What's it all about??

[emmie]

great pictures emma, your abs are really tight, looks like no body fat at all. congrats on all your hard work sweetie.Thank you, Tat. I have plenty of body fat. I'm sitting on it right now! :p


Based on your numbers you have some very strong legs.Hah - I don't think so! They're definitely my weak spot. But thanks! *Wonders if he's ever looked at any other other women's journals and sees how much weight they're squatting*


About the hand reference.....I'm shocked you don't know the headbangers hand gesture!! Ronnie James would be sooo disappointed. (granted the illustration I gave was severely lacking.....lol) :)
Oh, well of course I know the gesture - and probably used it more than a few times at an AC/DC show - I guess I didn't recognize the *graphic* you provided. Nonetheless.....Rock on!! :D Have you ever read the book "Hell Bent for Leather: Confesssions of a Heavy Metal Addict" by Seb Hunter?? Fu(king hilarious!! Part memoir, part history. A really fun read.


Perhaps Shrimpy predator guy needs to be within 4" of a woman to reach them (if you know what I mean)? Oh my god, that made me laugh out loud, Jason. You may well be on to something here.


Way to go, Emmie!

That is an excellent workout. I love your intensity on the squats and deads.

Definitely a workout to grow on.

RayWhy thank you, Ray! :) I like the "workout to grow on" comment - that's a great way to look at it. I'm very new to squatting, so I'm learning as I go. It can only improve, right??!?

[BigBT]

Have you ever read the book "Hell Bent for Leather: Confesssions of a Heavy Metal Addict" by Seb Hunter?? Fu(king hilarious!! Part memoir, part history. A really fun read.

I haven't read that book, but I've read "Bang Your Head" by David Konow (kind of a history of metal) and just finished "Run to the Hills" by Mick Wall (Iron Maiden Bio). I'll pick up the book you mentioned though. Sounds like some great summer reading. You'll have to PM me at some point and list the shows you've seen. It might be fun to compare notes.
And yes, I've seen the other ladies post their leg numbers. Just because they are lifting obscene weights does not discount the fact that you have strong legs as well. :) I consider myself to be somewhat strong, but compared to Arnold I'm a wimp. It's all relative. :)

[egoatdoor]

Hey Emmie. I've been lurking, but not posting lately. You look dynamite both front and back. Love that you like deadlifts. To many, its such an "unwomanly" movement, LOL.

My nomination to the list of gym goers: Mr. Bird In Flight. I see him almost every week. He picks up dumbbells that are way too heavy of course and proceeds to do side laterals with so much body english in his hips, legs and arms that it looks like he looks like a plane lifting off a runway.

Another one is Mister I Gotta Let Everybody Know How Much Weight I Am Lifting. He does a few reps of dumbbell shoulder presses, screaming and grunting of course, and then THROWS the weight down on the floor so loud that it would wake up the dead in the cemetary a mile down the road. I'm waiting for the day a dumbbell bounces off the floor and hits somebody. Then he will be known as Mister I Got Kicked Out of the Gym. :D

[moisy]

Good morning :D

Somehow I managed to get on here this morning ... I hope it lasts and does not get discovered again!! lol ;)

Yep ... my countdown is definitely on for the end of the year, but more so for when I am able to see D more and spend most of my time up there until the big move!! :) I don't know if I mentioned it yesterday, but your abs look fantastic - I am still waiting to see that smile of yours too!! :) ;) I am also lving everyone's different names for people in the gym ... I guess we all have some characters ... my personal favourites are the "1/4 Rep" men at my gym or the "Silicon Valley" [all boobs no .... ] lol :eek: woman who apply their make up like they are going to a club to pick up men!!! lol

[emmie]

I'll pick up the book you mentioned though. Sounds like some great summer reading.If you can't find it, let me know and I'll send you my copy to read. I hadn't quite finished it and picked it up again last night...you've got to read it, it's laugh-out-loud funny!.
Just because they are lifting obscene weights does not discount the fact that you have strong legs as well. :) I consider myself to be somewhat strong, but compared to Arnold I'm a wimp. It's all relative. Point taken. Thank you!


Hey Emmie. I've been lurking, but not posting lately. You look dynamite both front and back. Love that you like deadlifts. To many, its such an "unwomanly" movement, LOL.I'm pretty unwomanly Bill, so maybe that's why I like them! :p Thanks for the compliment!

I guess we all have some characters ... my personal favourites are the "1/4 Rep" men at my gym or the "Silicon Valley" [all boobs no .... ] lol :eek: woman who apply their make up like they are going to a club to pick up men!!! lolI think that you win with "Silicon Valley"!! Glad that you were able to sneak on the site this morning. Maybe you could convince the school that you're doing a lesson on fitness and you need constant access to bb.com, um...while the kids are at recess. :D

SHOULDERS AND CALVES
Bearing in mind my how funny my shoulder was acting on Sunday, I used a heating pack on it for about 10 minutes before starting, plus did some very light warm-ups (8# DBs) before launching into the first set. Seemed to help, as I was pretty much pain-free.

Seated DB Shoulder Press:
24# DBs 10
26.5# DBs 3 x 8
This felt "just right". My form was great, and I was controlling the weight. I was very careful in getting the DBs into position, and that seemed to be the biggest help.

Standing Lateral Raises:
20# DBs 3 x 8
Still at this weight, since I continue to have to use some momentum to get the last rep out in each set. BUT today's first set felt the strongest, yet - much more controlled than ever before, plus I was able to hold for a pause at the top of the movement intead of having the weights swing down wildly. :rolleyes:

EZ Upright Rows:
40 10
65# 8/8

DB Shrugs:
24.5# DBs 12
34.5# DBs 12
44.5# DBs 12

Standing Calf Raises (holding DBs):
20# DBs 3 sets of: 10 (5 sec. pause), 15 (10 second pause), 25 (10 second pause), 25 (10 sec. pause) 15 (5 second pause), 10 (10 second pause), body weight x 30. My pauses are longer than they should be because I am stretching in between, but oh well!

Followed this by lots of calf stretching, and then I ran for 2 miles and walked home (30 minutes total). Will do more stretching throughout the day.

Nicely sore in my butt and hamstrings, and also in the calves from yesterday's seated raises. Nothing crippling - yet! - so I'm pretty happy. I'm taking my dad to a doctor's appointment today, and working this evening. Working the next 3 days, actually. For a change....

Happy Wednesday, nice people! :)

[kimsquit]

Happy Wednesday, Emma :)

[bluegreen]

morning Emmie, sounds like a smooth workout!

[moisy]

Good morning! :)

Hey I like the way you think ... I should come up with a new curriculum that requires us all to go on to bb.com in the morning to track our fitness levels! Who knows ... the kids would probably love it ... I had them out early yesterday morning for their gym running laps around the field and they loved it! Surprise, surprise!!! :D

Your shoulder workout looked great!! Do you get DOMS when you work them? I rarely do ... :( ... just one of those things eh?!! lol ;)

Have a good day and hopefully the next 3 days of work go well too! :)

[mom24boys]

Mornin' trouble..I see you are up and about creating mischief already this morning.....shame on you woman :p

LOL and as soon as I come up with something..watch out!

[bluegreen]

morning Emmie!

[emmie]

I had them out early yesterday morning for their gym running laps around the field and they loved it! Surprise, surprise!!!

Your shoulder workout looked great!! Do you get DOMS when you work them? I rarely do ... :( ... just one of those things eh?!! lol ;)

Hi Moisy - You teach gym in addition to math, science, English, history, civics,and art???! It's like a one-room school house you've got there!

No shoulder DOMS today - I was *conservative* with yesterday's WO because I've been getting warning twinges in my L shoulder. But I often don't get shoulder DOMS. If I do, it's from an unrelated exercise - like overhead DB presses. :confused:


Mornin' trouble..I see you are up and about creating mischief already this morning.....shame on you woman :p

LOL and as soon as I come up with something..watch out!It takes trouble to know trouble......good morning Lisa! :D


morning Emmie!Hiya Bun!


Quiet, non-workout day today. Lolled around in bed for awhile before convincing myself that I should probably get up. It wasn't late but I woke up when R got up to go rowing, and I usually can't get back to sleep after that. Did abs, which took about 45 minutes to complete because I would do 2 sets of something and then sort laundry, and then I'd do a couple of more sets of something and then go check e-mail, and then do a few more sets...you get the idea.

Had an easy night at work last night, which was most welcome. Probably will be more hectic today as there will be one less nurse schedualed. I really like my job. It's something of a relief, as I had had doubts about it while I was in school, but I feel like this taking care of people is what I was really mean to do. :)

My butt is still a little sore from Tuesday's workout, and my calves are a bit sore from yesterday's raises, too. Good feeling!

Happy Thursday, nice folks!

[moisy]

Yeah .... for an easy night at work! Gotta love that!! :D Especially with all of this heat ... but I am assuming it is air conditioned where you are or everyone would be miserable! lol :) ;)

[mom24boys]

Guess that makes us double trouble....OH MY think of the havoc we could wreck 'round here :p.....good thing we are innocent :D

[IdahoViking]

Guess that makes us double trouble....OH MY think of the havoc we could wreck 'round here :p.....good thing we are innocent :D
I just blew coffee all over my monitor.

[BigBT]

Ahhh, I see you are another night shifter! My wife is on the same rotation. It has its plusses and minuses, but she is always tired because of it.....

[kimsquit]

I just blew coffee all over my monitor.
I hope it wasn't Mr. Coffee :eek:

[jmc53]

plus I was able to hold for a pause at the top of the movement intead of having the weights swing down wildly.

I prefer the idea of you swinging wildly I think ;)
Nice workout Emma.

[moisy]

Good morning Miss Emmie ... and more importantly happy TIGF!!! :D

Though I do know that you are working ... so I hope that goes well too ;) And I liked the sound of your cooler weather than what we are getting here ... I was drooling over it in fact!! lol :) I love it when it is in the mid 70s with a slight breeze and dry ... none of that yet though!! lol

Have a great morning!! :D :)

[emmie]

BACK & TRICEPS

Chin-Ups : Hammer grip
Bodyweight 8/8/7

Medium-Grip Pulldown:
120# 8/7/5.5
110# 6
last week I could only do 1 set of 6 reps @ 120#.

Seated Cable Row - Using V-Bar handle
100# 10
117.5# 6
115# 8/7
100# 8
My spastic back (what else can I call it?) has felt PERFECT for the past two days, but with the first rep on this exercise, the pain came back. It's not really a big deal anymore since I'm basically used to it - having to brace myself to sneeze and cough, etc - but I had been optimistic that I had healed up from it.

Single Dumbbell OH Extention:
40# 12/12/12
Yeah! Last few reps brought to you by AC/DC's "Givin' the Dog a Bone"...("well she's usin' her head again...." ;))

Underhand Triceps Pushdown:

[color=blue]95#8/8/7
90# 8
Increased reps and sets @95#. The 90# set was "extra credit"

And I probably shouldn't mention the other extra credit exercise: Straight Bar Cable Curls @ 90# 10/7/6....:o

25 minutes of cardio on the treadmill. (Walking @ 6% incline, 4.6 mph)

Very good workout. Had the gym pretty much to myself (the way it ALWAYS should be :p), no Shrimpy Predator, no Biker Firefighter. There was Tattoed Chicken Legs, however (beer gut, ghostly white toothpick legs with bright tatoos on them), and I was pleased that my cable row #s were higher than his. :)

[emmie]

Good morning Miss Emmie ... and more importantly happy TIGF!!! Thank you! I'm probably not quite as excited about it being Friday as you are....but since I'm off work tomorrow, I definitely have that end-of-the-week happy smile on my face!



I am assuming it is air conditioned where you are or everyone would be miserable! lol Yeah, it's almost too cool for me in some of the rooms. Not only would it be unbearably hot if it weren't ac'd, but the place would STINK! :eek:


Guess that makes us double trouble....OH MY think of the havoc we could wreck 'round here :p.....good thing we are innocent Speak for yourself....
Hi Lisa!


I just blew coffee all over my monitor.



I hope it wasn't Mr. Coffee :eek:

Oh my god...Would somebody please rep Chris for this one!! :D

Hi IV - Sorry about the monitor - it's all Lisa's fault!



Ahhh, I see you are another night shifter! My wife is on the same rotation. It has its plusses and minuses, but she is always tired because of it.....Hi Brian - You're probably the only one who will know the AC/DC song I mentioned....Anyhow, I work 4-midnight (we call it the evening tour), so it's not nights, technically. It's been working out well for me. I just switched to this schedual about 2.5 months ago, and I really like it. What does the missus do?


I prefer the idea of you swinging wildly I think ;)
Swinging?? What's your address?? :D

Definitely going to need a nap today. Got about 4.75 hours of sleep last night. The kid who lives next door to us has had 4 different cars in the 9 months that he's lived there, and in every instance he can't seem to master how to open the goddamn car door without setting off the alarm. Every freakin' morning - early -the thing goes off. Some days I can ignore it, but it's pretty annoying...At least it gets me to the gym nice and early before the crowds arrive.

T.G.I.F., nice people!!

[jocularric]

Good morning beautiful Emma! A wonderful workout. Nice job on your chins. Nice increases all the way around. I think you should post your extra credit exercises--you did it, the lift and credit are yours. LOL at your out doing tattooed chicken legs. :D

I too workout when the gym is empty or nearly so. It's nice to be able to move from one piece of equipment to another without waiting. I don't have the perv you have to face either.

[IdahoViking]

...Oh my god...Would somebody please rep Chris for this one!! :DNot I.

[bluegreen]

Oh my god...Would somebody please rep Chris for this one!! :D


and encourage such behaviour??? lol!

Another nice workout! Wonderful on having the gym to yourself!

[mom24boys]

and encourage such behaviour??? lol!

Another nice workout! Wonderful on having the gym to yourself!

I cant this one Emmie..seems i have already used up the luv reps yet again :p

Oh BG we wouldnt have Chris any other way :)

[emmie]

Good morning beautiful Emma! A wonderful workout. Nice job on your chins. Nice increases all the way around. I think you should post your extra credit exercises--you did it, the lift and credit are yours. LOL at your out doing tattooed chicken legs. :D
Hey Ric - I almost didn't recognize your post, as it's written in the vernacular! Thanks - the chins are feeling great. I'm paying more attention to the muscles being engaged and really enjoying the feeling of strength. It's very satisfying!


Not I.Oh come on, Ted! What's a little homoerotic humor amongst friends??!? :D




Another nice workout! Wonderful on having the gym to yourself!Thanks, Bunny! It's nice when the gym's empty from the space perspective, but it's also easier for me to focus on my workout when it's empty. I can feel pretty self conscious when there are lots of people around.


seems i have already used up the luv reps yet again :pHow does that happen??! I hate it that I can't rep the people I like! *Trudges off to the Outdoor Recreation forum to whore herself out*

[ChocoChick]

Oh my god...Would somebody please rep Chris for this one!!

Done!



Definitely going to need a nap today. Got about 4.75 hours of sleep last night. The kid who lives next door to us has had 4 different cars in the 9 months that he's lived there, and in every instance he can't seem to master how to open the goddamn car door without setting off the alarm. Every freakin' morning - early -the thing goes off. Some days I can ignore it, but it's pretty annoying...At least it gets me to the gym nice and early before the crowds arrive.


I hate car alarms.

[mom24boys]

*Trudges off to the Outdoor Recreation forum to whore herself out*


So this is where we go to get recharged???..follows emmie to find the luv. :p

[emmie]

Done!Thanks, Elise!



I hate car alarms.Amen! Although perhaps my public griping about it has helped, since this morning was the first day in a long time that I wasn't awoken by it.


So this is where we go to get recharged???..Proceed with caution, Lisa....I'm feeling a little ragged from the experience!

So you know how I've said how much I love my job? I'm going to need to add a qualifier: I love my job between the hours of 4-midnight. I do not love my job when I have to stay until 2:30 because one of the night tour nurses calls in @ 12:30 to say she'll be late, and then takes 1.5 hours to get to the hospital. :mad: Ugh! I was starving, pissed-off, and exhausted (in that order). I didn't get a good night's sleep the night before, didn't manage to sleep buring my naptime, and my eating had been kind of off. (I have not been hungry lately - I've been eating the food, but as far as real feelings of hunger go, it's only first thing in the a.m., and the again around 10 p.m., when I am starving. Very odd...) Anyhow...got to bed around 3:15 and woke up around 7:30 and really couldn't get back to sleep. Hope to really nap today.

I have the day off, so that makes things a bit more bearable. It's a rest day [just abs, which I am going to have to flog myself into doing :rolleyes:]. My triceps, lats, and rhomboids feel *perfectly* sore. :) I've got to do some major cleaning here: Some friends of ours are coming over tomorrow morning, and they're rather "tidy" people, and we are not. (Actually R is pretty tidy. But I am slob. :p) Want to bake some bread, too. Not much else planned that I'll mention here. ;)

Hope everyone is having a good day!

[MacGyverDel]

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z291/macgyverdel/94702MRUQ_w.jpg

:)

[BigBT]

Hi Brian - You're probably the only one who will know the AC/DC song I mentioned....Anyhow, I work 4-midnight (we call it the evening tour), so it's not nights, technically. It's been working out well for me. I just switched to this schedual about 2.5 months ago, and I really like it. What does the missus do?


