Christina's log

[hardNheavy2011]

The guy totally pulls off the bald/goatee look! Any guy who can cuddle up with someone else's cat is cool with me.

[jjeane]

Glad to see you back!! Looks like a fun time! And agree, if he will cuddle with your cat, you are good to go!!

[NorwichGrad]

Good thing he's not Asian..

























Cuz he would prolly wanna 'wok' that cat..

Walk the cat...wok the cat.....


Never mind.

[fittofattofit]

So I know my posts have been sporadic the last several weeks. Some of that has been because of the injury and not having a set routine to follow, and some of it has been the new relationship and being busy. I mentioned earlier he's also a vet- he has an emergency clinic and I met him when I stopped by to visit the facility one day. We just clicked and have been pretty much inseparable since then.

Here's a few summer pictures. They have nothing to do with lifting of course!

This was one of our first dates. We took his little boat out to an island park and I had my first paddleboarding lesson- very fun!



My 18 yr old cat loves him more than he loves me! This was one night when we were sitting around planning our summer garden...


This is one our way to Zoobilie, the black tie event that benefits the zoo. I never go to stuff like this but it was fun being girly and getting dressed up for the evening. He'd just given me the necklace I'm wearing 5 minutes before.



To be continued- things keep freezing and I don't want to lose what I've posted so far.

Sorry a couple of these are rotated, I'll try to edit that later but I'm running out of time and I'm not sure how to fix it yet.

This was the scene from the boat at 5am when we were leaving home for out 6 day cruise of the San Juan Islands.



The boat in one of the harbors we visited. It's a 39 ft trawler from the 70's



The Seattle skyline as we cruised on out to the islands



an island hike



Still getting lots of freezing and I think it's this site, so that's all for now but I'll update more in a bit...

Lovely pics Christine! And if your cat likes your new guy then that's a pretty good vote of approval

[cmg1976]

The guy totally pulls off the bald/goatee look! Any guy who can cuddle up with someone else's cat is cool with me.

Glad to see you back!! Looks like a fun time! And agree, if he will cuddle with your cat, you are good to go!!

Good thing he's not Asian..

























Cuz he would prolly wanna 'wok' that cat..

Walk the cat...wok the cat.....


Never mind.

Lovely pics Christine! And if your cat likes your new guy then that's a pretty good vote of approval

Thanks guys- he's been a good sport about my cats. Did I mention we took the 18 yr old cat on the boat trip? He's got some medical needs so it was less stressful than leaving him with someone. And Joel, he's pretty bony and gristly at this point, even for an Asian


On the workout front- I don't have time to go back and log the old ones yet, but my legs are sore today- On Sunday I did get my leg press up to a personal best, 200# for 3 sets of 12. I've been doing those after my squats, still working sets of 5- in 10 more pounds I'll be to my first goal of reaching my body weight with a nice full range of motion lift. It's getting closer

Then I tend to move on to my upper body circuit and finish legs off with lunges. The upper body work is usually 2 circuits and on the first one I superset seated rows, OHP, and curls for 2-3 sets of 10-15 and the second lat pulldown, lateral raise, and cable facepulls. No direct triceps work or benching right now. This takes 90+ minutes so I think it's about time for a split.

On another note, I remember being discouraged about my lat pulldown numbers being so crazy low for a long time- I looked at the weight stack last time I was at the gym and for some reason finally noticed a sticker saying the weight was per handle- so I think when I've been recording something like 40# it's actually 80#? That would make a lot more sense since the numbers have been so much lower than my rowing numbers and I couldn't figure out why-lol!

[DieselsMom]

That sounds like a very busy workout session and that number for lat pulldowns makes much more sense!! Split would be good to reduce hours in the gym as well.

You two look like a great couple and incredible handsome in your gala pics

[Vanguard1965]

Thanks for sharing your pictures! Anytime an animal you own likes a potential mate is a good sign. Animals are tremendous at judging character if you ask me. Sounds like you are making progress despite your injury, good stuff! All around things seem to be going much better for you and I am happy for you!

[thehobbes]

Awwwww nice pics CMG! Ok I am totally blown away by the fact you have an 18 YEAR OLD CAT!!! I assume that has a lot to do with you being a vet and knowing exactly how to prevent medical issues before they even start. Not trying to derail thread and turn this into vettalk.jpg lol but do you do those Sub-Q things for hydration? I've done that before for an ill pet and at the time was reading up on it, lots of people claimed to do that with senior pets even if there are no medical issues, they do it just to keep them healthy I guess, wasn't sure how true that was.

