My journey to find balance

[jjeane]

Hey MM! I hope you get to feeling better soon so you can move on to other goals!!! The lasagna sounded fab!

[marathonmom262]

Hooray! Ravens!

I like how you were getting your cals up.

Yeahhhh Ravens!

It's always a nice treat to "have to" eat some peanut butter off of a spoon haha!

[marathonmom262]

Hey MM! I hope you get to feeling better soon so you can move on to other goals!!! The lasagna sounded fab!

Thanks jj

Definitely need these antibiotics to do their thing. It would be nice to feel 100%!! Working on those goals

[marathonmom262]

Holy moly it was cold heading in to the gym in the wee hours this morning!! It was 12 degrees, which for some of my Canadian friends may be laughable, but that is utterly frigid for us!!

Yesterday's nutrition:
Cals - 1608
P - 157
C - 141
F - 45

Pretty pleased with the day overall, it was nice to come home to a delicious beef pot roast after being stuck at the office for 11 hours Pot roast was awesome though - looking forward to leftovers at lunch today!

This morning's workout:

BP:
1x15x15
1x10x35
2x4x70 (doable but decided to back down - no chance I'm getting 4 sets of 8 at this weight in a few weeks. I am a weakling )
2x4x65

Bent over row:
1x6x70 (oops - too many)
3x4x70 (too easy but curious about how it will feel at 8 reps soon so staying steady here)

OHP:
2x6x45

BB curl:
2x8x40

Tricep OH db ext:
2x8x30 (might change this to cable press next time)

Hammer grip DB BP:
2x8x20s

Wide grip lat pull down:
2x8x85

Easy peasy in and out. The lower rep sets feel so fast and easy! I do have some weird tightness between my shoulder blades that really bothered me this morning. Likely a kink from the same workout on Saturday - I really noticed it while squatting on Monday also. Going to have to ask hubs for a massage tonight to try to work it out - I am not sure which impacted my bench more this morning - the kink or my early morning crappiness haha

Happy Wednesday!

[gobbles23]

All week here it's been -25 degrees celcius (-13 F??) It is ridiculous. lol!

Nice workout! Feeling all better now?

[DieselsMom]

Good work MM - what program you following now? I forget.
Hope the cold weather disappears for you soon.

[marathonmom262]

All week here it's been -25 degrees celcius (-13 F??) It is ridiculous. lol!

Nice workout! Feeling all better now?

Haha see! I knew you Canadian ladies would think "meh - that's toasty" haha!

I do feel like I am on the mend for good. Still coughing and headachy but I don't feel "bad". Eating more is definitely helping with my energy levels too - I'm really glad you pulled me out of my sickness fog and pointed out my low calories + sick = low energy = mm is having a crappy time at it reality

[marathonmom262]

Good work MM - what program you following now? I forget.
Hope the cold weather disappears for you soon.

Thanks! I'm really liking it - a good change up from my full body and I can switch between the Smith and DBs for my upper body days to keep it from getting old.

It is the intermediate #2 workout from All Pro that is posted on the forums in here. I did upper/lower/upper last week and am doing the opposite this week. Next week I will try to start doing it AB off AB off off with the second "week" of the program. I think my body has adapted now and I'm ready for a 4 day routine. I will post the link to it at some point when I'm not writing from my phone!

Overall I am really just liking an upper lower split. Going to keep at it for a while until I figure out if I've made progress with my other "goal". At that point I'd likely continue and/or mix in full body and lower the weight a bit. Will just have to wait and see but that takes up a lot of space in my brain these days I realized this morning that while I really would have liked to have cut 10 lbs - I am exactly the same weight that I was when I started out with both of my kids - so maybe that is a good thing for my body

[dreahere]

Overall I am really just liking an upper lower split. Going to keep at it for a while until I figure out if I've made progress with my other "goal". At that point I'd likely continue and/or mix in full body and lower the weight a bit. Will just have to wait and see but that takes up a lot of space in my brain these days I realized this morning that while I really would have liked to have cut 10 lbs - I am exactly the same weight that I was when I started out with both of my kids - so maybe that is a good thing for my body

I loves me a 4 day upper/lower too, btw.

[marathonmom262]

I loves me a 4 day upper/lower too, btw.

It really has been a great switch for me. I think of all of the years I had no idea what I was doing and was doing complete 5 day splits - I think I wasted a lot of good potential in my 20s! Oh well - making up for lost time now and more fierce than ever mwahahaha!

And thanks for all of the smilies

[gobbles23]

And thanks for all of the smilies

This made me happy! I like smilies too

[jjeane]

Nice workout MM! I hear ya on the bench press. For some reason it is hard to move up!!
Sorry it is cold. Me no like cold either!!

[marathonmom262]

This made me happy! I like smilies too

Hehe - for some reason this made me think of the movie Elf - "I like to whisper too" - love that movie!

