CourtnieMarie - the road less fattened

[CourtnieMarie]

I wish I was creative enough to come up with good themes for these… sorry it’s so boring!

 

I like to lift things. I also have a less-than-desirable percent of fat on my body. I would like to continue lifting while working on losing fat. From what I’ve read, the lifting will help negate any muscle loss while I create a calorie deficit for myself. I’m still a lifting noob but I don’t want to focus on lifting gains until I’ve completed my main quest.

 

Since I am on vacation from 7/27-7/30, I am took my measurements for today and starting my thread early.

 

Current stats:

Height: 5’6.5â€

Weight: 162.6lbs

Body fat %: 33.2

Measurements

·         Waist: 34â€

·         Hips: 38.5â€

·         Neck: 13â€

·         Wrist: 6.3â€

·         Thigh: 22.3â€

·         Bicep: 10.8â€

 

 

Main quest: Get to a body fat percentage of 25%

as measured by http://www.fat2fitradio.com/tools/mbf/ (If someone has a better body fat % calculator – let me know!)

 

Goal 1: Keep daily logged calories as close to 1750 as possible – weekly as close to or under 12,250. Keep protein over 100g, 120g is ideal. I know there are inherent inaccuracies with logged food (especially since I don’t use a scale) but this number has kept me losing pounds over the past year or so and therefore must be a deficit point for me. Having a calorie deficit seems to be the most prominent factor in losing fat. Graded <12,250 A, 12,250-13K B, 13-14K C, 14-15K D, >15K F

Goal 2: Lift 3x/week. This usually wouldn’t be a challenge; however, I will be on vacation from 7/27-7/30 and then from 8/17-8/20. It will be fairly difficult to figure out when I can set aside time for lifting and still have enough recovery in between. I am also going to see Wicked and the JayZ and JT show in August. This goal will be about planning ahead and following through or else epic fail. Graded - 18 workouts A, 16-17 B, 14-15 C, 12-13 D, <12 F

Goal 3: Take measurements weekly. I slack with measurement taking. Usually because I will just check my waist and see that it hasn’t changed then give up. I need to get into the habit of recording my measurements on a weekly basis. Preferably Friday mornings. Graded - 6 taken is A, 5 is B, 4 is C, <4 F

 

Side quest – Life: Pay off what I spend on credit card weekly. I didn’t have a real plan when I decided it was a good idea to buy all the things on my credit card in order to accumulate as many points as possible. So my credit just accumulated debt and I paid off less than what I was spending on it and now I’m a bit behind. I need to pay $255/week PLUS any additional costs I put on the card that week. Graded - 6 weeks paid A, 5 is B, 4 is C, <4 F

[Max Power]

Calories are the key, if that's the deficit that is working for you, then I say stick with it! 

 

So when are you swinging by to pick me up for that concert???   

 

 

Good luck with the goals!   

[CourtnieMarie]

Calories are the key, if that's the deficit that is working for you, then I say stick with it! 

 

So when are you swinging by to pick me up for that concert???   

 

 

Good luck with the goals!   

 

Thanks! Haha - I really lucked out with these tickets. Mom got them through work and then found out she couldn't (or really didn't want to) go so now the girlfriend gets to come. I'm really excited - 3 hours of these guys? I'm in! Plus I've never seen a music concert at fenway.

[Max Power]

Thanks! Haha - I really lucked out with these tickets. Mom got them through work and then found out she couldn't (or really didn't want to) go so now the girlfriend gets to come. I'm really excited - 3 hours of these guys? I'm in! Plus I've never seen a music concert at fenway.

 

Yeah, no, seriously, when are you coming to pick me up?! I didn't know it was at Fenway!  Haha!  That sounds like a great deal, have fun!  

[orcwarrior]

Sounds like lifting and calories are working well for you!  Keep up the good work!  That's about 70 lbs you're down, right?  Shoot, you've lost a whole third-grader this past year! 

 

Also sounds like measuring weekly is a little discouraging for you - would less often help see differences more easily? Just wondering...

 

Looks like August will fun but challenging fitness-wise.  Have fun on your vacations!

[CourtnieMarie]

Yeah, no, seriously, when are you coming to pick me up?! I didn't know it was at Fenway!  Haha!  That sounds like a great deal, have fun!  

7pm sound good? I'll swing by Mississippi on my way - just a few miles off the highway.

 

Sounds like lifting and calories are working well for you!  Keep up the good work!  That's about 70 lbs you're down, right?  Shoot, you've lost a whole third-grader this past year! 

 

Also sounds like measuring weekly is a little discouraging for you - would less often help see differences more easily? Just wondering...

 

Looks like August will fun but challenging fitness-wise.  Have fun on your vacations!

Yeah! Together my significant other and I have lost a small child! She's down 35lbs. 

