Novels and Barbells

[mavd]

Tue enough, i can't lose like I did when I weighed 200. Though the 134 was a higher weight day so it wasn't 5 lbs in the month plus. Pesky weight fluctuations interfere when picking out single days.April 29th I weigh 130.8 for example. The weight goes up and down eventually leading very slowly downward. It has been a struggle to get under 130 and stay there, pesky healthy range for my height is below 120. It's a quest and a half at this point, lol.


Not so much feeling confident. Just feeling okay leading up to the meet. Don't know how competitive I'll be but it's nice to compete more than once in a year considering have to pay for membership and such every year. I haven't been to Barbell Brigade since before I moved to LA so should be fun to be in that gym again at least. We'll see how it goes.

If you want to accurately track, I suggest you weigh yourself every day at the same time and put it in a spreadsheet like Excel. You can then track the linear trend and a moving average. I can help set one up for you on GoogleDocs if you'd like.

[Fiction2Fitness]

If you want to accurately track, I suggest you weigh yourself every day at the same time and put it in a spreadsheet like Excel. You can then track the linear trend and a moving average. I can help set one up for you on GoogleDocs if you'd like.

Yeah. I'm using the happy scale app and putting in numbers almost every day. I skip a day on occasion, like I didn't put in Saturday's 132 which was a few lbs increase from late night food. That's where I got the April number. Convenient I can see how the weight is going over time on my phone. I have my measurements set up on google spreadsheet per month just haven't put in daily weigh ins there.

[LunaLifts]

This top down loss is a nuisance. Gonna be an A cup by the end of this.

I tend to lose my hips and lower stomach last, but carry less up top no matter what. Always an A. T_T Haven't been up a cup since I was at my highest weight.

scale still makes me want to bang my head against a brick wall.

I hear you.

[anandagirl]

Scales suck.

[mavd]

If it's any comfort to you smaller breasted gals, when you're always a DD+ you look fat no matter what you weigh unless you wear skin tight clothing to show your figure, then you have to deal with obnoxious cat calls and judgey women.

[thehobbes]

Stupid scale. On a cut if I don't see the number I'd like to see I think there must be a logical explanation, so I take off my Fitbit and weigh in again like that was clearly the issue, but it never is. Good luck OP, the struggle is real.

[Fiction2Fitness]

I tend to lose my hips and lower stomach last, but carry less up top no matter what. Always an A. T_T Haven't been up a cup since I was at my highest weight.

I hear you.

I was about a C/D cup when I weighed over 200. I don't mind some loss but had hoped maybe to have my stomach not stick out further than my chest but looks like that may require surgery to have happen of some type. Oh well.

Scales suck.

Indeed.

If it's any comfort to you smaller breasted gals, when you're always a DD+ you look fat no matter what you weigh unless you wear skin tight clothing to show your figure, then you have to deal with obnoxious cat calls and judgey women.

See, I was overweight but tight clothes didn't help nor did cat calls or anything happen either. I never got noticed much and same now, not noticed much. Think the only cat calls I've had were on a trip in Mexico. Just want chest to be bigger than stomach. *laments* Though now can buy any of those unpadded sports bras if I could find one I like enough to spend the money. I'd probably have an easier time trying to accept the loss of chest if stomach was flatter but alas, not near that point yet.

Stupid scale. On a cut if I don't see the number I'd like to see I think there must be a logical explanation, so I take off my Fitbit and weigh in again like that was clearly the issue, but it never is. Good luck OP, the struggle is real.

hehe. Yeah, I did that before, making sure to take off the fitbit before I lost it. I suppose i need to start weighing all food but ugh, I don't wanna. Next week is going to be a long week but on the plus side, I have a little less work so maybe that will help as I power through and prepare for the meet. Before I get back to 6 day work weeks in July.

[Fiction2Fitness]

Catch up time. Or trying too but also trying to do laundry and it's so busy down there have to wait for someone to finally go back and get their clothes from the dryer so I can use it for mine that are already washed.

