Lizzyb's Lean N' Mean 2009

**vanessa40** · April 10th, 2009, 07:23 PM

AAAHHHH garden time. I can't wait. Steve and I were just talking about that at dinner. Since we have the rest of the yard fenced in he wants to out in another birdbath and maybe another smaller herb garden. It will be great to have the fresh stuff again and not have to pay over a dollar for one bell pepper...and it's almost hummingbird time again. Can you tell i love the spring.
Isn't it funny how children get use to your routine. I love that Hannah ask you about your workouts. How is she feeling today...
You take care of that toe and have a fun weekend...

**lizzyb** · April 10th, 2009, 08:02 PM

Oh yes......I love spring too!! I picked up some blueberry bushes to add to my fruits this year...we've got blackberries, raspberries and apples.....I'm adding some canteloupe and watermelon to my list of fruits in the garden. I'm also planting sweet red peppers, hot banana peppers, collard greens along wiht the stuff I planted last year....so it's hopefully gonna be a substantial year for produce.......

Hannah's almost her usual self again. I can tell by the 'pestolence' factor, lol! I'm like her 'best friend' to her these days and she feels I must be glued to her hip at all times......and we must "look at our pets" together every waking minute of the day too, lol! She's just got a bit of a cough that's hanging around but otherwise she's up and about bouncing everywhere, thanks for asking.

**vanessa40** · April 11th, 2009, 11:18 AM

Sounds like you are going to have a great garden this year.
Hannah sounds like Brittany when she was little..
I miss that..
You have a fun weekend and take care of your toe...ok

**lizzyb** · April 13th, 2009, 06:03 PM

Long week-end has come and gone......and it would appear as though I've been 'off plan' most of this week-end, lol! We went up to our trailer Saturday morning anticipating somenice warm weather. Saturday was nice and warm, but Sunday was freezing cold.....like
-2C in the morning and got up to +2C by noon. We left early to stop in at Gerry's mom's so she could give the kids some Easter goodies. Because the kids were sick all last week, and me and my toe...I wasn't prepared for Easter at the trailer so I picked up some Easter Kinder Surprise pkgs, and that was what I had for them at the trailer. We went to a sugar bush near our property for a pancake breakkie w/ maple baked beans and they had an Easter Egg hunt in the sugar bush for the kids....it was cute.....I love the country, people are just sooooooo nice and genuine, you know? Not like home, where if somebody is too friendly with my kids I'm immediately on the defensive.

We took another look around the property of our new 'cottage' house and I'm getting excited to get started! I am taking over the sunroom and gonna decorate that one myself, I've got some ideas for that room. Great thing is we already have so much furniture it won't be difficult to furnish at all. And decor items can be gotten on the cheap so easily

My toe is healing quite nicely.........I'm quite pleased about that. I tried a little jog at 4mph for my warmup this aft and it wasn't too bad. I certainly wouldn't try sprinting or running any faster, but that wasn't to uncomfortable........I'm still fighting off Hannah's cold, but I am still winning

As for training.........I'm back to Linda's stuff this week, minus any of the running portions, and possibly the jumping stuff....if I am still unable to pull off the plyo's I'll modify with some other metabolic moves.
That being said.......on with today's tuff:

High Rep/Tabata

1) tabata leg press (20secs AMR/rest 10secs) x8 @117
2)100 knee raises + 100 crunches x 2
3) Inner thigh: 2x100@ 6, b.w
4) Outer thigh: 2x100@ 6, b.w
5) Tabata thrusters (same protocol as above) @ 8e

Spot Dance: 50 weighted knee raises @ 5lbs after all that ab work above this really fried my abs, lol! Oh, in a good way of course!

todays meals are clean and within macro's but not necessarily on plan today....just that sort of day, no reason other than we were out for breakkie and then home by lunch....so today's foods are not day1 foods, they are all over the page, lol, so I won't bother listing....

**lizzyb** · April 14th, 2009, 08:29 PM

O.K........So, I'm toast!! Well, actually my legs are totally toast, lol!
Today was 'just' a cardio day, and it was treadmill shuffles today, plus some hill climbing. Now my piece of paper does not specify how long to do hill climbing straight after the shuffles, so I just went for however long I felt I could.........10mins, I think it was b4 my legs felt like rubber!
Then there was another 'spot dance' to perform.......'spot dances' are surprise exercises that need to be completed by week's end on top of already prescribed programme.

