Today's diet and training...

is on so far. Today's a low day so nothing exciting as far as eating is concerned. Think: protein, fish oil, some nuts, and a lot of green veggies.

I did back and biceps today.... hadn't dedicated an entire day to them in a long time and I have to say it felt pretty good. Took me back a bit. Anywho, workout went something like this...

• wide grip pull ups 4x8-10*--using bands of course for counter resistance. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to do big girl pull ups in oh, 25 pounds or so! LOL.
• one arm db rows 4x8-10
• kneeling close grip cable pull downs 3x10-12
• seated close grip cable rows 3x10-12

• barbell curls 3x6-8
• concentration curls 3x10-12

*A 'funny' thing happened on my last set of these... my legs were being retarded and didn't wanna go up high enough (even though I did 3 prior sets completely fine!) to put my foot in the damn bands. I struggled like a moron for a few minutes, trying not to fall off the box at the same time (I put a tall box under the pull up bar so I can reach it..). Finally, I gave up and did a set of kneeling pull downs instead. Maybe Ill consider stretching my hips before attempting these again. Thank God I was about the only person in the weight area (I knew there was a reason I didn't wanna work out at noon!).

Going back tonite for some cardio with my friend.

And I'm out,
P

After quite a bit of back and forth and mulling over I've decided that...

I'd much rather get my butt back into a good maintenance shape before worrying about dieting down for another show--so that's exactly what I'm going to do.

I've dropped training slightly to every other day: rotating weights one day, 45-60 minutes of outdoor cross training/conditioning/ or just plain gym cardio the other days.... Sunday I love to hit the park and run hills and weighted sled sprints, so when a training day falls on Sunday I'll have two workouts that day.

I set up a body part split, because, well, it's what I started out doing many years ago and what I liked. And I built my physique with it--despite all the 'full body' and 'everything at least twice a week' hoopla as of late. So day 1 is back n bis, day 2 legs, and day 3 chest, shoulders, n tris. I'll probably add in some core work on my cardio days and calves are usually annihilated during my hill or sled sprints outdoors.

I'm going to try out a carb cycle that I used before and had good results with. I figure I'll give it a month to see how my body (and mind!) reacts. That will put me at right about my birthday so if I've done well I will splurge a little then. :-)

Something like this

High, Med, Low, Low

• High days= 150 carbs
• Med days= 75 carbs
• Low days= 0 carbs (only those from green veggies and whatever is found in 2 servings of nuts)

Protein will be appx 130-150g per day...fat around 30--coming from whatever is in my protein, two .5 oz servings of nuts and 6g of fish oil per day.

I like this set up. I like the fast weight drop with no carbs, and also the 'looking forward to' feeling I get from the high carb days.

I have so many good friends that are definitely 'on' right now...all losing weight, all looking amazing...they all say I motivate and inspire them but right now they are motivating me.

I'll be checking in mid month with a sled pulling video for sure. ;-)

p

Hey there, it's been a while!

Well, it's time to resurrect the old blog and fill everyone in on what's been going on 'round these parts....

I've pretty much spent the past year not wanting to compete, getting injured (which kept me out of the gym for nearly 2 months and on the sofa with a pint of Ben & Jerry's--ok, not really, it was more like box of Domino's lol), then back to wanting to compete again. And repeat.

I really need to make up my mind.

I think because I have/had so far to go to get back on stage that I was discouraged. I fooled myself into believing it wasn't 'worth it' and that I had better things to do with my time; but, the truth is, it is what I really want. It is so worth it. I just have to believe in myself and know that I can and will get there.

And this time, I really want to do it on my own. I hate being accountable to a trainer or coach. To have to check in and have them scrutinize your progress. For me, that only adds to the stress/anxiety prepping for a show can put on you--and I'd like to avoid all that this time around.

I've got 22 weeks to lose 30-35 pounds. Sounds like a lot, and it is, but it is possible.

-Patricia

eta-actually was 26 weeks from time of this blog...