Haha took the kitteh on the boat trip, awww you are the best pet parent ever!

The new guy is pretty cute too.

Good thing he's not Asian..

Cuz he would prolly wanna 'wok' that cat..

Walk the cat...wok the cat.....


Never mind.

I lol'd

[fittofattofit]

Your cat is the same age as my eldest daughter ... despite her medical needs I'm sure your cat is less trouble
Strong work on the leg presses Christine and it's cool that you've been under-reading your pull-downs

[cmg1976]

That sounds like a very busy workout session and that number for lat pulldowns makes much more sense!! Split would be good to reduce hours in the gym as well.

You two look like a great couple and incredible handsome in your gala pics

Lol, I thought you might remember the lat pulldown thing, I remember you helping me puzzle through why my numbers made no sense... The gala was fun- I never get dressed up like that. He went to great effort to match his bowtie and hankerchief to my dress, which I thought was completely charming.

Thanks for sharing your pictures! Anytime an animal you own likes a potential mate is a good sign. Animals are tremendous at judging character if you ask me. Sounds like you are making progress despite your injury, good stuff! All around things seem to be going much better for you and I am happy for you!

The 18 yr old cat is a crotchety old bastard so if he likes him it has to be a good sign indeed. And if I think about where I was a month ago, I know the arm is better. Trying not to dwell on the stuff I can't do right now and put the extra effort into legwork instead.

Awwwww nice pics CMG! Ok I am totally blown away by the fact you have an 18 YEAR OLD CAT!!! I assume that has a lot to do with you being a vet and knowing exactly how to prevent medical issues before they even start. Not trying to derail thread and turn this into vettalk.jpg lol but do you do those Sub-Q things for hydration? I've done that before for an ill pet and at the time was reading up on it, lots of people claimed to do that with senior pets even if there are no medical issues, they do it just to keep them healthy I guess, wasn't sure how true that was.

Haha took the kitteh on the boat trip, awww you are the best pet parent ever!

The new guy is pretty cute too.


I lol'd

The old cat has constipation issues- he needs enemas and that's why we took him on the trip (gross, I know!)- and we do give him sq fluids just to help with overall hydration and stool softening. I don't think there is anything preventative about doing them in a cat that is older but healthy, but a lot of old cats do have a degree of kidney insufficiency where the extra hydration does help.

Your cat is the same age as my eldest daughter ... despite her medical needs I'm sure your cat is less trouble
Strong work on the leg presses Christine and it's cool that you've been under-reading your pull-downs

Yes, your feral daughter sounds like a handful, lol. I think the leg presses are helping my squat, which is the main reason I like them right now. And when I feel my form fatiguing a bit I can still trample my legs with the presses

--------------------------------------------------

Last night I did a split workout for the first time in months- I'll be back to log the upper body work soon, and legs will be tonight.

[fittofattofit]

The old cat has constipation issues- he needs enemas and that's why we took him on the trip (gross, I know!)- and we do give him sq fluids just to help with overall hydration and stool softening. I don't think there is anything preventative about doing them in a cat that is older but healthy, but a lot of old cats do have a degree of kidney insufficiency where the extra hydration does help.

Love is ...... standing by while your partner gives her cat an enema

Yes, your feral daughter sounds like a handful, lol. I think the leg presses are helping my squat, which is the main reason I like them right now. And when I feel my form fatiguing a bit I can still trample my legs with the presses

I think that's where leg presses are great ... they effectively allow you to target different muscle groups depending on your foot placement and you can deload your spine

[cmg1976]

Love is ...... standing by while your partner gives her cat an enema




I think that's where leg presses are great ... they effectively allow you to target different muscle groups depending on your foot placement and you can deload your spine

So, he actually does the enemas, I hate doctoring my own animals. He's really pretty awesome. I'm still going to get my workouts logged but I will quickly mention that I did legs last night and added 5# to the last 2 squat sets so only 5# from using the big wheels . And bumped the leg presses up 10# to 210# but lowered the reps to 10. So a good day

[NorwichGrad]

Is there a 'Kitty Ex-lax' available for your cat, Christina? I would think this is more sanitary than sticking a finger up the cat's rectum. But I guess as long as your bf doesn't make California Roll Sushi after the deed, then it's all good. When I think of enema I have this vision of taliban captives being interrogated at Gitmo. But I'm sure your cat gets a much more humane treatment.