My toe is feeling pretty good too.....no sprinting yet, and I'm not usre how burpees and mountain climbers are gonna feel, but if it's an issue I can utilize the w/o I used last week for tomorrow's stuff.

So on with the day's stuff:

Cardio: treadmill shuffles - 20mins
2mins left side, 2mins right side 2mins jog/run cycled through 3x or 20mins THEN...
set treadmill to highest incline and walk at 3mph for 10mins (was all I could muster!)

Spot Dance:20 weighted pushups@10lbs followed immediately by 20 weighted dips@25lbs
I was done in after that, lol! My body felt fine not overcooked until about 4-5hrs later when my legs, well my entire lower body has gotten quite stiff......I may not be able to walk tomorrow, lol!!

today's eats:
m1) oats, p.b and protein poweder
m2) f.f yogurt
m3) spinach and grilled chicken w/ udo's and applecider vinegar
m4) icecream (small cheat treat the weather called for it today, lol!)
m4) crusted chicken and asparagus
m5) protein n' water + glutamine b4 bed

**vanessa40** · April 15th, 2009, 05:32 AM

Hi Erin,
Sounds like you had a very nice Easter..
LOL..I'm the same way..if someone is to nice it's makes me wonder what's going on too
I'm glad your toe is healing up...

**lizzyb** · April 15th, 2009, 06:23 PM

[b][color="YellowGreen"]Now I would have sworn up and down that I would not be able to walk today.........but it is a miracle, I am walking!!

I went to bed thinking I'd have to modify today's w/o because I could see no way of doing it today as it was laid out, lol! In fact I thought I might do my upper body stuff today instead to give my legs a rest or even take the day off to recuperate.........but..........I got it done, as it was laid out and actually am feeling quite fantastic too!! Must be the warm sunshine and double digit temps perking me up, lol!
It's halfway mark now[color="yellowgreen"][b] with this program and I am only gonna say this much so far......I'm liking how my tops are draping across my midsection....I can really see where my obliques have come in strong and my abs are really surprising me too.......I'm excited! I'm feeling good!

today's workout: Crossfit Failure/Plyo Sets

Burpees to Chins: 2x60secs (seemed easier today.....even with my toe, lol!)
Lunge N' Clean: 2x60secs@ 10lbe (was to be alt. arms per set, but I wound up doing both arms per set)
Prone Butt Blasters: 3x60secs@20lb total ankle weight
Hamball Leg Curl w/ Leg Lift Out: 3x60secs
V-sit Legs Out: 3x60secs (I surprised myself with these ones as I didn't need to use my hands at allHow cool is that?!)
~So here I was lastnight feeling sorry for myself, thinking well maybe 41...soon to be 42 is too 'old' for this sort of workout, maybe my estrogens are starting to get the better of me....hohumm. Not the case today baby!

today's eats:
m1) mashed banana, o.j and protein powder
m2) grapefruit
m3) tuna and berries, udo's and applecider vinegar
m4) pwo shake + glutamine, almonds and 1/2 banana
m5) shrimp jumbalaya
m6) protein n' water + glutamine b4 bed

Otherwise it was a great day here with the kids, we went shopping at Costco, played in our backyard (tag, hide and go seek, a sand tea party, and blowing bubbles) and then inside to get my w/o done.
I've had to deal with stupid tennants though today....well one in particular. the city gave notice for about a month that water service would be interrupted this week due to repairs, she should have been aware of this...however was not! I get called at 7am this am because she's got no water and somehow my DH is supposed to drop all and come fix this for her NOW.....he was already gone by then. she was pissed becasue she couldn't get a hold of him and couldn't have shower at home....but could shower at work..........I leave a mesg, at DH's office about the h2o situation and he tells me what the deal is about the water. He leaves her a note reminding her of the work the city is doing right in front of the damned building and also decides to revoke her parking priveleges as she was renting a spot 'for her boyfriend...cheaper than we rent spots ofr other parking customers. so again I get these irate phone calls from her.....she swore even, lol!! I get a kick out of it b/c she is typicaly one of these gals who threatens the world (men esp.) with tears....she used to getting her own way with guys and will cry to make it happen, suck up and flirt....both DH and I are aware of this about her and play her accordingly......no different than dealing with children, but at lest with children it is age appropriate to be this ridiculous, lol! COLOR]B]

