Cube Method - week Seven

Training Log - The Cube Method

Preparing for BATTLE...
my Journey in Powerlifting

WEEK SEVEN


(as previously stated)  My weights are based off my max lifts, whether they be in the gym or in training.
Squat - 185
Bench - 105
Deadlift - 240


Week 7


Week 1 - find it here.. Cube method - Week one
Week 2 - found here...   Cube Method - week two
Week 3 - found here... Cube method - Week Three
Week 4 - here...  Cube Method - Week Four
Week 5 - HERE... Cube Method - Week Five
Week 6 - found here.... Cube Method - week six

I'm feeling pretty good in my training these days... I have refused to try to TOUCH any singles on the bench for weeks now... Some days it's INSANELY irritating... but my overhead press and my incline DB press is getting bigger... so HOW could I NOT increase on bench?!  Right??  I mean, it makes sense in theory... but for some reason, my bench continues to defy any rationality in reasoning whatsoever!!!
So I just keep pushing on!!!
Squats and deadlifts are coming up little by little, so I'm still making progress overall.
And darnit  - that bench WILL come along!

So here we go.........

Heavy squats

Foam rolling/stretching
Band pull aparts 100

*After playing in the squat suit last week, and it being heavy night, I decided to get back in the suit.  But I did my raw work sets first before going real heavy in the suit.*
Squat - 1 @ 90% (155#); 1 @ 92.5% (160#); 1 @ 95% (165) All without knee wraps!
 MAX EFFORT  1 x 185!!! (with knee wraps!)
*this is the first time I have hit 185 raw since working out at Berea with Lilly... this rep was MUCH needed for my mentality in training!*
{Into squat suit here}   1 x 185, 1 x 205
I was then instructed on my squat form.  I'm not sitting back enough... my legs are not staying upright enough... knees not pushing out enough... etc. etc. etc.
{Off with the squat suit}
I then proceeded to do BOX SQUATS for 1 MILLION reps trying to get improved form....
blahhhhhhhhhh boring 135 box squats!!
I did (I hope) eventually start sitting back a bit more... but I struggle so much with this... it just doesn't feel natural to me... I feel like I'm falling.... and I panic.  GRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
Moved on then to some leg extension   3 x 20
Frustrated... I packed up after that... feeling like my heavy squat night was a BOMB!   even with the 185 squat on the record!

Here is my 205 in gear video   ( I did 225 last week , but shut down this week to work on form )

And HERE is my 185 squat... it's right at parallel, need to work a bit more on depth - but overall - I'm just happy that I FINALLY hit it again!!

Explosive bench
Foam rolling/stretching
Band Pull aparts - 100
*once again - I'm banned from the flat bench.... here's hoping this brings up my bench!*
Incline bench - 45 x 6, 55 x 5, 60 x 5, 65 x 3, 70 x 3, 75 x 3, 80 x 3 (increase my 2 reps to 3 reps this week!)   AND....... 85 x4  *New Rep PR*!!!
Incline DB 3 x15 (20#)
Military 2 x 6, 2 x 8  (45#)
DB shrugs 3 x 15  
Band pull downs 4 x 25
Kroc rows 3 x 8 (35#)

Plank 1 min (45# plate)

Deadlift

Foam rolling/stretching
Band Pull aparts - 100
*we switched over to the Texas Deadlift Bar last week for the remainder of the cycle*
Deadlift - work up... 95x5(conv) x5 (sumo), 135x3(conv) x3(sumo),185x2 (sumo), 205 x 1 (sumo) 1 (conv), 225 x 1 (sumo),  235 x 2 (sumo) *left some in the tank for a PR*.....

**DEADLIFT - 250 x 1 (SUMO)!!!!  whooooo hoooooo  SUMO and ALL TIME PR!!!  **
 This was my goal for the YEAR!!!  Whaaaaaaa??!!
Time to set a new one!!!
Stick a fork in me here!!!  I'm done.  Pack my bag - it gets no better than that!!!  ha ha
kidding!
moving on.......

Dead sumo 145 x 8 x 3
Leg extension 3 x 15
Rows 3 x 8 (75#)
Stiff leg deads - 3 x 8 (95#)

Check out my WAR WOUNDS from some deadlifting!!!!

Here is video of my 235 x 2

and my SUMO and ALL TIME BEST 250 x 1!!

Bodybuilding Night
*We worked out at a different gym tonight to avoid the drive and to get home to watch some CAPO lifting!*
Calf raises - 75
Plate loaded lat pull downs  3 x 15   (45# plates)
Bicep curls 3 x 20
Tricep skull crushers  3 x 10
Standing DB military press - 3 x 15 (20#)
Leg press machine - 3 x 5 regular stance, 3 x 5 wide stance.... these were heavy weighted and taken very deep!!

TWO weeks out from our MOCK meet for the Cube.
Feeling pretty good although this week of training doesn't look like that much on paper!
I did hit some PR's - but it looks like my accessory work is lacking.
Better hit it HARD next week!!!!

We also spent some time.... ha ha - more like ALL NIGHT LONG watching CAPO Saturday night into Sunday morning!!!  It was SURREAL to watch so I can ONLY imagine what it was like to be there!!!  BIG shout out and CONGRATULATIONS to all the Juggernauts and Animal Pak boys... but ESPECIALLY our BOY - BRANDON LILLY!!!!  He pulled off a phenomenal 2237 pounds!!!  843/579/815

No man I know has more passion, love, belief and heart about powerlifting than this man!
Congrats LILLY - you earned every pound with blood, sweat, tears and SACRIFICE!!

Cube Method - Week one

Training Log - The Cube Method

Preparing for BATTLE...

my Journey in Powerlifting

I am going to put my work outs up here weekly.  If you could care less about lifting or what I'm doing - feel free to move on - nobody is making you visit or read my journal!  If you are interested, we lift 4 nights a week and do some low intensity cardio a couple of nights a week when possible.

I'm creating this journal and making it public:

#1 - for accountability for me

#2 - to offer encouragement and help to anyone who might need it

#3 - to show that you CAN do anything you put your mind to

and

#4 - to open myself up to any tips/advice/criticism/encouragement that anyone else might have to offer!

