A Clockwork Mango

[Mango]

It's a beautiful day, it is a gorgeous season, and it is the perfect time for this Mango to start a new journal.

What I want from THIS edition of the Grand Adventures of Mango, is a journal more focused on my workouts and nutrition. Most of you know, I work with the one and only fantastic Emma Leigh, and I will start a new program with her as soon as the cosmic forces of the universe dictate. Until then, I'm continuing my previous program. My nutrition is also based on our work together.

I'd like to keep the personal info I give out to a minimum, because, as mentioned, this journal will focus much more on my workouts and nutrition. I'd prefer to keep the personal stuff to pm's, so feel free, should you have any questions. The one thing I will probably discuss for my own sake is my anxiety disorder [Obsessive Compulsive Disorder]. Because of my extreme sensitivity about it, I will ask that if you plan to lurk, if you plan to read, if you plan to post, you do not engage in clinomorphism. If you do not know what that term means, I'm sure you can find out.

Of course, in true Mango fashion, there will be no "beginning" stats, nor will there be any pics. I will, however, post progress info [lbs lost, body fat lost].

Basic Info is as follows

Name
Mango

Goals
I'm happy with my weight, but I'd like to lose a few more lbs, and I'd kill to lower my body fat a little more.

Occupation
I'm in a Post Degree Program for teaching Secondary School, at a Canadian university. My previous B.A. is in Humanities, as an English Major. I am rather confidant most of you know that I'm not excited about this stupid Goddamn retard ass program, but, I'm giving it a shot.

Status
In deep admiration of my best friend, my partner, my soul mate [get your own barf bag], and my strongest fan.

Baggage
Hell. Yeah.

That's it!! Aren't you excited?! I'm excited....

[terracotta]

first in.

[indiglo9124]

#2 Hey Mango Love

[homelifter]

Hey Mango...I'm subbed. Thanks for the invite.

[Mango]

Workout for Friday, August 31st, 2007

*Random order, highest weight.*

Warm Up
*None, *Didn't need it.*

Tricep Extensions
*30 lbs, *Increased reps.*

Seated DB Press
*25 lbs, *Increased reps. My arms looked hot!!*

Bench Press
*95 lbs, *Increased reps. I couldn't add weight, I just had no strength.*

V Bar Pulldowns
*100 lbs, *Increased reps. Fantastic form!!*

Lateral Cable Flye
*10 lbs, *Increased reps.*

Straight Arm Pulldowns
*42.5 lbs, *Increased reps.*

Cable Curls
*35 lbs, *Increased reps. Perfect form!!*

WG Pulldowns
*120 lbs, *Increased reps. Very nice.*

Cardio
*None, *Missed a session.*

Stretching
*None, *Too excited to get out to the parking lot to see my SJ.*

Totals
Warm Up=0 minutes
Cardio=0 minutes
Lifting=61 minutes
Stretching=0 minutes
Busy!!=?? minutes
Total=61 minutes

Thoughts

*This was a decent workout, but I'm feeling a strength loss, I can't do much about it.

Hunger
*Pretty hungry, but not bad.

Energy
*Fantastic.

Mood
*Fantastic.

Sleep
*Fantastic.

Workout for Saturday, September 1st, 2007

*None, *Unscheduled rest day.*

Totals
Warm Up=0 minutes
Cardio=0 minutes
Lifting=0 minutes
Stretching=0 minutes
Running around the airports=?? minutes
Total=0 minutes

Thoughts

*I feel nauseous from the airplanes, and I missed my first flight, so they pushed it back 3 hours. It was disgusting. My SJ was incredibly cute, though, and he was understanding, so I bought him lunch at the airport. I'm home, now. It sucks.

Hunger
*I didn't eat from 11:00 am until 6:00 pm, but I feel too sick.

Energy
*Not great.

Mood
*Horrible.

Sleep
*Fantastic. I slept in my SJ's arms the entire night.

[kitebean]

Originally Posted by Mango

*This was a decent workout, but I'm feeling a strength loss, I can't do much about it.

hmm this doesn't seem to compute with the workout? Which looked very strong to me!

HURRAH for new journal new start.....

[Back2zero]

Hey girl, I'm so happy for you about this new journal!! For sure I'll be following along.

Stay focused!

