So I have looked up and pinned the push-up challenge and am following along. I am no longer going to worry about my weight on the scale and reducing caloric intake. I will continue to eat healthy and moderately. Hoping to slowly scale back and eliminate the excess sugar calories. But at this point I want to concentrate on the physical aspect-building, strengthening and toning my body while increasing my stamina and endurance.
I made a list of the exercises I am doing below. Glad I did. I was able to pinpoint exerciese that were duplicated. Like the same leg lift one leg one side on the side versus both legs at the same time on the back. For me time is an important factor. As it is limited I do not wish to do the same exercise twice due to a minor change. This helped me to streamline what I am doing.
You may have noticed I stay far away from traditional sit-ups and crunches. I have bad results with these. I have never been able to achieve a good form so instead I stress my lower back and neck. And I just flat hate them...
Tuesday-Full set of stretches, about three hours gardening and about ten minutes working with my sword. 10 real push-ups 12 each of leg lifts on back (for tummy) along with cross crunches, two different styles of leg lifts on both sides and that one that is split like with legs in the air...Twisting from side to side. 16 of everything I normally do for upper body with dumbbells.
Wednesday-This is the one shift where I am up and moving the most. Walking for 8 hours around my store. Wore ankle weights. Cardio night. Dancing at the bar for an hour. Did eleven push-ups. Practiced my guitar too. Forgot to meditate though. I did stretch.
Thursday, Stretched and did my 11 sit-ups. Did a little bit of swordwork. 16 of the below mentioned exercises. Going to build to 20-24 then split them up into reps. My goal is to get to four reps of 14-16. Then I will do two slowly and two quickly to build both types of muscle fibers.
Friday, 13 push-ups and 18 of all those exercises. Fell asleep late so I am tired today. Just getting this far is an accomplishment to me tonight. Tomorrow 15 push-ups and...
Saturday-I managed my 15 push-ups. Went to the rock show and walked around about four hours. I did not do any weight lifting.
Sunday-Day of rest with sword play in the park.
Exercises I do daily with ankle weights and dumbbells.
Hips, Waist, and Thighs
*Standing Oblique Flexion
*Bench Step Up (I try to do this every time I go upstairs whether or not I have weights)
*Cross Twist (supposed to be on a bench, I don't have one)
*Bent Knee Deadlift
*Standing Flye
Abs & Legs
*Leg Lifts (lying on back)
*Double Leg Lift (When I find out the real name I'll share)
Upper Body
*Dumbbell Curl
*Tricep Kickbacks
*Dumbbell Lateral Raise
*Dumbbell Overhead Shoulder Press
*Dumbbell Row
*Dumbbell Punch
Blocking/Punching Drills with Dumbbells. I have taken my Abrizare moves and added weights as I practice them. Doing this adds strength training, gives my core muscles a good workout while strengthening my stance and legs. I am also practicing my footwork and stance. This gives me stronger and faster blocks and strikes. (If I ever need it.) I go slow in these exercises to build precision and control. "Slow is smooth, smooth is fast." Please note that I visualize a palm strike or some other move instead of a punch as it gives more options.
*Posta Longa Block with Punch (L & R sides)
*Posta Longa Passing Step with Punch (L & R Sides)
*Dente di Cinghiaro with Punch
*Dente di Cinghiaro Passing Step with Punch
*Posta Frontale from left and right sides
*Posta Frontale with passing step from right and left sides
Sunday, June 18, 2017
Monday, June 12, 2017
Yes, it's been awhile. About three weeks ago I caught a cold that hit me hard. Monday I awoke with a cold. Halfway through my shift on Tuesday I realized I couldn't breathe well. For me that means I have walking pneumonia. I woke up to go to work on Wednesday with an inner ear infection. The one day I needed to stay home and I absolutely had to go to work. My second was still recovering from a stomach bug and went home after about four hours. I ended up working fourteen and a half hours that day. Needless to say I lost all energy to do anything. After I started feeling better I have been making myself take it easy and slowly resuming chores, etc;
Today is the day I started back on my exercise program. Recording what I did for later.
10 push-ups, 3 normal, 7 girly style. 10 each left and right leg lifts. 10 "splits" leg lifts. 14 step exercises, 16 standing fly (?), 16 each of all my upper body lifts except the tricep ones. 6 each let and right blocking/striking exercises.
I am starting the 28 day push-up challenge.
Today is the day I started back on my exercise program. Recording what I did for later.
10 push-ups, 3 normal, 7 girly style. 10 each left and right leg lifts. 10 "splits" leg lifts. 14 step exercises, 16 standing fly (?), 16 each of all my upper body lifts except the tricep ones. 6 each let and right blocking/striking exercises.
I am starting the 28 day push-up challenge.
