April's Journal

[Emma-Leigh]

Hey!!! After the skating I had a bit too much fried chicken and brownies!!! Ahh, tomorrow's cardio can help burn it of :)

Some pictures from tonight's ice skating!!

Oh, and I crocheted that scarf!!! I've been crocheting a bit lately to pass time by and it is so fun!! Haha, but damn, nice yarn is expensive.
I love the piccies Tracy!! You are gorgeous!! :D

Argggh - and you made that scarf?!! WOW! That is impressive - I couldn't do anything that talented!! We had to make a pillow case at school in Home Ec and that is about the extent of my skill!! :p


I am so glad your eating is going so well - keep it up!!

[mizone]

Hi April,

Great post about your new approach, sounds like its really working for you, to feel so relaxed :D

Great pics to!!!

[aprilai]

Hmm....well, I was feeling good this morning UNTIL my brother commented, "You ate all those brownies??? *Shakes head* That's so fattening." It reminded me that I must've gone over 3000 calories that day but I've been in a calorie deficit the whole week... then I started to feel guilty and blech!! I had to refrain myself from thinking and obsessing about it afterwards.

Thanks everyone! Crocheting helps pass time by fast and it's so fun to play with the yarns and colors!!!

[Krissypoo]

Great pics! :) That scarf is supercute...too bad it never gets cold enough here to wear such a thing.

Forget what your brother said. You know what you are doing. Keep it up. :D Don't let him mess with your positive mindset about food.

[Megin]

Awh, those are great pics! :D :D

Thanks for sharing those, the scarf is amazing (geez, I couldn't put a button on even if I tried!)

lol


Wait, if your name is Tracy then why do I call you April? :confused:

Humm...well, nevermind, its too late- you will always be april as par your user name ;)

[IronMaiden1522]

Hey Tracy!

I love those pics, you are so cute! And that scarf is great, I want one!

Dont let what your bro said bother you. You sound like you are on the right track now, and dont get discouraged!

[sherdi]

Just wanted to wish you a happy new year! Hope 2006 is your year! :D

[StlBarbie]

Happy New Year Aprilai!!! I hope 2006 finds you at peace, full of happiness, and packed with muscle!!! :)

[Emma-Leigh]

Hey Tracy! :)

Ahh... brownies!! SOOO GOOODD!! And Kick your brother in the shins for me... :p Don't listen to what he says...

Just keep working on gaining control back - being able to have one brownie and leaving it at that - I am sure you will do it!! :D


It is the 31st here - So I guess that means it is the end of the year!! :eek: When did that happen??!! The year seems to have gone so quickly!

So I hope you have a wonderful day today (well, tomorrow for you) and that you enjoy your new-year...

Good luck with your goals for this year too! :D

[aprilai]

I'm feeling well today, but I'm skipping my upper body workout because I - er, 1) too lazy to drive in the late night rain! 2) want to crochet! Okay I know they're bad reasons, but I'll hit it full body tomorrow!! In fact, I think I'm switching to full body 2-3x a week now...and see how living the "lifestyle" goes. Good news though - I am finally back to the size I was pre-binging and I can actually see my hamstring curves now!!! w00t. Now I need to gain a bit more hammy bulk to reduce the cellulite!!


It's so much different now that I'm not freaking over missing a workout :)

[KiwiNovice]

HAPPY NEW YEAR TRACY ... I hope 2006 brings you everything your heart desires!!!!

[Krissypoo]

Happy New Year, Tracy! :D

[Boots]

***Happy New Years!***

[aprilai]

Omg...This is the price I pay for slacking off on the weights!!! I'm sore all over!!! Especially my legs. Arrrgh.

So, yesterday, out of a whim, I decided to load on 85lbs for the lunge and pulled out 10 reps. :) My aim is work up to triple digit weights for the lunge.

Summarize this week:
upper/abs/cardio, cardio, lower (hey, 2 hours of skating does NOT count! ;) ), cardio, off, full body, watching memoirs of a geisha!

Woke up early this morning expecting it to be sunny so I can go for an outdoor run...but guess what? It's looking dreadful and ugly and raining, so I decided I'm just gonna cozy myself up in the morning with some tea and an omelette before work. Later on this evening I'm gonna go watch Memoirs of a Geisha...Oh, and I love working at the mall because all the shopping stores are just right around the corner! Yes, that's gonna be something I'll have to refrain myself from *ties up hands*

[IronMaiden1522]

That is awesome that you are back at a your "pre-bing" weight! Ouch those lunges sound so killer!
Hope you have a great new years!