So here goes
(I'm a week behind - this is actually 2 weeks ago)

My weights are based off my max lifts, whether they be in the gym or in training.
Squat - 185
Bench - 105
Deadlift - 240

Week 1

Heavy squats
Foam rolling/stretching
Pull aparts - 100
5 sets x 2 reps @ 80%  (140#)
Good Mornings 3 sets x 8 reps (65#)
Leg Extension  3 x 20
Lunges (walking) with small bar (25#)   3 sets x 12 (12 steps per leg)
Band Leg Curls   2 x 50

Explosive bench
Foam rolling/stretching
Pull aparts - 100
Flat bench Press 9 x 3 @ 60%   45 pounds + chains (35 pounds)
Flat bench 1 x 80 pounds + chains   (off a 2 board)
Flat bench 1 x 90 pounds + chains   (off a 3 board)
Incline DB  3 x 15
Standing DB military  3 x 10
Band Pressdown 100
Band fly  3 x 15
Kroc rows 1 x 15 (30#) per arm
Abs - hanging crunch from GHR machine x 30
plank - 1 min

Deadlift
Foam rolling/stretching
Pull aparts - 100
work up to a heavy weight 95x5, 115x5, 135x3, 155x3, 185x1) to 205 x 2
Dead  115 x 10 x 3
Stiff Leg Dead  95 x 8 x 3
Rows 8 x 3
Plank 1 min + 25 plate

Bodybuilding Night
Foam rolling/stretching
Pull aparts - 100
Squat 5 x 5 @ 95 pounds
Calf Raises 75
Military press  10 @ 25#  10@35#   10@45#
Flat Bench 5x5 @ 55#
Bicep   3 x 10
Tricep 2 x 15
Plank   1 min + 25 plate

This week we also did 2 days of low intensity cardio - which consists of 45 mins on a treadmill at a low intensity pace.

Feel free to let me know your thoughts   :)
Hope everyone had a GREAT Fourth - we spent the day INSIDE out of the rain!

Please allow me to introduce myself...

So you follow my blog...

Maybe you know me personally
or maybe you don't?

Maybe you have followed my blog from way back
or maybe you just stumbled upon it today?


Maybe you find me interesting
or maybe you think I'm insane?

Maybe you find me motivational
or maybe you think I'm a terrible person?

Maybe you admire what I do
or maybe you're just nosy and want to keep tabs on me to report to someone else!?

REGARDLESS

Please allow me to introduce myself to those of you who DO care and ARE inspired and WANT to have someone in your life who is POSITIVE and MOTIVATED and INSPIRATIONAL.  

Because THOSE are the things that I strive to do, be 

and inspire in anyone I come into contact with!

My name is Tammy
I am a mom!
I am a girlfriend :)
I am an ultrasound tech and I have credentials!
I am a daughter
I am a sister
I am an aunt
I am a friend
I am a powerlifter!!
 
I have an 18 year old son whom I have raised as a single mother since birth.
He recently graduated high school and is enrolled and ready to go to college.  He is a fine, outstanding, strong, good hearted young man and through the good times and the bad, I'm proud of every moment of being his mother and I'm so excited to see what a successful young man he grows to be in life!

I have worked since the day I turned 16.

I have waited tables, worked retail, worked customer service, worked at a bank, bartended, been an office assistant, been a receptionist, and currently I am a ultrasonographer.
(Man I'm old, and I've worked alot of different jobs!)
I attended college while working; some semesters full time and some part time... some day classes, some night classes and some online.
2 years ago - I left my full time job to attend Sonography school full time.
Once I graduated, I immediately went to work and I LOVE what I do!
It took some time and alot of work and sacrifice to finally get to where I am today!!

I was married once.   For barely over a year.
I am divorced.  I didn't believe in divorce.  I still don't.  And that part of my life is the part I least enjoy talking about.  What began in my mind as a very intentional act of God turned out to be a bunch of smoke and mirrors and left me with alot of questions but plenty of motivation to move on.
So moving on.......


I am now sitting in possibly the best place I have ever been in my life.
I have THE best boyfriend ever; no one has ever respected or treated me or my son any better.
I have raised my son into "adulthood" and he is enrolled and prepared for college and ready to face this world with a strong foundation and a family loving and supporting him and cheering him on.
My parents are good - both my brothers are happily married and I have a couple of great sister-in-laws!
I have the best career I could imagine and work with some pretty incredible people.
I have the best friends that I could ask for and each has a story of how they miraculously came into my life.  One of my best friends recently had a baby boy and another one has a baby girl on the way!  (this means NEW BABIES in my life without ME having to have them!  haha  Aunt Tammy again and again!)

AND

I have a brand new hobby that pushes me and drives me along with making me better today than I was yesterday.
I am healthy.  I eat healthy.  I lift heavy.  I compete.
And I talk about it alot
Because while you are passionate about your hobbies and past times - so am I  - and this is mine!!

On that note, along with trying to provide a place to find strength and motivation to get through this life - I have also decided to share my work out training plans and diet.
While some of you out there might think I'm crazy and think that what I do is impossible, I will show you that it's NOT impossible.  And that you can do absolutely ANYTHING that you put your mind to!

I'm the girl that LOVES to eat... and eat WHATEVER I want... WHENEVER I want... but I have done things over the past year that I never dreamed to be possible!!!
I have done things in my diet (especially over the past 5 weeks!) that I thought people were CRAZY for doing.
And it WORKS!
And all it took was some discipline and DRIVE and a little motivation beginning with B-rad and added by all those out there that inspire me.... Rob Bailey, Dana Linn Bailey, Brandon Lilly, Jesse Burdick, Caitlyn Trout, Dan Green, the Lilliebridges, Jennifer Petrosino, Mark Bell... just to name a few... and of course my work out crew:  my #1 slave driving, don't take less than the best, analyzing, "depth nazi", keeping me in check on mechanics B-rad, Chris "the Body" Flenor, Travis McIntosh, Dustin "HOG" Embry.... and all the others that have come and gone throughout our training cycles.

So I just wanted to take the time to give you a little insight into where I came from, what I'm doing, where I'm going and what's driving me to get there!!!
I will continue sharing life joys, heart breaks and motivational moments with you
But I will also be sharing work-outs and diet tips and advice and recipes and whatever I can that will help anyone out there who is looking to be better tomorrow than you are today!

Glad to meet you all
And feel free to follow me and/or contact me via this blog, facebook (Tammy Green), twitter (tamig30) or Instagram (TAMIG30).

Have a GREAT week!
It's explosive squat night for me!

Butterflies and Hurricanes

It's MEET TIME again!!!

When I started down this road of powerlifting less than a year ago, I had no idea how much it would change me.  Oh some things never change - but when I seriously look back at me THEN and look at me NOW - it really is overwhelming how far I have come and how different I am today.

NOT just in lifting - but in my whole perspective in life.

About me.

About health.

About people that do this religiously.

About ME doing this religiously!!

(I NEVER would have believed that I could actually "FIND" the time to really work out for HOURS.... FOUR days a week!)

It is a new perspective... a new RESPECT

and definitely a new UNDERSTANDING of my body and so much more!!!

I was the girl that thought I could "be careful" about what I eat and maybe hit some cardio every now and again at the gym... and eventually - if I stick to it - I'll have that flat stomach I've always wanted!

I seriously thought that.

And then after a few weeks of what I THEN called clean eating and working out - I would get frustrated that there were no results and eat SEVENTEEN donuts!!  Because it "wasn't going to work anyway"!!

Oh how far I have come and how much I have learned.

Tomorrow will be my second FULL powerlifting meet!

And I am soooooo excited and sooooo nervous at the same time.

I remember my first meet... I was just sick... and absolutely CLUELESS about what I was about to do.  I was more nervous about people watching me than the actual lifts.  I get anxiety getting in front of people.  That STILL hasn't changed.  When I think about tomorrow I am FILLED with butterflies!  It's not even time yet and just talking about it right now has my stomach in knots!  Oh the anxiety!

