ChopperChick - Here we go again!

[ChopperChick]

Alright...I'm back at it...

It helps me to reflect on where I was, in order to visualize where I'm going. In this case, I've gotten there, gone back, gotten there again - and am on the road to being "back where I started". Which is why I'm going to commit to a new journal So, here's my deal:

I've always been "tiny". By tiny I mean I'm 5' 1" on a good day, but have always carried my weight around my butt and thighs (I know, typical story). My weight has always fluctuated but I used to be in the mid 120's. At 31 I had my son and gained over 70 lbs (I was knocking on 200 the day I had him).

A year later I got into the best shape of my life and began competing in Strongman...LOVED it. Then I got sick, a mysterious intestinal "disease" that was treated on and off for over a year until they found the cause of my mysterious illness. Turned out I had ingested a toothpick - yes, a toothpick - that was lodged in my intestine.

So, toothpick removed - time to get back in shape. Hit the gym hard, dialed in my diet, got in sick shape for Vegas (in about 12 weeks). After Vegas, only god knows what happened but I gained back all of the weight I had lost in the 12 weeks before my trip. I could blame family obligations, job stress, kids, whatever...bottom line, laziness set in

I continued to hit the gym but not nearly with the passion and dedication that I once had. After Christmas, I stopped going completely...for that I have no excuse.

Here it is mid-January and I'm ready to get off my ass and get back to it. So, for now, my plan is this:

Lifting:
4 days/week (M,W,F, Sat) Routine TBD. I'm debating on whether or not I want to stick with Strongman training or if I want to just "get in shape"

Cardio:
This is where I fall short. I put doing cardio in the same category as paying taxes and going to the "woman" doctor. I hate it. Plain and simple.

So, I take a legit, kick ass boxing class 2 days a week (Tues/Thurs) and will commit to adding 15 minutes of cardio to my workout schedule on 2 of the 4 lifting days. I will increase it to 3 of 4 within 2 weeks, then every day within 2 weeks of that. Then I will work on increasing the time by 5 minutes each week. Suggestions are welcomed, please....feel free to tell me I'm being way too easy on myself

Diet:
Started intermittent fasting. It works great for me, since I have a hard time getting all my food/calories in when I eat "all day". I find I enjoy my meals more - and appreciate the healthy "clean" choices when I've fasted.

So, that's my story...and I'm sticking to it...again.

CC

[Pixie]

Good luck, CC. I will be checking in.

And, I say go strongwoman, not just get in shape. For me, I need something to strive for, not just "spinning my wheels" getting shape. Makes it more fun and easier to stick to... That's me though.

[Beverly McD.]

Nice writeup CC. :)
I'm in!
Boxing and Strongman both sound like fun. A sneaky way to get some cardio in too.

[H-Reap]

The toothpick thing is weird and scary as hell!:eek3: A friend of mine aspirated a food particle into her right lung causing pneumonia. I thought that was weird and scary too.

I think you should follow whatever makes you happy. If strong woman makes you happy, then go for it. If you hate cardio, then find different modes of cardio to make it interesting. You've already started out on the right foot with kick boxing. How about trail running, hiking or biking?

[Test-Daddy]

I have the Whitesnake song in my head now.....thanks!

You always rock it once your focused. This will be no different...

I can't even tell you all how CC rocked Vegas......well I do have a pic I could share!

Permission CC?

[Tweak]

Cardio is a chore. I've never found a way to like it, but maybe we'll find a way to like it together! :heart:

Rock on!

[ChopperChick]

Good luck, CC. I will be checking in.

And, I say go strongwoman, not just get in shape. For me, I need something to strive for, not just "spinning my wheels" getting shape. Makes it more fun and easier to stick to... That's me though.

Thanks, Pix! I'm so torn...You're right about needing to have a goal to focus on, I'm the same way. My problem is how I want to look is harder to achieve when I'm trying to get stronger. Decisions, decisions!


Nice writeup CC. :)
I'm in!
Boxing and Strongman both sound like fun. A sneaky way to get some cardio in too.

