of those girls are fragile. FBM is a saint and she has a knack for being direct while still being compassionate.

[dreahere]

Sounds like my Saturday night of eating out cept I DID NOT go to gym, BUT I did (shhhh :o) a 2+-hour bike ride on Sunday with my SO.

I'll never tell ;)


I DID NOT stay away from scale....up 2 lbs just from that dinner, but I KNOW it's NOT FAT :D.

The seated calf raise incident.....I had one of those doing bench presses and I did have to holler out for help.

So glad your right arm is feeling better!

How's the body thingy working out?

Hasn't arrived in the mail yet. Hoping tomorrow!


I love the bulking thread, but I feel so out of place at times. The thread seems to be a magnet for women struggling with ED's. I don't always know the "right" thing to say, and when I do say something, the person(s) are not always receptive. I guess I feel helpless and lack understanding and even get frustrated at times. I can be very direct sometimes and some of those girls are fragile. FBM is a saint and she has a knack for being direct while still being compassionate.

Oh, I don't think you've been too blunt or that anyone has taken it that way at all.

My problem is that my son is 25 and he's had some severe psychiatric illness himself, so anyone around his age who is struggling tends to kick in certain nurturing maternal feelings in me, and I have to sit on my typing fingers so as not to say to a more or less complete stranger, "Oh, sweetie, don't (whatever)..." Because that's just totally inappropriate, lol.

Yesterday's totals were a little low, but I was still working on my huge surplus from Sunday, plus there was a serious problem at work which screwed with my eating. 1925 calories, 122.1g protein, 107.8g fat, 128.4g carbs (20g fiber).

[kwebbers]

woah its been a while for me :p so you are getting a Body media fit?? I'm thinking about ordering one today :) Had a fitbit, but that got old pretty quick...looking for something more up-to-date :D

[dreahere]

woah its been a while for me :p so you are getting a Body media fit?? I'm thinking about ordering one today :) Had a fitbit, but that got old pretty quick...looking for something more up-to-date :D

Did you end up getting it?!? I was trying to explain to my friends, who had never heard of such a thing, what this thing I ordered was and why I wanted it, and I was like, "I fell into this cult of internet users and they MADE me want one!" LOL

[kwebbers]

I actually just bought the Bodybugg! I was initially going to go with the bodymedia fit, but it is more expensive and on 24hourfitness.com I used the promo code: AFPMY25J11 and was able to get the BB for only $119 + free shipping! If you havent already purchased the BMF, I would consider going with the BB just because of the awesome deal :) Cant wait for it to come in the mail!

[dreahere]

I actually just bought the Bodybugg! I was initially going to go with the bodymedia fit, but it is more expensive and on 24hourfitness.com I used the promo code: AFPMY25J11 and was able to get the BB for only $119 + free shipping! If you havent already purchased the BMF, I would consider going with the BB just because of the awesome deal :) Cant wait for it to come in the mail!

That's what I paid for my bodymedia this weekend on drugstore.com, because they had it on sale plus then they had an extra 20% off everything on the site, and free shipping. Came in yesterday's mail and I've had it on since about 8 pm last night. I just synced it now while I eating lunch after the gym, and as of 12:15-ish I've burned 1346 calories today. And taken 11495 steps, when my goal for the day is 10000. I think I'm about to find out that the reason my maintenance is higher than the formulas would put it is that I walk A LOT.

Yesterday's totals: 2292 calories, 128.9g protein, 143.1g fat, 118.7g carbs (17g fiber), and 11.9g alcohol.

[kwebbers]

That's what I paid for my bodymedia this weekend on drugstore.com, because they had it on sale plus then they had an extra 20% off everything on the site, and free shipping. Came in yesterday's mail and I've had it on since about 8 pm last night. I just synced it now while I eating lunch after the gym, and as of 12:15-ish I've burned 1346 calories today. And taken 11495 steps, when my goal for the day is 10000. I think I'm about to find out that the reason my maintenance is higher than the formulas would put it is that I walk A LOT.

Yesterday's totals: 2292 calories, 128.9g protein, 143.1g fat, 118.7g carbs (17g fiber), and 11.9g alcohol.

oh no way! if that's the case... I may cancel my BB order and get the BMF :p I really wanted the sleep efficiency feature.. what was the code for the extra 20% off? I cant seem to find it on the website

and I hear that people have actually been able to INCREASE their daily calories b/c they realized their deficit was tooo low, and ended up losing weight quicker! the body is a crazy machine :p

[dreahere]

oh no way! if that's the case... I may cancel my BB order and get the BMF :p I really wanted the sleep efficiency feature.. what was the code for the extra 20% off? I cant seem to find it on the website

and I hear that people have actually been able to INCREASE their daily calories b/c they realized their deficit was tooo low, and ended up losing weight quicker! the body is a crazy machine :p

The code expired Sunday :( I ordered mine Saturday night right under the wire.

[kwebbers]

The code expired Sunday :( I ordered mine Saturday night right under the wire.

AH, bummer... well, I guess it's fate that I end up with the bodybugg then lol Any of the devices is an upgrade from the FitBit I'm sure :) Will you be increasing your calories even more now seeing what you are ACTUALLY burning throughout the day?

[dreahere]

AH, bummer... well, I guess it's fate that I end up with the bodybugg then lol Any of the devices is an upgrade from the FitBit I'm sure :) Will you be increasing your calories even more now seeing what you are ACTUALLY burning throughout the day?

Yeah, I'm going to wait and see what it says, but it will probably give me the confidence to increase.

[dreahere]

Yesterday was my first day full day with the bodymedia and results were: 2553 calories(!) burned, 5h 31m physical activity, 16,577 steps. Meanwhile, fitday tells me I had 2172 calories, 129.4g protein, 104.6g fat, 161.7g carbs (28g fiber), 18.9g alcohol. Bulking, wut? LOL (I did try to do my part by eating a cupcake before bed when I realized my calories were on the lowish side.)

I gotta say that was a pretty typical day off for me, too. Gym in the morning (walked a mile and a half on the treadmill to warm up--not too fast, 3.8mph, no incline, would NOT even count that as cardio) then lifted with my trainer for an hour, walked a couple miles to Target afterwards, walked around there and bought a few things, hopped on bus home, ate lunch and went online for awhile, did a few minor things around the house, freshened up and changed clothes, went to do a few errands which involved walking maybe a mile and a quarter/half, cooked and ate dinner, went outside and did a few non-strenuous things in the garden, cleaned the kitchen, spent the rest of the evening sitting at the computer or lying on the sofa watching the game and reading.

2553 calories burned? Really?

I am sure that days I am in work all day my burn is much less, because there's a lot more sitting, but still...

[dreahere]

Yesterday's totals: 2284 calories, 126.5g protein, 146.1g fat, 123.2g carbs (11.4g fiber).

Will imput my bodymedia stats later--can't access from work--but I believe I burned 23something calories. So if the bodymedia is correct, I ate about at maintenance. If the bodymedia is 10-15% overestimating, I ate in surplus. Yesterday I spent the whole morning sitting, went to the gym to do cardio (27 minutes, non strenuous) and abs and stretching, then did an errand that required a bit of walking. Later I did a few things in the house, also not terribly strenuous. I believe it counted that as 3 hours and twenty mins of activity. We'll see what today brings.

Addendum: yesterday's calories burned were 2332, with 3h21m physical activity, and 10750 steps.

[CathyVee]

Have fun with your Bodymedia. I've got one and I love it. It sounds like you did a lot of walking so I'm not surprised your calorie burn was so high. All of that extra activity adds up.

[dreahere]

Yesterday's totals, intake: 2248 calories, 140.3g protein, 112.3g fat, 132g carbs (22.6g fiber), 24.5g alcohol. Yesterday's totals, output: 2320 calories burned, 3hrs 46mins physical activity, 11115 steps. Pretty good, considering I worked 6 hours yesterday, most of which was sitting. If the bodymedia *is* correct, though, I'm still only eating around maintenance.

Lifted yesterday after work, did great pushing it on lower body (including first time I had the balls to squat in the rack without Liz there) then bonked on upper body, probably because I only had <5 hours sleep Thursday night. Still was a good workout, though. Today starts my rest week from lifting. I have not taken a whole week off since I started lifting last September and I'm starting my new program up, so I need to do this and now is the perfect time. Got conflicting opinions about whether I should eat less this week if I'm not lifting, but since a.) Liz told me no, and b.) it's not like I've been packing on the lbs on this "bulk" anyway, I think I'm going to keep eating 2200-2300-ish all week.

