best day ever?

Thursday April 12
For quality
2 min double unders
30 second L-sit
2 min double unders
12 - 10 -8 - 6 - 4 sumo deadlift high pull @ half body weight (65lbs)

Friday April 13
Chelsea
every minute on the minute for 30 minutes
5 pull ups
10 push ups
15 squats

I have no idea what I got. I got to 14 minutes before I took a good 5 minute break. At some point I modified to 5 push ups 10 squats, and then again to push ups on my knees. When I started again, I would do one and then take a break and play with the kids in the corner. I didn't even write my stuff on the board because I had no idea what to put.

But I got bored so I went in again for the 115 class. Instead of doing the WOD again I just did some lifting.

I brought my DL up to 205!
I did three reps of a 105lb back squat without having my knees go wonky!

I FOUND OUT IM ATHLETE OF THE MONTH AT MY BOX!! :)

To be honest I was kind of hoping I might be. I've been going about 5-6x / week, putting in awesome effort and getting awesome results. I'm really happy :)

another long one!

Weds April 4
4 rounds for quality, not time
15 ring rows
15 ring dips
30 second L-sit hold

cashout: tabata sit ups
lowest reps - 17. Started with and maintained throughout.

Thursday April 5
3 rounds
500m row
25 burpees
25 box jumps
400m row
time: 32:46

This workout was INSANE! Thats the 50% modification that I did. RX was 1000m row, 50 burpees, 50 box jumps, 800m run. Hubby came and did RX, took him just under 40 minutes to do two rounds. No one that tried RX got more than 2 rounds. I was really proud of him and DAMN is he fiiine. It was nice watching him finish ;)

Friday, April 6
Gym was closed, so I held a WOD in the park! It was awesome, good turnout and lots of fun.
10 rounds for time
10 push ups
10 squats
10 sit ups

People brought non-crossfit friends so I was kind of coaching + encouraging people while we did this. My time was around 10 minutes but I don't quite remember. Afterwards we went to the park for the cashout and did pull ups and ghd style sit ups on the monkey bars. Really, it was so much fun!

Saturday April 7
Team WOD. One partner at each station, switch when the runner gets back. As many reps as possible in 20 minutes.
1. 200m run
2. rest
3. thrusters
4. pull ups
5. slam balls
6. medicine ball side to sides

didn't record reps, again was a fun one. There is only one class on Saturdays so you get to meet people that go to the classes you don't attend. The only one I haven't been to is the 630am class (yaaaa right) so I met a girl named M.

Sunday April 8
Gym closed
5k run
I think it was around 32 min

but that doesn't sound right for me. I walked a lot. The running app on my phone cut off so I gad to guestimate. I'd been gone for about 15 minutes when it cut out. I got back about 15 minutes after it cut out. I feel like I messed up timing or something though. Hubby did the same course but a little longer, it's really hilly, and he wore a 20lb vest! Even though he ran about 6 or 7k he still beat me, lol.

Monday
5 rounds for time
2 lengths gym walking lunges, RX 35lb barbell overhead
21 burpees

Time: 1620
Weight: RX

Cashout max overhead squats @ 65lbs
Got 3 @ 55lbs

Tuesday 10 April
Tabata something else .5
4 rounds of 20 sec work 10 sec rest / exercise
pull ups
push ups
squats

around 170 reps

Cashout: 50 clean and jerks, RXed weight @ 55lbs

On the first round of pull ups, I met my goal for the last few months (and life) of getting TEN FULL PULL UPS! I am a very, very happy camper. I hate to sound self righteous but seriously, it just goes to show how hard work and dedication = results. I only got my first full pull up a couple of months ago!

Wednesday April 11
21 - 15 - 9
hang power clean, RX 65lb
hand stand push ups
dead lift, RX 115lb
ring dips

Time: 1600
Weight: RX
modified both HSPU and ring dips

Phew!
Like I said, that was a long one.

Now for pictures!

hubby doesn't wear his glasses to work out. At the Saturday WOD, he thought the chalk bucket was empty and flipped it over to write on it. I was nice enough to vacuum up the mess, but not before he did this during the group picture. I thought it was a love tap or something, and didn't know about it until after we got home.