Thanks Bev! They are both incredibly fun - trickery is definitely what I'm going for with the cardio...if my brain thinks its fun, it's all good :)


How about trail running, hiking or biking?

I've heard of so many freak health issues since I’ve had my toothpick incident...it's amazing how many strange things can happen in a human body! I do like to hike...that's really a good idea. Before I started training to lose my baby weight, we used to walk to our local park/golf course, through the sand dunes and around the reservoir. That's what started the ball rolling for me to begin with. It was right around this time of year too....hmmmmm....


I have the Whitesnake song in my head now.....thanks!

You always rock it once your focused. This will be no different...

I can't even tell you all how CC rocked Vegas......well I do have a pic I could share!

Permission CC?

Thanks, babe...couldn't do any of it without you for sure :heart: ...and since when do you need permission? Are you talking about the picture you plastered all over facebook????


Cardio is a chore. I've never found a way to like it, but maybe we'll find a way to like it together! :heart:

Rock on!

Oh goodness, Tweak...I don't know how you do it! :bowdown: The closest thing I have found to enjoying it was inventing elliptical dancing...I look like an idiot but I have fun and get a great workout!

Haven't been to the gym at all this week...except for my boxing classes. My membership expired and I'm debating which gym to join. Going to check a new one out on Saturday...I'm thinking that's the way to go since I can train both "normal" and strongman.

More to come...Maybe if we pick a date for our trip to Cali that we've been trying to take for years, I'll work toward that as my goal (hint, hint TD) Can't go to the land of beauty and not be prepared, right?

[Test-Daddy]

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c163/stevejami/jami%20progress/IMG_1158.jpg

[BIG SMT]

:surprised::booty: WHOA!! Good Job!!

[ChopperChick]

:surprised::booty: WHOA!! Good Job!!

Ha...thanks :blush:

For the love of god TD...could you have made it a little bigger??? Anyway, the plan is to look better than that. Definitely need to be leaner. Anyway...something to work towards.

[Pixie]

Wow, Girl. You rocked it!! Hot stuff.

[H-Reap]

Rockin' the leopard (or is it ocelot print lol) bikini!!

[PeteM]

Looking good J

[ChopperChick]

Wow, Girl. You rocked it!! Hot stuff.

Rockin' the leopard (or is it ocelot print lol) bikini!!

Ha! I've never worn leopard before in my life...if I showed you the shoes I had on with it in Vegas you would think I was nuts (also leopard :) ) I've found that if you DON'T have on spiked heels at a pool party in Vegas then you stick out like a sore thumb...damn teeny boppers making it hard for me to be an old lady LOL!


Looking good J

PETE!!! I'm trying again :)

I have to say, if it hadn't been for Pete and his awesome nutrition and training plan, I NEVER would have gotten into the best shape of my life a few years ago. Remembering how good I felt when I saw the transformation is what is motivating me to start again (forever thankful to you!!).

I've decided to do one month at my "normal" gym, then join the more hardcore, strongman gym in March. I need to shed some fat, get my cardio up and start feeling a little better about myself first...Will post my workout tonight :)

[Beverly McD.]

Beautiful! :overhead:

[dirty~d~]

WOW HOT MOMMA!! You own that bikini hun. Seriously, looking amazing. Awesome work. So glad to have you back, posting. Like Tweak said, cardio IS a chore for those of us who use it as an accessory to our main focus. I have to change it up about every two weeks just to stay 'consistent'. Running stairs, doing flat sprints, line drills on the ice, rollerblading, swimming (which lasted a week... I dislike being in water that long.), kickboxing, etc. Anything that will take my mind off of the fact that I'm doing work. :lol: I'm looking forward to following along. Welcome home lady. :nod:

[PeteM]

Thanks for those kind words, all I did was help guide you in the right direction, it was all there already. Good news - you can do it again. Focus on one change at a time, master it then add another... :)

[ChopperChick]

Thanks, Pete...slow and steady is my goal for now :)

Cardio boxing on Tuesday night for an hour...great class but he took it a bit easy on us because there was a new girl. I don't think he wanted to scare her off right away!