Happy long weekend, all of you who are having one!

[dreahere]

Yesterday's totals, intake: 2181 calories, 125.9g protein, 125.1g fat, 119.2g carbs (18.5g fiber), 20.8g alcohol. And that was with eating two snacks before bed that I didn't even want :(

Yesterday's output: 2322 calories burned, 4 hrs 31 mins physical activity, 7059 steps. And, no, I didn't leave the house except to walk 40 feet to the mailbox. The last three days the bodymedia has put my calories burned as 2332, 2320, and 2322. That's kind of remarkably consistent considering I did totally different things all three days. Today mostly I'll be painting. Curious about how that will shake out. I know eating's gonna be a problem. In the middle of doing a project, I'm not gonna want to stop to cook and eat and then it'll be like yesterday where I'm forcefeeding myself snacks at the end of the day that I don't want, just because my cals and protein are low. Better go have a second breakfast now :)

[dreahere]

And just to prove I have indeed joined the bodymedia cult, here's me 5 minutes ago in a t shirt that I cut the sleeves off of to paint, because all my real short sleeve t shirts don't cover the bodymedia and I'm afraid I'll drip paint on it. Sloppy + geeky + obsessive = not a good combo? :D

http://i52.tinypic.com/fdtwzc.jpg


Okay, I got work to do! Happy Sunday!

[kwebbers]

wow I cant believe you are expending so many calories! did you think you were? You gotta eat more girl! lol I'm scared that I've been cutting too drastically now... I will be getting mine Wednesday, but for the past couple weeks I havent been eating more than 1500 cals (though, I'm no where near starved, and my weights have indeed been slightly increasing) But I'm afraid I'll have to start eating more once I see how much I really am burning on a day to day basis... seeing we are about the same size, I would assume it would be similar? However, on my rest days, I do almost nothing but REST lol and on my training days, I dont do much else either but lift in addition to the usual day to day activities :p lol

edit: hope you have a happy 4th!

[dreahere]

wow I cant believe you are expending so many calories! did you think you were?

Not that many. I mean, I knew I walk *a lot* but I didn't realize how much that adds up. What's really fascinating to me (I mentioned this in the bulking thread) is that when I'm sitting at the computer or reading or watching TV, I burn the same # calories per minute as I do when I'm friggin' asleep. LOL I apparently am the least fidgety person ever. So I am sure those days that I sit in work all day, don't go to the gym, and don't do errands, my calorie expenditure really seriously tanks. Which has got to be how I've managed to put on the measly 3 pounds I've managed to put on during this so-called bulk.


edit: hope you have a happy 4th!

Same to you!

Now for yesterday's shocking totals:

Intake was 2315 calories, 154.5g protein, 127.7g fat, 116.5g carbs (14.9g fiber), 18.3g alcohol. Output was 2703 calories burned (!!!), 6hrs0mins physical activity, 13476 steps. Grueling physical labor FTW. Or FTL. Whatever. I've got more painting to do today, which since every muscle in my entire body hurts right now, should be even more fun than yesterday. I had a 744 calorie breakfast though, so I'm fueling up.

Addendum: weighed in at 116 just now w/ a full stomach, so I assume I'm holding steady at 115ish.

[dreahere]

Holiday totals (grueling physical labor edition, continued): intake was 2218 calories, 120.6g protein, 138g fat, 136.9g carbs (19.9g fiber) and output was 2583 calories burned, 6hrs48mins physical activity, 5621 steps. So, yes, sigh, I was in a deficit, not surplus, again yesterday any way you slice it. It was too hot and humid and I was too exhausted to force any more food into myself at the end of the day. On the plus side, my sleep efficiency was 95%; apparently, according to the bodymedia, I was asleep almost immediately upon lying down. Sounds about right! :)

Today is a much more chillaxed day, even though I'm still off work, so I'm expecting a much lower calorie burn. And I've got steak marinating for dinner. ::crowd starts chanting:: Bulk! Bulk! Bulk!

[kwebbers]

Holiday totals (grueling physical labor edition, continued): intake was 2218 calories, 120.6g protein, 138g fat, 136.9g carbs (19.9g fiber) and output was 2583 calories burned, 6hrs48mins physical activity, 5621 steps. So, yes, sigh, I was in a deficit, not surplus, again yesterday any way you slice it. It was too hot and humid and I was too exhausted to force any more food into myself at the end of the day. On the plus side, my sleep efficiency was 95%; apparently, according to the bodymedia, I was asleep almost immediately upon lying down. Sounds about right! :)

Today is a much more chillaxed day, even though I'm still off work, so I'm expecting a much lower calorie burn. And I've got steak marinating for dinner. ::crowd starts chanting:: Bulk! Bulk! Bulk!

you couldn't get in a surplus on a holiday??? sigh.... you need to invest in pints and pints of B&J's ice cream to get those numbers up! :p but at least you are getting sufficient protein and fats

[dreahere]

you couldn't get in a surplus on a holiday??? sigh.... you need to invest in pints and pints of B&J's ice cream to get those numbers up! :P but at least you are getting sufficient protein and fats

I know, pathetic, right? But, in my defense, I worked way way harder on the holiday than I would have had I actually, y'know, worked :P I had two of those single serving B&J's in the freezer, and when I was getting one out last night, I asked my son did he want the other one. Which, yeah. It seemed like the polite thing to do. Successful bulking probably means being more territorial with your treats, huh? hahaha

[dreahere]

Yesterday's totals were:

Intake--2222 calories, 122.5g protein, 139.6g fat, 134.6g carbs (26.8g fiber)

Output--2293 calories burned, 3hrs42mins physical activity, 8957 steps. This was my lowest calorie burn so far and that seems right. No workout because I'm still on my rest week, just some appointments and errands in the morning with a bit of walking involved, and in the afternoon and evening, other than some laundry and a few other things around the house, mostly sitting. It's kinda encouraging that someone my size (and in the perimenopause, mutha****ers!) can burn almost 2300 calories on a day they don't exercise and spend hours at the computer, like my metabolism is really cranking. I mean, it doesn't help this so-called "bulk" of mine, but it makes me think I've done stuff right for my body.

Back in late winter/early spring when I was still posting on a weightloss board where I had some cyberfriends, I had a woman say to me, "Andrea, you weigh 112 and you can eat over 1800 calories a day and not gain weight??!???!!?" in a manner that really made me feel like a freak and, frankly, a pig. She was in her 20s, around my weight, had a boyfriend who's a bodybuilder, and aspired to doing bikini herself. She was also very concerned with your typical eating clean, small meals, low calories, blah blah, but seeing her pictures, while she's very thin and lean, i think I have more muscle than she does and she's supposedly been lifting three years. I felt like saying, well, yeah, you could be eating more than 1800 calories a day too, if you weren't continually starving yourself, but I knew she wouldn't "hear" it and it would just come off as my being rude because my feelings were hurt. /digression

Anyway, to my point, the bodymedia feels like it's vindicating me ;) I may not be thin and lean, but I gots me some muscles and my metabolism is cranking and I have people encouraging me to "eat some ice cream!" and "put some peanut butter on that!" So, obviously, I win. hahahahaha

[lil_terror]

...just wanted to say I popped in and that I think I shall be staying! I like it here, you make me giggle (in a totally good, laughing *with* you, sounds-like-me kinda way) :p.

Anyway, happy resting and happy eating!

[dreahere]

...just wanted to say I popped in and that I think I shall be staying! I like it here, you make me giggle (in a totally good, laughing *with* you, sounds-like-me kinda way) :p.

Anyway, happy resting and happy eating!

Thanks for popping by!

Yesterday's totals: intake was 2258 calories, 129.6g protein, 126.3g fat, 171.2g carbs (22.2g fiber) and output was 2393 calories burned, 4hrs11mins physical activity, 10423 steps. My plan yesterday to just eat what I was craving and not get hung up on my macros or whether I was "depending too much on shakes rather than 'real' food" helped me get my calories in much easier and without feeling like I was force-feeding myself. Plan to continue that today. Weight still hovering at 115/116. Today's my last rest day. Back to lifting tomorrow. Woot! Also, got my creatine from my UPS man whose little brown-clad babies I would have, I love his package delivering so very much, yesterday. Unsure if I should take it today or wait till tomorrow to start.

