Ms_Mac: The Saga Continues

[ms_mac]

Good luck!



Sounds like you had a lovely holiday!

Thanks! I had a great Easter, even if I did go overboard!

Yuuuum soo much good eats! Looks like you had a great Easter
Neeeh don't worry about that scale... what do you need that thing for anyway right

I know, right??? Hopefully I can stick to my guns. I see my nutrition guy Fri morning, then every 2 weeks so I might just weigh there...once every 2 weeks...I think I can hang with that

Today - Hamms

Fewer cals is starting to take a toll on my strength This was not the greatest of workouts, but it is what it is. Can't wait to bulk again

RDL
6*4,3,3,2,2,2 - 165lbs

Leg Curl
4*8

DBDL
4*10,10,10,8 - 45lbs

DB Calf Raise
4*20 - 50lbs

Hanging leg raise
2*10 - legs straight
2*15 - legs bent

Oblique Russian Twist
4*10

Eats:

M1
oats, whites, pumpkin

M2
Greek yogurt, cacao nibs

M3
turkey, brocolli, spinach, onion, red pepper, goat cheese, thai peanut sauce

M4
pp with ff cream cheese

M5
Sludge bowl

Macros:
Cals = 1767, fat = 51, carbs = 161, pro = 181

[ms_mac]

Cardio today - ran a 10K on the treadmill. 1 hour and 15 secs. A little bit faster than last week...

Eats:

M1
oats, whites, pumpkin

M2
ff greek yogurt
cocoa
walnuts

M3
egg white omlette with onion, spinach, mozzerella
brocolli

M4
tuna and goat cheese

M5
sludge bowl - complete with a Cadbury creme egg

cals = 1792, fat = 50, carbs = 163, pro = 186

[ms_mac]

Back and shoulders plus cardio today:

Pullups
4*6,5,4,3

BB Row
4*5,5,4,4 - 115lbs

Wide grip pulldown
3*8,8,6 - 60lbs - I should note here that the cables on my machine are really tight so there is extra resistance here, hence why the weight seems light

Narrow grip pulldown
3*10,8,8 - 60lbs

BNP
6*5,5,5,4,4,4 - 65lbs - no excuse here. LOL!

Arnolds
3*10,8,8 - 25lbs

BB Shrug
4*10 - 115lbs

PM - Cardio - 30 min fartlek run on the treadmill after Logan went to bed. 3.33 miles in total.

Eats:

M1
English muffin with pp and strawberries

M2
2 whole eggs plus 4 whites

M3
2 whole eggs plus 4 whites
brocolli, spinach and red peppers

M4
Greek yogurt with walnuts

M5
I luv my sludge bowl - with another Cadbury creme egg YUMMMMM!

Cals = 1803, fat = 56, carb = 162, pro = 180

[gobbles23]

Hahaha! I've been eating nightly sludge with Reeses mini peanut butter cups/eggs Chocolate in sludge is awesome!

My cable machines are the same way!!!!

Things are looking good in here!

[newbeginning828]

Yep.. awesomeness in here!

When is the end of your contest/when will you start to bulk again?

[ms_mac]

Hahaha! I've been eating nightly sludge with Reeses mini peanut butter cups/eggs Chocolate in sludge is awesome!

My cable machines are the same way!!!!

Things are looking good in here!

Chocolate in ANYTHING is awesome Thanks!

Yep.. awesomeness in here!

When is the end of your contest/when will you start to bulk again?

Thank you! Contest pics are due by May 26th and I have a photoshoot booked for May 27th...then I am DONE! I am going to go to maintenance until the end of Aug its bulking again....

So - today's progress report:

Today is a rest day and weigh in so here it is:

131.6 Starting weight

Feb 10 2012 127.2
feb 17 2012 125.8
Feb 24 2012 125.6
March 2 2012 125.2
March 9 2012 124.4
March 16 2012 122.4
March 23 2012 125.2
March 30 2012 123.6
April 6 2012 119.6WTF???
April 13 2012 123.4 another WTF moment! Fukcin scale is all over the place.

WHATEVER!

[dreahere]

Wow, you're looking so lean right now, you're gonna be absolutely shredded by the end of May! Your photoshoot will be killer.

