FIFTY IS NIFTY...Julia's 2012 Journal For More Muscle

[megdaig]

Heard from the vet, this is weird! Thermal burn????? I don't get it. What on earth could he have burned his rear foot on???? Nothing! This started 5 weeks ago in December. He is in the house and back yard, that's it. I'm wondering if they have the wrong biopsy. I put a call into my vet to see if he can get some clarification on this result. Makes no sense. My vet would have noticed burns back when I brought him in the first time when he found the sore between his toes. I am happy there is no cancer, but a burn does not make sense to me. Heating vents don't get that hot and he's not near them anyway. We have no heated pads, I didn't spill hot food on his foot. I don't think he's flipping burners on the stove! They specifically said "thermal" not chemical or frost-bite. Any ideas????

What about thermal due to friction? Like sliding on carpet or concrete? That's how my girl burned off all the pads of her feet when she ran into a moving vehicle and the bolted.

[Luvdogs]

I never thought about friction like that, but he's not in carpeted areas and at 14.5, Buddy doesn't bolt He barely walks...he does slip sometimes on the patio getting up the steps. I wouldn't think that would cause a burn, but who knows at his age. My vet called and is calling the specialist to see if he actually spoke with the pathologist and just to discuss this finding. Even my vet thought that result was kind of weird.

[Luvdogs]

Spoke with the vet again and doggie dermo says he was surprised at the result as well. He is going to recheck with the pathologist. Still doing foot soaks and have the new ointment and a bazillion pills He can't seem to control is BM's. He pooped right in front of me after he ate breakfast this morning and tonight as well. Not sure if that is age or the pills??

Anyway...how on earth am I going to walk in these:


I tired them on. They fit but I nearly fell forward Oh boy! I have a lot of work ahead of me. Right now, bodybuilding category is looking good...

Today's training: Week2, PHAT, Legs-hypertrophy

Sled Leg Press
3 w/u sets
280# x 11,11,11,11

Machine Hack Squat
140# x 13,12,10

RDL
155# x 12,11,11,11

Extensions
80# x 15,13,13

Seated Ham Curls
80# x 17
90# x 10,10

Donkey Calf
260# x 15,12,12

Hypers
15# x 15,13,13

[megdaig]

Is he on any types of pain meds? Those will kind of hit them hard...Ive had experience with slight sedation and they not being able to control their functions.


I have a pair of heels like those, although I did not wear them as I went with the strapless. I am thinking of gluing some rhinestones on them to give them a little more pizzaz and wearing them this time around.

[Redfizz]

Thank goodness it's not cancer! I hope he's feeling better.

Those shoes are super sexy! They remind me of an episode of What Not to Wear. Stacy pulls a pair of shoes out of this lady's closet just like these and starts saying, "Who wears there!?" The lady turned bright red, and said, "I don't wear them outside."

Clint: Um, Stacy...

Stacy: What on earth do you wear them with????

Victim: Ummm....

Clint: Stacy!

Stacy: What???

Clint gently takes the shoes out of Stacy's hands and said, "We're going to keep these, but we're going to keep them for her husband so long as she promises not to wear them on the street."

Stacy: What do you mean? Ohhhhhhhhhhh.....

Silence.

Both Stacy and the victim are beet red by this point.

LOL

[Cardioconvert]

Oh pretty, pretty shoes - purchasing a pair is on my list for the next two weeks.

Have a great weekend!
CC

[Luvdogs]

Is he on any types of pain meds? Those will kind of hit them hard...Ive had experience with slight sedation and they not being able to control their functions.


I have a pair of heels like those, although I did not wear them as I went with the strapless. I am thinking of gluing some rhinestones on them to give them a little more pizzaz and wearing them this time around.

Yes Meg, he is on ******** for pain, antibiotics, rimadyl (anti-inflammatory for his hips), and a thyroid med Rimadyl & thyroid he's been on for 2 years now. I do think that the pain meds & antibiotics are mostly the cause of his loosing control.

Thank goodness it's not cancer! I hope he's feeling better.

Those shoes are super sexy! They remind me of an episode of What Not to Wear. Stacy pulls a pair of shoes out of this lady's closet just like these and starts saying, "Who wears there!?" The lady turned bright red, and said, "I don't wear them outside."

Clint: Um, Stacy...

Stacy: What on earth do you wear them with????

Victim: Ummm....

Clint: Stacy!

Stacy: What???

Clint gently takes the shoes out of Stacy's hands and said, "We're going to keep these, but we're going to keep them for her husband so long as she promises not to wear them on the street."

Stacy: What do you mean? Ohhhhhhhhhhh.....

Silence.

