In Which Blueberries Sticks to the Plan

[Strawberry Squatcake]

Hmm... maybe I do move more during the day than I realize that I do. Obviously, the calculators are not expected to be 100% accurate for everybody, so it's ultimately better for me to use my own data anyway. I'll link the calculator below.

My calculation for calorie burn during workouts is definitely an estimate. I just go with what LoseIt gives me based on "Weight Lifting (Light/Moderate)" for about whatever amount of time I spent lifting. Really, that's not a great measure of actual burn, but it's what I've been going with.

By "net calories," I mean total intake minus estimated workout burn. So on a day that I had 2500 and burned 250, I'd have a net of 2250. On days with no workout, my total and net are the same.

For the ranges, I just looked at the highest day and the lowest day from that time period. I was just curious to see where the outliers were.

I'm using the Harris-Benedict BMR formula, which is not perfect, but none of them are. Once you calculate your BMR, that's when you add in the multiplier based on activity level (link here). Really, since I'm factoring activity into my TDEE, I shouldn't be thinking in terms of net calories anyway. I'm kind of subtracting them twice at that point.

Everybody's going to have such individual reactions to different foods. I think it can definitely be worth exploring what works and doesn't for you. The problem is that you have to be without them for X amount of time and then try reintroducing things one at a time to find out what's causing problems. Mr. Blueberries did an alternative allergy testing/treatment type thing a couple of years back and it was great for him. I cannot for the life of me remember me what it was called, but if I can come up with it, I'll let you know.

Thanks for all the info. My goal is going to be 2000-2200 for this challenge. Since I have to track protein anyway, I'm going to go ahead and use an app and track calories and see where I come out. If at the end of the day I have room for calories (I'm under 2K), I'll add in a scoop of protein powder. If I'm already at 2K, I'll skip the extra protein.

If I over-think too much I might get overwhelmed.

When my face originally broke out with this weird acne (which, strangely, was around this time last year), I had only added protein and eggs to my diet (and had cut out as many carbs as I could for the purpose of seeing what would happen with triglycerides). Since I was so new to it, I was almost exclusively eating chicken breasts and ground beef, which were the main part of my meals prior. The only big thing I'd added a lot more of were eggs (I was eating egg monster for breakfast every day).

Anyway, when I searched online for food allergies, I'd cut back on everything on their list except eggs, which I'd increased dramatically. I cut them out completely. Within a week, my face cleared up and has been fine since. If I eat 1-2 eggs once every few weeks, no relapses. One time I tried egg beaters for kicks (because I know they say they're real eggs, but you never know!), and ate them two days in a row. Bam. Breakout. So I used that to "officially" conclude I was allergic to eggs.

Further info by Robb Wolf was that manypeople become sensitive to eggs when they get leaky gut (I'm sure I had/have based on my crappy diet). And he said most people who are sensitive to eggs because of that lose the sensitivity when they heal their gut. And furthermore, the majority of people are allergic to the whites, not the yolks.

So I made a few things with just yolks, and never had any adverse affects. So if I really want eggs now, I do the opposite of diet magazines and do three yolks, one whole egg. And, again, no problems.

Then this past month I did have eggs two or three times. Suddenly I could feel my face breaking out. So I made a point to avoid everything with eggs. But this time my face isn't clearing up. And everythign I read online says to either eliminate everything and start adding in one food at a time. or simply eliminate all dairy, eggs and wheat. And that will likely fix you. Then add those items back in one at a time.

So I'm continuing to leave eggs out. And continuing to focus on wheat. I'd hate to lose dairy.

There was also a lot of info on insulin causing problems - which scares me since I've been craving sweets so much. So back of my mind says that might be it, too. Eating too much sugar. Which I've also been working on. I don't want to do too much at once or I won't know the fix (and won't stick to it). Eggs are easy enough. So that's considered done. Wheat's been a project for the past month. So I'm doing sugar next. Then I'll do dairy. Probably eliminate totally and add back one thing at a time.

Sorry so lengthy.

And I think I used the same method as you - I calculated my BMR manually so I came up just a little bit less. But I used the Harris-Benedict for my multiplier.

[Blueberries]

i cant' help but read the title as "blueberries stick to the PAN".

No wasting blueberries!!

Thanks for all the info. My goal is going to be 2000-2200 for this challenge. Since I have to track protein anyway, I'm going to go ahead and use an app and track calories and see where I come out. If at the end of the day I have room for calories (I'm under 2K), I'll add in a scoop of protein powder. If I'm already at 2K, I'll skip the extra protein.

