CaraStarbuck

BOOOOOOOOMMMM http://rebellion.nerdfitness.com/index.php?/topic/37868-starbucks-ladies-be-lifting-a-sisters-getting-swole-challenge/ Also, word to letting go of tiny clothes. I am realizing that if anything, I am just going to keep going up in pant sizes, because my quads and glutes are going to be out. Of. Control.

Assassins, hear my rallying cry. My older sister, IrishAmazon, is rejoining the online Nerdfitness community for this challenge, which is great. But she is doing it to test me, to push the boundaries of my badassitude and to claim renown as Swolest of Them All. As her nemesis, Viper Pilot Extrordanaire, Boulder Monkey, High Inquistor of Cats, Pharoah of Phunk, and Captain of Team Me, I cannot allow this arrogance to grow unhindered and unchallenged. Worst of all, she's not even an assassin. Pfft! The winner of this challenge is awarded a prize, in the form of foam roller or lifting straps. Needless to say, I cannot wait for my new foam roller. On to my goals. The first fun new element for me this challenge is that I have started lifting. I will most likely be lurking on the Warriors forum for tips etc but because I am an assassin first and foremost, here is where I stay. Also because to balance out my lifting I will continue to utilize rad and balance intensive BW moves as well bouldering the crap out of everything I can boulder. I also learned how to jumprope (!) for the first time ever and I am developing a pretty cool dynamic warm-up that involves jump-roping, jump-squatting with weight, push-ups, and so on. Main Quest: Raise It All Up I want more upper body strength. A lot more. It will help my climbing exponentially and with the combined power of my already Super Glutes, make me nigh unstoppable; help me get closer to real pull ups, and also, super developed shoulders are hot, and I am super vain. So there. 3 Goals: 1) GAINS: Eating. According to IIFYM, I need to be eating between 2155-2371 calories a day. I know I'm not right now, so that has to change. I will reach this goal by continuing to meal prep for work, and starting planning dinners ahead of time (I rarely eat enough dinner). I am reinforcing this by only allowing myself to buy food while I'm out at work once a week (coffee doesn't count). 2) Workout 3 x Week: Pretty straight forward lifting programming; press/squat day, deadlift/bench day, bodyweight circuit day. Stick to this programming, don't miss a workout. I will add my workout stats at the end of every week (to prove I did them!). 3) Climb 2 x a week. I haven't been making as much time for climbing, so this is a priority. If I miss a day one week, I make it up the next. Will record my climbs as frequently as possible. Side Quest: Save up $250 for passport. I have been putting that off for ages and I HAVE to get it soon, because there is a small chance I will be somewhere in Europe next summer. Should not be too hard, I just have to do it. And I realize this is a week late, but I wanted to give IrishAmazon a head start, seeing as she has been out of the game so long. Muahahah. Which reminds me, we haven't come up with a concrete scoring system yet, which we should do, eh? Ready, set, go! Starbuck

Excellent workout. Yes, I am pulling for you, because I am that magnanimous. And I haven't posted my thread yet, but only because I figured you could use a head start.

Thank you!!! Last week was super great in terms of workouts, this past week not so much. But I'm not worried about it, because I am in DC visiting my parents and sister and am about to go to the gym with the latter to engage in some sisterly bonding with barbells. Last week I lifted four times, and felt way more confident in all of my lifts than I anticipated. There's some form stuff I need to work on, so I'll be having my sister help me with that tonight and also some of the trainers at work when I get back to NYC. I am also performing poetry on Sunday night for the first time at a venue that is not an open mic; it's the birthday show of an acquaintance from the main open mic I frequent, and I am the only poet in the line up, everyone else is a musician or a comic. AND some of my new coworkers might come to the show. It's all very intimidating but mostly exhilarating and I am incredibly excited. I am also happy to report that while I'm not at a pull-up yet, my chin-ups are getting way stronger. Most Recent Workout stats Warm Up Run: .41 Mi, 5:39 secs Leg swings 20 BW Lunge 5 Burpee 10 Push Ups 10 Mountainclimbers Superman 60 sec Squat: 45 lb x 5 55 lb x 5 65 lb x 5 80 lb x 5 95 lb x 5 105 lb x5 85 lb x 5 Deadlift: 65 lb x 5 75 lb x 5 85 lb x 5 I'm confident that I can increase my deadlift a lot very soon, after I do some work on my form. One of the trainers thinks I'm too high up still, so I'm going over that with my sister and then next week with some of the trainers. Gotta say I am really digging high intensity body weight warm up and then lifting, it feels well-rounded and it's a lot of fun. It's funny to think that I've been working out regularly for about a year now, and how different my perceptions of my own physical ability are now compared to then. Whenever I see a cool yoga pose or lift or move, my attitude has changed from "I wish I was able to do that," to "I can't wait till I'm able to do that. It's only a matter of time...." Here's to another year of getting stronger, faster, and more confident! And many thanks to all of the nerds on these boards who have offered words of support and kindness, you people are awesome.