Both Stacy and the victim are beet red by this point.

LOL

That's funny because the first thing my hubs asked is if I would wear them around the house Men are predictable...

Oh pretty, pretty shoes - purchasing a pair is on my list for the next two weeks.

Have a great weekend!
CC

I like them, now I just need to practice walking in them.

Today Buddy was better I think the pain of the biopsy is subsiding and his pads are healing. He actually trotted out of the house today. He seems to have a bit more energy too. I am praying this is the upswing of this ordeal. Come on Buddy, 15 is 5 months away!!!

Today was Week 2, PHAT, Chest & Arms-hypertrophy

Flat DB Press
3 w/u sets
40#ea x 14,11,11,11 Going for 45's next week

Incline DB Press
35#ea x 12,12,12,12

Seated cable fly
20#ea x 21
25#ea x 13,12,12- what a diff 5# makes!

Machine Preacher Curl
40# x 13,12,10

EZ BB Curl
35# x 15,13,13

High cable dbl bi curl
25#ea x 14,13,13

Seated OH BB Tricep ext
45# x 10,9,9

ROpe press down
50# x 11
45# x 10
40# x 11

Single UH press down
20# x 9,9,9

BW Dips x 5

Cals were 1725 today. Tomorrow is weigh in day. I'll stay at 1725 over the weekend then next week will go to 1675-1700 max. I "figure" I have 13lbs to loose for comp but I'll be able to tell the further along I get. I will be 18 weeks out tomorrow!

[vanessa40]

I love the shoes. Poor puppy..Muffin is at the vet now. Our poor babies

[Luvdogs]

I love the shoes. Poor puppy..Muffin is at the vet now. Our poor babies

I know Vanessa. So sorry about Muffin.

Buddy is doing better. His foot is finally looking like it's healing and he is walking much better. I think he's pulling through

Weight went up today 133.8lbs. Ah well, I feel leaner! Muscles are sore so they could be holding water and I think there's at least 8oz in my knee As Erik Ledin says "weight loss is not linear".

[Luvdogs]

Ok, I decided to do the Dymatize Transformation Challenge! What the heck, I'm dieting anyway so this will take me to 6 weeks out. I posted pics in my body space. Come on 49'ers!!!! You MUST win!! Go Kaepernick (he's from Reno so it makes it double good).

Today was Upper Power, Week 3, PHAT

Precor Rows, OH grip
3 w/u sets
140# x 6,6
120# x 8,8

WG Lat pull down
90# x 10
100# x 6,6
90# x 8

MG cable row
100# x 9
110# x 7,7,7

HS Chest Press
40#ea x 7,5,5
35#ea x 6

HS Incline Press
40#ea x 9,8,8,8

Precor Shoulder Press
2 w/u sets
100# x 8,8,8,8

Machine Lateral Raise
50# x 8,8,8,8

Cable Curls
75# x 11
80# x 8,8

Tricep push down
100# x 8
95# x 8
90# x 8

BW dips x 7

I did 20 minutes of HIIT on the ellip then went to the car wash! Hubs and I are having dinner with the grandma. MIL & SIL went to Disneyland today to meet up with step-daughter for a 3 day trip. SD LOVES Disneyland. This was a birthday trip from her grandma (my MIL). Hubby's grandma will be 95 in Feb! Amazing woman.

[Redfizz]

Today Buddy was better I think the pain of the biopsy is subsiding and his pads are healing. He actually trotted out of the house today. He seems to have a bit more energy too. I am praying this is the upswing of this ordeal. Come on Buddy, 15 is 5 months away!!!
...
Buddy is doing better. His foot is finally looking like it's healing and he is walking much better. I think he's pulling through

Holy cow! Go Buddy!!!! You can do it! 15 is nuttin'.

How are his brothers enjoying his old self coming back?

[rickiecoombs]

Hey Julia,

You look fantastic! Hubz suggested that I show your pics to my mother. She's older than you, but you'd be a fantastic example of how you can still be strong and look great once you've past the age of 40! Haha. Mom is not overweight, but she has SUCH little strength, it's a bit scary. It actually blows my mind how weak she is. She cannot raise her arms parallel to the ground and keep them there.

Anyway. Total tangent. What I was trying to say is that you look awesome. And I can't wait to see the final pics! Gonna be GREAT!

So glad that Buddy seems to have turned a corner. I'm always checking in on your journal, even if I know I won't have time to post, just to see if there are any more updates/pics.

Jelly of your tricep pushdowns. Nice!!

[Luvdogs]

Holy cow! Go Buddy!!!! You can do it! 15 is nuttin'.

How are his brothers enjoying his old self coming back?

