In Search Of....

Today was BACK DAY!!! I was up and at it early this morning and spent 3 hours in the gym. It felt really good until that drive to the city for school. It's like I hit a brick wall! I think I was nodding in class (well I was catching myself) and I'm continuing to struggle now that I'm at work. Who knows.

Anyhoo... BACK DAY was a success! Deadlifts are my first lifting love. When I first started lifting, I was focused on lifting heavy and I got up to deadlifting 315lbs.  I then tore my gastrocnemius which put me out for a long time and I lost all my gains. Although I like being able to lift heavy, my focus now is on losing fat mass and developing lean muscle. I was graciously reminded today that my goals are SUPER important! Therefore I am going to REALLY start focusing on my goals and doing what I need to do in the gym to meet those goals. Yes, I GO HARD in the gym but I probably need to streamline and focus more intently on a FitPlan that is more aligned with assisting me in meeting my goals.





I know one thing that I HATE is not having a consistent and serious lifting partner. I was reminded of this by an old gym friend that is now in Thailand. We used GET IT IN daily! Not having a consistent lifting partner is one of the reasons I joined the Powerlifting Gym a couple of years ago. However, the hours of that gym are very odd. Actually, the hours for most independent gyms where I would have the opportunity to work out with others have hours that will not align with my school and work schedule. So, I'm a little bit stressed about this, but I can't let it stall me out. I don't have time for self-pity or anything infringing on my PEACE. On that note...

I'm going to revamp my plan over the remainder of this week with a little help from my friend 3reFit (He doesn't know this yet, but I can always depend on him to come to my FitRescue even though he says I'm an HABITUAL DEVIATOR). I will begin implementing the plan on Sunday and it will be a complete success. :-)  Until then... I am in search of an individual(s) that can fit my lift schedule and are SERIOUS and CONSISTANT!

Until an ACCEPTABLE and CONSISTENT lifting partner(s) is found, I will continue putting in that WORK!!! AS USUAL!!!

No Limits! Period.

I'm very pleased to say that today's gym session was awesome!!! Besides the fact of it being leg day, I got to workout with my old original lifting partner and squat coach Gary G. 

So as you know, I've so craved working on my A2G squats, well today I not only worked on them, I killed them beeches! Lol! I started out light and worked up to 135lbs. I can't honestly tell you how many squats I did today but I don't know if I will be able to walk in two days. We shall see! 

So, initially Gary and I argued about my hip flexibility. I haven't lifted with him in a long time so... He was telling me that I was not flexible enough in the hips to do A2G squats and I argued that I was! 

No one can tell me about me and what I am capable of. I make it a point to have great hip and ankle flexibility specifically for squatting. Granted, I usually perform a power lifting squat but I still work on hip and ankle flexibility as both are important for other movements. Long story short is that doing A2G with weight takes some work when you are used to doing something else. Therefore my confidence with doing them with weight was low, as I never want to have to drop the weights. 

So after performing A2G's and going past parrallel with light weight we started adding weight. The more I squated the more confident I was and ultimately was able to squat, pause and stand the heck up!!! So, going forward I am only squatting A2G and including the pause at the bottom. When I can do a set of 15 with the pause without a problem, I will add weight and start again. 

I was able to complete my entire leg routine, minus lunges, and was in the gym a little over 3 hours. Most of that time was spent  squating. 

I honestly feel that nothing is impossible and Gary was truly my motivation today! When someone tells me that I can't do something, I make it my business to show them differently. I HAVE NO LIMITATIONS and if I ever decide to have any, I will be the one to create them!!!

That is all. 

PHENOM DAY IN THE GYM!!!

Today was a fantastic day in my most favorite place; the gym! There are a couple of reasons why, so let me explain.

Reason number 1: Pre workout-  I've known about pre-workout forever. However, I have never tried it before today and I am mad at everyone who truly knew its power and kept it from me or did not fully explain what it would do. LOL!  I felt like a gazillion bucks and feel that it gave me some extra GO!!! My cheeks, eyebrows, arms, and tongue were tingling but it wasn't bad and I only had 1 scoop with more water than was intended (first time jitters).