The pull up bar that the Easter bunny brought me

sit ups on the monkey bars

me finishing my pull ups. I was the only one short enough to be able to successfully kip haha

Pump Up Song: Glee - I Can't Go For That

oh yes she did! total gleek.

RX MOTHERF*CKER!!!!

I got my first RXed workout in, and it was a benchmark to boot!

Warm Up:
Various stretching and yoga poses.

WOD:
The Filthy Fifty

For time:
50 Box jump, (24 / 20)
50 Jumping pull-ups
50 Kettlebell swings, (24 / 16)
50 Walking Lunges
50 Knees to elbows
50 Push press, ( 45 / 30 )
50 Back extensions
50 Wall ball shots, ( 20 / 14 )
50 Burpees
50 Double unders

Results:
Time: 42:15
50 Box jump: RX
50 Jumping pull-ups: RX
50 Kettlebell swings: RX
50 Walking Lunges: RX
50 Knees to elbows: RX
50 Push press: RX
50 Back extensions: RX
50 Wall ball shots: RX
50 Burpees: RX
50 Double unders: RX

I'm on top of the world! A huge goal of mine was to RX a workout and I finally got it. What had been holding me back most often were the kettlebell swings, RX for women is almost always 16 and I just couldn't get it up. I tried before each workout to see if I could move up from my 12 and it never happened. I said this and went over and tried it today and BAM, first 5 were up and right. It was hard in the workout but not the hardest move by any means. I told myself once I RXed a workout I'd get a new t-shirt as a reward. Here are some of the ones I'm thinking about:

Life as Rx puking unicorn t-shirt

Lift Big Eat Bit t-shirt

Lift Big Eat Big Hoody

There are a couple on zazzle too but I can't figure out how to put the pictures up here. Least of my worries! Hope you all are enjoying your Friday as much as I am :)

Pump Up Song: I Just Had Sex - Lonely Island

last night

My dad plays badminton. He was a champ in his day and trains champs. Ya I'm bragging a little and you can hold it against me but I'm proud of him. I'm at my parents house for weds-thurs-fri during my reading break ( those days chosen because they won't interfere with my crossfit sched. how depressing). Dad was going to badminton last night and I asked if I could join. We spent about two and a half hours there playing games (obv. there were also rests). I lost a lot of my junior high badminton skills but my newfound fitness made the whole thing a lot easier and I did get a couple of good shots in. It was really nice being able to move around the court for the entirety of a game without getting tired or giving up. It was really nice being able to clear it from the back end of my side to the back end of the opponents side. It was really nice hanging out with my dad and his friends (although we both agree, this one guy was a dick. He told me my school/degree/job are all worthless and I should switch to his sons everything. I can tell you right now the majority will tell you his sons shit is all worthless so.. nanananana). But yes, overall great night and it was something functional where I can compare my before and after and it was great

I realized I'm on this fitness journey not to look a certain way (although that is an added benefit). I want to be more effective. I want to be strong. I want to be able to physically do all of the things that people, especially men, have told me I can't do. I want to hear the naysayers, and then not only prove them wrong but do better than they themselves can.

why do you do this?

Spring Chick Check in #4

Last Weeks Starting Weight: 137.2

1. go to crossfit three times, other workouts at least twice xfit 4, others zero
2. take vitamins every single day fail
3. Don't eat in front of the TV
4. Track meals at least during weekdays went really well i'm starting to get the hang of tracking
5. Drink more water yes and no
6. incorporate at least one run into my workouts fail

 This Weeks Starting Weight: 134 - down 3.2lbs (4 total)

Last weeks Mini Challenge: No Sweets ice cream last night.. i honestly just forgot but that bums me out! I was so close.

This Week:

1. go to crossfit three times, other workouts at least twice
2. take vitamins every single day
3. Don't eat in front of the TV
4. Track meals at least during weekdays
5. Drink more water
6. incorporate at least one run into my workout

This weeks Mini Challenge: Find a new exercise. I may consider boxing to be my new exercise considering I only started the other day and other things I want to try, like Pure Barre or horseback riding, would be REALLY expensive to try and I just don't have the time or money to dedicate right now.