If I over-think too much I might get overwhelmed.

When my face originally broke out with this weird acne (which, strangely, was around this time last year), I had only added protein and eggs to my diet (and had cut out as many carbs as I could for the purpose of seeing what would happen with triglycerides). Since I was so new to it, I was almost exclusively eating chicken breasts and ground beef, which were the main part of my meals prior. The only big thing I'd added a lot more of were eggs (I was eating egg monster for breakfast every day).

Anyway, when I searched online for food allergies, I'd cut back on everything on their list except eggs, which I'd increased dramatically. I cut them out completely. Within a week, my face cleared up and has been fine since. If I eat 1-2 eggs once every few weeks, no relapses. One time I tried egg beaters for kicks (because I know they say they're real eggs, but you never know!), and ate them two days in a row. Bam. Breakout. So I used that to "officially" conclude I was allergic to eggs.

Further info by Robb Wolf was that manypeople become sensitive to eggs when they get leaky gut (I'm sure I had/have based on my crappy diet). And he said most people who are sensitive to eggs because of that lose the sensitivity when they heal their gut. And furthermore, the majority of people are allergic to the whites, not the yolks.

So I made a few things with just yolks, and never had any adverse affects. So if I really want eggs now, I do the opposite of diet magazines and do three yolks, one whole egg. And, again, no problems.

Then this past month I did have eggs two or three times. Suddenly I could feel my face breaking out. So I made a point to avoid everything with eggs. But this time my face isn't clearing up. And everythign I read online says to either eliminate everything and start adding in one food at a time. or simply eliminate all dairy, eggs and wheat. And that will likely fix you. Then add those items back in one at a time.

So I'm continuing to leave eggs out. And continuing to focus on wheat. I'd hate to lose dairy.

There was also a lot of info on insulin causing problems - which scares me since I've been craving sweets so much. So back of my mind says that might be it, too. Eating too much sugar. Which I've also been working on. I don't want to do too much at once or I won't know the fix (and won't stick to it). Eggs are easy enough. So that's considered done. Wheat's been a project for the past month. So I'm doing sugar next. Then I'll do dairy. Probably eliminate totally and add back one thing at a time.

Sorry so lengthy.

And I think I used the same method as you - I calculated my BMR manually so I came up just a little bit less. But I used the Harris-Benedict for my multiplier.

Quick question, are you going for a strength/muscle-gain goal or a fat loss goal this time? I have more to add, but I'm not sure what you're planning to focus on and my response is going to depend on that.

[Blueberries]

Oops! Kind of forgot to post my updates for today. In the gym this morning, I realized a couple of things that are going to be important if I'm going to be successful in adding strength in the next challenge.

1. 2400-2500 calories is probably not going to be enough. I'm going to need to up it more for a little while to see if I can really pack the weight onto my lifts. Rippetoe's advice for "fat guys" is about 3500 mostly-Paleo calories. I'm thinking I work in a range of 2800-3100 and forget completely about what my "net" calories are. Protein will obviously need to be very high.

2. Eating more food is probably not going to be a problem. Eating more mostly-clean food is going to be the hard part. I'm going to need to make sure I'm not giving myself a license to eat ice cream every day like I'd really like to.

3. I'm going to need to reset my 3x5 benchmarks going into this. My working weights have been struggling for a couple of weeks in this challenge, and they're going to need to be deloaded from the get-go. In theory, my deadlift working weight is at 197 right now, but I've been struggling to get more than 2 reps at 185 recently. All my lifts, Y U SO HARD?

Here's what today looked like, so I could see where I was with some of my numbers:

Squats - prev. working weight: 150

45 x 5

45 x 5

65 x 5

95 x 3

115 x 2

----------

Calf raises 160 x 12

----------

140 x 5

140 x 5

140 x 5

**Form was okay but not great. My back felt a little tired going into these, and there were more reps than I'd like that looked like good mornings.

OHP - prev. working weight: triples at 75 after getting stuck at 65 for 3x5

45 x 5

45 x 5

50 x 5

55 x 2

65 x 4 <- might not have had enough rest before starting working weights

65 x 5

65 x 5

**Struggled pretty hard with the 5th rep of the last two sets. I do think triples helped me get more out of this, though.