[Emma-Leigh]

Let the new games begin my pumpkin....

[ubermumma]

Well I hope you weren't trying to shake us off, cause it looks like we are all following along "Solid" workout you've just posted Mango - nice, nice I had the Mafia voice going today for my leg curls (but it made me giggle too much!)

[sherdi]

A new journal!

[valby]

Hehe couldn't lose me either!!

[imperfectly_lou]

I'm on board!

[twinnett]

I love the new title..lol...great looking workout!!! All those increases and you feel like you've lost strength??

Sorry about the flight ordeal! I HATE flying!!!

[kledbetter]

I found the journal! Took me a few mins though.

Hope you are having a fabulous weekend

[Mango]

Sweet, people found me!! I thought I might give a quick wrap up of my trip to Portland!!

*It was FANTASTIC. I have to say, I absolutely adore the city, the surrounding cities, and the people. I know we hear a lot about how Americans are rude and self absorbed [if you did not know that....you should], but DAMN, they were so awesome!! This old man did not hold the door open for me at Starbucks, and he apologized for 1 minute!! That is a long apology, and I am not exaggerating!! The land is....remarkably beautiful and tranquil. Fields and fields of farmed trees, tall, proud, strong old forest along the highways, and an attempt to preserve the natural beauty of the land....it's beautiful.

*My SJ's house is in such a crap little city, but it is a city that was founded in 1849, and it is becoming a more attractive city for people who want to live away from the crowds of Portland. The house itself....beautiful. The basement, of course, is unfinished and contains a large, heavy, red pool table, but the upstairs....it has so much character. Box windows in every room, wood floors throughout that my SJ and his good friend sanded themselves, what was once a crap bathroom my SJ learned how to tile in, and has now refinished it with beautiful tiles he cuts himself, paint colours that a MAN picked out, that are surprisingly sophisticated and handsome, and the entire house is surrounded by mature, flowering trees. It is a little dream. We're sad he is going to sell it, when he is finished, but, onto better things.

*Being in the states. I farging love Oregon and Washington. I grew up in BC and Washington, so Oregon was not that big a leap. The stores are better. The food has a lot more variety. I bought Canadian veggies there, which were expensive, but we grow our veggies in organic hothouses, so, they're much less likely to have pesticides or disease.

*Leaving. It sucks. It sucks hard. I bought two coffee mugs at the airport that say "Portland, OR," and they are to remind me that I do not belong in Victoria; I belong with my best friend.

*My best friend. He will remain my SJ, from now on, no first names, please. I'm sure you do remember SJ stands for "Sweet Jackass," cause he is my sweet jackass. He is one of two incredibly insightful Mango supporters, who has earned a PhD in Mangoology. I adore him with everything I have.

*Conclusion. I loves the Portland. I need to go back.

Originally Posted by terracotta

first in.

Sweet!!

Originally Posted by indiglo9124

#2 Hey Mango Love

Yo yo, Val darling!!

Originally Posted by homelifter

Hey Mango...I'm subbed. Thanks for the invite.

Thanks for showing!!

Originally Posted by kitebean

hmm this doesn't seem to compute with the workout? Which looked very strong to me!

HURRAH for new journal new start.....

I just know I have more in me, you know?? I can bench 110 lbs, but I often become stuck on 95 lbs, which is a struggle, and 15 lbs lower than my pr. It is a little frustrating, but I do recognize I am in a calorie deficit. I also stopped taking my creatine, just cause I became lazy, but. Gr!! Come back, strength!!

Originally Posted by Back2zero

Hey girl, I'm so happy for you about this new journal!! For sure I'll be following along.

Stay focused!

Focused is the name of the game!! You've got that straight, buddy!!

Originally Posted by Emma-Leigh

Let the new games begin my pumpkin....

Thanks for your help, Emma!! Feels good!! New journal, new games, new mischief!!

Originally Posted by ubermumma

Well I hope you weren't trying to shake us off, cause it looks like we are all following along "Solid" workout you've just posted Mango - nice, nice I had the Mafia voice going today for my leg curls (but it made me giggle too much!)

I'd never try to shake you!! I'm happy you liked the Mafia voice. My insanity should at least be entertaining to follow, eh?? Hahahah!!

Originally Posted by sherdi

A new journal!