Buddy's old self is still being a couch potato! He is the sweetest boy. Genie will try to eat his food sometimes (maybe that's why she weighs 21.8lbs) and he just moves over and let's her. He is so tolerant and patient. The poster child of a Golden. Gosh, he is so much better today! He stood a lot today, walked just fine. Still going with the meds until they are finished and foot soaks, keeping his foot covered in a sock until the stitches go away. I quit the night time pain pills. Just 2 x a day now. I may cut those to one 2 x a day.

Hey Julia,

You look fantastic! Hubz suggested that I show your pics to my mother. She's older than you, but you'd be a fantastic example of how you can still be strong and look great once you've past the age of 40! Haha. Mom is not overweight, but she has SUCH little strength, it's a bit scary. It actually blows my mind how weak she is. She cannot raise her arms parallel to the ground and keep them there.

Anyway. Total tangent. What I was trying to say is that you look awesome. And I can't wait to see the final pics! Gonna be GREAT!

So glad that Buddy seems to have turned a corner. I'm always checking in on your journal, even if I know I won't have time to post, just to see if there are any more updates/pics.

Jelly of your tricep pushdowns. Nice!!

Thanks Rickie! Ugh, I look at them and see fat, but I did compare them to my Jan 1 pictures and I do look a little leaner. I hear ya on the mom front. My mom is quite over weight (80lbs +/-) and sooooo weak. Makes me sad. She always hurts and I know it's because her body has atrophied. She is 72 and incredibly out of shape. I'm going to be rockin' it at 72

[Luvdogs]

Week 3, PHAT, Lower Power

Sled Leg Press
4 w/u sets
320# x 6,6,6,6
ok, pulled something just above hips on the back, right side. It's still a bit tender. I had to switch up planned exercises because bending to do RDL's was not going to happen today. Must have been the pushing?? Back is totally supported by the back rest on the sled.

Machine Hack Squat
170# x 8,8,7,7

Glute Isolator
90# x 9,9,9

Seated Ham Curls
100# x 10,10,10

Single Leg Press
60# x 13
80# x 9,9

Standing Single Leg Push Down using assisted dip/pull up machine
110# x 15
140# x 9,9 each leg
*this was interesting. Never did it before but definitely felt it in the glutes and hams. The trick is figuring out how to get the platform back up when you're done. Climb onto it like you're going to do a dip and let it come all the way back up, then get off. While it's in the down position, you can switch legs. Also took a lot to hold since when you are pushing more than you weigh! Got my heart rate up too!

Standing Calf
75# x 10,10,8*hold at top for 5 seconds each rep

Macros for today:
Cals: 1657
Fat: 47
Carbs: 126

p.s. I'm hungry

[Redfizz]

p.s. I'm hungry

I am glad your avatar signature said cutting, because I was thinking to myself, "Now why would she be eating so few calories?" That was followed by, "Since when was ~1600 calories considered 'so few'?"

[Luvdogs]

This is what I have I my frig right now and through contest prep, along with my WW Hungry Monster. I think he's cute!

[Cardioconvert]

Love the posting on the fridge - I need that - may have to make my own poster. Also debating putting a sign up at my office door saying "In training - do not feed!"

Have a great day Luvdogs!

CC

[Luvdogs]

CC, love the "do not feed".

We warmed up to 54 today Almost felt balmy

Todays training: Week 3, PHAT, Back & Shoulders, Hypertrophy

W/G Lat pull down
3 w/u sets
90# x 10,10
80# x 12,12

Med Grip, neutral, Cable Row
90# x 13, 13,13,13

HS High Row
55#ea x 15,13,13,13

Seated DB Shoulder Press
30#ea x 12,10,10,10

Cable Lateral Raise all of the sudden the gym got crowded, hard to find a spot
10# x 11,11,11,11

Rope Face Pulls
100# x 13,12,12

Rev Pec Deck
50# x 12,12,12

Cable Shrugs
150# x 20,16,16

Run the rack laterals in the ladies room (gym room ,not bathroom no room out there!)
17.5# x 10
15# x 10
12# x 11
10# x 11
8# x 13

Also did a few left arm only exercises for the delts.

Ok, MUST get to the gym no later than 8:00am. Better by 7:45am. I didn't get there until 8:30 this morning and a bunch of peeps arrived at 9:15 and crowded the place up.