Thank you sir, yeah, I feel like my grasp on time is unsteady at best. I can't believe it's been five weeks. Preach! Incredibly relevant/applicable here. So I'm still here! I looked back over my goals and realized I made a rookie mistake in that I overloaded myself. I honestly didn't think I was, but I was. I am eating more, definitely, and I am seeing some progress in the upper body department (two shaky chin ups!). Obviously, there hasn't been a lot of consistency in my life of late, which has not helped, but things are starting to settle down. The new job is going really well, and I've actually started weight training. I've been interested in it for a looong time, but never had access to equipment. I really dig it. I still do body weight stuff (of course!) but it's nice switching it up. I also may be starting to train with some of the PTs next week, which I am really excited about. I've also been way better about consistent eating and loading up on protein. My last few work-outs have looked like this: Warm Up Run: roughly 1 mile in 15-18 mins (including 5 minute warm up walk) Bodyweight: Jumping Jacks, leg swings, 10 mountain climbers, 10 push ups or 5 burpees, 45 second plank or Superman, 20 lunges. Maybe repeat sets of those, then on to weights. Squat and Deadlit, Shoulder Press and Bench Press. I've experimented with doing a leg and an upper body on the same day, and also doing all lower body or all upper body, haven't decided which I like better. There are arguments for both obviously. Nice discovery courtesy of the shoulder press: I have zero shoulder strength. Plenty of bicep and forearm, but nil in the shoulders, which explains a lot of my climbing issues. So shoulders and lats are the main focus in terms of areas to work on (pull ups, press, rows). It has been an incredibly difficult year, but I think I am mostly out of the woods; I have learned a lot about myself, and I practicing patience and gentleness with myself moving forward. Shit gets hard sometimes, and that's okay. You fall off the horse sometimes, and that's okay. You just keep going and doing your work. Do what's important to you. Mmm, deep thoughts. In writing news, I am performing at an acquaintance's birthday show; I don't even really know her that well, so I'm super flattered/excited, esp because some of the other performers are super high caliber. Alright, here's to another week of kicking ass!

I love it Vector, good stuff! I definitely have a few friends who would reaaalllly dig your work, I will be sure to share it with them.