**vanessa40** · April 16th, 2009, 01:33 PM

LOL..
Hell forget watching soap operas..i'll just read your journal..
Lord i can't believe that woman..honey..get a grip...
Sounds like you are having wonderful warm weather. I know the kids are loving the bubble blowing and just being outside.
No matter how bad i feel just sitting out in the sun makes me feel great.
I spent about an hour outside reading yesterday and plan on it again today.
I'm reading Denis Leary's new book..Why We Suck and Micheal J Fox's new one. I love Denis Leary from Rescue Me..he is suck a smart ass..i'm kind of the same way.
Well off to update my journal..you take care of that toe..i'm glad it's better..

**lizzyb** · April 16th, 2009, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vanessa40

LOL..
Hell forget watching soap operas..i'll just read your journal..
Lord i can't believe that woman..honey..get a grip...
Sounds like you are having wonderful warm weather. I know the kids are loving the bubble blowing and just being outside.
No matter how bad i feel just sitting out in the sun makes me feel great.
I spent about an hour outside reading yesterday and plan on it again today.
I'm reading Denis Leary's new book..Why We Suck and Micheal J Fox's new one. I love Denis Leary from Rescue Me..he is suck a smart ass..i'm kind of the same way.
Well off to update my journal..you take care of that toe..i'm glad it's better..

Ah yes Denis Leary......my kind of guy, lol!! Guess that's why we get along so well, you and me huh?

I'll have to check out his book!
I do soooooo love the warmer weather and sunshine......spring really makes a giant difference in my outlook in general. there's a whole month or so that we couldn't get outside inour backyard to play b/c of ice and melt water and of course icky dog pooh emerging from the melting ice and snow....it's gawd awful and I wont go out there when it's like that, lol! So now the yard is all cleaned up and it's just amatter of cleaning up the daily businesses which is sooo much easier than cleaning up layers of it, lol! My flower beds are starting to grow again, I can see some green

Yeah, that tennant is a real piece of work..........she's always calling ME to cry about not being able to get intouch with Gerry or about parking issues or about whatever she wants to complain about living there......gerry's sort of at the point where he wants her to leave b/c she's such a giant PIA!
Last winter she parked in the neighbours lot and got towed.....she called me crying about getting towed and wanted us to pay for getting the car out of the impound lot because she said 'she didn't know she wasn't supposed to park there"....literally tears, and cursing and oh the carry on.......when I know for a fact that she was indeed told NOT to park there....but maybe tears would work in this situation...damsel in distress......NAH!! We're hardasses when it comes to stupidity......Yes a soap opera indeed! Melrose Place has nothing on US!

**lizzyb** · April 16th, 2009, 03:51 PM

Was a cardio day only day today so did the funky elliptical thing. We're leaving for the trailer tomorrow so I'll be doing w/o #3 there along with my last day's cardio (MMA style stuff). I'll also have another spot dance to complet while I am away........wind sprints at 500m x3 and record best time......I'm not exactly sure how I'm gonna measure 500m at the farm, but I'm gonna pick a long straight distance on the property.....I may measure it out w/ my pedometer, just thought of that now.....Anyhoo, so I've got my work cut out for me over the week-end and luckily for me, I CAN take it with me, lol!

So....here's today's stuff;

Cardio was 35mins in total:
10mins set on reverse, level 4: 2mins backwards and 5mins frontwards
15mins set on fat burn same intensity as above
10mins HIT level 8 and dropping a level every 90secs

Spot Dance: DL to OH press: 3x6@30, 40, 40

today's Eats:
m1) ew, tabouleh and cheese omellette
m2) pwo shake + glutamine, allbran bar
m3) spinach, shrimp, feta,cucumber and tomatoe salad w/ udo's and applecider vinegar
m4) protein bar
m5) tenderloin, asparagus
m6) protein n' water +glutamine b4 bed.

~sent an e-mail to my lawyer today to see where things are at and his assistant has been away and has so far only been able to order my file from the courthouse.....she's to get back to me early in the week next week, to brief me.

Can't wait to get out of town.....it's supposed to be double digits till Sunday, so we wanna get my garden planted and well just simply be in the great outdoors!!

