Going heavy to get light: My journey to self redemption

[mmater]

Just poopin' in and saying HI
And people are stupid.
And I don't deload.

The End! ;-)

[mmater]

Alrighty, so today's weigh-in.... Yep, you guessed it. SAME F@#%ING THING!!!!! 211.5

Ok, so this shiz is really starting to piss me of. I have been at the same weight for at least two months now. I'm kind of over it, ya know. So, tonight Iam going to eat some chines and then in the morning figure out how to get 10 pounds off. Grrrr.


And, yes, Boomer and I had a blast. I am going to upload the videos and pics and basically make a slideshow of sorts and post it.

[thehobbes]

Oh don't punch me in the face for asking BUT are you tracking your cals? ::goes into boxing defense stance:: The thing that works best for me - busy yourself with a long and frustrating project that leaves you just enough time to eat just enough of what you need. Remodel your bathroom or something, srs.

Just poopin' in and saying HI
And people are stupid.
And I don't deload.

Not sure if srs, if srs then what in the holy hell woman, that is not good. If not srs, stop poking the penguin, I can not tell when you're being sarcastic.

[mmater]

Oh don't punch me in the face for asking BUT are you tracking your cals? ::goes into boxing defense stance:: The thing that works best for me - busy yourself with a long and frustrating project that leaves you just enough time to eat just enough of what you need. Remodel your bathroom or something, srs.


Not sure if srs, if srs then what in the holy hell woman, that is not good. If not srs, stop poking the penguin, I can not tell when you're being sarcastic.

Oh hobbes, you know the answer to that question. HOWEVER, I will say that I have been eating more diligently and about 4-5 small meals a day. I was actually back on a getting eating plan and I will be, I just have to fine tune it some. I can say this though, even though I have held at the SAME EXACT weight I really haven't had the much fluctuation. What that tells me is that I am eating the way I should be for maintenance. Now, I just adjust for a calorie deficit from there.

So, on that note, I had pizza tonight instead of chinese. I also finished the video. It ain't perfect, I just threw it together really, my computer was starting piss me off. I also don't like my voice, but oh well. Enjoy.

[Boomer29]

Haha that was so good. The first day love the clouds and angelic music covering up my obscenities.

[llahhsoj]

That is a cool video. Looked like a lot of fun.

[tina722]

Hey!

This isn't my first time reading - just posting.

I loved the video. The gym looks like a lot of fun! Nice job!

[nvrstopworking]

Cool vid mma! Looks like you gals had fun! That prowler push/pull looked like an azzkicker!

[mmater]

Hey!

This isn't my first time reading - just posting.

I loved the video. The gym looks like a lot of fun! Nice job!

Thanks for reading and stopping by. I like your avi, btw. Nice back.

Cool vid mma! Looks like you gals had fun! That prowler push/pull looked like an azzkicker!

funny you should say that, I actually thought that part was the easiest, not to mention when it comes to prowler activities that was one of the easier ones you can do. I love the prowler!!!!

[geek23ka]

you guys kick ass.

[mmater]

ok, so today I am back on track. I came up with a nutrition plan that is lower in carbs for the next 3 days. Friday, I have a truck rotation so that will be higher carbs, because it will probably end up being subway. Then I will resume the low carb on Saturday and Sunday. I am going to eat the same thing those 5 days and see what happens. I am beginning to think that I am a little sensitive to carbs. I say this only because I got on the scale today just to see what it would say after eating half a dominos pizza and cheezy bread. Yep, I gained 8 pounds!!!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! So maybe I need to watch my carb intake a bit better. lol.

Anywho, first meal of the day (post workout) was 2 whole eggs, 1/3 cup egg whites, low-fat cheddar and two slices turkey bacon. I did buy some small delmonico steaks, but the seasoning they had on there was just too much, so I had a couple bites of that and was done with the steak.

I worked back today. I followed a routine I picked up from cut&jacked.com. It was brutal. I did 30 minutes of cardio on the treadmill first. I chose the random hill feature and did 10 minutes a 3.0 speed, then 10 minutes at 3.8 and then 10 minutes at 5.0. I set it for level 7, so the incline ranged from 1.8-5.7. Good times were had. ;-)

T-bar row
4x8x50/95/145/145

seated row - underhand grip
4x8x90

close-grip pulldowns
4x8x100/110/120/120

face pulls
4x20x60

DB rows - no rest. I would do one arm, switch, then go right back to the other arm
4x8x40

The routine called for 4 sets of pullups to failure, but I was already at failure, plus I can't do unassisted anyways. I tried jumping pullups, but yeah, no that wasn't happening. lol. My back got smoked!!!!!

[bosgirlin09]

Love love love the video Miss u Mater girl!!

[mmater]

Love love love the video Miss u Mater girl!!

