Doing it Right this time

[aquamarine84]

Went to the hockey game again last night...always good to catch up with my former co-workers and some of my old regulars. Today, early morning workout so I can move my equipment out of the dining room for thanksgiving "linner" (my mother insists on eating at 2pm)

Superset A:
BB Hip Thrust: 50.5lbs 3x10
DB Bent over rows: 38 3x12 adding my Fat Gripz

Superset B:
Back Squat 56lbs 3x10
Pushups 3x4

American DL 110.5 3x10
Side lying abduction: 20r each side with x-heavy loop band
Straight leg sit up: 15r with 6.5lb dumbbell
Half kneeling band anti-rotation: Red 10r each side (doing better but I don't think this exercise was meant for standard resistance bands)

I do consider this my most important workout of the year seeing as I track but don't care what I eat, and all things considered I think I killed it.

[aquamarine84]

Ended up pulling another 9-7 shift yesterday...we were hardly busy but several people called out. So much the better because my mother had a stomach bug.

In any case, I'm doing pretty well...Saturdays are normally a little bit of a struggle to get moving and keep moving, but I had most of my bathroom cleaned before I got to today's workout:

Superset A:
Paused BB hip thrust 30.5 3x10
Chest supported DB row 38 3x12

Superset B:
Front Squat 26 3x10
Incline DB Press 48 3x8

BW Back extentions 3x10
Side lying clam:15r each side with light and x-heavy bands
Hanging leg raise:10r
Woodchopper: 6.5lbs 15r/side

This workout in particular really tests the limit of my home gym. Definitely something I can work around though.

[serinebean]

I hate when people call out lol. And that is a long day!

Also, what is up with 2pm Thanksgiving dinners? It makes no sense, I am not even hungry then lol! But we do what we have to for family!

Good luck with the rest of Sunday motivation...I go into work late and am feeling the laze myself.

[aquamarine84]

I hate when people call out lol. And that is a long day!

Also, what is up with 2pm Thanksgiving dinners? It makes no sense, I am not even hungry then lol! But we do what we have to for family!

Good luck with the rest of Sunday motivation...I go into work late and am feeling the laze myself.

Eh, it's gotten to the point it doesn't bother me anymore. I do more food prep when I work late, which is why I took the job in the first place. It does cut into my gym time though...although hauling 40lb boxes of meat out of the freezer counts for something I think.

2pm dinner doesn't really bother me so much anymore now that I've conditioned myself to eating lunch right then (I can't eat during the lunch rush), but yeah, she doesn't want to go to bed on that full a stomach and she does most of the cooking. Me? I fix myself a small plate and volunteer to put the leftovers away and get my real dinner that way .

Today I got my morning yoga in and am trying to force myself to rest. My main trouble is I have no food prep to do since I never touched last week's frozen chicken, so I'm kinda bored. Definitely going to at least foam roll.

[aquamarine84]

Was another crazy day at the Bell: There's another Taco Bell 8 minutes down the road - the busiest store in the area (we are usually the least busy). Well, there was a water main break and they were under a boil water notice, so essentially shut down. Not that there aren't 8 fast food joints in between the two stores, but we suddenly got very busy. Ended up having to stay just to catch up on food prep. The good news is the AM shift manager actually let me be on the line (he tends to butt me off and do it all himself), and while they were changing shifts, one assistant manager gave me a major vote of confidence to the other about my line skills. Finally!

Was a little late getting to my workout today which I think affected my performance:
BB Hip Thrust: 50.5lbs 3x11
DB Bent over rows: 43 3x12

Superset B:
Back Squat 56lbs 3x11
Pushups 3x5

American DL 110.5 2x11 but I couldn't keep a grip on the bar for the 3rd set
Side lying abduction: 20r each side with x-heavy loop band
Straight leg sit up: 15r with 9lb dumbbell

On that note, I think I'm going to be asking Santa for 2 more each of 5lb and 10lb plates with these supersets!

[aquamarine84]

Dive last night got cut a little short...all 7 of us had to be on the shallow side because of a training so we knocked it out pretty quick. Sadly it's likely my last dive of the year...that's my only life outside of work and lifting really. I'm presently trying to figure out the finances to start my personal training certification and start tying my life together. Slowly but surely, things are working themselves out.

