Drum roll, please.... this momentous week, I have actually decided I LIKE cottage cheese.
With this massive step on to the path of no return, I think it's only right for me to start a journal on BB.com.
So here we go....
Name:
Charli
Stats:
5'4.5" (amazing how much that half inch counts) 103lbs
Goal:
5'10".... okay not going to happen. But 120lbs and ripped. And a BIG goal of getting back my period asap.
Occupation:
Studying fashion design and running/designing for my own label Charlotte C (can be found at charlottec.co.uk plug, plug, shameless plug).
Fun fact about Charli:
I spent 18 months sailing from England to New Zealand, lived in New Zealand for three years and have now just moved back to Blighty.
And some history:
I suffered from anorexia and exercise bulimia for nearly three years, getting dangerously underweight in the last couple of months of that period. Last year, I finally realised what I was doing to myself and had a step-off-the-treadmill and into the light type epiphany where I took up weight training, started eating properly, and haven't looked back.
My weight gain has been slow and I still have a long way to go. Mentally, I have made great progress and am now able to take three rest days a week, do no cardio, eat over my maintenance calories and be COMFORTABLE with that. I'm an impatient person, and would like to see quicker gains, but I know I just have to bide my time and it'll be worth it.
So on with the journal!
Starting with today, Back/Bis/Abs day:
Warm up 1 x 12 Assisted Pull Ups
4 x 12/10/8/6 Assisted Pull Ups (wide grip)
4 x 10/8/8/6 Single Arm Rows (per arm)
4 x 10 Romainian Deadlifts
2 x 10 Straight-leg Vertical Bench Raises (holding at the top for a few secs each rep)
4 x 10/8/8/6 Pulley Curls (REALLY ouch today)
4 x 10/8/8/6 DB Hammer Curls
3 x 10 Decline DB Push Crunches
Stretches
Between set rest times: 30-45 secs
Pushing to lift heavier each time, even if it's just for one short set. Should feel it tomorrow.. still have big time DOMS from chest day on Saturday..
Food:
Oats w/plum, ON Whey shake, Almonds
ON Whey shake, Wholewheat Lemon-Blueberry Muffin (PWO)
Tuna, Oats w/strawberries
Chicken breast, Oats w/strawberries
Mandarin, Almonds
Chicken breast, Brussels sprouts (love 'em!), Cauliflower
Cottage cheese (how this all started) with 2 tsp hot chocolate powder mixed in, Peanut butter
Until next time xox
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09-01-2008, 04:29 AM #1
- Join Date: Feb 2008
- Location: United Kingdom (Great Britain)
- Age: 34
- Posts: 6,247
- Rep Power: 3425
Epiphanies, DOMs and Cottage Cheese....
The Journal: Epiphanies, DOMS & Cottage Cheese
http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=110296001
Things that a fashion-trained PT does:
http://charli-cohen.com
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09-01-2008, 05:03 AM #2
Hi and welcome! I'm so glad that you're on the road to recovery. It takes a lot of strength and courage..good luck w/ your goals!
"Faith is to believe what you do not yet see; the reward for this faith is to see what you believe. ": Saint Augustine
"So what exactly would you say you DO here??"
"Does this suit make me look fat??"
"No, your face does."
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09-01-2008, 05:48 PM #3
- Join Date: Feb 2008
- Location: Greensboro, North Carolina, United States
- Age: 40
- Posts: 5,893
- Rep Power: 797
Hey girl and welcome
It looks like you are on the right track (especially with the new found love of CC )
I'll be following along...*Mandy*
How bout them Cowboys?? :D
If you wanna get big - you gotta get nasty!
Join along on the journey: http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=7127501
Love it one rep at a time and never lose the passion for the journey in itself...
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09-01-2008, 09:07 PM #4
How could I not subscribe to a journal with that title? I love it!
I like your goals as well. I'm also in the 5'4" neighborhood... I wish I had that .5" to add, it's more like .25" for me! But yes, it makes a big difference. And, I'd also like to be taller. Too bad we can't train for that.
I think your goal of 120lbs of lean mean muscle is great. Best of luck to you and I wish you all the best in your recovery.
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09-01-2008, 09:20 PM #5
- Join Date: Feb 2008
- Location: United Kingdom (Great Britain)
- Age: 34
- Posts: 6,247
- Rep Power: 3425
Hiya, thanks! Yeah, I'm pretty glad too, I never thought I could ever WANT to gain weight, it's great
Hey, thank you! Yes, the CC is definitely a good omen....
So today is a Day Of Rest (from lifting anyway, I wish I could get my mind to shut the hell up). Did an abs workout (http://www.lifeskooltv.com/video/killer-abs.xhtml -damn it's good, thanks heidismommy for posting that one up a while back). I usually do nothing on rest days but some exercise helps to calm me down when I'm stressing. A walk would normally do the trick, but sadly it's pissing it down and freezing, which frankly is just not optimal for a nice, soothing stroll.
But why am I stressing? Well it's been so full on working on my college app. portfolio and my business, that now I've got into uni and business-wise only need to do about 30 mins work for Charlotte C per day, it feels like I'm doing something very wrong by chilling out. Worse- I slept 'til ten this morning and that just makes me feel lazy and uncomfortable. I'm supposed to be on holiday, seeing my mum in New Zealand for three weeks before uni starts so can somebody PLEASE just slap me round the face with a wet fish until I SNAP OUT OF IT AND RELAX. /rant
Ooh I have a deep tissue massage booked for tomorrow! My naturopath gave me a voucher for a free one, and 'free' always makes things even better. Mind you, she's definitely cashed in enough from the cocktail of supps I buy to tame my cortisol to afford massage hand outs. ANYWAY it's going to be LOV-ER-LY. Especially after the killer leg/shoulders workout I have planned for tomorrow morning.
Food today, eaten and to-be-eaten:
Oats w/plum, Almonds, Whey
Tuna (anyone else mix in wasabi? It's goooood), Low sugar/sodium baked beans
Prawns, Oats w/plum, Almonds
Chicken breast, Bok choy
CC w/hot choc powder (I SO look forward to this), PB
Love the therapeutic nature of writing things down. Hope this journal isn't TOO rant-filled though. Ah well, I guess I'm just a grumpy old woman at heart.....The Journal: Epiphanies, DOMS & Cottage Cheese
http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=110296001
Things that a fashion-trained PT does:
http://charli-cohen.com
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09-01-2008, 09:22 PM #6
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09-01-2008, 09:26 PM #7
- Join Date: Feb 2008
- Location: United Kingdom (Great Britain)
- Age: 34
- Posts: 6,247
- Rep Power: 3425
Why thank you, I try my best
Yes, one can only dream. Heels all the way I guess............
Thanks, I know it'll take some doing, it's nearly a 20% increase in bodyweight, but I am SO gonna get there! These forums have been so helpful to me and all you girls are striving for/have already achieved some amazing goals yourselves- it's v.inspirationalThe Journal: Epiphanies, DOMS & Cottage Cheese
http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=110296001
Things that a fashion-trained PT does:
http://charli-cohen.com
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09-01-2008, 09:28 PM #8
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09-02-2008, 03:11 PM #9
- Join Date: Feb 2008
- Location: Greensboro, North Carolina, United States
- Age: 40
- Posts: 5,893
- Rep Power: 797
You should try making CC Ice Cream! I have it every night....lol
I mix 1 cup of CC with 1 tbsp of SF/FF Chocolate Fudge pudding, spenda, Xanthium Gum, and LOTS of Ice!! Then I dip my PB in it...very yummy!!!
SO are you relaxing???*Mandy*
How bout them Cowboys?? :D
If you wanna get big - you gotta get nasty!
Join along on the journey: http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=7127501
Love it one rep at a time and never lose the passion for the journey in itself...
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09-02-2008, 11:33 PM #10
- Join Date: Feb 2008
- Location: United Kingdom (Great Britain)
- Age: 34
- Posts: 6,247
- Rep Power: 3425
Sounds delicious, I tried freezing some CC with berries and was definitely into the crunch factor....
Hmm, relaxation-wise I felt I bit better mentally today. And I had my deep tissue massage which was excrutiating (but in a good way). V.cheerful though because I've found a boutique over in NZ that I can sell my label in. So YAY for me
Today's feats and eats as follows.....
Legs/Shoulders Workout:
FIRST TIME I had access to a squat rack today rather than having to heft the bar up on to my shoulders. I am SO investing in a squat rack for home. Don't have any space for it though, so the bed will have to go.
Warm up 1 x 12 Squats
5 x 10 Squats
3 x 10 Sumo DLs
4 x 12/10/8/6 OH Presses
4 x 10/8/8/6 Lying Leg Curls
4 x 10/8/8/6 Arnie Presses
2 x 10 Static DB Lunges (per leg, on box)
1 x 20 Static DB Lunge Pulses (invented this name as I don't know what else to call them. Also per leg, on box)
4 x 10 Front Raises
Food:
Oats w/strawberries, Whey, Almonds
Whey, Pear and berry muffin (PWO)
Tuna, Oats w/strawberries
Chicken, Oats w/strawberries
Ling (LOVE it), Green beans, Almonds
CC w/hot choc powder, PB
Off underwear shopping tomorrow (Note to self: NO MORE SPORTS BRAS). Interspersed with cafe stops of course. New Zealand cafes rock. English coffee is so crapThe Journal: Epiphanies, DOMS & Cottage Cheese
http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=110296001
Things that a fashion-trained PT does:
http://charli-cohen.com
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09-02-2008, 11:58 PM #11
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09-03-2008, 12:10 AM #12
- Join Date: Feb 2008
- Location: United Kingdom (Great Britain)
- Age: 34
- Posts: 6,247
- Rep Power: 3425
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09-03-2008, 12:18 AM #13
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09-03-2008, 01:03 AM #14
- Join Date: Feb 2008
- Location: United Kingdom (Great Britain)
- Age: 34
- Posts: 6,247
- Rep Power: 3425
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09-03-2008, 11:08 PM #15
- Join Date: Feb 2008
- Location: United Kingdom (Great Britain)
- Age: 34
- Posts: 6,247
- Rep Power: 3425
Mmm bagelly goodness....
Today's underwear shopping venture was relatively fruitful but I did cave in on the sports bra front. Come on, it was 20% off! Other shopping wasn't too dismal either and my lunch time cafe stop was bordering orgasmic- a French toasted bagel with hot berries. Yum.
Which makes food today:
Oats w/strawberries, CC (anticipated I'd be going a while without much protein so went for slow release this morning), Almonds
Aforementioned deliciousness
Tuna
Whey, Almonds
Ling, Prawns, Brussels sprouts
CC w/hot choc, PB
On a different note, I've been feeling a bit frustrated that my glutes seem to have got a lot squidgier since stopping cardio. It doesn't seem fair with all the squats and lunges I do. I guess I'm just feeling a bit impatient and want everything NOW. On the bright side, I've been squat rack hunting for when I get back to the UK and I think I'll definitely be investing. Hear that glutes, I'll be able to make you SCREAM for mercy, so you'd better firm up fast.
Did a bit of ab work today. I'm thinking of changing my split to two days rather than three, so I'm hitting every muscle group twice a week. I'd do chest/tris/shoulders and back/legs. Any thoughts?The Journal: Epiphanies, DOMS & Cottage Cheese
http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=110296001
Things that a fashion-trained PT does:
http://charli-cohen.com
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09-04-2008, 04:27 AM #16
- Join Date: Feb 2008
- Location: Greensboro, North Carolina, United States
- Age: 40
- Posts: 5,893
- Rep Power: 797
That cafe meal does sound delcious!!!
YAY for a squat rack! I was scared of it for so long but now love it
As far as your routine....keep in mind that you do not want to burn yourself out and you always want to work towards more. Does that make sense? Your body will adjust with time so you will need to be switching things up often...*Mandy*
How bout them Cowboys?? :D
If you wanna get big - you gotta get nasty!
Join along on the journey: http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=7127501
Love it one rep at a time and never lose the passion for the journey in itself...
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09-04-2008, 04:24 PM #17
- Join Date: Feb 2008
- Location: United Kingdom (Great Britain)
- Age: 34
- Posts: 6,247
- Rep Power: 3425
Indeed it was! I'll have to give some healthy French toast a shot sometime. I tend to be a bit lazy kitchen-wise :/.. Used to LOVE baking though so must set a day aside for sweet treat experimentation.
Thanks for the advice . I started the new split today and I like the intensity and the extra 20 mins it adds to my workout. We'll see how the legs/back/bis combo works tomorrow..The Journal: Epiphanies, DOMS & Cottage Cheese
http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=110296001
Things that a fashion-trained PT does:
http://charli-cohen.com
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09-04-2008, 04:28 PM #18
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09-04-2008, 04:43 PM #19
- Join Date: Feb 2008
- Location: United Kingdom (Great Britain)
- Age: 34
- Posts: 6,247
- Rep Power: 3425
Epic workout :D
Had a fab workout today (chest/shoulders/tris). I've upped the intensity a lot. I was lifting to fatigue but still wasn't leaving the gym feeling utterly caned, so something had to be done.
