Otherwise things are going well. The hubby recovered from his plague and no-one else has exhibited symptoms yet, so I'm hopfull that I was able to contain the spread. I fixed a toilet (replaced the wax ring), planted 6 varrigated barberry shrubs along our fence, successfully baked an edible zucchinni bread (hooray for recipies by emeril!) and made a memorial day dinner for hubby and his co-workers who had to work today... brats with carmelised onions, dijon-potato salad, and warm brownie sundaes. Horribly fattening, but its a holiday and they have to work, so I spoiled them a bit.

Anyone have any advice on potty training? I've forgotten how its done, and I'm just not feeling good about this process right now. Must get more diapers!

1. I'm jealous. I want to be a runner so I can get a Forerunner, too. Must do some serious jogging this week.

   Glad to hear the hubby recovered and kept his germs to himself. Sick kiddos and a sick mommy just aren't a great combo for the good life.

   Potty training ... oh boy! 'Twas a piece of cake with the daughter, but the son was a TOTALLY different story. What I found to be most effective (for both of them) was to just let them run around without a diaper on as much as possible.

   Good luck, girl. I don't envy you at all. (*thanks the stars above that both her kids are well past that stage and she's fixed so no more babies come along and force her to relive that experience ever again*) LOL

   
   

   Lee on 06/01/04 @ 04:59 AM

2. I second the run around without a diaper as much as possible method! Worked for my boy. My husband was the one that actually got him started - and then when I taught him how to pull his pants up and down there was no stopping him!

   The forerunner sounds awesome. I got a pedometer, spent $30 on it, and it kept giving me different readings for the same distance. Frustrating.

   Have a good week!

   
   

   Ali on 06/01/04 @ 05:43 AM

1. Feel better very soon, husband! We can't have the best husband evah tormented by the evil plague!

   
   

   Ali on 05/28/04 @ 08:06 PM

2. oh goodness, hope he's feeling better today (and that you've successfully prevented the spread of it through the entire house)!

   
   

   Peg on 05/29/04 @ 04:28 AM

3. I hope BHE gets well soon and that everyone else stays healthy.

   And going back to your personal training post, I would totally hire you, too! From what I understand, midwifery and personal training are not necessarily full-time jobs. I don't think scheduling appointments for both would be a problem, if you have the time for both, that is.

   I don't see them as being philosophically opposed either. Both are centered in health and well-being, of the mother, baby, and the body. I think it makes a lot of sense.

   
   

   nuni on 05/29/04 @ 09:27 AM

1. YAY HUBBY!!!!!!

   
   

   Mojodiva on 05/27/04 @ 09:16 PM

2. Totally the Best! :-)

   Must. Tell. Us. How. Cool. It. Is . . .

   
   

   yvonne on 05/27/04 @ 09:30 PM

3. Right on!!!!!!

   
   

   Laura on 05/28/04 @ 04:03 AM

4. Oh wow!!! Yep. He's the BEST! (Well, besides MY husband - that is. *grin*) You'll have to let us know all about it. I love fitness gadgets. And that, my dear, is up there on the ULTIMATE FITNESS GADGET list. I'm happy for you, yet still somewhat jealous.

   
   

   Lee on 05/28/04 @ 04:20 AM

5. How wonderful! What a sweet guy. You are extremely lucky!

   
   

   Ali on 05/28/04 @ 06:26 AM

6. I think I am going to run a marathon so I can justify the purchase of one of these cool gadgets to my wife! And I thought my heart rate monitor was cutting edge! Very cool!

   
   

   metamorpheus on 05/28/04 @ 07:49 AM

But really, honestly... a personal trainer? Hmmm...

Linn is FABULOUSLY fit... muscles everywhere and out to here and over there too... I've seen him workout a couple of times and his personal intensity is a thing to behold. I am no Linn.

I am comming into my athleticism lately (and thanks for the compliment in the comments below, Rachel) in a way I never really expected myself to and feeling really good about where I'm taking myself physically (despite the self-indulgent whining every now and then) and mentally.

In the course of our aproximately 60-90 second conversation Linn said he was really impressed that I don't shy away from the pain and that could help me work others thru that pain because I know it won't kill them. He also mentioned that my personal journey over the last year and a half gives me insight that a lot of personal trainers don't have since many of them have been natural athletes most of their lives and can't relate to the experience of being obese and unfit... He said he'd love to sit and talk to me about it and what it would entail and what I could expect from the whole thing... but he really wanted me to seriously think about it.

So... here I am... thinking about it...

What do you think... would you hire a personal trainer who is also a Midwife? Would you hire a Midwife who was also a personal trainer? It seems like they could be very complimentary careers... but could also be huge conflicts... hmmm...

Midwifery has been my calling for pretty much ever... so that could never be put to the wayside for another career... but I see no reason I couldn't do both... do you? But would I want to? Do I want to? *sigh*

Thoughts to ponder for sure.

:)

1. This may not help you much at all, but I would definately hire you as my personal trainer! number 1 because you can relate to being overweight, and number 2 I know you would make me get up off my butt and do while giving awesome constructive critism and advice. That's actually what I need now to get back into my routine I was in when I was losing weight!

   Anyway, that's all I wanted to say. Don't know if that helped much, but I wanted to say it anyway.

   
   

   Shonna on 05/27/04 @ 06:03 PM

2. HELL YES I'd hire you. No question about it.

   Why would the two *NOT* go together. Granted, I know very little about midwifery. But I see no reason why you couldn't work the angles and be able to do BOTH even better than the next person. Both relate to the body and how it works. Why not do both and be even BETTER at them both?

   Even if they didn't go together, I think it's something to consider - IF YOU REALLY WANT TO. If it helps any, my own personal trainer/nutrition consultant/supplement dealer (that has an AWESOME body and is really the best this little town has to offer) is also a dental hygienist.

   I say follow your dreams and if it involves both, then don't let anything stop you. The sky is the limit, darling. All you have to do is reach up and grab it.

   
   

   Lee on 05/27/04 @ 07:49 PM

3. you could always intertwine them even more, and offer personal training for mothers to keep fit before/and after pregnancy, which is a big concern for most of them! Help them give birth, and then get back into shape afterwards! Sounds like they go together pretty well to me :)

   
   

   butch on 05/27/04 @ 09:09 PM

4. I agree with what everyone else posted.

   Do it if it works for you...

   
   

   laura on 05/28/04 @ 05:07 AM

5. Brenna - YES. I think this is fabulous. And your personal journey gives you an insight that sets you apart. I think it would be a fabulous career. And I don't see any conflict either - sometimes two careers are more fulfilling than one.

