No more fluffing around - It all starts NOW!

[Barbalicious]

Hi all *waves*

A lovely super-uber lady directed me here and I am so glad she did!! Thanks Kim *hugs* Oh and thanks for the name idea too

I have been reading so many journals here over the weekend and you ladies are so amazing and inspiring - it is an absolute privilege to be here!!

A little about me - I am a 36 year old mum to two boys and married to the most wonderful man in the whole wide world. I am 5feet 5inches, 135lbs with 19% BF.

I have been fluffing around the gym for the last couple of months completely lost and not really knowing what direction I want to go. But once I make a decision, I stick to it.

I used to do body building years ago (just after I had my first son ? who is now 13) - I never really went far with it as I had another boy (now 10) but I really wanted to get back into it so I joined my local gym in August 07. My fitness level was okay and I had lost a lot of strength but it didn't deter me from going - this was going to work!!.

Anyway, I had a great trainer and he gave me some pretty hard programs. Even though he was constantly changing them, things were slowly happening. I had managed to lose some body fat and gain some muscle! Then my program was changed to just weights - no more cardio. That was a sad moment because I love doing cardio work - I love running and I get the biggest buzz from doing it. Not long after my program was changed, my body fat started to return and my trainer left the gym. Aargh - what was a girl to do??

Well, the first thing I did was bring back my cardio but I was still all over the place, the program wasn't working, everything seemed to stop, I got all down in the dumps about it and was constantly changing my programs to try and work something out but I seemed to be going around in circles.

It all stops HERE!

My new journey is starting tomorrow at 6am (no earlier, no later!) I have devised a new plan to drop some body fat while maintaining my strength - It pretty much goes like this...

MON & THURS
6am-6km run
9am-12pm I work (which is on the gym floor. Not much happening there, just cleaning up, putting weights away, vacuuming etc)
12pm-1pm Weights Upper Body (chest, arms, shoulders & back)

WED
6am-6km run
7pm-Cycle/Spin Class

TUES & FRI
6am-6km run
9am-12pm Work again on the gym floor.
12pm-1pm Weights Lower Body (legs & abs)
6.30pm (Friday) Ubermummas Pilates Class - this is sooooo good but soooo hard!!

SAT
7am-6km run
9.30am-Pump Class

SUN
Rest!!

My diet is all good and I have the same meals every day - I eat clean, drink plenty of water and never get bored with it - I love food - It's around the 40p/40c/20f split for this program.

So there you have it. I am going to do this for the next 8 weeks - would love any comments or advice if you think I need to tweak it a bit more. I hope to see some changes so please wish me luck!!

Am off to look at more of your journals now....

Barb

[Barbalicious]

WEEK 1 - DAY 1

6am - 6km run
It felt really good getting up this morning - am on a mission and very determined to get through it.

12.00pm - Upper Body Weights (in no particular order)
Smith Bench Press - 90# 3x6
Pec Dec - 50# 3x6
Military Press - 66# 3x6
Lat Pulldown - 90# 3x6
Cable Row - 80# 3x6 (I am loving these)
Shoulder Press - 70# 3x6
Seated DB curls - 28# 3x6
Bench Dips (feet up) - 3x10

There was no-one else in the gym that I could ask to help spot and I know I could probably do more reps. I suppose I'll just need to ease myself into it at the moment & see what I am capable of doing - working out the weights, reps etc is tricky, especially doing it on my own. First day felt good though so will see what happens over the next couple of sessions.

[vanillabn]

Hey, somehow I missed your post yesterday! Glad you decided to start a journal! This place is great! You'll get tons of support/encouragement here!! Plus Kim is awesome, too!

Great workout today! Your lat pulldowns and military press are really strong! For mil. press, do you use dumbbells?

[Barbalicious]

Hi Vanillabn, thanks for visting my journel and your comments on my workout.

No, I didn't use dumbbells for the military press (I'd probably drop one on my head if I tried LOL) I used the smith machine - sorry, I should have written that in. Also, the lat pulldowns were done with the D Bar - nice and slow. Love feeling the burn

[kimm4]

Welcome Barb!! Looks like a solid plan and what a great workout!! I'll be following your progress for sure

[twinnett]

Hey there...just found your journal! Welcome and good luck!!!

[amj0883]

Hi and welcome

I look forward to following along as you reach all your goals!!

[Barbalicious]

Originally Posted by kimm4

Welcome Barb!! Looks like a solid plan and what a great workout!! I'll be following your progress for sure

Originally Posted by twinnett

Hey there...just found your journal! Welcome and good luck!!!

