Cardioconvert - Office chick with pipes

[DieselsMom]

Looking good, legs look awesome and you had great shoulders before so I am sure with the additional calories they are also getting a nice boost from the look of things.

We are off to grab the kids next week for a kick camping trip then have one more planned at the end of Aug but not sure if we will try and sneak away mid-August as we have friends booked into a group camping spot so may take a long weekend with them too.

[tahinilove]

You look fabulous CC! You've got such a great width to your back, and those shoulders get me every time!

[Cardioconvert]

Looking good, legs look awesome and you had great shoulders before so I am sure with the additional calories they are also getting a nice boost from the look of things.

We are off to grab the kids next week for a kick camping trip then have one more planned at the end of Aug but not sure if we will try and sneak away mid-August as we have friends booked into a group camping spot so may take a long weekend with them too.

Oh, all that sounds super fun

You look fabulous CC! You've got such a great width to your back, and those shoulders get me every time!

Thanks Tahini, shirts are starting to not fit super great but it is worth it

CC

[Cardioconvert]

Great week with some good workouts logged. Yesterday was a fun day - it started off questionable as to whether I"d get my workout in as both kids wanted to do things that involved chauffeuring and ended up taking me in opposite directions to shuttle them (I had asked Hubs to do a dump run as I've been purging our basement - holy junk batman!)

At any rate, ended up doing a hard core, old school park workout



I was a sweaty puddle by the end and my core is screaming today.

I got some weird looks from other moms in the park but oh well.

Happy Sunday everyone!

CC

[DieselsMom]

Looks like fun, I know what you mean. When we were at hubby's grandma's funeral I was doing a park workout in their town of ~200, we had a lot of drive bys

Hope summer is treating you well.

[Cardioconvert]

Looks like fun, I know what you mean. When we were at hubby's grandma's funeral I was doing a park workout in their town of ~200, we had a lot of drive bys

Hope summer is treating you well.

Very well as evidenced by my lack of time to post here (but keeping up with my journal reading, don't worry!)

CC

[Cardioconvert]

Still running my variation of the 8x8 and loving it. However, my body is telling me that next week my planned week off is becoming a 'necessary' thing vs. just a 'planned' thing

Yesterday's quick should workout while at work:

Seated DB OHP:
8x25
8x27.5
8x27.5
8x27.5
8x25
8x25
8x25
8x25
DB Side Lateral Raises
8x17.5
8x17.5
8x17.5
8x17.5
8x17.5
8x17.5
8x17.5
8x17.5
DB Front Raises (I stick to light weights for this as it aggravates my shoulder)
8x10
8x10
8x10
8x10
8x10
8x10
8x10
8x10
Bent over Lateral Raises
8x12.5
8x12.5
8x12.5
8x12.5
8x12.5
8x12.5
8x12.5
8x12.5

Can't believe summer is starting to draw to a close. It has been another wonderful one. We are in the midst of tearing out everything (deck, trees, hot tub, patio stones) in our back yard. Very hard and slow work (when you work on it as time permits on weekends / week nights). I tell you, on the days we work on it, I don't feel like I really need to work out (but still do ) - no wonder my body is asking for a rest!

Hope you are all well and strong

CC

[DieselsMom]

Hmmm 8x8 might be my next program after SC we will see I like the simplicity of it all.


Yardio is such fun isn't it but the way the yard looks at the end to totally worth it. Have you caught any football games yet? I managed to only watch 2 so far but have listened to them all since we always seem to be camping during games

[IrishLassie78]

Subbed! 8x8 looks interesting. Definitely something I would like since I am fan of the volume. Maybe not such a hot idea while cutting though. It would probably kill me... I will definitely have to try that with my next bulking cycle though.

[gobbles23]

Good to see you're still doing 8x8! That's a program I'll be returning to a lot

Love the park workout pics Legs are sooo lean!

[Cardioconvert]

Hmmm 8x8 might be my next program after SC we will see I like the simplicity of it all.


Yardio is such fun isn't it but the way the yard looks at the end to totally worth it. Have you caught any football games yet? I managed to only watch 2 so far but have listened to them all since we always seem to be camping during games

LOL - Yardio - love it, what an awesome term

I am loving the 8x8 approach and will likely run it again. Just want something different to see the year out. I may end up just putting my own thing together or re-purposing some old programs from my trainer with a few tweaks. I have officially adopted the lift hard, lift heavy and don't spend a sh#tload of time doing it mentality. Seems to be working for me very well as I can see and feel growth and it is helping keep this pursuit in balance with everything else in my life.

Subbed! 8x8 looks interesting. Definitely something I would like since I am fan of the volume. Maybe not such a hot idea while cutting though. It would probably kill me... I will definitely have to try that with my next bulking cycle though.

Loving it - you'd probably be ok with a variation of it while on a cut (maybe certain body parts with volume days) - I worked out with a guy a few years ago who would have us cycle thru a few weeks with volume days on any body part(s) we felt were lagging.