That is all. :)

[dreahere]

I started a new blog, you guys. Check it out. http://musclemilkisnotaeuphemism.blogspot.com/

[spicyprice]

I started a new blog, you guys. Check it out. http://musclemilkisnotaeuphemism.blogspot.com/


very cool, subscribed!


oh, and congrats on never falling into the silly mindset of starving yourself to lose weight, you are in a total win-win situation!

[CathyVee]

I love the blog. I've got you on my favorites list!

[thepowerwithin]

I started a new blog, you guys. Check it out. http://musclemilkisnotaeuphemism.blogspot.com/

Oh........so excited :D

Just read it and you are so witty. Looking forward to MOAR ;).

[dreahere]

Thanks, guys! Hope you enjoy it. If you write anywhere else, definitely let me know. I'm always looking for good fitness stuff to read.

Yesterday's totals were: 2255 calories, 150.6g protein, 110.5g fat, 137.4g carbs (14.2g fiber), and 21.4g alcohol. I can't access my bodymedia results at work, but I had a super sedentary day and only burned a little over 1900 calories, so yay! An actual good surplus! Today should be interesting because I am (mostly) sitting through a very long work day then I'm going to lift. Wonder if the lifting will compensate for all that sitting, expediture-wise.

[braggable]

I started a new blog, you guys. Check it out. http://musclemilkisnotaeuphemism.blogspot.com/

Awesome blog. Im in!

[dreahere]

Friday's totals were:

Intake--2321 calories, 145.9g protein, 115g fat, 165.4g carbs (26.9g fiber), 15.7g alcohol.

Output--2334 calories burned, 3hrs55mins physical activity, 13584 steps.

At this point I'm hoping the bodymedia is overestimating by 10%, because dammit, as much food as I'm eating, that's still maintenance??!??!! Seriously, though, my new plan to just focus on getting my calories in and not worrying about my macros other than to be sure I meet my bare minimum of protein is making me a lot happier. I got that 2300+ calories in without feeling like I was forcefeeding myself and without feeling overstuffed and sick. I continue to hang at 115. And since that was before I pooped, I'm kinda concerned I may have lost weight. TMI? Oh, well, you know the danger when you set foot in here, doncha?

Last night at the gym was AWESOME. Had a great time w/ Liz learning new things and getting form checked on older things. She also asked me about my results with the bodymedia so far and she totally agreed I was right when I'd told her I can't run anymore because I can't afford to waste up the calories. ;)

Today I'm way behind on my eating because I was too busy in work this morning to eat breakfast, so I ended up eating everything I'd brought for breakfast at 11am, at which point it was basically lunch. Sigh. I think I'll go home and make some midafternoon pre-dinner sludge.

Happy Saturday, all!

[dreahere]

Saturday's total intake was 2344 calories, 135.9g protein, 137.1g fat, 124.6g carbs (18.4g fiber), and 18.9g alcohol. Output was 2322 calories burned, 3hrs45mins physical activity, 15887 steps. Would have actually probably been in a nice big surplus yesterday if I hadn't gone on a nice long walk down the beach after my sludge and before dinner. It was so perfect outside, though, I had to get out and move. The weather sux here 8 or 9 months out of the year. I can't really justify wasting any of the few really lovely days. In fact, it looks so nice out right now, I'ma walk to the gym later! Yet another bulking fail coming right up!

[dreahere]

Okay, I didn't walk to the gym yesterday, but I did walk home. Nevertheless, despite the lifting and the walking, I didn't have a huge calorie burn. Spent the vast majority of the day sitting on my butt. As I will today. Did the first day of my new program and, honestly, it was so much less volume than I am used to that I felt like I didn't work out at all hardly. The only thing that killed me, believe it or not, was the standing calf raises. Of course, I'm still figuring out the right weights to use n' stuff. It's tricky when working in different rep ranges than you're used to and doing some new exercises.

Anyway, totals: I ate 2234 calories, 147.7g protein, 116.2g fat, 135.5g carbs (20g fiber), and 18.9g alcohol. Output was 2251 calories burned, 3hrs28mins physical activity, 13742 steps.

[dreahere]

Okay, with my super-sedentary day yesterday I was finally in a good calorie surplus per the bodymedia. Intake was 2228 calories, 160.2g (!) protein, 112.8g fat, 138g carbs (13.6g fiber), and 8.2g alcohol. Calorie burn was 1999. Weight this morning was a solid 116.

[kwebbers]

when you do calf raises, are you doing them on the seated machine/ leg press/ just standing or all 3 variations? also, how much weight do you use? I never know how much I should be lifting with calves...

[thepowerwithin]

I can relate to your struggle with the sedentary lifestyle. Makes me feel lazy when I let a day slip away. I don't really have any sedentary hobbies/activities I enjoy. I am the outdoorsy type. I often feel and think, there is a whole world out there just waiting for me to ___________.

[dreahere]

when you do calf raises, are you doing them on the seated machine/ leg press/ just standing or all 3 variations? also, how much weight do you use? I never know how much I should be lifting with calves...

I've been doing seated calf raises on the machine all along and just added in standing ones in the smith machine off a "fat" plate as well, because in my new program you throw in calves on both upper body days. Right now seated I do 100x3x12 (see a page or two back for my humiliating failure at 105 ;) I'm about ready to try that again tomorrow). I did the standing ones for the only the second time Sunday, just w/ the smith machine bar, which I'm told is 95lbs. So those were 95x3x12. I understand that the seated ones just work your soleus and the standing work your soleus and gastrocs.

[dreahere]

I can relate to your struggle with the sedentary lifestyle. Makes me feel lazy when I let a day slip away. I don't really have any sedentary hobbies/activities I enjoy. I am the outdoorsy type. I often feel and think, there is a whole world out there just waiting for me to ___________.

Oh, I've got plenty of sedentary hobbies. :) I could easily spend a whole day on the computer/reading/writing/watching sports, but if and when I do, I feel gross. I feel so much better when I move, and outside in the nice weather, even more so.

[spicyprice]

Ive been searching through to try and figure out what your new routine is..... are you following a particular one?

[thepowerwithin]

I've been doing seated calf raises on the machine all along and just added in standing ones in the smith machine off a "fat" plate as well, because in my new program you throw in calves on both upper body days. Right now seated I do 100x3x12 (see a page or two back for my humiliating failure at 105 ;) I'm about ready to try that again tomorrow). I did the standing ones for the only the second time Sunday, just w/ the smith machine bar, which I'm told is 95lbs. So those were 95x3x12. I understand that the seated ones just work your soleus and the standing work your soleus and gastrocs.

I do some of my calf work on the Smith as well, but I have to load some weight on there.

What kinda Smith does our gym have that the bar weighs 95 lbs :confused:? I am interested. I thought most bars on Smith were 15 lbs, with glide of the bar working against resistance or being counter-weighted.

I have to resort to Smith a lot, as my gym doesn't have a power cage/squat rack nor a real bench press....I know *gasp*. But it's an employee benefit to use this "Wellness Center," so I try not to complain....to much anyway ;)

[dreahere]

Ive been searching through to try and figure out what your new routine is..... are you following a particular one?

Yup. This. http://www.wannabebig.com/training/bodybuilding/baby-got-back/


I do some of my calf work on the Smith as well, but I have to load some weight on there.

What kinda Smith does our gym have that the bar weighs 95 lbs :confused:? I am interested. I thought most bars on Smith were 15 lbs, with glide of the bar working against resistance or being counter-weighted.

I have to resort to Smith a lot, as my gym doesn't have a power cage/squat rack nor a real bench press....I know *gasp*. But it's an employee benefit to use this "Wellness Center," so I try not to complain....to much anyway ;)

I honestly have no idea. This is the sum total of my experience with a smith machine, so I didn't know it was a weird one!

Tuesday's intake: 2249 calories, 130.7g protein, 133.2g fat, 150.1g carbs (17.6g fiber).

And output: 2199 calories burned, 2hrs53mins physical activity, 10047 steps.

Weights only took me half an hour yesterday :eek: This lack of volume is killing me. I know when I go heavier on the 5x5s, I will need longer rests in between sets, blah blah, but yesterday I had to jump on the treadmill for 15 mins afterwards because I was like, "Half an hour? That's not even worth changing into my sports bra for." lol

[dreahere]

Two exciting (heh) things today. Nailed the 105lb seated calf raises this time. And have discovered the ultimate sludge ingredient: ricotta cheese.