[vanessa40]

It makes me so happy to hear that Buddy is doing better. Thank you so much for your kind wors about Muffin. I am feeling better day by day. I am back to my running and lift..thankfully no weight gain..You are looking great too

[Luvdogs]

It makes me so happy to hear that Buddy is doing better. Thank you so much for your kind wors about Muffin. I am feeling better day by day. I am back to my running and lift..thankfully no weight gain..You are looking great too

Hi Vanessa, I think of you so frequently. It's such a hard loss. Taking care of yourself is important too so I'm glad you are doing that. When never get over the doggie loves of our lives. We just fill the space with a new love, hopefully. I figure the best way to honor my pup is to give another one a loving home, in due time of course.

Just when I thought Buddy was turning the curve, last night and today he was bad again. Not sure if it's the stitches poking him or what. He had a hard time walking today, had to help him in the door and back to loosing control with the potty again If he is the same tomorrow, I'm going to call my vet and ask if the stitches that are supposed to desolve can be removed. It's been two weeks tomorrow since the biopsy. Upping his pain meds again too...

Today: Week 3, PHAT, Legs hypertrophy

That pull on the back of my waist was aggravated yesterday so I supplemented a few exercises today.

Machine Super Squat
3 w/u sets
180# x 12,12,12,12

Sled Leg Press
230# x 12,12,12,12

SS with calf raise
230# x 15,15,12

Glute Isolator
80# x 10,10,10

Quad Ext
80# x 13,12,12

Seated Ham Curls
90# x 15,12,12

Sled Leg Press, singles
50# x 10,10,10

Todays macros:
Cals: 1662
Fat: 47
Carbs: 125
Protein: 168

Headed to 1600 on Monday. The scale finally dropped .8lb this morning. It's been the same since Saturday. I want to be in the 132's on Saturday!

We had lunch with FIL today. He wanted to do something for us since we never really "need" anything from him. So he gave us a check to use on our house. He said not to use it for business, but doing something fun with it! OK, I'm in. It's not enough to redo the hall bath, but maybe a new double oven (ours we bought used and sometimes it doesn't want to turn on or off, very temperamental!. No more used appliances!), redo our fireplace, and/or redo the rock under our windows in the front. It's very 1985 rock right now and I think real used brick would suit our house and our neighborhood. Classic look. I don't want brick for the fireplace though. Something modern there.

[Luvdogs]

As hubby says, if you don't like how Buddy is doing, wait 24 hours. He seems better today. It's such a roller coaster ride Stop. It. Now.

Today: Week 3, PHAT, Chest & Arms, hypertrophy

Flat DB Press
3 w/u sets
45#ea x 9,8 probably should have went for more reps, but wanted to try the 45's
40# x 10,10

Incline DB Press
35#ea x 13,13,13,13

Seated Cable Fly
25#ea side x 16,14,14,14
15# ea side x 25

Machine Preacher Curl
45# x 10,9
40# x 9

EZ BB Curl
35# x 15,14,14

Cable High dbl curl
30# x 11
25# x 13
20# x 15

Lying Tricep BB Ext
45# x 12,9,9

Rope Press Down
45# x 10
40# x 10
35# x 13

V-Bar press down
60# x 15,12,13

We had some light rain last night and today Our drive way finally melted. I just made reservations for our 10th anniversary in October. We're going to spend two nights in Calistoga/St. Helena area. Mostly we want to go to an illy cafe at the CIA Greystone. We'll also have two nice dinners out. It's the weekend after the Olympia! I'll be quite the traveler for a couple weekends.

Going to get my right contact lens refitted tomorrow. The prescription is off and my reading isn't as clear as it should be. Other than that, the monovision hasn't been that hard to get used to.

[Luvdogs]

Yippy, weight today: 131.6lbs Down 2.6 since January 1.

Measurements:
Bust: 36, down 2in
Waist: 28, down 1 in
Hips: 37, down .5 in
Thigh: 21.5, down .25in
Calf: 13.5, down .5in
Bicep relaxed: 12.5in, same
Bicep flexed: 13in

Some arm pics




Had a nice breakfast out with hubby this morning. Then we went to the warehouse and put together our wine racks we bought to use for our Monin syrups. I had to leave before we finished, but it's going to be so nice to have them organized and accessible instead of case boxes stacked on top of each other.

We're meeting my SIL for wine at 5:00. She's going to an 80's party tonight. Should be fun to see her dressed up

[swooshie]

Wow Julia! You look amazing! Your arms have awesome definition! You're going to kill this

[Luvdogs]

Wow Julia! You look amazing! Your arms have awesome definition! You're going to kill this

Thanks Swoosh! I intend to give it all I got!

This is a helmet-cam of our friends in Canada skiing with their Vizsla's. These dogs are athletes!! They hike, bike, and ski with them. Rocky & Remi. They have the doggie life.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/ml5bcpyme773ttg/Remi Lou.wmv

Here's another one of Remi just hauling down the slope

https://www.dropbox.com/s/34k0o1zecbpq2fj/Rundown.wmv?m

[vanessa40]

You are looking great and i have to say i love your friends taste in music. Looks like a blast.

