Friday, November 30, 2012

It's all in the perspective, right?  Here I was...so excited about my workout yesterday (I'm still excited, by the way) and the fact that I ran 1/4 mile on my treadmill as well - when I get a phone call from my sister-in-law.  She needed advice on Christmas gifts for my family and was telling me how tired she was, she'd been in the mall for three hours, she needed to get off of her feet, plus she did a 4-mile run BEFORE going shopping and I was like "Hey!  I ran 1/4 mile today!!"  Of course, she was excited for me (she IS my favorite sister-in-law after all), but I just thought it was funny that she's running 4 miles and I'm running 1/4 mile!  Oh...did I mention we are the same age?  Yeah...we are.  She doesn't judge me or anything, so I felt okay bragging about my 1/4 mile run to her.  I wish she lived closer to us, though - she's in St. Louis - circumstances are keeping them in Missouri for the holidays and that makes me sad.  :/

Off of sad subjects!  I was worried today's workout would be a killer one since yesterday's wasn't so hard (wink, wink).  I didn't mention how sore my ass was last night, did I?  Well, my left glute muscle was EXTREMELY sore last night.  Adding weights to those squats really make a difference!  duh!!!  Anyway, today's workout:
 
   21-15-9 reps of:
      Deadlift w/40-60 lbs
      Push-ups

Quick, funny story about yesterday as well - I follow a page on Facebook called Ripped Goddesses.  It's about girls who work out and they always post inspiring, encouraging quotes and pictures.  Anyway, they posted a "Squat-A-Thon" workout plan for December.  Looked easy enough - one day you do 50 squats, 60 the next, 70 the next, etc.  There are some designated "days of rest", but the squats lead up to 100 squats every now and then for a workout day.  People were complaining...saying 100 squats couldn't be done without injuring yourself, etc.  I was like...umm, we did 5 rounds of different exercises on Monday (or was it Tuesday) where we did 50 squats per round, which totals for 250 squats in one day and I wasn't damaged.  I think that may be why I like CrossFit so much - you do a LOT of exercises in one day, but it doesn't sound like a lot and doesn't always feel like a lot, and before you know it - BAM! - you did 100 pushups, 150 lunges, 200 situps, and 250 squats in ONE workout!  :)
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5:32 - 50 lb. deadlifts

Awesome week of workouts!  Starting the December Squat-A-Thon tomorrow.  For those of you that would like to do it with me, here's what we do for the first few days:

December 1st - 20 squats
December 2nd - 25 squats
December 3rd - 30 squats
December 4th - 35 squats
December 5th - 40 squats
December 6th - 45 squats
December 7th - 50 squats
December 8th - 55 squats
December 9th - 60 squats
December 10th - day of rest :)

I will count any squats done in my regular CrossFit workout against the squat-a-thon amount - then add some if I need to.  :)

Thursday, November 29, 2012

This is me from the other day!  Thank goodness for Pitbull and his music or I don't know that I could finish some days!!  I fell asleep on the couch last night sometime between 9:30 and 10:00.  Yesterday's workout was a fun one, but very exhausting!  When I got up to go to bed, my shoulders and upper arms were killing me - those wall balls that I love so much kicked in!  I took some Tylenol and slept like a baby for the rest of the night.  Not very sore this morning.  My ass/glutes are letting me know they've been used a lot this week and my lower back was a little achy this morning (not bad) from the deadlifts yesterday.  Overall, not too shabby!

Today's workout looks like a fun and quick workout.  I think I'll run 1/4 mile before doing it, just to get in some extra cardio. 

For Time:
   5 Front squats w/40 lbs
   25 situps
   4 Front squats w/40 lbs
   20 situps
   3 Front squats w/40 lbs
   15 situps
   2 Front squats w/40 lbs
   10 situps
   1 Front squat w/40 lbs
   5 situps

I'm going to do 1 real CrossFit situp for every 5 prescribed - ex:  5 CF situps during 25 set, 4 CF situps during 20 set, 3 CF situps during 15 set, 2 CF situps during 10 set, 1 CF situp during 5 set.  I've been doing them on the weight bench and it feels like I use all of my abdominal muscles doing it that way - which is better than the way I did them before, on the floor with my feet under the treadmill.  Hopefully, I'll get to where I can do CF situps without any modifications.  Not hopefully, I know I will!  I'll post my time later.  :)
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8:40 - AS RX'D, bitches!!!!!!!!  Woo-hoo!!!!!  I can't believe I can not only DO Crossfit situps now (tried SEVERAL times before), but I did them ALL!!!!  I believe doing situps on my weight bench helped tremendously in strengthening my abdominal muscles.  I have tried to do CrossFit situps several times before, and could only barely get my shoulder blades off of the floor.  I was way slower doing them this way than on the bench, but am SO proud of myself!!  My feet didn't even come up off of the floor - I figured they would, but NOPE!  YAY, me!!!