Deadlift - prev. working weight: 197

190 x 2 <- was definitely not getting more, so I thought I'd try 185 instead

185 x 1

185 x 1 <- back was tired enough that I was afraid to pull any more so I didn't get hurt

135 x 1 <- just to feel something light for form

135 x 2

**Thinking my working weight needs to come back down to 165 or 170 so I can push through

[Hermione Gainser]

Sounds like a good plan! It will be hard to eat that much, yes, but totally doable. Just give yourself lots of time to eat. Eventually you won't need as much time.. but for starters. Especially the protein! mmm protein!

[PrincessHeather]

2500 cals! That seems like it will take so much time!!! I'm averaging around 2000, and I feel like I am eating ALL DAY! Not that I mind, but its awkward that I am always chewing anytime anyone comes to my office to see me. And its so much planning, but I think it's possible! Do you allow for milk on your paleo plan? That might help get some liquid cals and break up all the chewing, haha!

[Blueberries]

Sounds like a good plan! It will be hard to eat that much, yes, but totally doable. Just give yourself lots of time to eat. Eventually you won't need as much time.. but for starters. Especially the protein! mmm protein!

2500 cals! That seems like it will take so much time!!! I'm averaging around 2000, and I feel like I am eating ALL DAY! Not that I mind, but its awkward that I am always chewing anytime anyone comes to my office to see me. And its so much planning, but I think it's possible! Do you allow for milk on your paleo plan? That might help get some liquid cals and break up all the chewing, haha!

So... maybe not as hard as I thought? Right now I'm sitting just under 3000 for the day with 245g protein. I'm pretty happy with that, and maybe if I can keep it up, I'll start seeing some lift progress. *Disclaimer: That much protein took a double scoop shake after my workout plus an afternoon snack of one scoop mixed in Greek yogurt. I don't usually use that much powder in one day.

Heather, I'm really not Paleo, although I guess I do tend to naturally make Paleo-ish choices. I've always preferred protein over starchy stuff, but I eat way too much dairy to be Paleo.

[Hermione Gainser]

Nice! You can always slowly work that protein powder down. A few of us have played that game But hey, nothing wrong with supplementing to meet your goals (and yes, i first typed "meat" your goals hahahaha).

I'm with you re: paleo. I'm not.. never have been... I lean heavily primal now that I eat the meats. Lots o' meat and veg, fruit, dairy nom! Some grains still, though. It's much easier to get more protein when you allow dairy. At least, that's what I found through my save money on food experimentation.

[weirdquark]

Oops! Kind of forgot to post my updates for today. In the gym this morning, I realized a couple of things that are going to be important if I'm going to be successful in adding strength in the next challenge.

1. 2400-2500 calories is probably not going to be enough. I'm going to need to up it more for a little while to see if I can really pack the weight onto my lifts. Rippetoe's advice for "fat guys" is about 3500 mostly-Paleo calories. I'm thinking I work in a range of 2800-3100 and forget completely about what my "net" calories are. Protein will obviously need to be very high.

2. Eating more food is probably not going to be a problem. Eating more mostly-clean food is going to be the hard part. I'm going to need to make sure I'm not giving myself a license to eat ice cream every day like I'd really like to.

3. I'm going to need to reset my 3x5 benchmarks going into this. My working weights have been struggling for a couple of weeks in this challenge, and they're going to need to be deloaded from the get-go. In theory, my deadlift working weight is at 197 right now, but I've been struggling to get more than 2 reps at 185 recently. All my lifts, Y U SO HARD?

I found that deloading on squats to really focus on form helped a lot. I had been adding weight whenever I could complete however many sets of five I was working on but I was pausing a lot at the top rather than having the sets be really consecutive. So I dropped the weight down to where I had good form and could do five reps in a row without having to pause at the top and added weight from there. I'd spend two or three sessions at each weight; I'd be getting all of my reps every time because my deload weight was about 20lbs lighter than where I had been working, but I wouldn't move up unless they felt really solid and pause-free. (Actually, I'd move up after the third session if they felt even reasonably solid because I figured that working on the heavier weights would be more helpful than staying where I was since if I was having trouble on the third session it was probably just an off day.) So deload, it'll be awesome when you get back up to your old working weights. I think having deloaded for the previous challenge really let me keep going strong and adding weight for this one.

[Blueberries]

Nice! You can always slowly work that protein powder down. A few of us have played that game But hey, nothing wrong with supplementing to meet your goals (and yes, i first typed "meat" your goals hahahaha).