Diet: Not so great right now. Having a harder times keeping the calories low enough and with working 6 days in a row, end up with less cardio so the scale hasn't budged below 129. Digestion hasn't been the best either though some improvement this weekend. However, this morning with tired and blah and that, ended up eating a little too much already and still need to eat dinner. Le sigh. The struggle is real.

Training: Almost through peak cycle. Meet is in less than 7 days. Just two light sessions left.

Work is chaotic as usual. Worked the last 6 days in a row though could be worse as one of the guys worked 9 days in a row. I was going to be 6 days for the work week too but coverage was found so this next week is lighter with getting Wednesday then I had requested Friday-Saturday off for the meet. After that, it's back to 6 day work week cause one tech is going on vacation in July. Am working 4th of July but we have shorter hours so it's just two techs and one pharmacist that day.

No other meet after this one, not for a while. Had other things I want to spend my money one so after the meet will be back to 4 days a week gym though probably follow Sheiko on three of them. Might start doing more cardio/running. Contemplating a half marathon in October.

Last week's sessions:

monday
squat 1x3 @ 115, 1x3 @ 135, 2x3 @ 155, 5x2 @ 185
bench 1x3 @ 65, 1x3 @ 75, 2x3 @ 85, 3x2 @ 95, 3x1 @ 105
db fly 4x8 @ 17.5
tried a few abs on the hanging chair thing but eh

Wednesday
bench 1x3 @ 65, 1x3 @ 75, 2x3 @ 85, 5x2 @ 95
skipped abs
deadlift 1x3 @ 135, 2x3 @ 165, 2x3 @ 195, 5x2 @ 215
good morning 4x5 @ 165 and used a belt just for fun and too lazy to take it off as did these between deadlifts sets since had the rack area and two bars, which is unusual
30 minutes cardio on treadmill

Friday
squat 1x3 @ 115, 2x3 @ 135, 2x2 @ 155, 3x2 @ 165
bench 1x3 @ 65, 1x3 @ 75, 2x3 @ 85, 4x2 @ 95
cable abs 3x8 @ 70
30 minutes cardio on treadmill

[Fiction2Fitness]

And work schedule changed. Both good and bad. One of the techs has to take a class, company requirement, and the date ended up being shifted so he has to go to it on Wednesday. I had been given Wednesday off to keep from overtime for the week (work week is thur-wed). With him not able to work that day though, I'm back to working on Wednesday, which makes Sunday as my only day off for the work week. Tired and messes up a little my plans I'd made as need to get a couple of things done before the meet. On the plus side, she instead gave me Thursday off, which means I have off 4 days in a row and the last day of the water cut, as I'm doing it just for fun not really needing to, where I'll be on low water and just some protein shakes, I won't have to do that and work. So, probably a good thing. Still a little stress with needing to get to dmv for another paper copy as the meet require license on check-in but hopefully will be fine to get things done on Thursday instead. Does mean I miss the other writing group night I was going to since missed Saturday so no social time for the week and missing the next one for the meet but oh well. I haven't been writing lately anyways. That is a whole different unfortunate ramble and something I really need to work on.

For now it's bed cause worked 1-9 today and tomorrow it's 9:30 am, which means leaving by 8 am.

[Fiction2Fitness]

The fun continued today. They had one of the store meetings where they are trying to get all of us involved in how to develop strategies for the store to fix any issues and such, which entails taking 2 hours out of the stuff we are supposed to be doing in order to sit in the stock room for the meeting/group sessions. This time it was pharmacy focused with the main topic involving goals for patient wait times. However the bulk of the meeting, results, ideas, topics, etc ended up being more about communication between floor staff and pharmacy along with some factors that divide the two.

Having to sit in meeting also put one tech later for leaving and a couple of us late for lunch. I was supposed to clock out by 2:30 for lunch since the state required it be by the 5th hour of a shift. I clocked out around 4:40 pm. Ended up staying an extra hour too on a week where I'm working 6 out of 7 shifts. It was also hard to sit hours in a meeting on having had a protein shake and some water but nothing else. They provide snacks, candy and granola bars, which of course didn't fit in my plan for the week. Long day and have one more shift tomorrow.