Good to see you're still doing 8x8! That's a program I'll be returning to a lot

Love the park workout pics Legs are sooo lean!

Thanks - yes, hoping when I cut next year I am pleased with what I see as my legs are both bigger and leaner than they were last year. My legs are historically lean (thanks to my heredity I think - and I carry my weight all in my middle ) but this year they are bigger and leaner.

CC

[Cardioconvert]

Well, it doesn't happen too often but had to physically go into the office yesterday (Saturday) for a server switch / test. Ended up killing some time working out with our daughter who got some very creative snaps of my workout:






Now to start a week off of lifting.

CC

[MyriaK]

Your daughter has a good eye. A bit heavy handed with the filters, but that's a matter of taste. Helps that she has a good model, but she clearly has some talent there.

[IrishLassie78]

Boooo on having to go into work on the weekend. Love the pictures. I'm always a fan of black and white photography. Your shoulders are amazing. So jelly

[DieselsMom]

Looking good, glad your trip in on a Saturday was at least put to good use, man I wish we had a gym space here....

[Cardioconvert]

Yes, I am still alive

Summer is now done and the kids are back to school. Both are in sport (dd=v-ball, ds=football). Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays now require project plans to execute them without forgetting a kid somewhere/showing up the wrong venue/eating something terrible

I've been doing way more meal prep on Sundays (historically just do my own and the veggie chopping) to make it thru the week without resorting to ordering something I feel less than good about feeding my family.

Weather in s Ontario has been fabulous and I've gotten some great runs in lately.

I've hit my target in my offseason bulk and am sitting at 147 - very pleased because this is the heaviest I've been in a long time but I am still fitting into my cutting jeans (albeit not with great comfort so I don't wear them too often )!

I am going to start my dial back very slowly so that I can start my contest prep in the new year in around 140. I will be a bit more diligent with calories in the upcoming weeks (really have not tracked at all but know I have hit some huge cal days). I would like to feel great/a bit more cut for Grey Cup this year as that is a great party and it feels like a good interim goal (last weekend of November) to make sure I am on track going into December. I believe starting at around 140/142 will allow me to lose comfortably for the stage without having to resort to a very low cal approach in prep. Last year, I enjoyed prep so much more because my added size allowed me to cut on more reasonable numbers and I am hoping they will be even more reasonable for 2015.

I am still keeping up with journals, just finding it hard to keep mine up to date I was running the 8x8 up to and including this week but I've decided I am going to commence a pyramid program, starting in the next week or two. I've loved pyramids in the past and found that they keep me on spot with my intensity. I will figure out exact details soon and get started.

Have a wonderful Sunday everyone!

CC

[DieselsMom]

I was thinking about you!

Glad everything is going well and your bulk was successful, sounds like you have a great plan in place moving forward and I look forward to seeing you kill it again next year on stage!

Totally get the kids/taxi as we start "normal" hockey practice this week with the kids at the rink on opposite days so 4 days a week and hubz is head coaching the boy's team....means busy household but I love every minute of it (except the 5am wake ups for cardio lol)

[Cardioconvert]

Just a quick drive by to say I am still lifting and feeling great!

Taking a mini deload this week as my recovery is starting to get compromised (usually my first indicator of a need to cut back) and in looking at my records, I haven't deloaded since 3 week of August when I took 4 days off. Want to enter the balance of the year strong, plan on a little downtime over Christmas and get myself in good starting health for prep.

For a variety of reasons, I will target a regional show - kids sports and many other (work) things would make participating in the Super show just too stressful.

I see my trainer on Nov 5th to talk 2015 strategy. Nothing says "put that wine glass down" like knowing I have to stand in front of her in a bikini in 3 weeks. She placed 6th at the O in physique so you can kinda figure out why I idolize her.......


CC

[egoatdoor]

Just a quick drive by to say I am still lifting and feeling great!

Taking a mini deload this week as my recovery is starting to get compromised (usually my first indicator of a need to cut back) and in looking at my records, I haven't deloaded since 3 week of August when I took 4 days off. Want to enter the balance of the year strong, plan on a little downtime over Christmas and get myself in good starting health for prep.

For a variety of reasons, I will target a regional show - kids sports and many other (work) things would make participating in the Super show just too stressful.

I see my trainer on Nov 5th to talk 2015 strategy. Nothing says "put that wine glass down" like knowing I have to stand in front of her in a bikini in 3 weeks. She placed 6th at the O in physique so you can kinda figure out why I idolize her.......


CC

I cheated and looked it up. I'm a big fan of hers from year back. I didn't know she had gone into Physique.

[Cardioconvert]

I cheated and looked it up. I'm a big fan of hers from year back. I didn't know she had gone into Physique.

Yes, she came out of retirement last year to compete in physique and I believe it really suits her. She is just a stunning person, both inside and out and I love working with her.

CC

[egoatdoor]

Thanks. Tell her I have her video All About Mindi 1 and I'm glad to see she's back.

