geek gets tough

[geek23ka]

hi, my name is geek and i am a 42 year old mother of two. my oldest is 8 and my youngest is 11 months.
in january of 2010 while in the thick of trying to conceive my second child, i realized that i was 302 pounds and needed to change or stop ttc. i began eating primal, lost 50 lbs and finally that pregnancy stuck.

my top weight pregnant was 298 in april of 2011.

my current weight is 255. i am struggling with going back to being sugar free and am currently almost entirely grain free. i eat bites of rice at times.

i decided to join here after being a member a long while bc i am now in a position to life heavy and want to track my progress.

what i hope is that i can get my diet under better control and do some cardio for fat loss, but my main interest is getting super strong. i love the idea that i could be really tough. hopefully i can do both at once. i have read that the fatter you are the easier it is to lose fat while maintaining/building muscle. this is what i want.

we live in a tiny town with one fitness center that is 100+/month to join. so we are slowly purchasing our own equipment. we have an olympic weight set, are buying an elliptical for cardio when i am stuck in the house and will purchase a squat cage and bench in the near future.

current stats
weight: 255lb
height: 5'6"
military press: 55 lbs 3x5
squat 55 lbs 1x5
deadlift 105 3x5

i am gearing up to work the starting strength program.

my husband and i thought it was weird that my squat was the same weight as my military press, but figure it's just because i am also having to squat my own weight.... which is substantial.

i've spent quite a bit of time here and you women are very inspiring. i hope to run with the big dawgs soon.

[geek23ka]

still too skeered of the power clean. but i upped my weights on some other lifts.

i can't post links, but ironaddicts has a slow warm up thread. does anyone follow/recommend that? we have been admittedly very lazy about warm ups.

warm up today
10 free squats.

95 lb squat 3x5 (we are too scared to go up more on squats than 95 pounds without a power cage.) it was easy for me, but a real pain to get it on and off. my husband had to be my power cage, basically).

65 lb military press 3x5 (i struggled with the last rep of the last set)

135 lb deadlift 1x5 (i could go up, i'm pretty sure)

once we get our power cage, i will follow ss program as written. also when we get the guts up to try the power clean!

any recommendations for a power cage that is inexpensive and doesn't need to be bolted to the floor? we don't need any bells and whistles, just the cage. thanks.

[geek23ka]

squat with bar 1x15
squat 95lbs 3x5
deadlift 95 lbs 1x10
deadlift 135 lbs 1x5

no way to do bench press. i will search the forums here and try to find acceptable substitutes until we get our bench. man, i can't wait until we have finished acquiring our equipment!

i also need to figure out how to calculate for the slow warm up that is recommended.

researching, even journaling here is kinda hilarious, when i have an 11 month old throwing himself upon me as if he were a widow at a funeral pyre. i've gotten up to take care of three near disasters since typing this small amt of information.

except for ten yr anniversary dessert yesterday, i have been pretty clean per primal standards. i have incorporated some steel cut oats and we will see if that triggers carb cravings for me. i am a severe carb addict. if it has a carbohydrate in it, it is my best friend.

[geek23ka]

the above was written the day after my training, so two days ago.

today

squat - all my squats are ass to calf (legs too big to actually call it ATG)
bar 1x15
75 1x10
95 3x5

deadlift
95 1x10
135 1x5
155 1x5

lady pushups 20 total. nose to ground for all but the last 5. the last five were sloppy.

my hands HURT from those deadlifts. it feels like back when i was a gymnast. i am waiting to have calluses rip open eventually with this lifting stuff.

and i am shaky and sweaty. and excited.

[geek23ka]

i met my match. my hands hurt. i struggled like hell, too.

squat
bar 1x15
75 1x10
95 3x7 (upped reps bc we still don't have a power cage. we bought one though and we should have it installed in may. im so excited!)

OHP (i am so freaking weak here!)
bar 1x10
55 1x10
70 1x3 FAIL should have been 3x5
65 3x4 FAIL should have been 3x5

DL
65 1x10
135 1x7
175 1x5 (omg that was hard. the last two... i re-gripped and it was maybe five seconds or so inbetween reps. i hope it counts?) the last one i dropped halfway. i need to get a mat.

