82 Days: Time for a Break

I am an awful blogger. It has been a week since my last post.. I'm sorry, I guess I've been busy :)

Last week was great, it was my last week of clinicals and I got to say goodbye to my Greensboro gym! I also started new workouts last week, with the same split as before, and I was sore. I started the week with Back and Rear Delts and got to try out some pull ups, which I've been DYING to do since they were taken out of my workouts for the last 3 weeks, and was stoked to be able to do 8 unassisted in a row! Life is good :)

Friday I left Greensboro at 3:40 am (ET) and got to Sioux City at 10:40 pm (CST). For those of you who still don't know how you passed 2nd grade math, thats a 20 hour drive, 1300 miles. And I only stopped 3 times to use the bathroom and to get gas! Awesome. I also decided in this car trip that I love driving and road trips - but I love them more when I don't have someone else with me. If I ever have to go on this long of a trip with someone who needs to go to the bathroom or "rest" more then every 350/400 miles.. only one of us will be arriving at the destination. This will be a very important quality in any future husband. Better start training your bladders now fellas. I did, though, almost die for an exploding bladder. I was driving through Missouri (greatest part of the drive..) and had already had a gallon of water and needed to go BADLY. I pulled off at an exit that said it had a gas station.. just to find out it was 5 miles down the road. So I pulled a U-ey and got back on the interstate for attempt two. I really considered pulling over on the interstate and running in between the trees to let it flow. I had TP in the car so it wasn't really a difficult decision.. I just REALLY don't like wasting time stopping just to go to the bathroom and not get gas as well. Efficiency is what it's all about. Anyway, I luckily found a place an hour after starting to think I was going to die, and luckily survived to tell you all about it. I also had packed all my food for the trip - salads, hard boiled eggs, oatmeal, chicken, veggies - so despite my near death, road rage in Saint Louis, and my car now smelling reeking, it was a great trip.

Saturday was my friends wedding, and it was great. I made it the whole reception without drinking, although I did eat the dinner which probably had a little bit extra carbs then I needed, but was healthy. I had a great time and got to catch up with a lot of people I hadn't seen in so many years. I also realized that basically 90% of my high school friends are married, engaged, or have children. I'll get there when I'm 30. Maybe.

Well folks, I am going to spend the rest of my vacation relaxing by the pool, playing with my dogs, and working out. And by staying out of the car as much as possible. Hope you have a great week!

My Patriotic Skin

I had such a wonderful Fourth of July! I didn't have to work, and got to spend the day with my Aunt and Uncle down in Davidson. I started my day by hitting the gym at 5:30am. I had Bis, Tris, and Core, and I sure felt it.

Tricep Bench
Standing Cable Curls
Dips
Seated Hammer Curls
Single Arm Tri Cable Extension
Preacher Curls
Plank Roll Outs
Stability Ball Crunches

So since I was there so early, I was one of maybe 6 people in the gym. During my 3rd set of dips, I had 140# stacked on my lap and when I went down on the first rep the top 95# slid back and pinch some of my skin/fat between the plates.. awesome. So I thought about asking for help from a nearby guy, but instead I just wimpered to myself and leaned back until my skin pinched itself out. It hurt like a bitch. And turned a pretty bluish almost immediately..

When I got to Davidson, my Unc is training for a triathalon, so he wanted to swim in the open water for some practice, and I kayaked along side him. It was great.. paddled a few times.. floated around.. paddled to avoid running him over.. floated. Then we all went out on the boat on Lake Norman and I decided I'd forego the sun block in favor of getting all my summer tanning in in that one afternoon, and I am now a nice red, with a tint of bronze. Luckily this red covered up my blue belly pinching bruise.. otherwise I'd be as red-white-and-blue as the wonderful American Flag.. and every other red white and blue flag that is of little importance to me.

Our Fourth concluded with a nice dinner with some of their friends and extended family, and then fireworks on the lake. It was perfect and I had such a wonderful time. Until I got lost in Greensboro at 11:45pm and wanted to smash something ha. But I didn't and I slept in this am until 7:05! It was AMAZING! And I got my 7 hours of sleep in :) I did eat healthy MOST of yesterday, and the rest constituted my 3rd cheat meal. Nothing exciting, but definitely had some sweets.