1/2 cup ricotta + 1 scoop vanilla whey + 1/2 tbsp chocolate peanut butter= PROTEIN CANNOLI FILLING. 38g protein and a mouth orgasm. OMFG.

[thepowerwithin]

I actually almost started doing Baby Got Back and even posted the link in the bulking thread to get feedback, but when with a Layne routine instead, but I do have it on hold for when I need a change.

You reminded me of a ricotta dessert I was having every night for some time. Ricotta sweetened with Stevia drops, diced strawberries, and Walden Farms chocolate syrup (I only eat WF CS when I am dieting, otherwise no thank you very much).

I am going to try your sludge! I need something new. My life absolutely sucks right now :(. Relationship issues......full-blown yuck. I even have palpitations :eek:.

[dreahere]

I actually almost started doing Baby Got Back and even posted the link in the bulking thread to get feedback, but when with a Layne routine instead, but I do have it on hold for when I need a change.

You reminded me of a ricotta dessert I was having every night for some time. Ricotta sweetened with Stevia drops, diced strawberries, and Walden Farms chocolate syrup (I only eat WF CS when I am dieting, otherwise no thank you very much).

Do you like stevia? I cannot get used to it. I'm sure all the splenda I consume is mutating my cells even as we speak, but oh well ;)


I am going to try your sludge! I need something new. My life absolutely sucks right now :(. Relationship issues......full-blown yuck. I even have palpitations :eek:.

Sorry to hear that :( Being so stressed you're having palpitations is no good. You should go get a massage or some acupuncture. But eat some delicious cannoli-flavored sludge too.

Yesterday I slightly underate. Totals were 2051 calories, 140.3g protein, 100.3g fat, and 160.8g carbs (19.1g fiber). But some of that is an estimate because I grabbed dinner while I was out, so maybe it was higher. Who knows. Not worrying either way.

My output was 2172 calories burned. Funny because *I* had acupuncture yesterday and my bodymedia thought that the half an hour I was lying on the table with needles in me, I was asleep. So it can't really tell when you're sleeping, it can just tell when you're lying down and being very very still.

[kwebbers]

Two exciting (heh) things today. Nailed the 105lb seated calf raises this time. And have discovered the ultimate sludge ingredient: ricotta cheese.

1/2 cup ricotta + 1 scoop vanilla whey + 1/2 tbsp chocolate peanut butter= PROTEIN CANNOLI FILLING. 38g protein and a mouth orgasm. OMFG.

congrats on the calf raises!! and I love ricotta cheese so I'm excited to try this concoction!

[dreahere]

Underate a bit again yesterday. Bah. I think it ended up that way because I was waiting for my son to decide whether he was gonna order pizza and I was saving macro room ;) for that so I could have some, but then he didn't end up getting it. Which is totally the wrong bulking mindset, I think. The proper bulking mindset is: eat all your food you were going to eat anyway, and then if someone orders pizza, eat that too. LOL

Anyway, I ate 2134 calories, 144g protein, 115.1g fat, and 142.7g carbs (17.6g fiber). Output was 2116 calories burned, 3 hrs physical activity, 5929 steps. If I wasn't out weeding the yard after work, I'd have still been in a big surplus even with the undereating.
Lots of sitting, not much walking, no gym. Tonight is squat night, yay.

[dreahere]

So yesterday was squat day and I only burned a little less than 2200 calories (I think it was 2190, but I'm at work w/o the exact figures to hand). That pisses me off. I burned almost as much Thursday when the most physical thing I did was weed my yard for an hour and a half. Considering I can barely walk today, you'd think I'd have some impressive numbers to show for it, haha. Apparently sitting at work for like almost 7 hours straight, not fidgeting, cannot be overcome with a little strenuous exercise.

But! It's good for my bulk because I had a nice surplus yesterday. I ate 2378 calories, 158.7g protein, 137.3g fat, 142.4g carbs (24.1g fiber).

[dreahere]

Saturday: I ate a bit over 2300 and I burned a little over 2300. Work, trained back/chest [plus calves, abs], errands, a little yard work and a little housework. Sunday: burned 1756 calories. Apparently sitting around eating a ridiculously long lunch, drinking mojitos, and then napping on the beach is not terribly strenuous. Go figure! I started out the day logging my food, but once we got to the spinach/artichoke/puff pastry appetizer that I had no idea what to count as, plus an undisclosed amount of bread soaked in olive oil while waiting for the kitchen to, after an interminable wait, deliver my healthy lobster salad, I gave it up and said the hell with it. So let's just go with: calories ingested, a bazillion. Works for me.

[thepowerwithin]

Do you like stevia? I cannot get used to it. I'm sure all the splenda I consume is mutating my cells even as we speak, but oh well ;)

I can only tolerate the NuNaturals stevia drops. I am ex splenda addict....quit when I was trying to do -70 gm carbs daily on a cut.....never looked back.

I am still miserable :(.....sludge didn't help. I want to fix this relationship. Know any voodoo?

[dreahere]

I am still miserable :(.....sludge didn't help. I want to fix this relationship. Know any voodoo?

Ohhhhhh :( :( :( So sorry.

[dreahere]

Good surplus again yesterday! Ate over 2300 again and only burned a little less than 2000 (at work, can't check exact figures :)) with no gym and hardly any walking. I feel like I am finally getting my bulk on fo' real.

Still haven't weighed since I started the creatine. Not feeling bloated or anything. And without getting too explicit, can I just say that since I jacked up the calories again, my digestive system is working primo. Which helps with the not feeling bloated I am sure. Lifting later this afternoon!

[dreahere]

Tuesday's totals: carb-o-rama! 2365 calories consumed, 127.8g protein, 124.8g fat, 196.7g carbs (19g fiber). A mocha latte, two pieces of whole grain bread and two pizzas of veggie pizza, in case you were wondering ;) Output was 2156 calories burned, 3hrs 15mins physical activity, 11486 steps. Weighed myself this morning and after 10 days on creatine + yesterday's glycogen replenishment :) I'm at 119. Continuing to not feel bloated and no change in how my clothes are fitting as far as I can tell. Muskles feel full and hard <3 :)

[thepowerwithin]

Sounds like you are doing terrific :D.

I have been buying the Paul Newman's Pizza, particularly his "white" pizza with spinach. It's to die for. HE even likes it :rolleyes:.

[dreahere]

Sounds like you are doing terrific :D.

I have been buying the Paul Newman's Pizza, particularly his "white" pizza with spinach. It's to die for. HE even likes it :rolleyes:.

I love pizza. It's possibly my favorite food. Though I love food in general, so it's hard to pick ;)

Yesterday's totals: Who the hell knows? hahahaha Celebrated a different friend's birthday yesterday (all these July bdays will be the death of me) and had probably 600 calories of trail mix while sitting in the bar before dinner. Then gazpacho, caesar salad with grilled shrimp, a roll of course with butter, bites of the birthday boy's polenta, a mini sticky toffee pudding, bites of friend's key lime pie, and over the course of the evening three drinks. Crazy! Before this orgy of eating, however, I did manage to go to the gym and lift: back/shoulders/calves/abs. So I did burn 2206 calories. I'm sure I was only in about a 1000 calorie surplus. For the second time this week. Heh.

Bulking is so much more fun when you don't worry about your macros or eating things with nutritional value. <---that's my super intelligent insight for today, people.

Today however I am back to behaving myself and eating in a controlled and disciplined bulking manner. Ahem.

And because I was feeling like all this squatting and sldl-ing I've been doing is making things happen with the back of my legs, I thought I'd mess around with the camera this evening. As you can see, I am sadly deluding myself. Still looks like ****e. That back view is probably the most unflattering picture of myself I've had the balls to post, so be gentle.

http://i55.tinypic.com/nqw7c0.jpg

http://i53.tinypic.com/119yna1.jpg

Also, my posture still sucks and I realized fooling around with these pictures (in three different pairs of underwear), that I don't own one pair that is actually flattering. Good thing I am single with no prospects, huh?

Oh, and that cat isn't mine. We're between cats but cat sitting atm. Once he goes home we'll probably adopt a new one. (I gotta work on my collection, or who will eat me when I die alone? See: single, no prospects. hahahahaha)

[dreahere]

Thursday's totals: 2115 calories, 135g protein, 116.4g fat, 110.9g carbs (10.8g fiber), 15g alcohol. Output was 2068 calories burned, 2hrs28 mins physical activity, 12413 steps. Fairly sedentary day: no gym and too damn hot to do anything outside that wasn't absolutely required. But it's Friday and that means it's squat night, woohoo.