Reason number 2: Jerome Brantley and Sylvia Flores were both in the gym with me and Jerome killed us with an awesome workout. We also hit the pads and worked on my defense a bit. I haven't had that type of intense workout without weights in a great while (since Jerome's last fight). One thing that I really love about Jerome is that he does not accept ANY excuses at all!  He does not want to hear what you can't do and will call you on your BS. I don't even try anymore but Sylvia... HAHA!!! She will learn!!! She started out by trying to get out of doing push-ups, and if you haven't done them in decades they are hard, well she ended up doing 10 which is SUCCESS!!!

Reason 3: Saw Jen again in the gym today (she's the one that turned me on to the pre-workout) and she gave me a scoop of her pre-workout and was excited for me once I told her I was feeling it. LOL!! She's like the pre-pusher!


On this 29 day, NO REST gym commitment I feel I am off to a great start! I have increased my food intake (as I was not eating enough to sustain my body and the gym WORK I do), I'm getting in more protein, I'm on a new quest to get rid of this last bit of body fat that I have, and I'm learning about supplements that are going to help me have more effective workouts. Best thing is, I'm feeling GREAT and I'm feeling supported. Can't ask for much more.

TTFN!

Leg Game On Fiya!!!

So, today I had a great day in the gym. Last week I mentioned a girl that convinced me to practice A2G (Ass to Grass) squats. Well, she and I are officially gym friends. Today was her leg day too and we chopped it up quite a bit today while squatting. She's a 19 year old college freshman, loves to lift, and has massive leg power. Today, I spotter her heavy squats and she ended up maxing out at 235lbs which is impressive. She lacked confidence and was going to stop at 220lbs but the Monster Garage Kim came out and convinced her she could life that $h*t, add 2.5 and 5lbs at a time. She did it! Oh by the way, her name is Jen.

After she was done I continued to squat (without a spotter) and decided not to attempt the 225lbs without one. So alone, I ended up squatting 190lbs 2x! I am completely happy about that!!! I squatted more today than I have in a long time. I mean I worked by way up to the 190lbs by squatting reps of 10, adding weight after each set. I lost count but I'm sure I did close (if not more than) 200 squats. After I was done with the 190lbs I lightened the load to 135lbs and did 2 more sets, then did about 5 sets of 10 at 115lbs. AFTER THAT, I practiced my front squats with 95lbs and my A2G squats with the bar. So I know I did  more than 200 squats today. My legs felt so pumped. Because I was pressed for time and my legs were like jello, I didn't get to the lunges, leg press, or calf exercises, but I did get in leg extensions and hami curls. I spent 3 hours in the gym today and nearly 2 of those hours was spent at the squat rack. I'm sure I will be paralyzed tomorrow... That's a good look!  Hahaha!

For Friday and Saturday of this week, I will be boxing. I hit the pads with Jerome day before yesterday after my workout and it felt good. I will start sparring with him next week and then when my girl Meagan comes down to spend the weekend I will spar with her as well. March I will probably call in some other great female boxers that I know to spar with me. I want as much sparring as possible before April and definitely before May. I still have not made the final decision as to whether I will be fighting May 6th, but I'm preparing as though I am (because I probably will). LOL! Soon I will post pics of the custom boxing outfit that someone has offered to make and send me for this fight. I have to make sure it USA Boxing compliant. Ugh...

Other than having a BEAUTIFUL LEG DAY and getting my boxing training in order, all is great! The support I need is finally forming and I'm feeling good about it. Jerome has agreed to work with me on a regular basis and I will also be utilizing Rita F. (Hall of Fame female boxer/Boxing Trainer) when I can get to her gym. I'm so excited about that.


Well, that's all the good news I have for now. However, I only expect for more to come. :-)

A Good Day.

I've got to say today was a good day!!! My daughter is back in the gym, I killed my led day WORK, and there were no negative energies presented that I could not quickly dismiss. Great day; period. 

My squat game is coming along great! I can't even tell you how happy I am with my progress. I am seeing my a$$ get tighter, higher, and more round! What more could I ask for? Lol! My lunges are way better than when I first started as well! I'm just happy with the direction my for game is taking me. My passion for this FitLife is more than what I ever imagined it would be. Hopefully soon I will be able to make the gym a more prominent piece of my day. Pray with me on that one! 