Today at work I completed my first eval that was 100% my own. It was a 16 year old boy with neck, shoulder, low back, and shin pain. Oh and hamstring tightness. Way to not be complicated, kid. But I did great and was feeling awesome, until I pissed some girl off and she refused to work with me. Ha. She was there for back pain (surprise surprise..) and hadn't shown up to the past 2-3 appointments, doesn't do any of her home program, and won't work with any other therapist. She's a huge complainer of pain and anytime something "hurts" she quits. So I bring her back and am being super wonderful, as usual, and we start going to my favorite machine - the elliptical - (if you don't know me.. that's sarcasm. I absolutely hate the elliptical with every fiber of my body and think it's the most ridiculous, dumb machine ever.. but that's another story) and she goes.. Oh I sprained my ankle this weekend. So I was like okay, how did you do that? Checked it out, no swelling, no bruising, she can't even tell me which way she rolled it, but the second I touch it she cries. So I was like, well does walking hurt it? No not unless I step on it wrong. Alright well why don't we try the elliptical anyway and see how you do and if it hurts we can stop. She gives me the DIRTIEST LOOK ever and says, my ankle is swollen, I cannot do that, anybody can tell it's way more swollen than the other one. I ask to see both ankles, she pulls up her pant legs... umm what? Is one swollen? No. She doesn't even have cankles that could confuse me. So I say.. which one is swollen? And she yells (exaggeration.. but her tone did get sassy) I am a nurse! My ankle is swollen, I can not do that! Fine. Go sit down and I'll get my CI.

That girl's an idiot. And a whiner. And I'm sorry I don't feel bad for you in the slightest and you are never going to get better. My CI told her that too.. because she won't. Some people. Oh, but surprisingly (to some of you.. I'm really nice to my patients though, promise) my CI told me that I did a great job today being compassionate and supportive of this lady who was so discouraged because she couldn't lift her arm past 90 degrees flexion. I had her back and gave her one of my infamous pep talks and viola, I'm one hell of a compassionate PT student. Shocked? Probably..

So, I stayed late tonight at work to get my eval and discharge paperwork done for 3 patients, and hit the gym a bit later tonight. I did legs. Holy Quads.

Leg Press
DB Squats
Lunges
Hamstring Curls
Squat Jumps with a Med Ball

Yup, they were burning. Then I thought it would be a good idea to do my 2nd day of cardio for the week. Incline 15.0 this time, and dropped the speed between 2.8-3.0. My calves tightened up in a hot second. But I finished it.. counting down the seconds, literally.. and that was it. So now it's 10 pm and I still have 1 more meal to eat. Then tomorrow I have a workout or two to do, and I'm headed back to Davidson to relax, house sit, dog sit, and take out the boat/kayak. What a wonderful life. I could get used to not working Wednesdays, with half days Monday and Friday. :) Luxurious .. (that took me about 16 attempts to spell.. slightly ashamed but really, I'm not)

Hope you all had a wonderful celebration of America yesterday, and have an even greater conclusion of your week. And remember, if all you do is bitch and make excuses you'll never get anywhere. One of my famous things I read somewhere: "What is your excuse for not working out/eating right/whatever? Because that's all it is, an excuse." Okay so that's not really a quote if I don't remember what it said.. but you get the idea. Stop making excuses and start being awesome. What little change did you choose to make this first week of July? Is it going well? If yes, build on it. If not, reassess and figure out what's hindering your progress and maybe tackle that problem instead. You can do it. You may not be successful 100% of the time, but as long as you keep at it, eventually you will be successful, and it will no longer be a "problem". Go after it people.

Catch ya on the flip side!

Language isn't appropriate for anyone under the age of, eh, 14.

50 Cent is a hustler. Apparently he charges people in his neighborhood to shovel their driveways. Awesome. I feel like we have to be related. Thoughts, fam?

I dig this article, which is where I found out about 50 and his shoveling. Clown.

Another funny article I found -- and by found I mean I saw it on my friend's facebook wall -- is about Columbian's being donkey fuckers. Seriously. Maybe that's where the phrase (is it a phrase?) came from. Watch that video. Super interesting actually. Well not interesting. Enlightening possibly? I don't know. I learned something, and I liked the way the "reporters" went about it, even if they were just observing donkey fuckers. Hah. Damn Columbians.

Also, to everyone (Anne and Mary) that need some more sleep/rest talk, our boy Ben Franklin said "There will be sleeping enough in the grave." Now, that's what I was talking about it. Ben knows best. Or he knew, since he's dead and all, sleeping away. Maybe that means he does know best. Well, whatever. Ben = smart.

Anyway, yesterday I had a great Shoulders and Biceps workout. Reps were decreased slightly, so my weight went up on a lot of lifts, which is good. I met an old man who used to do body building, his name is Doug. Impressed that I finally remembered someone's name? Me too.

