VeganBeast's thoughts for the day

[veganbeast]

No morning cardio today. Even though I am wanting to go out and enjoy the morning out on the trails as the sun is up, though a cool 50 degrees, and slight breeze - not many of these days will be left come October.

But I did an unbelieveable 9 miles yesterday on the Paint Creek Trail. It fools you as it is downhill at the beginning - so my initial run was suppose to be only 5 miles as my Legs were still hurting from Leg Day 2 days ago - but it was nice out and I had on Garth Emery's podcast, to be followed by Above and Beyond TATW podcast, on my MP3 player and then I just kept going to my usual 7+ mile turn around (Cider Mill! with an old-fashioned waterwheel from the flowing river nearby). Turned around and got back to where I parked my car, but thought 38.5 mile marker was just back there a little ways, lets just go on a little further to the 39.0 mile marker and make it an official 8 mile trail jog.

I looked for the 39 mile marker, but I also many gravel paths going off the main one and wondered where do those go? and a cute little bridge over a river, and the sun was warming my back so nicely, but by the time I got to this elaborate built deck that protruded out over a cute little pond with sitting benches, my butt was screaming at me, and just past that a few feet was the 39.5 mile marker! Oops, overshot. Whatever, it was now officially a 9 mile trail jog.

I also had to Triceps at the gym that day. I went home and did some stuff around the house that needed to get done, and then I past out for an hour or so. Went to the gym late that day, so I got stuck with the 5 PM group. I don't like big groups of people, because they make me feel self conscience of my body. Especially when someone comes over and says nice things like "have you been working out all summer long? your arms are really showing today" -and I don't know about you guys, but when I do Triceps, they just pump and pump up with so much blood, that I have to walk around for them to calm down and let me go on to the next set. I am not use to compliments and I just say "Yes, I have been working and dieting all summer long" and a "Thank-you". I was really taken back on Leg Day this past week when a young guy, wearing an Oxford Football shirt (my hometown), came over after I lifted 1080 (24 45lbs - my newest attempt to go heavier!) on the Leg Press, while wearing a Vegan BB tank top, for 10 reps, and said rather loudly and excitedly "I just have to tell you that was AMAZING!" After blushing for a couple of seconds I murmured "Thanks" and then one of my favorite personal trainers (a beautiful girl with a body and smile that even me, a girl, would love to have around just to look at her! I guess I have a slight girl crush on her) said right afterwards, "Yes, she is amazing isn't she!" Made my whole day from those two comments. Even though I was in serious pain in my arse that night, and still today am. And then on top of that, I did the 9 mile jog accidently.

So no morning cardio today. Just going to do some kitchen chores, and then do a little shopping with my college son who will be heading back to Bethesda, MD for his steady internship at SAIC. Actually he is going to check out the Men's Vibram's Sprydons, as I have a pair and love them! They too contributed to me going farther and farther on these trail jogs of mine. I also shall be doing my favorite bodypart (well, next to Legs) at the gym today also: Back.

[Hiking Fox]

Welcome to the forum.

[rattus]

Apart from that you didn't do much huh?

[veganbeast]

Aw Back day. So I can pull down 165lbs on the Lat pulldown machine with the wide bar, but for the life of me, I can not do a proper Pull-up on the usual bar (straight bar with slightly downward bend at the ends to grip). So I went straight to the Assisted Machine for Pull-Ups, Chin -Ups, and Dips. Put the weight to assist me at 85 first, and did full ROM set of 25 reps (EZ PZ), then down to 70lbs/25reps, and then 55/15. Walked away and talked to someone for a good 10 minutes (I do this all the time), came back and did 55/16 this time, and ended it with a try at 40/for only 6 reps. I feel like my hands are closer together on this machine than on the Lat Pulldown Wide bar. Onto Machine Low Grip Row: 150lbs/25 reps (warm-up), 225/18, 270/10~5 (10 solid full ROM reps with 5 partial ROM reps), and then I tried 285 (second from the bottom of the whole stack) with a friend helping me getting into the Start position/ for 10 reps. Then on a whim, I put the pin in for the whole stack at 300lbs, and had another friend get it up in position for me, and I managed to jerk it around for 6 times with 2 hold reps. I then wanted to feel better about myself and did a slow set right afterwards with 120/with full ROM reps for 25. I also walked around and played with the Lat Pulldown with the Wide bar for 120/25, and did some hyperextension to check to see if my Legs could handle the weight today. I decided to do Stiff-Legged DeadLifts on the MaxRack using a Reebok Wobble Board. I did 4 sets of 25 reps with 50lbs (and barbell weight), and the last set made my lower middle back scream, and may have had a slight spasm on rep 24, which kept going for rep 25, and as I slowly bent my knees and lowered it all the way down. And with that I was done with Back.