[dreahere]

Friday's totals: 2296 calories consumed, 146.6g protein, 101.3g fat, 173.7g(!) carbs (11.7g), 19.5g alcohol. And burned was 2107 calories, 2hrs49mins physical activity, 11546 steps. Proof right there that going to the gym does not make up for sitting all day at work for 9 hours. Very discouraging how much my burn has dropped since I've been back to my normal work schedule. I may have to cut back my calories. 2300 may be too much bulking. That's sad. I've gotten used to stuffing my face.

[kwebbers]

Friday's totals: 2296 calories consumed, 146.6g protein, 101.3g fat, 173.7g(!) carbs (11.7g), 19.5g alcohol. And burned was 2107 calories, 2hrs49mins physical activity, 11546 steps. Proof right there that going to the gym does not make up for sitting all day at work for 9 hours. Very discouraging how much my burn has dropped since I've been back to my normal work schedule. I may have to cut back my calories. 2300 may be too much bulking. That's sad. I've gotten used to stuffing my face.

It is crazy how you dont realize that an hour or so at the gym is hardly compared to the rest of your day if you're running around doing errands and such :p

I'm sorry to hear your discouraged going back to work... HOWEVER, now you are actually in a surplus! I say you stick with it for AT LEAST a few weeks and see how your weight fluctuates... you dont want to be maintaining you want to be GAINING, thus, a bulk right? ;) Re-evaluate your cals after a month or so and weight yourself every week... if you are putting on more than 1lbs a month (not including the water weight/bloat), then I say cut back a little more... but remember its hard to grow muscle, easy to lose fat!

[dreahere]

It is crazy how you dont realize that an hour or so at the gym is hardly compared to the rest of your day if you're running around doing errands and such :p

I'm sorry to hear your discouraged going back to work... HOWEVER, now you are actually in a surplus! I say you stick with it for AT LEAST a few weeks and see how your weight fluctuates... you dont want to be maintaining you want to be GAINING, thus, a bulk right? ;) Re-evaluate your cals after a month or so and weight yourself every week... if you are putting on more than 1lbs a month (not including the water weight/bloat), then I say cut back a little more... but remember its hard to grow muscle, easy to lose fat!

You're absolutely right, of course. I'm bulking--I should be happy to burn fewer calories. And on the whole I am happy about how things are going. Whether it's the creatine or the fact that I'm eating a crapload of carbs, my muscles are looking really full. I was aware at the beach yesterday, in my bathing suit all afternoon, that my shoulders and arms now definitely look like I lift *even when I'm not flexing anything* lol, and that makes me so happy. The fact that I felt the need to change my bathing suit right before I left the house because I felt too fat for bathing suit #1, meh. ;)

Yesterday's totals: 2018 calories consumed, 2040 calories burned. I really meant to eat more than that, but somehow I ended up eating only two meals, then ice cream, then a little snack before bed.

[dreahere]

Sunday's totals: 2140 calories, 133.7g protein, 115.5g fat, 136.2g carbs (20.1g fiber), 15g alcohol. Burn, however, was 2200+, which is interesting, because I went to the gym in the early afternoon, came home, took a 2 1/2 hour nap (!), then later took walk. Apparently the walk cancelled out the extra sleeping.

Weighed in at 118 this morning, down from 119 last week, but still up 2-2 1/2 pounds since I started the creatine.

[dreahere]

Monday's totals: 2099 calories, 120.3g protein, 128.7g fat, 110.1g carbs (23.1g fiber), 15g alcohol. And output was 2056 calories burned, 2hrs40mins physical activity, 11905 steps.

Training with Liz tonight at 7:30, which is later than I usually ever lift, as a makeup since she had to cx on me last Friday, leaving me to sadly squat on my own. ;) Today will be "vertical plane" back/shoulders plus calves and abs. She had brought up awhile ago wanting to teach me some new weighted ab thing, so I guess I shall be brave and ask to do it today. I personally am not a fan of ab-specific work, so the fact that this program demands I work them twice a week makes me grumble. Just a little, but still. There's something else I may or may not ask her to work w/ me on tonight, so stay tuned. If anything exciting happens, you'll heae all about it tomorrow, lol.

[dreahere]

Tuesday's totals: 2379 calories, 151.2g protein, 129.9g fat, 128.7g carbs (11.7g fiber), 18g alcohol. Output was 2313 calories burned, 3hrs 38mins physical activity, 16010 steps. And when I realized I hadn't eaten nearly enough for my burn, I had a glass of wine and a cupcake at 11pm. Bulking, WHAT'S NOT TO LOVE? hahahaha

So, lifting after 7pm was awesome. I really should/would do it more often, because I have +++energy at that time of day with almost a full day's worth of calories in me, but the logistics of it are, as I may have mentioned, inefficient. Liz insisted I try 25s for my d shoulder presses after watching me do a set of 20s which she said looked like nothing for me. Well, I got one set of 4 with the 25s and the second set I couldn't even get them up. She was trying to show me how to kick them up w/ my legs to help w/ that, which was good for the lulz. I wasn't quite getting the concept. Anyway, I need 22.5lb dbs, obviously:P She also taught me like three new weighted abs things, two of which I hated, one of which I liked. And she showed me--cause I asked,having seen a kid doing them--horizontal pullups, both off the floor and on a bench. Those were really fun. And then,yeah, I attempted for the first time, a real one. And I did it!!!!!! Once. lol In my defense, I had already done lat pulldowns, Hammer high rows, and the horizontal pullups, so my back was not exactly fresh. If it was, I may have squeaked out two or three. ;) Will attempt again. Humiliation factor? Uh, besides failing after one? I need a crate to reach even the low pullup bar. Sigh.

[thepowerwithin]

Stopping in to catch up and say hi. I used to work at night and had tremendous energy too, but I have become so used to working out in the early AM with very little to no food in me. Now I occasionally take my 13-y-old son at around 7:30 PM and I feel so full of food and dragged down.

I am between the 20s and 25s on DB shoulder presses myself. I use the 25s only for 5x5 and 20s for hypertrophy days. The 25s are definitely a struggle though.

Those horizontal pull-ups or inverted rows are great/suck. I can only do them with feet on the floor out in front of me. I use the Smith machine bar and keep lowering it as I get better at them, which is never :(.

Keep up the good work. I gotta go check out your blog...haven't been back....yet :o.

[dreahere]

Those horizontal pull-ups or inverted rows are great/suck. I can only do them with feet on the floor out in front of me. I use the Smith machine bar and keep lowering it as I get better at them, which is never :(.



I literally LOL'd at this, because I definitely have things I feel the same way about. Lat pulldowns, as a matter of fact. It seems like I can increase weight on those like, oh, every five months or so. It's horrible. I just never get better at them and it's not like I don't try.

We did the horizontal pullups in the smith too. Liz said that's the ideal place because the bar's so stable.

[dreahere]

I was in about a 300 calorie surplus yesterday. Go, me. But that's not what I want to talk about. I want to go way off topic of my bulk and talk about thread replies.

I love (<---that's sarcasm there, people) posts in which someone replies in a rude, confrontational manner, then when called on it, says, "I don't sugarcoat things." Here's the thing. When you "speak" to someone in that tone, the chances are very high that they are going to become very defensive and not listen to you. Human nature. No one likes to be talked down to. So, if your motivation is in fact to actually help, you'd be well-served to reply in a way that is honest but also at least slightly tactful. I do believe that is Social Skills 101. If OTOH, your motivation for replying is not to help, but instead to score points with how much more knowledgable or cooler you are, as you were.

Bear in mind, I am not talking about replying to people whom you and other people have given the same well-intentioned advice to multiple times which they have chosen to ignore while continuing to bitch that what they *are* doing isn't working. After a certain point, rudeness, while not entirely justified, is certainly understandable. No, I'm speaking more about, say, someone making one of their first posts and (mistakingly) saying they are x% bodyfat, and having the reply be "Pffft. You are not x%, you are x+8% bodyfat" without the softening sentence re how most of us are mistaken what different bodyfat %s actually look like and how most common measures of it tend to be incorrect. How hard is it to correct someone's misinformation in a way that is actually kind? Not too freakin' hard, really. Unless you enjoy being a dick.

being kind /= sugarcoating

[dreahere]

Thursday's totals, intake: 2306 calories, 150.9g protein, 124.3g fat, 117.2g carbs (8.7g fiber), 15g alcohol. Thursday's totals, output: 2286 calories burned, 2hrs44mins physical activity, 13922 steps.

