Petra (Katie)

My MOS is Automated Logistics (92A), and I haven't taken the official APFT yet, and as far as I can tell, it is the two mile run plus the max. sit ups and push ups. Based on the standards, my score is low, due to sit ups and pushups, but my run is about standard.

Howdy ya'll, It is I, the frenchiest fry...except that I'm American... ANYWAY I recently enlisted in the Army National Guard, and I was wondering if there are any specific/special workouts and programs I should be doing to prepare for both Basic Training and the training in RSP. As always, thank you guys! -Katie

It's me again, ya'll. I keep saying that like I post constantly. Really, I just post a bunch in a span of two days, then go months without posting anything. (I need to work on that.) ANYWAY I've hit a wall; I've been tracking my calories/food, limiting my carbs, and working out consistently. (Cardio 3 days a week, strength training 3 days a week, 40minutes-60mins per day,) but I've stopped making any progress. I'm currently at about 25-26% body fat and would like to get down to 19%-20% I'm also trying to build muscle so that I have the stamina for endurance. (In another post I mentioned that my lungs outdo my muscles in my cardio workouts.) Any suggestions on how to eat/what to eat to regain progress that is sustainable? Thanks! -Katie P.S. Extra information, if it is helpful: Height: 5'7" Calories Consumed per day (rough): 1800 (a little less right now, as I've been pretty sick and unable to workout for a couple days, ugh) Weight: 145.9lbs Goal Weight: 135lbs.

Hey, ya'll. It is I, Katie aka Petra aka the one who's hardly an adult (just turned 18) and has a lot of questions... Any way, something is very wrong. For a week, I had a constant headache, nothing too major, I figured it was just some re-adjusting to a normal schedule after the holidays. And then, everything changed when the Fire Nation attacked... For the past two days, I've been home sick. No fever, no stomach pains--but I have a slightly elevated heart rate, my headaches come and go, my muscles feel weak, but worst of all is that I'm dizzy/lightheaded, and disoriented. In essence, I am frustrated. How to fix this: If symptoms persist, I'm going to call the doctor and go in to figure out what's going on, and I'll try to get back on my feet as soon as possible. In the mean time, I'll do some homework, get caught up on some non-fitness goals, and try not to stress about being unable to work out. (Do I want to? Yes. Is a good idea? With these specific symptoms? Nope.) Thanks for listening to my rant; I'll keep all ya'll posted. -Katie

Thank you! Track workouts usually spend the first hour running or drills, and the last 30-40 minutes strength training either with or without weights. I'll try throwing in some yoga. I've wanted to try it for a while, but I've been putting it off. (Guess this gets rid of excuses, lol.)

Alright, ya'll. I've got a bone to pick. (Not with any of you, but I have questions...) I've been struggling with this for about a year; I'm an endurance athlete, my cardio can go forever. I've been strength training for two hours per week (an hour on Tuesday and an hour on Thursday--I also do some body weight on Mon-Wed-Fri), and I've notice some muscle build up, BUT: I get weak muscles. I just strained a muscle this morning, in fact. I'm not quite sure what is causing this, it could be a genetic thing, it could be just as simple as a muscle imbalance (though they aren't simple to fix; it took my mom a year to recover from that). It's like the little "micro-tears" that build up muscle strength and endurance aren't having time to heal, and instead keep tearing. I've gotten some pretty nasty muscle injuries from this problem. Long story short: Cardio endurance, good. Muscle strength and endurance? Bad. Any suggestions on how to fix this while still bringing my fat percentage down, and without neglecting my cardio workouts? (Track season is upon us, my friends.) Thanks guys! P.S. Unrelated, but I've lost another 10lbs. since July! Whoop Whoop!

haha! I think the word does mean rock in the geological way, and I think closer refers to the Hebrew word for pebble. (Not entirely sure; Biblical studies mixed with story writing has lead me down a path of names and their meanings, lol.) As for the reference, Petra was a 1980s-1990s Christian hard rock band my mom used to play CONSTANTLY. XD

Now that I'm surrounded by all ya'll, I've got a few questions, (along with some explanation.) I have a SUPER irregular period, which is normal, but it gets REALLY annoying when I can't prepare for it, or when I skip two months and then it hits me like a load of bricks. I've done okay with working out and eating right when Aunt Flo comes to town, but I also get light headed throughout the day, and near the end of my period, I seriously start craving pot roast. (My mother, aka the health nut with a bachelors in health science, says it might be due to iron deficiency.) Anyway, so my main question is: Do any of you struggle with the same issues? How do you guys deal? What do you guys think of using birth control as a regulator? (I'm curious.) Thanks ya'll, stay nerdy! FOR THE REBELLION! -Petra Strider

Hello there! So, I'm bad at introductions and I'm socially awkward, so please bear with me. My name is Katie, but feel free to refer to me as Petra! (Petra means rock...any Petra fans out there? No? Okay...) Let's see, I am a swimmer and a slight runner. My mother is a health fanatic, and while I'm beginning to follow in her foot steps, sometimes, it's a little difficult to be the Rebel I want to be. I've been alternating between the Advanced Body-weight workout and the Interval training (on a stationary bike, due to knee injury during track, ugh,) and I've gotten better at making healthier/paleo-ish choices when it comes to food, though I can't always pick what I eat for dinner, as I am still a nestling and live at home. The good news is that, in just these first two weeks, I've already gone from 157.4lbs to 154.6lbs! My goal by the end of summer is 145, and if I meet that before hand, my next goal will be 140. I'm also trying to get stronger and build both muscular strength and endurance, (there's some Washington State P.E. language for ya!), while increasing my cardio. I'm planning on joining the Academy as soon as possible, I just need to find some work and make money to join in! I got a lot on my plate, but hey, I like adventures, questing, and all things in between! FOR THE REBELLION! -Petra Strider