Back on my 6:30am workout schedule...usually I complain about it being cold and getting out of bed, but it was 55 degrees this morning - ridiculously warm for February in New England. Nothing to complain about there!

Chest and back workout:

(Superset)
BB Rows
3x10 50#
Incline DB press
3x12 25#

Cable crossovers
3x12 40#

(Superset)
Straight arm lat pulldowns
3x12 40#
Chest press (machine)
3x12 30#

Seated Rows
3x12 50#

Lat Pulldowns
3x10 60#

15 minutes elliptical, no incline...hated 14 of the 15 minutes :)

[ChopperChick]

Forgot to log that I did abs too...not sure how they slipped my mind, they are killing me already!

200 crunches - various positions
Hanging leg raises 25x1, 20x2

[H-Reap]

Nice, solid workout! Chest w/back workouts are the best.

[ChopperChick]

Nice, solid workout! Chest w/back workouts are the best.

Thanks! I'm paying for it now, though :) Push-ups at boxing class were a little tough!

Thursday PM Boxing Class - 1 hour

Friday AM...Leg Day...I didn't squat today. I am horrible at it and it throws off my entire workout. Unless I do front squats or split squats, then I'm ok. As I'm typing this I'm thinking "it's all in your head, you can totally squat". If nothing else, I'm certainly self aware :lol:

Leg Press
2x10 90#
1x10 140#

Leg Extension
3x10 40#

Leg Curl
3x10 40#

Hack Squat
3x12 50#

Seated Calf Raises
3x12 45#

Standing Calf Raises
3x12 110#

200 crunches - various positions. My abs are insanely sore from boxing class last night. He added in planks, planks to push-ups, planks to push ups back to planks. :puke:

15 Minutes elliptical, no incline...yet!

Happy Freakin Friday!!

[Pixie]

Oh, you can totally squat. Put in a set or 2 now and build with it as you get more comfortable. More reps, more sets, then more weight. You're CC, for goodness sakes, you can do anything. ;)

[Test-Daddy]

I think CC's adversion to squatting is my fault. When she started I pushed her a bit too hard and she never got comfortable with the weight on her back.
I gotta find her a better coach!

[ChopperChick]

Oh, you can totally squat. Put in a set or 2 now and build with it as you get more comfortable. More reps, more sets, then more weight. You're CC, for goodness sakes, you can do anything. ;)

Ugh, Pix...thanks for the confidence :D I really need to try harder and stop my complaining :slap:


I think CC's adversion to squatting is my fault. When she started I pushed her a bit too hard and she never got comfortable with the weight on her back.
I gotta find her a better coach!

I wasn't going to bring that up :lol: But really, it's on me...I just won't do them :lame: I know.

[ChopperChick]

Tuesday night boxing class...he added in more push ups and planks.

Wednesday AM, shoulders and arms


Military Press
2x12, 45#
1x10, 55#

Seated DB Shoulder Press
2x12, 20#
1x10, 25#

Cable thingies (don't know what they're called!)
3x12, 30#

Superset
Cable Curls
3x12, 30#
Tricep rope
3x12, 40#

Superset
DB Bicep Curls
3x12, 20#
Skull Crushers
3x10, 25#

BB Curls
3x12, 30#

Tricep Pushdowns
3x12, 60#

250 Various crunches

Planks
2x45 sec

Hanging Leg Raises
2x25

15 minute elliptical. Still no incline.

[Beverly McD.]

Nice work! :)

[Pixie]

Doing some great work in here, CC. Keep it up.

[ChopperChick]

Nice work! :)


Doing some great work in here, CC. Keep it up.

Thanks ladies!! I'm starting to see results, which is motivating me to keep going.

Thursday PM - Boxing Class
For some reason he was stuck on mountain climbers this class. So, any time we weren't punching the bag, we were doing those. I have to say, I really hated him :lol:

Friday AM - Chest and Back

SuperSet
Incline DB Press
3x12, 25#
BB Bent Over Rows
3x12, 40#

Super Set
Pec Deck
3x12, 30#
Reverse
3x12, 30#

Seated Rows
3x12, 60#

Chest Press (Machine)
3x12, 40#

200 crunches, various positions
hanging leg raises, 3x20

15 minutes bike (all of the elliptical machines were taken)

[Test-Daddy]

I thought the part where you came home and asked me to feel how sweaty your butt was the best part of the w/o!

