Stephanielynn's Journal: Finding the beauty in the beast

[BubsNBean]

Sorry about your woes, Steph. I feel ya on the sinus infections, I get them like it's my freakin' job. Sometimes I just want to drill holes in my face to relieve the pressure!

Want me to slash stalker's tires? I totally will....

Just remember, even through the woes and creepy stalker in the gym... You're a freakin' inspiration to so many of us on here. Even though you don't feel like it right now, you're a bada$$ b!tch!

[thehobbes]

Ah that sucks you're overwhelmingly busy, I hate when stuff gets like that. Hoping it settles down for you soon!

Ok. I must now follow up that confession with a gym story. I have a stalker. I'm coming out the bathroom on Monday and this fruitcake woman appears out of no where andAh says, "Heeeeeyyyyy girl!!!! How've you been!!!?!" ... all crazy-eyed like she just overdosed on jacked 3D.

Ooo sorry OP, I get excited when I see fellow journalers at the gym. In all seriousness you gotta be straight with this chick and just tell her you don't want to workout with anybody or talk to anybody at the gym. Do you wear an ipod? That would ruin gym for me if I had to communicate with any other human beings srs lol.

[Cardioconvert]

Hope everything calms down a bit - hard to handle extra stress on top of prepping.....

Thinking of you.

CC

[stephanielynn76]

First of all... thank you all so much for your kind and encouraging responses. I'm a little better today. Quality time with a sweet friend and an amazing photo session with a gorgeous client this afternoon have put me in a better mood! I had a pretty decent work out this morning and Ms. Fruitcake was nowhere to be found. It was a good day!

Wow, nice workout! I think your good mornings look awesome! That back progress pic is awesome- you should see mine from 2010. Not a grain of muscle to be seen. Hahahahaha!

lol at fruitcake woman. She sounds like a fruitcake. Wow, that's kind of scary!

Sorry life stuff is so crazy at the moment- I don't have kids yet and it's crazy enough at times for me. Hope things settle down for you soon!

Thanks Lori! You should totally post some comparison shots so you can inspire us all with your progress! Yes, kids do complicate things but they are some wonderful it's worth it. Newborns and toddlers are tough but mine are now 6 & 9 so life is much easier. Ryleigh had a friend over last night. They played dress-up and I snapped a few pics of them...

Steph, I'm sorry you've been down. I know you know it passes but it's still no fun. I can get that way pretty easily myself- critical clients, crabby boss, perfectionist self, big to-do list, etc. Just remember how many people you inspire around here if you need a reminder that you are amazing

I would die if I had a lady shadow like that at the gym- I'm with you on being the first to back off if I think I'm even slightly bothering someone and I just can't imagine how someone would be so pushy. I would try wearing earphones so it looks like you can't hear her. And like Kimm said make up an excuse about how you have to do this workout solo and silent for it to work if that fails.

Girl we'd get along so well IRL. I'd so train with you! I actually never work out with earphones on. The wires annoy me and just get in the way. I get asked all the time how I manage to train without music but I've just never done it so I'm used to it I guess. I probably should try that though... my workouts would be so much more efficient because I wouldn't be stopping to talk as much!

Yikes, sorry about crazee stalker lady and sorry you're going through shiz now.

I do my GMs with a slight bend in the knees, because when I started doing them and posted up video, that's what people told me to do. My question is your head position. It looks like you are doing them looking up a bit. I have been doing them keeping my head neutral so that at the bottom of the movement I am looking straight down at the floor. I have seen them both ways on youtube and I don't know which is "correct" or if it matters.

Another GM knee-bender. Yes I do look "upward" while doing them. I don't really know why, I just do! Maybe I'll try a neutral position and see how it feels. I haven't had any neck issues with it so far.

Awesome videos!!! And SICK leg/glute workout!!

I really wish my gym had some plate loaded squat machines. We just have squat rack and smith machine.

Sorry about the crazy stalker lady. That sounds like a nightmare. I would do what Kim said...and if she persists, just continue to ignore her til she gives up. Ugh.

And sorry you're having a hard time with personal stuff. Hang in there, sweet girl...hugs to you.

Thanks girl... thanks for the hugs. I do love the plate-load squat. It lets me push much more weight without worrying about balance or form quite as much. I find it has helped me to get stronger at BB squats!

[stephanielynn76]

Sorry to hear you're having a hard time Stephanie! And you certainly don't need this stalker. It is likely she will continue to pester you. Tell her you need to work alone and to book an appointment with one of the trainers if she needs help or guidance. It's okay to be brutally frank, you're not there to find friends/wo partners...short and sweet

Love your videos too! And your back is looking great. Very impressed with the press work! How you can keep family/work/show commitments balanced and fit in "me" time..you certainly have to be mentally tough. Keep it balanced and don't take on too much...even watch your time spent on this site etc Are you getting enough rest? I'm guilty of it myself and I see you everywhere..EVERYWHERE!!!! (no stalker)...and your like my dream girl...WUT?? ..not sure where that came from

I had an interesting gym experience a couple of months ago. A new guy walks in, gives me a big warm smile and says hello. That's cool. I'm ok with greetings but confess to being anti-social at the gym. It's head down and GO! GO! GO! I ignored him once, felt his gaze and felt incredibly guilty! So I got back to pleasant greetings. A month or two passes, it seems he prefers to workout at night too. Then one night I saw him pointing his phone in my direction while I was performing squats. Oh yeah, I was not comfortable but didn't know how to handle it but just maaaybe he was texting... And then there was the time when I'd plonked myself on the Chest Press Machine, he was on the next machine and says..." So....do you come here often? " I must have given this look -> "Yes?!?"...my head dropped and I pounded out reps and he went on with his work in silence. I haven't seen him since!

Awwwwwwww... you are such a DOLL!!!! <3 You are right... I do have to work hard to maintain balance with everything and it ain't easy. I probably spend more time on here than I should but I can't help it. I have such limited time these days to get together with friends IRL and it can get lonely. This is part of my social life. Often when I'm working long 12-hr night shifts I come here just to interact with people and pass the time.

... so... about the guy... was he cute??? He so wants to talk to you...

True dat. But John has a lot more experience spending the night in a holding cell next to a guy named 'Bubba'. lol..

BTW, Steph, it's great that you are training your posterior chain. People in the US focus too much on the mirror muscles. Posterior chain strength is key.

There is a new class at the gym. It's called "Butt Blaster", not to be confused with Butt Blink or Butt Wink. I'm not really sure what they do in the aerobics room. Men are not allowed to be there. In the meantime the squat racks are getting used by curlers, and the deadlift platform is now the misc-jumping-jack-lower-back-stretch-lets-gather-around-BS-and-oogle-the-chicks area. And the GHR machine. It's a coat rack and a coffee table in the winter.

Great work not only from a physical development standpoint, but also for using the equipment for their original intent. May the oly gods zeus and thor send their mighty blessings upon thee.

I so agree with you!!! Too many people are neglecting their posterior chains around here. You wanna know what I think... I'll have a better booty and less competition for the squat rack so I'm ok with that. That butt blaster class sounds like that Brazil buttlift DVD I've seen advertised. It's a bunch of bodyweight stuff. Speaking of dat dere posterior chain... mine is in agony... DOM's

Hi Steph. Wanted to stop and say hi and that your bulk turned out fantastic!! You are looking great.
Sorry about the blues.
I think you should totally beat down the stalker. That has got to be so uncomfortable. I never have figured out those people who have no radar for giving people the creeps!
Keep up the fantastic work and helping so many others along the way!

Thanks so much! I'm so glad you dropped in!!!

Sorry about your woes, Steph. I feel ya on the sinus infections, I get them like it's my freakin' job. Sometimes I just want to drill holes in my face to relieve the pressure!

Want me to slash stalker's tires? I totally will....

Just remember, even through the woes and creepy stalker in the gym... You're a freakin' inspiration to so many of us on here. Even though you don't feel like it right now, you're a bada$$ b!tch!

I so feel ya with the sinus pressure. Brb NyQuil just so I can sleep and hungover all day. Awww girl whatcha talking about... you inspire ME!!!

Ah that sucks you're overwhelmingly busy, I hate when stuff gets like that. Hoping it settles down for you soon!

Ooo sorry OP, I get excited when I see fellow journalers at the gym. In all seriousness you gotta be straight with this chick and just tell her you don't want to workout with anybody or talk to anybody at the gym. Do you wear an ipod? That would ruin gym for me if I had to communicate with any other human beings srs lol.

Girl I can't even begin to compare my busy to yours!!! Haha... if that had been you... brb dragging you to the benching station. Haha... so you're a gym recluse huh???

Hope everything calms down a bit - hard to handle extra stress on top of prepping.....

Thinking of you.

CC

Thanks girl. I'm following along and getting excited for you!

[Botika]

You know you are really getting somewhere when you acquire a stalker. Seriously though you are a wonderful inspiration to lots of people. Keep it up and don't let the crazies get you down. I hope that you are starting to feel better!!

