After a week of running around seeing doctors and reassuring everyone that my noggin is functioning properly, I'm back! Yesterday, the doc asked me about my headaches (not too bad...4 on a scale of 10) and my appetite (I ate like a horse the day before) and my nausea (nonexistent). So I rolled into the gym and did my lower body today. And holy cow - I just about fell in the floor on hams!
Ironically, before I started BFL, I wasn't really in the gym that much. Only when work made me or a friend asked. Running was my one consistent workout. The occasional bout of push-ups and sit-ups like any other service member cramming for their annual PT (that's physical fitness) test. But that's it.
So funny enough, after nearly a week out, I have missed it. The rubbery smell of dumbells, the loud music, and of course, the people. You know which ones I'm talking about. Big-chested-are-the-girls-checking-me-out-as-I'm-looking-in-the-mirror guy. Heaving-like-I-ran-a-marathon-on-the-treadmill man. And my personal favorite -- is-my-hair-still-perfect-as-I'm-on-the-elliptical girl. These people are what make the gym great. Who cares that they're checking themselves out or sweating buckets; the bottom line is that they are working out. Doing great things for their bodies.
I hardly noticed any of this five weeks ago but being forced away from the gym has made me realize how much good I was doing for myself as well. Sweat rolling down my back, breathing hard in my chest, stretch of a tight muscle -- I love this stuff and am so excited about pushing through to the end!
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Friday, July 18, 2008
Concussion stops BFL - just for a bit
So I got a concussion. Coolest story ever -- I was in the turret of a Hummer. For you non-mil types, that's hanging out the top. And we took off and crashed into a tree. The ambulance charged in and whisked me away. Six hours later the guy driving picked me up at the ER and took me back to the dorms. I got a swelled brain and a bruised sternum out of it not to mention a story that is running out of control.
But now I have halted my BFL. Just for a week. I'm recooping and my sister swears that will be OK for the program.
I'll let you know Monday!
But now I have halted my BFL. Just for a week. I'm recooping and my sister swears that will be OK for the program.
I'll let you know Monday!
Friday, July 11, 2008
Fell out yesterday
So I normally work out between 5 and 6 every morning.
My parents don't believe it. I was always the night owl, up late watching The Goonies or Indiana Jones movies as a kid and NEVER up before the sun. My grandmother had a great expression, "If God wanted me to see the sun, he would have it come up at noon!"
Well, with kids and work, the only time to work out is before the sun. (I will say that I thought 5 AM was early but on the BFL guestbook, there is one guy who gets up at 3:30am and a woman who gets up at 4:30 am. UNBELIEVABLE!)
So, anyway, I get up super early and that makes me feel all grown up. And then I go to work and am usually home by 5:30 pm to do all the normal dinner, kids, husband, ready for tomorrow stuff. On my normal schedule, I'm not too tired but on BFL, I've noticed that I am wiped out by the time I get home or even sooner. Naps sound great. Pillows make my eyes droopy. I've been known to nod off from time to time in front of my computer. Now, according to the folks on the BFL guestbook, this is not an unusual phenom because my body isn't used to all the working out that I do. I can certainly attest to that!
But last night as soon as I got home, I decided to just close my eyes for a minute on top of my covers. Just rest my head on my pretty, blue pillows with the little one hugged to my chest. Only for a couple of minutes with the cool air coming from the ceiling fan. Then all of a sudden I hear AAAHHH --- AAAAHHHH --- AAAAAHHH. It's 5 AM!!!!!
Today was the best lower body workout I've had yet!
My parents don't believe it. I was always the night owl, up late watching The Goonies or Indiana Jones movies as a kid and NEVER up before the sun. My grandmother had a great expression, "If God wanted me to see the sun, he would have it come up at noon!"
Well, with kids and work, the only time to work out is before the sun. (I will say that I thought 5 AM was early but on the BFL guestbook, there is one guy who gets up at 3:30am and a woman who gets up at 4:30 am. UNBELIEVABLE!)
So, anyway, I get up super early and that makes me feel all grown up. And then I go to work and am usually home by 5:30 pm to do all the normal dinner, kids, husband, ready for tomorrow stuff. On my normal schedule, I'm not too tired but on BFL, I've noticed that I am wiped out by the time I get home or even sooner. Naps sound great. Pillows make my eyes droopy. I've been known to nod off from time to time in front of my computer. Now, according to the folks on the BFL guestbook, this is not an unusual phenom because my body isn't used to all the working out that I do. I can certainly attest to that!
But last night as soon as I got home, I decided to just close my eyes for a minute on top of my covers. Just rest my head on my pretty, blue pillows with the little one hugged to my chest. Only for a couple of minutes with the cool air coming from the ceiling fan. Then all of a sudden I hear AAAHHH --- AAAAHHHH --- AAAAAHHH. It's 5 AM!!!!!
Today was the best lower body workout I've had yet!
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Motivate, Motivate, Motivate
The key word in all this is MOTIVATION.
