Pile On!

We did Pile On today and it was really tough. Apparently this one is infamous for being hard and it has earned it's fame.

We started with:
KB swings
KB high pull
1 minute each one with a 5 second transition.

Then:
KB swings
KB high pull
Prisoner squats
Flutter kicks
1 minute each w/5 second transition

Then:
KB swings
KB high pull
Prisoner squats
Flutter kicks
Push up
Single leg hip extension w/knee bent & held to body

Then:
KB swings
KB high pull
Prisoner squats
Flutter kicks
Push ups
Single leg hip extension
Burpee
Wall sit

Then:
KB swings
KB high pull
Prisoner squats
Flutter kicks
Push ups
Single leg hip extension
Burpee
Wall sit
_________
Star burpees

I know that the star burpees was the last one we did, but I can't remember what the other exercise we did was. I'm not entirely sure this is the correct order either.

I have a confession.. I've been running at least 2 times a week, but my confession is that last week I only ran one day. Last Tuesday was the last time I ran. I had planned on running on Saturday, but life got in the way and I didn't. I just didn't and I take full responsiblity for that. Tonight I went for a mile & 1/2 run and I was only able to run 3/4 of a mile straight without stopping. I ended up stopping quite a few times. I'm really kicking myself for not running last week. I wish I had because tonight was ROUGH. I have only myself to blame for that and I'm irritated with myself. I will be running on Thursday and Saturday so look for updates on that. The Dandelion Run is next Saturday and I am nervous. I'm so happy that my sister-in-law will be running right next to me. Her support in this is tremendous.

So that's what's up. I still feel like I'm in a funk and I'm trying to work my way out of it, but it's not happening very fast. I'll come out of it though. I'm confident.

Night.
~L

What happened?

I feel SO bad for Missy!! She & I were doing sprints this morning and had gotten ahead of me and then all of a sudden tripped. She wasn't hurt and laughed it off. But a little while later she fell again!! This time she hurt her knee because she fell on the exact same spot that she had earlier. I felt so bad for her! She had to sit out for a few minutes because she was in pain. She bravely tried to do a few rounds on the bike, but that only made her pain worse. BUT, she did persevere and did push ups then see saw press. I am VERY proud of her for not giving up!!! =)

I feel like I've been having a hard time lately. This whole experience has been kind of surreal for me. I look in the mirror and I see someone completely new. I've never seen this girl. I have alway looked in the mirror and looked away. I NEVER liked what I saw. NEVER. Now I do like what I see, I just don't know who she is. It's kind of weird. It's like I didn't believe that I would lose all this weight. Maybe because I've failed SO many times before. Not one thing has ever worked for me until now. So maybe I thought that this wouldn't be any different, and it is different. Very, very different. I'm really really losing weight and getting healthy. It's scary actually. So I'm going to keep doing what I do every day and work through this.

I am extremely lucky to have my MF in my life. I leaned on them all today and they were as wonderful as they've always been. I've said it before and I'll say it again, I could not be going through this journey without Missy, Tonia, Christine, Erica and Ben. Thank you guys.

That's about it from me.. it's been a long day. Night!

~L

A, B, C, D O-M-G!

I have a feeling this is going to be a short entry today... sorry folks.. This girl is TIRED!!!!!!!! I had a work situation last night and didn't get to bed until 12:30. I got up at 6am this morning and did my BBC thing (I don't want to miss a class), came home, napped for an hour and a half and went to work, but I am STILL tired. So, as soon as I'm done this, I am going to bed. I can't wait!!

So today we did A, B, C, D. Basically this is four stations, 2 exercises at each station, 50 seconds of work, 10 seconds of rest, 60 second rest after 3 rounds (was it 4?) at each station.

Station A was tennis ball single leg hip extension and dumbell clean & press. The tennis ball one is you take a tennis ball and put it at your hip, then pull your leg back so that it's squeezing the ball to your hip. Then, you do a hip extension. That is a lot harder than it sounds, and man does it work the ace area!!!! The db clean & press is you have a db in each hand (I started w/15s), you squat just a bit so that they're down at mid-thigh, then you bring them up by your shoulders, standing up straight and then press them up. Apparently I made it look too easy with the 15s because Ben came over and handed me 20 pounders. Upping the ante..like it!! =)

Station B was jackknife on ball (I'm sure Ben will call it something else) and sky & ground squats. The ball thing.. oh my lord! You put your feet on the ball (it's the workout ball we used on cardio day) and then get in a push up/plank position. The first trick is to balance. That is the first thing. Then, you pull your legs towards your chest. Very challenging!! Me likey! =) For the sky & ground squats you have a db in each hand (I used 15s), one arm is up over your head, one is down between your legs and you squat. This was not easy either!!