   Have you ever seen Pam Brown? She's amazing and inspiring. She went from 250 lbs to a body building champion and fitness coach. Just thought of her because her journey was similar to the one you're on, and you seem to have her fire and intensity.

   http://www.bodychangers.com/pbrown_inter.shtml

   
   

   Ali on 05/28/04 @ 06:25 AM

In the locker room myself and I bantered back and forth about how nice it would be to take a nice easy run thru the streets of North Portland today and how it would work the lactic acid out of our muscles and how fabulous we would feel afterward and we got suited up, tied our shoes and strapped on our brand new BLUE MINI iPOD and headed out the door! (Hey, Kat can't be the only one getting rewards these days!!!).

I started at a brisk walk to warm up the achy leg muscles and after a couple of blocks the beat of the electronic house music kicked in and the legs just started pumping! "Hooray, this feels great!" I told myself... to which I responded, "It sure does and these are some kickin' tunes!" "Hey!" I continued... "Lets run to the first turn and then we'll see how we feel and maybe walk for a while." "Sounds GREAT!" I responded enthusiastically.

And so I ran... and at the first turn I was still feeling pretty good, so I kept on running... and at the second turn (about half way thru) I was starting to get fatigued, but still didn't think I needed to walk yet... and hey, I was almost half way thru anyway, so I might as well see how far I could go without walking at all, right?

And I kept running... and while I was a bit tired, my knees weren't sore and my legs were not screaming and my breathing was not labored and the tunes really were kickin, and so I kept on running.

And when I came to the final turn before I headed back down the hill to the gym I told myself, "Hey, you've done a really great job today... this run was supposed to be a walk-run, but you've run the whole thing... WAY TO GO!!" to which I replied, "Oh yeah? You ain't seen nuttin' yet, sistah!" And suddenly my legs were moving faster and my arms were pumping hard and I sprinted at top speed the last quarter mile of the run all the way back to the gym!

And when I was done and had caught my breath I said slyly to myself, "well, well, well. I'll know better than to offer you an easy run next time, won't I?" and I gulped and smiled and directed myself to the stretching room to cool down.

1. Any running story that doesn't end with puking is o-tay by me...well done!!!

   
   

   Jim (a.k.a. the Mighty Slug of Thunder) on 05/27/04 @ 01:44 PM

2. Lexy I've been reading your blog for some months, but in the last 6 weeks or so, something has changed: you have become an ATHLETE!!!! It's more than physical, it's a mental shift and all props 2 U :)

   
   

   rachel on 05/27/04 @ 03:18 PM

I didn't binge (thank god!)... I ate shredded wheat with skim milk and a drizzle of honey. I also ate a good healthy dinner and a couple of spoonfulls of low-fat chocolate sorbet. And within an hour of consuming the carbs my knotted muscles were un-knotting and my sore and aching knees were returning to their normal state of painlessness. (is that a word?) And perhaps most importantly the woosy off feeling was a thing of the past.

So that's it... it seems I have a mind/body that needs long runs and a body/mind that needs carbs to recover afterward. NO biggie... it was almost time to change things up again anyway. I will begin a pretty well regimented diet again on Monday and until then I will eat well and ballance my carbs/protein and keep the sugars low and the fats low and healthy as well.

I really don't see this as a failure (tho I somehow feel the need to explain why it isn't!) because I know if I had not done what my body asked last night I could have very easily pushed too hard today and injured myself. Injuries are the athletes worst enemy and I simply wasn't willing to risk it.

Oh... and in a completely different vein... the bikini bottoms I ordered arrived yesterday... and they're too big. Its a Victoria's Secret Medium for chrissake!!! How the HELL can it be too BIG??? So, I'll call and get a smaller size on the way today... one more delay in the bikini picture progress, but life WILL go on.

1. I'm proud of you, Brenna. Thank you for listening to your body and doing what was/is best for it. I truly believe EVERYONE should be so tuned in to what their body NEEDS and abide by it.

   I don't think anyone will look at this as a failure, just as *you* shouldn't. In fact, I happen to think quite the opposite. I think you had great success with it, in more ways than one. You learned something, and that is ALWAYS success.

   Hmmm. The medium was too big?? Damn girl! Now I *really* can't wait to see those pictures. (If I could whistle this is where I would insert a cat call. *grin*)

   
   

   Lee on 05/26/04 @ 08:35 AM

2. It's great that you listened to your body that way. Cardio and carbs kind of go together, and it makes sense that you felt better after refueling with the carbs.

   And hee! The medium isn't too big, it's you who are too small :) I hope the itsy-bitsy bikini gets here soon for more pics.

   Speaking of which, I love your Tri gallery! Thanks for posting the pics... it looks like it was really fun.

   
   

   nuni on 05/26/04 @ 04:37 PM

1. Wow, thanks for putting up those Blue Lake pics! I forgot how soon that is coming up. I can't wait to see all of our improvements!!!

   
   

   Shonna on 05/25/04 @ 06:10 PM

I am feeling a bit better today.

I kinda said, "fuck it" last night, and went to bed knowing that I wasn't going to get up and workout this morning... that I wanted to take advantage of the sun today and go for a long run (gonna go for the 5 mile course today) in the afternoon and just chill... I haven't run any good distance in a while and I'd forgotten how therapeutic a long run can be.

By therapeutic I mean this... when I run I get to really crawl inside my body and take stock of what its doing. I get to see how far my legs can carry me. I get to feel how my lungs normalize their breathing after a couple of minutes and how my heart adapts to the pace and beats with purpose but not panic. I pay attention to my ankles and knees to see how they're flexing and absorbing the impacts and by the time I'm comming up on the last half mile I really feel great... I feel that runners high, and I am excited again by what my body can do these days... I think I need that. I think that I've been missing that.

When I don't run I spend a lot of time focused on what my body looks like... when I run, I spend some time focused on what my body can do... it seems a more productive venture to run, and maybe it will help with all of the other mental crap I've got going on.

I sure hope so.

I have to take a moment here to mention how fabulous my husband is and has been from the start and thru my whole journey. He is my biggest supporter. He tells me (often) how fabulous I look. He cheers for me when I put on the next smaller size... he encourages me to get out and exercise if I'm feeling stressed and he checks with me nearly every week to find out what my eating plan is so that he doesn't inadvertantly tempt me with somthing that is not on my plan for the week... and if he slips up and offers somthing (a beer, or a treat or whatever) and I tell him its not on my plan, he quickly files the information away and doesn't let it happen again. He smacks my ass and tells me how firm it is... he squeeses me around my belly and notices the muscles under there. He rubs and massages my shoulders and tells me how strong they feel. He is fabulous and I love him to bits... the only possible thing that could be better would be if he would exercise with me... but I'm working on that angle... we'll see... maybe when he realizes I can do more pushups than he can he'll take the bait. :D

1. Hey, B...where are you getting your powder? I've had great luck with www.supplementcentral.com Mostly the Champion Nutrition--I actually *like* the chocolate. Tell 'em thunderslug sent ya.