[marathonmom262]

Nice workout MM! I hear ya on the bench press. For some reason it is hard to move up!!
Sorry it is cold. Me no like cold either!!

Thanks! Yeah - something about that BP and OHP. I keep reminding myself that not too long ago I was starting back up and felt stuck at 55lbs for BP and 35lbs for OHP and was incredibly frustrated. The fact that I can do a few sets at 70 and can do my OHP at 45lbs no problem is a sign of progress - and progress while dieting at that so I'll take it. I'm Mrs. Brightside

Darn cold - and I came home to a funky smell in the house. Very mild but noticable when I came in the door - go upstairs and it smells like someone killed a vacuum cleaner. Then realize the heat is running but not actually blowing anymore and the odd smell seems to be coming from the vents upstairs. Not sure what happened but it might get very cold here for a few days if the heat doesn't start working properly (hubs is playing inspector right now). Odd to diagnose since the 1st floor doesn't smell too bad... Looks like I might be taking the kiddos to the in-laws tonight! I don't mind bundling up but it's in the teens here and I don't want my babies to get too cold I can warmup with wine - I've got a few calories left!

[marathonmom262]

For anyone interested - here is the link to the program I started last week. I'm doing #2 - while I don't have a lot of experience with many other programs I highly recommend this as an upper/lower split program - hits the basics and gives you the opportunity to slightly change things up as needed. For example - I've been doing DB standing calf raises instead of the seated calf raise - I wasn't even going to do 2 calf exercises as mine are pretty muscular anyway but decided it was a good move because I get the bonus of grip work (which I desperately need). Plus I like that since I'm not being too strict about the plan I can switch the upper routine between DB work and the Smith machine at my gym dependent upon my mood and/or what is available while I'm there.

http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showth...t=intermediate

I also really liked his full body beginner routine - until I'm ready to get into a "heavier" routine I feel like going between the full body and intermediate workouts All Pro provided on this site are really good options for me - they provide flexibility and really get me progressing on basic lifts. It makes me happy anyways Another reason why I'm so glad I found this site and these forums

[marathonmom262]

So our furnace was fixed by midnight last night. Thank goodness my inlaws have been kind to others in this life and my FIL was able to get an acquaintance to come to my house at 9pm last night. He was there for 3 hours, replaced the fan motor, and only charged us $175! Meanwhile the kiddos had a toasty warm slumber party with their grandmother do I didn't have to worry about them Sadly the coldness of the house last night was bad for my cramping muscles - I was totally seized up all night from my traps to my toes Lots of stretching to be done on this rest day to prep for leg work bright and early tomorrow morning (or dark and early I should say...)

Yesterday's nutrition, while it should be a deficit, unfortunately was spot on until I filled my extra cals with wine and M&Ms last night! I was stressed and had the cals to use so screw it!

Cals- 1682
P- 122
C- 196
F-40

Happy Thursday to all!

[jjeane]

$175 for a fan motor is awesome!! Yes, being nice pays off!! I totally think you deserved the wine and M&m's.
Sorry about the muscles seizing up. Have you tried foam rolling. It is very nice.

[marathonmom262]

$175 for a fan motor is awesome!! Yes, being nice pays off!! I totally think you deserved the wine and M&m's.
Sorry about the muscles seizing up. Have you tried foam rolling. It is very nice.

The last time I did foam rolling was like 8 years ago an I just remember how bad it hurt hahaha. I should buy one to help work out the ham knots though - I know that will totally help my issues!!

[DieselsMom]

The last time I did foam rolling was like 8 years ago an I just remember how bad it hurt hahaha. I should buy one to help work out the ham knots though - I know that will totally help my issues!!

I am so with you the pain is intense especially in the IT band area for me but really should be a part of all peoples daily routine - my problem is I don't want to spend the extra time doing it either. Glad the furnace is fixed with minimal cost!

[gobbles23]

Hahaha! Elf was an awesome movie! We watch that pretty much every christmas

That sucks about the heat going and being cramped up! Glad it's fixed, it's too cold for that stuff!

Mmm, wine and m&m's sounds good!

Foam rolling is painful, but it's a good painful. It feels better after hahaa! last night when I was foam rolling my hips and glutes I was all like "embrace the pain..." lol! Ouch, but man did I feel better afterwards!

[marathonmom262]

I am so with you the pain is intense especially in the IT band area for me but really should be a part of all peoples daily routine - my problem is I don't want to spend the extra time doing it either. Glad the furnace is fixed with minimal cost!

Yes! I had used it on my IT bands also and it made me want to cry in public (I was at a gym and my PT friend insisted I use it because I was having a lot of issues running). Bad memories haha!

[marathonmom262]

Hahaha! Elf was an awesome movie! We watch that pretty much every christmas

That sucks about the heat going and being cramped up! Glad it's fixed, it's too cold for that stuff!

Mmm, wine and m&m's sounds good!