Thursday, April 6, 2017
First Week Of April
It was my birthday. I got in my dancing Friday and Saturday. Sunday I was exhausted and didn't get anything accomplished. Tired do to fighting the next cold. Four colds in less than six weeks. Ugh. I did have my Sambucol so I was only down a couple of days. I think I managed weights once during that time. Yesterday I managed some sword training. Today I managed a full sword training and a full weight workout.
I have added in some exercises to work on those love handles aka muffin top and belly. The top half is coming along nicely, but I have went from an apple shape to a pear. After looking at pictures of myself from Saturday my bottom half appears rather dumpy and disgusting to me. So I took some time while feeling crappy to look for some exercises for my belly, hips and thighs. I have always had a terrible time with sit-ups and crunches. They tend to leave my lower back and neck hurting. I think I have found some exercises to get the abs in shape without those nasty things. If nothing else it should at least tone them up enough that I can do them!
Diet is holding although it could be better.
Sleep is still horrible. Three hours solid was achieved once this week. It is still sleep two hours and wake up wide awake, then repeat every hour. And of course I have to work at going back to sleep. Grrrrrr..... Makes it very hard to stay healthy and let my physical body rest. Needless to say my blood pressure is running high right now. I shall persevere. I believe in myself. I can do this
I have added in some exercises to work on those love handles aka muffin top and belly. The top half is coming along nicely, but I have went from an apple shape to a pear. After looking at pictures of myself from Saturday my bottom half appears rather dumpy and disgusting to me. So I took some time while feeling crappy to look for some exercises for my belly, hips and thighs. I have always had a terrible time with sit-ups and crunches. They tend to leave my lower back and neck hurting. I think I have found some exercises to get the abs in shape without those nasty things. If nothing else it should at least tone them up enough that I can do them!
Diet is holding although it could be better.
Sleep is still horrible. Three hours solid was achieved once this week. It is still sleep two hours and wake up wide awake, then repeat every hour. And of course I have to work at going back to sleep. Grrrrrr..... Makes it very hard to stay healthy and let my physical body rest. Needless to say my blood pressure is running high right now. I shall persevere. I believe in myself. I can do this
Friday, March 31, 2017
March's End Progress
Past two weeks has really been on and off for weight and weapons training. I have dropped my weight down to 170, a loss of 10-13 pounds. Twenty to twenty five to lose! I weighed it 170 almost two weeks ago. I have kept it there despite the indulgence of good food last weekend.
I finally have body measurements. Kind of wish I would of thought of that one sooner. I know the last time I measured my bust I was between 38 to 40 inches. I may be able to hit 36" again.
Upper Bust (above boobs) 40"
Bust (under boobs) 37"
Waist (good posture) 35"
Hips 42"
Upper Arms 15"
Upper Thigh 24"
Lower Thigh 18"
Calves 15"
At this point I know I need to lose weight off my waist, belly and hips. I don't have any comparison for the arms and legs. And those I want to tone, build muscles and definition.
I want to have obvious muscle definition, but not much more than that.
Leg lifts for stomach muscles-eight, push-ups-five. Much work needed here. I haven't been doing them and it shows! I have built my other reps up to 15 from ten. I alternate between slow and fast rep sets.
I finally have body measurements. Kind of wish I would of thought of that one sooner. I know the last time I measured my bust I was between 38 to 40 inches. I may be able to hit 36" again.
Upper Bust (above boobs) 40"
Bust (under boobs) 37"
Waist (good posture) 35"
Hips 42"
Upper Arms 15"
Upper Thigh 24"
Lower Thigh 18"
Calves 15"
At this point I know I need to lose weight off my waist, belly and hips. I don't have any comparison for the arms and legs. And those I want to tone, build muscles and definition.
I want to have obvious muscle definition, but not much more than that.
Leg lifts for stomach muscles-eight, push-ups-five. Much work needed here. I haven't been doing them and it shows! I have built my other reps up to 15 from ten. I alternate between slow and fast rep sets.
Saturday, March 18, 2017
Progress Report Second Week Of March
Fridays tend to be a day off from weapons and weight training. It tends to be my cardio day. Dancing the night away at my local pub with friends. Friday the tenth I managed both. I ended up with an hour to kill so I went ahead and did my weapons and weight training. Then I went dancing and drank to much....
Saturday the eleventh I woke up with the sinus congestion of a cold. I took a sick day and kept my shop closed. All I did was take care of myself.
Sunday I was still awful, but I drug my ass out of bed and do the bare minimum I had to then went home and back to bed and called out sick for my HEMA class. :(
Monday was a repeat of Sunday. Bare minimum at work and back to bed. By late afternoon I could breathe well enough to work out with my weights.