Sweet, good to have you following!!

Originally Posted by valby

Hehe couldn't lose me either!!

I'd never aspire to lose YOU, buddy!!

Originally Posted by imperfectly_lou

I'm on board!

Nice, good to have you here!!

Originally Posted by twinnett

I love the new title..lol...great looking workout!!! All those increases and you feel like you've lost strength??

Sorry about the flight ordeal! I HATE flying!!!

I dislike flying, too!! Flying to New Zealand was the worst, because it was an 18 hour flight after a 5 hour flight, but I took a sleeping pill!! I'm not a drinker, but I almost bought a brandy at the airport!! I didn't like yesterday's flying.

Originally Posted by kledbetter

I found the journal! Took me a few mins though.

Hope you are having a fabulous weekend

Thanks, buddy!! I am having a great weekend, how are you??

[Mango]

Workout for Sunday, September 2nd, 2007

*Random order, highest weight.*

Warm Up
*None, *Not needed.*

Kneeling Cable Crunch
*110 lbs, *Increased reps. Good form.*

Leg Extensions
*15 lbs + sled, *Increased reps.*

Hyperextensions
*10 lbs, *Increased reps. This FINALLY felt good!! Perfect form, perfect tempo, perfect muscle sync!!*

Bulgarian Squats
*95 lbs, *Increased reps. This was great. I am happy I kept the weight quite intense.*

Leg Curls
*130 lbs, *Increased reps. Geez!! Nice tempo!!*

Leg Press Calf Raises
*70 lbs, *Increased reps. I dropped the weight for better form.*

Leg Press
*180 lbs, *Increased reps. Bambi'd.*

Cardio
*25 minutes + 25 minutes, *I walked to and from the gym, and then to and from shopping.*

Stretching
*15 minutes, *I need to get some in tonight, also!!*

Totals
Warm Up=0 minutes
Cardio=50 minutes
Lifting=73 minutes
Stretching=15 minutes
Other=0 minutes
Total=138 minutes

Thoughts

*This felt great!! I saw a few gym buddies I haven't seen in a while, and I felt strong throughout!!

*This felt better than anything. I'm changing my workouts a little to get more lifting in. I need the mental release, the physical relief, and, since I'm not doing cardio in forms other than walking, I kinda need it.

Hunger
*I'm exceptionally hungry, and I've got 5 more days to go before I refeed, which puts me at 10 days without one....I'm not happy about it. I'm really, really hungry.

Energy
*Not bad!!

Mood
*Not bad.

Sleep
*Excellent.

Other News

*It was definitely a hard day, in that I am facing the reality of this program, now. I'm also in withdrawal from my SJ, because today is the first morning in, er, a week, I have woken up without him. I cried a little, but I got over it. But I miss him terribly.

*I'm going to the the clinical counselor, tomorrow, for my second appt. I do need to go. I feel like this frustration builds up, and I note it, ignore it, and try to keep in mind I need to vent to my counselor. After that, I am going for a walk with a good friend [I need to be more "social."], and then I might go shopping before I go to the gym.

[Miranda]

you deleted the past and started anew.

[ubermumma]

Mango, I'd need the cast of The Godfather to get through those leg curls Great to hear the hypers are feeling better for you and nice job (as usual) on the Bulgarians

I'd been reading "SJ" as sweet jerk, jackass is so much more endearing

[imperfectly_lou]

You
leg
curled
130lbs???????????????????????

*Mouth open in awe*

You are incredible!

[twinnett]

130# leg curls????? Mango is going to have some killer hammies!!

I'm sorry you're hungry...10 days w/ no refeed is HARD!!!!

[Back2zero]

I'm on the same page as everyone else here... I was about to post how much in awe I was with you for leg curling 130# !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Woman, that is just insane!!!! Kudos on this, you are a new board hero!!

[Mango]

I have a quick update before I go to therapy, this morning!!

I've decided to have a "mini refeed" day, in which I will not eat refeed levels of food, but I will let myself get to a higher calorie total. I've got to feed my muscles, and as much as I do like starving myself [yes, I do; I like feeling hungry, I like seeing such a low number as my calorie total, and I feel a sick, twisted sense of disappointment if that number is slightly higher than what I wanted], it isn't healthy for me to go 10 days on low cals. So I've gone 5. I will have some extra food, tonight, before I resume low cals until a bigger refeed, which, also, will not be 10 days in the making. I will not be crazy, I will not be crazy, I will not be crazy.