[DieselsMom]

Glad to see you pop in and update. Congrats to your coach on her Olympia showing that is awesome!! Can't wait to hear what your plans are for 2015.

[NeverSettle15]

Subbed! Congrats on all of your hard work thus far! I'm so stoked for you and your prep to Ont. Provincials!!

[Cardioconvert]

Subbed! Congrats on all of your hard work thus far! I'm so stoked for you and your prep to Ont. Provincials!!

Hey - thanks for stopping by!

Unfortunately, scheduling has led to the decision that I will participate in a Regional show, not Provincials. That is ok - I am a mom first, then a fitness enthusiast

I see you have a journal - I will have to check it out

Where in our great land do you live (if you don't mind sharing)?

CC

[Cardioconvert]

I am still alive!!!!

Really, I must take a bit more time to log my thoughts but, oh well, I don't want it to add to the work / family scheduling stress that challenges me daily.

Training is going well. Met w/ Mindi on Nov 7th to talk strategy and I am going to prep for a show on May 2nd. I am very happy with the plan. She thought my offseason training had gone very well and was more than confident that I will be in show shape if I give myself 12 weeks - I am an anal planner though and will start to diet down (with the rigor of my last three seasons) as of January 5th. I will follow my plan until the 12 week out and then engage her/her hubby (he is the nutrionist).

I am still living by the clothes not the scale mentality - just a bit scary when you are a numbers person (even when I am the first to lecture about not focusing on the scale). As long as my cutting jeans fit, I am not freaking

Had a great workout today (Back + Triceps). I am back to a volume approach (effective last week) as that seems to work for me.

Have a few photos to post but gotta scoot to v-ball practice w/ daughter - be back last to post

CC

[Cardioconvert]

LLLLLOOOOONNNNNNGGGGGG day at a v-ball tourney - left this morning at 6:45 and got back around 5:30. Just finished a really good leg workout. Usually, I take a rest day on Sat (or maybe do some cardio) but I am pulling everything back one day in the schedule this week as we leave for Grey Cup on Thursday and I will get some workouts done there but want to make sure I hit the major days (shoulder, back, chest and legs) before leaving.

Be back soon with a longer post / piccies.

CC

[DieselsMom]

Hey lady...long time no talk!

Good luck to your team in the Grey Cup hopefully they kick some Stamps ass

[Cardioconvert]

Hey lady...long time no talk!

Good luck to your team in the Grey Cup hopefully they kick some Stamps ass

Well, they played like they have all season - too little too late. Extended weekend was great and thoroughly enjoyed spending some quality time with my husband. Ate great food, had some good drinkies and overall enjoyed the good life.

There's always next year!

CC

[Cardioconvert]

Well, it seems to happen every year as we approach Christmas and, ironically enough, my birthday. I start to do a bit of soul searching.

Not going to bore you with details but the spirit of the conversation revolved around the reasons behind why I feel compelled to compete and, quite frankly, asking myself it I want it badly enough for 2015. Anyone who has followed my preps knows I go all in - no cheats, no missed workouts, no 'opps, I messed up my macros' moments as my training team has my diet laid out and each meal is dictated for the upcoming week. I am not going to enter a prep without this approach (all in) and so I ask myself - what do I want out of it?

I worry that if I am feeling any ambivalence at this stage, what am I going to feel when the going gets tough? I also worry that we already have almost every weekend from mid Jan thru end of Feb entirely blocked with volley ball tournaments. I worry that my husband has already gone out and bought tickets for 4 amazing concerts, all of which would fall in my 12 week prep cycle - do I really want to compete again so badly that I would compromise the possibility of having a nice dinner with him prior to those shows?

Work is looking to be a monster for 2015. I am hoping to finally get my ducks in a row and get my PMP designation in 2015. Do I really want to do all this and prep at the same time?

At this point, I am not sure. I am feeling strong and good and M has said I am at a really good weight to diet down in a 12 week window so I guess I don't need to make my mind up right now.

HOWEVER, similar to my marathoning days, I've told myself that the day workouts stop being for fun (which arguably they do hit that point in the last two weeks of prep based on my personal experiences), I would hang up the heels. I just look at everything on our family plates for Q1/Q2 of next year and see that working out could quickly become more of a stress than a welcome part of my day.

Thanks for listening, I'll keep the cyber world posted on my ultimate decision but, for now, I am getting ready to go perform a beastly shoulder workout

CC

[DieselsMom]

CC!!!

I was just thinking about you today was going to pester you on FB to see how you were doing.

I totally get what your thinking and the approach to be taken...but what if you don't need to be so specific on foods? What about a more IIFYM but with real foods, not junk would that help the situation. You have an amazing base and have laid a great foundation but taking a year off won't kill you either.

I think they always will stop being fun in those last stages but it has more to do with everything else going on not the working out part but I get ya! totally.

Either way we are here to support you in whatever route you choose.

PS
I felt soooo bad for Banks there at the end it reminded me painfully of our "13th" man call