Workout Wednesday

Just saw a commercial for this gem.. Forgiven, the alcohol metabolizer. The commercial says you ever have a hard next day after a night out? Not anymore, you're forgiven ... Forgiven can be found at your local drug stores, at the bottom shelf in the supplement section. That's right, the bottom shelf. Because the product isn't good enough, or the company doesn't have enough money, to have it be in the middle, where products are actually seen. I've got an idea for you. Why don't you just figure out how much alcohol you and your body can handle. Drink that amount, or less, and you won't need forgiving. It's called self-control you fools. Sheesh.

It's always a great feeling when Wednesday is complete. Thursday will fly by, and then only a half day of work on Friday. Today, I was scheduled for 2 doubles at work today, and 3 of those 4 patients cancelled/no-showed. You gotta love outpatient at times! Seriously, those were the first 3 cancellations of the last 2 weeks, and I was ready for them. One of the doubles wouldn't have been too bad, but the other set was a rotator cuff repair, 2nd therapy appointment, and a spinal stenosis patient with a 5 level spinal fusion who needs a translator. So that would've sucked. Thank you for staying home today, peeps. Tomorrow my double booking is two shoulder patients, which shouldn't be too bad, but one of them has a learning disorder and needs constant tactile cues, so it will be an interesting morning. Oh, and my last patient today came in saying This is my last appointment, I don't need therapy, this is the last time you'll see me. Alright, lady, this is your first appointment since your total hip replacement. I think it would be a good idea to stay. I got her to work hard, and she will be coming back, but in the middle of the session, she starting crying on me. Sheesh. Anyone who knows me well can imagine how I handled that. A 50 y.o women crying, for no apparent reason. All I said was, Is everything okay? Do you want to take a break? No response. So I just sat there. Way to go, Susie. But in my defense, I am not an emotional therapist, I am a physical therapist (student).. meaning I treat physical problems, not emotional ones. Ya, I wish that were true...

Workout today was great I suppose. My energy levels today were low low LOW, and I don't know why. Another day of getting home and just wanting to sleep. Driving to the gym and just wanting to sleep. But then I turned on my jams and was singing alongside Chris Brown at the top of my lungs with my windows down and that got me to the gym. And then I wanted to sleep again. Oh well. Dips today felt like my pecs were ripping away from my sternum again, but I PR'd on everything except stupid Preacher Curls. I hate preacher curls. Maybe it's because they are my last lift and I just don't want to do anymore biceps. My arms were SWOLL and tired and had enough and honestly, I was begging to get to cardio. Unfortunately for me, I got to the gym way earlier today (5 o'clock.. meaning I only had to wait about 10 minutes for a rack to open up) so I only caught 15 minutes of the Roma v Liverpool game during my cardio-sesh for the day, but I made it home in time to catch the end of the first half, and am currently watching the 2nd. (0-0 for those of you who are interested)They are playing at Fenway park, which is pretty cool actually. Next game up, Chelsea v MLS All-Stars. Awesome. We'll see if I can stay up for that.

Two of my other friends got engaged Monday night. I am so happy for them. They have both been two of my closest friends since grade school (Erin) and middle school (Tyler). Erin was even part of my really sweet Mercury Club that was in the woods of my backyard. I'm not going into details.. just be jealous that you weren't a part of it.

I'm also counting down the days until I head back to Iowa to get my bff (Bliz), chill with my fam, see my sister Mare, and go to ANOTHER wedding of two of my old (grade and high) school friends, Alicia and Eric. That'll be a fun one. And I bought a bomb dress in Asheville last weekend that I can wear with it.. providing Mary brings me some heels to match (holla at me PG).

Alright, this books been written. I'm off to shower, watch some soccer, eat some chicken, and hit the sack. Check ya later!

(Roma-Liverpool Update: ROMA's Michael Bradley (an American y'all) scored. Yahoo. He's only 24. I could've done that.)