WHOA. Two weeks just flashed before my eyes, what the what. Thank you, all, for the job congrats! I officially start tomorrow and I am utterly terrified. It's an incredibly detail oriented job that involves both data input and tracking and customer service and it's just a totally new dimension for me and I'm having tons of anxiety about it, and my life in general, but trying really hard to think positively. Bad news: I have to let my Brooklyn Boulders membership expire because I'm so broke. This really bums me out, but I will use that extra time to work on strength building. Good news: I'm pretty sure I get to train for free/discounted with the trainers at my gym, and there are some dudes who do MMA and whatnot, so I'm going to be learning a huge variety of cool shit, hopefully. If the stress doesn't kill me before that happens, hahah. Also, what the heck? I got completely derailed last week, and only just forced myself back on track. My last climbing trip was two weeks ago and I strained something in my right arm; it's not serious but I wanted to rest it for a bit just to be safe. That turned into not working out at all, and a trip to DC pushed me even farther off track. Last two weeks: 8/7 - Run, Lower Body 1.2 miles, then .6 miles Buzzlightyears- 40 s x 2, 50s x 2, 35 s x 2 Box Jumps (on a tree stump!) ( 5, 7, @14") 8/9 - Upper Body BW Flexed Arm Hangs: Chin Grip: 40s, 30s; Pull Grip: 20 s x2 Negative Chin Up: 4, 6 Finger Planche: 15 s, 10 s Superman: 40 s x 2 Hollow Hold: 20 s x 2 Dive Bomber Push Up: 5, 3 Regular Push up: 8, 8 8/14 - Full Body BW Push Up: 8 x 3 BWSquat: 20 x 2 Flexed Arm Hangs, Chin Grip: 35 s, 28 s PLank 20 s x 2 Hollow Hold 20 s x 2 8/16 - Run, Lower Body BW Run: 1.63 miles, .47 (first half mostly sprinting and walking, second half regular jogging) Tuck Jumps: 10 x 2 Jump Lunges: 10 x 2 Buzzlightyears: 10/leg (50S X 2) 10/leg (60s, 70 sec) Hollow Hold: 20s x2 (these are ridiculous and kicking my butt) Assisted Pull Ups (my roommate wanted me to do these with him spotting and I agreed, though I can't really track how much of an assist he's giving): Narrow grip: 5, Wide Grip: 5 I probably won't work out today, but will tomorrow after work. I start tomorrow, work 12pm-5pm (which will be 9-4pm on Sundays in the future) so I might work out at the gym when my shift is over, go home, sleep, be up at 5 am the next day to go into work at 7. My new schedule is going to look like this: Sun: 9am-4pm Mon-Thurs: 7 am - 2 pm. I'm currently trying to figure out the best ways to budget my work out and creative time plus sleeping time; I HAVE to be well rested for this job, it's definitely not like bartending where being tired just makes your labor more tedious; in this new position, if I'm tired, I will miss details that will make my life hell later. Also, I have been working doubles this week between gym job training and bartending, and I have barely had time to take a shower, let alone do anything creative, and I have a few open mics coming up that I REALLY need to perform at, but I'm getting nervous because I haven't finished a piece in a while and don't have a lot of time to work on the WIPs I have. Stressed, can you tell?

Whew, I had a super crazy weekend with lots of cool developments and rad-tastic workouts. I am very, very excited to announce that I got a new job, WORKING AT A GYM. That's right, yours truly will be officially moving away from the black hole that is nightlife service industry and will be starting a full-time job working at a really high-end gym. I will essentially be the person who reviews and maintains and edits all of the schedules between clients and their trainers (and this gym makes most of its money from personal training packages, so most of its clients have trainers, and thus my job is difficult and integral to the branch). It's going to be really challenging, but I am SO EXCITED. I've been hoping for something to give, and it finally has. And it has decent pay, normal hours, and tons of room for upward mobility if I perform well. Boom. Also, my youngest brother visited me this weekend, which was awesome, and I took him climbing, which was hilarious. He's very strong and about 6'5, so he took to it pretty quickly and was making it up v0s in about 4 moves. But also very awkwardly, which was funny, because he's such a graceful football and lacrosse player. It was very much a big sister "Now you're in MY WORLD," moment. Videos to come of some my recent climbs, by the way. I keep saying that, but I will upload them eventually... So, workout recaps(feeling lazy): Friday 8/2: Rest Sat 8/3: Climb Sun 8/4: Run, Light Bodyweight (plyo buzzlightyears, rolling plank, hindu pushups) Mon 8/5: Climb Tues 8/6: Run, Bodyweight Legs (plyo buzzlightyears, box jumps (onto a tree stump, no less), running) -Today was supposed to be Upper Body day but I tweaked something in my arm climbing yesterday, so I did legs instead. I also felt like running, which I wasn't planning on doing, so I did that on top of a few BW moves to round it out a little). I have a lot of self-scheduling to do and things to balance and I'm feeling a little overwhelmed, but I know that will pass. The regular exercise is helping to make me feel a lot more clear headed than I have a in while. Whaddaya know?! Also, I'm pretty sure I am going to get to wear yoga pants and hoodies to work. That is called "Living the Dream," my friends. Starbuck

Hey there! Love all the cold shower chatter. I wouldn't worry now about whether or not you'll stick with them; just focus on your day-to-day. Before you know it, the 30 days will be up, and you will know if you want to keep doing them. I personally found that I was just so used to it at that point that now hot showers are usually too hot and I don't like how relaxed I feel after them (so I almost only do them at night now, before bed, if at all). But that's just me! Your body might take longer to adjust, or faster. Most importantly, if after 30 days you feel really benefited, keep going! If you don't, DROP IT. Learning what to keep and what to discard in terms of a fitness and health routine is important; different strokes for different folks, as the saying goes. Anyway, cool to hear about another person doing it! Things I do to get past the cold: -Play music on my phone next to the shower. Rock out in the shower. I often lose track of time and get out at 6 or 7 minutes. -I always back into the water, calves first (like a reverse lunge), then turn around do my forearms (which get really sore from rock-climbing), then I just dive in, so to speak. I don't like inching in too much; I prefer the shock-to-the-system approach for the most part. And nice work on your challenge so far! You rock!