   As far as shakers...go to freddy's...lots of one-pint and one-quart shakers for way, way cheap.

   
   

   Jim (a.k.a. the Mighty Slug of Thunder) on 05/25/04 @ 08:11 AM

2. Do you do the "Pure Whey Protein Stack" in chocolate? If that's the one I'll give it a shot. Can't be all bad if the Mighty Slug of Thunder likes it!

   
   

   Brenna on 05/25/04 @ 08:22 AM

3. That's the one...the moccachinoskivitch one is OK, but I'm pretty much a chocolate guy. (there was another company that did a chocolate mint I liked, but I forget...it's all just whey to me...)

   
   

   Jim (a.k.a. the Mighty Slug of Thunder) on 05/25/04 @ 08:51 AM

I've got plans for the next few weeks... a more ballanced protein/carb plan for about 4 weeks which will require a lot of pre-planning in terms of my 5-6 daily meals which will need to consist primarily of lean lean lean protein and fruit and veggies. My big thing will be prepping a bunch of protein shakes in the AM to bring with me to work. Its a good thing I actually enjoy the stuff. My carbs will come entirely from fruits and veggies which is also good. I still don't feel a need for starch/sugar in its many fabulous forms, so I'm hoping that bodes well for continued fat loss.

My Bikini should arrive this week. I'll be hoping it looks half as good on me as it did on the catalog model (wishful thinking)... and pictures will follow shortly, I promise.

ok... one last thing. I have hesitated writing this down yet because I'm not real sure I have it completely figured out in my head... but I think one of the big things holding me back from being happy with my progress and being content with my new form is that I don't feel like I deserve this. I don't really feel like I deserve this body... I'm not good enough... I should be spending more time with my husband, my kids, my work... watever. And this is really crappy. I haven't given myself permission to be fit.

What is so recockulous about this is that I spend so much time telling everyone else out there that they deserve the time and work that are necessary to loose weight and get fit. And I believe in my heart of hearts that they do... every one of them. Every one of you deserves a healthy body... you're good enough! But I, for some reason, haven't 100% translated that entitlement to myself. I don't know if I deserve this... I don't know if I'm good enough.

Please understand that I'm not asking for external reassurance here because what I'm realizing, slowly, is that all the external reassurance in the world can not change somthing that is a fundamental part of my belief system. Only I can change it. I am working on it... I am.

But I'm not there yet... and as much as it sucks to say that out loud... its the truth.

at least for now.

1. I think....that you know my feelings on Deserve. I will, of course, reiterate them if you wish.

   
   

   Jim (a.k.a. the Mighty Slug of Thunder) on 05/24/04 @ 08:51 AM

2. Regarding handing out words of wisdom to others vs. believing it for yourself: I know how you feel, don't worry. :)

   Come on Brenna, one last week to go! You can do it!!!

   
   

   Brenda on 05/24/04 @ 10:39 AM

3. I can totally relate. It's yet another part of the process, I believe. And you are right ... no one's opinion or feelings of your worth are going to make it right in YOUR mind. That's something ONLY YOU can do. It took me so very long to figure that out. And to be quite honest, I'm STILL in the middle of the process of convincing myself that "I am WORTH it!" You'll get there in your own time.

   
   

   Lee on 05/24/04 @ 01:28 PM

4. Even if you don't think you deserve it, don't your kids deserve a mom that lives life to its fullest? They learn from you by example. You're showing them something really important - how to respect and care for yourself. They'll learn that by what you do, not by what you say. It's not something you can teach intellectually.

   (And I'm telling you this because I have the same issues about deserving to take time for myself too. It's my backwards-logic way of getting there. I'm sure that getting there directly, feeling like, hey I deserve this, is much better. I just don't know how to get there either.)

   
   

   Ali on 05/25/04 @ 03:05 AM

5. I think we *all* have that feeling...cheering others on, seeing that others deserve it...but when it comes to us, not having that same gumption.

   I read a great article in last months O. Long story short, a stay @ home mom feeling bad b/c she gave up career and was still carrying baby weight went to a dinner w/a friend who looked "fabulous" despite the kids and seemed okay staying @ home. Her dinner was "perfect" & she looked "perfect"

   When the writer went into the kitchen to help her out, she was shocked to find this "perfect" woman being so critical about herself and was saying she was jealous of her for being able to have given up a career b/c that mean @ least she had one, whereas perfect woman never had a career and she felt being a housewife was all she knew.

   It's so weird b/c we see things in other people we don't see in ourselves, without realizing people do it to us too ;)

   And it goes w/o saying you have a team of people out here who know you deserve exactly what you want for us. *hugs*

   
   

   Renee on 05/25/04 @ 06:28 PM

6. Isn't it interesting how the external changes highlight some internal changes that need to be made as well? We all have them, and you are so right Brenna - it's a 100% internal job.

   
   

   Athena on 05/26/04 @ 12:58 PM

But ya know... maybe it is?

It seems (I am slowly realizing) that most people just don't do what I do.

It seems that the workout schedules I put myself thru... and the dietary routines I maintain are just not normal for most people.

Which seems really weird to me... because after a while, it really doesn't seem like all that big a deal to eat right and I think just about anyone I know could do this. A CKD isn't hard, really... its just another routine... just a change... and pretty adaptable too... and its short term... I mean really... what's 4 weeks?

And the exercising regularly is hard sometimes when you're in the moment... but the hardest part I think is just getting out of bed to do it every day... and I've got that pretty well down by now... anyone can do that if they just make the decision.

So what's the deal? I mean... I don't WANT to be a career fitness professional... this is just somthing I do to make me feel good about myself and about my body and what I can accomplish with it... so what is it about me that seems so unrealistic to the rest of the world?

I'm still a mommy. I'm still a full time professional... my workouts happen in the early morning and on my lunch hour so that I can spend lots of time with my family after work... anyone could do that too if they wanted to.

So... like body image re-evaluations I've got some more self-analysis to do I suppose. I don't want to be different from the rest of the world... I just want to be fit and lean... isn't that what most people want? Am I getting in over my head? Am I taking this whole thing too far? maybe... maybe not.

1. """anyone can do that if they just make the decision."""
   Yep, Brenna. We sure as hell can. I think I needed to read that tonight.
   I think a lot of us feel overwhelmed with the idea that we are actually in charge of our lives. How many of us live by the "Well, it happened because the God/dess planned it that way." and the like? That sort of sets us up for feeling powerless and helpless...siphons off our motivation to make things happen. As if Fate was a real, living thing that could stop us if it pleased.
   Gosh am I making any kind of sense? Damn sugar has me all icky today.

   
   

   Mojodiva on 05/21/04 @ 08:07 PM

2. You ARE definitely making sense, Mojo! The one thing I took away from the MANY christian denomination churches I attended as a child is that one of the most important defining forces of humanity is free will. We are not powerless and helpless to the will of God or Fate or Karma or whatever... we have the power to choose! Thanks for the comment, hun... and hang in there. Believe you deserve it and life as tho you already do.

