The Open Boat

Training
761

Nikki: Thanks. I like the word swift! And I’m on the mend. So, I’m hopeful I’ll start feeling the running again soon.

Kimba: The hip, while improving, still lingers as a soft spot. It ended up bothering me quite a bit on Sunday night. So, I still think I need to back off more. I don’t like it, but the real game is to stay in the game.

Alexus: Yes, I’m at a loss as to how to fix my bent legs right now. Skill training is so hard without constant feedback. All I can do is keep taping, watching, and trying. I suspect it just takes time.

Hi brute and thanks for watching.
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Training

I’m taking a bit of a forced deload. I didn’t do my MP or my pullups last week because I was having some weird right shoulder pain. Added to my now seemingly chronic left hip pain, I’m not feeling how I want to be feeling. I want to feel strong and athletic, instead I feel infirm. Because I have no interest in sacrificing joint health for a PR, I’m warming the bench. No running, no lifting until the weekend at the earliest. The only thing I’m not giving up is gymnastics, which is kinda funny since it is the most likely source of my pain.

Anyway, the plan this week is to focus on diet.

I’m a junk food junkie, and most of my calories are empty. So, I’m doing the no junk food diet btw the hours of 6 am and 6 pm, M-F. I know that sounds really lame. But, I need to start somewhere and if I get to crazy with it, I won’t do it. And, I think I can do this. The point is to force me to increase my consumption of real food. I want to train hard, I figure I better start feeding my body something it can use. So far the hardest part is giving up the diet soda. But, that had to go because I won’t drink water otherwise.

I hoping that if I give my body a little rest, some water and proper nutrition–maybe it will stop breaking itself to get my attention. You hear that body–I’m fucking on to your games. I miss the good ole days when I could have pretzles, cookies, and a big gulp for lunch. Today it’s chicken, a spinach salad, and some green tea.

762

Nadia, it sounds like you and I are in a similar place. Its rained here the past two days and I’m HAPPY because I’m not tempted to run when a few extra days of rest are really what is called for.

Agreed: the real game is to stay in the game. Why is this so hard to accept???

I did not realize that your diet sucked so bad. You are doing the right thing by starting to clean that up. Trust me when I say that the option to eat crap is rapidly leaving the forty-plus building.

Drinking only water and green tea is a relatively painless way to start. Eating a good breakfast (I eat oatmeal with protein powder, cinnamon, a banana and slivered almonds) gets you off to a good start. Work on jettisoning the white flour and sugar at lunch. Try a salad with some lean protein and a piece of fruit for dessert to deal with sugar cravings. Once you make up your mind that crappy food is not YOUR FOOD, then this style of eating becomes pretty effortless.

Good luck.

763

Best of luck on the dietary changes. I really think that you’ve got the right line of thinking going regarding your body not breaking down if you give it proper rest and nourishment. Do you take any supplements? Stuff to support joint health and reduce inflammation would be a great addition. Honestly, cutting out the sugar, flour, etc. goes a long way too. Great thing to focus on and also a great example of healthier eating for your kids.

Thanks for the encouragement regarding the gymnastics. There is always a place in your heart for your first love, no? Finding a place in my schedule will be the challenge.

764

I have a few fave words, and swift is one of them too.

Sorry about your forced deload, definetely take care of yourself this week. Stay strong on the dietary changes and get that water in.

765

I’m in the same boat too. My elbow and right shoulder are very cranky (bicep tendons I’m guessing) so I’m laying off things like pull-ups and presses.

Giving up soda is a very good thing. Soda is loaded with phosphorous which is deadly for bone health. And with soda you’re either looking at aspartame (diet soda) which is basically poison, or high fructose corn syrup, which is awful for your body. Water, green tea, even regular tea with milk or coffee are all better choices.
Good luck - I’d never have guessed from your body that you eat junk food but you have to look after the inside as well as the outside. I’m sure it will be appreciative.

766

ya, I’d never guess you were a junky either…
(a food junky!)

Takes some getting used to, but your smart not to go the all out, crazy, OMG I’m on a diet!! way of doing it…

subtle small changes will be good…I bet your kiddos will take notice as well.

767

Kimba: Your post made me laugh–“the option to eat crap…” And I appreciate the advice and encouragement–change is hard–I can’t imagine eating real food will ever be effortless. What is easier and more convenient than eating out of a vending machine? Sigh.