BUT at the same time..... I feel like there is a hurricane raging inside me waiting to get out!!  And I KNOW once I get there and get in my ZONE - it is SUCH and indescribable adrenaline rush!  And people in powerlifting really aren't there to JUDGE you!  When you step on that platform, all the crowd watching just fades away.  It is just you and the IRON.  And once you attempt your lift, the room is FILLED with people cheering YOU on...... it really drives you to put out to your maximum limits.. and THEN some!!!

I have changed SO much since the last time I competed - I'm SO anxious to unleash this fury and see exactly where I end up.  We have run TWO cycles of  The Cube Method - AND I've been diet training with the world renowned JESSE BURDICK  LOL

I have SERIOUSLY done a NO CARB diet for the past THREE WEEKS!!!!!

NO CARBS

ZERO

SERIOUSLY.

Me.

The girl that LOVES to eat!

AND I went on vacation during that!!!  And came back LIGHTER than when I left for vacation.

YEP - that's right!!!

And trust me - I put away some seafood (AKA protein!) on vacation!

BUT I also worked out 4 days during vacation and continued with NO CARBS!

And it was surprisingly easier than I thought it would be!

(other than on International Donut day.... when the gym PROVIDED donuts for post workout - and my DRILL SERGEANT of a trainer told me NO.... that's it - simply NO!)

So today - I am counting down the hours...  the nerve racking - butterfly filled anxiety hurricane ridden hours....

And I'll drink my coffee.  Just coffee.

And at 6:30 tonight I will weigh in for the competition.  

LIGHTER than I've ever weighed in.

And then I will eat.

Eat like a champion

And prepare for BATTLE!!!

Stay tuned...........

Passion?!! I lift cuz I'm CrAzY!!

 It's something that's missing in almost everyone.
Passion!
No one is passionate about anything anymore... we just float through life letting whatever will be... BE!

Someone recently asked me how I got into power lifting and why?

What changed in me.... what clicked?!

And what my ultimate goal might be?


 
 It reminded me of an episode of Big Bang Theory (THE BEST show on TV!) where Penny gets a little distraught about not being passionate about anything.

I remember thinking that before... answering a question on one of those stupid surveys about your passion? What is your passion or your hobby?
I always thought... Well, I'm a single mother to a boy... My passion is pretty much what his interests include... basketball, baseball, North Carolina Tarheels, etc.
I didn't have TIME for MY passion ( or the money to SHOP... Which lets admit IS my passion! Ha)

Actually, as it turns out, I have learned you have TIME for what you MAKE time for. And I didn't make time for anything else.
Don't get me wrong, I'm still passionate about my child and his passions, but I have time to be passionate about ME too!!!

So, here's where it starts...

I was determined to get back in shape... With my ultimate goal being "to have a 6-pack".
Yep.
Every girl dreams of that flat stomach you had when you were 12! Right?!!
So I joined a gym. With no direction. Cardio was all I knew? I lifted a little before, but I really had no idea what direction to go with that. So I guess my intent was cardio. And maybe a few machines that I could wander over to without feeling stupid????

Insert B-rad!!! ( my little power liftin honey! )

I talked to him about my plan and he suggested some weights. Blahhhhh. I feel stupid. I was afraid. But I followed his direction nonetheless.

I remember walking into his gym that first time with him and all his boys. I remember watching them pick up weights that I just couldn't BELIEVE was possible!!!
I mean, it truly IS crazy to watch!!
BUT.... As cool as it is for them... Still.... Not for me. I just want a flat stomach. No need to be breaking my back and crap!!!

I started with some beginning strength stuff. In other words - I worked on my BOOTY!  I did a LOT of SQUATTING!!! And if you missed my squat blog, check it HERE - for my Mission Impossible.
Quite amusing!!!!

So - come December. My sweet little B-rad convinced me to do a meet. For "fun" he said. Now, MY idea of fun is NOT standing up in front of a room full of people with all eyes on me. In fact the thought of that makes my "private, not for display self" wanna THROW UP!!! But I love him and he wanted so bad for me to share this passion with him. So I agreed to lift.
I was a nervous wreck.
And felt nowhere NEAR strong enough to be competing!!!
It was just a push pull meet. Which means bench first, then deadlift. I benched. And it was ok, but mostly because there were no girls that were "great" on the bench. (NO competition!)  We were all about the same. Then came deadlift. Now going in, I felt pretty OK about my deadlift. I mean I felt stronger than when I started... so ehhhh ... It was ok. And I lifted. My max that day was 205. Which in my mind that day felt pretty good.

THEN.
I want you to know ....
This LITTLE HOOCHIE girl came right up behind me and picked up 300 pounds!!!

It was over.

My mind was blown

And she awakened something in me that I forgot I had!!!  
The desire to win!!!

Sure, now I enjoy lifting and I enjoy knowing I'm getting stronger
It IS my passion!!!
I know it takes time.
And I have to make the time.

But WHY do I do it????

TO CRUSH FACES!!!!

To be different.

To awaken that inner child that wanted to win when I played hide n seek.

To feed that little girl that always wanted to be on the winning team.

To defy the odds.

To prove to myself that I am capable of way more than I believed!!!

To amaze myself

TO COMPETE AND TO WIN!!!

I DON'T WORK OUT - I TRAIN!  

TRAIN TO WIN!!!

I tried to show my son videos and it does nothing for him.
It's not HIS passion.
It is mine!

People may not understand it. And people may get tired of hearing me talk about it.
But everyone has their own niche.
Powerlifting and getting stronger is mine.
I FOUND my passion!!!

As far as a goal goes... I make small goals almost every day... as I progress
I want each lift to be better than the lift before
But ULTIMATELY...
I want to compete.
And I want to win!!!
I want to, first of all, be better than myself!!
I want to prove that I am stronger today than I was yesterday!!!

I know that there is always someone stronger than me somewhere... But I'm gonna do my best and work hard as heck to be stronger every day!!  I strive at every work out to be stronger than I was at the last!

SO - If you have considered getting in shape or working out for whatever reason, don't do it just to check a box. Find a niche. Find your passion!!
It makes it so much better for you, not just physically, but emotionally and mentally when you are actually doing something you ENJOY with a GOAL in mind!
Something should DRIVE you!
Compete.
Compete with yourself and compete with others.  
Crush faces!!!
Find your inner "need to win!"   I bet you forgot it was there!

Someone named Edward made a video featuring one of the (in my opinion) MOST motivational inspiring power lifters that I know out there.
Mr. Brandon Lilly.
Watch this video
If it doesn't touch you or inspire something out of you - you just might be DEAD INSIDE!!!!

Whatever YOUR passion might be - do it with ALL your heart and always try to be better tomorrow than you are today.  Otherwise, what do you have to be passionate about?

NOW - have a GREAT weekend 

and go be passionate about something!!!!!