Awwww, I miss you too. I really do.

[mmater]

my meals for today. take out the steak in the first one, add an apple and 2tbs of PB for my snack and tada.

[Boomer29]

all of that looks delicious! Nice work today I'm still sore!

[lexagon]

Love the vid great work mater!

[swooshie]

Awesome vid! Looks like you two had a great time!

Good eats there M

[hieronymous]

Nice vid - looks like a lot of fun.

[mmater]

took a much needed rest day today. My low right back was acting up again from a nerve perspective so I went to the chiro this morning and this afternoon. Luckily, this afternoon he finally got my right hip to pop. Yes, that is what we were going for and it felt amazing, in a short-term painful kind of way. lol.

So today I went running around applying to volunteer stuff so I can get that on my resume as I may be looking to change careers. Yea, Yea, I know, crazy. Anywho, Got a lot accomplished today. I also have a JOB interview on Friday. Kind of funny how this worked out. Story time!!!! Back in high school, I worked for the local grocery store chain. I was a bagger and did some work in the deli. Honestly, one of the best jobs I have had ever. I liked it because it was somewhat physical, required good people skills, it was easy, and just plain fun. Fast forward to now. I found out from a friend of mine that a friend we went to high school with (whom I was actually friends with in high school) was a manager at one of the stores. So I shamelessly hit her up on ******** yesterday. She gets back to me right away and tells me to fill out an online application and that she would pass it up. Well, today when I was running my errands I thought it best to stop by the store and at least say hi to her face to face. Apparently, I had just missed her. Then as I'm driving I get a call from her and she says "were you just in the store." I told her yes, and he asked if someone had called me about an interview. I told her no. Well, she then tells me that she told the deli AND service manager about me, and they were really excited. Apparently, along with my application info, they looked up my separtion stuff from back in high school and all the managers then had given me glowing remarks like "She is an outstanding employee!!!!" Apparently, there were even four exclamation point. Of course that just made my day to hear that. Anywho, about 15 minutes ago the deli manager calls me and asks if I can come in on Friday. WOOHOO!!!!!

Here is the ironic part. How weird would it be that I work for a company in high school, go off to college, join the military, work many other jobs, live in many other states, and end up back at the same company after all these years. I don't necessarily frown upon this, because if my new career goal is to work for a company with lateral AND upward mobility, then this company (United Supermarkets) has just that. The managers I worked for back in high school are now executives at corporate office or head store managers of the market street locations (think Central Market or almost Whole Foods). While the first goal is to just get a job that is part time through this semester and to see what happens with the military, it would at least be my foot in the door.

So yea, today was a decent day. What would have made it great is if I could have located someone who can help me directly, one-on-one with my resume. HINT HINT, is there anybody on here with legit resume experience or works in HR. My biggest hurdle seems to be getting out of the "chronological" resume mindset. This is not the resume that best highlights my capabilities. Secondly, I know that it is best to do a resume for each specific job you apply for; HOWEVER, what if you go to a job fair or happen to be networking and someone asks for a resume. That would need to be a "Generic" one, no? I would be sooo grateful if anyone can shed some light on this.

End non-bodybuilding diatribe.

[thehobbes]

Aw that's awesome! I gotta get my azz to TX sometime cause I wanna play in the da gym with the Amazon crew. Only part I woulda edited out was cover up that Sooners shirt.

Haha that was so good. The first day love the clouds and angelic music covering up my obscenities.

LOL!

took a much needed rest day today. My low right back was acting up again from a nerve perspective so I went to the chiro this morning and this afternoon. Luckily, this afternoon he finally got my right hip to pop. Yes, that is what we were going for and it felt amazing, in a short-term painful kind of way. lol.

So today I went running around applying to volunteer stuff so I can get that on my resume as I may be looking to change careers. Yea, Yea, I know, crazy. Anywho, Got a lot accomplished today. I also have a JOB interview on Friday. Kind of funny how this worked out. Story time!!!! Back in high school, I worked for the local grocery store chain. I was a bagger and did some work in the deli. Honestly, one of the best jobs I have had ever. I liked it because it was somewhat physical, required good people skills, it was easy, and just plain fun. Fast forward to now. I found out from a friend of mine that a friend we went to high school with (whom I was actually friends with in high school) was a manager at one of the stores. So I shamelessly hit her up on ******** yesterday. She gets back to me right away and tells me to fill out an online application and that she would pass it up. Well, today when I was running my errands I thought it best to stop by the store and at least say hi to her face to face. Apparently, I had just missed her. Then as I'm driving I get a call from her and she says "were you just in the store." I told her yes, and he asked if someone had called me about an interview. I told her no. Well, she then tells me that she told the deli AND service manager about me, and they were really excited. Apparently, along with my application info, they looked up my separtion stuff from back in high school and all the managers then had given me glowing remarks like "She is an outstanding employee!!!!" Apparently, there were even four exclamation point. Of course that just made my day to hear that. Anywho, about 15 minutes ago the deli manager calls me and asks if I can come in on Friday. WOOHOO!!!!!

