Thursday, March 27, 2014

Thursday Part 2

Got a quick workout this afternoon. I was still waiting for my Jeep to be inspected, so I waited for Zim to get home to go to the gym. I got about 35 minutes in. Here goes:

1/4 mile warm-up jog

Seated chest press (35,35)
Lat pull-down (50,50)
REPEAT
Leg extension machine (80,90)

Tricep pull-down (30,30)
Seated overhead shoulder press (40,40)
REPEAT
Calf raises (120,140,160)

Upright row (15,15)
Curl/hammers (15,15)
Body squats
Lunges
REPEAT

Finish w/ 1/2 mile on elliptical or 6 minutes

Cool down 

Reps: 10, 8

Playlist: American Distress

Baseball Right Around the Corner

Almost that time of year again. The crack of the bat, vendor's yelling "popcorn", and that cool summer breeze blowing through as you sip your beer. Yes, baseball starts on Monday. I'm excited. I'm hoping to maybe make it to one Phillies game in April and one more at the end of September. I just love sitting at the ballpark taking in all the atmosphere. Though my hopes for the Phillies making the playoffs are quite close to nil, I still enjoy going to the games. I figure they'll be close to a wild card spot to keep folks paying attention to them into the beginning of August, but ultimately be about 6 games out. I would REALLY hope to be wrong, but this year's team is old and mediocre. We shall see.

I've had a pretty busy week thus far. I had to take my glucose test, visited my Grandma for her 90th birthday, and today getting my car inspected. Zim's been busy with the nursery, and is getting ready to paint this weekend. About a half hour ago, I just received an email saying the baby furniture is ready to get picked up or shipped. So things are busy, but getting done.

Workouts are still getting squeezed in and I'm still feeling energetic. Here goes:

Monday: 
5 minute warm-up

Lawnmowers
In & out bicep
Medicine ball tricep press (9lb)
Push-ups

Back fly
Hammer/curls
Dips (20,10)
Push-ups

Shoulder press
Concentration curls
Tricep kickback
Push-ups

Upright row
Static arm curls
Standing tricep band press
Push-ups

REPEAT

1 mile jog (it was damn COLD)
Cool down 

Weights: 15lbs Reps: 10,8 Push-ups: 2, 1

Playlist: Morning Glory

Tuesday:
5 minute warm-up

Lunges
Body squats
Power knee 
Calf raises (40lb)
Side kicks
Side lunges
Tip toe lunges
Elbow to knee
Step back lunges
Calf squats
Front kicks
Back kicks

Planks

REPEAT

Finish with 1 round shadow boxing, 1 round heavy bag

Planks: 30 sec, 20 sec Reps: 10,8

Playlist: InDK

Sunday, March 23, 2014

Spring Time?

Still pretty chilly for spring, and a chance of a little snow come Wednesday. I've been keeping busy between work, getting ready for the baby, and the workouts. Zim and I got to go out for a bit last night for a farewell party for a friend of ours that's moving to Texas for a couple of years. It was fun. We got to see a bunch of people we haven't seen in a while. Good times.

This week is going to be pretty full, but I'm glad I'm getting things done. I have a hospital tour today, glucose test Tuesday, and I'm getting my car inspected Thursday. Zim has pretty much finished clearing out the baby's room and wants to start painting this week or next weekend. I have the baby furniture already ordered, we're just waiting for it to get shipped and delivered. Happy we're getting the main stuff done kinda early.

And yes, the workouts. I'm still getting them in 5 days a week. And I'm happy I still can at 27 weeks. Here's my workout week wrap-up:

Tuesday: I worked out a little earlier, coz I was meeting my mom at Babies R Us. VERY pleased that I got it in. I had no idea that we'd be at the store for almost 3 hours. Ridiculous. Very nice people there, just no one but the manager knowing how to order furniture. At least it's DONE. Until I get shipped the wrong stuff. I wouldn't be surprised. ANYWAYS...legs.

5 minute warm-up

Lunges
Power knee
Side lunges
Tip toe lunges
Body squats
Calf raises (40lb)
Side kicks
Step back lunges
Elbow to knee
Calf squats
Front kicks
Back kicks

Plank

REPEAT 

1 round shadow boxing, 1 round heavy bag.