I also used 50 lbs. with the squats - I figured I could use all of the extra help I could get!  Also - my time is double what everyone else had, but I did NO modifications WHATSOEVER!!!  :)

Not included in my time, but I ran 1/4 mile on the treadmill before starting.  I saw that everyone's times was in the 4-5 minute mark, and thought "What the hell...can't hurt!"  My treadmill time was 3:18 - I jogged/ran at 4.6/mph

SO proud of me!!  :)

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Surprisingly not very sore today.  My glutes are the sorest, which is crazy - my back/side muscles were sore last night before I went to bed - from the Bent Over Rows!!  I'm telling you...it's always the easy ones that get me the next day!  :)

Today's workout looks challenging, but looks fun - AND it's only 1 round!! 

For time:
   10 pushups
   15 deadlifts w/15 lbs
   25 box jumps
   50 situps
   100 wallball shots (I LOVE wallball!)
   200 jump rope
   Run 400 meters (1/4 mile)

I'm debating on whether I want to do this exactly as prescribed, or if I want to do the run first.  I'll decide when I get in my exercise room, but would love to do this as prescribed with NO modifications - even in the order of the workout! 
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26:56!  I was SO proud of my time until I saw everyone else's!  I really need to stop comparing, huh?

10 pushups were easy!
15 deadlifts w/50 lbs because my wall ball is lighter than prescribed.  :)
25 box jumps w/10 in. box!  WOO-HOO!!  So much better than 2 weeks ago!
50 situps are getting easier.  I was able to complete 36 before stopping for a few seconds, then finished all.
100 wall balls w/4 lb. ball - I LOVE this exercise!  Of course, I'll probably be super sore tomorrow, but this is by far my favorite!  I need to put a heavier weighted ball on my Christmas list though.
200 jump ropes - My jumps have improved!  I can jump around 20 times without getting tangled up!
400 meters (1/4 mile) on treadmill - 3:48 - ran 10/16 blocks @ 4.5/mph - walked 6 blocks @ 3/mph.  The next time, I will run first.  I knew I should have, but wanted to try it this way.

Overall, I LOVED this workout today!  Nice combination of everything, AND I could see improvements in stamina and ability!  :)

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Can't believe I forgot to post this morning!  WHAT a workout today!!!

For time - 5 rounds of:
   Run 400 meters (1/4 mile)
   20 Burpees
   15 2-hand dumbbell bent over rows w/10 lbs

I RAN!!  Well, the first round anyway.  Still on the tail end of a chest cold and thought I was going to cough up a lung after I finished that 1/4 mile, but I RAN!  I biked 1/4 mile at 10 resistance and no less than 15/mph on the other 4 rounds.  Talk about getting your heart rate up!  That definitely did mine!

My burpees are kinda funny, but still they're burpees.  I use my aerobic step because I still can't squat all the way down to put my hands on the floor - anyway, I squat and put my hands on the step, kick my legs back, bring my legs back in and stand up.  I didn't do the "jump up" at the end today, but I do plan on incorporating that in the future.  I can't wait until I don't need my step anymore!  I do have it on the lowest setting, which is 6 inches - but I really need those extra 6 inches right now.

I used my adjustable dumbbells for the bent over rows - 12 lbs. each dumbbell, which I guess means I used 24 lbs total.  I wasn't sure if Jenni meant 10 lb total dumbbell weight or each dumbbell, so I erred on the side of caution and did each.  Of course, those seemed really easy which means those muscles used will be super sore tomorrow!  lol

I did run down the stairs afterwards - not by choice.  I started downstairs and my thighs got all jiggly, squiggly and it was either "run" or fall.   Needless to say, I chose to run!  lol  

Monday, November 26, 2012

This week should be WAY better than last week!  I was sick last week, but still worked out some until my cold moved into my chest.  It really is hard to work out with a chest cold!  I did get out and do yard work several days last week, so I wasn't a complete slug-a-bug.  I even put up most of my outdoor Christmas lights yesterday.  The majority of my property is on a hill - steep incline, so it's practically a workout going from the front yard to the back to my basement to get out my decorations.   Actually, the workout is coming from the back to the front (it's all uphill) and carrying stuff!  My thighs were sore last night, so I know I worked something!!

Today's workout is 5 rounds of:
   20 pushups
   30 lunges
   40 situps
   50 squats
   *Rest 3 minutes in between rounds, but time the rounds only.