Circle, Star, Rectangle.... THE CUBE!!!

Remember my blog just a few short days ago....
pre - Berea
pre - mock meet
pre - pushing myself to the EDGE!

Remember how weak I thought I felt!!

Then insert Sunday night.
April 28, 2013!!
And a big fat slap in the face and reminder of just how STRONG I'm getting!!
I am still NOwhere near the level of a lot of girls - But I'm better than I was and THAT is what counts!!  And considering that I have been lifting for less than a year - I could not BE any happier than where I am right now and the drive and motivation and potential I have to get even stronger!!!

I.  Feel.  GOOD!

And The Cube.... ahhhhhhhhh The Cube.
It is brutal!! 
As if I didn't already believe in the Cube Method to start with... the training and it's mixture of strength and body building exercises - but the part I believe FIRMLY in - is the mock meet in 10 weeks.

WHY?
It's just "practice" - It doesn't count because it's not on a platform right??
Well...
Here's my opinion!! (yes - I realize everyone has one...)
For 10 weeks we have beaten ourselves to death!!  Towards the end of the 3rd cycle, even though I knew I had to be stronger (because on Cube you have no choice BUT to get stronger!), I still felt beaten up and weak. 
I think I had some milestones in training along the way - but it was just small things in the gym.   Yes - it was progress... but spread out over 10 weeks its harder to correlate that into real gains.
(or maybe that is just the case in MY head!)

SO - in my opinion - the mock meet at the 10 week mark is the BEST part of this program!!!
It may not be a certified competition - but it sure as HECK should be treated like one.
WHY?  Because THIS is what we work for?  This is why we train.
We don't train for "ego" in the gym... we train to compete.  We train to get better.
We train to CRUSH FACES on the platform.
So by all means, even if you aren't doing a MEET at your 10 week mark, test yourself and TREAT it like a meet... with the same intensity and drive!!!
How else do you know where you stand?

Here is how mine went.

We had previously done a meet in February... my numbers at that meet were as follows:

Squat - 145 (which was already a good PR for me considering when I began lifting the squat was my biggest nemesis.  It took me some time to get comfortable with just squatting with a bar on my back, much less adding weight to it!)
Bench - 90 (this was a 5 pound PR for me... and more evidence that my bench just wasn't moving along like it should - it is/was my definite weak spot)
Deadlift - 225 (deadlift was my favorite lift at this point - I had worked really hard to get here... but I seem to have plateaued here at the 220/225 range)

So I totaled 460 at this meet.  I was shooting for 450 so I was very happy with what I walked away with.

Going into my mock meet after The Cube I was shooting for a 500 total!
But even MORE than that, I wanted to bench 100 so bad I could taste it!!  I have worked and worked and worked and tried and failed at 100 numerous times - so at this point - it was really just taunting me!!

Here are my numbers:

Squat - first attempt 150 (this is already a 5# PR), 2nd attempt 170 (gravy!), final attempt 185 (NAILED it and it was exactly where I was hoping my final lift would be!)

Bench - first attempt 85 (easy opener and I definitely needed the confidence builder here!), 2nd attempt 100 (I was told it 95)  **Also - add into my bench lifts, I happened to be sitting in front of Brandon Lilly. *smile*  He had me change up my stuff a bit and put some leg drive in... which clearly I had been lacking!**  With the changes in form and being PUSHED my Lilly and my guys.... I freaking CRUSHED 100!!!  I seriously thought I was going to cry  (HEY - I AM still a girl..... I'm sensitive!  LOL)   But I wasn't done yet.  They loaded the bar with 105...  I laid back, took in a big breath and Pete Rubished (aka grinded)  my way through 105 too!!!
THIS my friends is WHY I lift and WHAT I live for!!!
Crossing those barriers... doing things my body thought I couldn't do!!  Making gains and proving to myself that I can do just about anything I set my mind to and work towards!!!
((Again..... I could cry.  I have watched that 105 video so many times it's a wonder youtube hasn't crashed.  It amazes me and brings tears to my eyes EVERY dang time!!))

To you it may just be 105 pounds... but to me - it's EVERYTHING!!!!!

Deadlift - first attempt 210 (THIS gave me the 500 total that I was working for!! The rest is just GRAVY!)  Killed it!!!  2nd attempt 230 (this is a 5# PR and it still went up pretty good)  3rd attempt 245 (this has me REAL close to my goal for the YEAR on deadlift of 250!  That will need to be changed!  I failed at 245 but watching the video, I think I just gave up.... I was soooo dang close so I already KNOW I got that 245 next go around!!!

Overall - I went 8/9 on my mock meet AND I totaled 520 which puts me 20 pounds over what my goal was going into this "practice meet"...  AND 60 pounds over what I did just 2.5 months ago!

INSANE!!

Bring on June 15th - I'm going to crush FACES!!!!

I love The Cube (cause it's insane!)

I love Brandon Lilly (for writing, coaching, and for his ETHIC!)

I love my guys (for all their support and encouragement)

AND MY guy in particular (for getting me started and believing in me!)

I love lifting

I love watching and feeling my body get stronger!

I wouldn't trade my sport or this day of lifting for anything in the world right now!

What are you doing in YOUR spare time?!!

Here's my 105 grinded out bench - and my 245 deadlift that SOOOOOO should have come up!!!!
The rest of my videos are on youtube if you want to see them all.    Tammy Green channel.

~My weekend was PRICELESS~

Gas for miles traveled... $100

Alternator and various tools... $218
Snacks and Steak and Shake $35

Me and ALL the guys hitting PR's with Brandon Lilly.....

PRICELESS!!

Monday morning has rolled again once again... I know how everyone dreads them so please allow me to share my weekend with you...
please allow me to share my HIGH!!!!!

It's a BIT long winded - but stick with me..... a lot happened and the humor is well worth it!  HA!!
I thought I was going to DIE!!!
MULTIPLE times!!!

It was yet ANOTHER great adventure.... it's what I live for man!!

(and quite frankly the adrenaline from it is the only thing keeping me alive and awake today!!)

Background:   Remember my story a few weeks ago regarding my battery going dead... at a MAJOR intersection in town??  Well - it did.  Truck just died. Right there at the red light.  I was the first person at the light in the turning lane, imagine how happy everyone behind me was!!!  But alas... long story short - the problem was fixed, entailing a new battery and having my alternator checked FOUR times... at THREE different locations!!!!  I was told the alternator was good and I just needed a new battery.  DONE.  

Good to go.

Now - fast forward to yesterday.  

My battery light has been randomly shining that pretty little red color at me since then.  BUT - in my defense, I do think there is some sort of electrical short in my vehicle because it randomly blinks various lights anyway.  So I didn't put much stock into it.  Well - we had this trip to Berea planned already and Brad suggested we drive something else...... ya know, just in case.  

To be safe.

Me - however - I'm all.... oh I like to drive my own vehicle (I don't ride well with others... car sick!) And I'm all like.... it's fine I'm sure.  It's probably just randomly blinking!

I'm SURE we will be fine!!!!!