It's what gets me slamming on the alarm clock at 5 AM and actually putting my running shoes on. It's what makes me ask for a to-go box as soon as the Mexican food hits the table. It's what puts the "umph" in that last set of barbell lifts. And it's also what has me drowning myself in a gallon of water every single day.
I love the way I feel when I'm done killing myself on the treadmill or scrapping myself off the floor after tricep dips.
It has spiced up my life with a hobby and even better, a hobby that I can share with my sister. So I decided it was time to list the top ten things that keep me on BFL, so here goes:
10 -- My tushy looks much better in a size 4 than in a size 8 :)
9 -- I've gotta beat my sister (see #7)
8 -- Myoplex Lite Chocolate Bars are really not that bad
7 -- I'm too competitive for my own good
6 -- I love wearing a two-piece swim suit!
5 -- Sprinting up hill for 2 full minutes makes me feel like Wonder Woman
4 -- Feeding my face six times a day is heaven
3 -- Crossing off a square on the 84-day BINGO chart is like being on a game show
2 -- The Pentagon could hire me to develop war plans if they see the meal & exercise plans I can spit out
1 -- (DRUM ROLL PLEASE...)
I LOVE HOW EASY THIS IS!!!!!
It's what gets me slamming on the alarm clock at 5 AM and actually putting my running shoes on. It's what makes me ask for a to-go box as soon as the Mexican food hits the table. It's what puts the "umph" in that last set of barbell lifts. And it's also what has me drowning myself in a gallon of water every single day.
I love the way I feel when I'm done killing myself on the treadmill or scrapping myself off the floor after tricep dips.
It has spiced up my life with a hobby and even better, a hobby that I can share with my sister. So I decided it was time to list the top ten things that keep me on BFL, so here goes:
10 -- My tushy looks much better in a size 4 than in a size 8 :)
9 -- I've gotta beat my sister (see #7)
8 -- Myoplex Lite Chocolate Bars are really not that bad
7 -- I'm too competitive for my own good
6 -- I love wearing a two-piece swim suit!
5 -- Sprinting up hill for 2 full minutes makes me feel like Wonder Woman
4 -- Feeding my face six times a day is heaven
3 -- Crossing off a square on the 84-day BINGO chart is like being on a game show
2 -- The Pentagon could hire me to develop war plans if they see the meal & exercise plans I can spit out
1 -- (DRUM ROLL PLEASE...)
I LOVE HOW EASY THIS IS!!!!!
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Sibling Rivalry & Fireworks
Family rivalry should never be discounted as ineffective. What an amazing motivational tool!
I met my sister at my mom's for 4th of July. We had already scouted out a local gym to use for Friday morning's upper body workout. We packed protein shakes, bars, BFL books and cookbooks. And the ever important, BFL planners.
She helped write out my plan while I drove the 20 minutes to the gym. We arrived as soon as they opened, and the perverbial cat-and-mouse workout session insued. She showed me her 20-pound curls. I fought back with 25-pound hammer curls. She swung 15s. I lugged 20s. She shouted at me for making her laugh and I cried after shoulder pressing her weights. She fell in the floor after doing my dips. I laughed out loud!
All in all, the fireworks at the gym hilariously drove us to push ourselves. Tens and highs all the way around. That night, as fireworks exploded overhead and the smells of BBQ wafted around us, we toasted to the end of 3 weeks on BFL. With a good dose of family rivalry, we had made it to our free day with a bang!
I met my sister at my mom's for 4th of July. We had already scouted out a local gym to use for Friday morning's upper body workout. We packed protein shakes, bars, BFL books and cookbooks. And the ever important, BFL planners.
She helped write out my plan while I drove the 20 minutes to the gym. We arrived as soon as they opened, and the perverbial cat-and-mouse workout session insued. She showed me her 20-pound curls. I fought back with 25-pound hammer curls. She swung 15s. I lugged 20s. She shouted at me for making her laugh and I cried after shoulder pressing her weights. She fell in the floor after doing my dips. I laughed out loud!
All in all, the fireworks at the gym hilariously drove us to push ourselves. Tens and highs all the way around. That night, as fireworks exploded overhead and the smells of BBQ wafted around us, we toasted to the end of 3 weeks on BFL. With a good dose of family rivalry, we had made it to our free day with a bang!
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Two in a Row
Yesterday's killer cardio has motivated me today ... I've got lower body. Four easy muscles to knock out in less than an hour.
The setting: we decided to outfit our TV room with a home gym. I have a weight bench that is just a hair too tall but works just fine. There is also a large array of varying weights in a nice line-up right in front of the TV. Starting at 3 lbs, they only go up to two-12s. I also have two 15-pounders that can be mix-and-matched to set up one, nice 25-lb dumb bell. Which is fine by me for now.
But I'm doing squats - arguably the strongest part of my body -- and I'd like to go up in weight. Flipping through the BFL books, I find sumo squats. Holding one dumb bell in both hands, I squat around the weight with a straight back and long arms. Not so bad with 8 pounds but when I finally get up to 20, my thighs are screeching at me. Yippee - I hit my high!