Butts and Wet Hands

So I realized one important thing when I was in Asheville, and I am consistently reminded of it. I'm all for nature and being active and getting dirty. Fine. But not my hands. If I am going to fall I'm okay with my legs, arms, face even, getting dirty or wet or scratched. But my hands? Absolutely not. I hate having dirt on my hands.. but I think what really gets me, is having wet hands. It's like showering, washing my hands, washing dishes.. whatever.. takes a big mental effort because I don't want my hands wet, slimy, and I don't want to touch anything else with wet hands. It's gross. Like the reason I didn't take off my socks and shoes to play around in the waterfall.. I didn't want to get my hands wet touching my feet to put my socks and shoes back on. Ridiculous. It's especially inconvenient hiking or being outside, because when you trip/fall, you instinctively put out your hands. But thats exactly what I don't want to do if I have time to think about it. I guess I just need to learn to take it to the face... because that's where I'll be landing from here on out.

Monday was a long day. By noon, I had seen 12 patients, out of this world. I'm completely independent at my clinical now. I do all of the eval and treatments, renewals and discharges, myself. Today, and for the rest of this week, we have patients doubled up during treatment times, and I'm seeing both of them at once. Why isn't my CI taking one? I don't know. I'm getting a lot of practice though, and frankly I think I'm one hell of a PT. But I may be biased. A 15 year old's dad told me though that they liked working with me and that his daughter talked about me a lot at home. That's because she's not 60 years old and complaining of pain. She tore her ACL and wants to get back to playing ball. Can I kick her ass during therapy? Yes. And I love it, so of course she loves me!

I made it to the gym yesterday for my 40 minute cardio-sesh and loved it. Switched back and forth between Sports Network, Pardon the Interruption, and Around the Horn. I am all caught up on my sports and I can't wait to get back for more. USA game today so better believe I'll be loving me some treadmill walking after my back and delts workout!

Gotta head to work, patients are waiting for me to either kick their butt or massage their butt.. yes, I'll be digging my elbow in someone's butt today for ~18 minutes. Jeal much?

4 Checks

Monday.. Check
Tuesday.. Check
Wednesday.. Check
Thursday.. Check

So far, perfect week of my leaning-out nutrition! Love it. I'm not hungry, energy has been great, and I've just been in a great mood (well minus Tuesday.. but whatever) However today is the first day of the week I've done my 40 minutes of cardio (I did it Sunday, too, but my workout weeks start Tuesday so that was just me being awesome).. seriously, Mere? 40 minutes?! You are killing me! ha. It's not AWFUL.. I'm just bored. Except I did watch a bunch of sports bloopers on Sports Network today during the first half which really made the time fly.. so as long as I can plan that accordingly I should be good! haha.

Today's workout was legs.. and it was great. I went up in weight on every set for every exercise EXCEPT 1.. which was squat jumps holding a medicine ball.. and I'm already holding the heaviest ball so boo-yah. I'm a bad ass :) It never hurts to toot your own horn, people, just do it in moderation.

Well the week is almost over, and I'm completely cool with that. Tomorrow I'm just chilling out in Greensboro for once, and then Saturday it's off to Asheville with my best Kansas neighbor-friend Jack and his gf Katie. I'm stoked. A day of exploring, hiking, white watering and lots of nature. I couldn't be more excited to get out and have fun and just have a summer! Diet will be difficult, but I'm planning on bringing what I can and then just really thinking protein only at meals. I'll be able to get half of my meals at home Saturday, and half Sunday, so it shouldn't throw me off too bad. Yes, I'm motivated and dedicated and want to do great at this competition, but I also know that I need balance and I need to get out and have fun more then anything right now. So, I'm doing this for me. And I'm happy. And that's what matters to me in the long run.

Well I gotta shower (eh.. let's be honest, I'll save it for the am) and get to bed. Oh ps.. Tuesday night.. I went to bed at 5:40pm.. I woke up to my alarm at 5:36am (yes thats what time it's set for) It was great. I'm definitely hitting my 7 hour mark this week.. probably why life has been so great lately :) I have also already planned my August resolution.. but I'm going to leave y'all in anticipation! Good night.. stay motivated.. stay focused on your goals.. stay dedicated.. and most importantly enjoy life!

Bugs Don't Stand No Chance!