Foam rolling is painful, but it's a good painful. It feels better after hahaa! last night when I was foam rolling my hips and glutes I was all like "embrace the pain..." lol! Ouch, but man did I feel better afterwards!

I have to stop thinking about wine and m&ms - sitting here at my desk at work seriously wanting some!!!

When I do get a foam roller I will have to lock myself in my room and chant "embrace the pain" over and over like a mantra. I will probably also be crying and hubs will be outside the door like WTF???? Hahaha

[vanessa40]

Wine and M&M's why did you not call me i would have been right over to help you. The calories don't count if you share

[marathonmom262]

Wine and M&M's why did you not call me i would have been right over to help you. The calories don't count if you share

What??? How did I not know about this sharing cancels out calories rule?? I will definitely have to give you a ring next time V!!

So I did go a little high on calories again yesterday, not as much as a deficit as I would have liked but we did a quick dinner of one of those pizza kits again and man just two little pieces is over 400 calories! Could have been worse though so I'm not beating myself up about it by any means... the macros for the calories were pretty darn good I think!

Yesterday's nutrition:
Cals - 1835
P - 161
C - 163
F - 61

Since it is supposed to start snowing here at any moment I worked from home today and lucky me got a chance to sleep in a little bit and put my daughter on the bus this morning. I planned to head straight out to the gym after that but ended up opting for another nice warm cup of coffee instead. So I got my workout in pre-lunch. Not bad! I am actually looking forward to upping the reps next week because the short sets feel so easy. It's funny how the workouts themselves feel fairly easy but I am SO sore for days after each workout. It will be tough next week not only upping the reps in each set but starting the AB-off-AB-off-off schedule (4 days a week instead of 3 and one less rest day in between each type of workout).

Squats (smith):
1x15x35
1x10x65
4x4x105 (getting nice and deep on these which makes me happy - much improved form I think!)

SLDL (smith):
2x8x125

Leg Extensions:
2x8x90 (so easy!! Those 20 rep sets coming up soon might be tough though!)

Seated ham curl:
2x8x65

Calf Press (on leg press):
2x8x180

DB standing calf raises:
2x8x45s (might need to switch to seated as I get into the higher rep sets - this really hurts my little girl hands haha)

Some ab stuff
5 minutes elliptical burn off

And that was it - legs were shot and the grocery store was waiting for me (while everyone else was there panicking trying to get their stuff before the kids get home from school early today and the snow starts). Big dummies - we're only supposed to get like 3 inches here - you can tell we haven't had any good snow for at least 2 years now!

Looking forward to taking a walk in the snow later with the littles all bundled up and helping my daughter practice gymnastics stuff since her class is canceled for tonight (and she is SO bummed - she really looks forward to it!)

Hope everyone has a great weekend!!!

[DieselsMom]

Good work on getting to the gym and getting your workout in. Looks great. Funny you guys look forward to snow falls we go "oh no not again" lol. Truely though we have had a great winter so far I can't complain. Have a fabulous weekend.

[jjeane]

Hey MM! Glad you got all the important things taken care of. I always get a kick out of people who are totally un prepared for tomorrow. They panic soo. Have fun playing out in it with the kids!

[vanessa40]

Hope you and your daughter enjoyed the snow. All we got was cold and some ice. You have a wonderful day

[marathonmom262]

Hey ladies! I enjoyed somewhat of an unplanned 4 day weekend. I had worked from home Friday with snow on the forecast (only around an inch but the kids liked going for a wintry walk back on the trails tithe creek behind our house!) then worked from home again yesterday as we had an ice storm all morning. Bummer I missed my first workout of the week but made it up this morning an it was awesome - obviously the rest did me some good!

I did not measure and track food all weekend and now that I went back and tried to guesstimate I think I underrate a bit the last 2 days. Oh well - it could be worse haha!

Friday cals - 1710
Saturday cals - 1794
Sunday cals - 1288
Monday cals - 1334

Protein was a little low as many of my calories were from M&Ms (I suck) - pretty sure I'm ovulating and I'm crampy and hormonal. My body is weird off of birth control!

This morning was upper body - good stuff - I really was happy with how I felt with everything today!

BP
1x15x15
1x10x35
4x5x65

BOR
4x5x75 (PR and super easy today!!)

OHP
2x7x45

BB curl
2x9x40

Hammer grip DB BP
2x9x20s

Cable tricep rope ext (cable set low)
2x9x20

Wide grip lat pull down
2x9x85

Happy Tuesday!

[jjeane]

Very nice rows MM!! Glad the rest did you well! Always fun to enjoy a break and time with the kiddos!!
Happy Tuesday!

[DieselsMom]

Great work out. Can't commiserate on the ovulation as it has been awhile since I've been there LOL but you know how to fix it. I find sometimes it is hard to get the protein in as I get sick of meat. Thats when the protein shakes come in and are handy way to bump macros and not calories per se.

Sounds like it was a good weekend.