**6-Pak Girl** · April 18th, 2009, 11:54 PM

Heya Lizzy - I hope you're have a great weekend and were able to get your sprints in!

**lizzyb** · April 21st, 2009, 03:41 PM

Well, I dunno. I'm really beginning to think I must've pissed of some voodoo black magic woman or something because this month's training so far has been more off than on. I'm thinking of using a skull and crossbones for my journal title instead, lol! My daughter is over her cold......my toe IS healing, but still achey, and now my son is sick with a cold and guess what?? SO AM I!! I am really freaking anxious for April to be over and done with....hoping for better things next month, man oh man! But hey......it is called 'life' afterall and we are all faced with challenges at one point or another.
Since I am right in the middle of a cold, I decided I'd continue with my 'detour' workout from 2wks ago. Just the thought of anything high rep/high volume makes me just wanna go lay down, lol!! So again, this w/o is in 3 stages....one day is strength, theother is hypertrophy and the last is fat burn.
Today was strength....meaning 5x5. No cardio today.

Day1 - Strength: 5x5 SS

A1) Chin Ups (neg reps: hold for 15secs):5x5
A2) Front Squats: 5x5@40

B1) Standing DB Press: 5x5@15e
B2) Single Leg Deadlift: 5x5@40 per leg

C) Ab Wheel: 5x5
~I like this workout, it's simple when you're feeling under the weather, lol! I have noticed strength gains in my negative reps of chins too....I am able to hold for longer now and lower with more control.....I WANT to be able to do a real pull-up!!

No cardio today.......tomorrow is a cardio day.

Today's Eats:
m1) oatmeal and protein powder
m2) ff yogurt
m3) mixed greens and tuna, w/ udo's and apple cider vinegar
m4) rice cakes and p.b
m5) turkey chili
m6) protein n' water + glutamine b4 bed

So.....I'm sorta floating in the breeze these days it seems. I've not been able to give a full go of this month's program, and really I am questioning whether my body was reacting favourably to that sort of volume or not. . Fatigue set in early in the game, sleep deprivation sure didn't help me any. Viruses threatening my immune system, then a broken toe - more compromised recovery resources. Honestly....I feel like have been burning my candle at both ends.........I know I would have rocked this month's program under different circumstances, but those circumstances did not prevail......this time.

Being away over the week-end, I was able to get in alot of 'yardio', lol!! We turned the soil in my garden too. I wasn't able to do my wind sprints though as my silly toe still isn't allowing for sprinting.......I will do it though, just out of principle when I am able to.....I wanna know my best time too

**vanessa40** · April 21st, 2009, 04:51 PM

Hi Erin..
I'm so sorry to hear you are still feeling bad. It's like when it rains it pours...right. I do love your yardio comment. I may have to use that one.
We are doing the garden thing this weekend. It's finally going to stay warm enough. Lord has it been windy here. Thankfully it has held off until 10am so i have not been blown away on my runs.
You and your family take care..i hope you are all feeling better soon...

**lizzyb** · April 22nd, 2009, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vanessa40

Hi Erin..
I'm so sorry to hear you are still feeling bad. It's like when it rains it pours...right. I do love your yardio comment. I may have to use that one.
We are doing the garden thing this weekend. It's finally going to stay warm enough. Lord has it been windy here. Thankfully it has held off until 10am so i have not been blown away on my runs.
You and your family take care..i hope you are all feeling better soon...

Hey girl! Yeah, you're telling me.......I'm getting a real sh1t storm over my way, lol! I hate being sick....it's a total insult to my being! I'm not a sit still for a moment kind of gal, so it REALLY forces me to slow down.....which obviously isn't a bad thing either, lol!

I'm anxious to get planting too......I've got to get my blueberry bushes into the ground, and prepare a bed for another rose bush (I don't think my roses survived the winter this year). I also picked up some asparagus...somebody (the gardening lady at Home Depot) told me that it is a perrenial, so now that I know I can eat the stuff I thought I should grow me some to go along with my fiddle heads, lol!

**lizzyb** · April 22nd, 2009, 01:45 PM

[b][color="YellowGreen"]Still coughing and sniffling along, but trying to keep at it, in moderation of course. Wasn't a very restful night due to my own runny nose and my boy who is also fighting this bug too (allbeit a much better patient than I am, lol!)
Diet's been on pretty well through all of this and am able to see some leanness....the scale this a.m said 117, but I'm sure I'm just dehydrated from all this nose running business, lol!