   
   

   Brenna on 05/21/04 @ 08:38 PM

3. OK...you've heard this before, but I think I'll reiterate.

   First, look at your 190+ lb pic. Do you see a fitness model in there? Anywhere?

   Now...look at your most recent photos (or take new ones, since you're leaner now)...take off the head...now...how much photoshopping do you think is necessary to make that pic look like a fitness model? If you answer more than an hour's work, you're lying.

   The only thing is...the leaner you get, the harder it gets...the more incremental the results....and that's a hard, hard pill to swallow. The great leaps of the Starting Out are gone...but there are gains to be made...hell, Ronnie Coleman manages to come in a few pounds heavier *every year* at Mr. O, despite the incredible difficulty.

   And the progress you've made *is* something...it's hard...if it wasn't, everyone would be doing it. And sometimes...sometimes I think it's counterproductive to talk with people who have succeeded, because then it seems less hard...it's like the bubble chamber of friends who all went to college, started businesses, etc...it just seems *normal*

   Dropping a quarter of your body mass isn't normal.

   Taking that next step isn't normal.

   My thinking is that you did the first, thus the second is doable. It's all in how hard you're willing to try. (and yes...it'll be diet that gives the most improvement...you're already working out hard and well....)

   
   

   Jim (a.k.a. the Mighty Slug of Thunder) on 05/24/04 @ 08:32 AM

In other news, hubby and I stayed up late last night and watched "The Last Samurai" which was a really fabulous movie and it was so nice to cuddle on the couch and get my back rubbed with a movie. We don't get nearly enough time together, so this was a real treat.

I'm also excited that my older son Valmont will be starting Taekwon DO next week... he is VERY excited about it and the Studio I found seems really great. I watched the class... met the master and his two assistants, and they really focus on the respect and discipline aspect of the art... which I was VERY focused on finding for Val... he's a wonderful kid... but respect and responsibility are wonderful things to instill in a child. One of the other great things is that all of the students have tasks they must complete at home and school thruout the week as they progress and these tasks reinforce the self-esteem, respect, honor and responsibility lessons of the art. HOORAY! Parenting help that I agree with!!!

So that's the news today... I'm kinda nervous for my "posing lesson" this afternoon... but I'll definitely post more when its over!

1. First of all, you get organic fruit delivered to your house? That's so awesome! I can buy it myself, but I think it would be more fun to get a care package delivered to me :)

   I loved _The Last Samurai_. I thought it was beautiful, and I liked Tom Cruise more than I ever have. After we saw it in the theater, I'd bug my boyfriend by yelling "SAKE!" at him at inopportune moments.

   And it's so exciting that your son is starting his class next week. I hope he really enjoys it.

   
   

   nuni on 05/21/04 @ 10:24 AM

2. Oh man, nuni... there is NOTHING like having your produce delivered! http://www.pioneerorganics.com is the company I use and I love them... everything is TOP quality and there is so much variety... I've tried things I never immagined I would. I feel very lucky that they deliver in my area!

   
   

   brenna on 05/21/04 @ 11:13 AM

3. I can relate on the fruit front. Man, I don't see how you have done it this long. I'd be going all kinds of ape shit without my daily fruit. I admire you girl. You have got some brass balls on you. (And I mean that as the highest compliment.)

   I love that you enrolled Val in a martial arts class. I am still trying to convince my son that it's something he wants to do. So far no such luck. He'd rather play baseball. I mean ... c'mon. How dare he? LOL

   
   

   Lee on 05/21/04 @ 11:54 AM

Overall I think it wasn't the surgery that sucked so much (tho it did suck) it was sitting there for an hour or more with my mouth jacked open so the Dr. could get in there... and all the drilling and scraping was freakin' annoying. The novocaine worked to keep me outta pain DURING the surgery, but it wore off pretty quickly once I was upright again and that's when the throbbing began.

Diet wise, things stayed on track... all I could eat in my tired, bitchy, annoyed state last night was scrambled eggs so I had 3... and I think I let myself get a little dehydrated because the ketones were closer to the 50 than the 10 this morning. Gonna focus on LOTS of water today.

One last thing... after having Linn tell me that he thought my CKD was really working and that he could see some nice definition in my hamstrings yesterday I muscled up the courage to ask him if he'd teach me a few poses... and luckilly he didn't think I was a freak, and he was really excited to help me out! He's of the opinion that people who spend 10 minutes a night posing in front of a mirror end up with a LOT better definition and a much better awareness of their progress. So on Friday after bootcamp he's going to show me a few poses to start out with... and hopefully I won't feel like an absolute boob doing them.

Wish me luck!

1. And you'll find that posing is quite the workout...not of the useful kind, but of the tiring kind...static compressions...but yay!!!

   What it'll really do is teach you a *lot* about individual muscles, how they fire, and how they work. I anxiously await your pics. :)

   http://www.cbbf.net/info/mandatory_womens_bb.htm

   Mmmmmmandatories.

   
   

   Jim (a.k.a. the Mighty Slug of Thunder) on 05/20/04 @ 08:13 AM

2. I'm so glad the root canal wasn't that traumatic. Interesting about posing! I never even look because I don't expect to see much yet. I'd like to learn more about how muscles work. Thanks for the info!
   

   
   

   Ali on 05/20/04 @ 12:11 PM

3. Brenna, it sounds like you're doing okay after the root canal. Ick, I HATE going to the dentist!! I get the willies just reading about the scraping and... that's enough for me.

   Hmm.... never thought about posing as a way to improve muscle definition. Interesting. I hope it goes well!

   
   

   Brenda on 05/20/04 @ 03:44 PM

1. I'm so glad the brace helped with the foot pain and yay for your speedy time!

   Root canal surgery totally sucks. Feel better soon.

   
   

   nuni on 05/19/04 @ 10:34 PM

2. Save your frequent flyer miles and get upgraded to meperedine someday (or just stop short and get oxycodone....)

   
   

   Jim aka V-Dub on 05/20/04 @ 04:20 AM

3. youch. hope you feel better soon.

   
   

   laura on 05/20/04 @ 04:37 AM

swimming was hard to do this morning, I felt heavy and slow... which is pretty funny since I cut a full minute off of my 400m time (8:45 for anyone whose keeping track)... I'm residually sore from Monday, but not badly so... its just swimming+upper body weights+no carbs in diet=residual soreness... no biggie. I did about 1100m total, and I wore a cheep-o neoprene brace on my ankle and my foot didn't hurt at all!