[DieselsMom]

Is there a 'Kitty Ex-lax' available for your cat, Christina? I would think this is more sanitary than sticking a finger up the cat's rectum. But I guess as long as your bf doesn't make California Roll Sushi after the deed, then it's all good. When I think of enema I have this vision of taliban captives being interrogated at Gitmo. But I'm sure your cat gets a much more humane treatment.

^^^^^ lmfao and spit out my coffee!

[fittofattofit]

So, he actually does the enemas, I hate doctoring my own animals.

That really is love

He's really pretty awesome. I'm still going to get my workouts logged but I will quickly mention that I did legs last night and added 5# to the last 2 squat sets so only 5# from using the big wheels . And bumped the leg presses up 10# to 210# but lowered the reps to 10. So a good day

Great work on the squatting Christine! The big wheels and going ATG

Is there a 'Kitty Ex-lax' available for your cat, Christina? I would think this is more sanitary than sticking a finger up the cat's rectum. But I guess as long as your bf doesn't make California Roll Sushi after the deed, then it's all good. When I think of enema I have this vision of taliban captives being interrogated at Gitmo. But I'm sure your cat gets a much more humane treatment.

I didn't make it to the coffee .... spat out my cereal!

[cmg1976]

Is there a 'Kitty Ex-lax' available for your cat, Christina? I would think this is more sanitary than sticking a finger up the cat's rectum. But I guess as long as your bf doesn't make California Roll Sushi after the deed, then it's all good. When I think of enema I have this vision of taliban captives being interrogated at Gitmo. But I'm sure your cat gets a much more humane treatment.

LOL Joel- the cat grumbles, but he runs to his litter box 30 seconds later, scratches around furiously, produces a big old poo, and then looks pretty happy.... He does get laxatives too, but they aren't enough. The joys of having an 18 yr old cat.


----------------------------------------

So, on the bulking front: I'm up to 139.6#, which is a 15# gain from when I started last November. I think I've reached the limit of what I'm up for doing on this first cycle. I'm hoping that losing about half of that weight will have me at a leanness I'm happy with. We are going to Cabo in October, so that gives me about 10 weeks- I'll aim for 3# a month, which sounds doable. It's going to be hard now that I've found I like beer, lol.

The workouts are going good, and I have a stack of them to log again, though realistically I'll just start from here on out. My elbow only rarely gives me twinges during day to day activity, and I may try some light pressing soon.

I have a workout today, and I'll be back to log it and catch up with you all.

[jjeane]

Hey, glad you are still at it and the elbow is feeling better. I take it the BF is going well and occupying your time!
Great job on the bulk. When does the cut start? And yes, beer is god!

[cmg1976]

Hi Jani! Yes things are going well with the boy (Kobi) and I can't figure out where all the time goes! Over the weekend we went out with friends Friday after the gym, had a bbq sat, and saw my mom yesterday and did some boating after. The cut needs to start now if I want to be bathing suit ready by mid Oct. I'm figuring around 1500 cals a day? It's going to be a rough transition after 8 months of essentially whatever I wanted. The cheat cals are going to beer though! Currently faves: black ipa and esb's, yum!

[ms_mac]

Very nice pics! Sounds like life is good

1500 cal cut? What were you bulking on?

[fittofattofit]

Good luck with the cut Christine. Any idea how much weight you want to lose over the next 10 weeks?

[DieselsMom]

If your aiming for 3 pounds a month you could probably be more realistically around 1700-1800 cals or so but it will be a matter of seeing what happens when you reduce the cals, you may be higher or lower than that. LOL The joys of cutting.

[cmg1976]

Very nice pics! Sounds like life is good

1500 cal cut? What were you bulking on?

Thanks! I am happy overall right now I worked up to 2500 cals on the bulk. However, over the last couple months with the injury and relationship changes, my food logging fell by the wayside so I'm not actually sure where I've been recently, but I've continued to gain. 1500 could be a little low, I just don't want to come up short in mid-October....

Good luck with the cut Christine. Any idea how much weight you want to lose over the next 10 weeks?