{{famous last words}}

So off we went yesterday - to have a day we had ALL been looking forward to soooooo much!!  We were off to Berea to train with Brandon Lilly.  You see.... we have been running "The Cube" training program for the past 10 weeks.  After 10 weeks, you do a "mock meet" and test your maxes for squat, bench AND deadlift.  Being that Brandon wrote this program, we were HONORED to be able to drive to Berea and spend the evening with him letting BRANDON HIMSELF judge our progress!!!

I mean - it doesn't GET much better than that..... although ... me... Ms."hates to be in front of crowds" was a freaking NERVOUS WRECK just pulling out of the driveway!!!  That's with 200 miles and approx 3 hours separating me and Lilly!!!

Nevertheless..... nerves aside.... we headed out.

About 50 miles into our trip........

GUESS WHAT HAPPENED!!!

yes yes yes.... I'm certain that you guessed.....

That pretty little RED battery light popped up on my dash.

No worries - I'm SURE it's just the electrical short... (at least that's how I tried to explain myself out of it!)

But... NO - the volts dropped on the battery gauge and I knew I was in trouble.

We journeyed on and just prayed... I could hit the gas and rev up the RPM's and the light would go off - but as soon as I let out of the gas... on came the light again.

Brad immediately knew my alternator had gone out.

Basically the only thing powering us was my poor little brand new battery.

But we pushed on - and thankfully - the ol' Trailblazer hung in there.

Once we got close to the training location - we pulled into an Advanced Auto and made the purchase.  A new alternator and tools to change it.  (thank goodness I was with FOUR GUYS!!)

And back on the road.  After all - we had weights to lift.

Once we arrived - the alternator was put on the back burner while everyone prepared to set PR's  in front of one of the biggest icons in powerlifting!!!  NO PRESSURE

I was a BALL OF NERVES!!!  ~that's putting it lightly~

Once we got going, and the adrenaline got rushing, and I stopped being STAR STRUCK... I could NOT have asked for a BETTER night OR a better training session!!

Here are my numbers

Squat - 185 (that's a 45 pound PR!)

Bench - 105 (that's a 10 pound PR and  HUGE mental block overcome!!)

Deadlift - 230 (that's a 5 pound PR - I attempted 245 and ALMOST had it... I gave up too soon!!)

So I totaled a 60 pound PR total!!!

I could NOT have been any happier!!
{{I have a blog to come with more details about the actual TRAINING and lifting!!  I have BIG NEWS!!}}

After all was said and done, we ALL hit PR's and all that HARD WORK on The Cube was evident and has clearly paid off!!

Then we packed up to head home... and we remembered... my poor truck sitting by the wayside.

~Let the adventure continue~

We were starving and decided to try to get to a restaurant and hopefully use the light in the parking lot to do our mechanic work.  So we set out..... in the night.... no idea where we are.   Brad searches for a nearby food joint as I navigate noticing the further we drive the lower my volts are getting and the less headlight I have to see!!  We are on a road in the middle of nowhere.  All I could picture was breaking down on the side of the road with NO lights and zombies stumbling up from behind the trees!  (I watch WAY too much TV!)   Or... for all you old folks out there...... it was like a scene from "Unsolved Mysteries".  Seriously... like we could have just disappeared!
Thankfully - we made up to the main road where our directions were telling us to get back on I-75.  Seriously.... with no battery?  On the INTERSTATE!??  As I'm freaking and Brad and I are trying to decide what to do......
ALL the gauges drop and power steering is GONE.  Headlights are out and we are DONE.  Somehow the engine is still going but just enough to get me to the side of the road close to the interstate ramp and just under a street lamp!

Here is where I am thankful for my boys!  They all hopped out and ripped that alternator right out and replaced it with the new one!  And remember we were all writhing in pain here having JUST lifted our guts out.  Plus we were lucky enough for it to be raining!!  (though it was just a drizzle and could have been WAY worse!)  But they were all so willing to jump in there and get me going again.  One more sign of what a great group of guys I work out with.  And please don't let me fail to mention that JOE DIRT stopped to check on us... from the junk yard!  He rolled up in his little 1987 truck with the whirly orange lights on top.  Don't worry - he's getting a light bar to replace those whirlies soon... probably from the junkyard.  He was full of helpful advice and tips - after all, "he doesn't work at the junk yard for nuthin!"  Bless his little heart for stopping though... he was a sweet little man and he didn't have to stop.  He was the epitome of country backwoods, but very sweet and thoughtful of him AND his belt buckle to make sure we were all ok.
And also - if anyone out there is looking for a job - they are looking for some diesel repairman at the junk yard he works at.  "Pays EIGHT BUCKS an hour!!"   Might wanna look into that!!
FUN TIMES!!
Wouldn't trade it for the world!!

Once we were back in business, we headed on to Steak and Shake to get our GRUB on and compare photos and videos from the awesome night we had just experienced.  Then we began heading back home around the midnight hour!!
I love that Monday is my early morning and at midnight I was approximately 3 hours away from home living on PURE ADRENALINE!!

Last night will BY FAR go down as one of my favorite nights ever!!
The Monday after... no so much!!  ha
Actually - it's really not THAT bad....

I think I'm still living off the high...

Until I get off work this afternoon and lay my head down on a pillow.
It's OVER.

The POWERlifting SUPER BOWL!!!!

I went ahead and posted another blog that I had started writing earlier in the week and never posted. What?! It was a crazy busy week!!
But I just re-read it and the sense of aggravation and bi-polarness in the blog is pretty accurate. So I went ahead and posted it - mostly for a base... of what I'm working from today.  If you missed the other one, HERE is pretty much my sentiment for this past week. 

So anyway - coming from there...

TODAY IS THE BIG DAY!!!!!

In a few short hours, we will head up to Berea to work out with one of our favorite power lifters!!  I'm so excited to spend the day/evening with my guys and with Mr. Brandon Lilly
And contrary to the crappy aggravating emotional week I had - I really am excited!!

Today truly is a test.  This training program that we have been running, "The Cube", has been brutal but fun.  It was a good mix up from what we were doing before, and let's be honest... with the new added exercises, there is just no way that we CAN'T be stronger!!!
And we are!
All of us.
And we KNOW that we are before we go in today - but it doesn't make it ANY less nerve racking!!!

so I AM looking forward to today... I'm looking forward to pushing myself and testing myself to put actual numbers to what gains I have made.  But at the same time, I'm also a little bit nervous!!!  :)
Let me put it to you like this...

Say you play an instrument... and you've practiced and practiced for an upcoming recital... or dance... say you dance... and today is the big day.  Your audition for Julliard!!!  You know you've practiced plenty and you know in your heart that you are better today than you were when you started.
Or you play sports?  And you've gone to practice and you've worked out and you feel good about what you have done... and today is the big day.  Your try out for the major league!!!

