Because this life is not a dress rehearsal for the real thing

[CharliC]

Oooh, trialing another diet for all of us! Hopefully it'll get that energy back up for you.

Hope this conference goes as well as the previous one. And good luck with your studying- I'm sure you'll get yourself organised, it's a talent of yours

[Verti-gal]

Busy busy in my world still, and still sick. I went back to the doctors yesterday for round 3 of antibiotics. They are sending me to a specialist tomorrow because they still can't figure out what is wrong with me. But I got a steroid shot and am feeling a lot better today. There haven't been many workouts to speak of. Not much appetite either, but when I do feel like eating all I want is carbs. So still maintaining at 147.

Saturday was my anniversary, but we got our signals crossed so things didn't go according to plan. DH was planning on intercepting me in Chattanooga and taking me out to dinner, and then renting the jacuzzi sweet we had our wedding night. But the charger I brought with me wouldn't charge my phone, so I called him that morning and told him I'd meet him at the caving event that night. There has never been cell signal there so I didn't bother calling when I got off the plane and got my phone back on my car charger. And he didn't call me because he didn't realized that the times I gave him were EST and not CST, we live in CST but the airport and the event are in Eastern. So I showed up to the event and he still wasn't there yet. I took my last antibiotic Saturday morning, so my Saturday night I was really sore and achy and wanted nothing but sleep.

We had two photographer friends that wanted to do anniversary photo shoots on Saturday, but it was so late when we finally both got there it never happened. But we did go back to the park we were married at and got picks on Sunday.

Originally Posted by jaim91

Are you going to do WSFL for a plan, or....what?

P.S. Welcome back

October 19th is the date I've picked for the new diet start date. But if I don't get better by then I may have to delay it or pick something else. There's no way I could handle the 6 day a week cardio in my current condition.

Originally Posted by Brahette

Oh boy, another conference! Glad to hear the last one went well and I hope this one does too!

I will send you get-better vibes to help you... get better

DH cracks me up! The thing with the running shoes is just so hilarious and cute You guys put a smile on my face!

I'm jealous of your new bed!!

This one went really well. I didn't really want to go being the weekend that is was on, but I learned a lot and met a lot of very interesting people. One of the best conferences I have ever been to for networking.

I'm loving the new bed, its so much more comfortable and I'm getting much better sleep.

Originally Posted by CharliC

Oooh, trialing another diet for all of us! Hopefully it'll get that energy back up for you.

Hope this conference goes as well as the previous one. And good luck with your studying- I'm sure you'll get yourself organised, it's a talent of yours

I actually started the WSFL plan last year in September, but only made it through two weeks before it was interrupted by a trip to Vegas. But I know a lot more about myself and my diet habits now, so hopefully I will do a lot better on it this time and stick it out. That is assuming I'm feeling up to doing it by next week.

[Verti-gal]

Went to see the specialist today. Looks like whatever virus I had tried to take out more before it decided to go away. But the steroid shot helped and he just did a recheck and decided I had improved enough that he is just going to let things get better on their own. So now getting better is just a waiting game to let me immune system build back up.

It's frustrating though. I want to climb the bridge this weekend but right now I know I don't have the stamina to do it Nor do I have the dedication to spend the evening in the rain putting together the new pieces to my climbing system.

[vanillabn]

Sorry to hear you've been sick, and that sucks about your signals getting crossed for the anniversary!! Oh well! That's awesome you got the pics on Sunday... that's good at least!!

Hope you're feeling better soon -- feeling like that is not fun!

[jaim91]

Really sorry to hear about the anniv. plans and the virus' return...hopefully, this will just be a speedy bout, and you'll be 100% healthy soon!

[Verti-gal]

Had a great Bridge Day. I only got 2 rappels this year due to weather and time, but still had a lot of fun. We were prepared for horrible weather conditions including snow or sleet, but it actually was nice than expected. I was dressed for the worst and actually took a layer off.

I'm feeling somewhat better, and getting back to health slowly but surely. I'm thinking stress has also been a big factor. I've been busy busy and have had a lot going on. I think my stress levels will decrease significantly when I take my PE Exam on Friday.