[aprilai]

Hey, it's still January 1st over here...

so..recalling 2005, I've accomplished half of my new year's resolutions already.

Some of which were :

1. improve my family relationships - check
2. get my knee fixed (torn ligament) - erm..guilty!
6. define lower body - work on progress, but I'll give myself a partial check for increase muscle mass haha :)
7. powerlift at 125% body weight [bench press above 90% is acceptable] - partial check because ATG squat is not 125% yet.

2006 New years Resolutions:

Stop planning everyday and be meticulous with everything like I used to - Relax!

Approach fitness as a lifestyle/hobby, not an obsession.

aaaaaaaaaand

Smile!

EDIT: Franky!!! Sorry for not responding to your question earlier... No the girl in the picture with me is not my best friend, but she's one of my closest girl friends!!

[sherdi]

Hey Tracey! Great goals! I am sure you will do all of them! :D

[Krissypoo]

Great goals, Tracy! Good luck with them! :)

[Megin]

Hey, it's still January 1st over here...



hahaha, I think that is just great!!! Its New Years for 3 days on these boards depending on where you live!!!

These time zones can be fun!!


I really like your goals. Especially about making this more of a hobby/lifestyle- not an obsession. You burn out to quickly and lose sight of many other important things.

Good on you for noticing that!

Have a great day!!

:D

[mizone]

Happy New Year April and good luck with your goals! I think I would have to add in...don't venture around the corner after work to visit the shops! hehe

[terracotta]

good job on 2005 goals! And I really like your new goals!

[StlBarbie]

Aprilai ... I LOVE those resolutions ... I foresee a very happy, healthy 2006 for you!!! And BTW ... your benches absolutely ROCK!!!

Have a good one!!!

[KiwiNovice]

Tracy ... oooh love those New Year's resolutions.

Especially ..... Smile :).

Hope your having a Smilie Day :D.

[Emma-Leigh]

2006 New years Resolutions:

Stop planning everyday and be meticulous with everything like I used to - Relax!

Approach fitness as a lifestyle/hobby, not an obsession.

aaaaaaaaaand

Smile!


Fabulous goals Tracy!! :D I love them! :D Good luck!

[IronMaiden1522]

Great new resolutions! Good luck with it all :D

[aprilai]

Argh, I'm working up to 30 hours this week. (15 credits in school...)

Now I understand the pains of working almost full time and going to school full time!!

Yesterday's cardio:
3x2' upright bike sprints HR @ +170
15' stepper HR @ +160
10' elliptical HR @ +155

full body w/ some sprints later on this afternoon.

[IronMaiden1522]

Argh, I'm working up to 30 hours this week. (15 credits in school...)

Now I understand the pains of working almost full time and going to school full time!!

Yesterday's cardio:
3x2' upright bike sprints HR @ +170
15' stepper HR @ +160
10' elliptical HR @ +155

full body w/ some sprints later on this afternoon.

But hey you still got in your WO! Great job :D

[Miranda]

hi tracy - happy new year!! a bit late but WTH.

i'm happy you've got you stuff together a bit tighter now :)
you can become an obsesed bb freak anytime in the future if you want to

[aprilai]

Jan 4,' 06 Full Body (Upper Dominant) + Sprints
preworkout : fish sandwich with olive oil

Duration : 2hrs

Flat BB Bench
WU: 45 x 12, x 10
95 x 12
95 x 10
95 x 9
95 x 7

Pull ups
WU: 70 x 10
unassisted x 3
5lbs weighted x 2 half reps - pathetic I know
unassisted x 3.5
unassisted x 3
unassisted x 3

Seated Rope Pulls
70 x 6
55 x 12
60 x 10
60 x 10
60 x 10

DB Incline Bench
30 x 15
30 x 12
30 x 11
30 x 9

ATG Squat
WU: 45 x 10

BB Lunge
100 x 5/5 - yes! :D
95 x 10/10
95 x 10/10

RDL
100 x 10
100 x 8

Cable Flys
30 x 12
32.5 x 6, 30 x 3

BB Bendover Rows
2 x 60 x 12

Seated Calf Raises 3 x 35 x 15

Full Body Curls x 8, x 7, x 6

Flags 3 x 12

3x45-60" Treadmill Sprints HR @ 170-180 bpm

Haven't lifted since Saturday ... Reason?
Sunday : work, gym closed
Monday : work and I had too much fiber (60g of it, damn Fiber One and Kashi Crunch) so I was in such a farting mode all day long.
Tuesday: work, rather sleep longer in the morning!