I'm with you re: paleo. I'm not.. never have been... I lean heavily primal now that I eat the meats. Lots o' meat and veg, fruit, dairy nom! Some grains still, though. It's much easier to get more protein when you allow dairy. At least, that's what I found through my save money on food experimentation.

Haha... I will definitely have to "meat" my goals to get this done.

I found that deloading on squats to really focus on form helped a lot. I had been adding weight whenever I could complete however many sets of five I was working on but I was pausing a lot at the top rather than having the sets be really consecutive. So I dropped the weight down to where I had good form and could do five reps in a row without having to pause at the top and added weight from there. I'd spend two or three sessions at each weight; I'd be getting all of my reps every time because my deload weight was about 20lbs lighter than where I had been working, but I wouldn't move up unless they felt really solid and pause-free. (Actually, I'd move up after the third session if they felt even reasonably solid because I figured that working on the heavier weights would be more helpful than staying where I was since if I was having trouble on the third session it was probably just an off day.) So deload, it'll be awesome when you get back up to your old working weights. I think having deloaded for the previous challenge really let me keep going strong and adding weight for this one.

Yes! My issue I think hasn't been the pausing, but it has been pushing through to the next weight if I could get the 3x5 even if maybe my form wasn't as good as it could be (read: too many that turned into good mornings). I dropped it a little more this morning to see if I could find a happy place where my form looked pretty good to start out next week.

-------

So, thoughts after today's workout (mostly so I don't forget anything later):

** I think I've found a happy place to start my working weights. I'm looking forward to getting them up past my PRs, but I really want to do this right from the beginning.

** I need to figure out if creatine is something I want to add for this cycle.

** Unless I can find a drop-in gym, I will miss 4 straight workouts in the middle of this challenge due to vacation. I've done the drop-in gym thing before when we've traveled, but this time we're going somewhere that might make it much harder to find a suitable place within driving distance. I'll do some research in the next few days to see if I can come up with something. I realllllllly don't want to give up 4 in a row while I'm doing this.

** Need to reread the SS programming to see if power cleans are supposed to be 5x3 or 5x1

** Yesterday my calories were high enough(ish), but a good chunk of the extra wasn't very nutritionally sound. Need to consider how to make one of my goals about making good choices without sending myself over the "I-don't-care" cliff.

** Now that I'm eating more food, my body is suddenly starving all the time. I've been eating at a deficit for a long time without feeling very hungry, and it seems that I might have awakened the beast by feeding it all this extra food. Very interesting.

Probable starting weights for the beginning of the next challenge:

Squats: 135

OHP: 65

Deadlift: 165

Bench: 90

Power clean: 75

Today's Workout

Squats

45 x 5

45 x 5

65 x 5

95 x 3

115 x 2

---------

Calf raises 150 x 10

----------

130 x 5

130 x 5

130 x 5

Bench

45 x 5

45 x 5

50 x 5

55 x 3

65 x 2

85 x 5

85 x 5

85 x 5

Power Clean

70 x 3

70 x 3

70 x 3

70 x 3

70 x 3

**I might have accidentally done 6 sets. I lost count and decided to err on the side of one extra set.

[Hermione Gainser]

You're starting weight is envy inducing! haha want big wheel squats!

But seriously, as obnoxious as it can be, really working form is the way to go.

I've heard good things about creatine but the one sticking point for me (and yeah, this is silly) is that it causes water weight gain. Catspaw mentioned it didn't feel or look like the gain we experience during super fun lady business, which is reassuring, but that the number on the scale went up. But I'm still hmmm about it. Given your trepidation with weight gain during this cycle I would probably not use it so that whatever happens you have the least skewed data.

Now that I'm on a clean kick I think I need you tape your cleans so I can watch this awesomeness in action!

Hahahahaha re: the beast. What were your macros like?

yesterday was my schedule bday celebration at work so I ate cake. it was tasty but I realized pretty late that my total calories and protein for the day were kind of low. Eating a bunch red curry pork at 9 pm is not a great idea. but it was delicious!

On that note, I think it's a good idea to focus on getting the good foods during your challenge and not worrying about if you have to supplement with protein because protein powder > cake or ice cream.

So, there's muh two cents

I'm really excited for your next challenge!!!!!

[Blueberries]

You're starting weight is envy inducing! haha want big wheel squats!

But seriously, as obnoxious as it can be, really working form is the way to go.

Do you have the go-ahead to get back to big squats now? Weren't yours like 150-something before the injury? That kind of weight feels crushing on my back for calf raises- I can't even imagine squatting it!