For the first time in many, many months, I did 45 minutes of (not terribly strenuous) cardio yesterday. As a rule, I keep it under 30 minutes, and usually under 25 minutes, but I was feeling sluggish yesterday and I figured it was NOT gonna magically make my muscles fall off. In other news, I have been extremely hungry again for the last three days or so. Definitely over that period where I felt like I was having to force down my food to get all my calories in.

[dreahere]

Despite my massive carb intake, I didn't quite make calories yesterday: 2266 calories, 155.7g protein, 102.3g fat, 170.9g carbs (25.1g fiber), 18g alcohol. Output was 2371 calories burned, 3hrs48mins physical activity, and a personal best 17534 steps.

My daily average for the last 4 weeks has been 2200 calories burned, 3hrs16mins physical activty, and 10786 steps. My daily average for intake was been 2242 calories consumed, but I had two days I didn't track (friends' b-day celebrations) that were much higher than that, so that intake average could be bumped up a bit. I've gained 2 1/2-3 pounds, but I also started creatine over the same period of time. In any case, I am 6pounds over the start of my bulk in March and hoping some of it is actually muscle.

[CathyVee]

I was in about a 300 calorie surplus yesterday. Go, me. But that's not what I want to talk about. I want to go way off topic of my bulk and talk about thread replies.

I love (<---that's sarcasm there, people) posts in which someone replies in a rude, confrontational manner, then when called on it, says, "I don't sugarcoat things." Here's the thing. When you "speak" to someone in that tone, the chances are very high that they are going to become very defensive and not listen to you. Human nature. No one likes to be talked down to. So, if your motivation is in fact to actually help, you'd be well-served to reply in a way that is honest but also at least slightly tactful. I do believe that is Social Skills 101. If OTOH, your motivation for replying is not to help, but instead to score points with how much more knowledgable or cooler you are, as you were.

Bear in mind, I am not talking about replying to people whom you and other people have given the same well-intentioned advice to multiple times which they have chosen to ignore while continuing to bitch that what they *are* doing isn't working. After a certain point, rudeness, while not entirely justified, is certainly understandable. No, I'm speaking more about, say, someone making one of their first posts and (mistakingly) saying they are x% bodyfat, and having the reply be "Pffft. You are not x%, you are x+8% bodyfat" without the softening sentence re how most of us are mistaken what different bodyfat %s actually look like and how most common measures of it tend to be incorrect. How hard is it to correct someone's misinformation in a way that is actually kind? Not too freakin' hard, really. Unless you enjoy being a dick.

being kind /= sugarcoating

I agree (and I know the post your are referencing. I lurk over in the female sections but have never posted.) I'm amazed at how belligerent people can be when replying. I'm hesitant to post in other threads because I wouldn't want to be the object of someone's rude response.

Congrats on the weight gain. You're making better progress than me.

[thepowerwithin]

I was in about a 300 calorie surplus yesterday. Go, me. But that's not what I want to talk about. I want to go way off topic of my bulk and talk about thread replies.

I love (<---that's sarcasm there, people) posts in which someone replies in a rude, confrontational manner, then when called on it, says, "I don't sugarcoat things." Here's the thing. When you "speak" to someone in that tone, the chances are very high that they are going to become very defensive and not listen to you. Human nature. No one likes to be talked down to. So, if your motivation is in fact to actually help, you'd be well-served to reply in a way that is honest but also at least slightly tactful. I do believe that is Social Skills 101. If OTOH, your motivation for replying is not to help, but instead to score points with how much more knowledgable or cooler you are, as you were.

Bear in mind, I am not talking about replying to people whom you and other people have given the same well-intentioned advice to multiple times which they have chosen to ignore while continuing to bitch that what they *are* doing isn't working. After a certain point, rudeness, while not entirely justified, is certainly understandable. No, I'm speaking more about, say, someone making one of their first posts and (mistakingly) saying they are x% bodyfat, and having the reply be "Pffft. You are not x%, you are x+8% bodyfat" without the softening sentence re how most of us are mistaken what different bodyfat %s actually look like and how most common measures of it tend to be incorrect. How hard is it to correct someone's misinformation in a way that is actually kind? Not too freakin' hard, really. Unless you enjoy being a dick.

being kind /= sugarcoating

Took the words/sentiments right out of my mouth/heart chica. I love/dislike this place. I love/dislike some of these people.

There are 3 particular offenders in my history on BB.com that have left after some nauseating drama on the way out, and I don't miss them at all. Egotistical maniacs! Serves no purpose but to alienate people.

ETS: Frick, I repped you, but I hit the enter button too soon. I wanted to say, "You're the best!" :D.

[dreahere]

Thanks, guys. (I tried to rep you back, TBW, but I got you on spread.) My inner Buddhist hippie chick just wants everyone to be kind and think of their karma. My inner cranky white trash chick wants to smack everyone who isn't upside their head. It's tough being me. ;)

I'm not posting calories/macros for yesterday. I estimated 2266, but that was a very rough estimate because I had dinner out. My friend and I took a long walk, ending up in the North End (which is the "Little Italy" section of Boston, complete with another restaurant or pastry shop every ten feet) and decided to eat at this place that was sorta Italian tapas, with the small plates for sharing. We got really good fried calamari, I mean REALLY GOOD, garlic shrimp, pasta with a gorgonzolla sauce (also VERY good), and another pasta dish that was supposed to e the house specialty (good, but not as good as the other). So I'm sure it was all ridiculously caloric, but it was also reasonable portions when it was shared. We did not go to Mike's or Modern Pastry for dessert, not because of willpower or anything; we just did not have the fortitude to stand in the block-long line of tourists. So later we got some ice cream. :)

My bodymedia tells me I burned 2287 calories and made a new personal best of 19824 steps. Today is horizontal push/pull day at the gym, which means I get to do rack pulls and db rows, and db bench press. Almost as fun as Squat Fridays. :)

Addendum: 119 this morning, but after breakfast. I was feeling really fat and bloaty yesterday. Changed my clothes like 4 times before I went out last night and still wasn't entirely happy with the end result. We'll see how I feel today when I actually decide to put clothes on.

[dreahere]

Yesterday I had a huge burn, 2500+ calories, with the gym and walking and errands and laundry, and didn't quite eat enough to keep up with it. But today I'll be catching up ;) I started spotting at the gym yesterday (after not having my period since April sometime) and thus I am fairly sure the "OMG, I look hideous in everything" and changing my clothes 4x on Saturday can be directly attributed to PMS. It tends to make me irrational that way. Today I am wearing a new thin-striped gray and white ruched top with a dark denim pencil skirt and I feel sassy, so bulking crisis averted, lol.

As far as yesterday's lifting went, can I just say I am loving rack pulls? So.much.fun.

[dreahere]

Monday's intake totals: 2258 calories, 119.9g protein, 112.1g fat, 164g carbs (19.8g fiber), 18g alcohol. And Monday's output was: 2090 calories burned, 2hrs 44mins physical activity, 10445 steps. Not bad for a day when I did no actual dedicated exercise, just some walking around from place A to place B and a wee bit of housework.

Sunday's totals, for completeness: 2091 calories consumed, 123.4g protein, 103.2g fat, 154.6g carbs (24.7g fiber), 15g alcohol; 2503 calories burned, 4hrs 31mins physical activity, 17147 steps.

This afternoon is hamstring day at the gym. Otherwise anticipating a very sedentary day.

[thepowerwithin]

It tends to make me irrational that way.

My mantra for my last period was

"This isn't real."
"This isn't real."
"This isn't real."
"This isn't real."

It felt SO real.......

:eek:

[dreahere]

My mantra for my last period was

"This isn't real."
"This isn't real."
"This isn't real."
"This isn't real."

It felt SO real.......

:eek:

To add insult to injury, I haven't even gotten a real period, just spotting on and off, and the body loathing comes and goes. I even thought I looked fat in the gym mirrors today and I usually like how I look in those. :(

[spicyprice]

Wanted to add an idea to your sludge stuff on the blog: Hersheys Special Dark Cocoa Powder..... oh muh Gawd, gives it the most rich chocolately flavor ever.

GY+PB+choco PP+special dark+splenda+reeses puffs= orgasm.