Today's workout:
Superset A:
Single Leg BW hip thrust: 3x12
Chin up 3x1

Superset B:
BW Bulgarian Split Squat 3x11
Barbell Overhead Press 56 lbs 1x4, then 46lbs 2x8

Good Morning 96 3x10
Xband walk: Red & Blue 20r/side
Feet elevated plank 2:25
Dumbbell Side Bend: 19bs 15r/side

[anandagirl]

Great work despite life still trying to derail you

Is it bad that I seek out Taco Bell if I'm going to do fast food? I probably eat it only like 3x a year, but that's where I go I would also drive the 8 minutes away and skip all the other fast food places. Although for me, that's driving down the highway looking for the next Food on Exit XYZ with the Taco Bell logo, so it's usually more like 20 miles

[aquamarine84]

Great work despite life still trying to derail you

Is it bad that I seek out Taco Bell if I'm going to do fast food? I probably eat it only like 3x a year, but that's where I go I would also drive the 8 minutes away and skip all the other fast food places. Although for me, that's driving down the highway looking for the next Food on Exit XYZ with the Taco Bell logo, so it's usually more like 20 miles

Not at all...it's probably one of the more macro friendly fast food places.

Today was a yoga only day...trying to make sure I get that in when I can because I notice it when I don't. Hopefully I'll be back to the grind tomorrow.

[aquamarine84]

Trying to end a stressful week on a high note with my workout today:
BB Hip Thrust: 50.5lbs 3x12
DB Bent over rows: 43 3x12 with the Fat Gripz

Superset B:
Back Squat 56lbs 3x12
Pushups 3x5

American DL 60.5 3x20 (both to try and get my form back and remind me how much I hate light weight/high rep lifts)
Side lying abduction: 22r each side with x-heavy loop band
Straight leg sit up: 15r with 11.5lb dumbbell
Band rotation: Red 6r each side

Debating whether or not I'm going to workout tomorrow...my quads are sore AF and I think partly all the mental stress from work is affecting me a little. My plan is to foam roll in the morning, maybe workout in the afternoon and then after dinner go to get my Christmas present (my next tattoo) quoted and maybe done if my artist has the time.

Meanwhile, I'm going to bed early. Some Friday night.

[aquamarine84]

Foam rolling today was more painful than I ever remember it being....this 4 days of full body is catching up with me for sure. So I opted to rest (I haven't felt like workout c has done much through this entire program anyway). Good news is my new ink is complete! I'll post a pic when the bandage is off. Debating about when to start week 3. I'm still a little leery of taking 3 days off if I get stuck at work Monday, but at the same time both my muscles and my tattoo need to heal a bit.

[aquamarine84]

Decided against working out in favor of baking more cookies for my coworkers:

This is about the only thing I actually enjoy about the season anymore

And my new tattoo:

It's a line from Sugarland's Take Me As I Am

[JustBulk]

the cookies look awesome, i wish they were for me.

[Fiction2Fitness]

ooo cookies and tattoo. Very nice!

[aquamarine84]

the cookies look awesome, i wish they were for me.

Come on over next time

ooo cookies and tattoo. Very nice!

Thanks!

Deload was just what the doctor ordered...yoga went pretty smoothly this morning and then this evening:

BB Hip Thrust: 60.5lbs 3x10
DB Bent over rows: 48 3x10

Superset B:
Back Squat 61lbs 3x10
Pushups 3x6

American DL 80.5 3x12
Side lying abduction: 24r each side with x-heavy loop band
Straight leg sit up: 16r with 11.5lb dumbbell
Band rotation: Red 7r each side

I think I've decided that I'm going to keep compounds in the 8-12 rep range and just as weight as needed. I feel like my body doesn't respond well to this high rep crap.

[aquamarine84]

Morning yoga went even smoother today...I've been trying to choose classes that include some glute strengthening and quad stretching. My shoulders have been really tight but such is life.