Veggie: I don’t take any supplements. Maybe I’ll add some in over time. And yes, gymnastics was my first love too. And it’s been both a frustrating and rewarding journey back to it. I understand the time problem-it’s a hard (if not impossible) sport to dabble in.

Nikki: Will do!

Cal: I know the soda is terrible–at least in the amounts that I was drinking it. I’m actually surprised that I’ve been successful at cutting it out over the past 2+ days. I had one of those not enough caffeine inspired headaches yesterday, but I’m otherwise doing better than expected.

Mim: I’m hoping to make some permanent changes to my diet. And I figured it was best to go slowly. I’ve been lucky that weight hasn’t really been an issue for me–at least it doesn’t fluctuate much. As a result, I’m not motivated to eat better for aesthetic reasons. I am motivated to eat better if it is going to allow me to perform better at the thinks I love doing–running, lifting and gymnastics. I’m hopeful it will. I mean it has to.

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It’s been one of those days where I’ve been a step behind where I needed to be at every moment. But, I did take the time to pack my lunch today. But then, because I was late for my 9 am meeting, I forgot to put it in the fridge when I got to work. It’s almost 2 now. My chicken is now warm and nasty and my salad is worse for wear. I accelerated the demise of my should have been refridgerated cold items by packing them with some hot oatmeal–which was supposed to be my late afternoon I need something sweet treat. Crap. Oh, well at least the oatmeal is still good.

768

Nadia, some days are like that. Tomorrow will be better, or at least different.

769

changing long established habits is lilke switching gears on an old rusty car. Use google to browse easy recipes. Inspire yourself with some fresh herbs and spices. Cooking can be simply adding a little curry to your chicken breast before throwing it in the oven.

I always carry almonds and protein powder for those oupsy moments or hunger attacks.

quick eatings:
1- plain yogourt, a dallop of sugar free jam, a sprinkle of quick cook oates for texture
2- canned tuna mixed with salsa, alone spread over whole wheat bread
3- cottage cheese and anything - jam, choco protein powder…
5- salads with a variety of canned fished or chicken - balsamic always makes a nice dressing
6- whole wheat couscous makes a great quick carb either eaten cold as a salad or warm as a side. I love chicken with cousous. for extra healthy use quinoa
7- I keep a bag of frozen broccoli for when I run out of fresh veg.
8-eggs, eggs and eggs. Can be hardboiled and eaten cold as a snack, thrown in a salad for extra protein, an omelette…

How do I manage this day in and day out? I use the 80% rule. If 6 of my breakfasts consists of oates and protein and fruit than once in a while if I have a hunkering for a simple peanut butter toast I let myself eat it and make sure I have plenty of protein in my other meals. If most of my breakfasts and all of my lunches are good than there is no harm in a couple of restaurant suppers a week. (I usually eat out once or twice) and I totally eat for pleasure. I keep some 55% chocolate in the house which I eat after workouts. And I’m big on a little wine and beer so a couple nights a week I treat myself to 1 beer or a couple of glasses a wine.

Once in a blue moon I hit diet mode and that simply means no alchool - or much less. and less carbs before bed. smaller portions in a few cases. But the changes aren’t that drastic and I usually make it to my goal.
You will find that when you get that balance, some of the bad food will starts tasting awful and others will become incredibly rewarding.

I just realized how long my repsonse was. I’m just a big fan of eating good food and I know for a fact it does not have to be complicated or time consuming. I make most of my meals in 5 minutes.

770

Good luck on changing up your diet. it sounds like you are going about it the right way. I have a taste for junk food as well, but I find if I don’t keep it in the house I’m good. It’s all of the baking that comes in at work that gets me from time to time.

771

Ah the amount of times I did things like that. When I went to school the next town over, I had to pack and eat stuff right out of my lunchbox, no refrigerator.

I find it fun though. Carrying water with me, eating out of my bag rather than fast food, thinking about macros and planning… it’s a harder lifestyle than others, but definetely more rewarding. Guess my fascination with this makes me good at my job.

I hope today was an easier cleaner eating day for you.

772

I greatly appreciate the support everyone and the advice on my new efforts at improved eating! It’s good to know that eating healthy–for those who do it regularly–is effortless. It’s certainly not that for me…yet. I’ve been pretty good. Probably need to eat more though. I had one diet coke tonight, but have otherwise been damn good.

It was one of those days–aka “collect call Thursday.” The day when my incarcerated clients get to call me. Today, I talked to an arsonist, a methamphetamine dealer, two sex offenders, a burglar, a rackateer (this is new crime for me), and the list goes on…it was a long, long day. Then, I came home to kid drama.