Here is the ironic part. How weird would it be that I work for a company in high school, go off to college, join the military, work many other jobs, live in many other states, and end up back at the same company after all these years. I don't necessarily frown upon this, because if my new career goal is to work for a company with lateral AND upward mobility, then this company (United Supermarkets) has just that. The managers I worked for back in high school are now executives at corporate office or head store managers of the market street locations (think Central Market or almost Whole Foods). While the first goal is to just get a job that is part time through this semester and to see what happens with the military, it would at least be my foot in the door.

So yea, today was a decent day. What would have made it great is if I could have located someone who can help me directly, one-on-one with my resume. HINT HINT, is there anybody on here with legit resume experience or works in HR. My biggest hurdle seems to be getting out of the "chronological" resume mindset. This is not the resume that best highlights my capabilities. Secondly, I know that it is best to do a resume for each specific job you apply for; HOWEVER, what if you go to a job fair or happen to be networking and someone asks for a resume. That would need to be a "Generic" one, no? I would be sooo grateful if anyone can shed some light on this.

End non-bodybuilding diatribe.

Oh the deli, my favorite part of the grocery store, SRS! Nothing like bringing home a bunch of nice fresh assorted meats and cheeses. Congrats! It's weird, where I shop I either get somebody who's really friendly and helpful, or it's some younger highschooler who gets all annoyed when I want 6 different things lulz.

I'm not going to claim to be a resume expert by any means, but I do look at quite a few of them every year. You're right, you definitely should tweak it specific to the job you are applying for. People drive me nuts when they give me more of a generic one and I see that they worked for Company X for 3 years and the description is somewhat vague. I specifically state that you need this much experience in this type of vehicle, yet they don't even directly state that part of their job was actually driving a large vehicle. I usually pass those up at first unless I need extra ones to go back to, then will email back and tell them to state EXACTLY what the situation was with driving at that job. Half the time I find out they have zero experience and applied anyways. Spelling errors scattered throughout always make me facepalm too. As for the generic resume I'd try to list any and all relevant duties (without making things up or exaggerating) because sometimes a small detail will catch someone's eye. For what I'm doing yes I need people with driving experience but if they list that they drove a specific truck, what they delivered from the truck, where they drove, who they dealt with as customers, etc, that helps me a lot. Then I have an idea of what kind of physical level they had to be in for that (did they deliver furniture or bread), if they are used to plotting maps, and what kind of environment/customers they were working with - big difference between spending the day with fellow construction workers compared to delivering flowers and fruit baskets to little old ladies. Also some resumes are VERY disorganized and the format seems to change halfway through. That really bothers my ocd lol. I hope my ramble was at least a little helpful, I have looked at a lot of freaking resumes lately and many have not been good haha.

[mmater]

thanks for the tips hobbes. Funny thing is, I really do feel I have gained such a wide variety of skills and experience with the jobs I have had, it is really hard to narrow it down. What I've been doing the past couple of days is really picking the things I did that I really enjoyed and trying to come up with catch phrases for those. As it relates to volunteer work, I keep coming up with things I had previously forgotton about, like I was the combined federal campaign coordinator for my department in Bethesda, MD, which actually was kind of a big deal. Hah. I totally forgot about it until today. That's why I am having such a hard time changing my mindset. It has been good though because I feel better about my abilities, capabilities, and even the intangibles. For a while I was depressed about the resume thing, because I really feel most of my post-military job titles don't accurately convey what I am all about and what I'm really good at. But I think I am gaining some steam.

[mmater]

ok, so I am currently downing probably the most protein-enriched breakfast ever. 2 slices protein bread, like 2 cups of egg whites (soaked the bread in this) topped with 2 whole eggs, sunny side up. um, yeah, it's awesome.

I will post my workout later, but I am getting ready for my job interview in an hour. Quick!!! hobbes, I need a crash course in all things meat/deli. haha. Fingers crossed I get this job, for sooo many more reasons than to just have a job (which was the original intention).

[nvrstopworking]

Good luck with the interview chickie!

[Boomer29]

ok, so I am currently downing probably the most protein-enriched breakfast ever. 2 slices protein bread, like 2 cups of egg whites (soaked the bread in this) topped with 2 whole eggs, sunny side up. um, yeah, it's awesome.

I will post my workout later, but I am getting ready for my job interview in an hour. Quick!!! hobbes, I need a crash course in all things meat/deli. haha. Fingers crossed I get this job, for sooo many more reasons than to just have a job (which was the original intention).

breakfast sounds awesome. Good luck with the job!