I will do my measurements today - I hope they aren't icky - and post those later.  Wish me luck, I do believe I'll need it today!  Hey!  NO running!  :)
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Did my measurements - not impressed, so I'm pretending I didn't do them in hopes that they will improve after this week! lol - I did lose 2.5 lbs this week, so THAT'S a plus!!

Man - could I tell I didn't work out some last week.  My legs were like jello towards the end and I only did 4 rounds!  I was hoping/crossing my fingers that I wouldn't fall flat on my ass during the last set of squats!  I don't know about you guys, but the situps took up most of my time.  On all rounds, after completing pushups and lunges, I was only between 1:45 and 2:00.  I did all situps on the weight bench and I could feel EACH and EVERY one!  I was so excited to see NO running today, but those lunges and squats made me squiggly!  My times are below:

5:19
6:54
5:18
6:43

Can't wait for tomorrow's workout!  :)

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Instead of CrossFit today, I worked out in the yard.  From almost 12:00 until 4:00 I trimmed the bushes, raked up the cuttings from said trim, wheelbarrowed them down a hill and dumped them in the woods, then pushed the wheelbarrow UP that damn hill!  I then repaired my retaining wall - it was kinda wonky from the ground settling after 10 years.  I had to remove the entire top row of bricks and part of the next row to straighten them all up.  I then took the entire top row of removed bricks and put them under my front porch - one by one.  I then scooped up the old grass cuttings around the tree and wheelbarrowed them down the hill to dump them in the woods and pushed the wheelbarrow back up that damn hill five times!  This is a super steep hill, can you tell?  lol 

Anyway, I figured I did a lot of lifting, moving, uphill, downhill that they would do as a substitute for CrossFit - especially since I did this for four hours!  Working out tomorrow!!  :)

Monday, November 19, 2012

It's hard to believe I have been doing CrossFit religiously for eight weeks!  I can tell such a difference in my clothes and in my fitness - meaning, I'm nowhere near as out of breath going up the stairs or anything like I used to.  My legs just feel stronger too, whenever I walk.  I must admit I am very proud of myself - usually I convince myself to stop or life gets in the way - but not this time.  I have only missed three workouts since starting eight weeks ago.  Two of those were from like the second week and my husband surprised me with an out of town trip and the other one was from last week when I was having back issues.  All in all, VERY proud!

Today's workout doesn't sound hard, which means I will probably be exhausted before it's done!  lol

For time, 7 rounds of:
   12 Thrusters w/20 lbs
   9 Knees to Elbows
   Run 200 meters (.124/mile)

I'll post my updated measurements later when I post my workout time.  :)
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Well...my sinus issue yesterday has turned into fever and chills today.  Saving this workout!  :(

Sunday, November 18, 2012

I just did Wednesday's workout - WOW!  That was a GREAT one!  Just to refresh your memory, for time I had to:
   Run 500 meters (.31/mile)
   50 - box jumps
          push ups
          situps
         kettlebells
         back extensions
         bench dips
   20 burpees

Well...35:22 - I'll take it!  SO PROUD OF ME.....I ran a full 1/4 mile at 4.5/mph WITHOUT stopping!  I tried to continue, but could only run more block segment into the next 1/4 mile and I slowed to a 3.0/mph walk for the remainder.  It is SO hard to workout with sinus issues - I kept coughing and gagging due to sinuses draining in my throat.  That got old real quick.

I raised my aerobic step to 9 inches for the box jumps - first time EVER that I could do 9 in. box jumps - another ACCOMPLISHMENT!

My pushups still need a lot of work - I could only do 25 before having to rest, so I did 10 back extensions during my rest period, then 10 pushups, 10 back extensions, 15 pushups and 10 more back extensions.

My situps are improving!  I can do so much better on my weight bench than on the floor.  I actually did 29 situps and took a quick pause (for coughing!) then finished them up!  My stomach muscles were burning!

I did kettlebells with a 15.5 lb dumbbell - super easy!  I tried to finish up my back extensions, but could only do 6 more before my back started cramping/aching in my "hurt" spot, so I stopped doing those - total of 36 back extensions.

I thought the bench dips would give me a hard time like they did the last time I did them, especially since I started off all shaky from the get go - but I was able to do 22, rest and stretch, then 15 more, rest and stretch, then I forced myself to finish them up without stopping.  I will probably be majorly sore in my triceps tomorrow.