Next is hamstrings -- my favorite. Feeling the pain go through my tush makes me feel like I could possibly be working it off. I do lunges with weights in both hands for this. The longer I hold and the deeper I lunge, the more I feel it working. This is where Richard Simmons would be shouting at me to "feel the burn!" I think I can hear clapping and oldies music in my head.
Then comes calves and a lot of balancing on my tippy toes. This one isn't too hard and usually doesn't reveal any soreness for hours. Even then it isn't too tough. I could probably use heavier weights but today it feels like I've done something.
Finally, my hands-down absolute favorite -- ABS! Any exercise that has me moving my bowl of jelly around gives me that Rocky feeling. You know where he runs up the steps in Philly and throws his hands in the air. That's me after I tear up my abs for nearly 60 reps.
This is the best leg day since the DOMS!
The setting: we decided to outfit our TV room with a home gym. I have a weight bench that is just a hair too tall but works just fine. There is also a large array of varying weights in a nice line-up right in front of the TV. Starting at 3 lbs, they only go up to two-12s. I also have two 15-pounders that can be mix-and-matched to set up one, nice 25-lb dumb bell. Which is fine by me for now.
But I'm doing squats - arguably the strongest part of my body -- and I'd like to go up in weight. Flipping through the BFL books, I find sumo squats. Holding one dumb bell in both hands, I squat around the weight with a straight back and long arms. Not so bad with 8 pounds but when I finally get up to 20, my thighs are screeching at me. Yippee - I hit my high!
Next is hamstrings -- my favorite. Feeling the pain go through my tush makes me feel like I could possibly be working it off. I do lunges with weights in both hands for this. The longer I hold and the deeper I lunge, the more I feel it working. This is where Richard Simmons would be shouting at me to "feel the burn!" I think I can hear clapping and oldies music in my head.
Then comes calves and a lot of balancing on my tippy toes. This one isn't too hard and usually doesn't reveal any soreness for hours. Even then it isn't too tough. I could probably use heavier weights but today it feels like I've done something.
Finally, my hands-down absolute favorite -- ABS! Any exercise that has me moving my bowl of jelly around gives me that Rocky feeling. You know where he runs up the steps in Philly and throws his hands in the air. That's me after I tear up my abs for nearly 60 reps.
This is the best leg day since the DOMS!
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Cardio: 3200m dash...easy
Best cardio to date! I couldn't believe it; especially after Saturday's debacle.
But I ran with the wind, galloped with horses, loped like a fairy and won the 3200m dash at the Olympics!
I knew going into the gym that I was facing an uphill battle considering just how awful the cardio of three days before had been. Not looking forward to it, I strode into the gym at 5 am. FoxNews blared on the flat screen in the workout gym that looks a lot like any work out facility the Holiday Inn offers to keep itself at 4 stars. Two treadmills, two ellipticals, one bike. A smattering of pulleys and flex machines for the arms. One leg machine and a bar for abs. That's it. Very, very cozy.
This morning, there was a young 20-something male doing squats and abs and a 60-something male pumping his biceps. I should tell you that it is very motivating to me to see people of all ages working out. Life does not stop because college is over or because you have kids. I like the reminder when I see folks doing things good for themselves.
So I hop on the treadmill and start out at an easy, brisk walk. Then I hit my usual jog pace. Feeling really good. I like the pit-of-my-stomach knowledge that I am going to make it today. Faster and faster; I eventually make it to 7 mph! And jump it up to 8, then 9 for the final push -- holy cow. It burns, my lungs scream, my thighs pound. And then 20 minutes hit. I'm done. Can not believe I made it and as much as it hurt, it was so much faster than the last time. I feel like a million, sweaty, painful bucks.
I love this program!
But I ran with the wind, galloped with horses, loped like a fairy and won the 3200m dash at the Olympics!
I knew going into the gym that I was facing an uphill battle considering just how awful the cardio of three days before had been. Not looking forward to it, I strode into the gym at 5 am. FoxNews blared on the flat screen in the workout gym that looks a lot like any work out facility the Holiday Inn offers to keep itself at 4 stars. Two treadmills, two ellipticals, one bike. A smattering of pulleys and flex machines for the arms. One leg machine and a bar for abs. That's it. Very, very cozy.
This morning, there was a young 20-something male doing squats and abs and a 60-something male pumping his biceps. I should tell you that it is very motivating to me to see people of all ages working out. Life does not stop because college is over or because you have kids. I like the reminder when I see folks doing things good for themselves.
So I hop on the treadmill and start out at an easy, brisk walk. Then I hit my usual jog pace. Feeling really good. I like the pit-of-my-stomach knowledge that I am going to make it today. Faster and faster; I eventually make it to 7 mph! And jump it up to 8, then 9 for the final push -- holy cow. It burns, my lungs scream, my thighs pound. And then 20 minutes hit. I'm done. Can not believe I made it and as much as it hurt, it was so much faster than the last time. I feel like a million, sweaty, painful bucks.
I love this program!
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