Plan for the rest of this week:
Thurs: morning cardio
Fri: morning cardio
Sat: evening full body (lower dominant)
Sun: cardio or off...maybe for a run if it looks good outside.

Felt like posting this because I managed to quickly meet my lunge goal weight...even though it's only for 5 reps and not 10!

And yes... I know I did an extremely high volume workout.

[Krissypoo]

Congrats on the lunges! Great job, girlie! :) Take care of yourself with that insane schedule...make sure you get enough rest!

[Emma-Leigh]

Workout looks great Tracy! :D

The volume is not too bad either - you should see some of my volume workouts! :eek:

Sprints at the end are an interesting idea too. ;)


Hope things settle down for you with work and study!! It is no fun rushing around like a headless chook! :eek:

[Miranda]

I was in such a farting mode all day long.

that should be enough to propel you through the workouts. clears out the gym too.

[StlBarbie]

Great job on the lunges .... are you SO feeling them today???

Remember to get in some good R & R as well!!! :)

Hope you have a wonderful day!

[IronMaiden1522]

Great workout girl!!

[aprilai]

January 7, '06 Full Body (Lower) + abs/cardio
Morning Weights: Full Body (Lower)

ATG Back Squats
2 x 45 x 10
110 x 4 PB! with a sore ass
105 x 5
105 x 4
105 x 4

Flat BB Bench still so sore since wed
2 x 45 x 10
95 x 10
95 x 6
95 x 7

WG Assisted Pull ups - harder than regular pull ups!
70 x 10
10 x 6
15 x 6
20 x 6

BB Lunges
95 x 3 ouch, butt is still so sore, silly me

Natural GHR yay for hammie strength
x 10, x 10 x 10

Horizontal Leg Presses
190 x 12
190 x 12

Leg Extensions SS Machine Tri Extensions
30 x 15 / 70 x 15
30 x 15 / 70 x 12

DB Bi Curls
20 x 7/7
20 x 5/5

Evening abs/Cardio
abs stuff

15mins Stepper HIIT
6x1' sprints @ 170-185bpm
10mins moderate elliptical
Total: 25 mins

Today is a nice day but I'm just gonna stay home and rest instead of doing anything active! - well, cleaning and doing laundry is still considered being active!

What I REALLY did this week:
mon - off, farted like crazy
tues - Alpha mediated cardio
wed - full body (upper), sore as heck
thurs - a few sprints, little cardio
fri - made a slytherin color scarf!!! green and silver!!
sat - full body (lower)
sun - household productive stuff and hw

plan for next week:

mon - full body (chest focus), sprints
tues - morning cardio
wed - full body (lower)
thurs - morning cardio
fri - full body (back), sprints
sat - cardio

[aprilai]

Kris - I sure will :) I think my manager is realizing that they can't work me over 20 hours anymore because I'm under 18...haha

Emma - I got the sprints after workouts from Titania in Ashley's journal...very effective and good idea!

Miranda - LOL, thank god there are no cute guys at the gym if I give that a try next time!!!

Barb - Argh, sooo sore still. This is what I get for training less often!!!

Jenny - Thanks! Hope it becomes consistent though :)

[IronMaiden1522]

Hey april,

Great WO!! And PB's!!

How do you do your GHR? Emma has me doing them now, but I did them wrong. Do you use the lat pd machine? I want to do them properly

[terracotta]

Hi Tracy! Thanks for correcting me :)

How are you liking full body workouts? How long have you been doing them? After I'm done with this dieting phase, I think I am going to switch to a full body workout.

[aprilai]

Jenny - I do the GHR on the floor. There's this standing ham curl machine with pads that I can lower to hook my ankles under. I just load the weights on to balance out my bodyweight. My butt sticks up a bit with my chest upright, abs held tight like doing deads and I bend at the knees throughout the full range of motion. I think the trickiest part is not to bend at the hips but at the knees, so you might want to hold your abs tight when you lift yourself up.

Terra - I've only been doing them for 1-2 weeks now. I really like them because of time constraints. With body part splits, it was too easy to detrain when I missed a workout. However, with splits, even with time constraints, I can still get away with doing 2 workouts in a week without suffering too much from DOMS or going backwards from the super compensation curve. For cardio, I can do it or I cannot; it's not too important if I don't do it as long as I don't eat too much junk and get in at least 2 good cardio sessions a week.
I think full body workouts are great :)

[StlBarbie]

You put in an awesome wo woman!! Yes, I agree with you .. the full body wos are fantastic .... until the next day .... :eek:!!! For the purposes of time intensity .... you absolutely can't beat 'em!! Congrats on the ATG SQuats ... true glute work there!!!