Originally Posted by amj0883

Hi and welcome

I look forward to following along as you reach all your goals!!

Thanks ladies - I'm following all your journals as well

[Barbalicious]

WEEK 1 - DAY 2

6am - 6.1km run
Felt good again to get up early and have the run out of the way - although my hips are a little sore today.

12.00pm - Lower Body Weights (no particular order)
Hack Squat - 176# 3x6
Leg Extension - 100# 3x6
Seated Leg Curls - 60# 3x6. I did two sets of these before I realised the cable had come lose. I figured another set wasn't going to hurt the machine so I did the last set. Could have put the weight up on these but it wasn't very smooth off the wheel.
Seated Leg Press - 200# 1x6, 180# 2x6
Single Leg Press (seated) - 100# 4x6 (each leg) - my favourite for the day.
Seated calf raise - 66# 3x10
Ball Crunches (front, left & right sides) - 3x10 each one - they are the killers of the day!
Medicine Ball Twists - 3x30
Knee raises - 3x10

I did the ab workout as a circuit and just grunted my way through it LOL.

Got to tell you a little story though - I was given some H-Blocker last week to try and I meant to take it yesterday but forgot. I was told to have it 1/2 an hour before my workout. Well, everything else I have ever tried takes about an hour to get into my system (its stubbon LOL) and sometimes I don't even feel any effects. Anyway, I thought I'd be clever and take it about 45 minutes beforehand - thinking I won't feel anything anyway - BUT :O 10 minutes later every nerve end was tingling and I wanted to run around the gym like a crazy woman LMAO. All I could do was walk around while my whole body felt like it had pins & needles. I ended up sitting and writing my leg program out (oh and watching the clock to tick over 12pm so I could get stuck into it). That stuff works - and boy did it make me hungry afterward - I had to stop at Subway on the way home!

[vanillabn]

WHOA nice hack squats!!! Your legs are strong! Doing abs in circuit-style is great!! Good job.

That's funny about the H-blocker.. glad it worked though!! Obviously you had a great session, judging from the above #s!!!

[amj0883]

LOL on the H blocker story - thats great !! I bet today you won't take it so early!!! Why does it make you hungry??

GREAT workout!!! I love that you added in the abs throughout your workout - that'll def. keep your HR up!

[Barbalicious]

Originally Posted by vanillabn

WHOA nice hack squats!!! Your legs are strong! Doing abs in circuit-style is great!! Good job.

That's funny about the H-blocker.. glad it worked though!! Obviously you had a great session, judging from the above #s!!!

Thanks vanillabn. I love doing hacks, they are great - and I know I turn into a beetroot doing them but they are so worth it

Originally Posted by amj0883

LOL on the H blocker story - thats great !! I bet today you won't take it so early!!! Why does it make you hungry??

GREAT workout!!! I love that you added in the abs throughout your workout - that'll def. keep your HR up!

Yeah, and it gave my legs a bit of a break LOL. I have no idea why I was so hungry though - I can usually wait a good hour before eating, but yesterday I just couldn't wait.

[blueboy22]

Originally Posted by Barbalicious

Got to tell you a little story though - I was given some H-Blocker last week to try and I meant to take it yesterday but forgot. I was told to have it 1/2 an hour before my workout. Well, everything else I have ever tried takes about an hour to get into my system (its stubbon LOL) and sometimes I don't even feel any effects. Anyway, I thought I'd be clever and take it about 45 minutes beforehand - thinking I won't feel anything anyway - BUT :O 10 minutes later every nerve end was tingling and I wanted to run around the gym like a crazy woman LMAO. All I could do was walk around while my whole body felt like it had pins & needles. I ended up sitting and writing my leg program out (oh and watching the clock to tick over 12pm so I could get stuck into it). That stuff works - and boy did it make me hungry afterward - I had to stop at Subway on the way home!

The tingles were a result of the Beta-Alanine.

My wife usually takes it 15 minutes pre-workout on an empty stomach. She likes to have the "tingles" start right as she begins her workout

The increased hunger was likely due to an intense workout coupled with the diminishing effects of the natural caffeine in H-Blocker.

I am glad you enjoyed the product

[Barbalicious]

Originally Posted by blueboy22

The tingles were a result of the Beta-Alanine.

My wife usually takes it 15 minutes pre-workout on an empty stomach. She likes to have the "tingles" start right as she begins her workout

The increased hunger was likely due to an intense workout coupled with the diminishing effects of the natural caffeine in H-Blocker.