Today, I will lift and do cardio in the form of light walking. I think. It looks like it is going to rain, in which case, we might have to go walk at the gym.

Shopping in Portland is FANTASTIC, by the way. I love my new clothes. SJ is going to get me another pair of these shoes I love, there.

Originally Posted by Miranda

you deleted the past and started anew.

You can never delete your past, but you can start anew. I liked my previous journal, and I adore the friends I made, there. But I need more focus!!

Originally Posted by ubermumma

Mango, I'd need the cast of The Godfather to get through those leg curls Great to hear the hypers are feeling better for you and nice job (as usual) on the Bulgarians

I'd been reading "SJ" as sweet jerk, jackass is so much more endearing

"Sweet Jerk," Hahah!! Maybe infrequently, he is!! But he's adorable. He is definitely one of the strongest, most remarkable people in my life. I am grateful I'm his best friend.

Originally Posted by imperfectly_lou

You
leg
curled
130lbs???????????????????????

*Mouth open in awe*

You are incredible!

Er, yeah, but I think my gym is screwy!! I could only do 80 lbs on the lying hamstring curl at L.A. Fitness!! I don't trust their weight increments, but I do use them as a guage!!

Originally Posted by twinnett

130# leg curls????? Mango is going to have some killer hammies!!

I'm sorry you're hungry...10 days w/ no refeed is HARD!!!!

10 days with no refeed is unnecessarily insane!! No more crazy for this Mango!! I realize, I will also grow MORE hungry if I don't eat something, tonight, and it'd be setting myself up for an awful week, which is probably psychologically what I want....my hamstrings ARE killing me!!

Originally Posted by Back2zero

I'm on the same page as everyone else here... I was about to post how much in awe I was with you for leg curling 130# !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Woman, that is just insane!!!! Kudos on this, you are a new board hero!!

Hahahaha, that's cute!! A "board hero," hee hee hee!! But, I really do think they exaggerate the leg plate increments. They probably just threw numbers on the wrong machine.

[Miranda]

Originally Posted by Mango

I like feeling hungry

ah yes . . . an odd kind of satisfaction isn't it?

[indiglo9124]

Originally Posted by Mango

*I'm exceptionally hungry, and I've got 5 more days to go before I refeed, which puts me at 10 days without one....I'm not happy about it. I'm really, really hungry.

Glad you have a plan to 'fix' that one! thats gotta be rough!

Oh.... so did-ya bring home any food from our obese country?

[valby]

Yay for mini refeed Sensible And dang to those curls...I am sure the machine can't be that out...anyway 80# prone curls--whew!! now I know where the mafia voice came from LOL. I'll have to try it too..i have been avoiding curls like the plague!!

[Back2zero]

I don't think there's anything wrong with a few low-cal days if you wish, so long as after 3-4, you get a mini-refeed in there to make sure your body gets everything it needs. I think to begin with, this could be the way to go for you. Don't you think?

Although it depends what low-cal is to you...

[Mango]

Workout for Monday, September 3rd, 2007

*Random order, highest weight.*

Warm Up
*None, *Didn't need it.*

DB Chest Flye
*22 lbs, *Increased reps. I lowered the weight on these, but the form and tempo felt fantastic.*

V Bar Pulldowns
*95 lbs, *Increased reps. I worked my farging ASS off to get to 95 lbs!!*

Rear Cable Flye
*15 lbs, *Increased reps.*

Bench Press
*105 lbs, *Increased reps. I just couldn't get it up!!*

WG Lat Pulls
*85 lbs, *Increased reps. Perfect tempo!!*

Rope Pushdowns
*60 lbs, *Increased reps. I love, love, love seeing my triceps.*

Seated DB Press
*32 lbs, *Increased reps. Hell. Yeah. These are definitely one of my top 5 favourites!!*

BB curls
*60 lbs, *Increased reps. This is definitely an accomplishment, for me. I'm not strong in the biceps, but I'm noticing a lot of separation, with which I am quite pleased.*

Cardio
*71 minutes, *I walked with my friend and listened to her problems. It was fun. We walked up a mountain.*

Stretching
*5 minutes, 10 minutes, *I skipped it at the gym, but I did it later.*

Totals
Warm Up=0 minutes
Cardio=71 minutes
Lifting=67 minutes
Stretching=15 minutes
General Organization, Watering Plants,=?? minutes
Total=153 minutes

Thoughts

*This workout was fantastic!!