I did 10 burpees - without the pushups, since Jenni said they weren't prescribed.  I was going to push myself to do the final 10, but just did not have the energy today.  But, hey!  I did 10 burpees!!  :)

Looking forward to this week's workouts, but not measurement day tomorrow.  I really don't expect to see much difference this week, since it was so messed up for me - although I did do all workouts but one - Thursdays.  Oh well - I'm having fun and seeing improvements and that's all that counts, right?  :)

Friday, November 16, 2012

Right now, my back is 100% better!  I hope it stays that way so I can get today's workout in.  I HATE not being able to workout AND being behind!  Today's workout actually sounds pretty easy, too. 

For time:
   21 - 18 - 15 - 12 - 9 - 6 - 3 reps of:
      situps
      squats

SEE!  Easy, right?  Fingers crossed!!!!
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DID IT!!!  6:47 - didn't hardly break a sweat!  YAY me!!

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Let's hope I can get back on track today with my workouts! I really missed it yesterday and it TOTALLY threw my schedule off without working out between 3:00 and 4:00. Jen suggested it might have been the deadlifts that injured my hip/back area and I am going to agree with her because last night I went to bring in a carry-bag full of firewood and hurt myself again! Picking up the firewood bag was the same movement as a deadlift and carrying it in? OMG - pain!!! I told my husband he was on firewood duty for the rest of the night. Normally we take turns bringing it in.

Looking at today's workout is kinda scary, but Jenni said we could break it up as we saw fit except for the runs. She wants us to begin and end with a run. I think she's trying to kill me, so if y'all don't hear from me after this just blame her! ;)

For time:
    Run 1 mile
    100 pushups
    200 situps
    300 squats
    Run 1 mile

It looks hard, but I got this!
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Okay - no workout again today :(   I'm so afraid of making things worse, so I'm saving this one for Sunday.  My hip is getting better, but it still isn't pain free.  I can just be sitting, and then BAM!  Pain...Makes me sad.

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Hey!  It's Wednesday!!  I know...let's do EVERY exercise there is!!!  You know...just for shits and giggles!!!! 

THAT'S what I feel like today's workout is telling me.  And by EVERY exercise, I mean EVERYTHING!  Well, except for squats.  There are no squats today.  I'm thankful for that - hey!  It's the little things.  :)

For time:
   Run (!) 500 meters (.31/mile)
   50 - box jumps
          pushups
          situps
          kettle bell swings w/15-20 lbs
          back extensions
          bench dips
   20 burpees

See!  EVERYTHING!  lol  I am glad to see the run first, I should be able to do that!  Not sure if I have hurt my back or just have a muscle strain, but as I mentioned yesterday - I am sore around my right hip area, but more towards my back than the front.  It kept "catching" yesterday and boy! did THAT take my breath away!  It's a little better today, nothing like it was last night so I'm hoping it was just a muscle strain.  I have no idea which exercise it was though.  I was blaming it on the knees to elbows since that was the first time I had done those with a bar, but it was WAY worse last night so it could have been the lunges or deadlifts as well.  I don't know - I just hope it's gone by the time I work out this afternoon.

I am looking forward to the workout - especially now that I can actually DO all of the exercises prescribed!!
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Sorry - putting this off until Saturday.  My back/hip area is just WAY too sore or I would attempt it.  I just don't want to injure myself. 

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Looks like a run day today...AARRGGHH!!  Just kidding, I know I need to run AND my running has improved AND I enjoy seeing my progress, I just wish I could breathe while running!! lol 

I am surprisingly not very sore today - I figured my newly discovered muscles in my back/shoulder area (from using my new bar yesterday) would be sore, but they actually are not.  The one place I am sore is on my right side, just above my hip area.  Not sure what that is from, unless it's the knees to elbows that I attempted to do yesterday.  It's not super sore, just a certain movement I make lets me know it's there.

Today's workout is for time, 4 rounds of:
   8 Deadlifts w/50 lbs
   16 Burpees
   15 Walking Lunges
   Run 600 meters (.37/mile)

I will attempt Burpees again (I'm going to master those suckers one day!), but if I can't do them correctly then I will sort of go through the Burpee motion - pushup, squat, and jump straight up.  I will run as much as possible on my treadmill, and will walk whatever I cannot run.  I might even throw in biking, not sure.  Let me see how I feel on my treadmill.
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34:19 of pure, screaming HELL!!!!  Guess what?  I BURPEED!!!!  SO proud of me!  They weren't  perfect, but they were burpees!!  They took me forever, but THEY WERE BURPEES!!!  :)

50 lb deadlifts and I rode my bike for 1/2 mile each round at 5 resistance and never less than 18/mph.  I'm huffing and puffing, sweating like a dog, but I DID IT!!  I'm calling my version of burpees "Berta Burpees".  I'm sure y'all would die laughing at me while I did them, but I did it!  :)

Monday, November 12, 2012

7 Week Stats

I totally forgot to post this morning!  Well, I did my measurements and I'm either measuring wrong, or there was actually very little change from last week.  Maybe it's just me, but I swear I can see changes in the mirror and I can DEFINITELY tell the difference in my clothes!  I did actually drop a pound or two this week, so that's progress!