Lol, I definately got the reference. I'd post some additional lyrics to it here, but we have to keep this a family forum! ;) My wife does the 7pm - 7am shift at the hospital. She doesn't love it as much as you apparantly!

[emmie]

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z291/macgyverdel/94702MRUQ_w.jpg

:)That's an understatement! Good Morning, Del! :)


Lol, I definately got the reference. I'd post some additional lyrics to it here, but we have to keep this a family forum! ;) My wife does the 7pm - 7am shift at the hospital. She doesn't love it as much as you apparantly!No we don't! :p

Hi Brian - I've not been doing nursing for very long, so I'm still full of naive optimism. Give me a few years and I'll probably be less gush-y about it. There are certainly things re: administration that aren't ideal. But I guess I've got a thing for old men....I just really love my patients, and I hope that part doesn't change!

Working my way down the list of tasks. Just finished washing the floors - hands and knees, baby! :D

[moisy]

I hope you are able to squeeze in that much needed nap today since "someone" chose to come into work late to relieve you .... that is soooo NOT fair! :( Would she get in trouble? Let's just hope that she returns the favour to you one day and relieves you earlier than expected ... now that would be nice ;)

Enjoy your rest day, baking bread [so talented ;)] and your guests tomorrow morning too!! :)

[Buffycat3]

Emmie...I really wish I could get to your journal more often...I just spent a good 10min catching up with you :)

I gotta say, girl, your w/os are fabulous.
I see your focus with your training.
Your photos prove it too...Beautiful.

Keep it UP!

[BigBT]

No we don't! :p

Working my way down the list of tasks. Just finished washing the floors - hands and knees, baby! :D

Something tells me I should have ran far away when I started reading your journal! :)

[emmie]

I hope you are able to squeeze in that much needed nap today since "someone" chose to come into work late to relieve you .... that is soooo NOT fair! :( I just got up from a little nap :) This particular person is chronically late - unfortunately that behavior is tolerated since they have a had time filling the midnight-8 position. It was my bad luck that she was REALLY late yesterday.


I gotta say, girl, your w/os are fabulous.
I see your focus with your training.
Your photos prove it too...Beautiful.

Keep it UP!Joan - it makes me feel great hearing that from you - thanks! :)


Something tells me I should have ran far away when I started reading your journal! :)Oh, come now....it's not so bad! :D

Thought I'd share a picture of the bread. I was a little disappointed because they looked so big and chubby coming out of the oven, but they've "settled" a bit. I'm sure that they're still perfectly edible, though!

[ChocoChick]

Thought I'd share a picture of the bread. I was a little disappointed because they looked so big and chubby coming out of the oven, but they've "settled" a bit. I'm sure that they're still perfectly edible, though!

They look yummy, Emma. What kind are they? When I was baking breads a lot I was always fooling with different flours. Did you use a starter?

[tatdawg]

ummmm nice bread emma, good sunday mornin sweetie. i hate late inconsiderate people. to me early is on time and on time is late. chronic lateness says a lot about a persons charactor.

[emmie]

CHEST & BICEPS

**Weights include the bar**

Flat BB Bench Press:

66# 10
95# 8 5# increase from last week.
105# 6 4# increase from last week.
105# 5These were ugly lookin' reps. My ROM was far from full...
70# 10

Decline DB Press:
37.5# DBs 8/8/10
This was the shoulder pain-inducing exercise last week. I took the advice of bringing the DBs up to my shoulders, pausing, and then rotating them out into position instead of just heaving them up there. Worked like a charm. Zero pain. Woo Hoo! Will try the 40s next week. :)

3 BW pull-ups. :D

Incline DB Curls
20# DBs 1 x 12
26.5# DBs 10
30# DBs 6 O.K. finally I can (sort-of) use the 30s! Still, the ROM is only about 2/3 - if I lower the weights all the way there's no way that they will get back up again, and this is even with keeping a slight bend in the elbows as I was instructed to do. QUESTION: Is there value in using a less-full ROM? Or is it cheating? The next weight down is too easy...

EZ Preacher Curls:
50# 1 x 10
55# 1 x 8
59.5# 6My form and ROM was slightly better than last week's ****ty display, but these aren't exactly smoooth.
55# 8 Not part of the program, but...


Followed this by 30 minutes of cardio - 2 miles of running, and the rest walking. As I was heading out, R came down the stairs, looked me up and down, shook his head and said "No one's going to
fu(k with you out there, honey, that's for sure." I took it as a compliment.

I took some distressing pictures of my posterior this morning {unfit for public consuption! :eek:} Even though I am pretty lean in my upper body, the area from hip bone and 6 inches down needs some help. I'll use these as progress pics and (reluctantly) reeavluate after several more weeks of squatting etc. I like the way I look in clothing, otherwise.... Note to self: Don't look at your ass. :cool:


They look yummy, Emma. What kind are they? When I was baking breads a lot I was always fooling with different flours. Did you use a starter?It's oatmeal bread - basically 75% white flour, and the rest oats and w.w. It's for R. and he doesn't care if it's "clean" or not. I don't use a starter. I've never had much luck with that in the home setting. I think sourdoughs are best when you have a very hot oven to work with - a home oven doesn't cut it. I make a sponge and go from there. I haven't done too much experimenting with different flours recently - right now I just try to keep up with R's consumption. The man likes his bread!!


ummmm nice bread emma, good sunday mornin sweetie. i hate late inconsiderate people. to me early is on time and on time is late. chronic lateness says a lot about a persons charactor.Hiya Tat - Where the hell have you been?? I am so with you on the "early is on time" concept. I go from being a pretty nice person to being murderous when I have to wait.

I hope that every one has a great day today - especially the fathers! :)

[mom24boys]

Morning Emmie..nice WO..I like how I look in clothing too..its nakey I have so much trouble with.(I know, stay dressed :D) Have a great Sunday!

[BigBT]

That's a nice looking workout this morning. Congrats on your increases and beating the shoulder pain. I dion't know that I have a scientific answer to your question of partial reps, but I can tell you that I have just lowered my weights to be able to get a full ROM and I haven't decided if it is providing a growth benefit. I know that it is making me a bit more limber, which is good. I can tell you that I pay more attention to some of the bigger body builders in my gym and that most of them do a lot of partials, especially on shoulders (ie presses stopping at parallel instead of dipping slightly below) Since these guys are huge, I have to assume that it is working for them. Conversely when I peek at what the trainers are telling their clients to do, they are always telling them to get the full ROM. If it were me, I'd go for the heavy weight in your case and use it until it becomes too easy. There, I just took up all that space in your journal and didn't answer a damn thing. I'm like that. ;)

Now, am I to understand that there are some butt shots of you now that you won't share??? I notice you said not for "public" consumption, but you didn't specifically say that requests to have them pm'd was out of the question...:D

[emmie]

Morning Emmie..nice WO..I like how I look in clothing too..its nakey I have so much trouble with.(I know, stay dressed :D) Have a great Sunday!Thanks! The right lighting, the right situation....naked is good. In the unmerciful broad daylight....yeah, keep it covered. :cool:


There, I just took up all that space in your journal and didn't answer a damn thing. I'm like that. ;)Hi Brian - I was asking for opinions/advice, and you gave them, so thanks! :) That's my inclination, too - to do the partials and work up to fulls. The partials are definitely challenging (duh!, otherwise they'd be fulls), so I can't really see it hurting, but I wanted a more informed opinion than my own.


I notice you said not for "public" consumption, but you didn't specifically say that requests to have them pm'd was out of the question...:DHeh - now that you've started posting in here, do you think I'm dumb enough to scare you off with pictures of my ass?? :p Sorry...

[moisy]

HOLY COW WOMAN .... 105LBS ON THE BB PRESS ... IMPRESSIVE!!!! :D

You definitely had a great workout despite being worried about the partials ... you must be doing something right if R is fearing for the life of others as you walk out the door!!!! lol ;) :)

You have got some serious muscles on that upper body of yours ... and I am sure that the lower parts look just great too ... we women are way too harsh on ourselves when it comes to our butts!! lol :)

Have a wonderful day ... and hopefully I will see you on here bright and early tomorrow as long as I am allowed from work! ;)

[egoatdoor]

Incline DB Curls
20# DBs 1 x 12
26.5# DBs 10
30# DBs 6 O.K. finally I can (sort-of) use the 30s! Still, the ROM is only about 2/3 - if I lower the weights all the way there's no way that they will get back up again, and this is even with keeping a slight bend in the elbows as I was instructed to do. QUESTION: Is there value in using a less-full ROM? Or is it cheating? The next weight down is too easy...


I'm having the same problems on incline curls, side laterals and some tricep exercises( a full range of motion on triceps with heavy weight puts too much strain on my elbows).

It is generally OK to use a more limited range of motion on the last couple of reps, but its not a good idea to "cheat" too much starting with the first rep. Two possible solutions are 1) Switch to drop sets. Use the weight that is "too easy" to failure, then drop the weight and do another set without a break. If you really ambitious, drop it again a second time, so that you are effectively doing 3 sets back to back to back without rest. That should fry that muscle!! 2) Increase the targeted rep range (say from 12, 10 and 6 to 20,15,10) so that you have to drop the weight back and "start over" in pyramiding up.

[bluegreen]

Hey Emmie, home-baked bread, YUM! nice workout! I'm very impressed by your benching - I'm sooooo weak in that area! If your pics are unfit for public consumption, there's always PM ;) :D

[Luvdogs]

Hi Emma! That bread was beautiful! Looks like what I just bought for dinner tonight (I'm still on "weekend away" mode)!

Reading back about your comment regarding "nieveness" about your career, I feel the same way about PT'ing, while I love doing it, it has it's moments where I feel like a "rep counter". I'm seriously thinking of working at Surf City when we move and be a barista! Surf City is the Santa Cruz version of Starbucks. Yummy coffee and very cool atmosphere and they have doggie patios!

[jtroster]

Nice bread. I also make bread. I like to use this recipe (http://www.redrivercereal.com/recipes/machine.html).

[ChocoChick]

Good morning, Emma. How was your weekend?

[emmie]

You have got some serious muscles on that upper body of yours ... and I am sure that the lower parts look just great too ... we women are way too harsh on ourselves when it comes to our butts!! lol

Have a wonderful day ... and hopefully I will see you on here bright and early tomorrow as long as I am allowed from work! Thanks, Moisy! You're certainly right about women being overly-critical about our butts. I'm sure that that the select few others who see them aren't nearly as disappointed by the sight. ;)

I'm curious about how you've managed to circumvent the schools computer filters.



It is generally OK to use a more limited range of motion on the last couple of reps, but its not a good idea to "cheat" too much starting with the first rep.Thanks for the input, Bill. The ROM deteriorates as the set progresses - I'm not "cheating" from the get-go. My thought is that challenging the muscle is what will cause it to grow, and there are a bunch of ways to do that, including using shorter ROM. I wanted to hear others' ideas about it. :) I'll keep your other suggestions in mind. Right now I'm following a specific scheme that I don't want to deviate from (i.e., no drop sets, etc.)


Hey Emmie, home-baked bread, YUM! nice workout! I'm very impressed by your benching - I'm sooooo weak in that area! If your pics are unfit for public consumption, there's always PM Hi Bunny! I love baking bread. And pies. And muffins. And cake. I don't really like to cook, though. Regarding PM'd pictures - see my above response to Brian! :p




Reading back about your comment regarding "nieveness" about your career, I feel the same way about PT'ing, while I love doing it, it has it's moments where I feel like a "rep counter". I'm seriously thinking of working at Surf City when we move and be a barista! Surf City is the Santa Cruz version of Starbucks. Yummy coffee and very cool atmosphere and they have doggie patios!Between your people-skills and the connection you have with dogs, Surf City sounds like it would be right up your alley. You'd be the hottest barista there, that's for sure! :) Got to get over to your journal and hear about your weekend.


Nice bread. I also make bread. I like to use url=http://www.redrivercereal.com/recipes/machine.html]this recipe[/url].Hi Joel - That looks like a great recipe. Do you use a bread machine?


Good morning, Emma. How was your weekend?It was great, Elise, thanks for asking.



I had a great day yesterday - starting with a good workout and then followed by a fun visit with R's best friend from high school (still his best friend), and his partner. R's friend is a literary, artistic guy like R, and his partner is a weightlifting, fast-car-loving, non-literary person....hmmm, like me! :p We joke about how we're married to the wrong people. Anyhow, had a great time. Work was really hectic - poop city! :eek: - but had a couple of very bright moments. I though I'd start to write down some of the odd or sweet things patients tell me. From last night:

"You're my nurse, and I love you" (confused older guy)

Another older guy as I went to give him some medication:
Patient: "What's that?"
Me: "It's citalopram. It's an anti-depressant; it will help your mood."
Patient: Pauses and looks at me slyly "I'm much rather you help me with my mood."

This guy is 89! Made my night!

Anyhow, rest day today. Full-heartedly (for a change) did abs when I got up. Nothing planned yet for the day, and I like it that way.

Happy Monday, nice people!

[jtroster]

Yes I use a bread machine. Though sometimes I just use the machine to make the dough and rise and bake in pans.

[emmie]

Yes I use a bread machine. Though sometimes I just use the machine to make the dough and rise and bake in pans.I've never used a bread machine - I like that it's a perferctly square loaf, though! Shaping is my weak spot. I use a Kitchenaid stand mixer to knead the dough and then finish it off by hand.

[mom24boys]

I have an old bread machine..looks like a little R2D2 and makes round, well R2D2 shaped loaves LOL

Have a great Monday emmie.

[kimsquit]

Good morning Emma :)

IMO, a limited RoM gets you limited results but if you're okay with that, then it's all good. Negatives can be an alternative to a limited RoM - especially for curls

~ C

[emmie]

I have an old bread machine..looks like a little R2D2 and makes round, well R2D2 shaped loaves LOL

Have a great Monday emmie.Hi Lisa - I've seen those funny looking loaves...
http://grainscanada.gc.ca/pubs/Bread/box/images/round_machine1.jpg


Good morning Emma :)

IMO, a limited RoM gets you limited results but if you're okay with that, then it's all good. Negatives can be an alternative to a limited RoM - especially for curls

~ CWhat are you implying??
Thanks, Chris. I suppose I should ask my "trainer" this, but....do I just use ****ty, haphazard form for the concentric part of the motion (just to lift the weight) and then focus on a controlled eccentric movement? I'm sure there's a kinesiologically-based rationale for why negatives are superior to a partial ROM....anyone have the Cliff notes?

[kimsquit]

What are you implying??

Thanks, Chris. I suppose I should ask my "trainer" this, but....do I just use ****ty, haphazard form for the concentric part of the motion (just to lift the weight) and then focus on a controlled eccentric movement? I'm sure there's a kinesiologically-based rationale for why negatives are superior to a partial ROM....anyone have the Cliff notes?*chuckle* I'm not implying anything, I'm saying that IMO, limited RoM = limted results but that as long as a person accepts that up front, then there's no problem.

I have a couple of exercises I have a limited RoM on and know that my gains are not as great as they would be if I had a full RoM. I work around it with negatives and other techniques.

this is all just opinion, but:

Using a curl as an example, the full RoM strengthens the muscle attachment points and the full length of the tendons. With a limited RoM, those attachment points aren't getting stronger so the muscle is never going to fully develop - and the tendons aren't getting the strength conditioning that they need to handle heavier weights without injury.

With "heavy" negatives (heavy = the weight you can't full-curl), the muscle attachment points and the tendons are stilll getting targeted, so while it may take a bit longer, you'll reach a full RoM faster & safer than you would without doing heavy negatives.


:)

[emmie]

With a limited RoM, those attachment points aren't getting stronger so the muscle is never going to fully develop - and the tendons aren't getting the strength conditioning that they need to handle heavier weights without injury. That makes sense to me.

So my question again is do I do whatever it takes (****ty form, etc.) to get to the weight lifted and then focus on the negative? I don't have a spotter to help. Any volunteers available Sunday mornings around 8?? :D

Thanks for the insight, Chris!

[kimsquit]

*waves* I'm available!

If you're gonna do heavy negatives by yourself, then I recommend concentration Curls (http://www.exrx.net/WeightExercises/Brachialis/DBConcentrationCurl.html) so that you can use your "free" hand to assist in getting the weight up on each rep and then you lower slowly for each negative.

A Preacher bench would do the same thing...or even just use a Preacher if you can hold him down long enough ;)

[moisy]

Hey Emma ... if I could I would be there for you to help with the negatives ... 8am is a good time ;) ... just the wrong location and too far from me!! lol :) :)

Hope your day is going well and that you are staying nice and cool! :) It is so hot and muggy here again today :( ... Moisy's hair does not like it and either does Moisy!!! lol :D

[emmie]

*waves* I'm available!What a generous offer, Chris! Since you'll be traveling far, it would probably be best that you come on Saturday and spend the night. :D


If you're gonna do heavy negatives by yourself, then I recommend concentration Curls (http://www.exrx.net/WeightExercises/Brachialis/DBConcentrationCurl.html) so that you can use your "free" hand to assist in getting the weight up on each rep and then you lower slowly for each negative.

A Preacher bench would do the same thing...or even just use a Preacher if you can hold him down long enough ;)Thanks for the tips - I'll see what my "trainer" says about it!