Today's workout:
Superset A:
Single Leg BW hip thrust: 3x14
Chin up 3x1 (still can't manage a second rep yet)

Superset B:
BW Bulgarian Split Squat 3x12
Barbell Overhead Press 46lbs 3x9

Good Morning 96 3x11
Xband walk: Red & Blue 22r/side
Feet elevated plank 2x1:30
Dumbbell Side Bend: 24bs 15r/side

Today I'm feeling it mostly in my hamstrings. Tomorrow, I will hopefully make the time to foam roll.

[aquamarine84]

Finally got to foam rolling...quads and shoulders are definitely still tight but not tear-inducingly painful. I have the midshift tomorrow so I'm aiming for an early morning workout.

[aquamarine84]

I slept absolutely horribly last night...ever had someone say something that doesn't bother you until you wake up in the middle of the night and realize what was wrong with the message? Still, a little bit of BeautyStrong and a morning workout:

BB Hip Thrust: 60.5lbs 3x11
DB Bent over rows: 48 3x11

Superset B:
Back Squat 61lbs 3x11
Pushups 3x6

American DL 85.5 3x12
Side lying abduction: 24r each side with x-heavy loop band
Straight leg sit up: 17r with 11.5lb dumbbell
Band rotation: Red 8r each side

Now on to face the day.

[Tpocalicious]

Just gotta tip my hat to your consistency, OP! Admiring your discipline. . . and cookie baking, and yoga, AND foam rolling. . .

[aquamarine84]

Just gotta tip my hat to your consistency, OP! Admiring your discipline. . . and cookie baking, and yoga, AND foam rolling. . .

LOL, thanks...I do try to live a little!

Slightly embarrassing consequence of my lifestyle...apparently a customer asked how many calories were in the steakhouse burrito, and the GM sees me coming back from my lunch break and says "Oh, Jessica probably knows." (sad thing is I do have the macros for a good portion of the menu memorized...but I didn't geek out and answer).

[Tpocalicious]

Slightly embarrassing consequence of my lifestyle...apparently a customer asked how many calories were in the steakhouse burrito, and the GM sees me coming back from my lunch break and says "Oh, Jessica probably knows." (sad thing is I do have the macros for a good portion of the menu memorized...but I didn't geek out and answer).

Ha, Awesome!!

[Fiction2Fitness]

Ah yes, the joyous result of counting calories over an extended time. Helps at times for ourselves but others can either nerd out too or find it odd to know those things.

[aquamarine84]

Ah yes, the joyous result of counting calories over an extended time. Helps at times for ourselves but others can either nerd out too or find it odd to know those things.

Funny thing is I don't really talk about it...I bring my lunch still because I don't always get a chance to grab myself something, and i log what I do eat from work, but it's not like I make a big deal. Heck, I bring them cookies. I'm at least not the only gym rat - I've got the poor basketball girl struggling to gain weight eating peanut butter all day.

Today's timeline:
-Wake up, ADHD in full force. Already at 1100 steps by breakfast 2 hours later. Opt to foam roll instead of yoga.
-End up on the line all morning (where oddly I tend to rack up the most steps). Move to the register at 11, only to discover no one took the trash out last night. More physical work.
-Back helping on the line for half an hour in the afternoon while the GM was sorting out some personnel issues. High school kids then show up and trash the dining room. More physical work.
-4pm, almost done for the day, bagging up nachos when one of the sodas on the top shelf needs to be changed out. More physical work. Leave work at 5:10 with 13k steps.

Between not being able to focus and being so dang tired, I have opted to postpone today's workout until tomorrow. I think that's what I like best about Strong Curves.

[Fiction2Fitness]

I would bring my coworkers cookies and such too, at my old store. mmm cookies

Sounds like another busy day. I haven't tried strong curves but having that flexibility does sound like a good idea and convenient.

[aquamarine84]

It's definitely not meant for powerlifters...even I'm having to adjust it some because it gets ridiculously high rep. Still, there's an entire chapter of the book on the lifestyle.

On that note, I did swap out the pull this week:
Superset A:
Paused BB hip thrust 35.5 3x10
Underhand grip BB row 35.5 3x12 (that way I use the same bar, and it seems like I can progress at a similar rate with it)

Superset B:
Front Squat 31 3x10
Incline DB Press 48 3x9

BW Back extentions 3x11
Side lying clam:15r each side with medium and x-heavy bands
Hanging leg raise:11r
Woodchopper: 9lbs 15r/side

So despite missing workout C last week, I was still able to progress on every lift. Definitely thinking that taking last weekend off was the right course of action. I'm still feeling a little out of sorts mentally, but the good thing about these ADHD episodes is they do tend to give me energy.