I should be cleaning as well Aprilai ... as you can tell ... I am NOT!!!

Have a wonderful relaxing day ...you certainly earned it!!! So how long does it take you to make one scarf?

[terracotta]

hmm.. probably good on the student side of things.. I'm tempted to switch, but then it just seems like I'm always changing my program! So, I'm not really sure what I want to do. I'm going to be a lot busier as of tomorrow though.

[KiwiNovice]

mon - off, farted like crazy Haha .... crazy girl!!! :D

Wow busy busy girl .... workouts are looking fab!!! Good to see your fitting in good resting time too!!!

Take care & enjoy your weekend.

[Krissypoo]

Slytherin scarf? What's up with that? Oh yea...I see you and Grace have something in common. Flatulence! :D

[Megin]

Oh my.

First off- *waves*

How are things holding out over there? Seems that you have had some amazing workouts this past week- wow, is about all I've got to say!
What did today bring?

:D

[IronMaiden1522]

Thanks for the tips April, I am going to have to work on those to get them right!

[aprilai]

Damn...busy!

Did my 2nd full body weight training today (Thursday). Very good pump :)

Monday - full body, mostly isolations 'cause my chest/back/legs/shoulders were sooo fried. (didn't eat enough on sunday)
Tues - Alpha mediated cardio on treadmill. heart rate peaked 190 bpm...
"Did you feel like fainting?"
"No, I just wanted to roll off the treadmill."
Wed - well, let's say I had a little "accident." Damn "accidents." Things are getting better for the most part though.
Thurs - Did NOT feel like working out. The whole time at work I asked myself, "Hmm....should I REALLY go to the gym today? *thinks then customer interrupts*"

My sister is coming to stay here this Saturday for 3 days ... and I really do not want her to come. We'll have these family gatherings where the family spends time together and blah, I dread it because of past incidents when everyone jumped on my case.

Maybe this isn't a real problem and I'm just imagining it.

[Miranda]

heart rate peaked 190 bpm

:eek: did you feel like throwing up? wow.

[aprilai]

:eek: did you feel like throwing up? wow.

Oh definitely.

Oh yeah...those scarves, depending on how complex the pattern is, a basic simple style takes me like 4 hours.

So news...I'm going to volunteer at a hospital as an escort next week. I assist disabled people around the facility...

But, I'm getting tired so I'm going to take some time off training. After learning about fitness for awhile now, I realized that there really is no such thing as "maintainance." As Lyle said, you're either moving forward or stepping backwards...I have a feeling I've been moving backwards. +_+

For the sake of records, I'll post some of the weights from Thursday's weight training:

Incline BB bench
4 x 95 x 6-8

BB Lunges
3 x 95 x 10-12

BB Bendover Rows
3-4 x 75 x 10

RDLs
3 x 100 x 10-12

Unassisted dips
3 x 6-12

and some other stuff...don't remember.

[StlBarbie]

I am SO PROUD of YOU Aprilai!!! YOU learned this lesson decades before me!!! Time off ... can be a VERY good thing and I certainly think you can sense when your body needs it!!

What a wonderful opportunity at the hospital! Are you excited to start?

[aprilai]

I am SO PROUD of YOU Aprilai!!! YOU learned this lesson decades before me!!! Time off ... can be a VERY good thing and I certainly think you can sense when your body needs it!!

What a wonderful opportunity at the hospital! Are you excited to start?

Yep! It's about time that I start investing in my intended career afterall...been telling myself "I need to volunteer at a hospital" since like 2 years ago!!! But well, laziness took over...now that's it 2006 and if I want any chance to show my dedication in my intended career I better start now :p

[StlBarbie]

WOW ... what an exciting time for you ... starting something you have been looking forward to doing ... and you'll have all that fabulous energy to invest in it with some VERY WELL DESERVED rest time! :) I can't wait to hear how it goes!

[aprilai]

WOW ... what an exciting time for you ... starting something you have been looking forward to doing ... and you'll have all that fabulous energy to invest in it with some VERY WELL DESERVED rest time! :) I can't wait to hear how it goes!

I think rest time is what I definitely need at the moment unfortunately ... :( (I am so exhilarated from every workout...it's hard to rest if I have the time to train ...)

One of the things I'm learning so far is that no matter how little time I have, it won't cover the unhappiness I feel. Depressing as it sounds. I need to believe that happiness is not a destination but a method of life ... so easy to say but so hard to believe in it truly. Before I've always thought, "well, I must feel this way because I have too much time on my hands...maybe if I keep myself busy then I won't have the time to think of stupid crap like this." Now that I constantly have things to do, I still feel that way in those cracks of spare time on my mind.