9/24/12                                11/12/12          Difference
254.5             Weight          251.5                -2.5 lbs
42                  Bust               39                     -3
49                  Waist             43.5                  -5.5
56                  Hips               53                     -3
15.5               UpperArmR  15                     -.5
15.5               UpperArmL   15                    -.5
29.5               ThighR           29                    -.5
30                  ThighL           29                    -1
20.25             CalfR             19.75               -.5
21                  CalfL             19.75               -1.25

Total inches lost = 15.75

Great overall, but only .5 inch lost from last week.  BUT, it's a loss so I'll take it!!  :)  I could have went the other way, right?

Today's workout looked super hard: 
   For time:
     30 pushups
     50 back extensions
     30 knees to elbows
     30 dead lifts w/40 lbs
     30 push press w/20 lbs
     50 kettlebells w/15-20 lbs
     Run 400 meters (1/4 mile)
     10 pullups or pull downs
     30 bench dips

I bought a bar at Walmart today (it was only $19), and I installed it in the closet doorway of my exercise room.  I actually ended up emptying out that closet (it was just a bunch of junk) and put it all in my guest room for now.  So, guess what my next project is?  Yep....cleaning out the guest room!

I did the running part first because I wanted to run as far as I could.  I actually increased my speed to 4.5/mph (progress from 4.0/mph!) and ran 11 block segments before I slowed to a 3.0/mph walk - hey!  I was sucking wind!  Still, it was a solid 2 minute run (again, progress!) - then I walked for 3 block segments and ran for the last 2 blocks.  Overall, I only walked 3 out of 16 blocks - and THAT is great for me!  My treadmill time was 3:39.  When I started, I could only walk the 400 meters and that took me 5 minutes, so I am VERY impressed with that time!  Jenni - if you read this, don't think that means I want longer distances!!  lol

Pushups were girly, but easier as well.  I only stopped to rest once (on number 20), progress!  Back extensions are not my favorite exercise, but I did them.  Knees to elbows....I was so excited to use my new bar!  That quickly wore off - I've discovered I can only do knees to hips, but that is a start and my goodness could I feel the muscles in my back/shoulder area being used!  Deadlifts were with 44 lbs, push press with 24 lbs, and kettlebells with 15.5 lbs.  I actually had to stop and rest after 30 kettlebells today - my shoulders were burning!  I looked at several videos online for pullups and discovered "assisted" pullups for beginners, so that is what I did.  THOSE suckers were NOT fun.  AT...ALL!  NO FUN!  Even assisted, I was pouring sweat on my arms.  After that, I thought bench dips would be a breeze, but no such luck.  My triceps are in horrible, horrible, horrible shape!  They were burning after just 9 dips!  I had to stop every 3-4 dips to rest because of the burn.  I bet those alone took all of 5 minutes or more! 

I'm still loving these workouts - it seems like every day I play the "I wonder what's going to be sore tomorrow" game.  Right now, I'm guessing my back/shoulders and definitely my triceps - since that's what is sore now, but who knows?  It's anyone's guess.  :)
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In honor of Veteran's Day, I want to share a funny story about meeting my 2nd oldest brother.  First - some background - I am the baby of 6.   And, I'm the only one of the 6 that was born in Georgia.  My two oldest siblings, Billy and Bob, were born in Indiana and my other 3 siblings were born in California.  Needless to say, I was not planned - my mom was 40 when she found out she was pregnant with me.  My brother, Bob, had been serving in Vietnam.  I was maybe 4 years old and someone knocked on the door and I was the one who answered it (things were WAY different back then, huh?).  Anyway, the guy at the door said "Hey!  I'm your brother, Bob!"  And I replied, "No you're not, he's in the war!!" and slammed the door in his face.  I went back to the family room and sat down, when my mom asked me who was at the door and I told her some man who said he was my brother.  Everyone started screaming and freaking out - turns out it really was my brother!  lol

Friday, November 9, 2012

SO happy to see there is NO running in today's workout, however, EVERYTHING else IS in there!!  lol - Just to look at it is intimidating, but they're not really hard exercises - just a lot of them.  And I mean a LOT!!