[Fiction2Fitness]

Ahh, yeah, I'm not a fan of high rep ranges. That was the hardest part going from 5x5 to NROLFW because stage 1 had the higher reps for even deadlifts, which felt so strange to me. The AMRAP was the worse on that because by the time I get to 15 on deadlift, then I just wonder why the heck I'm still on the same set. lol

Great job on your progression. :-D

[aquamarine84]

Ahh, yeah, I'm not a fan of high rep ranges. That was the hardest part going from 5x5 to NROLFW because stage 1 had the higher reps for even deadlifts, which felt so strange to me. The AMRAP was the worse on that because by the time I get to 15 on deadlift, then I just wonder why the heck I'm still on the same set. lol

During prep I had at least 1 "100 rep non stop" exercise every week. Drove me bonkers. I don't even want to count that high!

On that note, I'm finally breaking out the 25lb plates for my squat!

BB Hip Thrust: 65.5lbs 3x10
DB Bent over rows: 48 3x12

Superset B:
Back Squat 66lbs 3x10
Pushups 3x7

American DL 90.5 3x10
Side lying abduction: 25r each side with x-heavy loop band
Straight leg sit up: 18r with 11.5lb dumbbell

I am going to cut out the oblique work as I'm starting to feel like it goes against my goals since I don't have well defined hips. I'm also, starting today, increasing calories to 2200 based on my weight average and Fitbit data since Thanksgiving.

Other than that, just typical life craziness.

[aquamarine84]

I'm going to leave it at today was a rough day both at home and work. But...a bad day makes for a good workout, right?
Superset A:
Single Leg BW hip thrust: 3x16
Chin up 3x1 1/2 (I tried for that second rep on every set)

Superset B:
BW Bulgarian Split Squat 3x14
Barbell Overhead Press 46lbs 3x10

Good Morning 101 3x10 (Another lift cracks 100!)
Xband walk: Red & Blue 26r/side
Hanging leg raise 12r (I meant to do that. I hate planks)

Problem is I'm still angry and wound up and I work breakfast tomorrow. Sleep will be a challenge.

[aquamarine84]

Today was a rest and massive cheat day...dang Buffalo Wild Wings. But the big news of the day, and I think I may be doing it for the wrong reasons after a heated discussion with my boss, but I have officially registered for the NASM Certified Personal Trainer course.

[Tpocalicious]

But the big news of the day, and I think I may be doing it for the wrong reasons after a heated discussion with my boss, but I have officially registered for the NASM Certified Personal Trainer course.

1) SUPER COOL!!!!!!!!!!

2) Wait, the wrong reasons? Ruuu? (That's supposed to be my confused Scooby Doo impression.)

[aquamarine84]

1) SUPER COOL!!!!!!!!!!

2) Wait, the wrong reasons? Ruuu? (That's supposed to be my confused Scooby Doo impression.)

Hahaha, thanks...yeah, I just would rather things be working out at work so I could do this when I'm more financially stable. Now the're cutting my breakfast hours (when I actually make food).

On that note, I actually did work out yesterday morning before I went in at 11am and then got stuck covering the window until 10pm. I seriously want to have my boss's head this week.

Yesterday's workout:
BB Hip Thrust: 65.5lbs 3x11
DB Bent over rows: 53 3x10

Superset B:
Back Squat 66lbs 3x11
Pushups 3x7

American DL 90.5 3x11
Side lying abduction: 26r each side with x-heavy loop band
Straight leg sit up: 15r with 14lbs

I should be working out this morning because I don't go in til 11:30. I just feel like chit. Actually went back to bed for an hour. More than likely I'll wait until tomorrow. I might get roped in to closing tomorrow night(not that I want to work 10pm to 5am but the one guy wants off and tomorrow's closing manager is probably the nicest to me), but I should be able to get my last Booty-ful beginnings workout in before hand even if I do.