Station C was pull ups (jumpers - band assisted or no) and rene rows. At first I was going to do the pull ups with a band, but Ben said something about doing them without and I thought, what the hell? Give it a shot. Did all 4 rounds with no band. Harder, but I liked them just as well. =) The rene rows were really tough for me. I used 15lb dbs for these. I don't know if it was getting in the push up position with them or just trying to lift the weights or a combo of the two, but those, I didn't like..

Station D was planks and farmer's carries. I started out with 2 35lb kbs for the farmer's carries, but again, I must've made it look too easy because Ben had me switch to the 44lb kbs. Kind of had a little theme going here today... guess the lesson of the day was push yourself!! I am (absolutely!) getting stronger and to get even stronger I need to challenge myself more, use heavier weights. I thought maybe I had had that epiphany a few days ago, but I guess it really sank in today.

Tomorrow is cardio day and I can't wait to see what Ben comes up with. =) And on that note, this chica is hitting the hay. It's a little later than I had planned to get to bed, but still earlier than usual. Even a little extra sleep will be nice! Night!!

~L dawg

L dawg & the Moo crew

Today was my day to be interviewed by Tod & Deveney on Moo92. It was a lot of fun. =) If anyone missed it, they asked how it was going -great!! really great!!... what was the hardest thing so far for me - I said that my nickname is "blech" because I'm so picky so that's been the hardest thing. We talked about that a little bit. Tod started naming stuff to see what I liked... like broccoli.. BLECH!!!! It was pretty funny because he named off a few and I think he realized that it might've been easier for ME to name stuff that I like rather than him guess.. LOL.. They also gave a mench to the fact that I'm in the lead, but I told them that it's not really about that for me. It's all about getting healthy and happy. The main thing I hope that came from this is that I inspired someone out there to make the decision to get healthy too. That's one of the main things that I want after this. I really want to inspire others. I know a lot of people say it, but "if I can do it, YOU can do it!"

Cardio day.... Ben once again threw another twist at us. This time we were only doing 2 stations. That's it. 1 station for 15 rounds (30:30) then a different station for 15 rounds... no 8,7 8,7. What the french? Yeah. So M & I were teamed up and C & E were teamed up. T missed it because of a prior obligation. M started out doing high knees and I was on the bike. C did db clean & press and E ran sprints. Big kudos to her for asking to take on the sprints. Let me tell you, doing sprints for 8 rounds straight is tough, but doing it for 15 is even tougher!! So good job to E & C for "getting there". M & I busted out the rounds on the bike & high knees though. So good job to us too!! =)

So I think that's pretty much it for today... oh, almost forgot!!! I went for a run last night and upped my distance from 1 mile to 1 1/2 miles. I am very proud to say that I ran an entire mile without stopping! The last 1/2 mile was a little rough, but I can't believe that I did that. I know, I keep saying that every time I run. It just seems like I'm doing just a little better with every run so dammit.. I'm proud!!! Oh, I also mentioned that in my interview today. I said: "If you had told me 3 months ago to run a mile I would've told you where to go and how to get there, but now look at me. I'm running 2-3 times per week!!!" Hell yeah.

~L dawg

Where the F did the weeks go??

It's week 11. 11... are you kidding me?? What the F? I never dreamed when we started that the weeks would fly by like they have. It's actually kind of sad that this whole thing is coming to an end soon. For me, it's not going to end. I am going to keep going. I will be taking more BBC classes and I will NEVER stray from what I've learned in MM. But, it's like a chapter in my book is coming to a close. I guess I need to just keep looking at it that way. As just one chapter in the book of my life. There will be more chapters, lots more. A lot more will have to do with my get healthy journey. And, I know that I will definitely keep in close contact with my Mooser cohorts. Every single one of them will have to put up with me for a very long time so I hope they're prepared!! =)

Tomorrow I'm going to be on Moo92 (you can listen in at www.moo92.com and click on the "listen live" tab on the right hand side - I'll be on around 6:40am EST) talking about how it's going so far. It should be fun. =) E was on Monday and T was on today. Both had a good time so I'm looking forward to it.