I think it's really ironic that the one totally non-impact activity I do on a regular basis is the one that was causing a repetative use injury. It seems that kicking is what pissed of my foot in the week of 9 workouts, and on monday when I got back in the pool after a 2 week hiatus, I started to feel the same pain returning (despite the fact that it's been completely fine for at least a week) so I grabbed a cheap-o brace (like I said) at the store last night and gave it a whirl today... voila= no pain!

Today is LEG DAY in Boot Camp... and then I take off for my very first ever root-canal surgery thing. I am NOT looking forward to it.

On both counts... wish me luck!

1. As for the root canal....take the pain meds before the pain starts, and in usually about 24 hours and you are good...I slept for the first 8 hours after my root canal and woke up sore...rinsing w/ warm salt water helps too (one of those weird home remedies that seems to work for a sore mouth/throat).

   
   

   Donna on 05/19/04 @ 02:05 PM

2. Oooh, good luck! I know you'll take names in boot camp, so I'll send an extra dose of luck and ease for the dental work! Yowzers. Although my husband had one and said it was not a big deal. But he's really good about getting out of painful situations. ;)

   
   

   Ali on 05/19/04 @ 02:32 PM

I mean... isn't that always how it is? Once you reach one goal you find or create another and keep moving forward... I mean... that's the right thing to do, isnt' it? Cause if it isn't... and you're eventually supposed to get to a "maintenance mode" where you're happy with your fitness level in all aspects and you can relax a little with the goal setting and stuff... then I'm doing this all wrong because I still don't have ANY idea how I want to look/feel/perform when I'm "maintaining" my fitness and weight rather than working to finally attain it... and I don't know how the hell I'd "maintain" anyway... what happens if I don't have goals anymore? I fall off the wagon, that's what happens... my ass finds itself permanently attached to the couch as it quickly expands to consume an entire cushion again... so this whole "maintenance" thing scares me. Just the thought of getting "there" and being "there" for any extended period of time freaks me right the fuck out.

And for some ungodly reason... the closer I get to "there" the harder it gets to make progress... so maybe... when progress finally completely stops... that's where maintenance begins... maybe? Hell I don't know, at this point I'm clueless... all I know is that the fitter and firmer I get, the more dilligent I have to be with the diet, and the harder I have to push in the gym to continue to see increasing results and that is annoying to say the least.

This is HARD... and it just keeps getting harder.

But today I feel good... and today I worked hard in the gym... and today I will stay true to my eating plan... and today I will drink my water... and today I will focus on today and not yesterday or tomorrow, and I will enjoy the results I've created thus far, and praise myself for the work I've done each day to get to where I am... and maybe tonight I'll think about tomorrow... if I feel like it.

:D

1. Remember your old motto? "You'll know when you're done"...and now, we see, clearly, that we're never done.

   It was stupidly hard to not work out today--on what is a normal rest day--because I was at work on time to do so...*shrug*

   
   

   Jim (a.k.a. the Mighty Slug of Thunder) on 05/18/04 @ 09:26 AM

2. I find myself talking about "maintanence" on occasion. I find myself thinking about it more often than that. But if I were to be completely honest with myself, I don't see myself ever getting there. To reach maintanence means that I am "done". I don't ever WANT to be "done". The reasons why are along the same lines as what you have said here.

   In my mind, I see my goals changing over time. I may get my body to a bf% that I'm content with, but there will always be goals. There will always be things to do and accomplish - ways to push myself.

   Because I do not WANT to be "done".

   Does that make sense to anyone but me?

   
   

   Lee on 05/18/04 @ 01:24 PM

3. Yeah Lee... that does make sense... I guess my conflict is that sometimes I do want to be done... not done as in "reverting to the fat-sedentary-lump that I used to be" but done in the sense of happy with my body.

   I think I'm really struggling with body issues that I didn't realize I had until I started getting really fit. I am smaller, fitter, and stronger now than I have ever been in my life, and that is forcing me to re-define myself... and I'm really not sure where to take that definition or what I want it to be. And that scares me a bit.

   *big sigh* thanks for listening!

   
   

   brenna on 05/18/04 @ 01:43 PM

4. No thanks needed. I'm here for you, babe. :)

   What you have said makes sense. I have yet to reach that point, but I'm sure I will experience many of the same emotions when I do get there. I do understand about redefining, though. Currently I am in the best shape that *I* have ever been in and weigh less than I've weighed in ... MANY ... years. And lately I find myself redefining myself on an almost daily basis. But so far it hasn't created a huge enough conflict that I'm left struggling. I suspect it will happen, though. It's only a matter of time. Then I can come to you and you can listen to me. Deal? :)

   
   

   Lee on 05/18/04 @ 07:12 PM

5. You got it, Lee!!! I'll be here waiting with bells on!

   
   

   Brenna on 05/18/04 @ 08:52 PM

6. Brenna, I think it's wise to consider what things will be like when you reach the place of maintenance, whatever that may be. I think it's different for each and every one of us. As you said, sometimes there's a time when you "want to be done." I think that's more than understandable and also why the vast majority of people who lose weight gain it back.

   I know I fell into this trap and I swear I never thought I would. My failing was not in planning what my next goal would be. I reached a level of fitness I don't know that I ever had with a weight of 108 (I'm tiny, remember!) and a bodyfat percentage of 18%. That's a tremendous achievement, but where did I go from there? Instead of planning another goal (hiking the Grand Canyon, for instance), I eased up on everything and put on some weight and had to do a mini-loss in another six months. It was that way until I got pregnant, which obviously changed things (but didn't need to be as bad as I let it be!).

   I don't know that it always needs to be a goal that refines your body specifically (I mean, there's a point at which you can't lower your weight or bodyfat and still be healthy), but I do think it needs to be a goal that enhances or reinforces the healthy habits that got you to where you wanted to be in the first place.

   Thinking about this now - where you might want to take yourself on the next leg of the journey - makes so much sense to me.

   I don't know what the answers are for you, but I wholly support you in finding what they are for yourself.

   
   

   Athena on 05/19/04 @ 11:15 AM

7. Athena!

   Thank you for sharing your experience with me... this is so hard, and it never seems to get any easier... I WANT to know that I can find a place where I'm happy with my body and where I feel good maintaining myself at that point, but God... I've been dis-satisfied with my body my whole life... how do you break that pattern.

   I've decided to spend some time going thru my Oxygen and M&F Hers magazines and finding pictures of women whose bodies I think are not only beautiful, but also attainable for me. I want to do this not to have somthing to compare myself to, but to help me solidify an image of myself that is healthy, fit and fabulous.

   I don't want to stop having goals... but at some point, I do want to be able to say... I am happy with my body and I've maintained this body for x-years and I love it... etc... (how's that for an overuse of elipses?)

   In any case, thank you again for your insight... I'd love to see you back online, let me know if that ever happens!

