How much damage can I do in the next 133 days ? Interesting question. This week, instead of two a day workouts, I missed 4 straight workouts. Why, you ask --- because I was too stubborn to rest when my body told me it was necessary. Lesson learned!
Even though I was forced to take some down time, I still managed 2 really good Crossfit workouts this week, 2 bodybuilding workouts, 1 gymnastics class and 1 pole dancing class. It was a light week, what can I say.
Since my physical activity was so low this week, I made certain to focus on my dietary needs. Fueled up Paleo style .... plenty of protein, including a few really good filet mignons. some delicious bison burgers and a little fresh fish plus lots of veggies including potatoes and yams! Unfortunately, it was not enough. I added some protein drinks (I make them myself with liquid egg whites, coconut milk and fruit), to ensure my caloric needs are being met. All of that and I still lost 2 pounds this week. I really need to watch this because it's much to early in the game to be losing weight.
I still haven't managed to get on a sewing schedule, but I believe I've found my posing suit pattern and shoes. Now I just need a seamstress to get it all together. Ahhhh .... the endless things-to-do list that goes with competition, is just that --- endless, so I better get back to it. I need to check in with both my strength training/nutrition coach and my figure/competition coach, to review where I've been and where I still need to go.
133 days and counting........................
DistrictCrossfit getting some Mobility!
Friday, January 21, 2011
Friday, January 14, 2011
Working hard or hardly working .......
So many people are starting their new healthy lifestyles in 2011; and then, there are those of us that never stopped. But what are we doing in the gym, working hard or hardly working? I feel like I have a much better perspective on this now that I'm doing two very different workouts each week.
I'm in the Crossfit box three days a week for a serious total body workout. These workouts will challenge the fittest of the fit, yet can be scaled for a beginner. You're lifting heavy and light weight, using body weight exercises like push ups and pull ups, jumping, running, even climbing ropes. When you finish, you know you've given your all because it's on the floor around you (as are your fellow workout partners)! It's an experience you don't want to miss if you're interested in really getting fit. I suggest finding your local Crossfit Affiliate and giving it a go; that is, if you're really serious about stepping up your game this year.
The other side of the fence is your local big box chain. My local gym is not a national chain, but they have what I need to fulfill my weekly bodybuilding workouts. I am committed to competing in my first figure competition, June 2011, so a bodybuilding style workout has to be a part of my plan. I bring this up because each time I'm in the globo gym, I can't help but make the comparison to my Crossfit Affiliate. I look around and not a single woman is in the weight room and if they are they are using the minimum amount of weight on the rack. They quickly complete their reps and rush to the first open piece of cardio equipment. Even worse, are the ones that hit the cardio equipment first and then do a few quick reps with the lightest dumbbell they can find! Ridiculous if they expect to actually make a change. I really do wonder if they consider themselves working hard, because I can assure you, they're not!
I find myself, laughing at myself, because I wonder if people think the same thing about me. You tend to see the same folks each day and there I am, doing my arm curls, leg extensions, lat raises, etc. Don't get me wrong, serious bodybuilders, using serious weight are indeed working hard. Mind you, I'm attempting to move as much weight as I can but I save the serious stuff for the box. No need, for me, to over do it. I want to look good, not hurt myself. So, there I am working my pretty muscles like a good little droid and I do expect to look awesome come June. But, I still believe much (if not most) of that will come from those serious 6am workouts in the box.
So, what are you doing .... working hard or hardly working ?
By the way, I'm scheduled for my first adult gymnastics class tomorrow and I attended my first pole dancing class :-) last weekend. Yeah, yeah, I know ...... but those are stories for a different day.
I'm in the Crossfit box three days a week for a serious total body workout. These workouts will challenge the fittest of the fit, yet can be scaled for a beginner. You're lifting heavy and light weight, using body weight exercises like push ups and pull ups, jumping, running, even climbing ropes. When you finish, you know you've given your all because it's on the floor around you (as are your fellow workout partners)! It's an experience you don't want to miss if you're interested in really getting fit. I suggest finding your local Crossfit Affiliate and giving it a go; that is, if you're really serious about stepping up your game this year.