Cool down 

Reps: 10, 8 Planks: 30 sec, 20 sec.

Thursday: Total body gym day.

1/4 mile jog on the indoor track.

Lat pull-down (50lb, 50)
Seated shoulder press (35,35)
REPEAT
Seated leg flexion (80,90)

Seated chest press (35,35)
Standing tricep pull-down (30,30)
REPEAT
Calf raises (120,140,160)

Upright row (dumbbells 15,15)
Curls/hammers (15,15)
Body squats 
Elbow to knee
REPEAT

1 mile on the elliptical (about 12 minutes)

Cool down 

Reps: 10,8

Saturday: Beautiful day for a run. Upper 50s/low 60s and sunny. There was a bit of wind, but it wasn't too bad. I started running on the trail but got mixed in around the same pace with 3 other runners, and a little girl on a bike. So, I only had patience for about a 1/2 mile then turned around to run on the road part of the trail. Glad I did coz I got to see that they cleared out the grass part of the trail and put a new bridge in. Never really ran back there coz I encountered 2 water snakes. I'm fine with snakes, but ones near the water and out in the woods scare the crap outta me. Zim had a couple ball pythons, so they don't really bother me. They were behind glass though. ANYWAYS...I got about 2 and 1/2 miles in under 27 minutes. I averaged a 10:49 mile. I felt good, no side stitch or anything. My legs felt heavy though. That's the 20 extra pounds I'm carrying around. 

Sunday: Nice chilly walk. My legs are a little sore, so I took it easy and took a walk with Zim around the neighborhood for a little over a 1/2 hour. 

Now I'm off to make some lunch and MAYBE get a quick little nap in before this hospital tour. Happy Sunday!

Monday, March 17, 2014

Snowy St. Patrick's Day

Mother Nature sent us hopefully one last snow for the winter. We got 1, maybe 2 inches. And I'm totally fine with that. Temperatures in the next few days are supposed to get into the 50s, so we'll get to see the grass again soon. It's a little cold out there now, temps in the low 30s, so no outside running for me. All the roads are clear, but I'm not taking chances on hitting some black ice. 

I'm hoping the snow keeps away the drunks this afternoon. I work next to an Irish/Scottish bar, so work might be a little nutty today for me. And there's not enough parking there. They have a valet service to try to accommodate drivers. So people are always trying to illegally park in our lot. We barely have any parking spots to begin with. It's just a pain in the ass. Then there's the littering, vomitting irate drunks complaining about cigarette prices, the normal St. Patty's Day antics. Yeah, I'm not looking forward to work.

Oh stress relief! Running, hitting the heavybag, all that fun stuff. Here's my workouts for yesterday and today:

Sunday: After that quick pace on my Saturday run, I wanted to take it easy, so I went for a walk. I walked around the main drag on my town which is full of little stores, coffee shops, the old movie theater (the theater was in the original Blob movie), and restaurants. It wasn't the warmest out, but it was pretty nice in the sun. I walked around town for a little over a half hour, then met up with my buddy Lou for some decaf coffee and an apple scone at my favorite coffee joint, Artisan's Cafe. It was a pretty enjoyable Sunday workout.

Monday: Upper body inside workout. More of the same.

5 minute warm-up

Lawnmowers
In & out biceps
Medicine ball tricep press
Push-ups

Shoulder press
In & out hammers
Tricep kickback 
Push-ups

Back fly
Curl/hammers
Dips (20,10)
Push-ups

Upright row
Static arm curl
Standing Tricep band row
Push-ups

REPEAT

Finish with 1 round shadow boxing, 1 round heavybag, 1 minute running in place.

Weights: 15lb, medicine ball 9lb. Reps: 10, 8. Push-ups: 2,1.

Playlist: Falcon, Coke Bust, The Everymen

Have a beer for me today for St. Patty's Day!