I am a master bug killer. Not just any bugs, I mean like flying bugs. At my sister's wedding in Napa, I killed 20 some flys hanging around the house on my first swat (I know you remember this Mare). At dinner tonight, I impressed Ceej by killing some little fruit fly or something with my finger. I rock. Maybe I should be an exterminator. It's always good to have backups...

First two days of July were a definite success with my resolutions! Well, I suppose today isn't over. I still have 26g carbs and 10g protein to get in, but for the most part, success :) Ceej and I made some stir fry for dinner tonight.. DELICIOUS. I had ground turkey with jalepeno, and she had mushy tofu. Then we sauted some carrots, green pepper, broccoli, zucchini, and squash in a tablespoon of Ginger Soy Sauce. A HUMONGOUS plate full was only 15.38g carbs, 2.55g fat and 43.89g protein. How awesome is that? And I have leftover veggies for at least 1 more meal and enough meat to last me .. well at the rate I eat meat .. 2 days max. But still. Awesome. I went to the gym today, too, and did 30 minutes of walking at an incline (14.0) at 3.0-3.2 mph. HR was around 148, and by looking at how sweaty my shirt is you would've thought I did jumping jacks for an hour in a sauna wearing a sweatsuit.  Preferably a neon green and hot pink sweatsuit.. but that part is up for debate.

Tomorrow is day 1 of the new split. I have back and delts, lifting heavy weight and low(er) reps. A few new exercises but for the most part they are familiar.. just in a different order or position. Gotta keep the body on its A-Game. :)

Well, that's that. Have a great night, I gotta get to bed if I want to go 3 for 3!

July Resolution

It's July first and my half birthday! Yahoo! Today also is the day to make a new resolution.

It's 6 months past new years.. how many of you still are going strong on your new year's resolutions? None? How many of you still even consciously think about what you wanted to do/change? Maybe 1 or 2 of you is my guess. I think new year's resolutions are stupid for this reason. People make huge resolutions that they simply can't keep because it's too drastic of a change all at once. So this year I decided I would make monthly resolutions on the first of every month. This way, I only have to really focus on 1 SMALL change at a time, and by the time the month is up, hopefully its a habit, or near-habit, and I will be able to focus on something else. January was as easy as writing down what I ate.. not counting calories, measuring anything even, just writing it down to become more conscious of it. And guess what, I still write everything down, and I now eat healthy. So far my resolutions have had to do with my health, Bliz, or school, because those are the main focuses of my life right now. But school is out until the end of August, I won't have Bliz for 6 more weeks, so that leaves me with my health for my resolution.  I'm going to make two resolutions for July, because I feel like there are a few things I can still work on. First, I want to get at least 7 hours of sleep a night. You all may think this is a cop out for me, but lately I've been staying up until nearly 12 and waking up between 430 and 530 during the week and have been so exhausted. I'm not going to say go to bed by 10, because I want to be able to go hang out on the weekends, and if I work I know I'll stay up way past then, so I'm leaving it unrestricted except that I want 7 consecutive quality hours of sleep. Second, I want to refocus on my nutrition, especially because I'm assuming it is going to get more challenging for me these next few months and so I want to really have control before that sets in. So my plan is to plan the day out the night before or the morning of, during breakfast. That way I will already know what I am allowed to eat that day and am less likely to waiver. And I want to STICK with what I write - no add ins. If on Thursday, I am really craving peanut butter, I'm not going to have it, but I'll plan it in to my meals for Friday. This way I'm not depriving myself, but I'm also not going to mess up my day and go over on any of my macros. I also want to focus on being within 5g of everything and to keep it more consistent. Easy enough. What do you want to change? Take it 1 month at a time, or just 1 week at a time, and really dedicate yourself to that goal for that short period, and you'll be surprised at how easily you can accomplish anything you want.


I took my progress pictures, and although I didn't notice much of a difference, Meredith did, which is good. A lot of it is just because I have no idea what I'm doing now when I'm posing hah! That'll come later. Nutrition isn't changing for 2 more weeks--I even get another cheat meal this week--but workout splits changed. I have Back/Delts, Bis/Tris/Core, Legs, Back/Delts, and Chest/Core. Sounds good to me. I also am adding in some light cardio. HR below 150.. so nothing too crazy, don't worry. 


Make some goals, stick with them, and make the most of your week!