Well that is what we are doing today essentially... We are auditioning in front of Brandon Lilly!!!  Not FOR anything other than his critiques and betterment of our own lifting.   Nothing is on the line.  We must check the ego at the door before we enter... and truly put our full selves on the line.  We will lift to display our own progress while Brandon watches and judges that it is either a good or bad lift - and gives us feedback as to what we can do to be better.  And stronger!!

And while I'm sooooo excited to spend the day with him... and so thankful for the opportunity for someone of his magnitude to watch my lifts and give me helpful advice..... while I'm thankful and excited and can't wait - I have never been so nervous in my life!!!!!!!
ha ha
(well I'm sure I have, but today, where I sit - I can't remember feeling more nervous!!!)

Regardless....
the week I've had is put in a box. 
And over

Today is about one thing and one thing ONLY!

 My lifts.

Period

Here we come Brandon - READY OR NOT!!!!!!!!!!!

The time has come.. to bury the dead

What do I fear?

I fear stagnation and lack of progress.

I fear never reaching my potential and being average.

I fear being forgotten... The past... Yesterday's news.

I fear giving up and being passed by, going softly into the night.

I fear letting those I love down, or letting myself down.

I fear settling, giving in to the "that's just the way it is" mindset.

I fear dying without leaving my mark.

I fear not feeling these fears anymore and just floating along.

These fears feed me, they nourish my drive.

I love my fear.

It makes me FEARLESS!

The time has come...... to bury the dead  (Thanks ROB BAILEY)
It's MEET TIME!!!!

Last night was our last night of heavy lifting (we still have a body building night Friday) before our day of reckoning...  Our TEST of strength... our " mock" meet. With Lilly. On his turf. Under his jurisdiction.
The greatest test of strength I can imagine.
 Physically.
Emotionally.
Mentally.

(and I'm a freaking NERVOUS wreck... Can you tell yet?!)

But how am I feeling about my lifts!?

Squats
Well... I feel GREAT about my squat! I have PR'ed in the gym since my last meet and I know I'm gonna blow the squat UP come meet time :))
I feel confident. And STRONG!!!
( and I'm glad it's our opening lift!! )
*my previous meet squat max was 145*

Bench
As you know, if you care or follow me AT ALL... It's my scariest lift to come. When I started lifting with the boys, bench was my favorite. It felt good. And natural. But for some reason, as all my other lifts have gotten stronger, my bench seems to have remained stagnant. And uncomfortable.
But thanks to Lilly and many people who are currently running The Cube, I have gotten some great advice. My bench HAS come up... as of today, only 5 pounds. Which IS STILL progress... so I shouldn't complain. Regardless, it IS my weakest link and meet or no meet, PR or no PR, if nothing else, I can at least say - I've learned lots on what to do to build my bench. I'm looking forward to building up my lats and upper back to finally smash a good PR on bench!!
 Kroc rows, lat training, bent over rows and band pull aparts... on the regular. BAM!!!
*my previous meet bench max was 90*

DeadLift
Where do I go with this one?! I don't even know?! I've progressed nicely from the beginning on dead lifts. I like this pull. It's strong. BUT I did experience somewhat of a back injury during this program, which took me completely OUT of heavy deads and then into lighter weight coming back. I did train legs hard while my back was an issue, so I'm just crossing my fingers on this lift that I have at least maintained my level of strength. I feel good about it..
*my previous meet deadlift max was 225*

On top of all the training and back injury, I have started going to the chiropractor!!! (Yay for Magna!!! Thx Dr Hawley and Nikki!!).
My back has never felt so good

So adding together all of the above, the GREAT training program (The Cube), expert advice from Brandon Lilly, great feedback and tips from a great group of people on The Cube Facebook page, a GREAT group of workout partners, support from the BF, my awesome chiropractic family, and all the drive and motivation one female can fit into a body, quite frankly, I don't know how I can fail!!!!!

We will do some body building exercises Friday night. One day next week I will get in my singlet (I retired the unitard! Though this "singlet" is not any less TIGHT!) and hit the gym one night to test my openers. Just to stay loose and help with my jitters!
I'm not an exhibitionist and being in front of people sets my nerves into a spinning whirlwind of tornadoes!!!!
I will meet up with Dr Hawley for one final adjustment and then it's just Hurry Up and wait!!!
Just talking about it already has my stomach in knots!!

I'm excited to lift.

I'm excited to meet Lilly (and crew?)

But mostly I'm excited to know what progress I have made so that I can set my next goals!!!!

.... they try 'n hold me back.... they try 'n hold me back.... they try 'n hold me BACK!!!  *Rob Bailey*

Reflections on my REFLECTIONS

OK - I know I just blogged about this - but please PLEASE let me tell you one more time.... if you are having pain and can't seem to figure out why or figure out how to fix it... give a Chiropractor a chance man!!!  (Magna Chiropractic)
My second visit was just as successful as the first.
And my lifts keep going up!!  I know I've been training The Cube and that's what is SUPPOSED to happen, but after I injured my back, I was afraid I was just going to backslide!
THEY at Magna, got me back on my game!!!
THANK GOODNESS!!
I feel better than ever!

So MY motivation for (late) Monday (now Tuesday) is looking back at some of my goals set for the year and seeing where I stand.

Here is where I posted my goals (not resolutions) for this year.....
REFLECTIONS (this is my previous new years blog)

I just want to point out where I'm at with my weights... and it's JUST March.
These are my goals by YEAR END!!!

My deadlift goal for the year is 250 - I did 225 at my last meet.
(I have faith this is going up at our mock meet with Brandon Lilly - April 21 - even after my injury!)

My squat goal for the year is 180 - I did 155 at the gym Sunday night
(video attached!)

My bench goal for the year is 150 - I'm STILL flirting with 100 right now... grrrrrr!!!
(I'm hoping if I can just BREAK through 100 that it will keep going up from there.... It's MESSING with my HEAD!!)

So anyway - here's my video of my PR squat last night.......  (pay NO attention to that little bobble there at the beginning - I was just checking to see if B-rad was paying attention!  LOL)

feel free to check out my entire youtube channel... ya know - for FUN!  :)

I'm SOOOOOOO proud of that lift!!!

I attribute this lift and all my success to my faithful LOVING boyfriend who is with my every step of the way!!

And my kick butt gym crew.... yelling and pushing and screaming and ENCOURAGING me!!

And most recently....
my friend Kelli for hooking me up with Dr. Hawley

And Dr. Hawley - the best Chiropractor ever

And NIKKI - the best therapist I've ever had!  Ok - yeah - the ONLY one but I just can't imagine that there could be anyone better out there!

AND of course a big HUGE Thank You and shout out to Brandon Lilly for THE CUBE method training, and for his support to all of us running this program - AND as I said before - I thank him first and FOREMOST for sending me straight to the Chiropractor!
THANKS LILLY!!!
Keeping me on track!!!

Have a GREAT week!  :)

Find something you LOVE and CHASE it.....

NEVER.

GIVE.

UP!

(and don't EVER let anyone tell you that you CAN'T!)

You my friend... are a quack!