How was the 3rd week...? Great. Not as much exercise as the second but with classes starting and the workload beginning I still did fairly well.

Did you remain sweets free...? Right up until last night around midnight when I took hubby out for ice cream and got some myself. Somehow it slipped my mind that I was doing a no treats challenge and I'm actually pretty bummed about not making it!

How were your workouts? Awesome, I did 4 crossfit including the benchmark workout 'Fran'. I see I need to improve but I also see how I need to do it and Feb 1st I'm getting an unlimited membership and hopefully going every day.

How was your water consumption? Good some days, awful others.

What do you think of the mini challenges?  It was really good! And all of the other ones posted seem cool too. It's a nice way to interrupt your old habits and leave your comfort zone.

What did you do for yourself that was fun? Went out for ice cream I guess lol. Crossfit, I love crossfit. Oh and I made pictures.

Do can the challenge be improved? No! I love it :)

mamacita est un idota

The title of this post should tell you two things about me.
1.) I don't speak Spanish.
2.) I am an idiot.

During yesterdays crossfit workout I used 100lbs for my deadlifts. This would be fine if we were doing only a few reps. We did 55. I know I shouldn't be doing 100lbs but I did it anyway. Near the end I could feel my back curling, and I knew I was losing my form. I tried to pretend I didn't notice, but I was even 'subconsciously' waiting until my trainer wasn't looking to do my lifts and powering them out of the way before she looked back (at this point in the workout I was only doing 5 or less at a time). Guess what?

My back hurts like hell. I had to forgo boxing tonight because I want to be able to do my W.O.D. tomorrow. I'll wait it out to see if it's an injury or just soreness. I don't think I'm broken, but I think I'm pretty damn close and it is sincerely due to my own stupidity. I don't get down on myself often but I'm pretty upset. I knew better, I know better, this shouldn't have happened.

Tonight I did one hour of hatha yoga. I explained my situation and he gave me different moves to do in places that may hurt or strain my back, like the rounded back toe touches. He also suggested I do some cow-cat in the morning what I wake up to loosen myself up for the day. I couldn't thank him enough for all of that. Afterwards I drove over to crossfit and used their foam rollers and lacrosse balls to try and work out some of the tension. So thats a warning: If you're going to be an idiot and let your form go shitty, you'll have to go embarrass yourself rolling around like a moron in front of a bunch of on ramp people. God I hope I didn't make them all think "pshh.. if she doesn't crossfit I don't wanna do crossfit".

I have been eating clean so far this week. I even asked hubby if we could make an effort to eat clean when he comes down tomorrow. He loved the idea and is pretty excited, he bought a pineapple and some other yummy things to bring with him. I've been using MyFitnessPal and I'm rarely coming in over 1000cal, and haven't hit more than 1200 this week. It keeps warning me that I'm risking putting my body into starvation mode. I don't think I believe it. I've been eating really high quality foods and not denying myself - if I'm hungry I eat. I guess we'll see.

I haven't been drinking enough water. I know this. The only time I get in my 8 cups is when I'm working out, and then I need even more. I've been dehydrated since Monday. I've even had a couple of gatorades during longer workouts and nothing much is changing. If anyone has any tips on how they manage to keep their consumption up, please let me know, thanks!

some stuff I liked that I wanted to share with the Spring Chicks

I've come across a couple of interesting tips and tricks in the last little bit and I thought I would share them. Here we go!

The blog ccoltrun.blogspot.com, has two posts that I thought were both interesting and important for everyone to know. The first post was about cottage cheese and it's benefit for people who are working out and looking for a way to help their muscles heal and build faster. As he explains, cottage cheese is a rich source of casein protein. Whereas the most common (or at least in my experience) protein supplement you see is Whey protein, which is very quickly absorbed and ideal after a workout, the casein variety is VERY slow acting. It's ideal to have a small bit of cottage cheese before bed because the slow acting protein will work to build your muscles throughout the night. Not to mention the million other benefits from this snack!