   ((((HUGS))))

   
   

   brenna on 05/19/04 @ 11:41 AM

8. What a great idea - to have that visual in mind and one that is reflective of YOUR body. I think those changes come, that okayness, for lack of a better word, with your body and life, but after years of having a completely different body image, I think it takes time and lots of positive reinforcement. I know that my experience is not unique and there's not a small part of me that loathes I became just another part of the 95% statistic. Still, I think there's a reason for it. It takes a lot of work to changes one's life, and after all the effort (getting to goal, for example), most people just want it to be done at that point. It's such a cliche, but I think that's just another beginning point, one in which the positive lifestyle choices really take hold. Then, after it's become second nature I can see where the constant vigilance can recede, but your life and body are just reflective of the "new" you.

   Does that make any sense?

   Oh, and I am back. :)

   
   

   Athena on 05/20/04 @ 09:26 AM

Swimming this morning was pretty great... did my 400yds off the bat and came in at 9:45 which is not too bad for a cold start 400... but since that's what I'll be doing in the tri, I figured I'd better see how it would be in real life. I continued swimming for another 20 minutes and probably got in another 800yds or so, and practiced breathing on my weak side (left) a bunch... don't know if I'll ever feel comfortable doing that, but I may as well practice in the pool where there isn't as much wake to deal with.

My high weight for this morning was 151, which was a nice surprise (I was figuring 152-3 with the lack of loss on the low end this week)... so I have renewed hope that this CKD will continue to slowly allow me to peel back the layers of bodyfat to reveal the ripped muscles that I'm just about positive are lurking beneath. ;)

For now, I must consume mass quantities of water before I go get my vitals taken and blood/urine sampled for my life-insurance policy... joy... needles are fun.

1. You're right...narcisism is bad...taking pics is gooooooooood....

   
   

   Jim aka V-Dub on 05/17/04 @ 01:41 PM

2. When the bikini gets here... I promise.

   
   

   brenna on 05/18/04 @ 10:24 AM

I am dedicated to the plan for at least 4 weeks anyway... I should probably give it 6 tho to make it until the next body-fat test... but we'll see.

I realized this weekend that despite the fact that I have no desire to compete... I really want to LOOK like a fitness model at least once in my life and to get pictures of myself at that state so I can remember it always. I don't know if that will ever happen (15% body fat seems SO far off to me... I mean... I took me 18 months to loose the first 10% of my bodyfat... imagine how long it would take to get those next 10% off??? ARGH!!!)... but I had to admit to myself that I really do want it and I aspire to it.

my goal of getting under 20% this year seemed realistic at the beginning of the year... I mean, heck... I had a WHOLE YEAR to loose a measly 5% body fat... anyone could do that. But as May ticks by and I realize I'm almost 1/2 way thru the year the goal is feeling further and further off... so is the goal of doing a pullup... but I've lost a lot of focus on that one already. I am fairly sure I will be able to do the 30 boy pushups (mostly because when I'm fresh I already can)... its just the other two goals that seem to be slipping further and further out of my grasp.

Ah well... maybe the weren't realistic in the first place.

I, like Lee, believe in changing things up as often as possible... but I also realize that when I don't give one workout or eating plan a chance to work I short-change myself and the opportunity the plan may be giving me... so... four more weeks isn't that long...

how long is one supposed to be in a "cutting" phase anyway? 6 weeks? 12 weeks? Until you get where you want to be? If you think my moods are swinging now... just wait... :D

1. Hrm. It'll be interesting to track your workouts through a CKD; the Friday workouts may be a bit challenging (heavy work while in ketosis is...interesting...).

   As for how long to be in a cutter...I suppose that depends...since you're at the point of an 'advanced' trainee, I'd say 8-12 weeks, with bulkers/floaters of at least 4ish inbetween. But that's just me.

   And don't sweat the pound-here/pound-there bits on a CKD...I'll bet you're more sodium-driven on hydration than before (with the glycogen missing)...

   
   

   Jim aka V-Dub on 05/17/04 @ 04:46 AM

2. Yes, change is good WHEN you give it time to work. Exactly. I try to do the ole switcheroo every 6-8 weeks or so. I find that is a nice length of time for one program and then it's time to tweak it. I'm a tweaker. LOL

   Everything I've read about the cutting phase says that it normally takes 8-12 weeks. For some, more. For some, less. As with everything else, it mostly depends on the individual.

   
   

   Lee on 05/17/04 @ 12:28 PM

In other news - I'm still learning MT and its fun! Text is MUCH easier to read now (don't you agree?)

My bikini is back ordered so I may just pick up a cheep one at Target to take some pictures for you all in, and I promise to take some in the shorts and skirts too... right now I need to get some more self-tanning cream tho. I am lilly-white most of the time, and I can't use tanning beds (not that I would) and I am supposed to keep myself outta the sun for the most part... or wear sunscreen... so faux-tan-in-a-bottle is really my only option. If anyone has any recommendations for good ones, I'm all ears... (and pale legs and arms).

I'm ready for the weekend... and I hope you all are too. I want to run on Sunday and I think I just might be able to squeese it in.

cheers!

1. Brenna, you might want to look ingo Mystic Tan for that all-over-tan-without-the-sun look. It works REALLY well and takes about a minute. My neighbor owns two tanning salons and a good bulk of her business is in Mystic Tans - it's the only thing she uses too.

   http://www.mystictan.com/ (general information)

   
   

   Athena on 05/15/04 @ 03:08 PM

2. oooh! Athena, THANKS!!! That is fabulous, I found a salon near me and I think I might go do one tomorrow morning... it sounds expensive, but what a great option!!!

   THANKS!!!

   
   

   Brenna on 05/15/04 @ 05:02 PM

3. Ah, the heady days of broken toes, pink weights, and the introduction of Shoulder Death [tm]

   Raise a gatorade to our lost sizes...what a different flipping universe it was back then...

   
   

   Jim aka V-Dub on 05/15/04 @ 06:33 PM

So I started throwing them all over the door and the most wonderful Old-Navy Girls began combing the shelves for "the next size smaller" for me.

"The next size smaller."

"The Next Size Smaller."

(you know what I'm talking about here, I know you do... )

"THE NEXT FUCKING SIZE SMALLER!!!"

Every woman who has EVER struggled with her weight knows instinctively that there is a perceived gap between the girls who wear the single digit sizes, and those who wear double digit sizes. The petite girls wear sizes "zero" "two" "four" "six" and "eight," and then the rest of us... those of us who fall in the cagegory of "10 - 30" are not petite and don't get all the uber-cute clothes that the little girls do. I believe 28 or 30 is the point at which they stop even numbering for fear of offending us and just begin telling us that we're "XXXXL" and don't deserve real numbered sizes, or whatever the fuck ever. Yeah right... like we don't know what it really means... fuckers!

In any case... I have, since highschool (I graduated HS in 1992), been a double digit girl.