Along with my leg game being the ishT, my FitHoodie Collection is getting some play time as well. I have recently developed a love for cool gym hoodies and socks with the rubber things on the bottom. See, I deadlift and squat in my bare feet so the socks makes that raiser. The hooie obsession was inspired by 3reFit, who is infamous for being hooded and toweled while getting that WORK! I am now known for the hooded look in the gyms that I frequent. I'm starting to get questions as to where I got these hoodies bit I'm not telling! I work hard to get hoodies that are odd and I'm not ready to look up and see a chick or dude working out next to me in the same ishT!!! This is my attempt to remain Uniquely Undefinable, as I have been told! Yep! 

That's one of my next FitHoodies! No joke!

Well I have to get my behind out of the bed and prepare my days meals. I've got a full day until late afternoon so I must end here! 

Now, go forth and be good to yourselves, kind to others, and thank God for the many amazing blessings he has provided you! 

Luv 

A Change Gonna Come...

So Friday I went to the doctor and they didn't give me news I wanted to hear. However, I had no choice but to listen. I lost only 1/2 of fat mass and also lost a few ounces of muscle mass. They attribute this to my not eating enough calories each day. I work out hard around 6 days of the week and I can admit that my appetite is not huge and once I drink my protein or eat a meal, it goes a long way for me. On Friday, this news along with some other disappointing occurrences put me in a real funk. However, I have since snapped out of it and I'm ready for February to be a complete success.


I will find out next week if there are any foods that I am allergic to that may be causing my water retention. I am also getting my Testosterone and Estrogen levels check this week and seeing a doctor who works with athletes that will analyze my test results and help me to create a plan that will assist me in reaching my goals. I am ready to take my fitness to the next level. Meaning, I am ready to shred this fat, gain more lean muscle, and I willing do the work to make it happen. I mean, I do the work in the gym already but I obviously need to make some changes outside the gym; mainly with my eating or lack of eating. CHANGE is my word for the month of FEBRUARY!


                                       


There are a couple of other things that I know that are probably contributing to my stale state; stress and stress. LOL! School is so very stressful and stress hormones are deadly to weight-loss. Trying to manage life can also be stressful. Normally, I live relatively stress free but over the month of January I have just been struggling. So, for February I'm going to make it a point to regain control of my PEACE. What that will look like I'm not sure. I know that I will increase my meditation time and pay closer attention to things that create stress for me. I know school and work are my top two but neither of them can be eliminated from my existence at this point. HAHA!!! Wouldn't that be lovely?  I will just flow with the waves of energies that present themselves. Negative energies will quickly be dismissed and positive ones will be embraced.

There is more exciting news that I can't yet share with anyone, as it is not a done deal. Hopefully, by the end of February I will be in the position to let you in on what's happening. Just know that when I do something I try to do it to the best of my ability and if I can't, I won't do it.


Friday night I attended a boxing match and many people asked if I was fighting on May 6th and I'm still undecided. So, when I decide; everyone will know.

Thanks But No Thanks!!!

I've been a tad bit off kilter the last couple of days and for a variety of reasons that I won't share in detail, but here are some things I do know. I'm back to my happy, positive, and inspirational self!!!  

To harm anyone will never be and has never been my intention. I treat EVERYONE with respect and will help anyone I have the power to help. However, lately a few have been mistreating yo' girl! Some more hurtful than others but hurtful nonetheless. 

But, I will NEVER respond to negativity with more negativity. THAT makes for misery. I will only pull the positives of the interaction and respond. Not REACT, but respond. This has taken me a lifetime to get in the groove of but it keeps my heart and mind at peace. It's called emotional maturity or emotional intelligence. Most people lack this, but it's something I pride myself on. 

I have been tested time and time again as of late and I feel that in the eyes of GOD I've passed. Because he keeps on blessing me with greater options and opportunities. But when I reflect on why ANYONE would want to treat me badly, I remembered that... Hurt People, Hurt People. That's the bottom line. 

So now, I can proceed as I have and will continue to... As a friend, a supporter, and lover of all things that God has created. 

I can now get back on track with my fitness because I did not workout yesterday as planned and I may not go today! Lol! I probably will but I haven't decided! Just going with the flow of energy! 

My only request is that YOU ALL attempt to treat people with some care. You never know what someone is experiencing. And if you are one that believes in God, ask yourself if this is how He would handle this or how He would have me say this before proceeding. 

Please and thank you! 

And to the MANY people that attempted to Rock my week with negativity... Thank you, but no thank you. However, I love you and will continue to do so with no hesitation. That is just how it is.