Me vs. Me: Lifting with UCTD

[SophieM]

Got in my home workout today. It's so hard to get motivated to go down and lift at home for some reason. Even while I was lifting I felt like at any moment I could just call it quits.

Really need to get my conditioning up. Recovery between sets seems to take forever. That's going to be the focus my next deload week, which is when I'll be on vacation/cruising. Less then 3 weeks now!

Bench Press - Felt heavy. Being away from the gym for a week definitely showed. Hopefully it comes back quickly.

80 lbs - 3
80 lbs - 3
80 lbs - 3
80 lbs - 3
80 lbs - 2 - Failed on 3rd. Don't even know why I went for it

Squats - I hate squats.

80 lbs - 3
80 lbs - 3
80 lbs - 3
80 lbs - 3
80 lbs - 3

Deficit Deadlifts - Conditioning again. High rep deadlifts. Just ugh.

145 lbs - 8
145 lbs - 8
145 lbs - 8

BB Military Press supersetted with BB Upright Row - Should have done more reps. Easier than I thought.

35 lbs - 5
35 lbs - 5
35 lbs - 5

Single Leg Calf Raises - Right might be catching up to the left. Finally.

25 lbs - 10
25 lbs - 10
25 lbs - 10

GHR - Been awhile since I did these. Hoping to add weight again soon.

BW - 5
BW - 5
BW - 5

Abs
Planks - I'm horrible at these. Must be good for me.

BW - 30 seconds
BW - 30 seconds

Need to get to the commercial gym tomorrow so I can go to the powerlifting gym Friday.

~~~~~~

Doctor appointment went okay today. More lab work to see how my inflammation markers are doing. My temperature was much better, 98.2 F which is much closer to my normal than it was. I am definitely less fatigued and have more energy. I guess the Plaquenil is doing something. Also got the all clear to eat low carb/ketosis. After I told her that I always feel better eating low carb/ketogenic, she said that it's healthy for me. Now to just follow through with it. . . .

[Artemis00]

Really solid workout for having difficulty with motivation.

Never been much of a fan of planks. I find them so boring.

Where are you going this time for your cruise? (not sure if I missed it)

[wishiwasdivin]

Great looking training Sophie.

I find it hard to get motivated to workout at home, so I said the heck with it and went back to a gym lol.

[SophieM]

Really solid workout for having difficulty with motivation.

Never been much of a fan of planks. I find them so boring.

Where are you going this time for your cruise? (not sure if I missed it)

I figure planks are good for the transverse abs. Can't do any of the cool bodyweight exercises like you can so I gotta do planks

Not sure I've mentioned the cruise LOL. It's a Western Caribbean itinerary so we'll be going to Cozumel, Mexico, Georgetown, Grand Cayman, Falmouth, Jamaica, and Labadee, Haiti. There were two specific shore excursions I wanted to do and we're not going to end up doing either of them. LOL. Oh well. I'll still have fun!

Great looking training Sophie.

I find it hard to get motivated to workout at home, so I said the heck with it and went back to a gym lol.

Thanks! I belong to two gyms but one gym I can't squat at because the rack isn't adjustable and I'm short and the other is hard to bench at as they only had one bench, now have two so maybe more possible to go there twice a week. Not sure the second bench has safties though. I'll have to check when I( go this week.

~~~~~~

Bump from last page. Hate when responses end up being the last post.

Yeah, I remember trying to assemble my power rack. Only help I had was my two dogs...which they tried, but only made it worse. Remember having to balance the posts against my head while trying to line up the holes and screw in the bolts. It was a blast. LOL

Is it free shipping if you don't want it assembled? Would use like 20 clamps to temporarily hold that thing up while I got each bolt in. Clamps, much like rows, solve about 75% of life's problems.

We've put together a lot of different things and decided it's best if we don't try it again. We get in terrible fights LOL. It is free shipping though. Undecided still. So far just have put the extra money in savings.

So many things I could do/buy.
1 - The cage above
2 - A week long seminar at my undergrad college this summer
3 - Another vacation (Niagara Falls)
4 - Dance showcase costs
5 - Put towards current school loan
6 - Just save it

I don't know which to do yet.

[viccles007]

Great workout Sophie! I'm glad you are feeling less fatigued and have more energy as well.

[SophieM]

The gym just isn't happening this past week. Between bad eating timing, almost getting mandated at work, blah blah blah. Maybe tomorrow after work. Not sure what was wrong with me today but I couldn't wake up and just felt icky. GI system hasn't been cooperating, and that's partly my own fault for eating junk food. Definitely a correlation it seems. Maybe something to help with that issue when I get home tomorrow.