Today we did Tabata Extra. But first, we did deadlift. 8 reps for 4 rounds with increasing weight. The last time we did this was back in April. We ended on 115lbs. This time, we started with 115lbs!!! C & I used the same bar and T, E & M used another one. By the end, C & I had gone up to 135lbs (I think).. T, E & M were at like 145!!! Kudos to them for kicking ace on that one!!! =) So the stations for Tabata Extra were: rows & kb swings w/44lb kb, see saw rows w/15 db in each hand and hill climbers, goblet squats w/35lb kb & planks with arms on exercise ball. The last one was very tough. It's very hard to balance yourself on that ball and try to do the plank thingy.. It was a good one though!! I did feel like I didn't push myself as hard today and I hate that feeling. I did work hard, but I feel like it wasn't hard enough. Not for me. I don't know what's been up with me lately, but I feel like I haven't really been pushing myself. I don't know why that would be now, but I don't like it. So tomorrow, bring on 30:30:30.. I'm ready. I'm going to push and work and I don't care if I'm hurting or tired.. or anything else. Time to rekindle the fire and make the final push to week 16. Like I said before, there will be much more to come for me, but I feel like week 16 is a short-term goal. There will be MORE from me. I guaran-damn-tee it!!!

L-dawg

Happy Monday!

Today was cardio day... whew!!!!! But first, E stopped into the radio station for a short update on how she's doing.. Sounded like she had fun. =) Tomorrow will be T's turn, I will be on Wednesday, C on Thursday and M will finish up the week on Friday. I still can't believe that this is week 11.. where the hell did the time go? I guess the old saying is true, time flies when you're having fun!

So we did: Bike & sprints and Burpees & lateral bench jumps. M & T were together and E, C & I were together. M started with the bike, T the sprints, E did the lateral bench jump and C & I did burpees. Again it was 30:30:30 go for 8 rounds on one then switch to the other for 7 rounds. Then switch to the two the other group was doing. I was actually a little bummed that we didn't do the firehose pull... call me crazy, but I LOVE that one! Maybe I was a firewoman (person? LOL) in a former life. =) Hopefully Wednesday that one will be back. =)

We went to Thunder Road yesterday to watch my brother race in the opening day there. We had a great time!! My father-in-law went with us and it was really great to get to hang out with him for the day. =) I, of course, packed a lunch, snack and dinner to bring with me since the food there is anything BUT supportive!! I will admit that when Mike & his dad each came back with a burger & Al's FF, I wanted to dive right in, BUT I didn't. I also have to admit that it was a little tougher yesterday to not get some of that bad food. I found myself a little bored a few times (the late models aren't as interesting to me as the other divisions) and had the urge to go get a fried dough or fries or something. I know that's more of a mental urge than a physical craving. I have always been an emotional eater and one who will eat out of boredom. I haven't really run into the boredom problem until now. It's not a problem though. I made it through yesterday just by concentrating on the races and thinking about how far I've come so far. That was also reinforced by my parents and friends that I saw at the races. I haven't seen my best friend Mya in MONTHS (as previously mentioned) and when she saw me she was like: "Oh my god you look so GOOD!!" which made me feel really great. My mom said: "I can really see the difference! You look great!!" Just more inspiration and motivation for me to keep doing what I'm doing (not that I would stop now!!). Oh, and I got a new T-Road 50th Anniversary t-shirt in... get this... an XL.. I put it on last night and it fit!! It was just a little tight for what I like, but I WILL be wearing it very VERY soon!!!! And then LOOK OUT!!! I'll be wearing that size L BBC shirt before too long!! =)

Have a good one! =)
~L-dawg

And... I'm back

Ok, so I officially suck at this.. blogging that is.. LOL.. But, as you can probably imagine, life is busy and finding the time to blog has become somewhat of a challenge. I promise that I WILL try to do this more!!