[thepowerwithin]

OMG. The sh!t has hit the fan and elephant sh!t I tell you. Friggin' 225 squat thread. Chock-full of drama. I can't stand it :( but I can't not read :p.

[dreahere]

Wanted to add an idea to your sludge stuff on the blog: Hersheys Special Dark Cocoa Powder..... oh muh Gawd, gives it the most rich chocolately flavor ever.

GY+PB+choco PP+special dark+splenda+reeses puffs= orgasm.

I do believe I have some of that in my house :) no chocolate PP though :( I may need to remedy that.

[dreahere]

OMG. The sh!t has hit the fan and elephant sh!t I tell you. Friggin' 225 squat thread. Chock-full of drama. I can't stand it :( but I can't not read :p.

I was JUST headed over here to post a little parable about that. 'Cause I'm like Jesus n' shiz. :eyeroll:

Years ago on a forum I posted on that had nothing to do with fitness (or pets, as it happens), this girl posted an "OMG, I got two new kittens and here's their adorable pictures!" post in which she mentioned she had them declawed. Well. A number of people for whom declawing a cat is a worse crime than, y'know, genocide, child rape, or killing your own grandmother for beer money not only tore her a new one, they followed her around and in any thread she posted in for the next two years, about *anything*, they would mock her, mock everything she said, and basically call her an animal torturer. It was...chilling. Like the worst high school bullying you ever saw, only perpetrated by women in their 30s, and directed towards someone they had never met. And there wasn't any backstory--no one had stolen anyone else's boyfriend or any such drama. It was just, "oh, we don't like this woman, she did something we disagree with, so let's try our best to publicly humiliate her! And encourage our friends to pile on!"

I don't get it. I don't understand how you can dislike someone you *don't even know* enough to want to publicly humiliate them. People post shiz on the internet all the time that I don't believe, yet I feel no compunction to prove they're lying and/or deluded. Who the eff cares?

Lucky for me, I am a weak fat old woman with absolutely nothing to brag about on bodybuilding.com other than my single chinup or my pathetic triceps. That kinda "accomplishment" doesn't bring the drama.

[dreahere]

Oh! and on topic: 2146 calories eaten yesterday, 2270 expended. And I weighed in at 120 this morning. After breakfast, but still. :eek: I don't see how I physically could have gained 5 pounds in a month by raising my calories 150-200. The math, she doesn't add up. So apparently I am retaining a buttload of water. (That's what all us fat people tell ourselves, yo.) My carbs have been really high and this is making me want to slash them. I think I need someone to talk me in off the ledge re that. Also? The dress that I logged about buying and then finding I couldn't zip it up over my :ahem: huge lats (i.e. fat)? I returned it to Target and got the next largest size and that's too big. Really, Target? Really? I guess I'm keeping it and wearing a cami under it for now. Give me room for my lats to get even huger, right?

[kwebbers]

Oh! and on topic: 2146 calories eaten yesterday, 2270 expended. And I weighed in at 120 this morning. After breakfast, but still. :eek: I don't see how I physically could have gained 5 pounds in a month by raising my calories 150-200. The math, she doesn't add up. So apparently I am retaining a buttload of water. (That's what all us fat people tell ourselves, yo.) My carbs have been really high and this is making me want to slash them. I think I need someone to talk me in off the ledge re that. Also? The dress that I logged about buying and then finding I couldn't zip it up over my :ahem: huge lats (i.e. fat)? I returned it to Target and got the next largest size and that's too big. Really, Target? Really? I guess I'm keeping it and wearing a cami under it for now. Give me room for my lats to get even huger, right?

when you say high, what is your carb intake? high for me tends to hover around 200g.... and there's no way you've gained 5lbs of fat :p NO WAY haha

[dreahere]

when you say high, what is your carb intake? high for me tends to hover around 200g.... and there's no way you've gained 5lbs of fat :p NO WAY haha

Looking back, I've averaged 145g for the past month. I've been trying not to pay attention to it and just get my calories in and hit my protein macros, 'cause that's the only way I can eat all this food and actually enjoy it and not drive myself crazy. But when the scale jumps that much and my stomach is bloaty, the little devil on my shoulder says "just slash your carbs and drop the water weight and you will *feel* so much thinner..."

Trying to resist. Bulking is not about trying to feel so much thinner, boys and girls ;)

[dreahere]

Obviously, I can't shut up today. Here's a point in favor of the bulk.

Last week doing shoulder presses, I tried w/ the 25lb dbs and got one set of 4 reps. I couldn't even get 'em up to try a second set and had to revert to the 20s. Well, today, I did 25x4x2, 25x5x1, and 25x3x1, before going back down to 20x5x2. I hate training my shoulders above all things (and thus was stuck pushing really low weights for months, because I wasn't willing to challenge myself on them), even though I think having nice shoulders is one of the main visual perks of weightlifting. So starting to finally make decent progress with them makes me happy.

[dreahere]

Catching up the last couple days. Wednesday was vertical plane back/shoulders/calves/abs at the gym, but otherwise sitting around in front of my computer emailing and/or on the phone trying to straighten a bunch of stuff out, so pretty sedentary. Burn was 2052 calories, 2hrs19mins physical activity, 10846 steps. Intake was 2242 calories. Thursday was work, no gym, a short walk to the farmers' market after work, and a wee bit of cardio at home. Burn was 2051 calories, 2hrs21mins physical activity, 12645 steps. Intake was 2038 calories. I know I should have eaten more but I was so exhausted and I knew I had to get up at 4:45 this morning that I crashed into bed at 9pm, thereby eliminating my bedtime snack.

[dreahere]

I didn't have my bodymedia on at the gym yesterday and had to do "edit off body." *I think that gives me a higher burn than when I'm*actually*wearing it lifting. *Since I ate out before the gym and my food would just be an estimate too, I'm just not even going to post numbers. *I think I was in a small surplus. The end. *

Had an off day lifting (as detailed elsewhere) but that's okay. I know I am getting stronger and stronger, even if by pitiiable standards, and that's all that counts. *

[dreahere]

Had a really really great day at the gym Saturday (after Friday night's abysmal--ok, not really, just semi-abysmal--failure. But yesterday I was full of ze strength and energy. *The only bad part is that though it was my day on which I would usually do rack pulls, I didn't/couldn't, because Liz advised me not to do them the day after or before DL's. *So I made my db rows my 5x5 instead, and did cable seated rows and the inverted rows/horizontal pullup thingies (that's the technical name for them, shut up) too. *Oh, the other bad things is that my chest 5x5 is db bench press and while I can knock off 5 sets of 5 with 30s without any trouble now, I swear I cannot even get the 35s up. *Grrr. *So I'm adding in extra reps, extra sets. *But what I really need is 32.5 lb dbs, lol. *

Then when I was doing seated calves, I was watching this guy in the squat rack between sets. (You kinda have to. There's nothing else interesting to watch from there.) *Well, I dunno if all y'all heard all about my NO SQUATTING/DL-ING IN RUNNING SHOES!!! fiasco, haha, but this guy's running shoes were way less flat than my minimalist ones and, sure enough, his heels were coming up every rep. *He was doing about quarter squats too, but yeah, that's what happens when Liz isn't there to tell you when you don't hit parallel ;) *Anyway, I was sorely tempted to go up to him later and tell him how his shoes were screwing up his form, but he didn't look like the receptive-to-friendly-advice type. (Plaid shorts and some kinda fitted designer-y looking t shirt. You be the judge. Heh.)

Oh, and speaking of minimalist shoes, my ex just got Vibrams. *(Much like me, he is convinced this sorta thing needs to be announced on the internet. Um, and we are gettin' way parenthetical up in here. It's a writing weakness.) *Anyway, I am wicked WICKED curious about this because we have the same feet: seriously high arches, so I am going to email him later in the week to pick his brain on how they're working out. *Maybe *that's* what I need to be squatting in!

Oh, and finally, I forgot to say, but in the midst of my squatting FAIL on Friday, Liz told me I had the perfect body for squats, and that some people would be jelly of me. *I looked it up and: short legs, long torso! Is true. I DO have the perfect squatting body. Be jelly! :)

I got a whole nother story about my trip to lululemon, but that one I'ma blog, because it needs multimedia n' stuff.

Hope everyone had a great weekend!

Edited to add: WTF is up w/ the *****s?

[spicyprice]

You must be a fellow double-spacer after a period (so i was told)!!



<also parenthetical, I calling it a writing strength.