I think I used to write about my training. I’m still not doing much of that. Shoulder is good. Hip is still a bother. Gymnastics yesterday. Same shit. But, there was a fitness competitor there with the absolute worst boob job I have ever seen. I seriously hope she filed a malpractice claim against her doc because the size and shape were disfiguring.

I was going to do something today, but then didn’t. Friday is the absolute last day that I have permission to sit on my ass. I don’t want to write about food or work or my kids. I want to type PRPRPRPRPRP. Soon.

773

one thing i find really helpful for transitioning off soda is a soda stream or whatever contraption that will carbonate water for you. then you can add a little lemon juice or lime juice or blackcurrent juice (really doesn’t need much) to give it a bit of flavor. fresh mint works well, too, if you can grow or otherwise get some. i don’t have a soda stream at present but am finding that just adding a squeeze or two of lemon or lime juice (i get stuff that is relatively pure and comes in a bottle) really helps increase my water intake.

sorry to hear that you are feeling beat up. fish oil might be worth a shot. i simply can’t believe the difference that el cheapo fish oil is making for my joints ($5 for 120 capsules taking 4 per day).

774

What? No murderers? And only one day? You’ve got it cushy, my friend. :wink:

I hope you are formulating a plan for the hip. Its been awhile and its still a bother. Might be time to get some help with that.

775

[quote]
I don’t want to write about food or work or my kids.[/quote]

I hear ya. Well, except the kids part. But I’m the kid that my mom won’t want to write about either heehee

Take it easy, we don’t need to hear about diet or training. We just like when you’re here <3

776

Kombucha.

It will take the place of soda.

Hang in there. Sounds like you have a bit of a mental struggle going on.

And I know all about kid drama. As well as husband drama. Drama sucks.

777

Alexus: Yes, I miss the bubbles! A soda stream sounds grand. And you’re right, I should add in some fish oil. It’s just such a gross concept.

Kimba: Only one murderer. She doesn’t call; she writes. And I know I’m lucky to have boundaries on when my clients can call–it certainly allows for greater productivity. And the hip is getting better–I can hit my preferred sexual position without pain–I think it’s just that last little bit of healing that needs to occur.

Nikki: Thanks. I’m sure your mom is very proud of you. With your drive and level of commitment to your goals–how could she not be? My kids are great. Yesterday, I was managing hurt feelings–it hurts when your peers laugh at you.

Snap: Thanks for the soda substitute suggestion–I’ll look in to that. And yes, I’m definitely struggling some, but I’m okay. I’ve decided to quit the BBB training template. This has been a difficult decision for me, because I’ve been making progress and don’t want to disrupt that. But, I’m hoping backing off the volume will help me balance my activities better and reduce the likelihood of a serious over use injury.

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Training–5-5-5 Bench

Bench
barx10
65x5
75x5
82.5x5
92.5x5

Pull ups
5 sets of 9. (shitty reps–chin barely up over the bar, came incredibly close to failing on that last set, and rested a lot btw sets. )
5 sets of 5 (I actually only got 4.5 on my last set, but (unlike Nikki) I’m rounding that fucker up and erasing the miss from my mind).

Rows
Having worked to failure on my PUs; I had shit left for my rowing and thus did shitty.

barx10
65x5
75x5
85x5

778

you are not supposed to put the fish oil in the carbonated water.

:slight_smile:

get the capsules (the liquid is gross). don’t smell them. ever.

779

Alexus: Good to know. Fishoil faux soda is too way to hard core for me.

Training:

Running: 4 miles. Pace 9:30. Hip managed.

Gymnastics:

Lot’s of stretching. Back and shoulder flexibility still needs improvement, but improving.

handstands x5
Straddle L hold x6 (I have a ton of work to do here if I’m going to press from here)
Straddle stand to press w/ assistance x10
Backhandsprings x 10 (still a little fearful of these).

780

I just take fish oil capsules, 1 gram, equal parts of EHA and DPA, don’t know what else crap they want to put in a cap. I never taste it either. And I’m picky about pills, I stopped my last thermogenics because I’ll burp up some fruit flavor. Nasty.

I’m also very disappointed that peers laughed at you. Some people don’t grow up, I’m sorry.

Yay for rounding up! Halves do feel like a whole rep, so hey, I ain’t mad at cha.

Bench looks strong, great training.