[StlBarbie]

You are a wise young woman Aprilai!!! I tell you ... I sincerely mean this ... I wish I had known those things at your age ... I forsee a VERY happy life for you! I hope you continue to share with us where it takes you!! :)

[IronMaiden1522]

Tracy I must agree with Barb, you are one wise girl. If I was only as levelheaded as you when I was your age. I still am not as wise as you I dont think ;)

Keep your head up, you are doing great!

[Emma-Leigh]

Tracy - you never stop astounding me with the continued depth of knowledge and the intuition and insight you show for someone so young...

You are amazing...

Keep listening to the world girl and you'll realise the extent of your potential for greatness soon enough...

:)

[freakeefranky]

hi girl,sorry i haven't been in here...hectic household recently..belh..hope that 2006 will be a fab yr for u!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Megin]

April

Whats going on over there- talk it out?

You haven't posted for 2 days, but I know you are around...let us help


Cheer up :)

[Miranda]

Depressing as it sounds. I need to believe that happiness is not a destination but a method of life ... so easy to say but so hard to believe in it truly.

life is made of ups and downs. if you don't feel like crap every now and then you won't know what 'happiness' means.
i don't think life has a 'destination' btw. if there's any, it's called death and we're not in a hurry are we?

[Krissypoo]

Bump to what everyone else has said. Addressing the issues makes them better...ignoring them doesn't. You are working so hard to do well...keep at it! :) I am sure that the hospital job will prove rewarding and lift your spirits.

I hope that all is well!

[StlBarbie]

Aprilai, how is your week going? Are you enjoying the rest? And how is the hospital job going ... have you started yet?

[IronMaiden1522]

Oh tracy!! Where R ya!!1 hope all is well :D

[aprilai]

Erm, so early morning I was clinging onto the toilet for dear life...

Lesson learned: Don't eat strange foods!

[Emma-Leigh]

Erm, so early morning I was clinging onto the toilet for dear life...

Lesson learned: Don't eat strange foods!
LOL but argggg...


I hope you are feeling better now??

[aprilai]

Definitely! :)

Oh, and I haven't started volunteering yet... Not until later on this week.

So tempted to get back in the gym though.

*Note*

I'm off coffee, creatine and BCAAs for this week.

[KiwiNovice]

Erm, so early morning I was clinging onto the toilet for dear life...

Lesson learned: Don't eat strange foods!:eek: you poor little thing. Get better quick!!

[sherdi]

Sorry to hear you have been feeling sick! Hope you have a speedy recovery! Awesome full body workouts going on in here Tracey! I also agree with everyone here, you are wise beyond your years! I think 2006 is really working for you! :D

[freakeefranky]

hey get well soon! {{{HUGZZZ}}}}}

[Krissypoo]

Tracy, how are you feeling? Better, I assume...?

[Megin]

I'm off coffee, creatine and BCAAs for this week.

Wow, how is that feeling?

Come back April :)

[StlBarbie]

How are you????? I hope you are recovered and off enjoying yourself???? :)

[aprilai]

Blech, I am so stressed out right now...

This week has been rather hectic. I had to run back and forth in the city to get paperwork done.

Yesterday I found out that my transcripts from one of the community colleges I attended last year were not sent into UW. Gosh, and I went there myself to request it! Arrrrgh. The postmark date was January 20th, and I found that out on January 20th! *Sigh* And I thought I applied early for inhouse scholarships too...now I probably have trouble getting in which I should not on normal conditions.

Blech.

Monday I have to find a way to sort this out. UW was the only school I applied for because it's the only school I want to go to.

[Megin]

April- If you really want to go there, you will find a way.
I may not know much, but when you post, you post with determination. Anyone can read that from your post...so I am confident you will find you way.

Just give it a little time to sort out- it will

Until then... go do something for you and only for you. You deserve it


~~~~~~~ Good vibes your way :)

[IronMaiden1522]

Oh, I hope it all works out at school, that would be soo stressful. good luck. and hope you are feeling better.

[KiwiNovice]

Just popping in to flash you a big smile Tracey!!! Hope all is going well and that you sort out the school dilemma!! :D

[StlBarbie]

Perserverance ... and determination will get you exactly where you want to go ... and you have plenty of both .......... it WILL work out .. just hang in there!!

How is the body feeling? Relaxed and recovered??? :)