Hey Emma ... if I could I would be there for you to help with the negatives ... 8am is a good time ... just the wrong location and too far from me!! lol Thanks Moisy, and no offence girl but I think Chris has offered to fill the position. I'm sure you understand! ;)


Hope your day is going well and that you are staying nice and cool! :) It is so hot and muggy here again today :( ... Moisy's hair does not like it and either does Moisy!!! lol
It's getting hottish here. (Anything above 70 meets my definititon of hot.) Yesterday felt worse, but I can tell that the Spring is definitely on its way out. And that sucks! :p

[kimsquit]

Thanks Moisy, and no offence girl but I think Chris has offered to fill the opening. I'm sure you understand! ;)*fixed* :p

[emmie]

Finally I can rep you again! :)

[V-240]

Hi Lisa - I've seen those funny looking loaves...
http://grainscanada.gc.ca/pubs/Bread/box/images/round_machine1.jpgThat looked like food porn to me! Arrrgghh, I'm carb crashing here and starting to hallucinate. :(

[bluegreen]

Hiya Emmie! I love to bake too, but rarely do these days. LOL at your preference in spotter, can't imagine why! :p

[jocularric]

Nice job on explaining the effects of partials Chris. (I'd rep you but I need to recharge and whore myself out a little.)

I would add that you can use partials to help you get past sticking points.

With your negative BB curls you could swing the weight into place and then use slow controlled eccentric movement to return the weight. Negatives are great and can improve your strength quickly--they are also very taxing though.

Have a great day Emma!

[moisy]

No problem Emmie ... but if you ever need my help ... just let me know ;)
I can try to help with the spotting ... but it will be thru cyber space unfortunately!! LOL

Have a great day and try to stay cool ... it is soooo darn hot and muggy again here .... agh!! :( .... but only a little time is left until the holidays with full time air conditioning!! :)

[emmie]

LEGS
**All weights include the bar**

BB Squats:
Bar Only 10
85# 8
95# 8
105# 8
110# 8
110# 8
95# 8
95# 8
5# increases on all sets except the warm-up. I'm having a wrist issue - or maybe it's a shoulde rissue that I compensate for by cranking my wrists into a strain-ful position. I'm keeping my thumb wrapped around the bar and it seems that I'm hyperflexing the wrist on the heavier weights. Also noted that my elbows are almost pointing backwards, which if I recall correctly from the videos I watched, is the opposite of what should be happening. But if I crank the elbows foreward, the bar feels like it's going to slide too far down on my back. Really wish there were someone around to coach me through this. I'm going to watch some more videos and practice with my 16# bar just to get the positioning right. On a bright note, my legs felt good with the weight. Must constantly say to myself "sit down, Emma!" in order to get any depth whatsoever. Also have to remind myself to drive up from the heels.

Bulgarian Split Squats:
25# DBs 3 x 8 each leg. All sets at this weight this week. These kick my butt.

Conventional Deadlifts:
95# 10
150# 8/8
Yay! :) Did all on math at home, writing out exactly which plates to stick on the bar so that I wouldn't have the adding problem I had last week. It was questionable whether I'd get the last rep, but I did! Still takes me fuking forever to unrack that bar - it's sticky. I want to bring some lube to the gym to make it a little easier, but that probably wouldn't go over so well....:cool:

Seated Leg Curls:
90# 10
100# 10/10
Finally got 10 on all sets. Honestly, by rep 6 I'm starting to struggle.

Seated Calf Raises:
90# 12
115# 10
120# 8
Better than last week.

Good workout. Great tunes (Motorhead + Ac/DC with a little Bjork thrown in for contrast.). And no one else in the weights area. I walked a little on the treadmill just because it feels better to do that than to immediately sit down in the car and drive home. I'm always very relieved when leg day is done with. I don't hate it the way I used to, but I still approach it with the belief that for some reason I wont be able to do it. That's a long-held belief that I tend to apply to almost everything that I do. If things go well, or I'm successul....well, it's got to be a fluke....:rolleyes:


That looked like food porn to me! Arrrgghh, I'm carb crashing here and starting to hallucinate. :(Why are you carb depleted? There is something vaguely phallic about that load on the right....I'm not going to think about it any longer. :p

Hiya Emmie! I love to bake too, but rarely do these days. LOL at your preference in spotter, can't imagine why! Hi Buns! (Speaking of baking! :p) R eats a high-carb diet, so there's plenty of opportunity for me to bake. I've just started (well, oce I quit my pastry cheffing job) making bread again. Before that I worked at an artisan bakery and brought bread home from there. Awsome bread!


I would add that you can use partials to help you get past sticking points. Hi Ric - Thanks for your input. That's what I was intending to do, hoping that a 1/2 rep would develop into a 2/3 rep the next week, and hopefully a full rep the next week or week after. I have no desire to do cheating reps unless I am stuck in between available weights.

Working tonight and tomorrow night.
I hope all of you nice people have a great Tuesday!

[Luvdogs]

Great job on the legs Emma! I always have the plate load next to the exercise on my sheet too, I'd never remember what to put on otherwise!

Bring a little baby powder in your gym bag. Since guys use chalk on the bar for some lifts, they won't know the difference. It should make it slide better.

[bluegreen]

Great workout Emmie :) oooh noy can I imagine the kind of bread you'd bring home from an artisan bakery! I'd like to learn to make my own sourdough, it's my fave.

[BigBT]

Super workout today. If I ever start my own gym I have you pegged as my partner. If for nothing else but the fact that we would never argue about which music should be playing!
Because I'm being good, I'm staying far away from the lube comment....;)

[MacGyverDel]

There is something vaguely phallic about that load on the right....I'm not going to think about it any longer.


http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z291/macgyverdel/snicker.gif You used the word "phallic" in a sentence.

A great looking workout Emmie. :)

Here's the pic of the day. :D

http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n106/judydeneal/Humor/ontop.jpg


Happy HuMp DaY EmMiE.

[ChocoChick]

Good morning Emma. :)

[emmie]

Bring a little baby powder in your gym bag. Since guys use chalk on the bar for some lifts, they won't know the difference. It should make it slide better.Great idea! Although my gym is a YMCA and the only chalk they have in there is for the blackboards in the day-care center...


Great workout Emmie oooh noy can I imagine the kind of bread you'd bring home from an artisan bakery! I'd like to learn to make my own sourdough, it's my fave.It's fabulous (unclean) bread! - a lot of them are made with a sourdough starter. There's a Wheat Walnut-Raisin that's awsome. :)


Super workout today. If I ever start my own gym I have you pegged as my partner. If for nothing else but the fact that we would never argue about which music should be playing!
Because I'm being good, I'm staying far away from the lube comment....Hi Brian! I welcome your thoughts on lube! :p I'd love a gym with an 80s metal soundtrack. Mine plays the "lite" rock station. :eek:


A great looking workout Emmie.

Here's the pic of the day.

http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n106/judydeneal/Humor/ontop.jpg


Happy HuMp DaY EmMiE.Thanks, Del! Hope there's some humping in your Wednesday.


Good morning Emma. Hi Elise. I hope there's some humping in your Wednesday, too! :D

SHOULDERS AND CALVES


Seated DB Shoulder Press:
24# DBs 10
30# DBs 2 x 8
Felt good. Working set was an increase over last week. I was very gingerly with getting the weights up. Pain free! Can't believe the source of my problem was something so simple...

Standing Lateral Raises:
20# DBs 3 x 8
My patience here is paying off. I think I'll be ready to add some (micro) weight to these next week.

EZ Upright Rows:
40 10
67.5# 8/7
Increased weight by 2.5#.

BB Shrugs:
65# 12
80# 12
96# 12
This was the first time I've done BB shrugs - just started doing shrugs of any sort about 5 weeks ago. I have no clue about hand placement, etc., but it felt pretty good. These were done w/ the bar in front of me, by the way. Increase in weights, too.

Standing Calf Raises (holding DBs):
24# DBs 10 (5 sec. pause), 15 (10 second pause), 25 (10 second pause), 25 (10 sec. pause) 15 (5 second pause), 10 (10 second pause), body weight x 30. [color=slate]I think I did 2 sets of this. I honestly can't remember (and it was about an hour ago! :rolleyes:)

30# DBs Same as above, for one set. One set

Followed this by lots of calf stretching, and then I ran for 2 miles and walked home (30 minutes total). This is my least favorite workout. When I look at each exercise individually, I like them all pretty well, but for some reason I never get excited about training shoulders the way I do other body parts. But I want big shoulders, so I've got no choice but to do it, have I?

My hamstrings, butt, and lower back are nice and sore, as are my traps. I'm thinking I need to start having some semi-regular massages. My back muscles feel like they're knotted up and tingly much of the time. I suppose some of it is residual tension from the spasm a couple of weeks ago, but the feeling is spreading. I used to have massages weekly. They hurt, but they worked!

Taking my father out for lunch today as a belated Father's Day event. I hate going out to eat most of the time, but I've picked a place where I know I can get a substantial salad, and I'll eat when I get home.

Hope all of you nice people have a good Wednesday!

[kimsquit]

Happy Humping, Emma :)

Congrats on the pain-free shoulder exercises! Where does the line form up for those offering to give you semi-regular massages?

Have a great lunch!

~ Chris

ps:


This was the first time I've done BB shrugs - just started doing shrugs of any sort about 5 weeks ago. I have no clue about hand placement, etc., but it felt pretty good. These were done w/ the bar in front of me, by the way. Increase in weights, too.remember not to roll your shoulders during the movement :)

[emmie]

Where does the line form up for those offering to give you semi-regular massages?Hmm...seems you're once again the first one to offer to fill the opening, Chris! I have no option but to give you a job....:D

Thanks for the shrug tips. I'm pretty sure I wasn't rolling my shoulders, but I can see the potential for that when the weights get higher.

[moisy]

Great workout posted :) ... even though you are not overly thrilled with the workout itself! lol I guess we all have those body parts that we find less inspirational when we train them ... for me it would be biceps ;)

I hope you had a great lunch with your dad :) I will be doing that sometime next week myself since they have been busy and so have I ... so it has been hard to meet up.

[joed]

Nice lookin' workout EM. That kimsquit fella is always ahead of me in line for the perks.

[bluegreen]

Hope you enjoyed your lunch!

[jmc53]

I want to bring some lube to the gym to make it a little easier, but that probably wouldn't go over so well....:cool:[/color]

You might be surprised - there's something very appealing about a girl who carried a tube of lube wherever she goes!
Nice sessions there Em.

[BigBT]

Nice looking workout today. Congrats on the increases. I like to let my arms hang straight down at shoulder width during BB shrugs. Use a light weight and get comfortable with the full range of motion on those. It's very easy with shrugs to load up the bar and sacrifice your ROM. Once you move into the heavier weights you will want to invest in some wrist straps if you don't already have them. I found my trap strenght outpaced my grip strength by miles on these.

I need to start checking your journal sooner or I'll never get to be first in line. :(

[moisy]

Good morning Emmie! :)

Just a quick note to say hello ... and then I noticed the "tube of lube" quote somewhere!! lol :eek: I don't even want to ask about that one?!!! lol :)

Have a great morning!! :) ;)

[emmie]

Great workout posted ... even though you are not overly thrilled with the workout itself! lol I guess we all have those body parts that we find less inspirational when we train them ... for me it would be biceps.
Well, the good thing about the shoulder workout is that it's short! :)


... and then I noticed the "tube of lube" quote somewhere!! lol I don't even want to ask about that one?!!! lol :

It's pretty handy stuff, Moisy! :D (I was contemplating using it on the bar to make unloading the plates easier...)


Nice lookin' workout EM. That kimsquit fella is always ahead of me in line for the perks.He has a nose for opportunity, it would seem.


Hope you enjoyed your lunch!Hi Buns -the lunch was fine except for the snotty bitch of a waitress (apologies to all snotty, bitchy waitresses out there). The only smile (and it was fake) we got was when she plunked down the bill. That kind of stuff really bugs me.


You might be surprised - there's something very appealing about a girl who carried a tube of lube wherever she goes!
Nice sessions there Em.I've suspected that you'd like a rough 'n' ready kind of girl, Jason! Maybe you've found one? or 3? :D


I like to let my arms hang straight down at shoulder width during BB shrugs. Use a light weight and get comfortable with the full range of motion on those. It's very easy with shrugs to load up the bar and sacrifice your ROM. Once you move into the heavier weights you will want to invest in some wrist straps if you don't already have them. I found my trap strenght outpaced my grip strength by miles on these.Thanks for the tips, Brian! I don't have straps at the moment, and frankly, I'm not sure if I could figure out how to use them. Perhaps you'd like to come and show me how to use them? Do they come in velvet? :p

Just abs this morning. Then I dyed my hair and cut the grass. I made an appointment for a masage this evening which I'm looking forward to. It's just a half-hour session and I'll ask the person (a woman :( :D) to focus on my upper back. Things continue to be tingling and tight-feeling - desirable in other areas of the body perhaps, but not so great in the back... This will be a nice treat after my session in the dentist's chair. I have to have 3 fillings replaced. I usually don't use novocaine (I just hang on tight to the arm rests!), but I think he's got to do some deeper drilling today, so I'll probably take some. I hate the novocaine injection not because it hurts, but because I know exactly how far back the needle goes. Grosses me out...

On that happy note, I hope all of you nice people have a great day today!

[bluegreen]

ugh on the surly waitress :( what colour did you dye your hair? details, details woman! ;)

[Flynn]

There's some nice work going on in here. Strong leg day!

[emmie]

ugh on the surly waitress :( what colour did you dye your hair? details, details woman! ;)Platinum blond. :cool:
Kidding of course...I just dye it to cover up the greys. It's light brown, which is my natural color.


There's some nice work going on in here. Strong leg day!
Well hello Flynn! Thanks for stopping by - I like having new, good-looking visitors, especially when they pay me such nice compliments! :D

[Luvdogs]

Yippy for a massage!! I used to like people who came in for half hour massages. It fit my attention span :o I did all upper back and trap work,they loved it. I hope you get a good one! Have you been to this person before?

[IdahoViking]

Platinum blond. :cool:
Kidding of course...I just dye it to cover up the greys. It's light brown, which is my natural color.


Well hello Flynn! Thanks for stopping by - I like having new, good-looking visitors, especially when they pay me such nice compliments! :DLight brown huh, same as me! :D

[flywheel99]

i was going to ask something about your leg workout...

especially about the deadlifts...

but then i saw something about lubing a bar...

(is this a pg13 journal???)

now i don't remember what i was going to ask!

then i read that you were rocking to motorhead? whoa!

Very interesting stuff...

see ya

[emmie]

Yippy for a massage!! I used to like people who came in for half hour massages. It fit my attention span :o I did all upper back and trap work,they loved it. I hope you get a good one! Have you been to this person before?I figured that a half hour would be do-able on a regular basis (it's about 40 bucks). I'm hoping that this chick is good! I'll report back tomorrow.:)


Light brown huh, same as me! :DHi Ted - I brough a copy of your avatar with me to the store to match up with the boxes of hair color! :p


i was going to ask something about your leg workout...

especially about the deadlifts...

but then i saw something about lubing a bar...

(is this a pg13 journal???)I certainly hope not! :p


now i don't remember what i was going to ask!

then i read that you were rocking to motorhead? whoa!

Very interesting stuff...

see yaHello Flywheel99 (you'll have to tell me your name - I have an aversion to using user names) - glad that you stopped in! When you think of your deadlift question, fire away. Of course I probably wont have any useful answer for you. I just do everything that my "trainer" tells me to. ;)

[FatherOfThree]

Hi ya Emma! I'm on a break from training and just wanted to shout at ya. Keep working hard :)

[Flynn]

Well hello Flynn! Thanks for stopping by - I like having new, good-looking visitors, especially when they pay me such nice compliments! :D

Only because they're deserved :). Btw, great minds think alike :p.


Light brown huh, same as me! :D

LOL!

[emmie]

Hi ya Emma! I'm on a break from training and just wanted to shout at ya. Keep working hard :)BILL!! Where the hell have you been?? :) Thanks for checking in - I thought of you this morning when I was out cutting the grass with my ****ty little mower! I figured that you've been busy with home improvement projects and family stuff, so I forgive your absence. :p


Btw, great minds think alike :p.


Absolutely!! ;)

[BigBT]

A new dye job? This calls for the long awaited head shot now! :) And if you can hold off a bit with on the massage I'll come over and teach you how to use those straps....;)

Oh, by the way, I think I heard that Friday morning at 9, Brian Johnson is hosting a show on Buzzsaw. Not sure if he is playing his stuff or his favorite stuff, but I'll bet there will be a teaser about new material from the band....

[mom24boys]

Mornin' emmie

[emmie]

A new dye job? This calls for the long awaited head shot now! :) Well you know what? It's exactly the same color as it is in all of the other photos that you haven't seen, so there's really no need for me to post a new one! :p

Oh, by the way, I think I heard that Friday morning at 9, Brian Johnson is hosting a show on Buzzsaw. Not sure if he is playing his stuff or his favorite stuff, but I'll bet there will be a teaser about new material from the band....Didn't even know he had a new band....Got the stiletto charging up now, so I'll give it a listen - thanks for mentioning it!