Tuesday I was mending. Managed a to survive a full shift at work. Trained with both weights and weapons. I also broke down and had a soda pop. I slept horribly. I managed about five hours of sleep on top the hour and half nap I had after work. I kept waking up every hour to hour and a half stressing about work for no reason.
Wednesday. Work went well and I had another soda. I got sidetracked visiting with friends and lost my time for weapons training. I did manage weights though. Wednesday night I fought my sub-conscious for sleep. Ended up with about four hours. Grrr..
Thursday. Work could of went better, but I did manage to get done what I needed. For the most part. Still behind on subscribing the re-set sections. Courtesy of an extra re-set of ALL 41 sections of wine. Weapons and weight training accomplished.
As I stated above Fridays are my day off and I instead I get a good cardio workout dancing with friends. I got an excellent work out too. I made all night since I behaved myself and only had three shots all night long. I played my guitar. Johnathon and I did 'House Of The Rising Sun. Best I have ever kept up with him on the guitar. (I play and we duet the song) They took off about midnight. Asked to keep an eye on things. Predicted 30 minutes, 45 tops before a certain person started shit. Twenty minutes. Helped to break it up. I passed a personal test. Yes I can and will do what is necessary without hesitation when needed. Small confidence boost taken with the knowledge to not get over confident.
I am really starting to try to rein in my negativity. The past eight months at work have turned me into a big whiner.
Saturday the eleventh I woke up with the sinus congestion of a cold. I took a sick day and kept my shop closed. All I did was take care of myself.
Sunday I was still awful, but I drug my ass out of bed and do the bare minimum I had to then went home and back to bed and called out sick for my HEMA class. :(
Monday was a repeat of Sunday. Bare minimum at work and back to bed. By late afternoon I could breathe well enough to work out with my weights.
Tuesday I was mending. Managed a to survive a full shift at work. Trained with both weights and weapons. I also broke down and had a soda pop. I slept horribly. I managed about five hours of sleep on top the hour and half nap I had after work. I kept waking up every hour to hour and a half stressing about work for no reason.
Wednesday. Work went well and I had another soda. I got sidetracked visiting with friends and lost my time for weapons training. I did manage weights though. Wednesday night I fought my sub-conscious for sleep. Ended up with about four hours. Grrr..
Thursday. Work could of went better, but I did manage to get done what I needed. For the most part. Still behind on subscribing the re-set sections. Courtesy of an extra re-set of ALL 41 sections of wine. Weapons and weight training accomplished.
As I stated above Fridays are my day off and I instead I get a good cardio workout dancing with friends. I got an excellent work out too. I made all night since I behaved myself and only had three shots all night long. I played my guitar. Johnathon and I did 'House Of The Rising Sun. Best I have ever kept up with him on the guitar. (I play and we duet the song) They took off about midnight. Asked to keep an eye on things. Predicted 30 minutes, 45 tops before a certain person started shit. Twenty minutes. Helped to break it up. I passed a personal test. Yes I can and will do what is necessary without hesitation when needed. Small confidence boost taken with the knowledge to not get over confident.
I am really starting to try to rein in my negativity. The past eight months at work have turned me into a big whiner.
Wednesday, March 8, 2017
Progress Report For The First Week Of March
It feels really good to be back on a regular training schedule. To get back to doing all those things I was doing daily for my physical and mental health. Stretches? Check. Weights? Check. Weapons training? Check. Weights to build strength? Check.
I have trained with my sword for the past six days straight. Three of them in snowstorms. Training dedication level? 110%! Four of them I have also trained with my polearms staff. Just handling exercises. I have also been back lifting weights as of the past six days. I have added a new set of exercises to my weight lifting. I am practicing my blocks (and footwork) with the weights. I can feel it in my ribcage and my thighs. What a better way to build strength for a solid block!
I have also been watching my diet again and have had only one soda pop in the past six days. So I am drinking water, remembering my vitamins and herbal supplements. I am doing my best to eat healthier, leaner and cleaner. I have added fruit back into my diet. I am working hard to stay away from the sweets. Hard for me to do....At this point the battle is in adjusting to the lack of sugar and the excess calories that go with it. Yesterday the cravings were the worst and I felt horrid.
Apparently I have also caught another cold, a mild one, but still. I can tell by the feel in my lungs. That umm, hot raggedy feel when it first hits your lungs. Explains why I didn't want to do anything over the last weekend and why I felt so bad yesterday. This is the bad thing about hot flashes. I cannot tell if I am having hot flashes or fevers at times until more symptoms kick in.
Part of the motivation to get back to all these healthy habits is the realization that my work hours aren't going to get any better anytime soon and that, oh shit I have four months left to meet my goals of losing that last thirty pounds and getting buff at the same time. So time to quit stalling, using work as an excuse and just do it! Also I enjoyed a Korean TV series about a street fighter-"Tong: Memories" that for some reason inspired me. I think it was the showing of the fact that even though he was very good he worked and trained hard to become even better.