So - I don't know why - but I, along with lots of others, have had a negative opinion in regard to chiropractic practices.
"Quacks"  
I'm sure you've all heard or used that term!
No specific reason.  No personal horror story.
I don't know if its just from terrible horror stories from the past or what, but upon talking to people, I find this stereotyping to be a common thing.
(Sad)

Well - as I recently shared, I had hurt my back somehow... wasn't sure where the injury occurred, just knew that it hurt.  And I have a pretty high tolerance for pain.... I think so anyway...

But this was something I couldn't tolerate.

So I went to see an MD. I was instructed to take meds and take it easy on the lifting.  Which I did.  And sometimes the pain was better, but mostly it wasn't.
I did Alleve.  I did heating pad.  I did muscle relaxer.  I did a Lidocaine patch on my back!

When I finally asked around, I was then instructed by another power lifter to see a chiropractor. 
AH OHHH...  Do I dare??!!??

As I thought this through - I have a sweet friend that works for a chiropractic office and has for years.  So I immediately contacted her.  She is someone I trust, so I felt good about going this direction.
After she talked to one of the chiropractors there, she instructed me to get a series of x-rays to bring with me to see him.   (Bryan Hawley is his name).
I did so and went for my first visit with him.
I was very at ease after talking to him.  He is very knowledgeable not only about what he does, but about exercise and health in general.
He actually pulled my x-rays up in front of me and went through everything with me.  He explained everything so that I could understand.  And from there he told me what to do and not to do to avoid flaring up the pain.  He did NOT instruct me to stop exercising.  (my favorite part of the visit!  ha)   He did instruct me on things to do in place of other exercises to avoid straining the area of pain.
he explained my plan... or multiple plans actually.   One to get me out of pain and another to fix the exaggerated curvature of my back  (AKA my "granny hump".... OH good Lord we will NOT use that term again!!!)
He did a minor adjustment on my back and sent me on my way....

In a few days I had spoken to my friend and had a plan in place.

So - on Wednesday I went for my first visit.  Upon arrival, he did a minor adjustment on my back and neck again and then sent me over to one of the therapists to work on me.  She was also GREAT.  She laid me on my stomach and stretched out some of my muscles and then WENT TO WORK on that area on my left back that was bothering me.
GUYS....... I've had massages before where they really work on knots in your back (usually caused by stress... which I carry several of)  But she slid her hand ONE time across that area on my back and just by touch, knew that was the area that was hurting me and immediately went to work on that area.
Keep in mind - it's WEDNESDAY and Wednesday night is dead lift night for me in the gym.... I haven't gotten through a dead lift work out in two weeks due to immediate pain when doing those type of lifts.    So I was kinda worried about my lifting plan for that evening.   I had in fact already warned the BF that I would likely be a real bundle of JOY that evening in the gym....   It is VERY frustrating to have a plan laid out for your workout and then not even be able to get through the first exercise due to pain.  Grrrrrrrr
Regardless, I knew getting over this pain would be a process...  so I was trying to have faith.

When I arrived at the gym Wednesday night - I could ALREADY tell a difference in my back.
ONE visit ya'll........ ONE!
and guess what I did.
MY DEADLIFTS!!!!!!!! 
(shhhhh - don't tell!  I'll be in trouble!)
Sure I was a little tender in that area when it was over - but I can't explain the relief that I could
#1 - get through my workout after bombing out two weeks in a row.
And hello - #2 - I had ONE visit to therapy and I could ALREADY tell a difference regarding my pain!!

This treatment plan can't do ANYTHING BUT make me a better lifter.

I am SOOOOOOOO pumped!!!

So I said all of that to say this:

First of all - THIS is what it took for me to get better.  I want to thank Brandon Lilly for recommending and pushing me going to a chiropractor.  (and raving about his own doctors).  I also want to thank Kelli for getting me in and raving about her place of employment and the chiropractor she works with and the staff there.  And generally speaking I want to thank Magna Chiropractic (and recommend them to ANYONE having back problems!).  I especially want to thank Dr. Bryan Hawley.  He has been super understanding and knowledgeable and just good at what he does

Second of all...  if you have ever had bad feelings about Chiropractors or the field, maybe reconsider.   I know we all have heard horror stories.... but this is true about almost everything.  I have heard a million horror stories about MD's too - but I still go to the doctor.  Do some research on your chiropractor.  Make sure he does x-rays prior to doing adjustments.  And if you are local here in Bowling Green, I HIGHLY recommend Magna Chiropractic and specifically Dr. Bryan Hawley

There are no "quacks" in that building  ;-)

And..... Here is their website for those of you who trust me and wanna check it out!!!

www.magnachiro.com

Motivational Monday ~push through~

I've been on an emotional roller coaster for weeks

I've inquired

I've pushed

I've questioned

I've wondered

I've been mad

I've been sad

I've been on the brink of rage

I've been to the point of tears
(OK - there have been TEARS!)

I'm mad

I'm sad

I'm defeated

I'm angered

I'm challenged

I'm determined

I've been working out for 9 months now
And I guess I've really CARED about my lifting for about 3 months
and I've come a LONG way....

I have DEFINITELY grown to love this sport!
I love the challenge
I love the growth
I love the failures and fighting back
I love the wins...
I love the fight
I love everything about it

I'm competitive and although I shouldn't be comparing myself to others, I sometimes do.  And it drives me (and angers me).  But even more than that - I see what I did months ago, weeks ago, and even DAYS ago... and it inspires me to be better than ME!  As long as I am better tomorrow than I am today - I am growing... and THAT makes me happy!

But alas... about 2 weeks ago, I noted a pain my back.

Well - I didn't NOTICE a pain in my back, more like the pain in my back took me to my knees and took my breath away!

OUCH!
(and I'm a TOUGH girl!)

Now remember - I'm a GIRL - in a gym full of BOYS...

I went to pick up a deadlift and about half way up to lock out - my body's immediate reaction to the PAIN that RIPPED through my back was TEARS.  They STREAMED down my face.  I promptly dropped the bar and took my broken self to regroup in the bathroom.  Once I regained my composure - I took my hard-headed self back to the bar... to push through the pain.  There I promptly picked up the bar with the SAME reaction.  Back to the bathroom I went... where if there had been anything other than a sink and toilet in there, I probably would have kicked that something to the south side of Florida!

So disappointed in myself!

I finished out the night with some leg work and maybe a few more loosely held crocodile tears.

Since that night - I have been trying to find out what is going on and why it hurts so bad.

Because #1 - thinking that I can't lift anymore, breaks my spirit (AND that's not an option quite frankly!  So shut up - let's not even SAY that out loud!)
And #2 - thinking that I'm slowly losing deadlift pounds makes those crocodile tears even bigger!

So - my first step was visiting a Sports Medicine doctor.  He told me it's probably just a strained muscle and told me to take 2 Alleve twice a day.  So I did, and the pain slowly lessened... but never completely went away.  And the next week, on deadlift night, I again attempted my lifts... with the same result.  Pain and loss of breath... and maybe some more of those big crocodile "it hurts" tears.  So at this point, I again worked the crap outta my legs and lower back and then talked to a guy who has been lifting for a LONG time and been through alot of stuff himself, and the author of "The Cube", Mr. Brandon Lilly.  He instructed me to get to a chiropractor ASAP.  I promptly got in touch with someone to schedule an appointment (thanks again Kelli if you are reading this!)