Getting back into a 10 about 6 months ago was a FABULUOS victory for me because that is literally the smallest size I can ever remember purchasing for myself... there may have been the errant 9 in there when the "painted on jeans" look was in... but otherwise I've been a 12+, and all the way up to an 18+ at my heaviest, for my entire adult life.

But today the 10 didn't fit.

Today, the "next size smaller" was the 8. The first single digit size... The holy grail of some of us who are working so hard mentally, emotionall and physically to become somthing other than the fat girl... the single-digit size...

and I took those shorts and that FREAKING SHORT ASS "beach-skort" from the happy to help me, size zero, Old-Navy Girl and every single one of those fuckers fit.

comfortably.

and with room.

and there were the most cheasy - god awful - hormonal - female tears running down my cheeks as I tried desperately not to burst into joyful sobs right there in the dressing room and really freak out the Old-Navy Girls. So I picked them all up, put them in my bag and bought every last one of them. There ended up being six... three shorts and three skirts.

And for once, I looked in the mirror of a dressing room and I didn't see a fat girl. I saw me... and I am a size 8... and who the fuck cares if I really needed that boost to my ego, because I did, I needed it... and I fucking love it.

1. Squeee! How exciting!!! You are going to be so styling this summer with the duds and the cool-ass bikini on its way. Flaunt it baby, flaunt it! (channeling Max Bialystock for a second there)

   
   

   nuni on 05/13/04 @ 10:32 PM

2. "Fuck me running" ... LMAO
   I haven't heard that expression in probably 10 years. It cracks me up every single time.

   WooooHoooo!!!!!!! SIZE EIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

   That's fan-FREAKING-tastic, girl! I'm so proud of you. Seriously. I almost shed my own hormonal girl tears of joy *for* you.

   Now get the damn camera out and let us see that sexy body in those size 8 shorts. Show it off, baby!! ;)

   
   

   Lee on 05/14/04 @ 03:42 AM

3. WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!

   That rocks. You rock. Nuff said.

   
   

   Laura on 05/14/04 @ 04:39 AM

4. Brenna, congratulations!!! You've worked so hard for this success. I say it's time for a shopping spree! ;)

   
   

   Lynne on 05/14/04 @ 05:31 AM

5. Brenna, what wonderful news!!! Yay for you!!!

   
   

   Athena on 05/14/04 @ 07:17 AM

6. You bought 3 skirts? sigh, I have made a differnce in someones life. :)

   Good work! Now hand over those 12s!

   
   

   Chippy on 05/14/04 @ 08:00 AM

7. Sending you the Size 8 salute

   Hip hip...size 8!

   Hip hip...size *!

   HIP HIP...YOUR A FREAKIN' SIZE 8!!! :)

   
   

   Renee on 05/14/04 @ 08:11 AM

8. Oh and YES to Lee's request...we need pictures...especially one in the short ass beach skort :D

   
   

   Renee on 05/14/04 @ 08:12 AM

9. that ROCKS! Go brenna!

   
   

   Ali on 05/14/04 @ 09:09 AM

10. Congrats Brenna!!! That is AWESOME! Woohoo!!!!

    
    

    Brenda on 05/14/04 @ 12:06 PM

11. WOW, what a great post! Congrats Brenna.

    
    

    Trish on 05/14/04 @ 03:21 PM

12. AWESOME job, Brenna. :)

    
    

    Dani on 05/14/04 @ 04:45 PM

13. TERRIFIC!! That's fabulous Brenna!!

    
    

    Peg on 05/14/04 @ 06:30 PM

14. Excellent, Brenna! That is very exciting. And you deserve to enjoy it!

    
    

    Diane Patterson on 05/14/04 @ 09:18 PM

15. WONDERFUL BRENNA!!!!!!!
    Goh, I'm about to burst into tears just reading about your latest victory. Once again, you end up inspiring others just by sharing.

    
    

    Mojodiva on 05/14/04 @ 10:25 PM

16. WOOO HOOO! I'm so PROUD of you!

    
    

    Donna on 05/17/04 @ 05:15 PM

In other news, I'm home "sick" today.

My lower GI tract seems a bit unhappy with me. It started last night, and I'm still feeling the residuals of it today. I really didn't want to be dealing with that at work, so despite the fact that I really feel fine otherwise... I stayed home.

I'm going to skip the workout today for fear of dehydration due to the above mentioned GI issues and just drink lots of water, stay on plan and see how it goes. Tomorrow should be interesting.

I'm working on building more galleries... stuff of me, the kids, etc... so look for those comming up in a few days too!

cheers!

1. It's kinda funky, but it really shows the upper-pec front delt. Stick your arm out to your side (I start palm up)...use your tri to hyperextend you elbow just a bit (now your tri is contracted), then flex the bi (that's a more normal feeling)...if you turn your hand palm-down, your delts will separate...mmmm....

   
   

   Jim (a.k.a. the Mighty Slug of Thunder) on 05/13/04 @ 02:20 PM

2. You look amazing. Loved the photos Brenna!

   
   

   Trish on 05/13/04 @ 05:53 PM

3. Jim, I'm still not sure I get it, but if you can find me a picture I'd be thrilled!!!

   
   

   Brenna on 05/13/04 @ 07:55 PM

4. The guy on the left, but raise the arm

   http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/contes06.jpg

   (and from the front, not back)

   
   

   Jim aka V-Dub on 05/13/04 @ 08:05 PM

5. whoah... uh... ok... I'll see what I can do.

   
   

   Brenna on 05/13/04 @ 08:30 PM

because you know what?

She was so very very very wrong. Labor ends with the birth of a baby... once the baby is out, you are done (potentially forever unless you decide to have another child)... You don't have to count contractions and breathe thru the pain for an hour every day for the rest of your life to give birth. In fact, I'd hazard to say that if birth were as much work as losing weight is... very few people would EVER make it thru it, and our maternal mortality rate would be right up there with the death rates from every obesity related disease and disorder out there.

Imagine, if you will... that you're a pregnant mother... and that for an hour or so every single day for an undetermined number of days, weeks, months or even years you have to labor toward the birth of your baby. But you don't know when it begins how many consecutive days of laboring it will take you to get to your goal... for some it may be a few weeks... for others more than a year... and during this laboring time you must feed yourself perfectly, maintain proper hydration, get adequate sleep and GO ABOUT YOUR DAILY LIFE in-between bouts of labor... make you want to have kids? HA! GOOD FREAKIN LUCK!

Getting fit, for me, has been a lot harder than giving birth ever was... even my first son's 18 hour back labor... its a never ending process... and not having a finish line can be really discouraging sometimes.

so there you have it.

Bootcamp was legs today, lots of squats, lunges, squat jumps, high knees, stairs, etc... etc... etc... My glycogen is noticeably depleated... keto is back as of the test this morning...