Didn't start the WSFL diet today. I didn't want to push the immune system and don't think my body could handle 6 day a week cardio sessions right now. So I've decided to give myself another week to heal and do another round of the Velocity diet starting on Monday. I ordered the stuff already and it cost me less than $300 this time since I've got some stuff left over from last time. Still holding steady, 147.8 this morning. I'm hoping for another 8 pounds between now and Thanksgiving.

Originally Posted by vanillabn

Sorry to hear you've been sick, and that sucks about your signals getting crossed for the anniversary!! Oh well! That's awesome you got the pics on Sunday... that's good at least!!

Hope you're feeling better soon -- feeling like that is not fun!

The pics turned out awesome, I think I'm going to use it for my Christmas cards this year.

Originally Posted by jaim91

Really sorry to hear about the anniv. plans and the virus' return...hopefully, this will just be a speedy bout, and you'll be 100% healthy soon!

Slowly but surely working my way back to health. Warm baths, massages and TLC from the hubby are helping

[jaim91]

Congrats on maintaining the sub-150 status hun!

THAT'S AWESOME!!!

And yay for another round of the v-diet!

[CharliC]

Good to hear Bridge Day was fun and the weather played ball.

Great news that you starting to feel better- so may it continue! And good luck re-rocking the V-diet

[Verti-gal]

Still waiting for my email that my V-diet stuff has shipped. I may have enough PP to get me through the first day or two, but that's about it. So it better come soon. If its not here by Monday I may see if I can get a caesin PP at the local GNC to get my by until it does. I still have EFA's, Surge, Leucine and Hot-Rox left over from the last round, so its only the PP I need right now.

The PE is tomorrow. Can't wait to have this done and over with. I've been working on the practice exam these last two nights and I think I have this in the bag. It took me 2.5 hours to do the morning section (which they give you 4 hours for) and made a passing score (78%), and that was skipping the ones that would take me too much time to answer, that weren't inherently obvious to me when I looked at them. On the real thing I'll have an extra 1.5 hours to go back and work those few problems and make sure I at least put some answer down. Its multiple choice so even if I have no clue I have a 25% chance of getting it. On the real exam they won't even report a numerical score, all I can find out is a pass or fail, and it will take 12 weeks to get that info.

I'm feeling well enough now that I've thought about getting back in the gym this week, but don't want to push it before the test. So next week I will start the workout with the V-diet program. I'm going to do the intermediate this time.

Originally Posted by jaim91

Congrats on maintaining the sub-150 status hun!

THAT'S AWESOME!!!

And yay for another round of the v-diet!

I decided V-diet will be a lot simplier and easier to do than WSFL. I think the worst part about it is the mental challenge of no real food all week. But I use my HSM's as date nights, so while its good for me, its also good for us.

Originally Posted by CharliC

Good to hear Bridge Day was fun and the weather played ball.

Great news that you starting to feel better- so may it continue! And good luck re-rocking the V-diet

I've been sleeping a lot, but its been helping me get better. I think once all this stress from the PE test is gone I will feel a lot better. A whole day in bed wouldn't hurt either.

[Verti-gal]

Woohoo the PE is done and over with. I feel like I did very well on it. Now its just a waiting game to get my letter. Now life can continue as normal.

My V-diet stuff was in my office this morning when I got here. So I'm all set to go for round 2 of the V-diet. I did make this mornings shake with half metabolic drive and half Scivation Whey just in case I had to make my current MD stash last for a few days before my resupply arrived.