[geek23ka]

because of my husband's weird schedule i am doing the lifts on monday, thursday and saturday. it's hard to wait until tomorrow. i want to get in there and lift! i feel like a horse wanting to take the bit, but i know i have to take things slowly and let my muscles rest so i am leaving it be.

the elliptical is half finished in the living room. we received the missing parts yesterday and i will see if i can finish it up today, if bb lets me. right now he is sleeping so i have been here reading.

i plan on going for a walk with bb in the stroller, and then playing at the playground until my older son gets out of school. it's nice to have the energy to do these sorts of things. i think it's mostly mental. i have had some gains in strength, but my mental state feels clearer. i stopped modding/posting at a website where i have been a member for over twelve years. it was time. it had always been a bitter place, but there are fewer and fewer interesting people posting now, and i was just sort of in sleepwalk mode continuing to post there despite it not giving me anything positive in return.

that's a pretty big change for me. my focus is more about what feels right for me, rather than what feels safe.

i am a SAHM currently. i miss my work, but not enough to incorporate it into my life right now. i want to make sure i am on a steady path of fitness before i add anything else to my life. also, we live in a tiny town now with one tiny hospital. i am used to hospitals with minimum 400 beds, and i think this one is a tenth of the size? no more interesting sickies for me. everything will be shipped off to cities with uni hospitals. my job was very stressful, but i derived a good deal of satisfaction from it.

i am using fitday to track my calories/macros again. i feel like i am ready to be fully aware of what i am putting in my body again. tracking food as well as not tracking food and being mindless are both fraught with emotion for me. food addiction is my final addiction and it is the most tenacious. sugar has been my best friend since i can remember. this is day 3 of no sugar/caloric sweeteners. i'm surviving. trying not to be too obsessive yet remain honest with myself. fine line, there.

[geek23ka]

squat
bar x10
55 x10
70 x10
95 3x8

deadlift
bar x10
75 x10
105 x10
135 x7
175 x5

dumb bell bench press
20lbs 4x10

that last set of deadlifts was very difficult. i did three in a row and then tried twice for four and couldn't. stepped away from the bar and got mad at it and then completed 4 and 5. i was straining and grunting but now im very happy i did it. i increased my warmups and that made it harder i think. **** it. its the only way to get strong. my husband has now surpassed my deadlift.

[geek23ka]

20 minutes elliptical. heart rate ~140's - 160's.

felt like eating carbs today, so i did. i ate a big serving of greens beans i cooked szechuan style, i made a japanese chicken dish that called for an entire bottle of balsamic and ate three boneless skinless thighs with no skimp on the sauce, ate grapes, cantaloupe and carrots and part of an apple. i pretty much let myself go willy nilly and ended up with a carb count of 24%.

i'm very very thirsty and have reverted to plain water. i am trying to stay away from the splenda sweetened drinks bc i think it just keeps me in that mindset and i want to be free of needing All The Things! to be sweet.

my body feels hot sore and swollen. i have to lift tomorrow and i think i'm gonna be reallllly sore tomorrow even before the lift. you know how sometimes the second day after straining yourself is when you feel the worst?

should i be adding cardio? what if the cardio today hampered my rest day. i am totally out of shape CV wise... in a bad way. i need to build my endurance. i want to be able to hike and swim and play with my family. i don't really know what to do.

[bethanyboo]

I like the Powertec power rack. If your budget is lower than that, I've heard that the Powerline one is decent as well.

Wow your deadlift is really good for a beginner!

[geek23ka]

I like the Powertec power rack. If your budget is lower than that, I've heard that the Powerline one is decent as well.

Wow your deadlift is really good for a beginner!

omg someone read my journal! :happy dance:

hi bethany. we almost got the powerline one, but then went into a fitness store when we went to the big city (my town is tiny and in the middle of nowhere), and i kinda fell for the tuff stuff power cage, so we got it. it was pricey, but within the month we will have the ability to squat heavy! i am excited.

i think, frankly speaking, because i am so fat i am able to lift heavier? at least for the deadlift. the squat all that fat is working against me, but with the deadlift it seems like carrying around extra weight all the time would work in my favor.

i hope that i can keep progressing even while losing weight, but i hear that's pretty tough to do.

you lift almost 100 pounds more than you weigh! a couple weeks ago, before i began lifting, i told people that was my goal. no matter what weight i was, i wanted to lift 100 more than my weight.

[geek23ka]

s
barx10
55x10
70x10
95x5, 3x10

ohp
barx10
65 3x5

dl
65x10
105x10
135x7
175x5

the last set of deadlifts was again very difficult. at rep 4, i had to attempt it three times before succeeding and then i finished the 5th.

[Redfizz]

You're a beginner???

Amazing workout! Even though you're a beginner, you're inspiring this fellow noob! I have been enjoying your journal - keep it up!

By the way, keep an eye out on Craigslist; you can find a great deal if you keep an eye on it. We also have bought our own equipment. We ended up with a commercial-grade, 15-year old Body Solid multi-workout machine that is $5000 new (model is still available) for ~$800. It's so well built (and was used so little) that it was a bargain and a half. We were talking to a guy who is opening a gym and he was trying to fill it with Body Solid equipment.

[geek23ka]

You're a beginner???

Amazing workout! Even though you're a beginner, you're inspiring this fellow noob! I have been enjoying your journal - keep it up!