I'm tired... and I'm trying to figure out where my next pit-stop is because without a finish line, those are what I have to look forward to.

1. It sucks not to have a finish line, but you've been conditioning and transforming your body over the years so that (I think) you're at a place where you can do whatever you want to do physically, and to me, that's really exciting. You are so totally an athlete now and have the skills to tackle whatever new goal you set for yourself.

   
   

   nuni on 05/12/04 @ 04:00 PM

2. As we've discussed...that's the only real regret I have about Operation:35%off!--my ludicrous camera-shyness....

   
   

   Jim aka V-Dub on 05/13/04 @ 04:46 AM

3. 18 hour back labor! OMG, you poor woman! But it explains your nerves of steel. Nothing can stop you now!

   I agree that it is harder than giving birth. Birth happens to you, but getting in shape is driven by your own will. And keeping the will up, at least for me now, is a minute by minute challenge.

   
   

   Ali on 05/13/04 @ 06:20 AM

4. Speaking of keeping track...I can't seem to find the photo section....

   Which I was looking for, because I was thinking (as I talked to another b in her LJ) that you need to do a bi/tri-flexed, straight-arm pose...

   
   

   Jim (a.k.a. the Mighty Slug of Thunder) on 05/13/04 @ 09:32 AM

In any case, massage helps keep me loose and relaxed and out of spasmodic danger (hooray!)

This morning was cardio and it went well, tho I didn't feel I pushed myself as hard as I could have. I felt fabulous... I still feel fabulous... and my arms are STILL all pumped up from yesterday (*grin*). In fact, today I did my hair in the locker room after workout without my shirt on (other girls do it too!) so I could check out my arms and shoulders.

My second line of abdominal muscles is starting to poke thru too. I will take pictures of all of this, I promise, but give me another couple of weeks to really feel like I'm making progress on this lean-out and the progress will be noticeable.

My calories were WAY WAY WAY too low yesterday because the hydroxycut completely killed my appetite in the afternoon (I take 2 in the am uppon waking and 2 after lunch), I plan to seriously go over the top today... pushing 1800 if I can, to attempt to disuade my body from thinking I need to horde fat right now. People have asked (Hi Laura) if the Hydroxycut makes me feel weird, and honestly its no different (for me) from a couple of cups of coffee. A lot of whats in most thermogenic supplements these days is caffeine, and since I refuse to take effedra products (especially now that they're illegal... but I had my own effedra experience way back when and don't care to repeat it) this is a good option for me. I like that my appetite is less, I like that I have more energy despite the low-carb diet... so I'll stick with it for now... and for anyone whose keeping track of all of my little data points... I'm already down 2lbs from my weekend re-feed high of 152.5... not bad for 1 day. :D

1. Hi back... ;-p

   I don't drink coffee at all, so I might be a bit of a jumpy mess if I took stuff like that... Interesting to hear that it's helping you a bit!

   I'm a big massage fan, although I don't go as often as I should, considering my bro-in-law owns a spa!! http://www.littlehousespa.com

   
   

   Laura on 05/11/04 @ 12:50 PM

2. Torticolis sounds really painful. I'm glad massages help to head off future problems. I see my acupuncturist every other week for similar benefits, but a massage sounds good, too.
   

   
   

   nuni on 05/11/04 @ 04:39 PM

3. Send...vicodin....

   
   

   Jim (a.k.a. the Mighty Slug of Thunder) on 05/12/04 @ 11:09 AM

1. Hooray for calf separation! You've been working so hard & it's awesome that you're seeing results like the additional muscle definition and the body fat decrease.

   
   

   nuni on 05/10/04 @ 10:11 PM

2. I think we need some pictures...

   Hydroxycut eh? Hmmm... does it make you feel wierd or anything?

   
   

   Laura on 05/11/04 @ 05:00 AM

3. The first workout after re-feed is waaaay pumpy; most people can't do Back on that day, for the pumpage. Feels wondrous. ;)

   mmmmmm...separation and vascularity....damned broken calf of mine....

   
   

   Jim aka V-Dub on 05/11/04 @ 06:13 AM

4. Laura - yes, in fact... it does make me a bit hyper. Not jittery hyper... just up. You should have seen my blazing fingers as I was typing yesterday! I'm skipping the coffee this morning to see if that helps a bit.

   Jim - Chest/Back, Arms/Shoulders. I still feel pumped!!! My biceps are INSANE!

   
   

   brenna on 05/11/04 @ 07:49 AM

5. Lee looks fabulous, doesn't she?

   Can't wait to see your pictures! I really like your new site.

   
   

   Ali on 05/11/04 @ 11:28 AM

6. I've noticed a bit of the vascularity thing happening with me, as well. Mostly on my arms, front shoulders, and hands. It's kind of ... COOL.

   We definitely need photos of those calves, girl. As well as the rest of you. It's been a while.

   As for my own calves, they're not that special but I sure as hell am proud of them. Thanks for the compliment. :)
   

   
   

   Lee on 05/11/04 @ 12:38 PM

7. As long as it doesn't get you down when Friday comes and you're flat and unpumped (the downside to low-carbage, and why I don't like Atkins+exercise)

   And my biggest swing was about 10 lbs. (there was more when I got down to welterweight to prove a point, but that was dry, carbless and sodium-depleted)

   
   

   Jim (a.k.a. the Mighty Slug of Thunder) on 05/11/04 @ 02:18 PM

1. Ah, sweet, delicious re-feeds (I like pancakes)...

   Oh, and are you triathloning this summer?

   
   

   Jim (a.k.a. the Mighty Slug of Thunder) on 05/10/04 @ 11:23 AM

2. Ok... what is the trick with relieving the sinus pain? I must know your secrets!!!! Didn't fully understand what you are doing. Drinking lots and lots of water?
   

   
   

   Jill on 05/10/04 @ 12:52 PM

3. Hey Jim - yes the triathlon is July 24th, Blue Lake, all womens!

   Jill - my secret is allegra, about 8 advil and LOTS of water and hot tea... all kinds of hot tea, herbal, black, peach-black, hybiscus... you get the idea. I don't know what did it, but it hasn't been back since

   
   

   brenna on 05/10/04 @ 02:10 PM

4. Brenna, you are doing great! You are really an inspiration, and trust me, I need some inspiration right now! :) I hear you on the sinus pain. I've had a headache almost every afternoon since we've been down here, and I finally figured out that it's my sinuses. Augh, in fact I'm feeling the beginnings of one right now as I type. Not fun, not fun....

   
   

   Brenda on 05/10/04 @ 04:09 PM

1. ? ???? ???? ? ???????.

   
   

   Chippy on 05/09/04 @ 03:11 PM

2. Great pictures!

   Oh to be able to hike in the Alps like that all the time! *sigh*

   
   

   laura on 05/10/04 @ 08:17 AM