On other topic: turns out the DMV didn't mark the apartment for mailing so the license had been mailed and returned cause it didn't list which apartment. So back to the DMV I go on Thursday to get that sorted and a new paper copy since need a form of ID when checking in for the meet.

[Fiction2Fitness]

Another work update. Probably boring some people but tis my life. Worked 6 days a week for the last 3 weeks now, boy do I need a break. Today was going to be a day off until had to change the schedule so I worked morning shift. However, our mid-day person didn't notice the change to his shift (which had been made over a week ago) so he didn't come in until 1 pm. So, it was the pharmacist and just two techs all morning. At least was only around 20+ minutes late for going to lunch and ended up working over an hour over the time supposed to leave.

Didn't get far though as had an older female customer chat with me for around 30 minutes after I'd clocked out. I saw here and said hi. She's having a rough time so I talked to her for a bit. Annoying thing happened though during it. We were talking about rather serious things, emotional and psychological related and tough times. An older gentlemen walked by and basically cat called her. He made a comment about her appearance along the lines of "look at this fine .. lady." She's 80 and he's probably up there too. We ignored him but it was awkward. And ironically I'm listening to a book on the commute called Beauty Sick, which right now is discussing woman having issues with how their bodies are viewed and comments people make.

Other than that, nothing too out of the ordinary.

Gym time was easy. Light squats and bench with a little cardio.

squat - 1x3 @ 115, 2x3 @ 135, 3x2 @ 155
bench - 1x3 @ 65, 2x3 @ 75, 3x2 @ 85
treadmill for 30 minutes. shins ache from work though


Tomorrow is dmv, prep for meet and maybe some cardio/sauna.

[Fiction2Fitness]

Okay well, I thought DMV was bad in general but reached a new conclusion. It's even worse in a deficit, on a hot day, at the end of a water cut when you don't even bring the protein shake you can have for the day. 6 hours. 3+ outside and part of which was not in the shade. Headache induced, nausea and stomach grumbled often. I'm still pretty patient but it was rough go and hard to keep mood in check.

Plus side, should get physical copy in 2 weeks since it now lists my apartment number (the reason it didn't get delivered before) and I have a non-expired paper copy since need ID for the meet.

Now I might nap. Head is still too blah to concentrate on writerly things. Only having a small bottle of water all day and couple of protein shakes. Might go to gym and cardio. Considering sauna but more as a treat from surviving 3 plus weeks at 6 shifts a week cause my legs could use some relief. And good to sweat off a little. Then I can look forward to the ice cream and whatever else I'm having tomorrow. mmm

[Fiction2Fitness]

Meet is tomorrow!

Unfortunately, I didn't nap yesterday. I was lying down with the cat when got a text from pharmacy manager asking if I could stop by a store near me to get the yearly self evaluation done cause it was due and we hadn't gotten around to it when I was at work. So, I didn't go in when I got called by Burbank yesterday for a shift cause DMV, but I did work a whole 20 minutes at the NoHo store filling out my yearly evaluation. Walked to store, walked for hour on treadmill, then walked home. Was going to go to gym last night for sauna but did not work out because didn't want to lose parking spot since I have to do street parking at the apartment. Tried to take sister's car but it's bigger, no back cam, and it was dark outside so I couldn't get it out of the parking spot cause the apartment parking areas are small. So, skipped sauna. Not like I would have dropped an extra 3 lbs from going so didn't really matter but had wanted to go for my legs which are tired after all of the time standing.


Funny thing about working in retail. I would be on the floor in uniform holding products and a telxon (scanner) working and I'd get customers asking me "do you work here". Happened a lot. Yesterday, standing by the computer in leggings and a t-shirt that said I workout cause I like food, customers would just come and ask me things. Granted one was my landlord (yeah....) getting some photos done so I got the worker at the store over to help get them printed. But one lady came up and sure she was polite saying she didn't mean to disturb me but then asked where something was located. I don't even work in that location much so had to half guess cause the layout is different. She came back and asked if she had to check out over in the front, as if maybe I could check her out too. So strange how people are with that at times.