Shoulder Press - 4 sets with a negative
Upright Row ss Rear Flys - 4 sets
Lateral Cable Raises - 3 sets
Biceps Pulldown - 4 sets
Barbell Curls - 3 sets and a dropset
Incline Curls - 3 sets

I also had my cheat meal yesterday. It was good, and I don't feel sick or crappy today, but honestly, it was more work thinking about and preparing for a cheat meal, and I'm just happy to be back on my schedule. So I went to Spanky's on Franklin and started with some chips and salsa. Then I ordered the Huevos Burger. But I subbed grilled chicken for the burger since I don't really like burgers. It was delish. My favorite (and only thing I've had) thing from there. It's a chicken breast with a fried egg, tomato, onion, lettuce, and pico on a kaiser roll. Oh, and I had pub chips.

And yes, I just drank water. Can't get too crazy people!

This morning, I've been packing and cleaning and getting ready to move. I'm in the process of cooking 65 oz of chicken/turkey, 10 c broccoli, 20 oz sweet potatoes, and 4 c basmati rice. That's only 5 days of food, and that doesn't include my breakfast, oatmeal, protein shake, etc. SO MUCH FOOD! But I love feeling this prepared. I'm excited to get down to Greensboro, find the gym, and start this part of my summer. Gotta get back to the kitchen :) Have a great Sunday, friends!

Cheating

This weekend flew by. Sunday I made it out to Mebane for my much anticipated Polo-shirt-shopping-extravaganza! I bought 4 Polo's from Ralph, all super exciting. Then went to J. Crew and they were so nice to let me get 4 pairs of pants, 2 pairs of shorts, and a cute top (not a polo) for $5 more than Ralph! I was pumped. Had to finish off the trip by hitting up the Nike Outlet and get some fresh kicks, and some dry fit tops. As much as I hate shopping, it was great. And I'll have you know I did all of this in under an hour and a half.

So this week, Meredith has made very slight changes to my workout and nutrition plans. For the workout, the week's splits are the same, we are just dropping reps on a few exercises most days, and adding in a few more negatives and drop sets. Thankfully, no more 12 rep days, except for with legs. Which as much as I hate lifting high reps-especially with my legs-it went much better Week 2, so I'll get over it.  As far as nutrition goes, my calories, carbs, and protein were bumped up slightly. It's funny when I started this how I didn't think I could get 100g protein or 100g carbs even, eating clean as much as I was hungry, and now I'm so used to it I am always over on protein, which is good, and hitting the carbs. Still having a tricky time with fats though. I'm either wayyyy too low, or slightly over (like 2-4g over, nothing drastic). I've decided that I'm going to be as consistent as possible on every meal, so that while I'm in Greensboro, it will be much easier. Less shopping, less thinking, and hopefully I can do most of my meal prep in Chapel Hill on the weekends. I won't know for sure, though, until I get there, so we will just have to wait and see. I can't believe we are starting our clinicals in less than a week! Exciting.

Also an exciting thing of note, I get a cheat meal this week! As exciting as that is, it's been causing me an incredible amount of "stress". Not like freaking out stress, but constant obsession. I have no idea what I want or what I am missing. I thought at first, ooo Mexican food. But I don't really think it's the Mexican food - since I can basically have that with very few substitutions, all of which are easy and common sense, I think it's the chips and salsa. And even though it's a cheat meal, I'm not going to let myself eat 3 baskets of chips, because yes, I would easily do that. I also can't stop thinking about ice cream. But since this isn't LeMars, Iowa and this isn't the Ice Cream Capitol of the World, and there isn't a Blue Bunny Ice Cream factory, this isn't realistic either. I don't like that frozen yogurt crap. I want real, dairy based, thick, delicious ice cream. So to get this, I'd have to buy a carton. And if I'm having a cheat meal, I want to have my favorite 3 flavors - Bunny Tracks, Cookies and Creme, Cookie Dough, let's make it 4 and throw in Double Strawberry - so that means I'd buy 4 containers. And then post-cheat meal, I have 4 opened cartons of ice cream in my freezer. I have self-restraint.. but not that much. So 4 cartons is out. Even if I did one, it's unrealistic that I wouldn't eat the rest of the carton in the next day or 2. So Ice cream is not an option. What else do I want? Sometimes a milky way. But after I eat that, I would not be satisfied, and I'm worried that it will make me crave them more, and right now I'm really having no problem not giving into those cravings. So what should I cheat with?! Suggestions are welcomed. Not only welcomed, solicited. Give me ideas on what to eat!!! This opportunity doesn't come often, so I need to make it worth it! And don't suggest chicken, any vegetable, or rice - or any form of rice, you weird cous-cous fans.