I've heard good things about creatine but the one sticking point for me (and yeah, this is silly) is that it causes water weight gain. Catspaw mentioned it didn't feel or look like the gain we experience during super fun lady business, which is reassuring, but that the number on the scale went up. But I'm still hmmm about it. Given your trepidation with weight gain during this cycle I would probably not use it so that whatever happens you have the least skewed data.

This reminds me of something I meant to put in the thoughts/observations list above. I'm up three pounds in three days right now. I know (I know!) that this is a) water retention from eating out on my birthday (and probably a little bit of lady water retention), and just the plain extra weight of having more food running through my system, but it is seriously effing with my head to watch the scale ticking up every morning. In spite of the fact that rationally I understand that it's not three pounds of fat gain, I realized that I'm going to need a LOT of talking down off the ledge as the scale plays games with me over the next six weeks. Just an upfront warning.

Now that I'm on a clean kick I think I need you tape your cleans so I can watch this awesomeness in action!

Ha! They are addicting, aren't they? As a matter of fact, I was thinking this morning in the middle of my cleans that I wished I had brought something to tape them so I can see if I'm actually pulling with my arms and just don't know it.

Hahahahaha re: the beast. What were your macros like?

yesterday was my schedule bday celebration at work so I ate cake. it was tasty but I realized pretty late that my total calories and protein for the day were kind of low. Eating a bunch red curry pork at 9 pm is not a great idea. but it was delicious!

On that note, I think it's a good idea to focus on getting the good foods during your challenge and not worrying about if you have to supplement with protein because protein powder > cake or ice cream.

So, there's muh two cents

I'm really excited for your next challenge!!!!!

I've tried really hard not to obsess over getting macros just-so (except making sure that I'm getting enough protein), because it starts to make me crazy. That's actually something that I'm worried about for the next challenge, because I feel like if I could be one of those people who has the macros perfect, it would probably be better for my bulk. BUT, in this moment, my sanity > the alternative.

Happy almost birthday!! You've gotta live a little on your birthday if you want... the challenge is to make sure it doesn't go on for a week (self pep-talking, here...). We went out for my birthday, and I wasn't planning on dessert, but then the guy said "goat cheese cinnamon ice cream," and I thought, "How can I not try that?!" So I did, and it was nomtastic.

powder > cake or ice cream.

QFT

I'd call that way more than two cents, and it's hugely appreciated, as usual. Now that I've gotten myself over the initial doireallywanttodothis??? freak out, I'm pretty excited about finally getting to see some real strength gains. PRs, I'm coming atcha!

[Hermione Gainser]

Do you have the go-ahead to get back to big squats now? Weren't yours like 150-something before the injury? That kind of weight feels crushing on my back for calf raises- I can't even imagine squatting it!

LOLz. I wish. I did get 150 during a 1rm test about a year ago but last working weight was 115. Fun times. Squats. They are my nemesis!

But yes, yay! I get to squat again. I'm finishing up a crazy volume cycle, taking a deload and then back to business!

This reminds me of something I meant to put in the thoughts/observations list above. I'm up three pounds in three days right now. I know (I know!) that this is a) water retention from eating out on my birthday (and probably a little bit of lady water retention), and just the plain extra weight of having more food running through my system, but it is seriously effing with my head to watch the scale ticking up every morning. In spite of the fact that rationally I understand that it's not three pounds of fat gain, I realized that I'm going to need a LOT of talking down off the ledge as the scale plays games with me over the next six weeks. Just an upfront warning.

Totally understandable re scale head games. What's your scale plan? Since it's definitely going to mess with you what if you only weighed in every Sunday morning (or whichever morning)? That way you can see where you're at after 1 week, then 2 and then you'll have a decent amount of data for how to proceed?

Ha! They are addicting, aren't they? As a matter of fact, I was thinking this morning in the middle of my cleans that I wished I had brought something to tape them so I can see if I'm actually pulling with my arms and just don't know it.

Yes! Must.See.All.The.Cleans. O.O

I've tried really hard not to obsess over getting macros just-so (except making sure that I'm getting enough protein), because it starts to make me crazy. That's actually something that I'm worried about for the next challenge, because I feel like if I could be one of those people who has the macros perfect, it would probably be better for my bulk. BUT, in this moment, my sanity > the alternative.