I am glad you enjoyed the product

Ahhhh, thanks for the info.

Yes, it was good - have put it on my shopping list

[Barbalicious]

WEEK 1 - DAY 3

6am - 6.1km run
Not sure if it was the leg workout on Day 2 but my left knee felt a little strange during the last km of the run. Is it stupid to say I already feel fitter LOL!

WEEK 1 - DAY 4
6am - 5km run - The knee was strange again so I figured it would be safer to cut the run short rather than injure myself. This is the second day it has played up a bit near the end of the run so not sure what is happening there.

12pm - Upper Body Weights (no particular order)
Chest Press - 80# 3x6 (cor, these were hard today)
Pull Overs - 70# 3x6 - I have never done these before so thought I'd give them a go. Felt pretty good while doing them but didn't want to go too heavy in case I did something wrong. I always like to experiment when there is no-one in the gym to laugh at me if I stuff up LMAO
Cable Row - 90# 3x6 - was loving these today
Arnold Press - 33#DB 3x6 - Man oh man, these are so hard but I powered through them.
Upright Row - 66# 3x6
Cable Crossover - 40# 2x6
Cable Bicep Curl - 100# 3x6
V Bar tricep pushdown - 90# 3x6

I tried to incorporate the bent over pulley row but my shoulder kept clicking so I put that aside for now. I really wanted to get stuck into them as well.

Was a bit disappointed today leaving gym as I really need to do some work on my shoulders & traps so I went to the library after gym and borrowed the Menshealth Gym Bible - hopefully I can get a better routine worked out for Monday's upper body workout

[amj0883]

This website also has some great workout plans!! Check them out and look at the book and hopefully you can come up with something that works for you! Don't get frustrated just be thankful you are changing things up to work for you!

Hope you have a great day!

[Barbalicious]

Originally Posted by amj0883

This website also has some great workout plans!! Check them out and look at the book and hopefully you can come up with something that works for you! Don't get frustrated just be thankful you are changing things up to work for you!

Hope you have a great day!

Thanks Mandy - I actually checked them out here before I went to gym yesterday - the information on this site is amazing. It's just that my brain isn't as good as it once was and I forget so many things LOL. The book is just handy because I can take it with me! Does BB.com have a book - I know I'd definitely get one if they did/do??

Anyway, I am no longer disappointed because I have major DOMS today in my traps and upper back/lats - That has made me so excited!! I have got legs today and am really looking forward to doing them. My left calf is a bit tight so will need to work on that before I train

[AbramsAM]

Hello!

I'm call caught up - welcome

I don't like the tingling I get from beta-alanine, and for some reason it always starts at my ears! Then it just spreads all over.

Good job with your workouts - they look great!

[Barbalicious]

Originally Posted by AbramsAM

Hello!

I'm call caught up - welcome

I don't like the tingling I get from beta-alanine, and for some reason it always starts at my ears! Then it just spreads all over.

Good job with your workouts - they look great!

Oh, Thank you

The tingling was a little weird! I think next time I have it, I'll make sure it will be a lot closer to the time that I work out LOL

[Barbalicious]

WEEK 1 - DAY 5

6am - 6km Run - My knee was fine today but my left calf was a little tight. It did loosen up after awhile though so that was good.

12pm - Lower Body Weights (in random order)

Sumo Squats - 65# 3x10
Step Ups - 33# x 10, 44# x 10 (Didn't like these at all)
Seated Single Leg Press - 120# 3x6 (each leg)
Leg Extension - 100# 3x6
Seated Leg Curl - 70# 3x6
Standing Calf raise - 160# 3x6

Was going to incorporate an Ab circuit again in amongst it all but ended up running out of time. Am going to Pilates class tonight so they will get a good workout there

[vanillabn]

Do you normally do your 6 km run before all those weights?

Great job! Step ups can be really hard!!! I can see why you might not like them... hehe.

Have fun at Pilates class!

[amj0883]

Do you do reformer pilates or on the floor?

I'm curious if you think incorporating pilates into your trianing routine would overwork the muscles or help...

[Barbalicious]

Originally Posted by vanillabn

Do you normally do your 6 km run before all those weights?

Have fun at Pilates class!

Thanks Pilates class was um..... interesting tonight. I enjoyed the workout though.

I do the 6km run about 6 hours before I do the weights so there is a big gap between them where I can squeeze in two decent meals and some rest

Originally Posted by amj0883

Do you do reformer pilates or on the floor?

