vodka and creatine

[Redfizz]

I love how you gave the 185 a second go-around after not being able to unrack it the first time. That just taught me a valuable lesson about keep trying.

[dreahere]

HI You always make zerchers look so exciting! Hahaha! Nice workout!

I love how you gave the 185 a second go-around after not being able to unrack it the first time. That just taught me a valuable lesson about keep trying.

Thanks, guise! Apparently no one else cares about my stellar workout, they only care when I'm getting laid. ::sniff, tear:: LOLOLOL

Gonna do an upper body workout this afternoon and go to yoga, since it's very unlikely that I'll be able to get to the gym either Saturday or Sunday. Happy Friday!

[pharty]

Thanks, guise! Apparently no one else cares about my stellar workout, they only care when I'm getting laid. ::sniff, tear:: LOLOLOL

Correct.
We expect stellar workouts.

[marathonmom262]

Correct.
We expect stellar workouts.

^YUP!

Awesome leg workout Andrea - enjoy the upper body work and yoga and have a great weekend!!

[dreahere]

Correct.
We expect stellar workouts.

Well, yeah, I have to admit PRs happen more frequently than handsome gentlemen inviting me to bed.

Awesome leg workout Andrea - enjoy the upper body work and yoga and have a great weekend!!

Thanks! So far, so good

gym:

db rows 45x8x3

a few rack pulls 135x8x1 155x8x1 165x5x1 185x3x1 <--10lbs up from the other day and I felt like I coulda gotten 195-205 for a single if I'd wanted to max out

incline db bench 30x10x2 30x8x2 <--(+4 reps)

chest press 140x8x4 <--(+4 reps) 145x5x2 <--(+1 set)

inverted rows 8x4

dips BWx12

farmers walk w/35s 3x around x1

then I ran out of time because I had to leave for yoga.

Had a Met-Rx Protein Plus creamy cookie crisp bar on the way: 30g protein, 320 calories...and 20g sugar alcohols-->took the gamble they wouldn't kick in before yoga was over and ::whew:: they didn't; shix tasted good too! Yoga was awesome. My neck is very tight, which I really should be working on. And she had us doing this "sleep breathing" which is breathing out for (if you can) double the count of your inhale. It's supposed to calm the nervous system and, yup, I almost literally put myself to sleep doing it.

Meanwhile, earlier in the day I cleaned out my bathroom cabinets and threw out a whole trash bag full of expired sunscreen, topical meds I needed in 2008, some badger balm I bought in Lake Placid in 1998 (srs), a whole bunch of hair "product" that got the thumbs down, etc etc etc. Who knew that sh*t was in there? Also, I have enough various body lotion to last me for the next 4 years and far more disposable razors than someone who only needs to shave her legs about once a month has any need for.

Have a nice weekend, kids.

[pharty]

Well, yeah, I have to admit PRs happen more frequently than handsome gentlemen inviting me to bed.

Shyt me either--ETA did that make sense lol

gym:

db rows 45x8x3

a few rack pulls 135x8x1 155x8x1 165x5x1 185x3x1 <--10lbs up from the other day and I felt like I coulda gotten 195-205 for a single if I'd wanted to max out

incline db bench 30x10x2 30x8x2 <--(+4 reps)

chest press 140x8x4 <--(+4 reps) 145x5x2 <--(+1 set)

inverted rows 8x4

dips BWx12

farmers walk w/35s 3x around x1

then I ran out of time because I had to leave for yoga.

Had a Met-Rx Protein Plus creamy cookie crisp bar on the way: 30g protein, 320 calories...and 20g sugar alcohols-->took the gamble they wouldn't kick in before yoga was over and ::whew:: they didn't; shix tasted good too! Yoga was awesome. My neck is very tight, which I really should be working on. And she had us doing this "sleep breathing" which is breathing out for (if you can) double the count of your inhale. It's supposed to calm the nervous system and, yup, I almost literally put myself to sleep doing it.

Meanwhile, earlier in the day I cleaned out my bathroom cabinets and threw out a whole trash bag full of expired sunscreen, topical meds I needed in 2008, some badger balm I bought in Lake Placid in 1998 (srs), a whole bunch of hair "product" that got the thumbs down, etc etc etc. Who knew that sh*t was in there? Also, I have enough various body lotion to last me for the next 4 years and far more disposable razors than someone who only needs to shave her legs about once a month has any need for.

Have a nice weekend, kids.

So straight from liftin tuh yoga? Sheesh.

That cookie crisp is my fave!!!