Mornin' emmieHi Lisa - hope you're having a good day so far? :)

BACK & TRICEPS

Chin-Ups: Bodyweight
Wide Grip: 5 These are hard and they felt bad - shoulder felt strained.
Neutral Grip: 6/6
Hammer Grip: 6/6
Wide Grip: 3 These still felt hard and bad.

Medium-Grip Pulldown:
120# 8/7/6
Same as last week.

Seated Cable Row - Using V-Bar handle
100# 10
117.5# 6
115# 8/7 + 2 partial reps
100# 8
This is not getting any easier...

Single Dumbbell OH Extention:
45# 11/9
40# 12
Was going to use my PlateMates and do 42.5#, but decided to just man up and use the 45# DB. :D

Underhand Triceps Pushdown:
97.5#8/7/6
Increased weight by 2.5#. After the 6 reps in the last set I paused and did 2 more, then dropped the weight to 90# and did 3 more, and dropped the weight to 80# and did 3 more.

And because I can't help myself....3 sets of cable curls. And then 3 more neutral grip chins....

25 minutes of cardio on the treadmill. (Walking @ 6% incline, 4.8 mph)

Pretty good workout. Trying to not become disappointed when I can't increase the reps and/or weight for every exercise. :rolleyes: Chin-up/Pull-up Guy was there and he helped me unload the 2 bars that someone had left in the squat rack (that's where the hammer grip bars are located). As he was leaving he came over and said to me "I used you as inspiration to my buddies the other day when we were moving things. I told them there was a lady at the gym who weighs about 100# (I swiftly corrected him on this!) who can lift twice as much as they could." That made me feel good!

As I was finishing my cardio Biker-Firefighter came over and asked if I was almost done and I said yes, I had lifted and was just finishing up my cardio. "What's cardio?" he asked. Then he asked me what I had done for weights, so I explained my split to him and he said "So you do bench pressing and stuff like that?" I told him I do flat bench and decline DB presses. Apparently decline pressing was a new concept to him ("What do you do that for ??) I patiently explained it to him, but my god, this guy is really clueless. Let's hope he knows how to use a hose and ladder... :cool:

I had a really nice massage last night and booked 2 more appointments. I felt nice and "pliable" when I left the office. I'm back to feeling tight and tingly again (my BACK! I'm talking about my back here!!). My hope is that regular work on it will help keep it from knotting up like this.

Working tonight and tomorrow night. It's been very hectic there all week - I hope it's quieted down a little.

T.G.I.F., nice people!

[BigBT]

Good work today, Emma. I love how you have named the people at your gym. Reading about them makes me laugh. There is a few that I could name at my gym as well, but again, trying to be nice ;)

Brian Johnson doesn't have a new band, there are rumours about AC/DC working on a new album.

By the way, the wide grips are supposed to suck, that is how you know they are working. You know, like medicine only works if it tastes like ****..... :D

[moisy]

So glad to hear that the massage went so well and that you have two more already booked! ;) :) With you having such heavy duty workouts and your job being so physical some days, it makes perfect sense for you to totally pamper and treat yourself like that ... you sooooooo deserve to do that!! :p

Your Biker Firefighter guy sounds like a real winner when it comes to the gym and weights ... "what's cardio"??? ... where did this guy come from?! lol :D Oh well, makes for a good laugh at the gym and humour for us on here when you talk about it!! lol

Enjoy the weekend!! :D

[Luvdogs]

Your strength is really increasing Emma. You are moving some great weight!

Glad your massage was great. Nothin' better unless it's having a massage while eating chocolate and drinking red wine :o

[IdahoViking]

Congrats on another fine workout.


...and thanks for the kick in the pants in my thread. :)

[ChocoChick]

Hi Emma, even if he got the weight wrong, that was a nice compliment. And well deserved -- you work hard.

Have a great weekend.

[emmie]

Good work today, Emma. I love how you have named the people at your gym. Reading about them makes me laugh. There is a few that I could name at my gym as well, but again, trying to be nice ;)Thanks, Brian! And you don't have to be nice in this journal! You have to be nice to me, of course, but anyone else is fair game. :p

By the way, the wide grips are supposed to suck, that is how you know they are working. You know, like medicine only works if it tastes like ****..... Good to know. The one redeeming quality to these this morning was that they made the other chins feel really easy.


So glad to hear that the massage went so well and that you have two more already booked! With you having such heavy duty workouts and your job being so physical some days, it makes perfect sense for you to totally pamper and treat yourself like that ... you sooooooo deserve to do that!!
Thanks, Moisy! I think my body will thank me for it. And this woman charges ony $35 for a session, which to me is pretty inexpensive. :)
She used this nice-smelling lotion/oil, too - I liked that, since I'm very scent-oriented.

Your strength is really increasing Emma. You are moving some great weight!

Glad your massage was great. Nothin' better unless it's having a massage while eating chocolate and drinking red wine :oThanks, Julia! Wine and chocolate with the massage, huh? Was this one of the services you offered??!? :p

Congrats on another fine workout.


...and thanks for the kick in the pants in my thread. :)
Thank you, Ted! I didn't mean to kick you in the pants - I have a hard time keeping my mouth shut when I see someone who is working hard and doing the best that they can, and yet they're down on themselves. I do this to myself a lot, so that's probably why it's hard for me to see other people doing it, too.
Hi Emma, even if he got the weight wrong, that was a nice compliment. And well deserved -- you work hard.

Have a great weekend.Thanks, Elise. It was a nice compliment and it definitely made me smile.

[bluegreen]

afternoon Emmie, sorry you weren't happier with your workout, (though it looks pretty darn solid to me!) but what a lovely compliment from Chin-up Guy! yay too for the good massage!

[tatdawg]

great looking workout. a big ol atta girl for the chinups to. :)

[flywheel99]

As I was finishing my cardio Biker-Firefighter came over and asked if I was almost done and I said yes, I had lifted and was just finishing up my cardio. "What's cardio?" he asked. Then he asked me what I had done for weights, so I explained my split to him and he said "So you do bench pressing and stuff like that?" I told him I do flat bench and decline DB presses. Apparently decline pressing was a new concept to him ("What do you do that for ??) I patiently explained it to him, but my god, this guy is really clueless. Let's hope he knows how to use a hose and ladder... :cool: [/b][/color]

poor firefighter guy... be nice to him! you'll harm his self esteem and he won't be able to perform (i mean put out a fire or resucue somebody!).

way to get after your back. kudos on the workout.

[emmie]

afternoon Emmie, sorry you weren't happier with your workout, (though it looks pretty darn solid to me!) but what a lovely compliment from Chin-up Guy! yay too for the good massage!Hi Buns - I wasn't unhappy with the workout, exactly. I have a tendency to have unrealistic expectations for myself, and so there's always a degree of disappointment when I don't meet my expectations. Because they're unrealistic....:rolleyes:


great looking workout. a big ol atta girl for the chinups to. :)I was hoping to get an "atta girl" out of you, Tat! You were the one who encouraged me to try the chin-up in the first place! :)


poor firefighter guy... be nice to him! you'll harm his self esteem and he won't be able to perform (i mean put out a fire or resucue somebody!).

way to get after your back. kudos on the workout.Thanks, Jon. I am a very nice person, in person......But in my head I have I have an unkind thought for everyone! :p I'm sure this guy is much more adept with his hose than he is with his weight training.

I am *perfectly* sore in my rhomboids, lats, and tri. That makes me happy. I got up, did abs, went out to finish some yard work, came back in and went back to bed. I felt foggy, groggy, and drugged. It's been really hectic at work and I've not been sleeping enough, so I think it caught up with me. I dozed for about an hour and now feel much better. I'm drinking coffee which I don't really do that much anymore. Soon I will be feeling giddy and impulsive - a (kind of) nice effect that caffeine has on me. Makes me feel like anything is possible, and I like that.

Work again tonight - predicting another sprint of a shift. I'm not working tomorrow, so that's a bright spot.

I hope all of you sweet folks have a happy Saturday! :)

[MacGyverDel]

Nice workout. :D You're doing great ya know. It's also nice to see you setting the example......for the opposite sex in the gym. :p

Have a great day. :)

But be leary of tall handsome types offering to help with straps. It is;

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z291/macgyverdel/saturday.jpg

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z291/macgyverdel/MJZ157.gif

[jmc53]

Hi Emma, impressive chin-ups!

[V-240]

Hi, Emma! Every time I see your journal title, I start humming that old Dionne Warwick tune "Alfie".. how old does THAT make me? :rolleyes: To be fair though, it enjoyed a resurgence by being featured in an Austin Powers movie. Oh, behave!!!! :D

I am impressed by the pullups!! That has long been one of my goals, to get strong and fit enough (read that less fat) to start doing them again. Even ONE would be a big deal for me! Someday it will happen. Then, look out! ;)

[ChocoChick]

Hi Buns - I wasn't unhappy with the workout, exactly. I have a tendency to have unrealistic expectations for myself, and so there's always a degree of disappointment when I don't meet my expectations. Because they're unrealistic....:rolleyes:

You're right - we are the same person! :p


Thanks, Jon. I am a very nice person, in person......But in my head I have I have an unkind thought for everyone! :p

And this is further proof!

Emma, sometimes when I read your journal, I think it could be mine. Well, except for the fact that the weights you use are much heavier. But you get the idea. :p

[jocularric]

Emma your workout looks respectable to me--especially the pull-ups. I think your firefighter might be just playing dumb.

[emmie]

CHEST & BICEPS

**Weights include the bar**

Flat BB Bench Press:

66# 10
98.5# 7 3.5# increase from last week.
106# 6 1# increase from last week.
106# 6This set was much smoother than the first set.
96# 8
76# 8

Decline DB Press:
40# DBs 8/8/6
Woo Frickin' Hoo!! Finally able to use these again. Huge stupid smile on my face after that first set!

Incline DB Curls
20# DBs 12
30# DBs 8/8 RoM was better than last week. Still not a full RoM, but that's coming...;)
24#DBs 10

EZ Preacher Curls:
50# 1 x 10
55# 1 x 8
59# 1 x 8My form was MUCh better on these this week. The biggest issue seems to me my forearms (lateral aspect) which feel strained when I use this weight.

Followed this by 30 minutes of cardio - 2 miles of running, and the rest walking.
Decent-enough workout. I like feeling incrimental improvements in form and strength. Small as they are, I'll take them!




Nice workout. You're doing great ya know. It's also nice to see you setting the example......for the opposite sex in the gym.Now that's funny - thanks, Del!


But be leary of tall handsome types offering to help with straps. It is;

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z291/macgyverdel/saturday.jpgAre you sure I should be leary? I tend to want to encourage that sort of thing! :p


Hi Emma, impressive chin-ups!Thank you, Jason! I'm supposed to use them as a warm-up for the back workout, so I'm trying to figure out the right number of them. I really like doing them. I can't quite believe that I actually can!


Hi, Emma! Every time I see your journal title, I start humming that old Dionne Warwick tune "Alfie".. how old does THAT make me?[/i]!!!!What's it all about....Al-feeeeeee?? Actually I think I must have taken the line from the Beastie Boys' song "Ch-check It Out". Although it is appropriate given my continuous investigation of why I do the things that I do.


I am impressed by the pullups!! That has long been one of my goals, to get strong and fit enough (read that less fat) to start doing them again. Even ONE would be a big deal for me! Someday it will happen. Then, look out! I'll be honest, my motivation was my sister asking me - after she learned that I lift weights [and commented that I don't look like I lift weights :mad:] - if I could do a pull-up. I said no, but decided that by the next time I saw her that it would be a "yes". The old sibling rivalry.....She's talented and gorgeous, so my only recourse is to out-muscle her! :D



Emma, sometimes when I read your journal, I think it could be mine. Well, except for the fact that the weights you use are much heavier. But you get the idea. Well, great minds think alike (negatively AND positively) don't they? ;)


Emma your workout looks respectable to me--especially the pull-ups. I think your firefighter might be just playing dumb.
Thanks, Ric - Trust me, the guy's not playing dumb. I'm not saying that he's not trying to chat me up, but I do think that there are some gaps in his understanding of weight training.

I was blessed with a very quiet shift at work last night. Plus the A-team was on (the very cool, smart nurses), so it was a pretty easy night. I'm off today. Originally we had plans to get together with some friends from the West Coast (R's best friends are 4 guys he went to high school with - one's in CA, and the other 3 are in this area) but that fell apart (secretly very relieved!). So I'm looking forward to hanging around here and baking and reading. Probably eat some fatty, gooey, sexy cheese as a treat, too! *yum*

Happy Sunday, nice people!

[ChocoChick]

Great job on the decline DB presses!


So I'm looking forward to hanging around here and baking and reading. Probably eat some fatty, gooey, sexy cheese as a treat, too! *yum*

Ohhh, this sounds wonderful. <considers getting a triple cream brie...>

[Luvdogs]

Nice new avi Emma! Look at them biceps! Wooo Hooo. Like the shirt too. Ok, are those shirts opaque? I hate it when I buy a white t-shirt and it's see through! I bought a cute one without trying on and it's so sheer I'd have to wear something under it. It says "This Girls No Dumbbell" on it.

[emmie]

Great job on the decline DB presses!
<considers getting a triple cream brie...>Thanks, Elise. I'm glad to have gotten un-stuck with that exercise.
Skip the triple brie and go for a robiola....;) It's a mix of goat's, sheep's and cow's milks. Oh my god....


Nice new avi Emma! Look at them biceps! Wooo Hooo. Like the shirt too. Ok, are those shirts opaque? I hate it when I buy a white t-shirt and it's see through! I bought a cute one without trying on and it's so sheer I'd have to wear something under it. It says "This Girls No Dumbbell" on it.Thanks, Julia! The shirt is pretty nice quality for being so cheap (9 bucks). No "show-through", nice, thick material. Where'd you get the "This Girl's no Dumbbell" shirt?

[Luvdogs]

I got the shirt at the gym. It's a Reebok shirt. On clearance for about the same $9 or so.

I thought of you yesterday because Buzz and I are planning the next "Wine Country Picnic" to be his birthday, July 25th. Thinking of some cheeses for it. Let me know if you find something good for today!

[tatdawg]

I was hoping to get an "atta girl" out of you, Tat! You were the one who encouraged me to try the chin-up in the first place! :)




all i did was encourage you. you had the strength to do it. i am betting you could bench your bodyweight if you really wanted to. i KNOW you are plenty strong enough.

[emmie]

Seems there was a little trouble with this website this morning, leaving me to wonder what the hell I was going to do with myself if I couldn't waste hours and hours of my day here. :rolleyes:

Slept until a little after 8, which is something of a record for me lately. I still woke up at exactly 6:08 as I do every morning, but today I was able to fall asleep again. Did abs: 3 sets each of: 15 weighted v-twists (20#), supersetted w/25 (each side) bicycles, and then 15 weighted decline crunches (39#).

Was going to go out for a short walk. I added some new songs to my mp3 player (more Motorhead and "Little Suzi" by Tesla :D) and wanted to listen to them (I only enjoy listening to music when I'm moving. I'm too antsy to just sit and listen.) Decided against the walk until I ate some food. I might go out later.

Working tonight, off tomorrow.


I thought of you yesterday because Buzz and I are planning the next "Wine Country Picnic" to be his birthday, July 25th. Thinking of some cheeses for it. Let me know if you find something good for today!Julia - here's one to NOT add to your shopping list: Alsatian muenster. It was stinky in a good way, but the taste was pretty gross. I tried to find some redeeming qualities in it ("well, it's a bit sour and tangy but..."), but R called it from Bite 1 "tastes spoiled, like gargabge.". I had to agree after few more bites, and into the garbage it went. So no...don't buy this one! :p


all i did was encourage you. you had the strength to do it. i am betting you could bench your bodyweight if you really wanted to. i KNOW you are plenty strong enough.Thanks, Tat. :)Bench my bodyweight??! Oh you charmer....thanks for the vote of confidence, but I don't see that happening for a time yet.

Happy Monday, nice people! :)

[moisy]

I am LOVING your new avatar!!! :D
Awesome biceps!! :D
And awesome work on the pullups too! :D

[kimsquit]

I love the new avatar!


Thanks, Tat. :)Bench my bodyweight??!I think this is a superb idea! After you finish your current program, perhaps this is something you can train for?

:D

[Flynn]

No slacking going on in here. It might be contagious so I'm, "exiting stage left" :p. Nice workout!

[emmie]

I am LOVING your new avatar!!! :D
Awesome biceps!! :D
And awesome work on the pullups too! :DThanks, Moisy!



I think this is a superb idea! After you finish your current program, perhaps this is something you can train for?

Benching my bodyweight isn't something I've ever really given much though to. I do like the idea of you benching my body(weight), though! :p


No slacking going on in here. It might be contagious so I'm, "exiting stage left" :p. Nice workout!Oh god, I'm having flashback to afternoons spend watching Yogi Bear!
There's much more slacking going on in here than might meet the eye, believe me!

[Lucky K]

No slacking going on in here. It might be contagious so I'm, "exiting stage left" :p. Nice workout!

LOL! X2!


Hi Emma!:D I'm glad to see all kinds of macho weights being thrown around in here! Great job on all your increases! And I heart the new avi:)

[BigBT]

Reps for Motorhead and Little Suzi (great song, first one I ever heard by them).
Your new avitar is stunning! The definition in the arms is great. And you are right, the hair does look the same. ;)
Great looking workouts, too. Congrats on getting the declines back in. I love those.