The second post on Colts blog that I wanted to share is a bit of a rant about a girl friend of his who wanted advice on an exercise program, but scoffed at the idea of lifting weights. He points out in this post that women don't have enough testosterone to become a 'hulk' by lifting weights unless they take some sort of supplement or make bodybuilding their profession. He also talks about how strength exercises targeting a problem area won't get rid of the fat there. Instead, fat burns off of the body at an even rate and so it's beneficial to work everything, so that you have an even distribution of lean muscle mass.

The next blog I want to talk about is Diary of a Junk Food Addict. It's written by a woman who is very fit, into bodybuilding and one of her current goals is to make it to the top 20 of a bodybuilding.com spokesmodel search. In other words, she knows what she's talking about. In most of her posts she gives some sort of tip or trick, and records her diet + exercise. Seeing what it takes to get where she is is pretty eye opening. My favorite post in this blog is all about motivation. She shares the ways the she gets and stays motivated. My favorite was the suggestion that you make an effort to look good for your workout, so that you feel good and confident. I thought that was a great idea, and it in part led to my goal this week to moisturize at least once a day.

The last blog is one that I started following just today. It's called DB Strength and Conditioning. The author is a professional fit person - you can read the heading of his blog if you want more details - i don't feel like typing out all of his qualifications! He is blunt but honest and interesting. My favorite post covers his opinion on the usefulness of various exercises, everything from yoga to my fav., crossfit. It's long but good. The conclusion is that everyone has to do the exercise that is right for them, because not everyone is the same. I really like following other weight loss blogs because I find it inspiring. I also think it's important, though, to check out blogs written by fit people and fitness professionals who know exactly what they're talking about because there is a LOT of bad information out there (hello, master cleanse!).

So thats the end of my linking to stuff I like post. I hope at least one person finds these links interesting and maybe even helpful!

SCC Check In #2

Last weeks goals:

1. record EVERYTHING I eat via myfitnesspal app. be honest.
2. run this weeks 5k harder than last weeks (replace 4.5 with 5 and 5.5 with 5.8)
3. 2x weight workouts, core and upper body. done

Last weeks starting weight: 137 lbs.

This Weeks Goals:

1. go to crossfit three times, work out at the gym at least twice.
2. Take my vitamins (multi, fish oil, C + calcium) every single day.
3. Don't eat a single meal in front of the TV
4. Track my meals at least during the weekdays
5. Pamper myself. Dress nicely for class + moisturize all over at least once a day. Paint toes.
6. Drink 8 cups of water a day minimum

This Weeks Starting Weight: 138

Last week was a bit of a mix. First, I weighed myself on my moms scale for the original weight which has always been a couple of pounds more forgiving than my own, so I'd consider this week a 'weight maintained'. I tracked most of my food, but because I was often coming back the next day to update it I know there are things that I forgot to include. I did not run another 5k this week so thats a failure all around.

To achieve this weeks goals I will:

- sign up for xfit classes in advance + have hubby call me to wake me up on those days (my new school schedule means that I will have to xfit in the mornings instead of after supper)

- lay out my vitamins in my daily pill container and leave it on my desk/table where I intend to eat my meals.

Those pills are all as huge as they look.

- Eat at my desk/table

- Always carry my phone, plan my meals so that I can track before hand.

- Take a half hour each night that will be dedicated to myself, the things I want and need.

- Carry my 4 cup water bottle at home always and my two cup water bottle while out, always. Figure out a system to mark how much I've had without always having to break out the phone.

I think if Freud got anything right it was his concept of oral fixation. I am (was, have been, whatever) a smoker, and I carried that bottle everywhere drinking constantly. I eventually chewed the top off so there's no more water seal and I can't take it around with me anymore - its always spilling. Being the lucky girl I am, hubby surprised me with the pink one at Christmas. And I.. Well, I surprised him with a red one!

You know it was an accident 'cuz it's impossible to be this cheesy on purpose.