[thehobbes]

Sugar alcohols of peace. Nice liftin', you always seem to bump it up by some additional reps if not wt also every workout, someone is doin' it right. Rack pulls... Awwww Yeahhhhhh!!!

[gobbles23]

Nice job Andrea! Impressed by the amount of workouts and the numbers you've been putting up!

[swooshie]

Awesome workouts, Drea!! Oh those bad, bad sugar alcohols ... clear the room

Have a great weekend!

[stephanielynn76]

Great workout girl! You are making progress!!!

This "sleep breathing" has peaked my interest. I have been pushing so hard the last couple of months of my bulk trying to put up big weights in smaller rep ranges to focus on strength. CNS recovery has been a big issue for me. I have struggled with insomnia, elevated resting heart rate, and mood changes. I might need to try this...

Brb getting some of those cookie crisp bars... and eating them during afternoons when I'mma be home with the kids...

[rickiecoombs]

So, I somehow managed to unsubscribe to your journal. I don't know how I manage to do these brilliant things so frequently.

Anyways.

So glad your cake-day went well! Yay!

As the others said, though, just 'cause we're married doesn't mean we get cake on a regular basis! I guess it's partially our own fault? I dunno. Hubz and I literally have to schedule in cake-time. Shmexy, let me tell you.

Your workouts look great! Awesome that you're "back" and moving on up. Gotta be satisfying, hey?!

[gobbles23]

You never posted since the 1st Where you go?

[dreahere]

Hai guise! I'm not ded. Spent all weekend working for my friend on a project, literally all day both days (left the house at 9:30 am, home between 10-11pm), so didn't get a chance to lift. Tonight, however, I braved the Monday 6pm gym crowd.

Legs, as such:

skwats 45x12x1 95x8x1 115x8x1 135x5x1 145x5x4 <--(+1 set) 150x5x1 155x5x1 <--(+5 lbs) Mr Douchebag came over during my squats--I don't think I've seen him since I've been back in the gym, mostly because I'm hardly ever there after 5 now--and said "long time no see! you win the lotto?" I said, no, I had surgery which is even better, right? hahaha

leg press 240x12x1 240x20x1 <--(I just can't go heavy on these after I squat, so I tortured myself with high reps)

overhead squats w/ 10 lb medicine ball: 12x4

kneeling squats 155x8x1 175x8x1 185x8x2 <--(+1 set; think I'll try 185x8x3 next time with just a 155 warmup)

Other things:

1.) When I was working with my friend this weekend I handed him a box and he was like, "whoa, you're strong. I mean, I knew you were strong, but you're strong." hahaha Don't you guys love showing off your functional strength? I mean, I'm no Auntie Hammie sprinting up to someone's porch with a mini fridge on my shoulder, but I like surprising people with what I can pick up or move by myself.

2.) I think I forgot to mention this, but when I was having my little bakery adventure last week, I was in C's bathroom, examining myself nekkid in the full length mirror that's to the right of the sink, under the really bright unflattering bathroom light that shows every stretch mark, bit of cellulite, and wrinkle, and you know what I thought? I thought that despite my stretch marks, cellulite, and loose skin, I looked really...solid. I feel like the muscle I lost has come back JUST LIKE YOU ALL TOLD ME IT WOULD. Smart amazons.

3.) Do you guys think once I get my lifts back to what they were in September I should start dieting or should I continue to bulk?

[stephanielynn76]

Solid session Andrea! I can't wait to change up my program so I can try out some of those kneeling squats! I can't even fathom doing squats and leg press on the same day... I always split those two monsters up! I suppose some higher-rep press sets after squats would be great some serious leg fatigue.

1) I KNOW!!! I love how men will come over to "help you" with something only to realize you're plenty strong enough to do it all by yourself! LMAO at "Auntie Hammie sprinting with a mini fridge" -- I don't doubt that at all.
2) YAY for muscle memory! It really does work! feelsgoodman.jpg
3) How do you feel? What are your goals? Are you wanting to be leaner for the summer or is adding more mass a priority?

[cmg1976]

Hmm, you sound pretty happy about the strength gains and pretty level-headed about the little bits that come along with bulking. I think if it was me I'd have a hard time stopping if I was getting stronger and feeling solid. But my enthusiasm has not yet been tempered by experience so take it for what it's worth, lol. I'll be watching your progress whatever you decide!

[beatha]

I vote for bulk but only if that meet's your goals. I think solid is better imho but once again do either I'm cheering.

[hieronymous]

I thought that despite my stretch marks, cellulite, and loose skin, I looked really...solid.

Good.