Happy almost birthday!! You've gotta live a little on your birthday if you want... the challenge is to make sure it doesn't go on for a week (self pep-talking, here...). We went out for my birthday, and I wasn't planning on dessert, but then the guy said "goat cheese cinnamon ice cream," and I thought, "How can I not try that?!" So I did, and it was nomtastic.

I support that! I was thinking generally, like for me, if I eat a lot of sugar (like around bday time!) I tend to get really hungry all the time..but that's also usually because if sugar is high protein is not as high as it usually is. My body no likey. Or, to the point: maybe it's a mix of possible lady times and more variation than normal from usual food sources? Or maybe your body is like FOOOOOOOOOOOD ALL OF IT!

Thaaaaaaaaaanks! Yes! This weekend is going to be quite indulgent. If I find goat cheese cinnamon ice cream you better believe I'm eating the heck out of it! I love birthdays

QFT

I'd call that way more than two cents, and it's hugely appreciated, as usual. Now that I've gotten myself over the initial doireallywanttodothis??? freak out, I'm pretty excited about finally getting to see some real strength gains. PRs, I'm coming atcha!

hahaha I had to look up QFT and I first got "Quantitative Feedback Theorem" hahaha Not totally implausible given we're on a nerd forum hahahhaa

[Blueberries]

LOLz. I wish. I did get 150 during a 1rm test about a year ago but last working weight was 115. Fun times. Squats. They are my nemesis!

But yes, yay! I get to squat again. I'm finishing up a crazy volume cycle, taking a deload and then back to business!

Totally understandable re scale head games. What's your scale plan? Since it's definitely going to mess with you what if you only weighed in every Sunday morning (or whichever morning)? That way you can see where you're at after 1 week, then 2 and then you'll have a decent amount of data for how to proceed?

Yes! Must.See.All.The.Cleans. O.O

I support that! I was thinking generally, like for me, if I eat a lot of sugar (like around bday time!) I tend to get really hungry all the time..but that's also usually because if sugar is high protein is not as high as it usually is. My body no likey. Or, to the point: maybe it's a mix of possible lady times and more variation than normal from usual food sources? Or maybe your body is like FOOOOOOOOOOOD ALL OF IT!

Thaaaaaaaaaanks! Yes! This weekend is going to be quite indulgent. If I find goat cheese cinnamon ice cream you better believe I'm eating the heck out of it! I love birthdays

hahaha I had to look up QFT and I first got "Quantitative Feedback Theorem" hahaha Not totally implausible given we're on a nerd forum hahahhaa

I guess I totally made up your squat in my head... haha. You'll get 'em!

Re: scale. I don't know. I hate to quit weighing every day, only because when I do that, I tend to bury my head in the sand about food and spark a massive gain. Weighing every day keeps me accountable, and usually I'm completely fine with the fluctuations, but I've also never done this deliberate surplus thing. It ticked up another pound this morning. Good times...

Sugar's been maybe a little higher than usual, so I guess that could be contributing. My protein's been pretty good, though. Honestly, it feels like my body is suddenly getting all this extra food and realizing what it's been missing out on. Maybe that's a good sign that it's trying to fuel my recovery? I'm sticking with optimism here.

ETA: I'm sure you figured it out, but QFT is "quoted for truth." It's something I'm pretty sure I picked up on Fark.com years and years ago.

[Hermione Gainser]

Ahhhh, I see, I see. That does complicate things! But accountability is good. No worries! We'll work it out as it comes How often do you do measurements?

hahahaha! I forgot to add that, I did and I was all...ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhh I like it!

[weirdquark]

Sugar makes your body do weird things -- I ate a lot more sugar this last challenge because of gelato deliciousness and went up ten pounds, but this past week I had very little sugar and dropped about five of them. I also had to take measurements for costume related things and my waist-at-belly-button measurement dropped two inches in a week after not eating sugar too. So clearly there was some water retention and bloating going on. Fun times.

But I also support eating amazing treats like cinnamon goat cheese ice cream. If you eat things that are good for you the majority of the time and occasionally have treats that are less healthy but are super special awesome, this is a good way to live.

[weirdquark]

LOLz. I wish. I did get 150 during a 1rm test about a year ago but last working weight was 115. Fun times. Squats. They are my nemesis!

I guess I totally made up your squat in my head... haha. You'll get 'em!

Laura, I remember you squatting 150 for your working weight too. Maybe because last year my working weight was like 95 and what I remember was actually "more than me" and it scaled up as what I lifted went up?