[V-240]

No slacking going on in here. It might be contagious so I'm, "exiting stage left" :p. Nice workout!


Oh god, I'm having flashback to afternoons spend watching Yogi Bear!

LOL, I think that was "Snagglepuss", even....

http://www.lorenjavier.com/images/snagglepuss.jpg

[emmie]

Hi Emma!:D I'm glad to see all kinds of macho weights being thrown around in here! Great job on all your increases! And I heart the new avi:)Thanks, Kristin! I've been feeling pretty macho lately - my husband's looking a little worried! :D


Reps for Motorhead and Little Suzi (great song, first one I ever heard by them).
Your new avitar is stunning! The definition in the arms is great. And you are right, the hair does look the same. ;)
Great looking workouts, too. Congrats on getting the declines back in. I love those.Thanks for the compliments, Brian! Tesla (not a band that I ever really listened to) has a new cover album out and I heard one of the tracks - please don't ask me which one, 'cause I can't remember, but it was pretty good - so that reminded me of Little Suzi...:)


LOL, I think that was "Snagglepuss", even....

http://www.lorenjavier.com/images/snagglepuss.jpg
Scotty to the rescue! You are so right! All apologies to Yogi fans out there!

[flywheel99]

new bicep/pic = two thumbs up! keep it rockin!!!

[ChocoChick]

Hi Emma. LOL at "feeling macho" -- I have days like that at the gym, when I am making funny faces from trying to lift something heavy, and next to me is a creature in full make-up and spandex, artfully working with a 5lb dumbbell. :)

[V-240]

...Scotty to the rescue! You are so right! All apologies to Yogi fans out there!
Understandable error, because Snagglepuss was part of the whole Hanna-Barbera family of cartoons packaged together, like Yogi Bear, Quick Draw McGraw, Snooper & Blabber, Huckleberry Hound, Yakky Doodle, etc.

I'm just a font of useful information here. I did have to google some of this! :D

[bluegreen]

Hi Buns - I wasn't unhappy with the workout, exactly. I have a tendency to have unrealistic expectations for myself, and so there's always a degree of disappointment when I don't meet my expectations. Because they're unrealistic....:rolleyes:


Ah! Gotcha guilty of that here too!

Nice stuff on the increases in your benching! Yay on being able to the decline DB press again & on the better ROM on the curls!

[Hibiscus09]

I just checked out your bodyspace and new photos, Emma!! You're looking beautimous! Your arms and shoulders look so lean and muscular and your tummy is nice and flat. Great work!!

[jmc53]

I just checked out your bodyspace and new photos, Emma!! You're looking beautimous! Your arms and shoulders look so lean and muscular and your tummy is nice and flat. Great work!!

Yes, yes, agreed, absolutely and very much so - but where are the photos of the other bits?
:)

[moisy]

Good morning Emmie! :)

God ... I don't know how I missed it yesterday ... but I saw the photo of "me" posted in leather pants this morning and was totally killing myself laughing at the computer ... good thing the kids are not here yet or they would really wonder!! lol ;) I definitely will not be wearing those with highs of 38C today!!!! Yikes ... that would be scary!! lol :eek:

I hope you have a great day and stay cool! ;)

[emmie]

new bicep/pic = two thumbs up! keep it rockin!!!Thanks, Jon!


I have days like that at the gym, when I am making funny faces from trying to lift something heavy, and next to me is a creature in full make-up and spandex, artfully working with a 5lb dumbbell. Hi Elise - There is one lady who will stand in front of the mirror with 2# Dbs and do hammer-curls for about 10 minutes, all the while swaying her hips back in forth with each rep. She is no looker, so don't even think that this might be exciting to watch....


Understandable error, because Snagglepuss was part of the whole Hanna-Barbera family of cartoons packaged together, like Yogi Bear, Quick Draw McGraw, Snooper & Blabber, Huckleberry Hound, Yakky Doodle, etc. I haven't watched those for years, but I always liked them. On the flight back from Paris there was a cartoon channel available and I was watching Porky Pig - holy ****, I made a spectacle of myself I was laughing so hard. I mean, I was crying! R. was busy looking for another seat to move to to get away from me....



Nice stuff on the increases in your benching! Yay on being able to the decline DB press again & on the better ROM on the curls!Thanks, Buns! Thought of your squatting this morning as inspiration. :)


I just checked out your bodyspace and new photos, Emma!! You're looking beautimous! Your arms and shoulders look so lean and muscular and your tummy is nice and flat. Great work!!Well, you would know beautimous.....Thanks, Diane!


Yes, yes, agreed, absolutely and very much so - but where are the photos of the other bits?

There are no other bits, Jason! :p

LEGS
**All weights include the bar**

BB Squats:
Bar Only 10
90# 8
100# 8
110# 8
115# 8
115# 8
100# 8
90# 8
5# increases on all sets except the warm-up. Had the "duh" moment of recognizing that the heavier weights (115#) make the lighter weights (90-100#) feel easy - and if you had told me several weeks ago that squatting 90# would feel easy, I would have laughed at you. Not only does it feel easier, but my RoM has improved so much at that weight. Sorry if this is stating the obvious, but this kind of thing delights me.

Bulgarian Split Squats:
25# DBs 3 x 8 each leg. All sets at this weight again this week. My balance is laughable. These continue to kick my butt. And I hate 'em!

Conventional Deadlifts:
95# 10
155# 8/7
5# increase.

Seated Leg Curls:
90# 10
110# 6, then dropped weight to 100# for 4 reps
110# 5 then dropped weight to 100# for 5 reps.
90# 10
I was sick of being stuck on 100# so I figured even though I knew I couldn't get the full # of reps with the weight I'd increase it. I'm not making much progress here.

Seated Calf Raises:
90# 12
130# 9
I wanted to use 115# for both working sets and try to get all the reps, which I wasn't able to do. My math skills again failed me, and it took me several times of tallying up the weights to realize that I had 15 extra pounds on there...:rolleyes:
115# 12

Maybe one day I'll be able to go into the gym on leg day without a knot in my stomach. Seriously, I am shaking before I even pick up a weight. Once I get started I'm fine. And after the Bulgarians are dispensed with, I'm actually having fun. Anyhow.....I'm pleased with the workout today.

Pull-up/Chin-up Guy was chatting with me. He told me that he had a friend who had had an accident with squatting - he lost control of the bar and tossed the weights, injured the person behind him - and told me that he's always watching me just in case. I told him that if he ever saw me in trouble to jump right in and help. So I guess I have a spotter if I need one.

I have the day off today, and I am happy. But then I have to work the next 3 days. :( I know that there are people out there who work, like 5 days in a row- every week, even! - but come on.......... :p

Have a great day, nice people!

[Luvdogs]

Awesome leg day Emma! Great exercise choices.

Hey I have a problem working 5 hours in a row let alone 5 days! :o I applied at another coffee shop yesterday. Seems Starbucks are full around here :mad:

[ChocoChick]

WooHoo - look at those squats! You are closing in on doing a bodyweight squat! :)

[flywheel99]

[b]LEGS
**All weights include the bar**

BB Squats:
Bar Only 10
90# 8
100# 8
110# 8
115# 8
115# 8
100# 8
90# 8
5# increases on all sets except the warm-up. Had the "duh" moment of recognizing that the heavier weights (115#) make the lighter weights (90-100#) feel easy - and if you had told me several weeks ago that squatting 90# would feel easy, I would have laughed at you. Not only does it feel easier, but my RoM has improved so much at that weight. Sorry if this is stating the obvious, but this kind of thing delights me.

Bulgarian Split Squats:
25# DBs 3 x 8 each leg. All sets at this weight again this week. My balance is laughable. These continue to kick my butt. And I hate 'em!

Conventional Deadlifts:
95# 10
155# 8/7
5# increase.

Seated Leg Curls:
90# 10
110# 6, then dropped weight to 100# for 4 reps
110# 5 then dropped weight to 100# for 5 reps.
90# 10
I was sick of being stuck on 100# so I figured even though I knew I couldn't get the full # of reps with the weight I'd increase it. I'm not making much progress here.

Seated Calf Raises:
90# 12
130# 9
I wanted to use 115# for both working sets and try to get all the reps, which I wasn't able to do. My math skills again failed me, and it took me several times of tallying up the weights to realize that I had 15 extra pounds on there...:rolleyes:
115# 12

[color=slate]Maybe one day I'll be able to go into the gym on leg day without a knot in my stomach. Seriously, I am shaking before I even pick up a weight. Once I get started I'm fine. And after the Bulgarians are dispensed with, I'm actually having fun. Anyhow.....I'm pleased with the workout today.



Rockin Leg day! How sore will you be tonight? Or tomorrow? And do you stretch after this type of workout?

[mom24boys]

Mornin' trouble enjoy the day off :)

[emmie]

Awesome leg day Emma! Great exercise choices. Thanks, Julia! I'm just following orders! ;)


Hey I have a problem working 5 hours in a row let alone 5 days! :o You know what it is? Those months when you and I were unemployed and all we had to do was workout and go grocery shopping left us deconditioned and unsuitable for the working world. :D

WooHoo - look at those squats! You are closing in on doing a bodyweight squat! :)Don't say that, Elise! :eek: I'm nervous enough about leg day as it is! (but thanks! )


Rockin Leg day! How sore will you be tonight? Or tomorrow? And do you stretch after this type of workout?Thank you, Jon! Last week was the sorest I've been in a while - and that really wasn't as sore as I used to get every week. It's a nice amount of DOMS. Not enough to prevent me from bending down to put on socks, but enough to let me know that I worked.
What is this "stretching" that you speak of?? :o


Mornin' trouble enjoy the day off.I plan to, Lisa! Fun of some sort is on the schedule!

[flywheel99]

Thank you, Jon! Last week was the sorest I've been in a while - and that really wasn't as sore as I used to get every week. It's a nice amount of DOMS. Not enough to prevent me from bending down to put on socks, but enough to let me know that I worked.
What is this "stretching" that you speak of?? :o

i'm trying to have good leg days, but also still stay on my running program. so, i am looking at everyone's leg workout days and asking some questions.

so what you're telling me is that you're not too big on the stretching deal???

[moisy]

Woohoo for those squats!! :D :p

I was hoping by now with all of our encouragement that leg day would not be so stressful ... we can't have you going to the gym with a knot in your stomach before even hitting the weights!! lol ;)

And I love your story about the woman with the 2lbs weights swinging them up and down for minutes on end ... we have a few like that too ... but I am worried that they might puncture their silicon boobs and spray someone!!! lol :eek:

[Flynn]

LEGS
**All weights include the bar**

You're sizzling girl...so is the updated gallery :).

[tatdawg]

evenin emma, what in the cornbread hell is going on? :) just been looking at your pictures and they look good, real good. you got a smokin set of guns there girl.

[emmie]

so what you're telling me is that you're not too big on the stretching deal???Well...I've been trying to do a little stretching each night before bed. My hamstrings have always been really inflexible, so stretching is not fun unless I'm consistent with it. I'm trying to stick with it, but it's pretty easy for me to blow off. I've been toying with the idea of a yoga class, too.


Woohoo for those squats!!

I was hoping by now with all of our encouragement that leg day would not be so stressful ... we can't have you going to the gym with a knot in your stomach before even hitting the weights!! lol ;)Thanks, Moisy! I actually get nervous before every workout - it's not just limited to legs. I guess it's me nagging belief that I, for whatever reason, won't be able to get through it and then will have to sit with the feeling of disappointment. It serves as a motivator, to be sure. But I could certainly do without the knots/butterflies in my stomach as I pull into the parking lot! :rolleyes:


You're sizzling girl...so is the updated gallery :).Wow, thanks! *blushes furiously*


evenin emma, what in the cornbread hell is going on? :) just been looking at your pictures and they look good, real good. you got a smokin set of guns there girl.Thanks a bunch, Tat! :D How the hell have you been? Still ripping it up with your bodyweight routine? Seems it's been a while since we've had any progress pictures from you.....;)

[tatdawg]

Thanks a bunch, Tat! :D How the hell have you been? Still ripping it up with your bodyweight routine? Seems it's been a while since we've had any progress pictures from you.....;)

i can't complain. i felt like a change again so now i am doing a 50 50 mix of free weights and bodyweight routine. i just started this last week so i will see how it goes. the first sign of back or joint trouble and i will go back to straight bodyweight.

[egoatdoor]

Emmie, you keep getting better and better every month.

Is there a snowball's chance that you would enter a figure competition in 2008 or 2009? You are that good!

[joed]

Em, on your back pic your deltoids are really poppin' out. Your hard work is showing.

[jmc53]

Well...I've been trying to do a little stretching each night before bed.
I always stretch before undertaking anything vigorous or athletic as well.

[moisy]

Hey you!!! :D

Are you surviving the deadly hot temperatures ... or are you ready for fall yet like me?!!! lol :) Just kidding ... well kind of ... give me about 8C less and I would be happy ;)

I hope you have a great day ... I believe that it is the first day off in a series of three ... lucky girl! I am so counting down to friday already!!! :D :)

[emmie]

i can't complain. i felt like a change again so now i am doing a 50 50 mix of free weights and bodyweight routine. i just started this last week so i will see how it goes. the first sign of back or joint trouble and i will go back to straight bodyweight.Spoken like a very smart man!


Emmie, you keep getting better and better every month.

Is there a snowball's chance that you would enter a figure competition in 2008 or 2009? You are that good!Wow, thanks, Bill! No competition, I don't think. Not interested in the boob job that figure would require of me! ;)
Em, on your back pic your deltoids are really poppin' out. Your hard work is showing.Thank you, Joe - that's nice to hear!


I always stretch before undertaking anything vigorous or athletic as well.As I'm sure you know Jason, it helps to prevent injuries that might be a little embarassing to explain to one's co-workers.



I hope you have a great day ... I believe that it is the first day off in a series of three ... lucky girl! I am so counting down to friday already!!!
'Morning, Moisy - I'm not off for 3 days, I'm ON for 3 days! Actually it's not such a bad thing because work is air conditioned, and home (except for the bedroom) is not. And no one pays me to stay at home. :D

SHOULDERS AND CALVES


Seated DB Shoulder Press:
20# DBs 10
32.5# DBs 8/6 2.5# increase.
30# DBs 8

Standing Lateral Raises:
22.5# DBs 8/8/6 After the last set I picked up the 15# DBs that were near me and did 8 more reps to feel a nice burn.
My RoM was good on the first set. On the next sets it started to get shorter after rep 5.

EZ Upright Rows:
40 12
57.5# 6
Did 6 reps wondering why it felt so easy before I realized I was missing 10# on the bar. :rolleyes:
67.5# 6
65# 8/8
Obviously there was a little confusion here...

BB Shrugs:
76# 12
106# 12
122# 10
Increases in every set.

Standing Calf Raises (holding DBs):
30# DBs 10 (5 sec. pause), 15 (10 second pause), 25 (10 second pause), 25 (10 sec. pause) 15 (5 second pause), 10 (10 second pause), body weight x 30. 2 sets of these.

Went out for my usual 2 mile run. "Ozone Alert" day here, which means that the air quality is very poor, so it felt like I was breathing through a mask. Plus it's 90 degrees and humid. It took me forever to cool down after I finished, even after a tepid shower. Had to hang out in the cool basement for a while until I stopped sweating.

Happy Wednesday, nice people!

[moisy]

Nice workout!! :)

And god woman ... you ran!!!! :eek: It is so gross out there - you are inspirational ... or crazy!! lol :D

There is nothing worse than not being able to cool down ... after the shower ... and still feeling like you are sweating and going full tilt! lol Good thing maybe that you are working to enjoy the A/C there!!! :p

[kimsquit]

Great workout, Emma!

I'll pay you to stay at home, but only on the condition that it's my home ;)

[MacGyverDel]

Your workouts look great.

I still get all anxious on leg day up to the minute I do it then I'm fine.

Anyway....know what time it is? :D


Well it doesn't matter cause;

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z291/macgyverdel/HappyHumpDay6.jpg


Have a great day. :)

[emmie]

And god woman ... you ran!!!! :eek: It is so gross out there - you are inspirational ... or crazy!! lol

There is nothing worse than not being able to cool down ... after the shower ... and still feeling like you are sweating and going full tilt! It was disgusting out there. And I was disgusting when I got back! It's supposed to get cooler towards the weekend....
Great workout, Emma!

I'll pay you to stay at home, but only on the condition that it's my home.Well, o.k...... so long as you know that all I do in the house is lie around half-naked....;)


Anyway....know what time it is?


Well it doesn't matter cause;

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z291/macgyverdel/HappyHumpDay6.jpg


Have a great day. Hi Del - I'm sure hoping it's 11 o'clock! :D

[MacGyverDel]

It was disgusting out there. And I was disgusting when I got back! It's supposed to get cooler towards the weekend....Well, o.k...... ((((so long as you know that all I do in the house is lie around half-naked....;))))

Hi Del - I'm sure hoping it's 11 o'clock! :D

Well I feel that to benefit most from a watch of such one must experience every hour to it's fullest and then assess a favourite hour/hours of the day. :D

:)

[pastorgbc]

Hi Emmie,

Both your leg workout and your shoulder workout are excellent. I loved your account of that feeling you get when a formerly "intimidating" weight now is easy. That is not stating the obvious; only someone who has been there knows what that feels like. Good job.