I am glad that you threw out the 14-year old badger balm. I have no idea what badger balm is but after 14 years it can't be good any more.

[thehobbes]

I vote BULK, but you know I suggest that to anybody sub 90% bf lulz so I dunno my vote may not count. Nice squats, it seems like you squat all the friggin' time (dat's a good thing btw ), do you do that 2-3x a week? Lol at mini fridge, people love dem mini fridges.

[Boomer29]

Thanks, guise! Apparently no one else cares about my stellar workout, they only care when I'm getting laid. ::sniff, tear:: LOLOLOL

Gonna do an upper body workout this afternoon and go to yoga, since it's very unlikely that I'll be able to get to the gym either Saturday or Sunday. Happy Friday!

we are MARRIED no gushy detail no care...

just kidding drea kill dat sheet!








ha that applies either way.

[Redfizz]

2.) I think I forgot to mention this, but when I was having my little bakery adventure last week, I was in C's bathroom, examining myself nekkid in the full length mirror that's to the right of the sink, under the really bright unflattering bathroom light that shows every stretch mark, bit of cellulite, and wrinkle, and you know what I thought? I thought that despite my stretch marks, cellulite, and loose skin, I looked really...solid. I feel like the muscle I lost has come back JUST LIKE YOU ALL TOLD ME IT WOULD. Smart amazons.

This was so much fun to read! Love the Amazons!

[pharty]

Why wouldn't you bulk? Summer fast approaching?

[tina722]

Hi drea - I agree - bulk!!!


BTW. I have no idea how you came back so fast after taking 3month break. I just took 10days and I'm dying... the pain, the form, the endurance. Now I understand why people have a hard time starting up.

[dreahere]

1) I KNOW!!! I love how men will come over to "help you" with something only to realize you're plenty strong enough to do it all by yourself! LMAO at "Auntie Hammie sprinting with a mini fridge" -- I don't doubt that at all.

Ha! It was almost a direct quote from her journal. Her before-Christmas busy time at work involved delivering a lot of mini fridges.

2) YAY for muscle memory! It really does work! feelsgoodman.jpg
3) How do you feel? What are your goals? Are you wanting to be leaner for the summer or is adding more mass a priority?

I don't care *so* much about adding mass now that I feel like I got back to where I was, but I love love LOVE the strength gains. I love having a good day almost every day I walk into the gym. I mean, when I was dieting all last summer, I was still making gains but slowwwwwly. I had like one good lift in me per day, LOL. If I went up on one thing, everything else would either suck or be meh. Which isn't as much fun, haha. And summer? I'm an old woman. It's not like I walk around in booty shorts anyway. I do worry that after inadvertently fulking I'm now at a bodyfat% where my "partitioning" is gonna go to sh*t.

Hmm, you sound pretty happy about the strength gains and pretty level-headed about the little bits that come along with bulking. I think if it was me I'd have a hard time stopping if I was getting stronger and feeling solid.

That's exactly where I am.

I vote for bulk but only if that meet's your goals. I think solid is better imho but once again do either I'm cheering.

I like solid too. I didn't like when I got to feeling scrawny. OTOH, when I was feeling too thin, I *did* like the amount of definition I had in my arms and shoulders. I liked being veiny. I wish I could be veiny without having my ribs showing+++ and my boobs disappearing. That's my goal: a body that's physically unattainable, hahahaha.

I am glad that you threw out the 14-year old badger balm. I have no idea what badger balm is but after 14 years it can't be good any more.

Badger balm is stuff you put on sore muscles. It was a souvenir from the crowning athletic achievement of my life, climbing Mt Marcy--"the highest peek in the Adirondacks!" haha--which is why I had a hard time getting rid of it.

I vote BULK, but you know I suggest that to anybody sub 90% bf lulz so I dunno my vote may not count. Nice squats, it seems like you squat all the friggin' time (dat's a good thing btw ), do you do that 2-3x a week? Lol at mini fridge, people love dem mini fridges.

At least twice, sometimes three x, not all back squatting though. Like last week I did back squats, box squats, and Zerchers, all on different days. The week before I did back squats and box squats together on one day and box squats by themselves another day.

we are MARRIED no gushy detail no care...

just kidding drea kill dat sheet!








ha that applies either way.

Have I mentioned lately that I love you, Boomz?

This was so much fun to read! Love the Amazons!

Amazons are teh best.

Why wouldn't you bulk? Summer fast approaching?

Mostly worried about partitioning. Also very slightly worried that now that I have NO hormones, LOL, it's gonna be a bitch to lose weight when I actually want to.