We had an awesome cave trip Saturday. A group of 9 of us went and did Fantastic Pit in Ellison's Cave, the deepest in cave drop in North America. This was my third trip to the cave. Due to all the rain and recent flooding the cave entrance had changed considerably. It was 30 away from where it was last time I went. We ended up having to dig our way into the cave, whose entrance is covered in mud the consistencey of babypoo. We had brought shovels and a maddox with us for this purpose and left one shovel outside the entrance and brought the rest of the tools in with us in case we needed to dig our way back out. The cave trip starting in a walking stream passage and goes to a 125' warmup rappel. Then there is a boulder climb with a handline and a 20' climb up. Then there is a narrow little ledge to crawl around to get to the top of the 586' drop. So we rigged, rappelled, and some of the group did some exploring at the bottom, it was impressive how much flood debris was this far in the cave. I did a triple climb with DH and a friend out of the big pit. We decided to split into 2 groups to make it faster to get out of the cave (there is a lot of time waiting to get on rope with a group that size). So we were part of the first group and it was 2am until we got out, 4am until the second group got out. Thankfully the entrance was still open and we did not have to dig our way out. We had a campfire going for the second group by the time they got back. It was nice to just be on a trip and not have trip leader responsibilities and we had a strong enough crew that we knew they could handle derig and splitting the group.

We got home and 4pm on Sunday and went strait to bed. Didn't even shower or unpack the car. We slept strait through until it was time to get up for work this morning. So when we get home we have to deal with a car full of muddy gear and 950' of rope covered in babypoo mud.

[Verti-gal]

Oooohhh look, a workout! That's something that this journal hasn't seen in a while.

V-diet Intermediate Program
Week 1- Monday Workout

Front Squats @70# 5,5,5,5
Chinups @30#Assist 4,4,4,2,2,3,2
Dumbell Bench Press @35s 5,5,5,5
Plank Holds 60,39 sec

I did do a few measurements this morning, waist 26.75 and hips 39. So I maintained about half of the inches lost from last time. And for not having worked out in the last month and a half I'll take that. I can't believe I forgot to weigh, so I'll have to take tomorrow's weight and get pics tonight. Not the most organized start, but the workouts and diet are on track, and that's the important part.

[jaim91]

Woot woot!

Time for another go-around on the V-diet!

I'm excited for you!!

[Verti-gal]

Originally Posted by jaim91

Woot woot!

Time for another go-around on the V-diet!

I'm excited for you!!

Round 2 of the V-diet is underway! I realized that the shakes I had a work on Monday were closer to 40g and not 29g since that's what the scoop actually holds. And I forgot Monday's sunflower butter, but all is on track now. I portioned shakes last night and now have a weeks worth of baggies ready.

I still haven't done all my measurements or pics yet. Tuesday's weight was 148.6 and down to 147.0 today. I meant to do them yesterday, but the transmission went out in DH's truck and I had to go rescue him on the side of the road. So that pretty much shot the whole evening. So yesterday DH went shopping and we got a new cave vehicle, a black 2000 Jeep Cherokee Limited 4x4. I'm a big fan of the heated leather seats

[Verti-gal]

V-diet Intermediate Program
Week 1- Wednesday Workout
Reverse Lunge @60# 8,8,8,8,5,3 too much
Bent-Over Row @50# 9,9,9,8,5
Push Press @45# 9,8,8,7,5,3
Barbell Curl @40# 9,9,7,6,5,4
Reverse Crunch 9,9,9,9,4

[jaim91]

How often are you weighing yourself hun?

1.6lbs in a day?! Holy crapola...

[Verti-gal]

Originally Posted by jaim91

How often are you weighing yourself hun?

1.6lbs in a day?! Holy crapola...

The changes on this diet are so rapid there is movement everyday, especially this first week as I'm basically going into ketosis. Down to 146.4 today which makes 2.2# in 2 days. Last round I lost 5.6# the first week, so I'm expecting more this week and then to level out to about 1.5-2# in subsequent weeks. Of course I'll gain back 2# after my HSM (Healthy Solid Meal) this weekend, so I know there will be some fluctuations. Last time I lost a total of 9# in 28 days.

I'm impressed with how easy this round is going so far. I'm kind of on autopilot and not really having to think about it.

[Verti-gal]

Deadlift @65# 9,9,8,8,6
Decline DB Bench @30s 9,8,8,8,7
Assisted Neutral grip pullup @40# 9,4,4 @55# 6,6,4,4,4
Hand Walkout from knees 9,8,9,8,6

The decline bench was new, never done them before so it took some getting used to. I just don't like the hand walkouts, I feel like my arms get more work than my abs and I have to be careful with my lower back. Not sure if I'm trying to extend too far, or going in too big of steps or what.