Ray

[BigBT]

Great workout today including the run, which may make you clinically insane. :) "Given the dog a bone" came on while I was doing squats and I thought of you ;)
Where do I get one of those watches? Better yet, where can I get someone like you to remind me what time it is??? :D

Get your rest for your three days on. I know those suck.

[emmie]

I loved your account of that feeling you get when a formerly "intimidating" weight now is easy. That is not stating the obvious; only someone who has been there knows what that feels like. Good job.

Thank you, Ray! You have such a nice way of saying things! Doing things that I never thought were possible is such a great motivator. Not to mention a nice boost for the self-esteem. ;)


Great workout today including the run, which may make you clinically insane. "Given the dog a bone" came on while I was doing squats and I thought of you ;) That one came on while I was running yesterday. :) So did "Shake a Leg" which didn't help me shake a leg at all...I was SLOW yesterday!

Where do I get one of those watches? Better yet, where can I get someone like you to remind me what time it is??? The nice thing about a watch like that is that it really doesn't matter what time it is - 2 o'clock? 6 o'clock? Mmmm, 5 o'clock! Who cares??! And if you're an hour late, or an hour early? You're probably not going to mind too much, are you??

Another sticky, steamy day here - and not in any kind of good way. I didn't want to get out of bed this morning. Forced myself to do a few bare-minimum ab exercises (while still in the air-conditioned bedroom) and that's just going to have to be enough for today.

I'm meeting my best friend - o.k., so she's also my only non-virtual friend :o - for coffee and marriage counseling later this morning (our respective husbands have some striking similarities). We used to get together weekly for these sessions but between our odd schedules we haven't been able to se each other for a few weeks. So we've got plenty of catching up to do! ;)

Work was a breeze last night. Let's hope for 2 in a row!

Hope all of you nice folks are keeping cool (if applicable) - happy Thursday! :)

[moisy]

Woohoo for work going so well lastnight! :D What a relief with this hot weather ... hard to be patient with the patients!! lol ;)

I hope you have a great time with your friend catching up, dishing the dirt and hopefully some good giggling too! :p That is always my favourite part when I go out with the girls from school for a wine ... we always end up having a good time laughing ... could be the wine though! lol :eek:

It is a little bit today thank goodness and I hope it will be that way for you later on too! :)

[Flynn]

The nice thing about a watch like that is that it really doesn't matter what time it is - 2 o'clock? 6 o'clock? Mmmm, 5 o'clock! Who cares??! And if you're an hour late, or an hour early? You're probably not going to mind too much, are you??

LOL! Btw, have a good "counseling" session ;).

[emmie]

I hope you have a great time with your friend catching up, dishing the dirt and hopefully some good giggling too! :p That is always my favourite part when I go out with the girls from school for a wine ... we always end up having a good time laughing ... could be the wine though! lol :eek: It's a good thing that there's no wine involved, since we get pretty loud and obnoxious just on the caffeine alone! She's a great friend to me. :)


Btw, have a good "counseling" session ;).Oh Flynn, you have no idea.... Or maybe you do?? :D

[bluegreen]

LOL, I like that watch! Here's my version of it:

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y32/BunnyBelle/bunnies/bunnysutra.jpg

:D

Enjoy your visit with your friend, sounds like it'll be good!

[flywheel99]

what's all of this naughty watch business??? i'm shocked!!!

(where can i buy these?)

ok, anyway...

how many days a week do you run? all outside runs?

[ChocoChick]

Who wants to wear the watch? It'd be a lot more fun to model for it! :D

Hope you have fun with your friend, Emma!

[emmie]

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y32/BunnyBelle/bunnies/bunnysutra.jpg

Buns, did you have that custom made? That's awsome! :)


what's all of this naughty watch business??? i'm shocked!!!

(where can i buy these?)

ok, anyway...

how many days a week do you run? all outside runs?Hi Jon - I should have warned you that I like smut! :D

I do cardio 3 x week, and run outside on 2 of those days. At this point - and at that short distance (2 mi) I pretty well enjoy the running. I used to run 40-50 miles a week and hated every minute of it, so I'm pretty pleased that I can do some running and find pleasure in it. Of course my caridovascular conditioning sucks compared to what it used to be, I guess I can't have it both ways. That's seems to be a recurring theme in my life....:rolleyes:



Hope you have fun with your friend, Emma!Hi Elise - A., my friend is a gem. Always on my side. Unsparing in telling it like it is. Especially when it's not what I want to hear! ;) We've been friends for about 6 years, meeting almost weekly at this same little coffee shop - burning up the walls with talks about sex and marriage and passions and hobbies and everything else in between. I don't make friends easily, but she and I clicked from the start. :) (We used to work together.)

[Luvdogs]

Sounds like a fun time Emma! I miss that kind of friendship. I have not met any girlfriends here in Sac that I feel that way about. My best friend is back in Santa Rosa. Maybe that's why moving is not such a big deal, not really leaving anything behind.

[moisy]

Your weekly coffee sessions with your friend sounds like such a great time! :) It is so important to have friends like that to share everything with. That is how I feel about a few of the girls who I work with ... we have become very close over the past few years and share everything with one another ... laughs, tears, good times, bad times, etc!! :)

Hey tell me more about your running? Did you used to compete in the past or do races? You certainly logged lots of miles in the past ... WOW!

Have a good day at work ... I hope that is flies by for you ... and you are home before you know it ;)

[emmie]

Sounds like a fun time Emma! I miss that kind of friendship. I have not met any girlfriends here in Sac that I feel that way about. Hi Julia - We have a good time together, and even though I like spending a lot of my time by myself and keep my own counsel, I need someone to be able to talk to about the things that I don't - for whatever reason - talk about with R. She's definitely my confidante!

BACK & TRICEPS

Strength just wasn't really there for me this morning, but what the hell......I keep expecting dramatic increases in strength each week, which is stupid. I am tired and cheerless today. I need a nap.

Chin-Ups: Bodyweight

Neutral Grip: 8/7
Hammer Grip: 6/6
Wide Grip: 2/3 I probably should have done these first, since they're the hardest for me. But because they're the hardest, and because I'm all about ego-stroking and instant gratification {:rolleyes:}, I started out with the grips that I knew I would be strong on.

Medium-Grip Pulldown:
120# 8/8/5
One rep increase from last week. Whee!
110# 8

Seated Cable Row - Using V-Bar handle
100# 10
117.5# 6/5
115# 6
100# 10
Why am I slow to make progress on these??

Single Dumbbell OH Extention:
45# 12/9/6
All sets with this weight this week.
35# 6 done right after the last reps with the 45#

Underhand Triceps Pushdown:
97.5#7/6
These felt tougher than last week.
95# 8/6

Unsanctioned Cable Curls, because I can.
95#7/5/5

30 minutes of cardio on the treadmill. (Walking @ 6%-9% incline (alternating), 4.6 mph for 25 minutes. 5 minutes cool down. Didn't want to go home.)

Chin-up/Pull-up Guy was there and he came over while I was on the treadmill and said that it was probably his last a.m. workout because of his work schedule. Then he asked me out. :o ****, there goes my spotter!

Other interesting gym folk: Roadie Guy (looks like he could work for some has-been band like .38 Special. :p) on the treadmill next to me, spilling out of his sleeveless t-shirt and smelling of cheeseburgers and an ashtray. He kept a plastic coffee stirrer in his mouth for the whole time, chomping away at it. Then there was Shoulder Rehab guy who has been rehabbing his shoulder for about 4 years and doing absolutely nothing for his lower body. He wears bike shorts. If he shaved his legs, they would look like mine, they're that skinny. Not a good look, I assure you!

That's about it.....


T.G.I.F., nice people. And I can join you in that chorus, since I have the weekend off. :)

[Flynn]

Chin-up/Pull-up Guy was there and he came over while I was on the treadmill and said that it was probably his last a.m. workout because of his work schedule. Then he asked me out. :o ****, there goes my spotter!

LOL! I'm sure another spotter will come again. They are probably just waiting for this guy to move on :p. Although you may feel it wasn't one of your best, at least you made it to the gym. Now I'll feel guilty if I don't ;).

Enjoy your weekend off and do something fun!!!!

[BigBT]

Nice workout today. I like to rotate my pullups so that each time I do a different one first. It targets a different area when I'm strongest as well.
Try switching the order of your pull downs and your rows. You'll be stronger for the rows and probably see some improvement.
The plus side of getting asked out is that it definately played to the "instant gratification and ego-stroking" that you love so much!
Enjoy your weekend off.

[Luvdogs]

Your discriptions are very funny and I'm sure very accurate!

Those cable rows are very strong! I can't get past 105#'s.

Have a greeeeat weekend!

[emmie]

Hey tell me more about your running? Did you used to compete in the past or do races? You certainly logged lots of miles in the past ... WOW!

Have a good day at work ... I hope that is flies by for you ... and you are home before you know it ;)I must have been typing my workout when you posted this - sorry I missed it, Moisy!
I never ran competitvely outside of high school. I was encouraged to do it - and I probably would have done pretty well - but I don't like competition. It makes me feel horrible about myself, don't ask me why. I ran for "fitness", but honestly it was an unhealthy compulsion. I forced myself to do it, suffered injuries, and generally made myself miserable. I'm good at that. :)


Although you may feel it wasn't one of your best, at least you made it to the gym. Now I'll feel guilty if I don't ;).You'd better get your ass to the gym! You don't want to me to have to come over there, do you ;)

I'm looking for a spotter for Tuesdays - are you interested? I think Chris is covering Sundays....



Try switching the order of your pull downs and your rows. You'll be stronger for the rows and probably see some improvement.Hi Brian - Yeah, but then my pulldowns would suffer...:rolleyes: I'm sticking with order I've been doing. I just need to be patient. NOT my strong point!

The plus side of getting asked out is that it definately played to the "instant gratification and ego-stroking" that you love so much!
True. I'm not going to lie and say I wasn't flattered. That's the first time anyone's asked me out in about 10 years....:cool:

[emmie]

Your discriptions are very funny and I'm sure very accurate!

Those cable rows are very strong! I can't get past 105#'s.

Have a greeeeat weekend!Sorry I missed this post, Julia! Thanks for your compliment. :) I looked at the cable rows in my training notebook to see if I've been making any progress, and I have been - broke the 100# mark in the 1st week of February. I've been told by someone else that it's a hard exercise to add weight to, so that makes me feel better about the slow increases.

I don't have any plans yet for the weekend - except a massage tomorrow afternoon *big smile here*. I'd better make some plans, as I really don't want hang around the house. R is off from Sunday until Thurs. Our friend from S.F. is visiting his family nearby and he and his 7 year-old son *might* come and stay here with us for a couple of nights. :eek: I suggested to R that the 3 of them go camping. He said "Are you trying to get rid of us??". I guess that I could have been a little less obvious, huh? :cool: I hate having houseguests.

A just-for-one-night kind of guest might be nice, though! ;)

[MacGyverDel]

Who wants to wear the watch? It'd be a lot more fun to model for it! :D

Hope you have fun with your friend, Emma!

Hope I didn't miss the modelling session.


http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z291/macgyverdel/uglybaby.jpg



Hope you have a great weekend Emmie. :)

[Luvdogs]

I'm not big on house guests either. Last week with three 13 year old girls in the house I was just about nuts. I told Buzz one at a time from here on out!! I was so happy B & E went to his mom's for that night. I felt bad about wanting them to go too! Buzz knew I needed some space though.

[tatdawg]

waves hey to emma, :) have a great weekend

[jmc53]

I'm meeting my best friend - o.k., so she's also my only non-virtual friend :o - for coffee and marriage
The line break on my screen came in a very unfortunate spot here

Hi Jon - I should have warned you that I like smut! :D
I knew there was a reason I liked you! :)

Nice workout Em.

[emmie]

Hope you have a great weekend Emmie. That photo distresses me, Del! Looks like one of my patients. :eek:


I felt bad about wanting them to go too! Buzz knew I needed some space though.Having house guests is a nice reminder of how incredibly selfish I am! :) I hate having to deviate from my routine, even if it's temporary. The guest room is my room where I'm sitting right now, and where the computer is. And it's not a laptop...:(


waves hey to emma, have a great weekendHi Tat! Hope you've got some plans for the weekend. Any extra time off for the 4th?


The line break on my screen came in a very unfortunate spot hereThat's pretty funny, Jason. Although she and I are close we haven't yet had that awkward conversation about spending our future together!


I knew there was a reason I liked you! :)
You only like me for my dirty mind??!? *Waaaah!*`

Have gotten a nice, slow start to the day here. I slept in a bit, finally. Work was hectic since there were only 3 RNs, and I had to stay a half-hour extra because someone from the next shift came in late. Truly annoying.

Did my ab exercises:
3 x 15 weighted v-twists (20#) supersetted w/ 15 jack knives (on floor)
2 x 1 minute boat pose
3 x 15 weighted decline crunches (39#)

I have my massage appointment this afternoon, and plan to bake some bread. Need to do some stupid house chores {put away the winter clothing, for example. 'Tho I tend to put that off until mid-September. :cool:} A day of breathtaking excitement, in other words.

My lats and triceps are nice and sore. :) Pecs are a bit sore too, from the chin-ups, I guess.

Happy Saturday, nice people!

[joed]

Tough lookin' ab workout em. Enjoy the wkend, boring though it may be.

[Flynn]

Need to do some stupid house chores {put away the winter clothing, for example. 'Tho I tend to put that off until mid-September. :cool:} A day of breathtaking excitement, in other words.

Happy Saturday, nice people!

The boring ones makes you appreciated the more exciting ones even more. Despite the chores, enjoy the weekend!

[bluegreen]

Hey Emmie, no, I stumbled across the watch pic, but I sure would love to have that one, lol! Sounds like a great friend you have - I'm sure she feels just the same about you! Enjoy your massage this afternoon! Yesterday's workout looks pretty darn good to me!

[jocularric]

Hi Emma. I hope you're having a great weekend--despite the house chores.

[emmie]

Tough lookin' ab workout em. Enjoy the wkend, boring though it may be.Hi Joe! The toughest thing about the ab workouts is getting them started. I have to do them as soon as I get up otherwise they wont get done.


The boring ones makes you appreciated the more exciting ones even more. I haven't had an exciting one for a while, so I'm sure you're right about this. And in reality, I'm not unhappy with how I spend my weekends off. It's just nice to feel like there is nothing that I absolutely have to do and I don't have to hurry.


Enjoy your massage this afternoon! Yesterday's workout looks pretty darn good to me!Thanks, Buns! The massage felt great. As I left the house R was smirking and shaking his head, so I said "What's so fu(king funny??!?" and he said "I'm laughing at my wife's hedonism" I told him that I was making up for years of self-denial and he'd better get used to it because it was only going to get worse. :D


Hi Emma. I hope you're having a great weekend--despite the house chores.
Thanks, Ric! The house chores *might* not have gotten done....I can't really talk about it. :p

I'm not sure why, but yesterday my whole body felt like it had been beaten-up. My muscles were achy and I was really tired. And I've had a headache for 2 days. My back spasm seems to have returned, although not as intensely as before, and I was worried that it might interfere with my workout today . I felt it with the bench pressing, since it's right under my shoulder blade but I didn't seem to be too much of a problem

CHEST & BICEPS

**Weights include the bar**

Flat BB Bench Press:

66# 12
96# 8
111# 6 5# increase from last week.
111# 6To be clear: These aren't full RoM - the bar is not touching my chest. Or it would never get off again.
101# 8 5# increase from last week.
76# 10

Decline DB Press:
40# DBs 8/8/8
Yay! The hardest part of this is sitting up after I finish the set. I've got bruises on my hip bones from banging them on there as I'm struggling.

Incline DB Curls
20# DBs 12
30# DBs 8/8/7

EZ Preacher Curls:
50# 1 x 12
60# 8/3
55# 8/5 I'm stuck on these. The issue (I think) is my forearms/wrists aren't strong enough to give the initial push. Anyone have any ideas?

Followed this by 30 minutes of cardio - 2 miles of running, and the rest walking.

Seems out houseguest is coming just for tonight, and without his son. He's great company for R, and he's a very easy-going guy. Shouldn't be too bad.

Happy Sunday, nice people!

[Hibiscus09]

Nice workout, Emma!!!

Do you ever do the declines with a BB? I could scroll back, I suppose -- but I'm feeling lazy this Sunday morning. :p

For the EZ preachers, do you wear gloves with a wrist band? That helps me greatly there. I have tiny wrists. Now, some will say not to do that as you won't build wrist strength -- but whatever. :p I'm betting they don't have 5" wrists. :)

There are wrist strengthening exercises:

http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/md55.htm

As for forearms, do you do hammer curls? Those will help build forearm strength. Reverse grip curl movements will help. Also, sumo squats with a db on leg day really seem to hit my forearms.

The only other thing I can think of is if you have someone around, asking them to spot you until you get stronger and move up in weight.

[emmie]

Hey Diane - Thanks for the response! The bench with the "arms" to support the bar doesn't decline - or incline for that matter - so no decline b-pressing for me unless I decided to go to the gym. I'm kind of hooked on my at-home Sunday morning workouts, so I'll have to work around it.