For time, 5 rounds of:
   11 situps
   11 pushups
   11 jump rope
   11 squats
   11 leg lifts
   11 sumo deadlift high pulls w/20-30 lbs
   11 back extensions
   11 walking lunges
   11 wall ball w/10 lb ball
   11 push press w/20 lbs
   11 kettle bell swings w/15 lbs

I will do the deadlift high pulls with 31 lbs - wall balls with a 4 lb ball (it's still all I have) - push press with 24 lbs - and kettle bell swings with 15.5 lbs.  Some of these amounts sound weird, but I have adjustable dumbbells and they have on each end pounds of 3, 6, 9.5, and 12.5 so I have to play around with the combinations to get close to some of the requested weights.  I'm hoping it's not a super long workout, because I have a lot to do today...but no matter what, I'm doing it!
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Okay - so I didn't do my workout on Friday - surprise, surprise - I was running late!  BUT, I did do it today (Sunday) and I must say...what was I thinking?  I thought this would be a breeze!  NOT!!!  Loved the workout though, but I did shift some things around just so I wouldn't waste time getting up and down off of the floor.  I did all situps on my weight bench because I can't do true CrossFit situps, but have discovered I use more of my abdominals on the weight bench than I do when I stick my feet under the treadmill.  VERY proud to say I did almost everything without having to stop and catch my breath - meaning all situps, pushups, etc.  I did take quick water breaks and what I term "sweat rag" breaks in between exercises.  The only things I did have to stop and rest for were the leg lifts and back extensions.  Have I mentioned I hate leg lifts and back extensions?  Man, oh man...those things get my heart pumping.  I can tell a difference when doing lunges - I go down deeper than before.  I will say that my last round was slower than the others, I could feel all of my muscles working that last round.  I left my adjustable dumbbells on the same weight throughout all weighted exercises - on 9.5 and 6 (total of 15.5 lbs) for each dumbbell.  So, I used 31 lbs for the deadlift high pulls and push presses.  Kettle bell swing was with 15.5 lbs, and wall ball with 4 lbs.

Great workout today!  Tomorrow is a measurement day.  Can't wait to see the results!

Thursday, November 8, 2012

Thank goodness this week is almost over!  I do believe this has been the hardest week for me doing CrossFit.  Don't get me wrong, I've enjoyed EVERY workout, but I have been so exhausted every night this week.  I fell asleep on the couch just a little after 9:00 last night - my husband woke me up at 11:00 to go to bed and I crashed all night long.  My leg muscles (especially my upper thighs) were beyond exhausted last night - no pain, just could hardly move them.  What was (and still is) sore are my abs!  I do believe I will keep using my weight bench for my situps - I think I'm using more of my abdominal muscles that way.  My bench is at a slight decline and I lay back on it (straddling it with my legs) and try to keep my feet on the floor as I come up into the situp position.  My feet of course do NOT stay on the floor and the situps seemed easier, but by the middle part of yesterday's 2nd round I was feeling pain/strain/"the burn" in my abs!  They are definitely letting me know they were used yesterday!  So far it's true what I've said - what seems the easiest seems to leave me the sorest!

Looking forward to today's workout - someone posted like a 5:00/6:00 minute time and talked about how quick it was.  Today's workout is for time, 3 rounds of:
   10 front squats w/30 lbs
   100 jump rope
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15:01 - Again, I had the worst time of the day.  I have realized that I can pretty much look at everyone else's times and double it - that's usually what my time ends up being, but today was triple!  NOT good, but I can see such a big improvement on my jumping.  I didn't have to stop and catch my breath or get water - I just kept going until I got my 100 in for each round.  I do jump like one at a time, because I still don't have that whole coordination thing down.  BUT, I'm not tripping or landing on the rope as often as before so that's an improvement as well.

I did the front squats with my adjustable dumbbells and used 50 lbs, 44 lbs, then 31 lbs.  I sure as hell hope I get a decent badonk-a-donk out of all these squats!!!  I'm way late working out and posting today because I've been getting ready to go out of town this weekend.  My husband is racing in Phenix City, AL this weekend and my daughter is coming to stay with my niece so I'll have a nice, dirty weekend going on!!  And by dirty, I mean the racing - it's on a dirt track.  Y'all get your minds out of the gutter!  ;)

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

A friend of  mine sent this picture to me yesterday and I like it.  I hope you do, as well!
 
I'm going a little off topic here- I am glad Obama was re-elected.  I do not/cannot trust generational politicians and there was just something so shady about Romney.  Better the devil you know, etc.

Okay - back to CrossFit!  I was so sore and exhausted last night around 8:00.  I think it was still from Monday's workout, but really do not know!  I went to bed at 10:00, which is a decent time, but then I woke up around 2:00 and could not go back to sleep until sometime after 4:00.  I HATE when I do that!!