Saturday, March 15, 2014

Quick Saturday Rundown

I decided to post a quick update while sitting on the couch watching "Friday Night Tykes" on TV with Zim. Yup, livin' it up on a Saturday night! We did go earlier to the season home opener Philadelphia Union match. They won 1-0, and we got to talk to some old faces which was real nice. Anyways, here was my last two workouts:

Thursday: Total body

1/4 mile jog warm-up/stretch

Seated lat pull-down (50,50)
Seated shoulder press (30,30)
REPEAT
Weighted calf raise (120,140,160)

Seated chest press (35,30)
Standing tricep pull-down
REPEAT
Leg flexion machine (80,90)

Upright row (15,15)
Curl/hammer (15,15)
Body squats 
Elbow to knee
REPEAT

1/2 mile on the elliptical 

Stretch

Playlist: Everymen

Saturday: Outdoor run/jog
Beautiful out today! Sunny, temps in the 60s, but a bit windy. The trails around me are finally snow and ice free. So I put on the good running sneakers and hit the paved trail around 11am. The trail was a little busy with bikers, dog walkers, and other runners, so you had to be on your toes. It was nice to run on a clear, dry, and level trail. I ran 2 and 1/2 miles in around 26 minutes. I was kinda surprised at my time, 10:25 average a mile. At times picked up the pace to pass some walkers and dog walkers, but I never felt I was pushing it. A little over a mile in, I got a slight side cramp for a minute or two and I slowed down quite a bit, and felt better. I also felt like I had to pee, but that's pretty normal these days. Overall, very happy with my time and run. It was the first time I saw my time and thought it was a little too fast. Kinda weird. But I'm feeling good and the little one is kicking away. 

Cheers!

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Finally A Warm-Up, Well...

...with except of Wednesday. The temp is supposed to drop and get below freezing. And there's a chance of freezing rain or light snow. The rest of the week 40s and 50s. Winter is just grasping on by the nails. I'll take it though!

I have a bunch of stuff to get done this month, so I'm whittling away at the list slowly but surely. Car inspection, taking kitty to the vet, finding a pediatrician, getting my glasses fixed, furniture....the list goes on. I also got some bad news about an old friend of mine that lives in Montana. While cleaning his gun he accidently shot and killed himself. 37 years old. Such a shame. My best girlfriend had a baby with him and he's been more or less estranged from his daughter in the past 17 years. It's a long story, but I feel awful for his daughter. At least she got to know him a little and spoke to him for a while, just never face to face since she was a baby. Wish things could have worked out differently.

So workout time feels even better. It gets my mind off things and has been a great stress reliever. I like having "me" time, then again who doesn't! Here goes:

5 minute warm-up

Upright rows
Concentration curls
Overhead medicine ball press (9lbs)
Push-ups

Seated back fly
Curl/hammers
Dips (20,10)
Push-ups

Shoulder press
In & out hammers
Tricep kickback 
Push-ups

Lawnmowers
Static arm curls
Standing tricep band press
Push-ups

Plank

REPEAT

Finish with a mile run. (Right at 11 minutes) Stretch.

Weights: 15lbs Reps: 10,8  Push-ups: 2,1 Plank: 30 secs, 20 secs.

Tuesday: Legs

5 minute warm-up

Side lunges
Regular lunges
Power knee 
Body squats
Calf raises
Side Kicks
Step back lunges
Elbow to knee
Calf squats
Tip toe lunges
Front kicks
Back kicks

1 minute run in place.

REPEAT

1 round shadow boxing. 1 round on the heavybag.

Stretch.

DONE.

Sunday, March 9, 2014

Weekend Almost Over

Tonight I'm going sleep pretty well after losing an hour and only taking a half hour nap. Be nice to have that extra daylight though! The weekend was quite nice here. Yesterday it was around 55, and today it was around 40 degrees. Not too shabby. I did manage to get outside for a run today, which felt great! Here's the last 3 workouts:

Thursday: gym day before the doctor's appointment.