I've got 6" wrists - and my gloves don't have any wrist support. You may be on to something here! I'm with you on the "what-ever" regarding people scoffing at the use of gloves/straps. I'll look into that. I was doing hammers before I started the routine I'm doing now, and flirted with Zottman curls to hit hit the forearms (now those hurt my wirsts).

Anyhow, thanks for your input - wish I could rep you, but I'll get you in a few days! ;)

[Buffycat3]

Hi there Emmie:)

I just came from my journal....*runs to emmie with baby carrots* LOL
Thanks for the laugh.

You have me thinking about my diet...well, I have been thinking, but you recently brought it back to mind:D
I was wondering how your diet is...You don't have to list everything you eat, but like what is your 'routine' (ex: carb cycling, high protien, low carbs..ect)
What are your macros, for a typical day?
curious

I also laughed when I read about your bruises from the dbs.
I have bruises on my upper legs from the dang things :D
Hey, gotta do it to get the job done!

I also join you in the weak wrist department. errr, frustrating!

Have a great Sunday!

[emmie]

Hi Joan *rubs back of head where a small carrot-shaped bump is forming* :p

This is a typical day of eating for me. On my rest days (M, Th, Sat.) I omit the cheerios in M1, and substitute an eggwhite + cheese omelette for Meal 2. I keep the calories about the same, making up the difference with nuts -my primary fat source. So I guess I'm saying that I lower the carbs on non-training days. I'm not fanatical about it. I feel like things even themselves out over a course of a couple of days. (Of course, this is probably why I look like I do, and you look as fantastic as you do! :)) I aim for 1800-2000 cals, with the most cals coming from pro and fat. Sundays I let myself deviate from the plan if I wish. Usually what happens is that even though I am eating treats (for me, that's full-fat cheese and some bread), my calories usually end up lower than a typical day.

Oh, and if you didn't know, I'm vegetarian, so eggwhites and dairy are my PRO sources.

M1 (pre-workout): 15 g. organic cheerios, 1 scoop whey in water

M2: Tea w/ skim milk. 1/2 c (dry) oatmeal or oatbran cooked with .5 c. skim milk, .5c . cottage cheese, 2 Tbsp. ground flaxseeds stirred in.

M3: 7-8 eggwhites and 1.5 pcs. light string cheese (omelette). 4-5 c. steamed broccoli. .5 oz. walnuts

M4: .75 c. nonfat yoghurt (or 1 c. skim milk) w/ .75 c. Fiber One cereal. .5 oz almonds.

**above meals eaten before work**

M5: 1 serving egg casserole, 2 c. green beans, 1 large sweet bell pepper (8 oz. or more), 1 piece string cheese.

**eaten at work**

M6: .75 c. cottage cheese w/ .75 oz walnuts, 1/2 c. soymilk, 15 gm cheerios.

** eaten before bed**

[ChocoChick]

Hi Emma, sorry to hear you have to work on the 4th. Will that be during the day or at night?

[emmie]

Hi Elise - it's my usual 4-midnight gig. I never do anything on the 4th anyway, so it's not like it's a big deal. Even if I were missing out on an event the $$$ I'll get paid for that shift would soften the blow.

Our houseguest is here. He's a yoga teacher, so I've been talking with him about various styles. Still thinking about taking a weekly class, 'tho he said that for my purposes (flexibility) I could probably gte away with using a video or book. We shall see.

The boys are off playing frisbee. It's nice to see R. hanging out with someone whom he gets along with so much. (I think I mentioned this before - these guys went to high school together.) Plus he'll have someone to join him in his typical Sunday night partying...his one night/week of lettin' loose. ;)

[ChocoChick]

I need to work on flexibility too, apparently. I am ashamed to admit that I am just too darned twitchy for yoga. :o

You'll have to let me know what book or video he recommends. I suppose if I could do it at home it might be bearable.

[BigBT]

Flexibility? Who the hell needs that? Screw the stretching, get in there and lift, lift, lift! I have yet to see a yoga class with "Whole Lotta Rosie" blaring in the background. Zamfir and his magic pipes just don't seem like you....

[emmie]

I have yet to see a yoga class with "Whole Lotta Rosie" blaring in the background. "Givin' the Downward Dog a Bone".......
I would travel some distance to go to a class with an AC/DC soundtrack! Find me a class like that, and I'm there! :p

[jmc53]

"Givin' the Downward Dog a Bone".......
I would travel some distance to go to a class with an AC/DC soundtrackGreat Aussie band.
Hi Em. :)

[English_Gent]

Hi Emmie...

Interesting concept... Metal Yoga! :D

Anyhoo just dropping by for a read and to wish you a ggggggreat week!

Toodles for now

JD

[Luvdogs]

I tried the hot yoga twice and that was enough!! Yuk! I tell ya,nothing like 15 hot sweaty bodies in a 100 degree room for an hour, peee u! I didn't like the heat aspect of it and regular yoga is too slow for me, but maybe that's the point :o

[moisy]

Good morning ;)

As much as yoga looks good for stretching and flexbility ... I have to admit that when I did try it ... I was bored out of my mind!!!!! lol :eek: Too slow moving for me and when I am in the gym, I want to "rock" out and push it hard moving fast between sets and then cardio!!! lol :D :p

I hope you have a great week at work and relaxing at home with R ... I might not be back in a lot this week to visit bb.com or over the next few weeks with going back and forth up north ... taking a break from posting etc. ... and getting into total holiday mode ... I will definitely still be working out though since you know how much I love it!!! :)

Talk to you soon, take care and enjoy your weekly cheese, wine and bread picnics!!

[pastorgbc]

Hi Emmie,

Sorry to hear about the bruised hips; it is tough to get out of decline dbs elegantly.

Your workouts are awesome.

You are handling nice weight on the preachers, with some solid volume. I would try doing them before the incline db curls and see if "fresher is better".

Another tip for preachers is this: when you curl, mentally focus on curling with the part of your bicep that inserts at your shoulder, rather than near your elbows. There is a tendency on movement to focus on the elbow insertion, which may cause people to NOT to use their whole bicep, which can short-circuit your strength on this movement.

Keep having fun!

Ray

[bluegreen]

Hey Emmie, those bench presses are *very* nice! For some reason I have a hard time sticking with a yoga routine without a class - the last time I actually stuck with it for any amount of time was when I was pregnant with kiddo, oops, lol! Enjoy the rest of the visit with your yoga friend!

[emmie]

You'll have to let me know what book or video he recommends. I suppose if I could do it at home it might be bearable.I haven't pressed for a name/title, but he's made some vague comments about looking stuff up on the internet... I'll ask him now.


Great Aussie band.
Hi Em.Morning, Jason! :) They're a workout favorite of mine!


Hi Emmie...

Interesting concept... Metal Yoga!

Anyhoo just dropping by for a read and to wish you a ggggggreat week!

Toodles for now

JDHi JD - Thanks for the visit - hope your week is gggggggreat, too!


I tried the hot yoga twice and that was enough!! Yuk! I tell ya,nothing like 15 hot sweaty bodies in a 100 degree room for an hour, peee u! I didn't like the heat aspect of it and regular yoga is too slow for me, but maybe that's the point I was talking with Mark about the Bikram's yoga (the hot stuff) - he's taking a workshop on it next week. You know how I feel about excess heat - no way I'm going to voluntarily subject myself to it!


Too slow moving for me and when I am in the gym, I want to "rock" out and push it hard moving fast between sets and then cardio!!! Hi Moisy - I'm certainly not thinking of replacing any type of weight or cardio workout with yoga! :eek: I'm looking at it as something to enhance the lifting by increasing my flexibility. I have a suspicion that squatting would be easier for me if I weren't so tight.


Talk to you soon, take care and enjoy your weekly cheese, wine and bread picnics!!You have a great time, Moisy. Just make sure you give Julia and me plenty of time to get our turquoise bridesmaid dresses ready(with matching shoes and eyeshadow, of course)! ;)



You are handling nice weight on the preachers, with some solid volume. I would try doing them before the incline db curls and see if "fresher is better".

Another tip for preachers is this: when you curl, mentally focus on curling with the part of your bicep that inserts at your shoulder, rather than near your elbows. There is a tendency on movement to focus on the elbow insertion, which may cause people to NOT to use their whole bicep, which can short-circuit your strength on this movement.

Keep having fun!

RayRay - Thank you! I do believe that I am guilty of focusing on the elbow insertion....never really thought about it until now. Great piece of information! I AM having fun, and even though I feel a little frustrated that I can't get beyond 55-58# without my form tanking, I get a kick out of being able to life what I can. My body continues to amaze me. :)


Hey Emmie, those bench presses are *very* nice! For some reason I have a hard time sticking with a yoga routine without a class - the last time I actually stuck with it for any amount of time was when I was pregnant with kiddo, oops, lol! Enjoy the rest of the visit with your yoga friend!Hi Buns! Thanks about the BPs! My yoga friend was very funny last night. I was doing some stretching before going to bed and he saw me doing the pigeon pose and give me a little (welcomed) critique of my form. He then proceeded to show me several elaborate headstand-type poses....this after having he had 4 (very tall) gin + gingers, and an untold amount of pot. He offered the caveat that "it's probably better to not do these when you're drunk." :rolleyes:


O.K., so I bitch and moan about having houseguests, and what hapens EVERY time is that I end up enjoying their company immensely. As I said yesterday, it's also really nice to see R let loose and laugh and be a lot moe talkative than he typically is. I'm laughing at him this morning because he looks like utter HELL! I love it...:p

Did my abs upon getting up. There was a 6-pack sighting!! Couldn't document it, which is a pity 'cause it'll probably never happen again. My camera was in the guest room. The ab routine was the same as Sat:

3 x 15 V-twists (holding 20#) supesetted w/ 15 jackknives (done on bench, not holding on)
2 x boat pose (1 minute the first time, 45 seconds the second. Mark gave me some pointers on the form that makes it harder...basically elevating the legs much moe than I had been)
4 x 15 weighted decline crunches (holding 39#)

I'm working this evening. Wish me luck - staffing is *not good*, and none of us is experienced. Not good....
Happy Monday to all you nice people!

[kimsquit]

Happy monday, Emma!


I have a suspicion that squatting would be easier for me if I weren't so tightbraggart :p


My body continues to amaze meI couldn't agree more ;)

[emmie]

Happy monday, Emma!

braggart :pGuess I opened myself up to that comment, didn't I?? :D

Thanks, Chris...

[Flynn]

Happy monday, Emma!

braggart :p

I couldn't agree more ;)

LOL!


Guess I opened myself up to that comment, didn't I?? :D

And you keep doing it! You know what they say about continuous Freudian slips...:p.

[emmie]

And you keep doing it! You know what they say about continuous Freudian slips...:p.Oh do tell, Flynn! ;)

I guess it's not a stretch to say that I make a lot of those slips....

O.K., I'll stop now! :D

[BigBT]

I would travel some distance to go to a class with an AC/DC soundtrack! Find me a class like that, and I'm there! :p

Well if that isn't enough reason to start a gym, I don't know what is!

[emmie]

Well if that isn't enough reason to start a gym, I don't know what is!
Hi Brian! This morning the radio station at the gym was playing "patriotic" music, which makes me want to hurl...you and I have to get busy opening that All AC/DC, Motorhead, and Judas Priest All-The-Freakin'-Time gym. :)

LEGS
**All weights include the bar**

BB Squats:
Bar Only 10
95# 8
105# 8
115# 8
125# 6
125# 7
105# 8
95# 8
5#-10# increases on all sets except the warm-up. Dislaimer - those 125# squats were not parallel and were not particularly pretty! :p The bar felt like it was sliding down my back and I had a little trouble reracking it; someone came over to bail me out (one side was higher than the other).

Bulgarian Split Squats:
30# DBs 3 x 7 each leg. 5 # increase. I feel like I've been given a new lease on life when I finish these things. That's how much I hate 'em. Too bad they're so effective. :cool:

Conventional Deadlifts:
95# 10
160# 8/8
5# increase. Yay me! :D Grip started to go on the last 2 reps, but I hung on.

Seated Leg Curls:
90# 10
110# 7, then dropped weight to 100# for 3 reps
110# 6 then dropped weight to 100# for 4 reps.
About the same as last week, 'tho I did feel a little stronger. Still couldn't do any more reps...

Seated Calf Raises:
90# 12
120# 9
110# 12/12

Walked on the treadmill for a while afterwards, really enjoying listening to loud music and being lost in the my thoughts. I always feel so good after a workout - it's like I want to prolong that feeling by not going home. My legs are already feeling kind of sore, so I suspect I'm going to be in for it in the next few days.

I'm off work today. Yesterday's shift turned out to be just fine despite my apprehensions. I love it when my dire predictions don't pan out....My second 6 week French class starts tonight. Maybe I'll actually practice between classes this time around. I'm looking forward to it, mostly as a chance to meet some new people and get out of the house. I'm planning on going to Montreal in September, so being able to speak some French would probably come in handy.

I hope you nice folks have a happy Tuesday. :)

[Hibiscus09]

Ooooh, I'm envious!! I would like to take a language class! :) I've had three years of Spanish and three semesters of Latin. I think Italian is next on my list.

When I squatted heavier -- and I'm going to try to get back to that soon -- 140 was my cut off for squatting without a spotter. When you make jumps in weight, you may want to consider asking someone to spot you. I know there are safety racks, but coming up crooked or perhaps faltering could hurt your back!! :p That's my mommy statement for the day! :D

Nice job on the workout!! I hope you have a great Fourth, Emma!

[flywheel99]

Hi Brian! This morning the radio station at the gym was playing "patriotic" music, which makes me want to hurl...you and I have to get busy opening that All AC/DC, Motorhead, and Judas Priest All-The-Freakin'-Time gym. :)


excuse me... but what's wrong with a little patriotic music!? a little stars and stripes forever does the soul some good. followed by a little dose of God Bless America!!! Let's all sing together, now... my only problem would be that i'd want to stand at attention and salute the whole time.

what would you call your new music gym? "The early/mid 80's head-bangers palace? Come do your dead-lifts in the mosh pit?"

[Luvdogs]

Hey squatter! Great job on them legs! Did you get straps? That will help a lot with your grip if you want to go heavier on Deads.

Have a great day off! I work my 3 hours at Rio :rolleyes: then workout then MASSAGE at 4:00! Ahhhhh

[emmie]

Ooooh, I'm envious!! I would like to take a language class! :) I've had three years of Spanish and three semesters of Latin. I think Italian is next on my list.Morning, Diane! It's fun for me - I'm by no means a *serious* language student, but I took so much French in h.s. and college that it seems pathetic that I can barely string together a basic sentence.


When I squatted heavier -- and I'm going to try to get back to that soon -- 140 was my cut off for squatting without a spotter. When you make jumps in weight, you may want to consider asking someone to spot you. I know there are safety racks, but coming up crooked or perhaps faltering could hurt your back!! :p That's my mommy statement for the day! :DI'd love to have a spotter, even on my lighter weights, since fear is still a pretty big part of my squatting. I don't have a workout partner and it's hit or miss as to whom I'll see at the gym. I'm pretty attuned to my limitations, and no way do I want to hurt myself just so I can say I squatted X number of pounds. Thanks for the advice, Mom. ;)




excuse me... but what's wrong with a little patriotic music!? a little stars and stripes forever does the soul some good. followed by a little dose of God Bless America!!! You're joking, right??

[IdahoViking]

I would like to impart some words of wisdom into this thread; but alas I cannot. :(

[flywheel99]

start marching!!!

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=189782878

[MacGyverDel]

Nice workout. Stuck working the 4th eh. Too bad. It's nice you'll be visiting Montreal and I do believe half the the population there is english speaking. :)

French is still a great 2nd language. ( I was never good in class :o)

Have a great day. :)

[emmie]

Hey squatter! Great job on them legs! Did you get straps? That will help a lot with your grip if you want to go heavier on Deads. Thanks, Julia! I haven't gotten any straps. I'm convinced that I wont be able to put them on properly. Is this an irrational concern?? :rolleyes:


Have a great day off! I work my 3 hours at Rio :rolleyes: then workout then MASSAGE at 4:00! AhhhhhYou're going to have to slow down that breakneck pace of yours! Have a great massage. I've got a full-body scheduled for Thursday evening, and I can't wait! :D


I would like to impart some words of wisdom into this thread; but alas I cannot. :(Turn that frown upsidedown, Ted :p So glad you stopped by! You don't have to post anything at all - it's just nice to know that someone's reading, know what I mean?

Nice workout. Stuck working the 4th eh. Too bad. It's nice you'll be visiting Montreal and I do believe half the the population there is english speaking. :)Hiya Del - I know that I could get by just fine in Montreal without knowing any French, but I figured it's a cheaper opportunity to practice than going to Paris. We might still go in November (to France), but we've been dragging our feel about committing to it.

[kimsquit]

Thanks, Julia! I haven't gotten any straps. I'm convinced that I wont be able to put them on properly. Is this an irrational concern??perhaps this (http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showpost.php?p=11702639&postcount=6982) helps? I posted it in Barb's thread last Fall.