[veganbeast]

Tonight's thinking is to get off this mental diet focus, and go back to building. Tomorrow I have an appointment with a trainer at my gym - who has been my friend from since when I use to do competitions, and he will assessed my weaknesses and give me pointers on what and maybe how to work on them. I thought of this as I was trying to assessed my back the other day, and I really couldn't look at it objectively. I guess I want a second opinion on critiquing my body. It is an early morning appointment, so I might get to the gym to do my morning cardio on the elliptical - though they are not my favorite thing to do - I'd just rather be outside.

[baldy]

Tonight's thinking is to get off this mental diet focus, and go back to building.

Bulking, ow yeah!

[veganbeast]

I had originally put down bulking, but that makes me think that i can eat and eat (like I use to - with a total weight of 180lbs last winter). As I will be taking a Personal Trainer test soon, I have to still look presentable as a PT. So I said building as in the caloric intake may go up, but it will be right on the edge of building lean muscle mass, but keeping bodyfat low. . . boo!!!!

[veganbeast]

Did not get to see the trainer today. He left a couple of minutes before I got there (which I got there 2 minutes before the appt time that was just verbally agreed upon during when he was training someone - I should know better! I only interrupted him while the client was in the middle of a set - but if it is not written down, then he would not remember it the next day after so many clients that night, and what he had this morning). That is OK. I just headed toward an Elliptical and did 45 minutes at Level 5 - which was really OK as it was cold and raining this morning and I wouldn't have done anything outside for morning cardio anyways. Maybe I should put everything on hold for a while now anyways, as I will be heading to Japan (Osaka) to visit my daughter who is living and teaching English there, for a week. Then I can come back and wrap my head around what I have to do.

[veganbeast]

Tried out the new performance tights (CW-X) today on my usual 5 mile trail jog this morning. They hug in the right places, except one - the groin area. Do they just forget about that on a women? I would have enjoyed a snug fit there, instead of leaving a space - a gusset groin area would be better - especially for a BBer with huge quads/hamstrings, pulling the fabric tight there and loose in that place. Maybe with use it will get better. Now I need to find a nice breathable jacket to wear in the cold weather that is coming.

[veganbeast]

Got my Sprouter going this morning after my run. It is on the whole system cleaning flush (little bit of chlorine in the water), and then I will do one system flush with distilled water afterwards, and then I am going to go back on the sprouting wagon! I felt the most healthy when I was doing the RAW vegan diet (did the 80-10-10, but that percentage didn't work out for me as a BBer). So I want to incorporate back some of the RAW meals or snacks I had. Sprouts is one thing, and just finished up my frozen mango and banana with Raw Protein Powder Smoothie (felt nice after that jog - might have to try and warm it up though as I got cold as the sweat condensed).

[veganbeast]

Was suppose to do Biceps yesterday, but wasn't feeling like it (you know the feeling like this sucks and I don't want to do it anymore - all I can say is that I hate when FTS thought comes into my head). So I did Biceps today.
Going heavy and did the same sequence at the beginning as last time (9/20):

MaxRack Barbell Curl: Bar/25, 20/21 (+1 more than last time - more of a mental thing for me), 30/15, 40/10, and then I wanted to be able to put 2 25lbs plates on it and curl it up: 50/6~2, and then a burn out of the Bar/25 reps.

Dumbbell Hammer Curls while standing on the Bosu Ball: 12.5/25, 20/20, 25/16, off Bosu Ball, 30/15, 35/8~2 and then just to press it more - 40/6~2 partial reps holding in isostatic contraction, and then a burn out set of 20/25.

Single Cable Curl on outstretched arms: 30/25, 40/12~3 (did 15 last time, I think my muscles have had enough), and I did not attempt 50 like I did last time, instead I went over to the black dummbells rack, grabbed a 10lbs dumbbell in each hand, and did

Concentration curls (side lateral) with palm forward 10/25, and went right into 10/25 with palms up. Nice burn.

Then I went to the Machine Assisted Chin-Up machine and did 25 reps on the 85lbs weight and couldn't tell if I was using my Biceps or my Back or my Triceps on that one. I decided that my arms have had enough and I wasn't going to get anything more out of them.

Drinking my post workout shake right now: Raw Protein (1 scoop - 22 grams of protein), CytoCarb2 (many scoops to get to 60 grams of carbs), BCAA's with Glutamine and Vitamin C (1 scoop - 6 gram serving), and Wheat Germ Oil (1 Tbsp - to get some Vitamin E into me). Since I am building, I shall partake in the family getting Thai food tonight. Drunken noodles with lots of broccoli! and my only time I splurge with fried Tofu triangles!