1/4 mile jog warm-up

Lat pull-down (50,50)
Seated chest press (30,30)
REPEAT

Calf raise (120,140,160)

Seated overhead press (30,30)
Tricep pull-down (30,30)
REPEAT

Leg Flexion machine (80,90)

Bench lawnmowers (15,15)
Curl/hammers (15,15)
REPEAT

Body squats (10,8)
Elbow to knee (10,8)
REPEAT

1 mile on the elliptical 

DONE

Saturday: 35 minutes on the elliptical

Sunday: Outside run on the trail (paved)! The trail was still ice covered in spots, but I turned around before it got too dicey. Not worth it. I started off with a 2 minute walk, then went into a jog. I did 2.3 miles in a little over 25 minutes, and cooled down with a 2 minute walk to my car. Really felt good. My runkeeper app on my phone have me at a 10:54 mile. Pretty happy about that! It's my first mile plus run in months. 

Still feeling pretty well with good energy levels. The doctor's appointment went well. Apparently I put on 7 pounds last month, so the doc told me to slow the eating down. "Who you callin' fat, lady?" I thought in my head. I've gained already 22 pounds. I was a little surprised coz I really haven't been eating awful or totally chowing down. And I'm still working out 5 days a week. I guess I'll have to pick up more apples instead of that Easter candy. I know they're just looking out for my health.

I did get to go to a concert on Thursday in Philly to see the band Lawrence Arms. They're a punk band that's been around since the late '90s from Chicago. I drug Zim out with me on a weeknight which is pretty rare. We had a bunch of fun, and I'm happy I got to see them live. They put on a good show. This will probably be one of my last shows for a little while. There's a possibility I might see a friend of Zim's play a local venue on Tuesday. We'll see.

Cheers!

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Taco Tuesday

I really did have tacos today. They were pretty damn delicious. Well received after a Babies R Us trip with my mom and sister. My sister is throwing me a shower in May, so it was time to get the ball rolling. It was a bit overwhelming but my sister was a big help. I'm sure everything will go fine. Zim and I just have to get our butts in gear in getting the room ready. But we have time. Famous last words right? Haha.

I got my workouts in today and yesterday. Such a great stress reliever for today. Here goes:

Monday: upper body

5 minute warm-up

Lawnmowers
In & out biceps
Overhead medicine ball (9lbs)
Push-ups

Seated shoulder fly
Curl/hammers
Dips (20,10)
Push-ups

Shoulder press
In & out hammers
Tricep kickbacks 
Push-ups

Upright row
Concentration curls
Band tricep row
Push-ups

REPEAT

1 round shadow boxing, 1 round heavy bag.
Weights: 15lbs Reps: 10, 8 Push-ups: 2,1

DONE

Tuesday: Legs

5 minute warm-up

Calf squat
Lunges
Power knee 
Calf raises (20lbs)
Body squats
Step back lunges
Elbow to knee
Side lunges
Front Kicks
Tip toe lunges
Side kicks 
Back kicks

REPEAT

Finish with a 1 mile outside run. 

DONE! 

Playlist: Lawrence Arms 

Sunday, March 2, 2014

Oscar Night

To start off, I got in two trips to the gym this weekend, both over a half hour on the elliptical. I averaged 3 plus miles both days. Today the gym was pretty busy. People all trying to get their workouts in before the impending snow storm arrives. Yes, more snow. It never ends!!

Now to my Oscar picks:

Best Picture: "Gravity", though I wouldn't be surprised at "12 Years a Slave" won it as well. My personal pick is "American Hustle". I've seen all the movies except for Gravity, Captain Phillips, Philomena, and Wolf of Wall Street. 5 outta 9 isn't too bad though.

Best Actor: Pretty tough. Matthew McConaughey, I presume. He was excellent. My personal pick is Christian Bale this year.

Best Actress: I'm lost here. I only saw one of the movies in this category. I think it's going to be Cate Blanchett though.

Best Supporting Actor: Hands down, Jared Leto.

Best Supporting Actress: Another tough one. Lupita Nyong'o, I think will get it. My fave, June Squibb. I have no idea how Jennifer Lawrence got nominated. She was good in American Hustle, but she was barely in it. 

Best Director: So many good films this year! It will go to Alfonso CuarĂ³n or Steve McQueen. I honestly don't know, but I'm personally leaning my pick towards David O. Russell.