[PunkyCindy]

you look amazing, wouldn't worry about the scale since apparently it needs a mood stabilizer.

[ms_mac]

Wow, you're looking so lean right now, you're gonna be absolutely shredded by the end of May! Your photoshoot will be killer.

Thanks! I have to admit that I am dissappointed at this point - 10 weeks in and not a hint of a 6 pack. I can see top 4 abs, but only if I flex really hard.......I know....this is so warped and superficial, right? Sometimes I really wish I had never competed and remained just a normal girl who likes to lift....now my "normal" will never be the same. Make sense? Okay, rambling...I'll shut up now..

you look amazing, wouldn't worry about the scale since apparently it needs a mood stabilizer.

LOL! Thanks for visiting

Today was quads and tris and my log is somewhere in my gym. I am too lazy right now to go get it, so here is a brief recap:

BB Squats
14 sets ranging from 6-3 reps and 175-155lbs.

Tri Dips
7 sets ranging from 10-6 reps.

Eats:

M1
oats, whites, pumpkin, walnuts and coconut

M2 - cheat meal - supper out
Chicken stir fry from the healthy choice menu
1 glass of red wine
small piece of birthday cake

M3
nightly sludge bowl

Cals = 1859, fat = 59, carb = 172, pro = 139.

I have not had meal 3 yet, and I usually eat to maintenance or a bit higher on cheat meal days......but I am still so full from supper that it will be really tough to get in my sludge bowl...

[dreahere]

Thanks! I have to admit that I am dissappointed at this point - 10 weeks in and not a hint of a 6 pack. I can see top 4 abs, but only if I flex really hard.......I know....this is so warped and superficial, right? Sometimes I really wish I had never competed and remained just a normal girl who likes to lift....now my "normal" will never be the same. Make sense? Okay, rambling...I'll shut up now..

No, no, it makes perfect sense. I've heard someone else say something like this--I dunno if it was on here or somewhere else--but, like, after she competed she was left with this subconscious feeling that her body should look that way all the time, even though consciously she knew that was unrealistic.

[ms_mac]

No, no, it makes perfect sense. I've heard someone else say something like this--I dunno if it was on here or somewhere else--but, like, after she competed she was left with this subconscious feeling that her body should look that way all the time, even though consciously she knew that was unrealistic.

Thats it exactly! And I just don't really know how to let go of that unrealistic ideal.......if anyone can help me with that I am all ears

So, I think the lowered cals are finally catching up with me. Last couple of workouts really sucked and today was no exception. Weight and\or reps dropped with most everything:

Bench
6*5,4,3,3,3,2 - 115lbs

Incline db
4*10,7,6,6 - 40lbs

Decline bench
4*10,7,8,8 - 95lbs

BB Curl
4*3 - 75lbs

DB curl
3*8,6,6 - 30lbs

Eats:

M1
oats, whites, pumpkin

M2
cottage cheese, cocoa, pb

M3
spinach strawberry salad with goat cheese and salmon

M4
2 whole eggs plus a bunch of whites

M5
sludge bowl

Cals = 1736, fat = 56, carbs = 137, pro = 180

[gobbles23]

Sorry your workouts have been feeling weak lately. When is the last time you took a deload???

[ms_mac]

Sorry your workouts have been feeling weak lately. When is the last time you took a deload???

I took a deload around the end of Jan. So not too awfully long ago. Think I'm just havin' a crappy week...but I shall continue on

Yesterday was a cardio day. Dropped my son off at playschool then headed to my favorite trail for a run. 8K in 47:40..

Today - back and shoulders:

Pullups
4*6,5,5,4

Rows
4*5 - 115lbs

WG pulldowns
3*8,7,6 - 60lbs

Narrow reverse grip pulldowns
3*12,10,8 - 60lbs

BNP
4*5,5,5,2 - 65lbs
2*10 - 45lbs

Arnolds
3*8 - 25lbs

DB Shrugs
4*9,7,6,6 - 50lbs

Eats - same old same old...LOL!

[ms_mac]

10 km LSD Trail run this morning - 1 hour and 1 sec......1 sec...seriously? UGHHH!