[vanillabn]

I know what you mean about decline bench... the first time I did that it was really hard to get used to! But it soon became one of my favorite exercises! You did great, with the 30s! Keep it up

Glad the diet's giong well for you!

[jaim91]

Hand walkouts may SEEM annoying, but they're an AMAZING dynamic warm up exercise...I don't know if i'd use them as part of an actual workout though...

[soopamyko]

great dl's. keep it up!

[CharliC]

I see Round Two of the V-diet is well underway and that you're once again kicking ass

Great stuff about getting the PE done and dusted. When can you expect your results?

[Verti-gal]

Just skipping right along with the diet. I can't believe I'm over a third done already, today is day 10 of 28.

I have 4 houseguests this weekend, but there are weekend activities planned so food shouldn't be an issue. I'll bring a shake to the Friday night party. Saturday I'll have my shakes during the day. Saturday night is the banquet and I'm allergic to all the banquet food. So I'm looking for an outback or other steakplace with curbside takeaway so that I can go pick up a steak and bring it with me.

Tomorrow I have a class all day. I do get a lunch break, but no time to midday shakes. But I've devised a plan to combat this. I get 8 scoops of PP a day and instead of splitting it 2, 1, 2, 1, 2 I'm going to to 3, 3, 2 and just make 3 meals.

Originally Posted by vanillabn

I know what you mean about decline bench... the first time I did that it was really hard to get used to! But it soon became one of my favorite exercises! You did great, with the 30s! Keep it up

Glad the diet's giong well for you!

Hopefully they'll grow on me, I could tell they worked I did have some DOMS.

Originally Posted by jaim91

Hand walkouts may SEEM annoying, but they're an AMAZING dynamic warm up exercise...I don't know if i'd use them as part of an actual workout though...

I figured out one of my issues in that I had my hands shoulder width apart and not together. Together does engaged the abdominals more, but I feel like they should be harder on the abs and not everything else. They show up so many times in this program as part of the actual workout, and I don't really feel like I'm getting the intensity I should be.

Originally Posted by soopamyko

great dl's. keep it up!

Thanks. Welcome to my journal

Originally Posted by CharliC

I see Round Two of the V-diet is well underway and that you're once again kicking ass

Great stuff about getting the PE done and dusted. When can you expect your results?

I have to wait until January to find out, which is annoying.

It's flying right by this time. I like how easy this one is and I really don't have to think about it.

[Verti-gal]

Monday Workout
Front Squats @70# 5,5,5,5
Assisted Chin-ups @50# 5,5,5,5
Dumbell Bench Press @35s 5,5,5,5
Plank holds 75, 55

Wednesday Workout
Reverse Lunges @50# 9,9,9,7,6
Bent Over Row @50# 9,9,9,9,9
Push Press @45# 8,6,6,5,4,5,4,3
Barbell Curl @40# 9,7,6,6,4,4,4
Reverse Crunch 9,9,9,9,6

Todays workout seemed a lot tougher than last week was, but I did have a flu shot this morning so that may have something to do with it.

[jaim91]

Wow!

You're rockin it, dude!!

How many cals are you on for your training vs. non training days?

[Verti-gal]

Yesterday was tough. Splitting it into 3 shakes does not work. I was hungry and miserable a fair bit of the day, and when I had my next shake it didn't seem to fill me up. This diet is easy when your never hungry, but waiting so long in between meals made it tough, but I got through and and am still trudging along with the diet.

I have a big meeting to go to tomorrow, with a banquet dinner. None of which I can eat, so I ordered steak and lobster as my HSM at Outback and I'm going to go and pick it up as my dinner Saturday night. I have a party to go to tonight and 4 house guests this weekend, but don't anticipate any diet issues this weekend. I'll just hae to be the DD.

Friday workout
Deadlift @73# 9,9,9,9,7
Decline DB Bench @30s 9,9,7,8,7
Assisted Pullups @50# 7,8,6,5,5,5,4
Hand Walkout 9,9,9,9,6

Originally Posted by jaim91

Wow!

You're rockin it, dude!!