:)

~ Chris

[joed]

Nice lookin' WO em. I admire you on those Bulgarian splits; one day, long in the future, I'll be flexible enough to do them right. What's cookin' tomorrow?

[BigBT]

Hi Brian! This morning the radio station at the gym was playing "patriotic" music, which makes me want to hurl...you and I have to get busy opening that All AC/DC, Motorhead, and Judas Priest All-The-Freakin'-Time gym. :)

If you don't add some Maiden and Dio to the playlist, the deal is off lady! :D


perhaps this (http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showpost.php?p=11702639&postcount=6982) helps? I posted it in Barb's thread last Fall.

:)

~ Chris

If Chris' pictures don't help, let me know. I'd be happy to come up there and wrap you up properly. ;)

Congrats on your increases today. Working on holidays is the downside of nursing. My wife continually misses Christmas Eve. Which is actually fine with her, she doesn't have to put together toys for a seven year old! She just gets to come home Christmas morning and see his happy face.

[MacGyverDel]

Hope you have a great day. Once you awake. :) http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z291/macgyverdel/8_14_12-2.gif

[egoatdoor]

BB Squats:
Bar Only 10
95# 8
105# 8
115# 8
125# 6
125# 7
105# 8
95# 8
5#-10# increases on all sets except the warm-up. Dislaimer - those 125# squats were not parallel and were not particularly pretty! :p The bar felt like it was sliding down my back and I had a little trouble reracking it; someone came over to bail me out (one side was higher than the other).

Bulgarian Split Squats:
30# DBs 3 x 7 each leg. 5 # increase. I feel like I've been given a new lease on life when I finish these things. That's how much I hate 'em. Too bad they're so effective. :cool:

Conventional Deadlifts:
95# 10
160# 8/8
5# increase. Yay me! :D Grip started to go on the last 2 reps, but I hung on.

Seated Leg Curls:
90# 10
110# 7, then dropped weight to 100# for 3 reps
110# 6 then dropped weight to 100# for 4 reps.
About the same as last week, 'tho I did feel a little stronger. Still couldn't do any more reps...

Seated Calf Raises:
90# 12
120# 9
110# 12/12

Walked on the treadmill for a while afterwards, really enjoying listening to loud music and being lost in the my thoughts. I always feel so good after a workout - it's like I want to prolong that feeling by not going home. My legs are already feeling kind of sore, so I suspect I'm going to be in for it in the next few days.[/b]



Looks like Emmie is starting to enjoy her leg workouts?????? :p

[flywheel99]

grooving leg workout.

have a great Independence day!

[ChocoChick]

Have a good 4th!

[emmie]

perhaps this (http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showpost.php?p=11702639&postcount=6982) helps? I posted it in Barb's thread last Fall. Excellent, Chris - thank you! :)


Nice lookin' WO em. I admire you on those Bulgarian splits; one day, long in the future, I'll be flexible enough to do them right. What's cookin' tomorrow?Thanks Joe! really, if they didn't target my personal "disaster zone" so well, I'd spend a lot more time thinking of excuses to not do them!


If you don't add some Maiden and Dio to the playlist, the deal is off lady! Oh, for sure the playlist will all-inclusive! I've listened to very little I.M., and even less Dio, so that'll be your department. :)

If Chris' pictures don't help, let me know. I'd be happy to come up there and wrap you up properly. What a selfless offer, Brian! I would just hate to take advantage of your generosity....


Hope you have a great day. Once you awake. http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z291/macgyverdel/8_14_12-2.gifHey, I'm awake! I don't want to be, but I am! Hope you have a great day too, Del.


Looks like Emmie is starting to enjoy her leg workouts?????? Bill, I think that's going a little too far! :mad: :D
Glad you stopped by!

grooving leg workout.

have a great Independence day!Thanks, Jon - same to you!


Have a good 4th!Hi Elise - Hope you and your family have some kind of fun today!

SHOULDERS AND CALVES


Seated DB Shoulder Press:
20# DBs 12
32.5# DBs 8/8 All prescribed reps this week.
30# DBs 8

Standing Lateral Raises:
22.5# DBs 8/8/8 After the last set I picked up the 15# DBs that were near me and did 8 more reps, just like I did last week.
My RoM was much better this week. Some twinge-y sensations at the start of the motion...

EZ Upright Rows:
44 10
65# 8/8/7
Stuck with the tried 'n true 65#. This exercise never feels "good" - seems like it's hard on the joints - but I really like doing it. Will try the 67.5 again next week. Probably could have used it this week, but I'm hesitant to fu(k-up my shoulders, so in light of the twinge-y feelings, I was conservative.

BB Shrugs:
82# 12
122# 12/12
Better than last week.

Standing Calf Raises (holding DBs):
30# DBs 10 (5 sec. pause), 15 (10 second pause), 25 (10 second pause), 25 (10 sec. pause) 15 (5 second pause), 10 (10 second pause), body weight x 30. 3 sets of these.
Added a set

Went out for my usual 2.2 mile-run-and-then-walk-the-rest-of-the-way-home cardio. And that's that.

Another poor night's sleep. I was in bed for plenty of time, but I wasn't sleeping deeply. Kind of sucks.
But I had fun at my French class last night. My teacher is this gorgeous Danish woman. I couldn't stop staring at her.....you men would have been absolutely helpless. That she was wearing a low-cut dress didn't help. :rolleyes:

Not too much on my schedule today. Need to do some cooking, and I might try to do some napping, too.

Hope all of you nice people have a happy Wednesday!

[Hibiscus09]

Nice job on the workout, Emma! :) You're smart to be careful with your shoulders. Mine are weird -- sometimes they talk to me and sometimes they don't -- I just make sure to listen if they're not happy with a particular exercise on a given day.

You're inspiring me to take classes again -- I think Italian and photography are tops on my list.

Happy Fourth of July!!

[BigBT]

Good workout with some steady improvement. Nice cardio too. Nice getting it in without much sleep, too.
Good for you on the French lessons! Practicing French with a hot Danish woman, huh? Oh, damn, I just realized you probably mean the French Language! ;)
I keep saying I'm going to go back and finish Spanish, but life seems to take over. That's awesome that you can work that into your schedule. Have a good day and get some sleep.

[pastorgbc]

Solid workout all the way around, Emmie.

Enjoy your holiday.

Ray

[bluegreen]

morning Emmie! Happy 4th of July! Good stuff on better ROM on the lat raises! ugh for the poor sleeps tho!

[emmie]

Mine are weird -- sometimes they talk to me and sometimes they don't -- I just make sure to listen if they're not happy with a particular exercise on a given day.That's what I'm trying to do. Sure, I want hyooge shoulders, but if injure myself in the dogged persuit, that's not going to hep me very much, is it?


You're inspiring me to take classes again -- I think Italian and photography are tops on my list.
I enjoy it just to meet some new people. I don't get out much. :o



Good workout with some steady improvement. Nice cardio too. Nice getting it in without much sleep, too.
Good for you on the French lessons! Practicing French with a hot Danish woman, huh? Oh, damn, I just realized you probably mean the French Language! ;)Well, Brian, since the emphasis is on conversations, it's pretty much all oral....;)



Solid workout all the way around, Emmie.

Enjoy your holiday.

RayThank you, Ray! :)


morning Emmie! Happy 4th of July! Good stuff on better ROM on the lat raises! ugh for the poor sleeps tho!Hiya Buns! I'm starting to have a greater appreciation for the small improvements. I keep telling myself "progress is progress", and try not to get caught up with quantifying that progress. If it's better than last week, then it's BETTER!

[Flynn]

If it's better than last week, then it's BETTER!

That's the attitude. Happy 4th of July :D.

[jmc53]

My teacher is this gorgeous Danish woman. I couldn't stop staring at her.....you men would have been absolutely helpless. That she was wearing a low-cut dress didn't help. :rolleyes:
No matter how appealing you make her sound, the idea of you staring at her is more appealing ;)
(Guys are like that).

[English_Gent]

Hi Emmie

Just passing by and had a look at the workouts.... Nice

Hope the shoulder isn't giving you toooooo much jip and that you manage to get a decent nights sleep!

Have a good one and toodles! JD

[Samraiwise]

Hi emmie, hi everyone! *with a shyly smile a samurai knocks the door*

Nobody told me BB.com has a nice cozy place like this! It seems your wonderful personality is contagious.

May I come in?
I hope you wouldn't mind my little friend here.....

http://www.angelfire.com/nb/kazuo/img/kittie04_playing_orange.gif

[emmie]

That's the attitude. Happy 4th of July.Hi Flynn, attitude (or, as R calls it, stroppiness) is something I've got plenty of! :p


No matter how appealing you make her sound, the idea of you staring at her is more appealing.
(Guys are like that).I'm a shameless starer, Jason. I like bodies. What was Peter Seller's line from "Being There"??? "I like to watch......"


Hi Emmie

Just passing by and had a look at the workouts.... Nice

Hope the shoulder isn't giving you toooooo much jip and that you manage to get a decent nights sleep!

Have a good one and toodles! JD'Morning (afternoon by now, I suppose) JD! Shoulders feel fine today. No pain, no soreness. I rarely have any DOMS from the shoulder workout itself. I seem to get the sorest, delt-wise, from the single DB overhead extention I do for my triceps! It's always been that way, even when I was using dinky little weights. No matter...so long as the shoulders grow.



Nobody told me BB.com has a nice cozy place like this! It seems your wonderful personality is contagious.My goodness, who paid you to say this??!? :p Thanks, Samurai - you are most welcome here! Cats, too! Just jump right in and start posting.
Have you considered having a journal? It's a great way to get support and encouragement, especially when those things are lacking at home...;)

Rest day today, Just abs:
3 x 20 (each side) weighted v-twists (20#) supersetted w/ 3 x 15 jack knives
3 x 15 weighted (8#) reverse bench crunches w/ leg raise
2 x 20 bicycles.

No 6-pack sighting today. :( I knew it was just a fluke....

I'm having coffee with my best friend/marriage counselor at noontime, and then I have a hour's massage later in the evening {this of course prompted derisive cackles from R. about my hedonism. :rolleyes:}, and after that, there's no telling what will happen......

Obviously I'm not working tonight - Yay!

I hope all of you nice people have a great Thursday!

[IdahoViking]

G'morning emmie :)

[mom24boys]

morning emmie...whats up today?

[kimsquit]

photos of the massage, please :)

[ChocoChick]

Hi Emma! And what's wrong with hedonism? :p

[emmie]

G'morning emmie :)Hi Tedd - Hope your day is going smoothly today!


morning emmie...whats up today?Hiya Lisa - besides having coffee with my friend, my primary activity this afternoon will be finding a replacement for my food scale which I melted last week. It was atop the toaster oven while I was roasting nuts and I forgot to turn the oven off until 2 hours later! :eek: The nuts were fine, but the scale has been dying a slow, painful death ever since.


photos of the massage, please :)What's your e-mail address?


Hi Emma! And what's wrong with hedonism? :p
I personally find nothing at all wrong with it! I encourage it! R. just likes to give me **** about it - good-naturedly - and probably is a little envious. He has a very rigid schedule for himself during the workweek. He's a writer so he has to do his "real" work at the desk before he goes off to his dead-end job in the evening. He puts a lot of pressure on himself... In short, he'll be dead before he ever goes to have a massage just because he can. :p

[kimsquit]

What's your e-mail address?

HornyOldFart@Lusty.Com :p

[emmie]

HornyOldFart@Lusty.Com :p
Don't make me click on that....

[kimsquit]

Don't make me click on that....you know you want to :cool:


:p

[emmie]

Very true....so what's your point??!? :p

[Flynn]

Hi Emma! And what's wrong with hedonism? :p

My point exactly :p.


What's your e-mail address?

It's like school, if you didn't bring enough for everyone, then keep it to yourself - LOL!!!

[jmc53]

HornyOldFart@Lusty.Com :p
LOL.
Hi Emma :)

[Buffycat3]

Hi Emmie:)

You've really been hitting your legs good...even tho they are not your favorite body part to train....I was wondering what you think your progress with them. Do you see any changes?

[emmie]

LOL.
Hi Emma :)Hiya Jason! I'll bet your e-mail address ends with lusty.com! :p

Hi Emmie:)

You've really been hitting your legs good...even tho they are not your favorite body part to train....I was wondering what you think your progress with them. Do you see any changes?
Hi Joan :) (I'm always so happy to see that you've visited!). Yeah, I'm seeing changes in my legs - nothing dramatic, but enough to keep me motivated to work on them. The butt is getting a bit more perky and my quads are filling out. My calves are still puny as can be, but considering I didn't do ANYTHING for them up until about 6 months ago, I can't be too critical. Of course when I need a dose of inspiration, I know just where to go! ;)

Just got back from my massage which was AWESOME!! :D

[kimsquit]

Just got back from my massage which was AWESOME!! :Dgotta love those happy endings :p

[egoatdoor]

gotta love those happy endings :p

:eek:

Warning from BB.com: " Must be 18 or older to read this journal". :D

[kimsquit]

:eek:

Warning from BB.com: " Must be 18 or older to read this journal". :D

*lol* If that shocks you then you'd better steer clear of Flynn's journal (http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showpost.php?p=57401351&postcount=110)! ;)

[emmie]

gotta love those happy endings You know I do....;)




Warning from BB.com: " Must be 18 or older to read this journal". :DAnd now you know I do, too! :p

BACK & TRICEPS

Chin-Ups: Bodyweight

Neutral Grip: 8/8
Wide Grip: 5/4
Hammer Grip: Zilch Someone - the nerve! - was actually squatting in the squat rack where the hammer grip set up is. By the time he was done, I had forgotten about doing them.

Medium-Grip Pulldown:
125# 7.75/5.5/5
5# increase from last week. And yeah I'm counting those partial reps - they were hard! I told myself I wasn't going to use 120# for yet another week. Been stuck there for what feels like forever.
115# 7/7

Seated Cable Row - Using V-Bar handle
100# 10
117.5# 7/6/5
110# 7
Eh...made a little progress here. The 117.5 didn't feel as tough as it has in past weeks, so I guess that's a good thing.

Single Dumbbell OH Extention:
45# 12/9/7
One rep increase on last set. Wow.... Noticing that I am arching my back on the last few reps, and feeling a strain in the lumbar area. Probably not a good thing, huh? :cool:
35# 8 done right after the last reps with the 45#

Underhand Triceps Pushdown:
97.5#8/8/6.5
These felt better than last week.
95# 6
90# 7

Unsanctioned Cable Curls, because I can.
95# 6/5/5
85# 3 The last set was a drop set. Duh.
75# 3
65# 4
55# 8

30 minutes of cardio on the treadmill, which sucked mightily. There was no air circulation in the gym this morning, and it's humid here today, so it was hot. Got it done though, thanks to some loud music.

Pretty happy with the workout. Had in mind several of the people on this board who inspire me, telling myself if they can do it - and if I have any hope of getting bigger - than I can push myself a little more.


I'm working tonight - in fact working the next 4 nights - what the???. Might try to sneak in a little nap since I didn't do so well in the sleep department. Woke up at 3:47 and my mind immediately started racing. Got back to sleep eventually and managed to wake up at 6:15 when I wanted to get up - and good thing, 'cause I had forgotten to set my alarm. I must have been distracted last night. ;)

T.G.I.F. to all of you nice people who don't have to work this weekend! :)

[flywheel99]

Unsanctioned Cable Curls, because I can.
95# 6/5/5
85# 3 The last set was a drop set. Duh.
75# 3
65# 4
55# 8


I'm working tonight - in fact working the next 4 nights - what the???.

why are the cable curls "unsanctioned?"

and while you're working the next 4 nights, just know that we'll be comfortably vacationing at a beautious lake taking it nice and easy. i know that'll make you feel better and it'll help the time pass by quicker! (oh, yea)!

see ya

[Luvdogs]

Way to go on them there weights Emma! You are just a power house these days! More inspiration for me! Maybe I need some of your music, cardio been a tough one for me this week. I have the attention span of a knat :o

It was 108 degrees here yesterday but we're cooling down to 102 today :rolleyes: It was a nice 76 in Santa Cruz. When will our house sell???

Four days in a row huh? I might be joining that next week and 6 hour days at that :eek: :D

[mom24boys]

Eww 4 days ..blah...try and sneak in some fun somewhere :D

[emmie]

why are the cable curls "unsanctioned?"

Because they're not on the program I'm following.


Way to go on them there weights Emma! You are just a power house these days! More inspiration for me! Maybe I need some of your music, cardio been a tough one for me this week. I have the attention span of a knat

It was 108 degrees here yesterday but we're cooling down to 102 today :rolleyes: It was a nice 76 in Santa Cruz. When will our house sell???

Thanks, Julia! I'm feeling motivated by changes I'm seeing in the mirror. Something I'm doing seems to be working. :)

108 degres? How the hell do you manage?? Hope the heat isn't keeping potential buyers away - you need to MOVE!


Eww 4 days ..blah...try and sneak in some fun somewhere :D
Hi Lisa - I have 3 more days to try!

[BigBT]

Wow, are you lucky I got here when I did, I just saved you from being bumped to page 3!!!

Nice steady improvement through all of your workouts, Emma. You do realize that if you would have timed it right, you could have done your hammer pulls while he was doing the squats. You just have to get that rhythm down right. Apparantly another thing I need to show you how to do......;)