Ahaha, silleh kittehs.... And this is! Though this guy's 90's boyband microphone slays me. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBduPZ2GRAU

Yesterday was Legs and Climbing, and oh sweet baby Moses. I has the sore again. I'm a little surprised but also incredibly pleased because that means I'm really busting behind in a way that I have not for some time. I did a two-circuit legs-centric bodyweight workout, Warm Up with jumpings jacks, leg swings, mountain-climbers, light stretching. BWSquat: 20, 20 Plyo DeadLift(this needs a better descriptor...I shall call it a Buzz Lightyear.): 35s R 40 s L; 35 L, 30 R (works out to approx 10-12 jumps per leg, but I'm measuring time instead of reps because it's more like an active yoga pose, it's balance focused. Also that's how fitocracy measures it, hahah). Jump Lunge: 10L,10R; 10L, 10R. Box Jumps @ 13" 15, 15 Crow A: 2, 4,4, 4, 7 / B: 4, 4, 7, 10 (I am especially happy about this; I haven't done these in ages and was frustrated because my PR was like a minute and I've fallen so off track that I could barely hold it at all. So I'm slowly working back, and it feels great.* Then my roommate and I headed to Brooklyn Boulders where we got in a good climb session in. I worked on some v0s and v1s mostly; focusing on my footwork and weight distribution. I also did two problems that were new types; I guess you would call them compression problems? Mostly really big roundish holds that involve a lot of pushing rather than gripping. I flashed both of them and they were SO fun. I also have some videos of climbing from yesterday and last week that I'm going to upload soon. In terms of diet, I think I have to really stick a methodology (IIFYM, etc) soon; I'm paying attention to what I eat, but I don't think I'm eating enough still. I tend to have medium breakfast, small lunch and huge dinner (or big breakfast, no lunch, huge dinner...not on purpose, my day's just break up that way some times), so I think I need to start actually measuring soon to make sure I'm hitting my minimum intake. Today was supposed to be Climb Day 2 (because I was supposed to go Climb on Wednesday), but that will have to wait until Sunday, because I hurt, haha. Also, my youngest brother is coming into the city today to hang out for a few days, which makes me incredibly happy. He's going off to college in like 2 weeks for the first time -sniff-. *Except one of my cats is all like "Oh, you're exercising and doing yoga poses? LET ME BE UNDER YOU NOW."

Sea Level returns....this pleases me. I've had a hard time with consistency and finishing my challenges, so I feel you. But the community is always here, which is so freaking awesome. Glad you're back! And kick ass workout! I look forward to a day that I type "crow-tripod-headstand" and don't shudder in fear, haha.

Church, DOOD, it's good to see you on here. You're walking uphill in the snow this time around, but that's okay, it will just make you more of a badass than you already are. And OW re: shoulders....you just...popped them back? Hooray for home surgery, hahah. Glad they're feeling better, though. And word on goal #3, I haven't been active on the boards in ages and I know it helps me a lot when I am, so, that's an unofficial goal for me too!

CHUURRCCCH MY MANZ! Thanks dude, and thanks for the message! I kept meaning to respond, but you know how it is. Anyway, much appreciated on all counts You rock.

You're a beast! That's awesome; good call on your part to just avoid temptation all together and skip the beer tent. I've been working pretty hard to cut back my booze intake, but that is not easy. Also in part because in social situations I use sipping on something a way to calm my nerves if anxiety is kicking in (which combined with alcohol is usually a very poor method), so I basically just try to make sure I ALWAYS have a glass of water in my hand. Makes it easier. ^ yup x a thousand

Awesome work out, keep it up! I need to get a foam roller.....

