Just keep swimming!

Soo today was a 1000 meter swim for time. I did it right around 22 minutes. I stopped a few times to talk and ended up doing 100s and then resting 20-30 seconds, and then go again. I was slightly sore in my traps and hamstrings, but nothing that I felt slowed me down.

I rested a little while after the 1000 meters and then tread water with a 10# brick and pushed it along the bottom of the pool for a few laps. Swam a few laps underwater to see how far I could get, worked on my flip turn and my butter fly kick. It was fun to play around, be in the water for awhile and work on things I haven't done since college. I'll probably go back to the pool tomorrow just because it's so freaking hot outside.

I think the first week was a success, I didn't skip any workouts, and I feel really good. I'm excited to see what next week brings!

Happy Friday!

A. Jerk Stance Behind the Neck Strict Press. 6-8 reps. 90s rest. x5

as light as you need to ensure no pressing into back of head... chin forward... bar straight up and down and hold each rep for a second at the top to feel proper OH position

 

45#, 50#, 55#, 60#, 65#. I recorded the 60  I think I could of kept going with weight, but not sure if I was doing them right? Started with my hands wider on the first few sets but moved them in and it felt better. The rest was more than 90 seconds because I was working out with someone else, but it wasn't too long after. I realized after watching the video that I could/should of held it up at the top longer, but probably never would have noticed if I hadn't recorded myself.

B. Power Clean Cluster (TnG). 2.2.2. 20s rest / 2 min rest. x5

 

These felt good, and I felt strong besides my hand starting to rip. Got 95#, 105#, 115#, 125#, 135# x3, failed on my fourth so I dropped down to 130# for my last two reps. Overall I felt pretty good on these today, probably should have tried 135 again, not really sure why I didn't.

 

+

3 rounds for time

20 Deadlift 135#

10 Dips

 

7:35 was my time, was sharing the bar and the dip station with my friend Kristy, I started on DL she started on the dips. Dips were done on one of those pullup/leg raise things.  My arms felt pretty wide compared to doing them on rings where you can keep your body close, and can feel your arms touch the rings. I did the first set without a band, but then switched to a small band because I felt like I wasn't getting low enough. Next time I'll either do it with rings or with the boxes. The dead lifts were fine, did the first set 10 and 10, then 2nd and 3rd broke up 10, 5 and 5.

Another good day in the books. Looking forward to swimming tomorrow since it's been so freaking hot here!

Wednesday shmendsday

Today wasn't too bad, disregard the title!

8 min AMRAP

4 CTB Pull Ups

8 Hand Release Push Ups

16 Double Unders

 

-4 min rest-

 

8 min AMRAP

6 Pull Ups

8 Push Press 75#

8 Burpees

 

-4 min rest-

 

8 min AMRAP

8 Knees to Elbow

8 KBS 53#

16 Walking Lunges

First and second AMRAP I got 3+12, second I got 3+8. Everything felt okay besides my hands. These bars are a lot smaller than DEA so I think it's going to take a little getting used to. I also noticed I had a harder time doing the chest to bar and pull ups because the rack is really close to the wall and I either kick the wall or it psychs me out. I lost my rhythm on my double unders in the third round, which I haven't done in awhile. I kept getting two and then losing it, thankfully there was only 16! Push press felt strong, did the first and third round unbroken, and the second round 4 and 4. 53# KBS weren't bad, felt strong enough to do them and didn't break them up at all. Like I said, the only thing that really got to me was my hands and I think that will get better once I get used to the bars. I had a few interruptions during the workout, mostly cause there isn't much room in the weight area and people asking me questions. After the workout I rolled out took some time to cool off before heading back to my room.

 

Working out alone still stinks but I'm sure I'll get used to that too. Oh and I haven't weighed myself either. Although I was tempted to today, I left the gym without doing so. I have to weigh in for a mock PRT on Thursday next week so I may weigh myself Monday just to make sure I am good. The fact that I haven't stepped on the scale is kind of a big deal since I've done it nearly every day since I was in middle school.

Tomorrow is a rest day, I've decided to keep the same schedule as DEA. So you'll hear from me Friday. Thanks for all the support!

Numero Dos

So today marks day 2 of John Fit.

#2
A. Squat Snatch x1 / Hang Squat Snatch x 2 / OHS x3. Build to a max of the complex.
I started at 45# just to get warmed up, then 65#, 70#, 75#, 80#, and failed a bunch at 85#. Still stalling getting under the bar, still swinging it too far out in front of me instead of shrugging.

B. Front Squat @ 22x1. 6-8 reps. 3 min rest. x5
Started at 95# and stayed there and only did 6 reps each time. Since my first attempt was hard, I figured I'd rather get the movement right, but overall it felt okay.

C. BB Russian Step Up 45-65#. 20 reps alternating legs. 90s rest x 5
Welp, these suck. I did it with 45# and stacked 5 45# plates up. At first I started stepping on the box but found it hard to get my leg around the side of it, so tried the plates (which are pretty much the same height) and was able to move through the movement more efficiently.

Overall today wasn't too bad, I even went back to the gym to pass around the soccer ball!

John Fit: Day 1

Although this isn't the first time John has made me do something like this, I don't think I'll ever get used to it. Today's workout was:

Row 500m @ 85%

3 min rest

x6

(6 min rest between sets 3 and 4)

My times were:

2:05.7

2:07.5

2:14

2:13.8

2:19.5

2:14.8

So as you can I see, I got worse after those first two. First of all, let me start by saying, this workout gave me anxiety all day. I would like to blame that on the fact that rowing hates me, or maybe I hate rowing, either way, we don't get along. I start off strong and then kinda just lose it. I start off controlling my breathing and then I become like a dog in heat and have no control over anything, or that's the way I feel and probably look. Next time I do any sort of rowing workout, I'm going to record myself, maybe someone, anyone can point out where I go wrong. I will say, over the past 2 years I have improved, but I still need a lot of work on whatever it is I am doing wrong.

John said to do the workout at 85%, I honestly felt like I was doing it at 100%. There were times I felt my legs cramping, there were times I wanted to stop.. like on the 5th one. Overall, knowing myself, and my lack of ability to row well, I'm content with these starting row times. I mean, I have to start somewhere right?

After the workout I rolled out, stretched, practice some handstand walks, and kicked around a soccer ball. 

 

Day one complete!

Came back from the gym to a text from Jessica Sullivan saying, "After reading your blog I found this fitting. I love you ❤" and this picture!

I'm feeling very grateful right now by all the overwhelming support I've received in just a few hours. Earlier today I was feel very discouraged and defeated, so thank you to everyone who has reached out!

Although I won't start John's programming till Monday, I still went and did some other programming that I have until then.

Strength: Front Squat

6x2 Front Squat (find 2rm)

1: 75# 2: 95# 3: 115# 4: 135# 5:155# 6:165#

2x10 @ 80% of Front Squat 2rm

1: 130# 2: 135#

8x2 Overhead Squat (2 second pause at the bottom)

1: 45# 2: 65#  3: 70# 4: 75# 5: 80# 6: 85# 7: 90# 8: 95#

Accessory:

4x10 Sit-ups


Conditioning:

3 ROUNDS OF: 30 Box Jumps + 30m Famer Carry @ 55# + 30 Sit-ups
13:40

It's hard working out alone, but I'm starting to get the hang of it. Everything felt good today, and event felt I could have gone heavier on my lifts, just didn't. :/ I'm feeling strong these days, just need to work on my endurance. I'll get there!

The beginning

My entire life I have struggled with my weight, and my desire to be thin. I've won the battle a few times, but oddly enough, I was never thin enough to satisfy my desire. It wasn't until after I gained weight again that I realized I had won, that I was thin. My fight with the scale and mirror are daily, and often leave me feeling defeated. There are some times throughout the day I feel thin, but mostly I am sucking in my stomach in the mirror, or squeezing my rolls as I sit down. I can't remember a day in my life that this hasn't been my routine. There are often times I don't want to leave the house because I feel fat in everything I wear. It's an weird feeling when I go out, and I know other people are bigger than me, yet they wear more revealing clothing, and still I am dying in my own skin.

The soul purpose of this blog is to try to steer away from these negative feelings toward myself. For the next 5 and a half months I will be receiving programming from my coach John. For the next 5 months I will attempt to focus on the numbers I am producing from my workouts rather than the number on that AWFUL scale.

Wish me luck!