[rickiecoombs]

Wow! Your arms are awesome!

Nice DB pressing, too! I always have such a hard time getting them up. Once they're in the air, I'm okay, but it's getting them there that's a real challenge for me!

Those dogs look gorgeous - what endurance they have. They must be such happy dogs, to have the opportunity to run like that.

Hope Buddy's still doing well!

[Luvdogs]

Hi Vanessa and Rickie, those dogs have quite the life. Our friends also have two other older dogs as well. Both rescues they found in Qatar as puppies when he was working there.

Buddy has been doing better the last few days. Keeping fingers crossed he has no more backward steps!

Today was Week 4, PHAT, Upper Power

Precor Row, OH Grip
3 w/u sets
140# x 6-while I can get 6, I feel too much in my arms and not enough back
120# x 7,7,7

WG Lat pull down
100# x 7,7
90# x 9,9

Cybex Chest Press
90# x 9
95# x 8,8,8

Cybex Incline Chest Press
100# x 6
95# x 7,7,7

Precor Shoulder Press
100# x 8,8,9,9

Machine Lateral Raise
50# x 9,8,8,8

*left arm only- 40# x 10,10

Cable EZ bar curls
80# x 8,6
75# x 7

Tricep Push Down-straight bar
95# x 8,8,8

Extra Left Shoulder Work
Seated DB Press
20# x 15,10,10

super set with

DB Lateral
10# x 12,10,10

Left Tricep UH Ext, cable
20# x 18
25# x 8

Hubs and I went to Lowe's to check out lighting, toilets, faucets, etc. What we decided to do with the money from FIL:

1)New lighting for den/home office (desperately needed)
2)New toilet in 1/2 bath
3)Reverse Osmosis water system for kitchen sink, no more Britta pitcher!
4)two 4-plex outlets in kitchen (drives me crazy to have to use my food processor on the other side of the kitchen because we have only duplex outlets on the sink side of the kitchen).

Not sure how much the electrical is going to cost. If we have money left over, we would like to replace the vanity, sink, faucet, light fixture in the hall bath (right now, circa 1985) . We could do some DYI in there so it wouldn't be a lot.

Woke up to a dusting of snow today.

[vanessa40]

Steve and I were in Lowes yesterday to get more bird food and we were looking at the grills and the flowers we were going to plant in the spring. You know what i would die for..one of those faucets for the kitchen that you just touch and they come on...AAAAAHHH to dream...lol

[Redfizz]

Wow! Those dogs have the life, don't they? I bet they tuck their dogs in, too. LULZ

Ohhhh, I would love to get rid of the water filter pitcher! How's Buddy doing?

[Luvdogs]

Hi Vanessa, we looked at those faucets. I'm just afraid the more gadgets, the more things break down. We either need a new faucet or we have to drill a hole in the granite for the reverse osmosis spout. We think we're going to drill We watched a video on you tube

We installed the new toilet in the half bath last night, it's a beauty Sent a pic of it to hubby's dad.

Hi Red, Buddy is much better. Still keeping a sock on his foot (mostly to keep it clean) but have stopped pain meds and he's done with antibiotics! Now he's just an old dog approaching 15. He's still slow, but he appears to not be in pain. I think all your friends prayers worked!

Ok, haven't posted in a few days. I did my leg power workout Monday, yesterday was 30 minutes of cardio on the ellip (intervals) and abs.

Today: week 4, PHAT, Back & Shoulders, hypertrophy

V-Bar lat pull down
3 w/u sets
90# x 12,10
80# x 11,11

One Arm DB Row
55#ea x 12,12,12,12

HS High Row
55#ea x 15,13,13
45# x 16

Seated DB OH Press
2 w/u sets
30#ea x 10,9
25# ea x 11,11

Rope Face Pulls
100# x 15,11,12

DB Lateral Raise
12.5# x 15,13,12,12

Incline DB Front Raise new exercise for me
10# x 12,12

Bent Over DB Raise
15# x 16,15,15

Shrugs on standing calf raise really like doing these on this machine, no arms involved at all
75# x 15,15,15

Run the rack DB laterals, left arm only
15# x 12
12# x 8
10# x 8
8# x 10
5# x 15

I am really starting to feel leaner and muscles are showing more. Whenever I get hungry, I will have to think of this! So far, it's not that bad. Still eating right at 1600 cals. Will stay here next week too. No need to get too low too quick. Doing cardio 2-3 x a week so far. If I am losing, 2 is sufficient right now.