Today's workout is for time, 3 rounds of:
   33 Situps
   21 Burpees
   Run 400 meters (1/4 mile)

I will attempt Burpees again today, but if it doesn't work (meaning, if I face plant like I did the last time I tried them!) I will switch and do a pushup, front squat, and box jump.  Wish me luck!!
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29:02 - My word!!  What a hard week of workouts so far!!  I still cannot do burpees (I tried and failed).  I don't have the coordination and my stomach is in the way whenever I squat down to go into the plank position.  I tried just going down to pushup position, then up on my knees, to my feet, then into a standing jump - but just didn't feel like that worked very well.  So...after 4 of those, I switched to just pushups, then 21 squat jump things (I went down into squat position then jumped straight up) - THOSE got my heartrate up!!  Also, my legs were so wobbly today - I did the treadmill for the first segment, but switched to my bike the other two.  Breakdown as follows:

Round 1
  33 situps - I sat on my weight bench and kept my feet on the floor - MAN could I feel those today!
  21 pushups
  21 squat/straight jump up things
  Ran 6 blocks @ 4.4/mph - walked 4 blocks @ 3.0/mph - ran 6 blocks @ 4.4/mph
Round 2
  33 situps on weight bench
  21 push ups
  21 squat/straight jump up things
  1/5 mile on bike @ 5 resistance and 18/mph
Round 3
  33 situps on weight bench
  21 push ups
  21 squat/straight jump up things
  1/5 mile on bike @ 5 resistance and 18/mph

EXHAUSTED, but proud that I did not listen to myself and stop after two rounds!!

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Why is it the exercise you thought was the easiest is the one that leaves you so sore????  The other day I breezed through the weighted front squats, but my butt was SO sore the next day and then yesterday I thought the wall balls were SO easy with my little bitty 4 lb ball, yet this morning my sides (right by my boobs) are sore!!  I thought I was going to die last night with my sore thighs...I mean, I really had to focus to get up and down off the sofa last night.  And when I went to bed!  Oh man...the least little movement killed my thighs, yet this morning they are fine.  I'm just dealing with soreness from my underarms/sides.  Who knew?

It's so crazy for me to think that yesterday alone, I biked 2 miles, ran/walked 3/4 mile, did 150 box jumps and 150 wall balls ALL under 50 minutes!!  And I had the suckie time of the day!!  Oh well, I did it (box jumps!) and I'm proud of it!!  :)

However, I am very pleased to report NO treadmill or box is involved in today's workout!  YAY!!

For time, 10 rounds of:
   5 deadlifts w/40-60 lbs
   10 situps

I'm also glad to see the situps split up.  When I did last Wednesday's workout on Sunday, I was supposed to do 2 rounds that included 75 situps and I STRUGGLED to do that many (and I only completed 1 round).  I got this!!
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13:57 - 50 lb deadlifts and only one for real, CrossFit situp.  I couldn't even get all of the way up, so I did what I usually do, which is stick my feet under the treadmill.  I could definitely feel all of my core muscles today!  Nice, quick, yet hard workout for today.  Still loving CrossFit!!

Monday, November 5, 2012

6 Week Stats

Okay...here are my new and improved measurements after 6 weeks of CrossFit.  The ones with an asterisk means there was no change from last week :(  But overall, I have lost 15.25 inches which is 2 inches lost this week...so I'm happy with that!! 

Start                             Today                     Difference
42             Bust             39.25                      -2.75*
49            Waist            43.5                        -5.5
56            Hips              53                           -3*
15.5         R Up Arm     15.25                     -.25*
15.5         L Up Arm     15                          -.5
29.5         R Thigh        28.75                     -.75*
30            L Thigh        29.25                     -.75
20.25       R Calf          19.75                     -.5
21            L Calf           19.75                    -1.25

:)
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Today's workout is for time:
   5 rounds of...
     Run 400 meters (1/4 mile)
     30 box jump w/18" box
     30 wall ball w/10 lb ball

My time was 49:19 - I DID BOX JUMPS!!!  The last time they were in the workout, I have done step-ups because I couldn't jump, but guess what?  I can jump!!!   Holla!!  I tried to use my 9" aerobic step for the jumps, but that wasn't happening, so I adjusted it down to 6".  But...I did it!!!  :)  SO proud of me!

I used both my treadmill and stationary bike for the run segments.  Treadmill for rounds 1, 3, and 5.  On the first round, I ran .16/mile at 4.3/mph before slowing down to walk the remainder at 3.2/mph.  On round 3, I ran the first 8 block segments (not 2 blocks shy of the first round), then walked up until the last 2 blocks, which I ran.  The final round I ran 8 block segments and walked the rest of the way.  When I did my bike, I pedalled no less than 20/mph and went a full mile for rounds 2 and 4.