Just super frustrated with my body/health issues at the moment.

[thehobbes]

^^^Awww would share my mango and crockpot chicken with you.

[viccles007]

I hope you are feeling better soon Sophie. I hear you re the frustration

[SophieM]

^^^Awww would share my mango and crockpot chicken with you.

Thanks.

I hope you are feeling better soon Sophie. I hear you re the frustration

I'm sure you understand the frustration.

~~~~~~

Well, I've taken two different things to help me poo with no results. <sigh> I'll try something else before work this evening I guess. Maybe with enough different things, together they'll finally do something. Already planning on a bottle of magnesium citrate this coming weekend since I have off. Definitely not a fun way to spend the weekend though.

[SophieM]

This week did not go as planned. I kept eating lunch late at work so couldn't go to the gym after I got off. Then my GI system decided that it was a fine time to slow to almost nothing as well. Need to get a handle on the junk food and I think the GI issue will calm down some.

The plan was to actually have the medicine I took last night work and then lift this morning before napping for work. Well, the medicine did nothing except make me even more uncomfortable but didn't actually produce any results. It's getting to be almost nap time and I'm not sure deadlifts and squats are a good idea considering the situation. <sigh>

ETA: Test results from my appointment Tuesday are mixed. One inflammatory marker went down while the second one went up. Urinalysis still shows abnormalities. I actually typed up all my lab results from 2010 to present and will be taking that with me next time I go to see my primary doctor.

Week 6 Preview - Hoping to get back in to things.

Sunday - Work 1500-2330
Monday - Powerlifting gym workout + dance
Tuesday - Work 0700-1530
Wednesday - Work 0700-1530 + commercial gym workout + cardio
Thursday - Work 0700-1530
Friday - Work 0700-1530 + home workout + cardio (if I don't work until 2330)
Saturday - Home workout (if I work until 2330 on Friday, otherwise make up day/off day)

[Artemis00]

Sorry to hear you were having so many issues this week with being able to get in your workouts. That really is awful regarding having so much difficult with the GI issues, especially that the medicine isn't helping at all but making it worse.

Good call regarding not wanting to do squats/dead lifts at this time. Don't need any accidents or even just the muscles contracting making things feel worse in that area.

Hopefully it gets better and that next week you get in more lifting.

[viccles007]

I hope you are feeling better soon Sophie and are able to get back into lifting next week.

[SophieM]

Sorry to hear you were having so many issues this week with being able to get in your workouts. That really is awful regarding having so much difficult with the GI issues, especially that the medicine isn't helping at all but making it worse.

Good call regarding not wanting to do squats/dead lifts at this time. Don't need any accidents or even just the muscles contracting making things feel worse in that area.

Hopefully it gets better and that next week you get in more lifting.

I'm feeling better but it may be that I'm just not eating a lot. Eh. It's always something it seems.

I hope you are feeling better soon Sophie and are able to get back into lifting next week.

It's looking positive! Now just need work and the weather to cooperate!

[SophieM]

I hate having only one day off from work. I feel like I need to use that day to rest and then working out generally doesn't happen. Lifting didn't happen but dance did. I had a really fun time and will more than likely be sore tomorrow. Working on routines for the showcase! I haven't done a showcase since 2013 so I am VERY excited!! I'll be doing a Hustle and a Waltz "solo" with my instructor and possible other dances as "freestyles" as well. Difference being that in a solo we're the only people on the dance floor whereas in freestyles, other dancers are also on the dance floor at the same time.

Now I just need to decide how much I am willing to spend on this. It costs to go even without dancing, then each solo and freestyle cost as well. It adds up quickly. Just with my dad and I and the two solos, that's already $415. <sigh> Why do all these hobbies have to be so expensive?

I'll definitely need to be stretching as I am known for always doing the splits in my routines. Need to go those back before April!

[thehobbes]

Wow that is really expensive! Was just thinking about that the other day how my hobbies are pretty expensive when you really think about how much equipment, gear, membership, supplies, etc you buy for that stuff. Was watching a bunch of vids on parkour and it occurred to me that it is a rare hobby that seems to be absolutely free, definite plus to that sport (minus the head injuries. ) Have fun dancing! Spending money on something you truly have fun doing is worth it IMO.

[Artemis00]

That sucks regarding the cost but sounds really cool to do


So what type of stretching do you do in order to master the splits?

[SophieM]

Wow that is really expensive! Was just thinking about that the other day how my hobbies are pretty expensive when you really think about how much equipment, gear, membership, supplies, etc you buy for that stuff. Was watching a bunch of vids on parkour and it occurred to me that it is a rare hobby that seems to be absolutely free, definite plus to that sport (minus the head injuries. ) Have fun dancing! Spending money on something you truly have fun doing is worth it IMO.

I won't even discuss how much I pay on a monthly basis. I also need to figure out a way to make my heel lift fit in my dance shoes. I tried it in them yesterday and it didn't really work. I need to see if my cheap heel lift fits. If not, I need to find a place to make one to fit in my dance shoes. more $$$.

That sucks regarding the cost but sounds really cool to do

So what type of stretching do you do in order to master the splits?

I'm going to try to keep the cost around $500. That's painful, but not excruciating. I guess I know what part of all that extra money is going to pay for now.

As for stretches and the splits, lots of straddles and hip flexor stretches. Also quad stretches. Then just getting in the split position and holding it, trying to work my way down. I don't think I have the bone structure to do what I call middle splits, but I should be able to get both my side splits back without too much trouble (I hope).

This stretch to both sides and the middle:


This stretch for the quads/hip flexors:


There's another more specific hip flexor stretch I learned back in undergrad, but there is no way I can find a picture of it. Maybe once I don't stink so bad at the stretches, I'll post them. I'm assuming the first time I do them it's going to look really ugly. Maybe after the cruise?

[jsari23]

how nice about the dancing, if it makes you happy and you can afford it then why not, we are only here for a short time

hope this week goes better for you and you are feeling better

[SophieM]

how nice about the dancing, if it makes you happy and you can afford it then why not, we are only here for a short time

hope this week goes better for you and you are feeling better

Thanks! I can't wait for the weekend so I can take car of my issues.