Monday, was a good day. Long day of class, but got a lot crossed off my to-do list, which is always a great feeling. Except I had to walk home in the rain. Rain let's talk. I don't hate you, but there are times I could go without you. If I'm running outside, playing a sport, being awesome - rain all you want. If I'm watching a sport, obnoxious. If I'm staying in for the night, watching a movie, or sleeping - go ahead and pour. If I'm wanting to going out at night - wait until after 2am. If I have to study or sit in class - please rain, it will keep me focused. If I am on my way to or from class, you are likely going to make me not go. Seriously. In undergrad, if it was raining - cold rain especially - or too snowy, and I didn't like my class or only had 1 that day, you better believe I wasn't going. Sorry, teach, but my wardrobe doesn't allow it. I will not wear jeans, shoes, or socks in the rain. And when it's March/April in Kansas, it's not warm enough to not wear pants and socks and shoes. So I can't make it. Yesterday, I went to the Teet (Harris Teeter is my grocery store for you midwesteners), and when I was leaving it was raining. So I was trying to load my 3 bags into the car and this lady tries to park in the empty spot next to me. I thought about moving the cart, but then I thought, no, I'm standing in the pouring rain and you are sitting in your nice dry car. Plus there were 3 spots closer to the store, so I didn't feel bad. Did she move? No, she sat there and tapped her fingers on the steering wheel, and rested her chin in her hand, as I stared at her. F off, lady. As I shut my door, she gave me that little raised hand and open jaw look like, what the f. finally! thanks for not moving. And I seriously contemplated leaving my cart in that spot, getting in my car, and driving off. She deserves to have a bad day after giving me 'tude. And that is why I hate the rain when I'm not staying inside or playing a sport. You put everyone in an impatient, crappy mood.

After like 10 minutes of complaining to myself about that lady, I was over it. And I had a productive night, did a lot of studying for my final, and I'm ready to get my Back and Core on today! Going to be a great workout, I can just feel in. I'm ready to pump some major iron (hah :) ), focus, and get big. These next 2 weeks are critical. I need to put on some major mass, and you know what, I am going to do just that. So folks, have a great day. Take advantage of every hour and do something now, so that tomorrow you are ready to build upon it. Don't keep putting things off. Later!

Week's end - Recap

Did you think I was missing? It's been a grip since I've blogged, life has been busy! Thursday night, after my leg workout, I got a massage, and it was PHENOMENAL. It was a birthday present from my wonderful sister, and since I used it almost 6 months later, it's like celebrating my birthday all over again! My masseuse is the best. Since I went to massage school, I have a table, so she comes to my house and gives me a massage at night, so I can just lay there afterwards and go straight to bed. Definitely the way to go, people, much more relaxing then having to get dressed, get in your car, and drive home.

Yesterday and today I've had two really good workouts. Well today was rough getting less than 5 hours of sleep. You could tell I was dragging, which was frustrating, and I just wanted to get to the end of the workout. But I've continually been increasing weight which is awesome. Even today at good 'ol Ram's head I increased, so I was pretty pleased with that. I worked last night though and didn't get home until 3:30am this morning. And then I woke up on my own at 6:23am. I almost got up before realizing I hadn't even been asleep for 3 hours, so I let myself "sleep in". Luckily CJ woke me up at 8:30 so I could get my day started. We got our workout in, I returned that ridiculous Victoria Secret's swimsuit, and finished my take home final for school all before noon. Very productive morning.

I've finally picked out a competition suit and am in the process of sizing and ordering that, I'm very excited to get it. Thank you all for your input :) I'm grateful for these next two days of rest. I have a lot I need to do to get ready for the move to Greensboro. I'm planning on coming back most weekends, but I need to be really good about planning so that I make sure I have all of my gym gear, supplements, food scale, blender, etc, that I'm not sure will be there for me. We are going to look at 2 gyms on Monday after we get there, and once that is lined up I'll be good to go. Once I finalize my packing list, I'll let you know what all I am bringing to give you an idea of how much prep I have to do. Thursday I spent about 3 hours reworking my food schedule so that my macros would be more evenly spread throughout the day, and this weekend Meredith will be giving me changes to that, so I'll get to do it all over! Luckily, planning and organizing makes me very happy.

Okay, I need to be a little soft for a minute:

Thank you all for your support and motivation and encouragement. For asking questions and not being (at least outwardly) judgmental of my goal and my adventure getting there. I had a hard time this weekend, because I know there are some people close to me that don't support this and don't think I should do it and have their concerns and they were brought up in conversation. I guess I always knew they didn't support it, which was why I didn't tell them I was doing it, but hearing them question it was really hard for me. And I really appreciate all of you who are reading this and interested in either what I'm doing or how it's going. And I appreciate the comments, texts, and questions you all give me, because it let's me know that I'm not in this alone, because I don't think I could do it if I was. So thank you.

Well, I got to keep going on this productive streak I have. Shopping in Mebane tomorrow, so I have a lot to get done this afternoon. And I'm working tonight at Bada if any of you want to come hang out! Have a great weekend!