[newbeginning828]

Your workout looked great!
Sorry your not too happy with your 10k time ... although I'd be thrilled heehee

[Buffycat3]

I am here....but hope I am not too late.
I want to support you thru this comp.
Your foods are interesting

I read that you are not to happy with your results thus far....what do you think may be the reason?

and Thank you for visiting Me in my new journal....I can use All the support I can get

Take Carem, MaryAnne

[ms_mac]

Your workout looked great!
Sorry your not too happy with your 10k time ... although I'd be thrilled heehee

Thanks...I used to be able to run a 10K in under an hour...but I'll get there again

I am here....but hope I am not too late.
I want to support you thru this comp.
Your foods are interesting

I read that you are not to happy with your results thus far....what do you think may be the reason?

and Thank you for visiting Me in my new journal....I can use All the support I can get

Take Carem, MaryAnne

Never too late, chica. Welcome to the party Why am I not happy with my results...good question and one that I don't really have a straight answer for. I guess I am having a hard time because in my warped brain I need to be stage lean when that really isn't the goal - the goal was to just do a small slow cut just enough to see if there has been any muscle growth during my bulk. In looking at my half way pics I think I look "small" and feel like I have made no progress during the bulk. Then I keep comparing progress pics from my last bb comp with them and I am not looking like I am " 6 weeks" out...so I guess double the frustration for me....bulk didn't work and cutting is not going fast enough Having said that I am not willing to tank my metabolism by dropping cals or doing a bunch of cardio to get "stage" lean. Probably none of this makes sense because I am just a rambling, all over the place mess

Anyway - today was Hammies, calves and abs:

RDL
4*5,5,5,3 - 165lbs

I fought for every freakin' rep on these. Why oh why are my hamms so weak??? How do you all do these anyway? From the floor, legs bent, legs straight?

DB SLDL
4*6 - 50lbs

Leg Curl
4*12,10,8,8 - 40lbs

DB Calf Raise
4*25 - 50lbs

Decline Leg Raise
4*15

Obliques
3*20 - 25lbs

Eats:

M1
egg white pancake with raspberries

M2
Oh Yeah protein bar

M3
pulled pork loin on a ww bun with onions, mushrooms and peppers

M4
2 whole eggs plus 4 whites

M5
nightly sludge bowl

Cals = 1775, fat = 57, carbs = 129, pro = 179

[Buffycat3]

Hey girlfriend....It does make sense, I understand what you mean.
Frustrations of not seeing what you want to see is always a discouragment.

I see your weight chart you posted from the beginning of contest till now.
I can't stand that damn scale! LOL...its suppose to be a tool in progressing, but I find it annoying and rely too much on number..Grr!
I must keep in in my head that it is just a little part of what my end result wll be.
...and yes, my numbers keep jumping up-n-down too...Grr!

Have you thought of changing your diet....not so much dropping cals, but changing what you are eating.
If youre not seeing results this many weeks into your contest, maybe your diet needs tweaked.
Do you have someone working with you? (PT/Dietition?)
...just thinking and trying to help you out

Keep at it Girl...you can do it!
♥

[gobbles23]

I lift the barbell off the floor, and then bring it down to about mid-shin with my knees slightly bent for each rep rather than return it to the floor after each. Apparently- SLDL you bring the bar to the floor each time, but for RDL you don't. Kimm4 posted an awesome article on the subject in Pharty's journal a while back:

http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/tra...l-vs-sldl.html

I thought I was doing SLDL, but apparently they were RDl

[dreahere]

I lift the barbell off the floor, and then bring it down to about mid-shin with my knees slightly bent for each rep rather than return it to the floor after each.

Same, except I start with the bar on the pins, not from the floor. 'Cause that's how Liz taught me and I just do whatever she says, LOL.

I thought I was doing SLDL, but apparently they were RDl

Same.

[ms_mac]

Hey girlfriend....It does make sense, I understand what you mean.
Frustrations of not seeing what you want to see is always a discouragment.

I see your weight chart you posted from the beginning of contest till now.
I can't stand that damn scale! LOL...its suppose to be a tool in progressing, but I find it annoying and rely too much on number..Grr!
I must keep in in my head that it is just a little part of what my end result wll be.
...and yes, my numbers keep jumping up-n-down too...Grr!

Have you thought of changing your diet....not so much dropping cals, but changing what you are eating.
If youre not seeing results this many weeks into your contest, maybe your diet needs tweaked.
Do you have someone working with you? (PT/Dietition?)
...just thinking and trying to help you out

Keep at it Girl...you can do it!
♥

Thats the thing.....I don't want to change anything, but I want the progress too. Double edge sword I am making progress...just really really slowly. And I am just not seeing any muscle growth. Thinking maybe I need a more aggressive bulk next time? Or maybe I am just genetically not meant to be a bodybuilder Yup, I played the genetics card...LOL!

I lift the barbell off the floor, and then bring it down to about mid-shin with my knees slightly bent for each rep rather than return it to the floor after each. Apparently- SLDL you bring the bar to the floor each time, but for RDL you don't. Kimm4 posted an awesome article on the subject in Pharty's journal a while back:

http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/tra...l-vs-sldl.html

I thought I was doing SLDL, but apparently they were RDl

Well then I don't know what the hell I am doing. I am pulling from the floor every rep, knees bent. Thought these were RDL's. I always thought SLDL meant "straight leg deadlift"...which is what I do with dumbells...sooooo confused now..

Same, except I start with the bar on the pins, not from the floor. 'Cause that's how Liz taught me and I just do whatever she says, LOL.



Same.

Good to know I am not the only one...

Rest day for me...good thing because I spent all day running my son to the toilet...some kind of flu bug I think. I sure hope the little guy is better tommorrow..

[kimm4]

SLDL, bar goes to the floor with each rep. RDL, bar stops around mid-shin with each rep. When you pull from a pin, depending on where pin is set...that could fall under the category of a rack dead.

I don't care which one you do, they're all awesome!

I completely get what you're feeling...been there a million times. How much weight did you gain during your bulk? How many miles a week do you run?

It's more difficult trying to build when you're a runner. It can be done...but it's hard to master the best of both worlds.

I hope you have a nice weekend.

[ms_mac]

SLDL, bar goes to the floor with each rep. RDL, bar stops around mid-shin with each rep. When you pull from a pin, depending on where pin is set...that could fall under the category of a rack dead.

I don't care which one you do, they're all awesome!

I completely get what you're feeling...been there a million times. How much weight did you gain during your bulk? How many miles a week do you run?

It's more difficult trying to build when you're a runner. It can be done...but it's hard to master the best of both worlds.

I hope you have a nice weekend.

I was hoping you'd pop in with some expert advice. So is there one that is superior to the others? I started my bulk at 115lbs and finished at 131 - so 16 lbs in 15 months, which seems about right? About a pound a month...I only just incorporated running back into the mix...while I was bulking I did barely any cardio - 2 20 min sessions a week..I really enjoy it though and have really missed it, so I figure what the hell - if I am not going any muscle mass might as well start running again. I am still not running huge mileage or anything though. One 5 miler and one longer run. Last couple have been 10 k, but will go a bit longer each week now. Thinking I may run a half marathon and hubby and I are thinking about doing a Tough Mudder in July.
Just curious about your opinion on the genetics issue - does that really play a part in the muscle building progress? Am I not working hard enough, eating enough....what did I do wrong?

So today is quads and tri's. And I am craving Chinese! Chinese buffet for my treat today? I probably won't because I eat WAY TOO MUCH at buffets but, man, it sure sounds good..

[gobbles23]

This is an interesting read, if I haven't posted it here before:

http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/mus...potential.html

But I don't think it's genetics at the point you're at. Maybe try something different next time you bulk? More volume, less volume, higher reps, lower reps, what were you doing for your last bulk??? Were you doing PMB???? More importantly- how often were you increasing the weight/reps?? Did you make many PR's??? How often were you progressing??

[dreahere]

Obviously I know nothing about nothing, but the only point I want to make about genetics is that you do have that tall, lanky body type. If you and I were both to gain a half pound of muscle on our arms, it would be more visible on me just because my muscle bellies are probably 3 or 4 inches shorter than yours and the half pound would be spread out on a lot less area. (Seriously, only advantage to my stubby little limbs. It's why I have that body dysmorphia where I walk around thinking I'm more swole than I really am. ) So, I don't think you're genetically disadvantaged in growing muscle; I just think that someone like you with those long muscle bellies needs to put on a lot more mass comparatively before they look, excuse the term, bulky. Plus, I think you may be being a little too hard on yourself. When I looked at your progress pictures compared to the pre-bulk, objectively it looked to me as if you *did* put a bunch of mass on your quads. Can you see that? Or is it just not as much as you had hoped?

[gobbles23]

^^I've thought about that too! More space to cover Plus- this IS a slow progress. Especially after newbie gains are gone

[ms_mac]

This is an interesting read, if I haven't posted it here before:

http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/mus...potential.html

But I don't think it's genetics at the point you're at. Maybe try something different next time you bulk? More volume, less volume, higher reps, lower reps, what were you doing for your last bulk??? Were you doing PMB???? More importantly- how often were you increasing the weight/reps?? Did you make many PR's??? How often were you progressing??

Thanks for the article. I will read through when I have some time to focus My last bulk I did a variety of programs - PMB, VRT, Max OT and GVT. Strength was increasing regularly. Lifting 4 days a week, barely any cardio, eating heaps....my only downfall is sleep. I never get more than about 6 hours of sleep a night..but that has really always been the case. I have been thinking about my next bulk and I am going to do some research but will for sure try something different. Maybe a 3 day FB split....I am keeping cardio in this time though. I know...some of you are rolling your eyes at me . Thats okay. I have missed running. Its something I truly enjoy. So I am going to do my best to make both bb'ing and running work...

Obviously I know nothing about nothing, but the only point I want to make about genetics is that you do have that tall, lanky body type. If you and I were both to gain a half pound of muscle on our arms, it would be more visible on me just because my muscle bellies are probably 3 or 4 inches shorter than yours and the half pound would be spread out on a lot less area. (Seriously, only advantage to my stubby little limbs. It's why I have that body dysmorphia where I walk around thinking I'm more swole than I really am. ) So, I don't think you're genetically disadvantaged in growing muscle; I just think that someone like you with those long muscle bellies needs to put on a lot more mass comparatively before they look, excuse the term, bulky. Plus, I think you may be being a little too hard on yourself. When I looked at your progress pictures compared to the pre-bulk, objectively it looked to me as if you *did* put a bunch of mass on your quads. Can you see that? Or is it just not as much as you had hoped?

I never really thought about that - having more space to cover. Makes sense though. I just looked again at my pics - I am really not seeing much difference. Maybe I am being too hard on myself......I need to stop this pity party and get a fukcin' grip!

^^I've thought about that too! More space to cover Plus- this IS a slow progress. Especially after newbie gains are gone

Slow is right and nope, no newbie gains for me.

Thanks girls! I really needed this today.

Okay, back to business - Quads and Tri's:

BB Squat
6*6,6,4,4,4,4 - 175lbs. Still can't get my arse all the way down here...Can only get to a bit past parallel, so I am still hanging here until I get ATG.

DB Squat
4*8,8,8,6 - 40lbs

Leg Ext
4*10,8,8,6 - 70lbs

Tri Ext
4*6,4,4,4

Dips
3*10,7,6

[ms_mac]

Chest and Bi's today:

Incline Bench
6*4,4,4,4,3,3 - 100lbs

DB Bench
4*12,9,8,6 - 40lbs

Pushups
3*12 - bodyweight
1*6 bodyweight plus 42lb kid lying on my back

Chinups - Bi focus
4*5

BB Curl
3*10,8,8 - 55lbs

[LEX-UA]

Kids are always a nice touch!

I like the lifts in here! Keep up the good work.

[ms_mac]

Kids are always a nice touch!

I like the lifts in here! Keep up the good work.

Yes, my son loves to "help" me workout.LOL!

Yesterday - just a cardio day. Ran a 5 mile fartlek run - 45:14

Today - Back and shoulders:

BB Row
6*4,4,4,3,3,3 - 120lbs

Seated Row
4*10,8,8,8 - 70lbs plus cable resistance

One arm row
4*12,9,9,9 - 30lbs

DB Shoulder Press
3*6,6,0 - 35lbs - could not get the 35's up after 2 sets

Bradford Press
3*5

Plate Raise
3*10 - 25lbs

Upright row
3*12 - 45lbs

I AM HUNGRY TODAY