Did 2 mins jogging on the treadmill at steep incline to get the blood pumping, then:
Warm up 1 x 12 Incline DB Presses
4 x 10/8/8/7 Incline DB Presses + partial reps to complete fatigue
4 x 10/8/8/6 Arnie Presses superset with 4 x 10/8/8/6 Around The Worlds
2 x 10 Vertical Bench Straight Leg Raises
4 x 12/10/8/8 Decline DB Presses superset with 3 x 10 Decline DB Push Crunches + partial reps to complete fatigue
4 x 10/8/8/6 Tricep Kickbacks + partial reps to complete fatigue
4 x 12/10/8/6 DB Military Presses + partial reps to complete fatigue (increase in weight)
1 x 22 Weighted Dips
4 x 10/8/8/6 Upright Rows + partial reps to complete fatigue (increase in weight)
3 x 5 Skullcrushers
Really pleased my shoulders seem to be getting stronger as they're one of my weak spots. Also, I found that by fatiguing my chest first, my Military Presses hit my shoulders even better because I wasn't inclined to engage my pecs. All good stuff
Food eaten and awaiting eating:
Oats w/strawberries, Whey, Almonds
Whey, WW pear & berry muffin, Oats w/strawberries (PWO)
Tuna, Bite of caramel cheesecake
Oats w/strawberries
Prawns, Oats w/strawberries
Chicken breast, Sprouts, Almonds
CC w/hot choc, PB, Dark Choc
Going to increase my calories by 50 to 2150 on workout days (sticking with 1900 on off days for now).
Catch ya laterLast edited by CharliC; 09-04-2008 at 06:42 PM. Reason: Wasn't anticipating the cheesecake opportunity :D. Delcious bite v. Massive slice: Benefit of it being someone else's cake!
The Journal: Epiphanies, DOMS & Cottage Cheese
http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=110296001
Things that a fashion-trained PT does:
http://charli-cohen.com
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09-04-2008, 04:53 PM #20
- Join Date: Feb 2008
- Location: United Kingdom (Great Britain)
- Age: 34
- Posts: 6,247
- Rep Power: 3425
Hey, thanks for paying a visit!
Wow, I didn't realise what I was missing out on- I'll be ordering one to arrive at my home in the UK the same time as me, so I can get stuck right in once I'm back. In the meantime, I'll enjoy having access to a gym whilst it lasts....
I'll have to come have a nosey through your journal, your amazing recovery is a BIG inspiration to me .The Journal: Epiphanies, DOMS & Cottage Cheese
http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=110296001
Things that a fashion-trained PT does:
http://charli-cohen.com
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09-04-2008, 05:17 PM #21
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09-04-2008, 05:25 PM #22
- Join Date: Feb 2008
- Location: United Kingdom (Great Britain)
- Age: 34
- Posts: 6,247
- Rep Power: 3425
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09-05-2008, 05:43 PM #23
- Join Date: Feb 2008
- Location: United Kingdom (Great Britain)
- Age: 34
- Posts: 6,247
- Rep Power: 3425
Oh my GOD, two days in a row without rain!!!!!!! This is just.... wow. Though I still have a couple of ice blocks attached to my wrists, so the sun can't be projecting much heat. Ah, you win some you lose some.
Good legs/back/bis today:
Warm up 2 mins on the eliptical, backwards at high resistance
+ 1 x 12 BB Squats
4 x 10/10/10/6(PR) BB Squats followed immediately by 1 x 30 Bodyweight Squats
4 x 10/10/10/10 Romanian DLs (PR)
4 x 12/10/8/6 Seated Rows followed immediately by 1 x 20 Press Ups
1 x 10 Weighted Backward-Stepping Lunges (per leg)
1 x 10 Weighted Static Lunges (per leg, on box)
Backward-Stepping Bodyweight Lunges to failure (on box)
4 x 12/10/10/8 Single Arm Rows + partial reps to complete failure
3 x 8 Lying Leg Curls (drop sets)
1 x 10/8/8/6 Hammer Curls superset with 1 x 10/8/8/6 Concentration Curls + assisted reps after failure
3 x 12 DB Push Crunches
Strangely, it's my triceps that are absolutely killing me. I don't know if I missed my target muscle on one of my exercises and accidentally over-engaged my tris, or whether it's DOMS from yesterday. If the former, what exercise could have caused it????The Journal: Epiphanies, DOMS & Cottage Cheese
http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=110296001
Things that a fashion-trained PT does:
http://charli-cohen.com
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09-05-2008, 10:31 PM #24
- Join Date: Feb 2008
- Location: United Kingdom (Great Britain)
- Age: 34
- Posts: 6,247
- Rep Power: 3425
Food:
Oats w/strawberries, Whey, Almonds
Whey, Pear cinnamon & cream cheese muffin (forget bagels, cream cheese was made for muffins I tell you!)