I do that ALL THE TIME (write and then accidentally delete long posts). The worst. Re: meditation: YEAH SHOW THAT ZEN WHO'S BOSS. Actually, I'm curious, it's been a really long time since I've meditated regularly (and it was in movement class in acting school, so there's that), but do you practice a specific method, that is, use specific phrases in your head, or do you just focus on breath?

Thank you, and yeah, that stuff is ridiculous. I am SO SORE. Holy moly. THANK YINZ Yaaay! I'm so stoked for you! How are you training on them, are you doing negatives or flexed arm hangs at all? I find those really help. And yeah, there is nothing like finally walking up the bar/move/what have you and suddenly your body just does it. It's the best. Hindu push up? OFF TO YOUTUBE......oh yeah those look slightly less hellish. And thank you, but I'm actually combining climbing and Leg Day tomorrow; I am SO sore, and I realized I need to clean before I go to work. But tomorrow should be good! Ahaha, many thanks, Mr. Red, it's good to be back. Hahah, you will get there! The color code is probably better, because it's a little more vague...like, I see "v3" and I psych myself out so hard sometimes. Or not! Who knows. JULY 31st - DAY 3 So. I. Am. HELLA. Sore. Whoa. Those dive-bombers, man. And as mentioned in a reply above, I am going to make today a Rest Day, and just do some yoga and stretching before I go to work. Tomorrow I will do my legs workout, and then go climb. Groovy? Groovy. Also, one thing I have been doing for the past two months is take freezing cold showers. I know some of you guys do contrast showers, which is similar; this is like that....but without the hot part (I've done contrasts before and dug them, so I figured why not). So as a 30 day challenge, from the end of May to the end of June, my roommate SpeakEasyV(check out his challenge! He is a total badass and will be an assassin after he completes this challenge) and I did 5 minute cold showers every single morning. It was hellish at first, but now it's routine. It's really astounding what you can get used to. And I've found that it -Wakes me up like no one's business -Helps with muscle soreness -Makes me feel like James Bond -Keeps me cool in the oppressive NYC summer heat And now I still do it; I've come to really like it. I still take hot showers sometimes, usually after a long day of work, for relaxation. But yeah, keeping up with these for the challenge, especially. Oh, and if anyone can recommend some upper body stretches, that would be DELIGHTFUL. -wince-

You are?! I'm from Arlington! No way! I live in Brooklyn now, but...anyway, whoo! Did you grow up there, or move there for work/etc? Also. SPEAKEASY UPDATE YOUR THREAD, FOOL. Also, you kick ass!

I feel that ducklings are always appropriate.

Edit: accidentally double posted

July 30th - Day 2 Upper Body Day: Warm Up: 50 jumping jacks, 20 mountain-climbers, 5 burpees, leg swings Flexed Arm Hangs: ChinUpGrip: 28, 28 PullUpGrip:12, 4 (the second set I could barely grip the bar, hahah) Negative Chin Up: 3x2 Decline Push Up: 5, 5 Finger Planche:15 s, 17s Superman:30 s, 30s Hollow Hold: 20s, 12 (these kicked my ass) Dive Bomber: 4,2 (OH GOD WHY WHO INVENTED THESE) Narrow Push Up: 7, 7 (Didn't increase my rep from last week, but that's okay because I added a bunch more exercises in), and I"m going for intensity, not volume of reps). Didn't sleep well and had terrible dreams, but I got my workout in immediately, so I'm happy about that. Small victories, wot! Working all night, then climbing tomorrow morning/afternoon if all goes according to plan.

You're awesome. This thread is awesome. That Animal Flow stuff looks like my new calling. HOLY CRAPOLA. The 7-year-old-Starbuck that used to walk around the house on all fours pretending to be a wolf is totally intrigued by all this.

Awesome, yay climbers! I'd be interested to see how their color-coding works, but it's probably very similar, like blue = v0 (easiest), green = v1, etc? The pull-up took me almost a year of on-and-off training toward to achieve, but I'm more focused now than ever, so we'll see how my form improves! It's physical, but it's also SO mental. And thank you, you too! RIGHT?! MOAR PROTEINZ. And thanks! Thank you, Elastigirl! You have always been so supportive, and I really appreciate it I am REALLY excited about the color-coding, hahahah. THANK YOU.

I KNOW I KNOW. I'm trying not to make too many changes at once, but I also might using that as an excuse to not do things. Hm.