*I liked walking with my friend!! We found a trail near my condo that leads up a mountain in a golf course.

*My friend walked by me as I was benching, and he threw a rope on me.

*These men wouldn't stop checking me out!! It was KINDA cute, but, then it just got so annoying!! I went ahead and made my man faces, and just friggin' ignored them. I know that a few of them were talking with my friend about me, cause they kept talking and then looking at me.

Hunger
*Well, since it was an unscheduled "stuff your face" day, I'm not that hungry. But I could easily eat 3,000 calories in a day. I imagine that's a piece of cake.

Energy
*Fantastic!!

Mood
*Fantastic.

Sleep
*Fantastic.

Other

*Therapy was fantastic. I finally got the guts to talk to my Mom about it. That is such a great step forward for me. She was pretty open to hearing about me going to a therapist, but we did not discuss my problem. I told her that I have a pretty severe problem, and that it was so freeing to go talk to somebody openly. She is happy for me. I feel fantastic, because of it!!

*I miss my SJ. But I feel good. I know he is there, for me, whenever I need him. He knows I am here for him, no matter what he needs from me.

*My therapist loves my SJ. She also recommended a few books for us to read!! I'm so excited!! I am going to pick them up from the library.

*I feel pretty good, today. I'm thinking a lot about my thinking [durr!!]. Feels interesting to realize the connections between what I am feeling, what I "need" to be feeling, and between what is going on by me.

*I'm considering buying a new laptop, but I have to finance it. I love this laptop, because my SJ bought it for me, but it is quite old. It is the same model I saw in a movie made over 8 years ago, but it has advanced business software, which is cool. Gr. I'm not sure.

[valby]

Nice workout!! Great work on those DB presses!!!

Glad u talked to your Mum and she listened without being judgemental about the psych, its a good start

[Mango]

Mango is happy. I give this day 3.75 stars out of 5!!

Originally Posted by Miranda

ah yes . . . an odd kind of satisfaction isn't it?

It's incredibly satisfying. It is rather sickening. I had 1 day under 900 cals, last week, and 1 under 1,000 cals, and I was like, Holy crap, cool. Pretty stupid.

Originally Posted by indiglo9124

: Glad you have a plan to 'fix' that one! thats gotta be rough!

Oh.... so did-ya bring home any food from our obese country?

No, but I did steal a lot of your clothes!! I love your country's prices!! Oregon has no sales tax!! It's 15%, here!!

Originally Posted by valby

Yay for mini refeed Sensible And dang to those curls...I am sure the machine can't be that out...anyway 80# prone curls--whew!! now I know where the mafia voice came from LOL. I'll have to try it too..i have been avoiding curls like the plague!!

I love the mafia voice. It's so addictive. The mini refeed was sensible, you're quite right!!

Originally Posted by Back2zero

I don't think there's anything wrong with a few low-cal days if you wish, so long as after 3-4, you get a mini-refeed in there to make sure your body gets everything it needs. I think to begin with, this could be the way to go for you. Don't you think?

Although it depends what low-cal is to you...

I think that I will continue what I'm doing....I'm not unhappy with my weight, I'm pretty happy with how my muscles are looking....but I'm still following the nutrition plans Emma Leigh gave me, somewhat [she'd never recommend I be as stupid as I have been, in the last few weeks], and I clearly have some issues I'm trying not to let turn into anything big. I'm happy I did not do the 10 days at low carb. That is mental satisfaction and physical deprivation. Especially when I'm throwing in a few extra weights sessions....

[Mango]

Originally Posted by valby

Nice workout!! Great work on those DB presses!!!

Glad u talked to your Mum and she listened without being judgemental about the psych, its a good start

Thanks!! I love the DB presses!! I'm happy with the bicep work, too!! I have always had big looking biceps, with no muscle and no definition, but they're looking pretty ripped!! Nice, nice!!