Tuna, Oats w/strawberries
Reduced sugar/sodium baked beans, Almonds
Ling w/cauliflower
Ling w/green beans
CC w/hot choc, PB, Lindt 85%
Off to see some family for the day tomorrow, so we have to undergo the tedious task of organising my own food to take down. I haven't had to do it enough for people to get used to it yet, so the initial freak factor is still there, unfortunately....The Journal: Epiphanies, DOMS & Cottage Cheese
http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=110296001
Things that a fashion-trained PT does:
http://charli-cohen.com
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09-06-2008, 05:53 AM #25
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09-06-2008, 05:55 AM #26
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09-06-2008, 09:10 AM #27
Have a great time with the family. The "intital freak factor" will wear off in time. Explain your goals and reasonging... and this is where you find out who will support you and who won't. Kind of like a time or reckoning. I hope your family embraces your goals. But be patient, it can take time for people to accept them
As for the tricep soreness... the previous workout you did a lot of pressing exercises with your arms to work chest/shoulders, then did kickbacks. Even tough you might not have felt it, all those press exercises were engaging your triceps. Kickbacks for me are the single tricep exercise that gives me the most burn... and the most soreness the next day! So, that's most likely your explanation.
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09-06-2008, 06:33 PM #28
- Join Date: Feb 2008
- Location: Greensboro, North Carolina, United States
- Age: 40
- Posts: 5,893
- Rep Power: 797
No worries about packing the food - you'll get the hang of it no time and when you DO NOT bring food everyone will be asking where it is
You've had some great workouts the past few days...very cool! So you do always try to push your lifting to exhaustion??
I hope you are having a great weekend!*Mandy*
How bout them Cowboys?? :D
If you wanna get big - you gotta get nasty!
Join along on the journey: http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=7127501
Love it one rep at a time and never lose the passion for the journey in itself...
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09-06-2008, 08:31 PM #29
- Join Date: May 2007
- Location: Oregon, United States
- Age: 38
- Posts: 3,592
- Rep Power: 1168
You girls are silly. I would've never thought to use my couch/bed for a squat rack...... use the roof of your car DUH. Just set it up there and send it rolling, run to the back and before you know it, you'll have the bar on your back
No, but on a serious note.... workouts look great! Keep it up.I'll take a 6 pack of abs please!!!!
Obesession is simply a word lazy people use to describe the DEDICATED!!!!
www.teamscivation.com
http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=109701391
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09-07-2008, 02:40 AM #30
- Join Date: Feb 2008
- Location: United Kingdom (Great Britain)
- Age: 34
- Posts: 6,247
- Rep Power: 3425
I just sort of wobble myself up and hope for the best. My back is in one piece thus far, but I think a squat rack is a good idea before the inevitable happens. Plus, it's nice being able to use twice as much weight as with the bed-bench combo....
Thanks Tara, it was a nice day- good to catch up with everyone. Hmm, I should really make an effort to make it look more appetising so people feel less smug about their delicious looking lard-glistening platefuls....
My parents are great about it, very understanding. I got off lightly today they happened to have some prawns in the fridge and cooked up a selection of steamed greens so I didn't even need to crack out the chicken breast and CC. Ate that in the privacy of the car on the journey there and back.
Thanks, I hoped that was the case, rather than having cocked up my back workout or something. I'm the same- kick backs are the only tris exercise that I can really FEEL. Love 'em .
Hey Mandy- yes, I look forward to it being the norm. And hopefully it might inspire some of my friends and family to pick up similar eating habits. This is providing I can fix the presentation issues I mentioned earlier- chocolate cottage cheese is a bit too vomit-esque if I want to reel people into the whole healthy eating thing.
Thanks, I've really enjoyed the workouts. I do push for fatigue in every exercise, and I've just found out about some effective ways to it without a spot so I'm doing a better job of it now. I posted the article in the female training section.The Journal: Epiphanies, DOMS & Cottage Cheese
http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=110296001
Things that a fashion-trained PT does:
http://charli-cohen.com
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