[BIG SMT]

I thought the part where you came home and asked me to feel how sweaty your butt was the best part of the w/o!

:lol:

[P Bo]

Well hello my old friend! Good to see you lifting again AND logging.

You got this.

[ChopperChick]

I thought the part where you came home and asked me to feel how sweaty your butt was the best part of the w/o!


:lol:

Very funny! When I got home, TD said, so...how was class? My response was awesome, feel how sweaty under my butt is!! LMAO!!!


Well hello my old friend! Good to see you lifting again AND logging.

You got this.

:ily:

AND miss you :(

[ChopperChick]

Saturday...Leg day

Superset
Leg Press
3x12, 90#
Calf Raises (on leg press machine)
3x12, 90#

Leg Extensions
3x12, 50#

Leg Curls
3x12, 40#

Butt Blasters (does that machine really do anything???)
3x10 - no idea the weight

Standing Calf Raises
3x12, 110#

Hanging leg raises
2x25
1x20
1x10

200 various crunches (lying on a narrow bench...not sure why but it seemed as though they were working better because I was also trying to keep my balance)

Fasting is going great, but for some reason I'm really hungry today. Going out for hibachi tonight with our friends and all of the kids...maybe I'm looking forward to the onion choo-choo train too much? :lol:

[BIG SMT]

Very funny! When I got home, TD said, so...how was class? My response was awesome, feel how sweaty under my butt is!! LMAO!!!


That's true love right there! :D

Keep up the good work!

[ChopperChick]

That's true love right there! :D

Keep up the good work!

LOL! Thanks!!

I decided to do a Sunday morning workout because we had a rare opportunity to hit the gym together. I was going to keep it simple and do cardio and a light circuit. Sooooo...

20 minutes elliptical...I only lasted 20 minutes because there was a show on TV that I was watching, and wanted to see how it ended up :lol:

When I went to start my circuit, there was a bar on the floor, and it was ready to go with 95#. I figured what the heck, I'll use it and do some light weight deadlifts for reps instead of a circuit. so I did.

Anyway...

Deadlifts
3x15, 95#

When I went to set up the bar for my next set, a guy came up to me and said, oh let me help you with that. So, I politely declined by saying oh, thanks but I've got it. He said, no, no you don't, let me do that for you. Ugh! I hate that. So, I said look, if I can't load it, I shouldn't lift it. He proceeded to tell me how to train, how I should save my energy for my lifts and that was "a lot of weight" for me so I would need all of my energy to lift it. So, once again I declined his help, loaded the bar, and returned to my workout. Needless to say he didn't talk to me the rest of the time I was there. :nerd:

2x10, 135#
1x8, 135#
1x6, 135#

Hanging leg raises, 3x25 (various positions)

That's it for today...now time to clean the house :runaway:

[H-Reap]

LOL! Thanks!!



When I went to set up the bar for my next set, a guy came up to me and said, oh let me help you with that. So, I politely declined by saying oh, thanks but I've got it. He said, no, no you don't, let me do that for you. Ugh! I hate that. So, I said look, if I can't load it, I shouldn't lift it. He proceeded to tell me how to train, how I should save my energy for my lifts and that was "a lot of weight" for me so I would need all of my energy to lift it. So, once again I declined his help, loaded the bar, and returned to my workout. Needless to say he didn't talk to me the rest of the time I was there. :nerd:



This is precisely why I have adopted an unapproachable aura when I'm in the gym. I know people are well meaning and all, but can't they figure out you can do this on you own??

Sorry you have to do house work today. :(

[Test-Daddy]

Poor guy was just trying to get laid....lol :booty:

[ChopperChick]

This is precisely why I have adopted an unapproachable aura when I'm in the gym. I know people are well meaning and all, but can't they figure out you can do this on you own??