Based on what I've read around here, I'm hoping that half of the 15# I gained will be muscle I get to keep, so maybe 7 pounds or so? Basically enough that there are no inner thigh ripples or strange rolls hanging over my waistband, lol. After Mexico I'll go back to surplus mode if this pays off. I figure worst case scenario is that I have to lose significantly more than half of what I gained, in which case I don't know that I'll try an official bulk again.

If your aiming for 3 pounds a month you could probably be more realistically around 1700-1800 cals or so but it will be a matter of seeing what happens when you reduce the cals, you may be higher or lower than that. LOL The joys of cutting.

Before I did this bulk, I lost about 20 pounds. I remember eating around 1400 on low days, but a couple 2K days a week as well- basically on days I wasn't that hungry I went lower, but I did eat more when I needed it. I think I ended up averaging 1500-1600 and the process took 5 months. So yeah, maybe a bit higher would work, good point


On the elbow, I just can't seem to shake this injury. I did start trying a split recently; I did a back workout a few days ago- a couple types of rows and some pulldowns, 3 sets each in the 10-15 rep range. Felt ok at the time but I did have a couple twinges the next day. Yesterday I did my shoulder work (been sticking to OHP and lateral raises) and tried adding some very light triceps work- cable pushdowns 2 sets of 20- and I had to ice it today Feels ok right now but clearly I'm not in the clear yet, and it makes it so hard to get on a schedule. I keep thinking I'm ready, and I go light, but this injury just won't fully heal.

Anyway- tomorrow night is legs, and I may or may not do a little back work too, depending on how things feel.

[fittofattofit]

Based on what I've read around here, I'm hoping that half of the 15# I gained will be muscle I get to keep, so maybe 7 pounds or so? Basically enough that there are no inner thigh ripples or strange rolls hanging over my waistband, lol. After Mexico I'll go back to surplus mode if this pays off. I figure worst case scenario is that I have to lose significantly more than half of what I gained, in which case I don't know that I'll try an official bulk again.

You've added a lot of strength and stamina on your lifting so you will have gained good quality muscle - you won't know until you cut how much that is but if you keep up with the heavy work and maintain the macros with the diet then you should retain most of the mass and cut a great figure on the beach in Mexico

On the elbow, I just can't seem to shake this injury. I did start trying a split recently; I did a back workout a few days ago- a couple types of rows and some pulldowns, 3 sets each in the 10-15 rep range. Felt ok at the time but I did have a couple twinges the next day. Yesterday I did my shoulder work (been sticking to OHP and lateral raises) and tried adding some very light triceps work- cable pushdowns 2 sets of 20- and I had to ice it today Feels ok right now but clearly I'm not in the clear yet, and it makes it so hard to get on a schedule. I keep thinking I'm ready, and I go light, but this injury just won't fully heal.

Have you tried this for your elbow:

I've tried it and it seemed to help me and I know a few others who've felt the same

[thehobbes]

On the elbow, I just can't seem to shake this injury. I did start trying a split recently; I did a back workout a few days ago- a couple types of rows and some pulldowns, 3 sets each in the 10-15 rep range. Felt ok at the time but I did have a couple twinges the next day. Yesterday I did my shoulder work (been sticking to OHP and lateral raises) and tried adding some very light triceps work- cable pushdowns 2 sets of 20- and I had to ice it today Feels ok right now but clearly I'm not in the clear yet, and it makes it so hard to get on a schedule. I keep thinking I'm ready, and I go light, but this injury just won't fully heal.

Are you wearing a forearm strap? My elbow has been pretty f'ed for the last 6ish weeks, started wearing that on my forearm for anything I was hesitant about, and today was the first day I realized hey it didn't bother me one bit all day, not at work or lifting. And this was all after I deloaded for a week and a half in July and was on vacay from work, damn thing would not heal til I started the strapping it up. Anyways, if you are already doing that... nevermind. I hope it fully heals very soon.

[cmg1976]

You've added a lot of strength and stamina on your lifting so you will have gained good quality muscle - you won't know until you cut how much that is but if you keep up with the heavy work and maintain the macros with the diet then you should retain most of the mass and cut a great figure on the beach in Mexico




Have you tried this for your elbow:

I've tried it and it seemed to help me and I know a few others who've felt the same

Andrew, that looks painful but I'll try it! I imagine some stretch wrap from the clinic would do the job. I like that guy's videos, I use his hip opener sequence all the time before squats- thanks for the suggestion.

Are you wearing a forearm strap? My elbow has been pretty f'ed for the last 6ish weeks, started wearing that on my forearm for anything I was hesitant about, and today was the first day I realized hey it didn't bother me one bit all day, not at work or lifting. And this was all after I deloaded for a week and a half in July and was on vacay from work, damn thing would not heal til I started the strapping it up. Anyways, if you are already doing that... nevermind. I hope it fully heals very soon.

Where is your elbow pain? I looked at those forearm straps and even bought one, but then I realized they were targeting issues below the elbow where mine is in the triceps insertion area maybe an inch up. But if yours was as well, and it helped, I'll certainly give it a go. I'm SO tired of this, I just want to LIFT!



And by the way- I need to spend some time outside of the journals- I want to rep the same dozen of you and I'm forever on recharge until I spread the love a little. Just know that I appreciate everyone who still comes and visits, the support means a lot especially with how erratic things have been over here.

[cmg1976]

Hi all, just letting you know I'll be back tonight to log my leg workout this am. It shall include reports of a squat pr with the big wheels, including some imperfect video, as well as a few pics of me at 139# . Resting the arm for now so I took it out on legs, lol.

[thehobbes]

Where is your elbow pain? I looked at those forearm straps and even bought one, but then I realized they were targeting issues below the elbow where mine is in the triceps insertion area maybe an inch up. But if yours was as well, and it helped, I'll certainly give it a go. I'm SO tired of this, I just want to LIFT!

Mine is more towards my tricep area too, on the inside of the elbow, about 3" in towards my tri from the pointy elbow bone thing (lol Hobbes MD. ) The strap does not go on anything that hurts for me but seems to act as a brace to tighten everything up in my arm so the pressure bypasses that whole joint. I could be way off on what that thing actually does but I know at my worst with that injury the strap eliminated the pain 100%. Worth a shot, put it on and try to just pick something up, you should be able to tell right away if it helps.

[Vanguard1965]

Hi all, just letting you know I'll be back tonight to log my leg workout this am. It shall include reports of a squat pr with the big wheels, including some imperfect video, as well as a few pics of me at 139# . Resting the arm for now so I took it out on legs, lol.

Looking forward to it!

[cmg1976]

Mine is more towards my tricep area too, on the inside of the elbow, about 3" in towards my tri from the pointy elbow bone thing (lol Hobbes MD. ) The strap does not go on anything that hurts for me but seems to act as a brace to tighten everything up in my arm so the pressure bypasses that whole joint. I could be way off on what that thing actually does but I know at my worst with that injury the strap eliminated the pain 100%. Worth a shot, put it on and try to just pick something up, you should be able to tell right away if it helps.

Ok, I'm going to give it a try. You were wearing it right below the elbow correct? Thanks Hobbes MD

[cmg1976]

Hi guys,

So, today was legs. I was working with the same 130# I've done the last couple workouts on my squats, felt strong, and decided to go for the full size plates that I've had my eye on forever. It's only 5 pounds but there's been a bit of a mental barrier. I went for it and the first set felt good. The gym has been reorganized and there isn't a convenient way to record any more but I lugged something over and got awkward views of the second set. I tried to make it better for the third but those were worse. I deleted the third on purpose but I accidentally deleted the second set too

So I have no landmark video to share tonight, but I'll keep working at this weight for the next few workouts and I'll get one next time, even though it isn't as exciting as my very first time-I've been working towards this for months now.

Anyway, followed that with leg presses, 220 for 3 sets of 12, which is 2 reps per set better than last legs session so those are still progressing too.

Finished with a two sets of lunges. I did 2 sets of 10 holding 40's since the rack was full. Not a PR or anything, but I was tired after the squats and leg presses and my hands get tired trying to hold much heavier DB's.

On the bulk front: 15# up total; my body space pictures are me near my lowest but I think I was 2-3# into the bulk at that point. I think there is some bootie and leg growth, and I think 5-7# weight loss is going to do it, but we'll see. If it wasn't for the mexico vacation I might have another 5-7# in me since the strength gains are gratifying and I know that will slow down. But I think 8 mos is still respectable for my first bulk, and I'm pretty sure I can pick right back up in November if I'm happy with the outcome. I'll be honest, I think the light in my window was washing out some ripples and lumps on my legs that I can definitely see. I may try for more clear pictures later. The posterior view is probably the most accurate. Anyway:

snapped this at the gym today


from the back


side


front