By the way, keep an eye out on Craigslist; you can find a great deal if you keep an eye on it. We also have bought our own equipment. We ended up with a commercial-grade, 15-year old Body Solid multi-workout machine that is $5000 new (model is still available) for ~$800. It's so well built (and was used so little) that it was a bargain and a half. We were talking to a guy who is opening a gym and he was trying to fill it with Body Solid equipment.

yes, i am a beginner. my first workout was my first journal entry. :shy:

i am such a penny saver, i would love to be able to utilize craigslist effectively. i used to live in a couple different very large cities, and when i moved here i didn't even stop to think that craigslist/garage sales would no longer be a viable option for me. i has the jealouz. that's a heck of a deal! paying retail is for the birds.

also, i was just looking at your profile and posts when you posted here and i am happy you're here. i like your POV.

[bethanyboo]

It's true that strength is relative to your size but those are still really impressive lifts. Keep it up!

You must be so excited about the rack. I know I was when I got mine!

[geek23ka]

i am totally excited about the rack! i think about it everyday and will probably give it a hug when it comes to stay with us. lol!

did 20 minutes again on the elliptical, and this time i was able to go a bit faster. first day i was 3.3 mph and today 3.7 average and i was also able to tolerate my heart rate being a bit faster for that long. YAY!

[Redfizz]

did 20 minutes again on the elliptical, and this time i was able to go a bit faster. first day i was 3.3 mph and today 3.7 average and i was also able to tolerate my heart rate being a bit faster for that long. YAY!

I also need to get some cardio on - not to burn fat, but to condition my heart. I was running around with my pup this afternoon and was pretty winded early on. Perhaps it's time to hop on the bike!

You're doing a great job! Keep it up!

[geek23ka]

I also need to get some cardio on - not to burn fat, but to condition my heart. I was running around with my pup this afternoon and was pretty winded early on. Perhaps it's time to hop on the bike!

You're doing a great job! Keep it up!

A bike is a great idea! I used to bike around my home city. It was my only mode of transportation for years and I loved it. I need to start looking into that. There are some amazing areas near here that would be perfect for mid/long distance rides.

today
s
70x15
95 3x10

ohp (forgot this was a bench day! might do benchwork later with the dumb bells)
barx10
70 3x5 (PR)

dl
70x10
115x10
135x7
175x5

this time the 175# deadlift was done with no failures. i did wait between 5-10 seconds between each lift, though. i still don't know if that counts for a set. i would stand up, shake my arms out, regrip and psych myself up for the next one. i'm calling it a set until i hear otherwise!

i have two days off from lifting. tomorrow will be a big cardio day bc i can have another day of rest. i will attempt HIIT. i used to do HIIT back when i was doing weight watchers, along with a high rep low weight old people class that i enjoyed bc no one made fun of me. i liked it. but i only did it on the stationary bike. i hope it's easy ont he elliptical. i know the treadmill sucks for HIIT bc it takes so long to slow down/speed up.

[bethanyboo]

I think it still counts as a rep with 5-10 seconds between. I take a few seconds between reps to reset too. I've heard of people taking as long as 30 seconds between reps which is a bit much if you ask me.

[Redfizz]

Hiya Geek!

How are you doing? Going strong?

Red

[geek23ka]

hey there, ms redfizz. <3 you're so sweet to check on me!

i didn't do HIIT yesterday. i think it's still too early. i did manage 25 minutes on the elliptical with 20 minutes between 3.7 and 4.2 and the last five cool down at 3.3. i love that the gains in endurance are so fast in the beginning. just last week i was struggling with 20 minutes at 3.3.

today is a rest day. it feels weird to rest. all i can think about is getting stronger and losing all of this fat. i have to be patient and take it one day at a time, but i wish it could all happen NOW!

i'm revamping my macros. i need to increase my protein. i'm going to try and get 150 grams in which is half of my new intake calories. i was taking in half fat (holdover from primal eating).

can anyone recommend a protein powder? i am going to try the pure protein because it is cheap and i can pick it up at walmart.

i love reading all of these journals. i'm sort of shy, so i don't post much, but i am nearly always here reading.

[bethanyboo]

Rest days always feel weird for me too! I feel kinda lazy and I have to remind myself that it's GOOD for me!

My favorite protein powder is Dymatize Elite gourmet vanilla. It's one of the tastiest ones I've tried and it mixes really well in my smoothies. I'm not sure what stores sell it. I always just get it online. The price keeps going up on it though. Boo.

[geek23ka]

Rest days always feel weird for me too! I feel kinda lazy and I have to remind myself that it's GOOD for me!

My favorite protein powder is Dymatize Elite gourmet vanilla. It's one of the tastiest ones I've tried and it mixes really well in my smoothies. I'm not sure what stores sell it. I always just get it online. The price keeps going up on it though. Boo.

Hi Bethany!