Sorry you have to do house work today. :(

Ugh, exactly what I need to do, put my headphones on and ignore people!! Honestly, it's not like I was struggling...or worse yet, using pink DB's! Thanks for the housework sympathy...I swear it's never ending!!


Poor guy was just trying to get laid....lol :booty:

That would explain him chatting you up after he realized we were together...is that a guy thing? Like oh shit, I better do damage control? LOL!!

[Pixie]

This is precisely why I have adopted an unapproachable aura when I'm in the gym.

Ditto... And why I tend to stay away from commercial gyms. I fear interaction like that...

[ChopperChick]

So this is my first offense as a logging slacker (for this log, anyway). I had a few days off from work and ended up with a nasty cold...I did make it to the gym and boxing as per my normal schedule, but just couldn't bring myself to sit at the computer after. Anyway, I guess i'll just start fresh from today...

Legs

Superset
Leg Press
3x12, 90#
Calf Raises (on leg press machine)
3x12, 90#

Leg Extensions
3x12, 50#

Leg Curls
3x12, 40#

Butt Blasters
3x10 (weight remains a mystery)

Standing Calf Raises
3x12, 110#

Hanging leg raises
4x20

20 Minutes Cardio - elliptical

I have a new routine I'm gong to start this week...most likely on Wednesday. Figure I'll change it up a bit...

Definitely seeing results...my muffin top is offically gone, and I'm in between my "comfortable" and "skinny" clothes. The 4's don't quite fit yet, but the 6's are getting a little frumpy looking. My goal is to be back in my 4's within the next 4 weeks.

[Test-Daddy]

You forgot to log 2 hours of dancing while holding a 1 pound weight filled with liquid from Saturday.

[ChopperChick]

You forgot to log 2 hours of dancing while holding a 1 pound weight filled with liquid from Saturday.

Acutally...2 hours of dancing while holding a 1 pound weight filled with liquid and wearing 5.5" heels :lol:

[Beverly McD.]

Hope you feel better soon CC :rose:

[BIG SMT]

Good work! Keep it up. I'm battling a sinus infection myself, and I hope to get over it quick. I'm going to Vegas in 8 days! Of course I'd get sick! :lol: I hope you feel better soon!

[ChopperChick]

Well, I beat the sinus infection, got sick again, hurt my knee, got better, then got sick again LOL! BUT I'm still going strong...changed up my diet and have been training 6 days/week. Feeling good and will start posting workouts again this weekend.

I'm kicking myself for not taking progress pics but eh...my "skinny" clothes are fitting me again so that's a good sign :)

[Beverly McD.]

Glad you are feeling better! And congratulations on the skinny clothes :grin:.

[Pixie]

Yay to skinny clothes. And glad you're feeling good.

[ChopperChick]

Thanks ladies! I've officially hit my "Vegas weight" from last summer but I feel so much more flabby than I was then. So, I'm upping the cardio...not sure if i'll make it, but i'm going to try 60mins 5 days/week. 30am and 30pm. :praying:

And I'm going to do more high rep lower weight training...not sure if that's going to work either but I'll give it a shot :)

[Test-Daddy]

Thanks ladies! I've officially hit my "Vegas weight" from last summer but I feel so much more flabby than I was then. So, I'm upping the cardio...not sure if i'll make it, but i'm going to try 60mins 5 days/week. 30am and 30pm. :praying:

And I'm going to do more high rep lower weight training...not sure if that's going to work either but I'll give it a shot :)

I am sure it will work!

[H-Reap]

You're making great progress fitting into the skinny pants! Keep up the good work!

[ChopperChick]

Thanks for the encouragement!

I trained legs today for the first time in a couple of weeks...I'm not sure why I've neglected them but was reminded quickly this morning when I tried to squat :(

Superset
Leg Press
3x12, 90#
Calf Raises (on leg press machine)
3x12, 90#

Standing Calf Raises
3x12, 110#

Leg Extensions
3x12, 50#

Front Squats
3x10, 65#

Butt Blasters
3x10 No idea on the weight

Hanging leg raises
2x25

Various position crunches (200 total)

30 minutes cardio

[Tweak]

It'll come back fast! (re: your leg strength)

Keep it up! :cheer: