Andy's rise to the challenge

[Andy2]

Good job on getting back to the gym! And I hear you on the soda. I quit about a month and a half ago and I don't miss it. I'm never tempted to have it, it just doesn't cross my mind. I used to drink 5-6 (full sugar) cans a day. I'm so glad I kicked the soda habit!

Thats awesome! I really struggled the first few weeks, because water just seemed so plain jane. But yea, after a few consequtive weeks without it, I just stopped needing it. So, I am happy about that!

 

[mizzie]

Thanks! You too! Yeah, I struggled for the first week or so. Like you said, it was really more because water tasted so boring and flat and not so much because I missed soda specifically. Oh, and that lovely caffeine headache the first two days. It took about a week before I stopped really wanting it.

I'm actually slightly afraid to have some now. I'm worried that I'll like it too much and want to go back to drinking it all the time. Safer to just not.

 

[Risty]

Good job on getting back to the gym! I'm thinking of joining the gym my sister goes to now that I've moved and live next door to her, I can get a ride with her and have someone to go with. She goes all the time, so it'll be good! Plus then I can do zumba, woo!

 

[Andy2]

I'm actually slightly afraid to have some now. I'm worried that I'll like it too much and want to go back to drinking it all the time. Safer to just not.

You know, I actually thought about this this weekend. I think I have a new poison in my life now, G2 gatorade. Its only ~100 cals per 32oz, and it has notable levels of sugar in it. But, it also have a lot of carbs, which I generally don't get from my food, and it helps me keep going at the gym (not sure if its all in my head or what, but hey, if its not broken don't fix it). So, I'll experiment with this stuff for a while, and see if its worth it.

 

[Andy2]

Good job on getting back to the gym! I'm thinking of joining the gym my sister goes to now that I've moved and live next door to her, I can get a ride with her and have someone to go with. She goes all the time, so it'll be good! Plus then I can do zumba, woo!

Haha, do it! Going to the gym with someone else keeps me accountable. There have been a few times when I came home and just wanted to nap, but that pesky knock on my door reminded me of my commitments, and up I go! Its for the best though, because I usually feel better about myself and feel like I've earned a little couch time when I get back.

This weekend I went home, and she told me she's gotton inspired by me and my journey, and she started going with my dad to the gym ^___^. Only reason I bring that up is because she prefers to Zumba too, and I'm really proud of her!

 

[Andy2]

Had a great weekend on the food front! Water...eh...not soo much. Kinda teetered away from my gallon-a-day over the weekend, so I need to keep that close by at all times to make it easier. Saturday night I went to a "Worldfest" celebration with a live band and 40 different types of international ales. It was really fun! I tasted some incredible brews (most I can't pronounce), and I had a wonderful time. I'm sure the calories weren't good at all, but what a way to splurge. Anyways, onto exercise!

Saturday morning, my roomate and I went to the gym and participated in a NFL combination "boot camp" at our gym. I went into this feeling like I've gotton in much better shape over the past few months, and this would be a nice tune up. LOLOL.

Man, I busted my BUTT. Holy crap, I actually thought about sitting out a few of the runs, but I managed to stick it out. Really worked out hard, and I was already feeling it by the time we finished. That was saturday at noon. As I write this, I am STILL feeling the DOMS, especially in my abdomen, quads/hammys and glutes. I'm totally surpised how much it affected my core, and I know this boot camp is something I am going to do again. I'm looking at it as a challenge to improve, so down the road I won't be hurting so much afterwards. That way I know my body is getting stronger, and I'll be that much closer to my goal.

Anyways, I think I am ready to get back to business this week. Lets keep it MOVING!

 

[mizzie]

I think I have a new poison in my life now, G2 gatorade.

Lol, I do too. Propel Fitness Water, grape flavor. But it's only 10 calories a serving (20 for the bottle) and I only let myself have one bottle in a day and not every day either. I don't want to get to where I can only drink that like I did with Coke. I HATED the taste of water when I first quit the soda. I like it now and I'm keeping it that way.

I'm also a fan of Crystal Light, but I have the same rules for that as the Propel. I don't naturally reach for regular water, so I need to be strict with myself.

That boot camp thing sounds insane! Grats to you for sticking it out! You know you really pushed yourself when you are already sore when you finish. Keep at your workouts and I know it'll get easier every time you do it!

 

[chubbygirl]

Saturday morning, my roomate and I went to the gym and participated in a NFL combination "boot camp" at our gym. I went into this feeling like I've gotton in much better shape over the past few months, and this would be a nice tune up. LOLOL.

Man, I busted my BUTT. Holy crap, I actually thought about sitting out a few of the runs, but I managed to stick it out. Really worked out hard, and I was already feeling it by the time we finished. That was saturday at noon. As I write this, I am STILL feeling the DOMS, especially in my abdomen, quads/hammys and glutes. I'm totally surpised how much it affected my core, and I know this boot camp is something I am going to do again.

Hey Andy that boot camp sounds awesome! I would love my gym to put on something like that! I feel when I take classes I feel sore the next day and know I worked hard but when I work out on my own, sure I sweat but I don't get those "sore" feelings anymore the next day. These classes work us harder than we thought we could work and therefore really push ourselves and feel the pain the next day! I think it's a great way to continue challenging yourself! Keep it up!

 

[Andy2]

Lol, I do too. Propel Fitness Water, grape flavor. But it's only 10 calories a serving (20 for the bottle) and I only let myself have one bottle in a day and not every day either. I don't want to get to where I can only drink that like I did with Coke. I HATED the taste of water when I first quit the soda. I like it now and I'm keeping it that way.

I'm also a fan of Crystal Light, but I have the same rules for that as the Propel. I don't naturally reach for regular water, so I need to be strict with myself.

That boot camp thing sounds insane! Grats to you for sticking it out! You know you really pushed yourself when you are already sore when you finish. Keep at your workouts and I know it'll get easier every time you do it!

SO true. As much as I wish I could just drink water flat, I know I'd get bored with it too easy. A little G2 after/during a workout isn't technically water, but I consider it my little cheat drinks.

And yea, the boot camp thing was pretty intense. I'm looking at the experience as a wake up call to how weak my core muscles are compared to my arms/legs. So, its certainly something I am going to tackle head on from here on out!

Thanks for the support Mizzie!

 

[Andy2]

Hey Andy that boot camp sounds awesome! I would love my gym to put on something like that! I feel when I take classes I feel sore the next day and know I worked hard but when I work out on my own, sure I sweat but I don't get those "sore" feelings anymore the next day. These classes work us harder than we thought we could work and therefore really push ourselves and feel the pain the next day! I think it's a great way to continue challenging yourself! Keep it up!

I totally agree. In fact, last night I did my normal workout and barely a sweat. This morning, woke up indifferent, and didn't feel anything, which is a 180 from the effects the boot camp gave me. So yea, with that in mind, I think I am going to really start changing up my cardio. I know some would say that you don't need the sore feeling to know you put in a good workout, but to me, its a nice reminder of what I did! So yea, I want to get better at it until I can complete these Boot camps with energy leftover, thats the next goal! Thanks for coming by Lisa!

 

[Addiecakes]

Sounds like things are going well with you Andy, keep up the great work!!

 

[Andy2]

Sounds like things are going well with you Andy, keep up the great work!!

HIII!

Thanks!

 

[Andy2]

Had a nice relaxing day off yesterday! Didn't get very many errands done, but I'm feeling a lot less stress with the break in the middle of the workweek. I was supposed to have a 1 on 1 with my trainer yesterday at 4:00. I get there at 3:55, tell the front desk to alert my trainer. She pages him. ..........10 minutes later, I am still in the lobby twiddling my thumbs, so I just get up and start doing my own workout. I remember thinking it may have seemed rude, but so is being late for an appointment.

Anyways, did my leg circuit rather quickly, and then headed to the courts for some cardio. Played in another pickup game, and we got TOTALLY smoked. These guys couldn't miss haha. Ah well, the point I wanted to bring up is that I was sprinting down the court each possession, jumping as high as I could to block shots, and working underneath to box out for rebounds. I worked up a really good sweat, and I was feeling SO much more conditioned than I was a month ago. I wasn't huffing and weezing this time. I LOVE that.

Sooo tl:dr, I am pretty pleased with how that transpired

Food - everything was pretty normal. Grilled up some fish last night. It was OK. I think I'll stick with chicken next week. Something about the consistency of fish meat....yea I dunno if I like it much.

Feeling the ache in my chest and quads especially this morning. Looking forward to doing it all over again tonight!

 

[mizzie]

That's awesome Andy! It's so great when you can feel yourself becoming stronger and healthier. Did your trainer ever show up?

As far as the fish goes, do you have someplace where you can get really good fresh fish? We have an actual fish market and the difference between the fish from there and the fish from the grocery store is like night and day. Even their frozen fish is 100 times better. Nice and flakey, not mushy like I've gotten at the grocery store.

 

[Andy2]

That's awesome Andy! It's so great when you can feel yourself becoming stronger and healthier. Did your trainer ever show up?

As far as the fish goes, do you have someplace where you can get really good fresh fish? We have an actual fish market and the difference between the fish from there and the fish from the grocery store is like night and day. Even their frozen fish is 100 times better. Nice and flakey, not mushy like I've gotten at the grocery store.

Well, I did end up running into him around 5:00, but he was with another appointment lol. I didn't really mind because I felt like I did some good work that day. I actually just wanted to get his advice on better workouts to target the core, but you JUST reminded me that I bought a stability ball to use at home! It has a handful of exercises to target the midsection muscles. I actually tried doing the plank pose for 30 seconds, and its freaking tough!


And yea, I need to try the fish market the next time. I actually remember having fresh fish in california, and it was HANDS DOWN the best I have ever eaten. Kinda surprised I didn't put 2 and 2 together!

Thanks for the good idea! I'll let you know how that works out!

 

[MissJellyBelly]

Way to get out there on the courts! Sounds like you are getting very strong and conditioned! Good for you!

Looks like Mands and you are neck and neck!!! It's a good race!

 

[Andy2]

Way to get out there on the courts! Sounds like you are getting very strong and conditioned! Good for you!

Looks like Mands and you are neck and neck!!! It's a good race!

I know it! I feel like I can't let off for a second!

Its probably a good thing though! LOL

 

[Andy2]

Happy friday everyone!

Feeling good about this weekend, got a lot of stuff going on so I just need to make it through today at work LOL.

Gymmed last night as per usual. Everything was going well until I went to the courts to play basketball. While I was jumping up to snag a rebound, I came down hard on my knee and it made a POP noise. Made me a little apprehensive, since my dad has to wear a knee brace whenever he works out. It didn't hurt THAT bad, so I played through the game. Afterwards, I figured I wouldn't chance it, so I just hopped on a bike and did some really light biking to keep it warmed up. Still, its very unsettleing to walk around like normal while your knee is "clicking".

From the time we left to the time we got home (~10 mins) I could barely bend my knee, much less put pressure on it, and those 15 stairs to our apartment looked like Mount Everest Anyways, struggled on up like an older arthritic lady, sat on my computer chair, iced my knee for a good 2-2.5 hours while I played around on the computer, and finally around midnight I hobbled into bed.

Woke up this morning feeling skeptical, and not daring to move that knee. After finding some courage (and hitting snooze twice), I finally attempt to bend it a little. A little tense. Not so bad.

Extend it fully - same result. Feeling pretty happy about these surprising results, I proceed to try and walk around the house. I get by fairly easily, and I'm suddenly awed by how effective icing an injury is. I'm certainly not 100% yet, but I plan on taking a break this weekend, and resuming on monday. If my knee is still giving me troubles, depending on the intensity, I'll either give it a few more days or make that appointment with an orthopedic. I'm REALLY hoping its just tendon inflammation, and it will resolve itself as long as I go easy.


Anyways, best way for me to start today is focusing on protein, calcium and waaaaaateeeerrrr. Got my gallon nearby, and hoping to polish it off before I get out of here at 4:00.

Have a STRONG weekend WLF!

 

[mizzie]

Ouch! Sorry about the knee! I think you are right in taking a few days off to rest it. You don't want to mess around too much with knees. I've known too many people who messed up a knee when they were young and that was it.

Given that it got worse gradually (rather then right when it popped) and then was better with ice and rest, it sounds like it could be a very mild sprain to me. Take it easy for a few days minimum. Don't put too much strain on it until the pain is completely gone and then start gradually. No, not a doctor, but I have had experience with sprains.

Hope you have a really great weekend!

 

[MissJellyBelly]

Hey Andy!

Camy is eliminated. If you want to add a second person to your team, check out the recent post in the BL thread to see who you can be paired up with.

If you'd prefer to play solo, that's cool too. Let me know.