I'm curious if you think incorporating pilates into your trianing routine would overwork the muscles or help...

The pilates classes I go to are on the floor and with the fitness balls. With the weights training I do, I actually think the pilates will help. My core is not very strong and I have a tendancy to lean to one side while lifting. So the more I can work on my core strength, the better and stronger I will be for the weights. I also do not include a lot of ab work as they get a good workout during Pilates (in fact, they hurt so much right now, I can't even cough without them hurting LOL)

[Barbalicious]

WEEK 2 - DAY 1

6am - 5km Run - I almost didn't go - it was soooo nice to sleep in over the weekend. At least it wasn't as cold as it was last week - made it alot easier to get out of bed.

12pm - Upper Body Weights (in random order)

Smith Bench Press - 80# 3x6
Cable Row - 90# 3x6
Incline DB Flyes - 22# 3x10
Face Pulls - 60# 4x6
Pullovers - 70# 3x6
Cable Bicep Curl - 100# 3x6
Tricep Pushdown - 80# 3x6

Was really disappointed this morning when I jumped on the scales. I felt like continuing to jump on them until they broke. I dropped 1kg last week but now seem to be 1kg heavier than when I started. I am off to see my dietitian next week so hopefully she can play around with my diet so it works for me (and not against) and I can start to see some results

I have major DOMS in my abs from Pilates on Friday night - I was at work this morning trying to show a lady how to use the ab bench and just wanted to roll off and curl up into a ball LMAO.

I am off to Pilates again tonight to punish myself even more! They (the abs) will thank me for it, I'm sure LOL

[amj0883]

How often do you meet with the dietician? Try not to freak out to much about the scale bc he lies to me often

Great workout - I'm glad your feeling the ab work!!!! Good luck tonight

[Barbalicious]

Originally Posted by amj0883

How often do you meet with the dietician? Try not to freak out to much about the scale bc he lies to me often

Great workout - I'm glad your feeling the ab work!!!! Good luck tonight

Thanks Mandy

I haven't seen my dietitian for 12 years! I used to see her when I was doing bodybuilding back when I first started it (12 years ago). I had a good 11 year year break from it though so am only eating by memory and what I have learned over the years. It just isn't working the way I want it too - I eat relatively clean but I think I am eating the right food at the wrong time - if that makes sense. I am looking forward to seeing her again though because it worked well for me last time

[amj0883]

Oh I understand 100%!!!

I second guess everything...so I think that talking with someone to get a second opinion is a wonderful idea!! Plus if she helped you get results before...I bet you'll get them again

[kimm4]

Nice solid workout! The core work will def help with strength and balance good for you Sounds like your eating plan just need a little fine tuning here and there and you'll be good to go!!

The scale can be your best friend 1 day or your biggest enemy on any given day. I remember back in Dec I was stuck at 119 lbs for like 3 weeks. Going into the 4th week I woke up in the morning feeling nice and lean. I ran upstairs to jump on the scale at it was still at 119 lbs. I was so pissed I threw the scale out my bathroom window which is on the 2nd floor. Luckily, it landed in the snow on my deck. My husband stood there shaking his head like I had gone insane ha,ha!!

Just thought I'd share

Have a great night!!

[ubermumma]

Originally Posted by Barbalicious

I am off to Pilates again tonight to punish myself even more! They (the abs) will thank me for it, I'm sure LOL

As will the pilates instructor.....tee he he

Ladies she looks so damn lean 1kg is neither here nor there on her hot bod


See ya later this morning Ms Licious

[Barbalicious]

Originally Posted by kimm4

The scale can be your best friend 1 day or your biggest enemy on any given day. I remember back in Dec I was stuck at 119 lbs for like 3 weeks. Going into the 4th week I woke up in the morning feeling nice and lean. I ran upstairs to jump on the scale at it was still at 119 lbs. I was so pissed I threw the scale out my bathroom window which is on the 2nd floor. Luckily, it landed in the snow on my deck. My husband stood there shaking his head like I had gone insane ha,ha!!

Bahahaha - I'd love to do that sometimes. They were invented to torment us, I'm so sure of it.

Originally Posted by ubermumma

As will the pilates instructor.....tee he he

Ladies she looks so damn lean 1kg is neither here nor there on her hot bod

See ya later this morning Ms Licious

Awe, thanks Kim, you are a sweetheart - I am blushing LOL.

I loved the Pilates class by the way - although my abs didn't.

I needed to vacuum the gym floor today and I was definitely feeling it