[dreahere]

You must be a fellow double-spacer after a period (so i was told)!!



<also parenthetical, I calling it a writing strength.

Ohgod,IthinkI'lljustgiveupspacingaltogether.RUhapp y,bodybuilding.com?*

[dreahere]

Ohgod,IthinkI'lljustgiveupspacingaltogether.RUhapp y,bodybuilding.com?*

No,uaren't,becauseIstillgotanasterix,fukkers.

[spicyprice]

HAH, got owned by bb.com!! * * *

[dreahere]

Been thinking about what I want to do when this contest finishes next week. I don't think I am done bulking by any means, because my progress in my lifts on this new program has been so encouraging, especially with DLs/rack pulls etc. Do I want to start eating less and maybe see that grind to a halt? No. Plus, as long as I stay away from the scale, I have to admit I have nothing to get freaked out about. I wore a pair of shorts on Saturday that I bought back in early May. They fit perfectly when I bought them. This weekend, despite my self-perception that I'm getting thick through the middle, they still fit perfectly. It's not like I had to suck it in to button them or any of that nonsense. I can look at pictures or look in the mirror and feel chunky, but seriously, if I try on clothes I know that's a false percertion. Tried on a pair of jeans at Ann Taylor Loft yesterday while I was out. Size 0. They were a good two inches too big through the waist. Size inflation, "boyfriend" jeans, blah blah, but say what you want, if the smallest size in the store is two inches too big, you can just STFU about your waist getting chunky. I may have cellulite, I may not be super-lean, but I am a small person and I'm not too fat to keep bulking. <----I'll need to come back and re-read that at some point. OTOH, I am feeling really sick of tracking my food and counting my macros and weighing shiz to the gram when I'm home. It's been better since I stopped worrying *so* much about getting my macros "right", as I've said before, but I'm thinking it might be good for me to take a break and just, y'know, EAT. So, I dunno. That *might* impede the bulk, because I might start undereating if I'm just eating to appetite. So that's something to think about. We'll see.

[dreahere]

Apparently I only get ***s when I post in Chrome from home and double space, not on IE at work. Hmmmm...

[thepowerwithin]

Ohgod,IthinkI'lljustgiveupspacingaltogether.RUhapp y,bodybuilding.com?*

I'm a double spacerer ;). Isn't happening to me :confused:.

See. I. will. Show. You.

[hucksmom]

Bless you, Drea, for this thread! It's been TWO weeks for me bulking and I can't stop complaining about how fat I feel. So I'm glad someone else out there is just as neurotic.

[dreahere]

Bless you, Drea, for this thread! It's been TWO weeks for me bulking and I can't stop complaining about how fat I feel. So I'm glad someone else out there is just as neurotic. Join us in the bulking thread! http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=128051673&p=731616863#post731616863

[spicyprice]

I'm a double spacerer ;). Isn't happening to me :confused:.

See. I. will. Show. You.


Now considering myself "special."



And yup, a google chrome user.

[dreahere]

Now considering myself "special."



And yup, a google chrome user.

I'm back home now. *Let me try this and see. *

Lulz. *Yup, it's the browser. *Plus me n' Ms Spicy being special, of course ;)

[CathyVee]

I'm having spacer issues, too. I've got Vibrams and I absolutely love them. Sure, they look goofy but squatting and deadlifting feel so much better in them.

[dreahere]

I'm having spacer issues, too. I've got Vibrams and I absolutely love them. Sure, they look goofy but squatting and deadlifting feel so much better in them. How long did it take for you to get used to the feel of them? C said they're not so much shoes as "foot gloves", lol. Yesterday was "hamstring dominant day" with one quad exercise + triceps which means SLDLs, high foot placement leg press, Bulgarian split squats, and two triceps exercises. It is a very short workout because I do NOT need the same rest time between SLDLs that I do between squats on "quad dominant day". But then I had to go home and scrub my kitchen floor on my hands and knees because I've got the appliance repair guy coming this afternoon to look at my stove and I AM SURE he cares how clean my kitchen is. :eyeroll: So I ended up burning 2160 calories despite the short workout and the many hours seated at my computer yesterday. I ate 2322. Good surplus. Hoping to get to the gym tonight for vertical plane back and shoulder day after the nice man comes and fixes or doesn't fix my stove and critiques my housekeeping ;)

[dreahere]

Yesterday was bad. I only hit 1961 calories, primarily because I had shrimp stirfry for dinner and the volume to calorie ratio was not in my favor. (How perverse is the whole concept of bulking when you can honestly say, "That dinner was a bad choice--too many vegetables"? God.) Plus, after eating all that volume I had to wait awhile to go to the gym because I felt too stuffed to possibly do anything that required, y'know, moving.

Which led me to getting to the Y at 8pm last night. Normally, and if you've been following along you'll know this, the later in the day I lift, the better I do, but yesterday not so much. It was a weird vibe in the weight area for one thing. There were a couple college-aged couples lifting together, and in one of them, the girl was in the guy's lap at one point. I was just...no. Knock that shiz off. One person to a fukkin bench. I'm trying to concentrate so I can get the 25lb dbs over my head for shoulder presses and I'm being distracted by smooching and/or macho posturing the next bench over? Just no.*

I did have this little semi-epiphany about that shoulder press last night though. It's been getting me discouraged that I'm having so much trouble going up to the 25s with that, especially since it's such a struggle to even get them up. So last night it occurred to me that 2 25lb dbs are 50lbs (duh!) and often when you read job descriptions that require lifting (like, y'know, UPS temp help or something) it's "must be able to lift 50 lbs." But not "must be able to lift 50 lbs OVER YOUR HEAD." I dunno. *It just made me feel like though I am indeed weak, I am not as pathetically weak as I sometimes feel.

Anyway, then later when I was doing cable flys, on my last couple of reps my left elbow went "ouch!" *I was like WTF, what was that? That's not even the elbow I had the tendinitis in. So I adjusted my grip, did another set and last couple of reps: ouch. *No idea what that is about, but no bueno. *

Today there will be no lifting, but I'ma do something. Cardio, walking, yoga, something. Plus probably abs, since I skimped on them last night.

[kwebbers]

Yesterday was bad. I only hit 1961 calories, primarily because I had shrimp stirfry for dinner and the volume to calorie ratio was not in my favor. (How perverse is the whole concept of bulking when you can honestly say, "That dinner was a bad choice--too many vegetables"? God.) Plus, after eating all that volume I had to wait awhile to go to the gym because I felt too stuffed to possibly do anything that required, y'know, moving.

Which led me to getting to the Y at 8pm last night. Normally, and if you've been following along you'll know this, the later in the day I lift, the better I do, but yesterday not so much. It was a weird vibe in the weight area for one thing. There were a couple college-aged couples lifting together, and in one of them, the girl was in the guy's lap at one point. I was just...no. Knock that shiz off. One person to a fukkin bench. I'm trying to concentrate so I can get the 25lb dbs over my head for shoulder presses and I'm being distracted by smooching and/or macho posturing the next bench over? Just no.*

I did have this little semi-epiphany about that shoulder press last night though. It's been getting me discouraged that I'm having so much trouble going up to the 25s with that, especially since it's such a struggle to even get them up. So last night it occurred to me that 2 25lb dbs are 50lbs (duh!) and often when you read job descriptions that require lifting (like, y'know, UPS temp help or something) it's "must be able to lift 50 lbs." But not "must be able to lift 50 lbs OVER YOUR HEAD." I dunno. *It just made me feel like though I am indeed weak, I am not as pathetically weak as I sometimes feel.

Anyway, then later when I was doing cable flys, on my last couple of reps my left elbow went "ouch!" *I was like WTF, what was that? That's not even the elbow I had the tendinitis in. So I adjusted my grip, did another set and last couple of reps: ouch. *No idea what that is about, but no bueno. *

Today there will be no lifting, but I'ma do something. Cardio, walking, yoga, something. Plus probably abs, since I skimped on them last night.

I'm workin with 25s too! I wouldnt say I'm plateaued with them quite yet... but 20s are too easy, and 30s? YEAH RIGHT! haha so 25s will be just fine for now even though they are slightly a struggle sometimes

[thepowerwithin]

I'm workin with 25s too! I wouldnt say I'm plateaued with them quite yet... but 20s are too easy, and 30s? YEAH RIGHT! haha so 25s will be just fine for now even though they are slightly a struggle sometimes

I am part of this club, lol.