This was my first time doing wall balls (I went out of town the last time they were ordered), and I have to say they were pretty fun.  I thought my 4 lb ball was a little too light though.  I might need to invest in a heavier one.

I am sweating like a whore in church and sucking wind, but am so proud of my jumping abilities I could just spit!  :)   What a difference CrossFit has made for me!  Thank you, Jenni!

Sunday, November 4, 2012

I did the workout that was scheduled for Halloween today.

2 rounds of:
   50 pushups
   75 situps
   50 front squats w/20 lbs
   75 jump rope

My time was 21:04 and I only did one round as rx'd.  I normally split this type of workout into smaller segments, but thought I'd try it like I was supposed to.  Well...the situps were KILLING me!  My arms were getting squiggly towards the end of my pushups, I STRUGGLED with the situps, front squats w/24 lbs were surprisingly easy (I only stopped to rest at the 35 and 45 marks), AND I can actually jump rope now!  I usually jump and "stop" the rope (but still count the jumps!).  Today, I ony "stopped" the rope 10 times, so that was awesome!  I'm pouring sweat and my heartrate is definitely up after the squats and jumping! 

Tomorrow is a measurement day - can't wait to see my results after 6 weeks of CrossFit!!

Friday, November 2, 2012

Good morning!  I'm not sure if it's the CrossFit workouts or what, but I have been going to bed so early (for me, anyway)!  I went to bed last night at 10:00 and slept like a baby.  I actually forced myself to wait until 10:00 to make sure I wouldn't wake up in the middle of the night wide awake.  Not sure what it is, but I have been so tired!

It looks like we are ending the week with a run, but it's not a far run!  I'm going to run as much of it as I can and try not to walk at all.  Wish me luck on that!

Today's workout is for time:
   Run 300 meters (.186/mile - I'm rounding up to .19/mile)
   20 Push Press w/20 lbs
   Run 300 meters
   15 Push Press
   Run 300 meters
   10 Push Press
   Run 300 meters
   5 Push Press

If I can, I may throw in another 300 meter run to get close to a mile.  Not sure - I was full of good intentions yesterday as well, but that didn't work out.  I'll see what I can do.  :)
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I DID IT!!!  21:15 - NO WALKING today!!!!!  Oh, hell yeah!  My time isn't great compared to everyone else, but that's because I kept the timer going whenever I stopped the treadmill to catch my breath!  I did not stop AT ALL on my first run segment AND I ran at 4.3/mph!!  My chest was burning by the time I finished that first segment.  Second, third, and fourth segments - I was able to make it to the .12 point before stopping to catch my breath and continue running.  SO proud of me!  I did it and I did it faster than normal!  :)

OH - I did the push presses with 31 pounds.  Can I get a holla?  WOOT-WOOT!!

Thursday, November 1, 2012

After not working out yesterday, I am ready for today's workout!!  You guys would be so proud, I'm sending my leftover Halloween goody bags to my husband's workplace.  Not sure if you've noticed, but I have a sweet tooth!  Gotta get that stuff outta here - I only ate 1 piece of candy last night, so...YAY ME!!!

Today's workout looks/sounds simple - which usually means it's going to kick my ass!  lol

For time:
   21 Dead Lifts w/30-60 lbs
   21 Push Press w/20 lbs
   50 squats
   15 Dead Lifts w/30-60 lbs
   15 Push Press w/20 lbs
   50 squats
   9 Dead Lifts w/30-60 lbs
   9 Push Press w/20 lbs

Wish me luck!
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8:10 as rx'd!!!!  I LOVE when I do them as prescribed!!  I used 36 lbs with my dead lifts and 24 lbs with my push press.  I considered adding 50 squats to the end just because it looked weird without them tagged on there, but I quickly changed my mind!  SO impressed - I did not stop on the first set of squats until I reached 25 because my thighs were BURNING!  I had to stop at 35, but struggled through until 50.  On the second set, I made only made it to 20 before a brief rest, then 30, then 38, then I pushed through to the end.  When I turned to get my weights my legs felt like jello!!  I had also considered doing my squats then push presses with the weights until I reached the push press number, then doing just squats until I reached 50...but I'm so glad I didn't.  I don't think I'd be able to walk at all if I had done that!  I had also thought about adding a quick run/walk segment, but there's no way after those squats.  I was just so FULL of intentions today, but just couldn't pull it off with that equipment!  lol - My mind was willing, but not my bod!

Nice little workout today!  **UPDATE**  I actually used 38 lbs for deadlifts.  My math skills suck!  :)