[veganbeast]

Bike ride this morning was lovely. The trees are starting to change color and the asters are blooming on the side of the trail. Nice and cool with the sun coming in at the last hour of the ride (20+ miles in 2 hours - just pedaling slowly I guess) and warming me up to a nice sweat.
Afternoon workout was Delts today. Noticed that my front delts are way bigger than my rear delts, and that my middle delt seems to be the smallest? Need to do some more of those burnout descending sets of dummbell side laterals again. Those hurt so much when I get back home though. Needs to be done though. I was also playing around with upright rows to get a more rounded delt look, and could feel my traps working too. It has been awhile since I did Back, so it was OK at that low weight for upright rows.
Feel really hungry all of a sudden. Time to eat something I guess - yup, 2 hours on the dot since I had my post workout drink (and a little piece of chocolate cake/no frosting about 20 minutes after the drink). Enjoying the extra carbs I am having for my building. Not just the cake, but I had a tofurky deli slice sandwich on sprouted wheat bread today! and no BROWN RICE! I am holding onto water with the intake of bread (and soon to be pasta), and looked really full in the mirror at the gym today (SWOLE, but not the nice ripped look of what I had last month - oh well, such is the life with starchy carbs).

[veganbeast]

Since I knew it was Leg day, I had a nice 2 mile walk this morning to wake everything up. It was Leg day that begins with Sumo Squats on the Smith Press Machine. Kept my form really core tight and went for some more weight than last time.

I started first out with some deep squats on the Bosu ball with the barbell from the MaxRack Machine. Did 25 reps just with the big ole body, and then 20lbs for another 25 reps again. A gym member was still on the Smith Press Machine, so I continued with the deep squats on the Bosu ball. 40lbs/25 reps, and then I got on the Smith Press.

Already warmed up, but not the outer quads and the butt needed for the Sumo Squats. So I began at the beginning:
Sumo Squat on Smith Machine: 90/25, 180/25, 270/15 (this is the weight I did last time for 10~2 reps), and so I tried the next weight at 320lbs, and got out 8 short ROM reps (I know my ligaments and tendons can not handle this kind of weight, but the belly of the muscle can, so that is what I worked it at - and clicked the barbell in place neatly, though I did get a twinge in my back in a weird place-just under the bra line by the ribs). I waited a couple of minutes this time to make sure the twinge was gone, and then a burnout of 180/25.

Leg Extension: 180/25, 285/15, 315/10~5, and then back down for quick descending burnout set - 195/15, 150/20~5 (~means partial reps/short ROM).

Leg Curl: 65/25, 95/20, 125/8~2, and then a burnout of 65/25 (so tired by the time I get to where I can focus just on my Hamstrings. Perhaps next time I will do these first before Leg Extensions).

Did a few Ab- and Ad- ductor Machine sets of 100lbs for (Abductor)/50, and (Adductor)/25.

It is night time now and they are alittle sore and still swole. Hopefully I will still be able to do a nice walk in the morning to wake them up again. And I sincerely hope that the twinge in the back was just a little muscle spasm from such heavy weight and maybe I let my core go just a split second as I was putting the barbell in the latch. My legs can handle that much weight, but with my back it could be iffy in certain spots.

[veganbeast]

Was able to do a 3 mile walk this morning. The quads on top were grumbling as I turned the corner and headed home for the last 1/4 mile on the sidewalk. I just smiled knowing that in a few days they will be all repaired and bigger and stronger for it. Noticed today that I have only 3 Lipo6 left in the bottle, so I will be off of those too by the start of the new week. Been off of Creatine now for a week, and since I am back on the starchy carbs, I still look puffy and big. I will go back on Creatine (my brand that I like is Con-Crete and I use only one capsule before I work out) when I get back from my week in Japan. I shall be off of most things when I go there after this week is over - in fact I will be in Osaka a week from today. My first time having to use a passport. And first time being in a place where I can not speak the language, and will be a big American - but not in the Obese sense (LOL!). It will help my daughter to feel small and tiny again with me around. I am trying to come up with a plan of just doing body weight exercises while I am there, and of course I will be lugging a big container of protein powder with me! It should last the week!

[veganbeast]

Chest day was awesome. Pecs were pumped by the time I left. Concentrated on the cleavage part, with full ROM machine flyes, and then short ROM, where it felt like I was just clapping my hands in front of my body. Knew it was the right exercise to do because by the time I got to the 25 rep, it was pumped and hurting in that spot. Did some inclines with huge weights on the Smith Press, and for stability of joints I did Stability Ball Chest Press on the MaxRack. In between sets, I did some Oblique Machine ab twists, and Stability Ball Crunches, and Leg Raises. At the last minute, I hopped on a HammerStrength Chest Press for Incline with 180/lbs and did only 15 reps, and then I saw some weights on the HammerStrength Chest Press Regular and did almost 15 reps (10 solid and 5 partial). Then I called it a day, and left for a carb loaded protein drink at home.