[stephanielynn76]

SATURDAY - MARCH 9th - PUSH

TRAINING

BB Flat Bench
45 x 15 (warm-up)
70 x 8
95 x 10
105 x 8
105 x 6
-->95 x 10 (drop set)

Forward-facing PL OHP Machine (superset with DB lateral raises)
50 x 10
60 x 10
70 x 7
80 x 5
60 x 7
-->40 x 10 (drop set)

Lateral Raises (T-lateral/front raises - superset with OHP)
10lb DB's x 10 x 4

Close-grip Bench Press (Smith Machine)
50 x 10
70 x 10
80 x 9
90 x 4
-->70 x 8 (drop set)

Gettin'-crazy-with-da-cables push circuit

Cable Flys (lbs per side)
30 x 10
40 x 10 x 2

Cable Lateral Raises
20 x 10 x 3

Single-arm Cable Pushdowns
30 x 10 x 3

CARDIO
stepmill - moderate pace, alternating steps, 35min

NUTRITION
1841 calories
fat - 53
carbs - 184
protein - 150

SUNDAY - MARCH 10TH - DAY OFF
NUTRITION
waaaayyyyy too many calories

[stephanielynn76]

You know you are really getting somewhere when you acquire a stalker. Seriously though you are a wonderful inspiration to lots of people. Keep it up and don't let the crazies get you down. I hope that you are starting to feel better!!

Haha... never thought of having a stalker as being an indication that I was making good progress but I suppose you are right! LOL

[cmg1976]

Girl we'd get along so well IRL. I'd so train with you! I actually never work out with earphones on. The wires annoy me and just get in the way. I get asked all the time how I manage to train without music but I've just never done it so I'm used to it I guess. I probably should try that though... my workouts would be so much more efficient because I wouldn't be stopping to talk as much!

I could never workout with headphones for exactly the same reason It would be a sign of desperate times, lol.

Did you find a spotter for the barbell bench press? I remember you were doing the smith machine before...
That plate-loaded squat sounds like a great idea for the reasons you mentioned. I'll have to wander around and see if there's something like that around.

[stephanielynn76]

I could never workout with headphones for exactly the same reason It would be a sign of desperate times, lol.

Did you find a spotter for the barbell bench press? I remember you were doing the smith machine before...
That plate-loaded squat sounds like a great idea for the reasons you mentioned. I'll have to wander around and see if there's something like that around.

Haha! Hey I thought I was the only oddball. Yes, I did find a spotter. One of my friends (who is also a competitor) was there training with a guy-friend of ours and I grabbed him when I needed a spot.

[thehobbes]

Nice benchin' girl, strong CGs!

Lol yeah I'm not a social gymer, it's no accident the commercial gym I go to is 35min away from my home.

[Redfizz]

Hi Stephanie! I don't have a lot of time, but I wanted to swing by and say hi! Man, you are an amazing photographer.

[stephanielynn76]

Nice benchin' girl, strong CGs!

Lol yeah I'm not a social gymer, it's no accident the commercial gym I go to is 35min away from my home.

Thanks girl. I'm the exact opposite... I'm a gym talker! I spend most of my time with a 9 and a 6 year old. I'm also a social butterfly married to an introvert. Going to the gym gives me a chance to get out of the house and have adult conversation.

Hi Stephanie! I don't have a lot of time, but I wanted to swing by and say hi! Man, you are an amazing photographer.

Thanks so much Red! When I get done editing my most recent session I'll share a few...

Workout with vids coming up...

[stephanielynn76]

MONDAY - MARCH 11TH - PULL

TRAINING

Preacher Curl
40 x 10 (warm-up)
50 x 10
75 x 4
65 x 8 (vid)

60 x 10
60 x 10
50 x 10

Barbell Curls
60 x 8
60 x 10 (vid)


Wider-grip Chin-ups
BW x 5
BW x 5 (vid)


Reverse-grip Cable Lat Pulldown
130 x 10 (warm-up)
150 x 10
160 x 7 (vid)

160 x 6
140 x 8
-->120 x 6 (drop set)

Seated Plate-loaded Row (-pounds per side)
70 x 8 (warm-up)
90 x 9 (vid)

100 x 5
80 x 10
70 x 10

CARDIO
Zumba - 1hr class (and it was a good one!)

NUTRITION
TBA

[stephanielynn76]

I gotta work (night shift) again tonight so hopefully I'll get a chance to catch up on everyone else's journals. Awesomeness has been occurring in all our your workouts and I've been missing it. Life this month is really busy...