All I can say is I did not realize how much missed my fitness routine and how much I enjoy it.
I have trained with my sword for the past six days straight. Three of them in snowstorms. Training dedication level? 110%! Four of them I have also trained with my polearms staff. Just handling exercises. I have also been back lifting weights as of the past six days. I have added a new set of exercises to my weight lifting. I am practicing my blocks (and footwork) with the weights. I can feel it in my ribcage and my thighs. What a better way to build strength for a solid block!
I have also been watching my diet again and have had only one soda pop in the past six days. So I am drinking water, remembering my vitamins and herbal supplements. I am doing my best to eat healthier, leaner and cleaner. I have added fruit back into my diet. I am working hard to stay away from the sweets. Hard for me to do....At this point the battle is in adjusting to the lack of sugar and the excess calories that go with it. Yesterday the cravings were the worst and I felt horrid.
Apparently I have also caught another cold, a mild one, but still. I can tell by the feel in my lungs. That umm, hot raggedy feel when it first hits your lungs. Explains why I didn't want to do anything over the last weekend and why I felt so bad yesterday. This is the bad thing about hot flashes. I cannot tell if I am having hot flashes or fevers at times until more symptoms kick in.
Part of the motivation to get back to all these healthy habits is the realization that my work hours aren't going to get any better anytime soon and that, oh shit I have four months left to meet my goals of losing that last thirty pounds and getting buff at the same time. So time to quit stalling, using work as an excuse and just do it! Also I enjoyed a Korean TV series about a street fighter-"Tong: Memories" that for some reason inspired me. I think it was the showing of the fact that even though he was very good he worked and trained hard to become even better.
All I can say is I did not realize how much missed my fitness routine and how much I enjoy it.
Friday, March 3, 2017
Back on the Wagon
Today I crawled back onto the proverbial wagon. I stretched properly this morning. I did weight training and I've watched what I have consumed. I have this goal to be fit-strong toned, lean and "mean" by the end of June. I have started regular training with my sword again. I need to work in polearms training too. By the way I love polearms too now. I believe I have turned into a non-projectile weapons geek.
As I am finally starting to adjust to being stuck in this graveyard lifestyle and being the boss of my department-whether I wish it or not-I have decided to find a way to do what I want and need to for me. Now that I am a bit more settled I can start figuring out how and where I can add back in these thing I desire to do. And that is getting fit, strong. Becoming the person I wish to be.
I want to be that fun, amazingly cool "bad ass" person to be with. Not looking for trouble or starting it. But if you mess with me, or mine......
As I am finally starting to adjust to being stuck in this graveyard lifestyle and being the boss of my department-whether I wish it or not-I have decided to find a way to do what I want and need to for me. Now that I am a bit more settled I can start figuring out how and where I can add back in these thing I desire to do. And that is getting fit, strong. Becoming the person I wish to be.
I want to be that fun, amazingly cool "bad ass" person to be with. Not looking for trouble or starting it. But if you mess with me, or mine......
Tuesday, January 10, 2017
Missed The Five Year Anniversary
I was planning on commemorating the loss of my father five years ago on the anniversary of his death. :( Just like most things I'd like to commemorate or celebrate I was too busy with work and snow shoveling. It blew everything else out of my mind and the occasion passed me by. Like most everything of this kind.....
Dear Gods and Goddesses, Great Spirit, Lord and Lady, my Ancestors...I am tired....so tired of keeping it together, working too much, too long for too little. I do not know how to ask for help and I don't expect it. It makes me feel needy and guilty. I find it hard to receive any-yet I am so very thankful for the help I do get. I know that I am just having a weak moment. And frankly even feeling (tired) this way in the slightest makes me feel so guilty and ungrateful for what I DO have. This is the part about being a single, independant woman that I hate....the double work schedule, and the burden of making a living and taking care of things rests completely on my shoulders.
I do know that one of these years it will get better. Today it just seems bleak. For the moment I have lost the battle. But I know I will not give up the war.
Dear Gods and Goddesses, Great Spirit, Lord and Lady, my Ancestors...I am tired....so tired of keeping it together, working too much, too long for too little. I do not know how to ask for help and I don't expect it. It makes me feel needy and guilty. I find it hard to receive any-yet I am so very thankful for the help I do get. I know that I am just having a weak moment. And frankly even feeling (tired) this way in the slightest makes me feel so guilty and ungrateful for what I DO have. This is the part about being a single, independant woman that I hate....the double work schedule, and the burden of making a living and taking care of things rests completely on my shoulders.
I do know that one of these years it will get better. Today it just seems bleak. For the moment I have lost the battle. But I know I will not give up the war.
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