Anyways, now I get to enjoy my day. I stopped by the Hollywood store and got some sushi. The guys there are nice so he made one of the rolls into a bowl for me. Gonna get some donuts for tomorrow in a bit and check out an ice cream shop. Gotta enjoy post weigh-in day for the food. mmm

[Partyrocking]

Kill it tomorrow!

[Fiction2Fitness]

Kill it tomorrow!

That is the plan.

[Fiction2Fitness]

Plan fail. Bombed out of the meet unfortunately. Have not had a problem before at 215. Warm ups struggled the 205 but didn’t hear when meet started so couldn’t lower first attempt. Staying anyways to bench and still try to PR on deadlift. Didn’t think the cut would affect anything but three weeks ago was failing at 235 on squat and now 215 no go. Frustrating but keep on pushing. Next meet going to kill 225. Grrr

[Partyrocking]

Bummer about the squats. Next time, you'll slaughter 225.

[shesprints]

I'm sorry about the squat, but good luck on the rest of the meet and tell us how it goes!

[Fiction2Fitness]

Bummer about the squats. Next time, you'll slaughter 225.

Thanks. Hope so.

I'm sorry about the squat, but good luck on the rest of the meet and tell us how it goes!

Thanks.

It went okay. Dropped my first attempt to 104.7 then did the 115.7 for second. Tried 126.8 but no go. Deadlifts kept to 275.6 for first attempt and managed 286.6 but it was a grind and two white light one. Tried 292.1 but not go. Watched a national record attempt though at the end of the flight. Chatted with and warmed up with some fun women so the social element was good.

Now am home. It was nice to eat whatever today but don’t feel good. Right now it is just pressure pain in head and sore throat. Not only might be coming down with a cold and time of month started this afternoon too.

[Fiction2Fitness]

Now the question is do I keep going with Sheiko or figure out a different program, like Smolov maybe. Hmmm

[thehobbes]

Aw crap, sorry to hear about the squat issues, great job on DL though! You'll smash 225 squat next time!

Now am home. It was nice to eat whatever today but don’t feel good. Right now it is just pressure pain in head and sore throat. Not only might be coming down with a cold and time of month started this afternoon too.

WTF you are the third person in a row in this section who said they're sick. :/

[phoenix4444]

Late to comment but bummer about your squat.

[FallenAngel80]

Sorry to hear about the issues with squat. You'll get it next time. Glad other aspects of the meet were positive

[shesprints]

That's a crazy deadlift, so well done on that. Squat and bench are the ones that are supposed to decrease on a cut, so presumably you'd do better if you taper back up to maintenance for next time. Also, yeah, DMV during a water cut is probably a level of Hell.

[Fiction2Fitness]

Aw crap, sorry to hear about the squat issues, great job on DL though! You'll smash 225 squat next time!

WTF you are the third person in a row in this section who said they're sick. :/

Well, I'm hoping I'm not sick after all. Nothing has worsened, which is good cause I am working the next 6 days in a row then only 1 day off before back to work.

Late to comment but bummer about your squat.

Thanks. It was a bit of a let down but oh well.

Sorry to hear about the issues with squat. You'll get it next time. Glad other aspects of the meet were positive

Thanks. Already wondering when for next time.

That's a crazy deadlift, so well done on that. Squat and bench are the ones that are supposed to decrease on a cut, so presumably you'd do better if you taper back up to maintenance for next time. Also, yeah, DMV during a water cut is probably a level of Hell.

The deadlift was decent. Crazy was the national record one at the end of the flight. She was awesome and her upper body build was wow. Making weight and taper up don't often end up at the same time but maybe some day. Would be nice to do a peak and not me in a deficit but haven't gotten there yet. And yep, no food and drink plus dmv is probably one of the circles of hell. lol I'm not had problems of squat with the cut since always in a deficit when preparing for meets. Bench has stayed the same but not increased. Squats were always fine with slight increase so this was a new one. We'll see what happens next time.