The goals have been made. Lets do it!

tracking my food: a love (hate) story

I've kept up with tracking my food the last two days as was my goal.
Yesterday was great.
Today I binged on 800 calories worth of mini eggs.
Its okay because I made no dietary commitments this week, and I can see a source of my bad habits. If I'm going to indulge I have to buy the smallest possible portion and I have to commit to throwing out the rest as soon as I feel I'm done.
Lesson learned.

Somehow I still managed to stay within my 1450 calorie limit, but thats assuming I don't eat again tonight.

Welp, no excuses and no regrets. I'm learning.

spring chick challenge seems like a cute + fun way to share experiences

Name: Desperate Student ;)

Blog URL: desperatechubbystudent.blogspot.com/
Age: 21
Location: Canada


Goals
non-scale victory: increase 1 rep max for deadlift, improve time for 5k, fit into skinny jeans, improve number of consecutive push ups, get a full unassisted pull up.


exercise: maintain crossfit 3x/week, run one 5k/week increasing monthly, join a boxing club, begin taking part in other exercise programs offered at my school gym esp. yoga and swimming.


nutrition: slowly make paleo diet changes, attempting to remove majority of grain products. Drink min. 8 cups of water / day (juice + protein drinks count depending on what they are). Switch to egg whites only.
avoid bingeing.


starting weight: About 140
target challenge weight loss: 125-130

I look forward to supporting and being supported by everyone taking part. From what I've seen everyone has really great but also attainable goals. Looking forward to being inspired by everyones success!
xx

- Desperate Student

Revelation

02. Todays Workout:
30 minutes treadmill
I usually keep it at a comfortable jog (4.5) so today I started at 5.0 to push myself a little. About fifteen minutes in I went to 5.7 for five minutes, then between 4.5 and and 5.0 for the remainder. Warm up was stretches and walking around the gym.
3 sets 10 reps v-sits
8 kg medicine ball
3 sets 10 rep jumping pull ups
using a stand to reach the pullup bar that I didn't realize wasn't properly put together. it fell apart on my second rep of my first set, I fell straight on my ass. Very funny, very thankful no one else was around.
3 sets 5 reps sumo dead lifts
this was just to pass the time, weight was 12kg and under.
About 20min sparring with fiance, hitting heavy bag, speed bag
very, very, very fun. must actually join boxing club. i hurt my pinkie knuckle and im calling it my first war wound (it isn't serious at all).


01. I've lost five pounds this holiday season. Yesterday was the first day I exercised, and I haven't been eating clean. This means that I had five pounds of muscle mass to lose, which is kind of cool. Ready to put it back on.

Trying to make my fitness goals a little more tangible so that they are more easily tracked and I have a CLEAR goal instead of a 'moveable finish line'.

Thought:
Jan: Run 5k at least once a week
Feb: Run 5k at least twice a week
March: Run 5k at least three times a week
April: Begin running between 8 and 10k at least twice a week.

always work on improving times.
if needed distance can be raised.

My Intentions

Why I Made This Blog

I spent a lot of 2011 trying to work out more and trying to be a better student. The fact of the matter is I know I am capable of more and I want to make myself accountable to that. That is how I found my way over here (where apparently I already had an account for some other purpose long forgotten). I don't want to lose weight in an unhealthy way, and I don't have a huge goal, number-wise. What I want to do is exercise, eat clean and put in the effort to become not only fit but strong.

Who I Am

I am a 21 year old female university student. History is my major. I am engaged to a wonderful man who is a soldier in the army. I like to read and daydream about being fit.

My "stats"

21 year old female

5"3'

140 lbs

what else goes here?

My Goals

There is still time and so these may be tweaked a little.

Short Term:

- continue to xfit three times a week.

- join boxing club, do that two times a week

- go to yoga at least once a week

- run at least three times a week

- do homework at least one hour a night

Long Term:

- run an easy 5k in under 30 minutes

- quit smoking FOR GOOD, no weekend smoking

- pick up a hobby (probably knitting) so you aren't snacking at night.

- get rid of belly fat, maintain

- reward self with new tattoo(s)

Let this be the start of exactly what I need!