It's a cardio only day, so I chose to give the MMA style w/o a try (I love that one!!). I did one wave through, and then called it quits. Was to be 2 wave throughs, but my chest was starting to ache and that meant a coughing fit would soon ensue.....so best to play it safe......not looking to set myself back even further.....just trying to maintain at this point.

MMA Style Cardio:
5mins jump rope
5mins reverse lunge to forward kick (love, love, love these!)
1min burpees
1min mtn climbers (ouch toe hurting for these...I need steel toe runners, lol!)
2mins march high knees
2mins jax
2min stair steppin (alt. lead leg)

I think, for my toe next time, I'll just do 2 more mins of the reverse lunge kicks and leave the burpees and mtn climbers out, at least till my toe is healed.

Today's Eats: pretty much the same as yesterday's 'cept that my m5) is gonna be pizza and a salad, because I really don't wanna cook tonite! And I LOVE cooking, so you know I'm not feeling well when I'm choosing something 'ready made' over my own cooking

**lizzyb** · April 23rd, 2009, 12:39 PM

Still fighting this stoooopid head and chest congestion. I decided to just take the day off, do the best I can and rest up....I guess I can take heart in the fact that the month is almost over and I haven't been idle the entire time either. It's just like brushing my teeth though.....I really feel 'off' not doing a workout of somesort.....maybe some nice soothing yoga...meh, maybe just a nice steamy bath instead

**6-Pak Girl** · April 24th, 2009, 11:58 PM

It's good that you're listening to your body. You may not like to sit still (I can SO relate) but at least you listen when your body screams at you. Othewise you might get sicker and sicker ... Feel better!

**Italianangel** · April 25th, 2009, 01:42 PM

omg, no wonder I was not getting updates, I could not figure out why I had not been getting any journal entries from you...........you started a new one and it passed by me........i just found it and had I found it sooner I would have replied much sooner about the toe but this really shows me the difference in fitness personalities......
theres ones like you, of which I have mainly, the masochistic, 'kill me when you train me' types....
then there are those who never push yet want results, those ones throw me....its hard because you want to work em hard but then they get unmotivated........a challenge well worth it though but its nice to come here and see you kicking ass, such a success story. Everthing you do now is all cherry on top....you are so strong and tough and fit and looking tighter than I bet you have ever been! I love being impressed and you are so impressive..........to all of us!!! so happy you have time to blog and share......this is the kinda thing those who never push need to read about........unfortunately some of my clients I see in person never get online............or i would veer them toward your blog for sure!!!
Linda

**vanessa40** · April 26th, 2009, 10:42 AM

Hi Erin,
Good call on taking the day off. I really hope you get to feeling better soon. The hot bath sounds so nice. Did you go work on the house this weekend.

**lizzyb** · April 28th, 2009, 10:26 AM

Thanks ladies!! It was the best thing to do....take some rest, let my body recover from all the sleep deprivation and virus and today am ready to hit it hard again. I feel disappointed that I wasn't really able to give April's program my full attention but that's just me, my owthing.....I hate unfinished or incomplete....but I'm willing to let it go too. Though, I will be doing them wind sprints when my toe is ready.....THAT I am truly determined to finish!

Linda sent me my program for May over the week-end and it looks very good! I think it'll fit in just right what with the busy-ness May will be bringing (summer home reno's), I'll be getting alot of extra-curricular activity aside from the program as well. I'm going to have to review my last year's lean journal to refamilliarize myself with how I managed my w/o's while also being away over the week-ends.......I suspect I just sort of went with the flow....

I will be commencing May's stuff this afternoon since I am feeling well enough to do so now. My toe is still healing, still painful, and if I wear shoes with less support I really feel it the next day, like I'll be limping on it.
I will be sending in my pics and stats tomorrow, I've been having issues with my camera lately......I think I've got it sorted out now, if not I have backup......anyhoo, that's gonna be tomorrow. Not sure what to expect either haven't really been checking on the scale or anything lately, just visually in the mirror sort of thing, and I think I've gotten a tad bit leaner, but honestly with the sporadic nature of this month, I'll be happy to have maintained just as well.