[pharty]

Whoohoo in for all the vids Steph!!
I just did GMs last week no idea but I think my legs were pretty straight because I didn't feel in my low back...but what do I know?? lol

SUPER cute pic

[dreahere]

Your back looks sick in your vids, Stephanie! Holy moly, that's shmexy!

[potatoe]

lol'd at the second vid intro.

[stephanielynn76]

lol'd at the second vid intro.

Haha... a gym friend was walking up and was just about to ask me something so I gave her the "quiet" sign and pointed at the phone to let her know I was recording!

[potatoe]

Haha... a gym friend was walking up and was just about to ask me something so I gave her the "quiet" sign and pointed at the phone to let her know I was recording!

oh. you flexed prior, so i thought it was like a pose for your audience. that or an attempt at making a gang gesture.

[Lou1se]

What an awesome workout! You are so strong and killing everything that you do. Great work, enjoyed watching the vids, I was trying a little too hard to read your shirt and then finally got it! LOL Brilliant! I want one!!!

Back and arms are looking sick BTW.

[stephanielynn76]

oh. you flexed prior, so i thought it was like a pose for your audience. that or an attempt at making a gang gesture.

LOL... that was not a "flex" or a "gang gesture!!! It was a keep-yo-mouth-shut-I'm-taping-this gesture.

What an awesome workout! You are so strong and killing everything that you do. Great work, enjoyed watching the vids, I was trying a little too hard to read your shirt and then finally got it! LOL Brilliant! I want one!!!

Back and arms are looking sick BTW.

Haha! I LOVE that shirt! Someone posted that ironville website on the OV35 and I just HAD to have it. It's comfy and flattering too! Thanks girl! I've still got quite a bit of "padding" and I keep telling myself that I'm going to look better after I lose some fat and have more visible definition. I need to do some shots like Meg (not that I'll look THAT good... ) so that I can see the progression!

[Botika]

You've got some nice chest definition Steph!

[gobbles23]

Awesome videos!!!! Love the ROM on those chin-ups!!! Awesome job with it all- you look amazing

[Redfizz]

The thingw that keeps coming to mind when I see your vidz are that A.) you have a job, B.) you have a hubby, C.) you have kids, D.) you still look this fabu! Wow.

[megdaig]

I too love that tank!!


Love all the videos! I wish I were brave enough to break my camera out a bit more...

[taiga1]

Thanks girl... thanks for the hugs. I do love the plate-load squat. It lets me push much more weight without worrying about balance or form quite as much. I find it has helped me to get stronger at BB squats!

You're welcome.

I think I'm gonna put in a request for a few pieces of equipment I've been eyeing.

What an awesome workout! You are so strong and killing everything that you do. Great work, enjoyed watching the vids, I was trying a little too hard to read your shirt and then finally got it! LOL Brilliant! I want one!!!

I was doing the same thing...LOVE that tank!!

LOVE your videos, Steph. Awesome work!!

Saw the Versa Gripps

And, I notice that your gym doesn't have any music blaring?? I've only shot a few videos...and there is always some cheesy music playing in the background. LOL

[NorwichGrad]

Oh WOW!!! Your daughter's friend looks just like my wife when she was that age!!

THAT IS SO SWEEEEEET!!

[BubsNBean]

Great videos, Steph! Man, you make me want to break out the phone but I just haven't yet. Slacker! And I want some shots doing pull ups... people have told me my back is looking good, but I never get to see the darn thing!

Mirin

[swooshie]

MONDAY - MARCH 11TH - PULL

TRAINING

Preacher Curl
40 x 10 (warm-up)
50 x 10
75 x 4
65 x 8 (vid)

60 x 10
60 x 10
50 x 10

Barbell Curls
60 x 8
60 x 10 (vid)


Wider-grip Chin-ups
BW x 5
BW x 5 (vid)


Reverse-grip Cable Lat Pulldown
130 x 10 (warm-up)
150 x 10
160 x 7 (vid)

160 x 6
140 x 8
-->120 x 6 (drop set)

Seated Plate-loaded Row (-pounds per side)
70 x 8 (warm-up)
90 x 9 (vid)

100 x 5
80 x 10
70 x 10

CARDIO
Zumba - 1hr class (and it was a good one!)

NUTRITION
TBA

Oh wow! That was my little "lunch at the movies" ... complete with cardboard popcorn! You look awesome! I didn't even know you had a journal because I never leave my User CP neighborhood

Killed that workout too!