~~~~~~

And we've officially gotten to the point where food/liquid make me nauseous. It's a LONG time until Friday evening/night feeling like this. I REALLY need to change my diet, despite the fact that I like certain foods and can't imagine living without them forever, I need to at least get my GI system under control.

My weight is now 138 lbs + which is significantly more than the 133.4 lbs I was when I used magnesium citrate last time (January 16th). Even then I wasn't completely empty, but much better than I currently am. I'm probably skipping breakfast and will have to eat lunch really early if I want to lift after work. Aiming to go to the powerlifting gym. We'll have to see.

[viccles007]

Oh wow, that's expensive I hear you re expensive hobbies. I've spent a ton of money on karate for gi, training equipment etc. I have to buy a chest guard if I want to go in the tournament as well! hobbies are expensive I'm sorry that you are feeling nauseous at the moment. I really hope it passes soon!

[SophieM]

Oh wow, that's expensive I hear you re expensive hobbies. I've spent a ton of money on karate for gi, training equipment etc. I have to buy a chest guard if I want to go in the tournament as well! hobbies are expensive I'm sorry that you are feeling nauseous at the moment. I really hope it passes soon!

Hobbies can definitely be expensive. I need to find a cheap hobby. Dance isn't cheap. Powerlifting isn't that expensive. Cruising/travel is definitely expensive. Eh. I just have expensive taste in hobbies

I think I'm starting to feel better re: GI issues! I've significantly cut down on junk food/carbs. I'm not in ketosis, and not aiming for it at the moment. Still planning on a magnesium citrate weekend though.

[SophieM]

A little late in the week for a day 1, but there you have it. Better late than never and I'm planning on day 2 tomorrow.

Deadlift - Actually did a couple "warm up" sets. Not only because the weights are getting heavier and it's been two weeks since I lifted, but my gym has very little heat so it was rather chilly.

135 lbs - 3
155 lbs - 3
175 lbs - 3
175 lbs - 3
175 lbs - 3
175 lbs - 3
175 lbs - 3

DB Bench Press - One day I'll actually make improvement with these. Being consistent would definitely help with that . . . .

30 lbs - 6
30 lbs - 6
30 lbs - 6

Concentration Curls - It's amazing how much weaker my left arm is. My right arm is practically hitting myself on the chin in comparison.

20 lbs - 8
20 lbs - 8
20 lbs - 8

Inverted Rows - Did these on the TRX system. Took me basically all three sets to figure out feet/hand/body placement. Next time it should be better.

BW - 6
BW - 6
BW - 6

Lat Pulldown - Used the V handle this time. Not the one for triceps pushdown, but the one for cable rows. Definitely should be feeling it in the morning. I think I'll alternate wide grip with the V handle.