I looked up the Dymatize and it saves on calories, so I am going to buy that brand next time. The Pure Protein brand is ok tasting. (Having really only tasted diet shakes before. This is decent. A bit thick.) PP is 140 calories for 23 grams of protein. 117 sounds much better.

Thanks for the recommendation!

The rest day was strange, but I am so glad I did it. You're right, we need those days.

todays lifts
s
bar x15
55 x10
95 x12
105 x10
115 3x5

I was able to go up on squats bc my husband felt comfortable being my squat rack at a higher weight. I can feel the difference in my legs even though total weight lifted is about equal to prior squat sets. I am excited I got to go over 100# though! In two weeks we can go back to ABQ and pick up the power cage. The fitness guy called and said it had already come in. eep!!

OHP (didn't do bench press. again. but bench and the dumb bells are in the other room and difficult to get to. We are working on clearing that room out to make way for the cage.)
bar x10
75 3x5 (PR)

I sort of spring from my knee and ankle a bit when I do them, which might be cheating? We bought the Starting Strength DVD and I'll find out if that's ok according to Rippetoe.

DL
bar x10
95 x10
135 x8
175 x4
175 x1

I am no longer counting it as a set unless I do them within three seconds of each other. I failed on the 5th rep and then regroups and finished. But that's progress! I think I will be able to complete it as a real set by next lift.

My husband DL'ed 205 today I love competing with him, but only when I win!

[bethanyboo]

I hope you like the dymatize PP!

Good workout - congrats on the squats! I bet you'll really get your numbers up once you have that rack!

[Redfizz]

My husband DL'ed 205 today I love competing with him, but only when I win!

So much fun! He sounds like a blast.

And 100 pounds!? Woah! Great job! I enjoy reading your journal.

[PunkyCindy]

just found your journal...I'm headed out the door and will read when I get back. just wanted to let you know that I'm in

[Rutgers911]

Great job so far!

[geek23ka]

just found your journal...I'm headed out the door and will read when I get back. just wanted to let you know that I'm in

hi! thanks for coming in my journal. i hope you have a great day today with your fam!

Great job so far!

thank you rutgers. you and punky both work hard. i've been watching olympic lifts on youtube; it's so exciting to think i could do that, too.

TODAY
25 minutes on the elliptical. same as last time. eventually i'll get to HIIT training, but i need to work up to it.

my husband doesn't think he can lift tomorrow, but i'm going to do it anyways. he's pretty sore from yesterday. then we are going to climb the crest trail over at ski apache. we will go as far as my 8 year old can, and i will carry the baby. it'll be a heck of a workout day with a two day rest following. i'm excited! i'm including the link, but i have to break it up bc i don't have 50 posts yet. i hope it isn't too snowy up there.

skiapache. com /hiking-at-ski-apache/ski-apache-trail-map/

[geek23ka]

the hike kicked my ass more than i thought it would. i have a strained trapezius (or muscle underneath, but likely lower trap on left) from carrying my baby in my left arm while hiking. i even utilized the mobywrap, but bb likes being held so i did that, too.

today the lifting kicked my ass. i hardly even got sweaty but i just couldn't make that set of deadlifts that i wanted so badly.

today
squat
bar 2x10
55 x10
95 x10
105 x10
115 3x5

db bench press
20 2x10
25 3x8

dl
bar 2x10
95 x10
135 x8
175 x2

i didn't want to push it and ruin something so after i failed twice to get the third rep, i left it as is.

rest and then do it again next time. i'm gonna get that set if it kills me!

[Redfizz]

the hike kicked my ass more than i thought it would. i have a strained trapezius (or muscle underneath, but likely lower trap on left) from carrying my baby in my left arm while hiking. i even utilized the mobywrap, but bb likes being held so i did that, too.

Seriously? You hiked with a baby in your arms? That's...I don't know...

You deserve a medal. Then you worked out? You're a monster! lol

[geek23ka]

Seriously? You hiked with a baby in your arms? That's...I don't know...

You deserve a medal. Then you worked out? You're a monster! lol

hi redfizz, thanks for visiting!

aww, well to be fair, the bb is pretty placid and only 20 lbs. we stopped lots for him to run around. the elevation change was 1000 ft for the hike we were able to do, so going up was hard and i had my husband take the baby for most of that!, but the walk down was pretty easy, so i took the bb and the pack to even the weight distribution.

and the lifting waited until the next morning. i was exhausted. i'm gonna feel like a monster when i deadlift 175 for a real set of 5.

also, the total was less than 3 miles. we turned around before we reached the summit.



i was coming in here to touch on my nutrition. i'm getting more serious about it.

it's getting easier to hit my protein needs within my caloric restriction. it's sort of like a game or a puzzle. to see which foods will fit with my needs for the day. bless the protein powder, for i couldn't do it without that stuff!