[Fiction2Fitness]

Stepped on the scale this morning. Impressive gain post watercut/meet/notcountingweekend plus tom. From around 127 to 136.

Back to tracking and deficit calories today. oh goodie

[thehobbes]

Also, yeah, DMV during a water cut is probably a level of Hell.

DMV? Are you guys talking about the little office where you wait around for 5 hours to get a stupid paper certified? DMV makes me nervous, as soon as I get in there I have to pee, srs. Also Costco but that's pure excitement like a puppy going to the park. I feel like I'm missing out on a funny emergency bathroom story in F2F's log? Log... teehee!

[Fiction2Fitness]

DMV? Are you guys talking about the little office where you wait around for 5 hours to get a stupid paper certified? DMV makes me nervous, as soon as I get in there I have to pee, srs. Also Costco but that's pure excitement like a puppy going to the park. I feel like I'm missing out on a funny emergency bathroom story in F2F's log? Log... teehee!

lol.. Sorry to disappointment but no emergency story here. On the dry, no drinking side of the water cut that day so I managed the 6 hours without needing the bathroom. Though my commutes to work are a different story. I don't know what it is about driving to work. I go to the bathroom right before leaving the house, yet need to go again when I get there.

Went to gym yesterday for some light random lifting. Still contemplating program options. Not smolov as not going to quit other lifts plus that's more a quick peak cycle to increase a lift, but might try it one of these days and see if bench can move at all. I like sheiko but also like upper/lower splits, not benching every day and want a day with fun like jerks or cleans. Anyways, ended up benching first cause the racks were full. Just picked some numbers to lift and went from there.

bench 1x6 @ 65, 2x5 @ 85, 3x3 @ 95
close grip bench paused 2x5 @ 45
squat 1x6 @ 115, 2x5 @ 135, belt 3x3 @ 165

Didn't do goodmorning cause back was a little cranky kinda close to right shoulder. Then did 30 minutes on treadmill walking, which was tough cause I didn't have my ipod or earbuds to use with cell phone.

Had work today. Day 3 out of 6. Will go lift tomorrow with deadlifts and whatever I feel like.

[Fiction2Fitness]

Didn't really feel like going to gym today after work so kept it pretty simple. Deadlifts, both conventional and sumo, plus cardio. That is all. For each weight on deadlifts I did one set conventional and one set sumo. Walked 60 minutes on treadmill though since had ipod.

deadlift - 2x6 @ 135, 2x5 @ 165, 6x5 @ 185
treadmill for 60 minutes


Back to 129 on the scale. Now to try and get it to go lower since June wasn't really a success in that department. Weight and sizing is still in a weird place. My small scrub pants are big enough to wear shorts under them and not just tight gym shorts. Yesterday, I wore regular lei shorts under them. I got to order more and finally ordered short instead of regular length but went with small still cause I don't know how tight the extra small are and they don't go any smaller either. Shift lead doing the ordering made a joke when I was trying to figure out size cause working on losing 10+ more lbs about later the other size for bulking. Was like "I wish" cause so far not looking plausible to bulk.

I did do a post in the regular forum about bulking and while the response is understandable, kinda wish a few more women had responded. Not that I need to bulk but still didn't feel the question got answered as I wasn't asking if I should exactly, just considering a start weight if I wanted to do so. At first was thinking stay for sure under 140 by end of bulk, but maybe would be good goal to stay in 132 weight class, but even that is overweight since anything above 120 is overweight for my height.

Just want visible quads, hamstrings and maybe some biceps to distract from the bingo wings. So unreasonable *holds up sarcasm sign* I know. hehehe

[shesprints]

I know nothing about cutting and bulking, truthfully, because I'm not really a bodybuilder. I think your size is also an interesting case--you might want to seek out the help of other powerlifters who are about your height, because they might have more specific insight.

I'm glad you didn't get sick after all!