Wednesday: Caaaardiooo!!! We did: Sprints & Bike, Hill Climbers & Burpees. Ben threw a little twist in and had us do this in groups. So T, C & I were together and M & E were together. We started with burpees and did 30:30:30 for 8 rounds, then did hill climbers for 30:30:30 for 7 rounds while E & M did the bike and sprints for the same. Then, the groups switched. It was a neat change up. It certainly wasn't any easier for sure!!! I think it's actually a little tougher to stay doing the same one for so many rounds in a row.. Like I keep saying, Ben keeps things interesting, fresh & new!! No wonder I'm addicted!!!! =) =) You can tell by the goofy look on my face in the picture on Ben's blog.. lol... whatta dork!!! ha ha ha!!

Thursday: Roll the Dice (LOVE this one!!) Start each round with 40 Frog Hops then roll the die for your workout fate.

1's- Push ups x 15
2's- Rows/Pull ups x 15
3's- Reverse Crunches x 15
4's- Kettlebell Swings x 15
5's- Star Jump Burpees x 15
6's- Split Squats x 15 per leg

Again, we did this in pairs. C & I and then E & T (M missed it because she had to work and we missed her!!!). The new one is the star jump burpees (just when you thought burpees weren't fun enough, there's yet another variation!! LOL). You do the usual burpee, but when you stand up you jump up with your arms and legs straight out (you look like a star... get it??). C & I only rolled this one once. I think E & T rolled this several times, poor things.. lol.. I believe they even rolled it twice in one round!! C & I did all of them except the kb swings. We did all of the others twice.

Yesterday was cardio and yet again Ben changed it up. We did it in pairs again, M & I and E & T (Christine missed it because she wasn't feeling well - missed you C!). The stations were: Station 1:Bike, Firehose Pull (or Kettlebell Pull) Station 2: Sprints, Lateral Bench Jumps. Sp M & I started at station 1. The firehose pull was actually really fun. I LOVED it!!!! I hope we keep that one for cardio days!! Ben took the firehose and attached one end to a kb. Then we had to pull it across the floor, grab the end, run to the other end and pull it again. It was tough and hurt our hands, but it was great!! Watch the video, you'll see what a great workout that is. Total body baby!! So E & T started with sprints and the lateral bench jumps. Those bench jumps are HARD. You put one leg up on the bench and when it's time to go you use your leg to jump up, switch to the other leg and land on the other side. Keep doing this back and forth. I don't know if I explained that very well, but if you watch the video you'll see what I mean. When it came time for me to do that one, I didn't so much jump and switch. I stood up on the bench & switched. It worked though. I am seriously uncoordinated and if I can fall doing the lateral shuffle, I would surely fall doing that!!! Afterwards we were sitting around and were talking about being flexible and E & T ended up doing a little pretzel race.. check out the 2nd video Ben posted.. frickin hilarious!!! See, we have fun at BBC!!! =)

Today we did The Big Nasty and it WAS nasty!!! The stations were: 50 Hill Climbers per leg, 20 Rows, 25 Goblet Squats, 35 Burpees, 30 Single Leg Hip Extension per leg, 15 Jump Squats/Prisoner Squats, 24 Step ups each leg, 20 Push Press. The top performer for today was Margaret who ended up doing 50 burpees instead of 35. LOL... The reward was a Prograde Craver of her choosing. Congrats Margaret!! You earned it!!

Afterwards, E & I went for a mile run. I'm happy to say that I only stopped once this time and I walked for maybe 15-20 feet before starting to run again. It was definitely tougher after the killer workout this morning, but we got it done!! I plan on adding a 1/2 mile to my runs this week. I'll let you all know how it goes!! =)

Tomorrow the hubs & I are heading to my hometown of Barre for the opening day of racing at Thunder Road. I can't wait. It's always fun to go and watch my brother race!! But also, my best friend Mya will be there and she hasn't seen me in MONTHS. So I can't wait to see what her reaction will be to my transformation so far. =) If anyone reading this is going to the races tomorrow, don't forget to cheer for #37 in the Tiger division!!! Go Finck Racing!!! =) Oh, and don't worry about my food for tomorrow... I'm definitely bringing a cooler and will have lunch, a snack and dinner with me (no easy task with no microwave to heat food up!) so I will be all set!! No Al's French Fries or fried dough for me!! The closest I'll get to the consession stands is the bathrooms!! LOL... have a good one! =)

L-dawg