Hi drea - I agree - bulk!!!


BTW. I have no idea how you came back so fast after taking 3month break. I just took 10days and I'm dying... the pain, the form, the endurance. Now I understand why people have a hard time starting up.

OMG, Tina, the first few times I lifted after coming back, I literally had DOMS in places I don't ever remember having DOMS before. Triceps DOMS, wut?? It truly is miserable.

[gobbles23]

Partitioning usually goes out the window at approximately 26.89% Hahaha! That was part joke, part truth, I think. In the high 20's stuff goes dowhill, or so I read. You'll be fine, why not just half bulk if your goal is mainly strength? Eat above maintenance sometimes and maintenance most days, maybe just on your workout days to minimize fat gains but be eating enough for strength? Take creatine and eat lots of carbs. That's my advice That's what I did for all those months between last summer and now, pretty much.

But I think that's a road to cross when you get to it I'd say just keep going for as long as you can stand to, then do a little cut if necessary, then keep going Just don't stray too far from your happy level so you won't have to cut for so long, and keep that deficit small.

I'm so happy that you're happy with how you are looking! I'm so happy that your muscles grew back hahaha! I must say- it was a lot quicker than I expected You are awesome-o!

[dreahere]

Going to the gym at 1:45 is so much nicer than going at 6pm. Just throwing that out there. However it means I got nothing done today *other* than going to the gym and the post office, lulz. Now I'm gonna have to be productive tonight. Boo!

dips x12

seated cable rows #17x8x1 #18x8x2 <--(went up)

chest press 145x6x2 <--(+2 reps and a set) 145x5x2 <--(+2 sets) 145x2x1 <--(oops, I was ded, so dropped immediately down to) 135x6x1

lat pulldown 113x8x3

dips x12

brotastic shrugs in the power rack 125x8x1 130x8x2 <--(+1 set)

upright rows bar x8x3 <--(I like these so much, but they are tough on my wrists )

farmers walk w/ 35s: 3x around x1 then while I went off to drink some water and do arm circles, someone took one of my 35 lb kettlebells, LOL, so w/30s: 4x around x1

tricep dip machine 121x8x3 <--(I seriously think they just make that number up, hahaha. Also? Arm isolation day for February=done! )

and 15 minutes of cardio on the crossramp before and 25 mins after.

[dreahere]

Partitioning usually goes out the window at approximately 26.89% Hahaha! That was part joke, part truth, I think. In the high 20's stuff goes dowhill, or so I read.

I'm probably there now, no? I have no idea.

You'll be fine, why not just half bulk if your goal is mainly strength? Eat above maintenance sometimes and maintenance most days, maybe just on your workout days to minimize fat gains but be eating enough for strength? Take creatine and eat lots of carbs. That's my advice That's what I did for all those months between last summer and now, pretty much.

Creatine does sh*t for me, as far as I can tell. Carbs however...

But I think that's a road to cross when you get to it I'd say just keep going for as long as you can stand to, then do a little cut if necessary, then keep going Just don't stray too far from your happy level so you won't have to cut for so long, and keep that deficit small.

I'm so happy that you're happy with how you are looking! I'm so happy that your muscles grew back hahaha! I must say- it was a lot quicker than I expected

This muscle memory business is apparently real. Who knew?

[dreahere]

Tracy Anderson thinks I'm hideous:

"While bulkier muscle looks OK on women in their 20s and 30s, it doesn’t age well. The sooner you build a long, lean, and feminine arm, the more sustainable the results will be—and with no sacrifice in strength.

Read more: http://www.blisstree.com/2013/01/31/fitness/gwyneth-paltrow-tracy-anderson/#ixzz2K4PkO1rp"

ahahaha

[thehobbes]

^^^Ahhhhhh, brb intentionally bulking up to a 185lb ham of mammeth proportions when I'm 39 and going turnpike rage mode on dat bish. And Tracy my muskles have been downright awesome looking in mah 20s and now in my 30s so suck on that!

Ahem, anyways lol, have you tried the ez bar for upright rows? The straight bar bothers my wrists too on curls so I switched to the ez one and it resolved the problem.

[Big_Sky_Guy]

I am apparently late to the "baking" party. Do you even lift?!?

Considering the wife had significant work done to her oven many years ago, we were happy when baking was fun again! I think I may have even frosted the cake early that day ....



DOMS! Does a body good

[gobbles23]

I agree- ez curl bar makes upright rows much better! I have to use the bb for those, but I have to play around with my grip a lot. It's doable, but not as comfy

If I had to guess your bf, I'd say around 21%.