[squeaks77]

Good Luck! Hope you get it!

[lexagon]

Good luck mater! You totally got this!

Breakfast sounds amazing!

[mmater]

so, yeah, I got the job. WOOHOO!!!! Minimum wage, here I come. BWAHAHAHAHA.

[lexagon]

so, yeah, I got the job. WOOHOO!!!! Minimum wage, here I come. BWAHAHAHAHA.

More deli meat than you will ever want to see ... and Ham is now your new best friend ... lulz

[mmater]

alrighty, so today's workout was a bit different. My back is still giving me fits, some days are better than others. Yesterday was probably the worst its been since the injury happened. But, today, not really any issues (2-3 on 10 pain scale.) So I just have to kind of go with how my back feels. A month or so ago I printed off some workout routines that I liked, but haven't given them a try, mainly due to the squat or deadlift movements. Anywho, today, I decided to give one a try.

You perform each group of exercises in a circuit. Complete the required number of sets, then move to the next group. I really didn't care about the weights this time around, and I only did 2 sets (usually calls for 3-4) So....

A1. Back squat with calf raise - I used smith machine to see if it would help my back. Meh, not really. 2x8
A2. DB squat with heels elevated - 2x8
A3. Incline DB press - 2x12
A4. Pushups, feet elevated - 2x12

B1. Drop Lunge (stand on platform a couple inches off ground and drop into a lunge and push back up onto platform) 2x8 each leg
B2. DB row 2x10

C1. chest dip 2x8
C2. lying tricep extension with DB 2x12
C3. bent over rear delt raise 2x12

20 minutes of cardio beforehand. The workout was actually quite tiring. There are 3 other workout routines similar to this that I need to try. I kind of liked it though.

Foodz has not been too well this week. Not sure what my dealeo is but I have been wanting salt, salt, and more salt. Unfortuntaely, in the form of chips, chips, and more chips. haha. Hopefully, I can right the ship here in the next couple of days.

[mmater]

Well, folks, it's time for a reassessment. Here's just a glimpse of why:

started November 2011 to lose weight.

First 12 weeks: total weight loss of 31.75 lbs
Second 12 weeks: total weight loss of 9 lbs

2nd 12 weeks ended in May. Since then, have only lost 9 lbs.

Obviously, life has gotton in the way, but still no excuse. By all accounts I should be right around 190lbs right now. I am 20-25lbs away from that. I have complicated things, gotton away from what works. I think a large part of the issue if the lack of a regular daily routine. Since I quit my job in April, it had kind of all gone downhill. No routine=no consistency. I think another issue is the process I have had to go through with the military. I would say this is a more recent concern, but it is really taking it's toll on me mentally. It's still really hard to accept that I may not be able to get back into the military. I understand the why's, but it doesn't make it any easier to accept. Not to mention it makes my head spin trying to think of something else in life that I feel will make me as happy. So, yeah, add up all these life stressors and I can see why my weight loss has stalled. However, that doesn't mean it sits well with me. I have gone back in my journal and I re-read a lot of my posts and I loved that feeling of making progress every week. Obviously, I am going to say that it comes down to my nutrition. Grant it, both my nutrition and training have changed significantly, and I do feel I was way overtraining during the may/june/july time frame. But, my nutrition has gotton way too laxed. Looking back in my journal, I didn't count calories, but I still measured most of my foods and stuck to a balanced diet. Again, this goes back to having a routine. Thankfully, with this new job, I should be able to implement a routine. I think it will take about two weeks to get into a habit. I still have my paramedic rotations, and assuming I don't keep getting screwed on those, I should be able to maintain a decent daily schedule. Also I am now set up to volunteer at a couple of places locally, so, again, something to occupy my time. This will force me to pack my meals and stick to what is in my lunch box.

I am not going to put a timeline like I have tried to do these past couple of weeks, because I feel I am just not responding to that kind of motivation. Obviously, it goes deeper than that. I would be remiss to ignore my lower back injury. This absolutely took the wind out of my sails. It was good only in the sense that it forced me to realize I was overtraining big time. Other than that, it has been a constant debbie downer. Now, hoping not to jinx myself, but I went to the chiro a couple of days ago because I was having the same nerve symptoms I have always had. FINALLY, he got my right hip to really pop. Pop, so much that if I had been holding onto anything over my head to keep from sliding he would have pulled me hip out of socket. This is actually a good thing, I believe. Now, the day after was the worst pain I had ever felt through the whole injury, but then the past two days have been - dare I say - almost pain free. So, fingers crossed that I am past this injury.

Hopefully, with the new job, the volunteer opportunities, and moving past the back injury will be a great stepping stone to get back to losing weight and getting the body I want. Accomplishing that with solid training, simple nutrition, steady consistency, and sheer determination.