The other side of the fence is your local big box chain. My local gym is not a national chain, but they have what I need to fulfill my weekly bodybuilding workouts. I am committed to competing in my first figure competition, June 2011, so a bodybuilding style workout has to be a part of my plan. I bring this up because each time I'm in the globo gym, I can't help but make the comparison to my Crossfit Affiliate. I look around and not a single woman is in the weight room and if they are they are using the minimum amount of weight on the rack. They quickly complete their reps and rush to the first open piece of cardio equipment. Even worse, are the ones that hit the cardio equipment first and then do a few quick reps with the lightest dumbbell they can find! Ridiculous if they expect to actually make a change. I really do wonder if they consider themselves working hard, because I can assure you, they're not!
I find myself, laughing at myself, because I wonder if people think the same thing about me. You tend to see the same folks each day and there I am, doing my arm curls, leg extensions, lat raises, etc. Don't get me wrong, serious bodybuilders, using serious weight are indeed working hard. Mind you, I'm attempting to move as much weight as I can but I save the serious stuff for the box. No need, for me, to over do it. I want to look good, not hurt myself. So, there I am working my pretty muscles like a good little droid and I do expect to look awesome come June. But, I still believe much (if not most) of that will come from those serious 6am workouts in the box.
So, what are you doing .... working hard or hardly working ?
By the way, I'm scheduled for my first adult gymnastics class tomorrow and I attended my first pole dancing class :-) last weekend. Yeah, yeah, I know ...... but those are stories for a different day.
**********************************
Tomorrow is not promised
---so, I'm living life to the fullest today!
Friday, January 7, 2011
Are you Interested or Committed ???
I'm frequently asked why I do what I do. I always have a hard time answering that question, but I think the bottom line is, I'm committed to living an active lifestyle. No one can ever imagine what makes me get up before 5am to ensure I have plenty of time for my morning workout. I mean .. I'm over 50 .. I've never been overweight .. so why bother? Why bother indeed!
I'm more active than most 20 year olds and I plan to keep it that way. I'm a native Californian and being outside is second nature. I'm also a youngest child; and playing outside, all alone, was a reward. I had nobody to boss me around, just run, jump and ride my bike. I was one happy camper and I've let that feeling follow me into my adult life. I'm one of those rare people that really does enjoy a good workout.
I also make it a point to set regular goals. So this year, not only do I plan to compete in a figure competition (more on that another day), but I have very specific goals for Crossfit. I plan to:
1) increase my back squat to 150% of my bodyweight
2) increase my deadlift to 200% of my bodywieght
3) improve all of my overhead lifts by 25%
4) complete my benchmark Crossfit workouts at 75% of the Rx'd weight
For me, each of these is a major challenge, but I have stated my intentions publicly and I'm committed to meet each of them by years end.
Tomorrow, I'll be participating in my first Crossfit Challenge of the year. It's "Fran", a timed workout that includes Thrusters (front squat/push press) and Pull Ups. I can assure you, I won't be the fastest person to finish and hopefully, not the last, but I will do this workout at approximately 75% of the prescribed weight because I'm committed.
I'm working out tomorrow because I'm committed to my goals, not just interested in trying!
I'm more active than most 20 year olds and I plan to keep it that way. I'm a native Californian and being outside is second nature. I'm also a youngest child; and playing outside, all alone, was a reward. I had nobody to boss me around, just run, jump and ride my bike. I was one happy camper and I've let that feeling follow me into my adult life. I'm one of those rare people that really does enjoy a good workout.
I also make it a point to set regular goals. So this year, not only do I plan to compete in a figure competition (more on that another day), but I have very specific goals for Crossfit. I plan to:
1) increase my back squat to 150% of my bodyweight
2) increase my deadlift to 200% of my bodywieght
3) improve all of my overhead lifts by 25%
4) complete my benchmark Crossfit workouts at 75% of the Rx'd weight
For me, each of these is a major challenge, but I have stated my intentions publicly and I'm committed to meet each of them by years end.
Tomorrow, I'll be participating in my first Crossfit Challenge of the year. It's "Fran", a timed workout that includes Thrusters (front squat/push press) and Pull Ups. I can assure you, I won't be the fastest person to finish and hopefully, not the last, but I will do this workout at approximately 75% of the prescribed weight because I'm committed.
I'm working out tomorrow because I'm committed to my goals, not just interested in trying!
There’s a difference between interest and commitment.
When you’re interested in doing something, you do it only when it’s convenient.
When you’re committed to something, you accept no excuses; only results.
--K. Blanchard
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