The next day I had lots of back xrays done and headed off to the Chiropractor.

He was super nice and went over all my films with me.

He then informed me that first of all - I have scoliosis.  YAY... Cheer {insert SARCASM!}
BLAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

And he also informed me that my spine is a bit twisted.  Again - cheers are heard all around!  NOT!!  We went over several plans where I gladly informed him that I do NOT want to quit lifting... and I have a mock meet with BRANDON LILLY and crew in like.... 6 weeks.  And I need to impress.

Losing my lifts between now and then is not an option.

OH..... so sad!!!

Needless to say - I have been bummed ever since.

I'm still waiting to see what my chiropractic plan will be and I do intend to follow through to hopefully get this pain issue worked out!

But in the meantime, I have spent an excessive amount a small amount of time pouting... I even missed going to the gym Friday night.  Mostly because I worked my BUTT off at my job on Friday and my back was killing me... but I will admit - MOST OF IT part of it was a tiny wee bit of being POUTY about not being able to do my work like normal....

During all this pain and questioning, I have definitely fallen victim to a bit of frustration... and self loathing... and being disappointed in myself.  I've spent WAY too much time reading what OTHER girls are doing and seeing what they look like and comparing myself to all of them.  WAY too much time!!!  Girls that have been lifting longer than me... girls with more experience than me....

And I have reacted by eating horribly... and pouting... burning up some Ben & Jerry's and Mt Dews!!  {typical girl reaction!}

Then I look at how I've reacted and it makes me even MORE depressed about where I am right now.
So disappointed in me!!

So - as of today - NO MORE!

I intend to go to the chiropractor and work on what's wrong.
I'm still going to go to the gym like always and do everything I can still do without hurting myself!
I will hold out faith that my hard work will keep my strength so that while my back is healing, I don't lose all the strength I have worked so hard to gain...

AND.....
for those of you who know me.....
and know how I like to eat - and how I hate CARDIO...
I'm biting the bullet.

As of today - I will begin a cardio routine along with my lifting.
And I will be more conscious of my eating habits.

NO

MORE

POUTING

When there is a roadblock on one road... you must regroup, refocus and work on what you CAN work on rather than sitting at the road block pouting about not being able to go through.

There is ALWAYS work to be done...
And there is ALWAYS positive to focus on to feed you to push through the negative.  You just have to choose where your focus lies!

Every day comes with the opportunity to start again with a fresh look.
Today - I begin again.

New focus and even BIGGER goals.
Push through the negative and you will ALWAYS come out stronger in the end.

~ Motivational Monday ~ Be Thankful for your Choices

Every day you have a choice to either

~ be thankful for what you have and where you are and believe that you are there for a reason

- OR -

~ you can be bitter and mad that you don't have this or didn't get that (..or didn't win a contest to work out with Dana Linn Bailey!)

It's a choice.

I've said it a million times.

So I choose.

Granted, at times I have to remind myself more than others - but for the most part, I CHOOSE to be happy about where I am and respect how I got here and the plan that God has laid out for me.

No one has even ASKED me what the big exciting news is that I referred to a week ago.
No one.
Not.  One.  Single.  Person.

That's ok
You don't have to be excited
Because I'm excited enough for me AND you AND for anyone AND everyone else who might stumble upon this blog....

Weeks ago, I applied to win a workout session with Dana Linn Bailey.  (yes - you ALL know that.)   Over 600 people entered and obviously I did not win.  I wasn't upset, that's quite a few people vying for her time.  And not to mention there are LOTS of people out there in much better shape than me and stronger than me.
But it's ok
I didn't let it get me down.
I am, afterall, new to the sport - and REALLY new at being serious about this being what I want to do with any and ALL of my free time!
I'm especially new to the commitment it takes to lift and be good at it.  Not just going through the motions.  Because trust me - I have done plenty of "going through the motions"... not just in weight lifting - but in LIFE in general!
So I'm new to the sport AND the magnitude of the commitment that it takes to be GOOD at this sport!!

But my drive and desire and commitment grow every single day.

It's funny to me to look back at myself.... when I started working out again with B-rad.   We hadn't even talked in some time... and just picked right up where we left off.... the best of friends ;-)  And he coached me right back into the gym.  Where I showed up when I had to... mostly for fear of letting him down or the guilty feeling I would be filled with when I didn't go.  And upon arrival - I would go through the motions... doing what I "had to do" to get through the work out.  Then I would go home and not think a thing about it again.

Then there was his birthday in December.
Where he convinced me that it would be a nice gesture (and FUN??) for me to compete with them at a meet.  HA!   But for fear of letting him down I conceded to go.

And then I got bit

By the iron bug....

And it's been chewing ever since!!!!

And also - my "I'm one of the boys and I can do what they do" competitive INSIDE took over!!!

Now - I read.  I watch videos.  I DESIRE (on my own, mind you) to be better and lift more and look better and LIFT MORE and be healthier.... and, well.... LIFT MORE....
I have new goals... and new people I look up to.

One of which IS Dana Linn - but recently - another girl has come along beside her.
Caitlyn Trout.
Another tiny but ripped little girl that lifts MASSIVE weights!!!
And it is just proof again - that anything is possible.
It just takes the discipline and training and commitment.

So - AGAIN - I have gotten sidetracked....

The big news......

Remember that contest I DIDN'T win???
Well - since I didn't win - I was able to watch and focus on the power lifting meet at the Arnold.  And I met (as I have already told you) Brandon Lilly AND Caitlyn Trout.
Brandon Lilly is the author of "The Cube Method" which is the training program we are currently running.
After the Arnold, I spoke several times via Facebook and twitter, to Brandon Lilly. He is SUCH a super nice guy and has been very helpful with any questions we have had about our workout. And through our chatting I told him we would love to work out with him and his crew. So he invited us in!!!!
There it is!!

The big news!!!!

We are going to work out with Brandon Lilly. 
And hopefully Caitlyn will be there too. 
I won't know how to act with another female in the building!!!!

So I don't get to work out with Dana, but I instead get to work out with one of the strongest men out there!!! AND the author of our current training program. And when we go, we are doing a "mock meet" for them so they can coach and advise on all aspects of our training

I feel so lucky
I feel like things worked out just as they should

I am once again thankful for where I am and the opportunities that present themselves and ALL of the people who have come into my life in one way or another.  Rather than being disappointed at one missed opportunity - I will look at this as the path to a doorway opened into a WHOLE NEW WORLD!!!

I  Can't  Wait!!!

A special thank you to Brandon Lilly for inviting us to his realm.   It means the world to me.  And I KNOW it means sooooo much to all the guys I work out with.

Can't wait.
It amazes me every day how things work out!

And I am THANKFUL!