70 lbs - 6
70 lbs - 6
70 lbs - 6

Abs (Obliques)
Side Bends
20 lbs - 15
20 lbs - 15

Twists
20 lbs - 15
20 lbs - 15

Front Squats - I debated about not doing these and waiting until I got home. I decided at the last minute to do them, which is why they are last. Even without the Oly shoes, these felt tons better today. No idea what changed, but happy about it!

45 lbs - 8
45 lbs - 8
45 lbs - 8

Then I did some stretching. Even though my straddle stretches are rather horrible right now, I'm much closer to the splits than I would have thought. Left split is closer than right, but it's always been the easier side for me. I should not have a problem getting it by the dance showcase.

Hoping to get to the commercial gym tomorrow after work. We'll definitely have to see how my energy levels are after today. It seems a workout leaves me rather exhausted the next day. At least I've noticed that with dance.

[thehobbes]

Nice DLs Sophie! Lots of peeps are getting into the front squats lately around here, it's a front squat epidemic! Nice work, glad they felt a lot better, that's an awkward lift.

[SophieM]

Nice DLs Sophie! Lots of peeps are getting into the front squats lately around here, it's a front squat epidemic! Nice work, glad they felt a lot better, that's an awkward lift.

I should have been doing them all along, but they have just felt HORRIBLE since I started back lifting again after this whole autoimmune thing calmed down some. Gla to finally get 8 reps, albeit with the blank bar

~~~~~~

I doubt I"ll be going to the gym after work. I slept HORRIBLY last night. I've been awake since around 2:40 am, with maybe ~30 minutes of sleep between 4:30 and 5 am. For whatever reason, ever since coming back to lifting after the autoimmune flare up, I have a terrible night after lifting. It's like my leg muscles are attempting to cramp, but aren't. It's MUCH worse after the commercial gym workout since it's mostly legs. It's just very uncomfortable. I might try to go if I feel up to it after work and then try to take something to help me sleep tonight.

[SophieM]

Nope, no gym after work yesterday. I came home, ate, and went to bed. If I don't work 16 hours today, I'll lift when I get home. If I work 16 hours today, well, I'll have to figure something out as I really want to get some mag citrate in me and some poo out of me.

I have been eating fewer processed carbs lately and GI system has been working a little better (not the swallowing part, just the other end). Now to see just how many carbs is "too many" for me. I wanted to ease into that but had Kit Kats and pasta yesterday and today my plan is to only have a bagel processed carb wise. Otherwise it's low carb bread, granola, and maybe cashews.

After I get back from the cruise, I really need to stop eating processed carbs on a regular basis. Need to find a replacement for pasta still. Next on the list of pasta replacements to try is brown rice pasta. Pasta is such an easy food to have for dinner. It's dinner that always gets me in trouble carb wise.

Meal Plan for today:

Breakfast:
Bagel with cream cheese at work

Snack:
Granola

Lunch:
Salami on low carb bread
spinach
pineapple juice

Snack (if still at work):
Granola or cashews

Dinner:
Salami on low carb bread
corn

[Artemis00]

Oh I do love kitkats especially the white chocolate ones.


Not sure the amount of carbs you are looking to limit yourself...but have you given this a try.



Texture is off a bit it isn't that bad.

[SophieM]

Oh I do love kitkats especially the white chocolate ones.

Not sure the amount of carbs you are looking to limit yourself...but have you given this a try.

Texture is off a bit it isn't that bad.

These were just normal Kit Kits. I haven't seen the white chocolate ones lately.

I've tried spaghetti squash as well as the black bean pasta. I could eat the black bean pasta, but the texture does through my off some. It's so filling, I'm actually not sure if it's the texture, or just getting full so much faster than I'm used to with pasta.

~~~~~~

I ended up work a double at work yesterday so no lifting. I came home and finished off a bottle of mag citrate, but am hopeful I'll be able to lift at home today. My schedule for the coming week is a little intense at the beginning, so may not lift tomorrow just to make sure I have the energy to get through Monday and Tuesday.

[Artemis00]

Are they forecasting the bad weather in your area for Monday/Tuesday?

I know they have us set for either ice or snow.

[SophieM]

Are they forecasting the bad weather in your area for Monday/Tuesday?

I know they have us set for either ice or snow.

Yup. They keep going back and forth between 1-3 and 3-5 inches of snow Monday turning in to rain Tuesday. I can't wait until winter is over!

[thehobbes]

I hope you're having a good weekend, Sophie! Yeah I bet the weather continues to suck where you guys are too. I always look forward to March 1st as at that point it seems kinda impossible for it to be as wintry (although we sometimes get a lingering snowstorm in March) but being in that month gives me more peace of mind.