How many cals are you on for your training vs. non training days?

Its 1275 cals non-workout and 1605 workout. I am impressed with the difference I'm seeing, I am definetly leaning out. I can see it in my thighs, shoulders and back. Can't wait for measurements tomorrow.

[jaim91]

A friend e-mail this to me, and I thought of you!

[punxnotdead309]

Hey, Verti Gal! Thought I'd drop by and say you're doing a great job.
I'm thinking I should lower my calories as well. I'm not seeing quite the results.

[Verti-gal]

Monday
Front Squat @70# 5,5,5,5
Assisted Chin up @45# 5,5,3,3,2,2
DB Bench @35s 5,5,5,5
Plank hold 60,30

Wednesday
Reverse Lunge @50# 9,9,6,9,7
Bent over row @50# 9,9,9,9,4
Push press @15s 8,8,8,8,8
Barbell curl @20s 8,8,8,8,8
Swiss ball crunch 15,15,15

Friday
Deadlift @65# 9,9,9,9,4
Decline DB Bench @30s 9,9,9,8,5
Assited NG pullups @50# 9,8,7,6,6,4
Roman Chair leg raise 10,10

I lowered some of the weights a bit this week so I'm back to the as fast as possible with good form tempo and stopping the sets when the tempo decreases and not at total failure, since this is what the program calls for. I did measurements this morning, but didn't bring them with me to post.

Originally Posted by jaim91

A friend e-mail this to me, and I thought of you!

That looks like an awesome place to rig a rope.

I really liked the article you sent me on the VO2 max testing, Lance Armstrong and the NY marathon. It tells me that I'm only going to get so much ROI from running or biking, to really get better at climbing rope what I need to do is climb more rope.

Originally Posted by punxnotdead309

Hey, Verti Gal! Thought I'd drop by and say you're doing a great job.
I'm thinking I should lower my calories as well. I'm not seeing quite the results.

Thanks for visiting I've been following the diet, but haven't been great about journaling lately. I've been really busy and have kinda gotten out of the habit. The lower cals seems to be working for me, the scale hasn't moved much, but I did lose a bit off the hips and thighs this week. What are the measurements telling you?

[bebeklein]

Just wanted to say hi Verti! Glad you're feeling better now and you're well under way with this new program. Good to hear you're seeing results!!!

[Verti-gal]

Another busy week. I tweeked something in my left shoulder on Monday during my benchpress and was very concerned about it. It definetly affected my lifting on Wednesday. But today I didn't feel it at all on the decline bench, so I'm glad it was just a temporary thing and won't be a big issue.

Due to the Whitesides trip last weekend I didn't get my Vburn challenge in. And I fell asleep at 6:30pm last Thursday night (only planning on a nap) and didn't get any weekend food made (ie freeze protein shakes) so I was off the diet for the weekend. I did pretty well quantity wise, though quality suffered on the road. I ate something I was allergic to over the weekend and was up 6# on Monday, it had all come back off again by Thursday, but I'm amazed at what a differences my food allergies can make in masking my weight loss.

Monday
Front Squat @70# 5,5,5,5
Assisted Chin up @45# 5,5,5,5
DB Bench @35s 5,5,2,4,4 <<The 2 was my left shoulder being tweeked
Plank hold 70,45

Wednesday
Reverse Lunge @30# 9,9,9,8,5
Bent over row @50# 9,9,9,7,7
Push press @15s 9,9,9,7,7
Barbell curl @15s 9,9,9,9,6
Decline Reverse Crunch 9,9,9,9,6

Friday
Deadlift @65# 9,9,8,9,5
Decline DB Bench @30s 9,9,9,8,5
Assited NG pullups @50# 9,5,6,5,5,5,5
Roman Chair leg raise 10,10,10,10

Originally Posted by bebeklein

Just wanted to say hi Verti! Glad you're feeling better now and you're well under way with this new program. Good to hear you're seeing results!!!

I'm almost done with the program. This weekend will be it and I'll take some final pics and measurements on Sunday. I don't think I've done as well this time as I did last time. I haven't been quite as dedicated and didn't have as much to lose.