 

It has been discouraging - but I'm losing pounds so I'm very confused about where it's coming from. I feel like I need a good baseline of data to work from and then maybe tweak my diet or ask you all what to do!

 

Despite the semi-crappy weather coming my way - I'm determined to have fun! At least this time we're in a house and not a tent...

[wesb1898]

*cough*Paleo*cough*

Seriously, though. Your challenge looks amazing. And in response to your question in WQ's thread, I play the trombone.

[Erick the Red]

Good luck on your challenge. My main goal is very similar, given the differnt sexes and all.

[CourtnieMarie]

*cough*Paleo*cough* Seriously, though. Your challenge looks amazing. And in response to your question in WQ's thread, I play the trombone.

Are you saying I should eat paleo? I do! For the most part... We don't buy any grains but I'll have rice or something if we're out. I eat dairy (greek yogurt, cheese) but have dropped cow's milk. I have been thinking that I'm getting too much bad fats eating this way, though! I'm trying to focus on leaner meats, etc. Of course, we just acquired a bunch of leftover bbq food from the vaca this past weekend -  not helping!

 

Good luck on your challenge. My main goal is very similar, given the differnt sexes and all.

 

Thanks! I'll need to check out your thread!

[CourtnieMarie]

Gunstock, NH!

 

Week 1, Day 1 - Vacation. A lot of drinking but also climbed Mount Major in NH. Short hike up and down but it felt really good to get some of the alcohol out of my system from the night before. Our friend then made us a huge steak and potato dinner with a crazy gorgonzola cream sauce. 

1. ~2140 cals, 76g protein (over by 390)

2. 0/3

3. Not yet.

 

Week 1, Day 2 - Vacation. Big diner breakfast, fully equipped with a root beer float. But once I was home I got a lot of cooking done for the week!

1. ~2088 cals, 90g protein (cumulatively over by 728)

2. 0/3

3. Not yet.

 

I plan to lift today, tomorrow, and Saturday

[wesb1898]

OK, wasn't sure what your dietary ways were.  I would say watch the non-Paleo things and make sure they truly are rarities and not sneaking their little heads in daily.

[orcwarrior]

Pic looks beautiful!  Sounds like you had a good time!

 

Don't sweat the calorie surplus - you'll make it up in the days ahead.  And that's part of what vacation's for, right? 

 

Good luck in your workouts for the week - sounds like you're shifting right into gear for the challenge.  And you don't need to apologize for your lack of creativity - many of us are equally ungifted in that area.  If you check my challenge thread you won't anything remotely resembling creativity or originality - just boring old stats and workout reports.  Us creatively challenged people need to stick together. 

[CourtnieMarie]

OK, wasn't sure what your dietary ways were.  I would say watch the non-Paleo things and make sure they truly are rarities and not sneaking their little heads in daily.

Definitely have non-paleo things daily. Hellman's olive oil mayo, whey protein, alcohol, cheese, sour cream, pepperoni, hommus, crystal light... ha. BUT I don't really feel like these are the things that are holding me back from losing fat. OR switching to the more paleo-friendly way of eating dairy (i.e. full-fat) was not a good idea for an overweight person. I've been creepily watching what Waldo eats on MFP so that I can learn lol

 

 

Pic looks beautiful!  Sounds like you had a good time!

 

Don't sweat the calorie surplus - you'll make it up in the days ahead.  And that's part of what vacation's for, right? 

 

Good luck in your workouts for the week - sounds like you're shifting right into gear for the challenge.  And you don't need to apologize for your lack of creativity - many of us are equally ungifted in that area.  If you check my challenge thread you won't anything remotely resembling creativity or originality - just boring old stats and workout reports.  Us creatively challenged people need to stick together. 

It was great! Not perfect weather but definitely could have been worse. That's what I'm hoping will happen with the calories - by the way, I stole your grading system!

Yes, we do! That's why I add pictures and smiley faces lol!

[Max Power]

 

Gunstock, NH!

 

Week 1, Day 1 - Vacation. A lot of drinking but also climbed Mount Major in NH. Short hike up and down but it felt really good to get some of the alcohol out of my system from the night before. Our friend then made us a huge steak and potato dinner with a crazy gorgonzola cream sauce. 

1. ~2140 cals (over by 390)

2. 0/3

3. Not yet.

 

Week 1, Day 2 - Vacation. Big diner breakfast, fully equipped with a root beer float. But once I was home I got a lot of cooking done for the week!

1. ~2088 cals (cumulatively over by 728)

2. 0/3

3. Not yet.

 

I plan to lift today, tomorrow, and Saturday

 

 

So much awesome in this post...  That picture looks great! I've never done any hiking in the northeast before, it looks like it would be fun.   And diner breakfast is the best breakfast, all of that extra delicious grease... 

 

We spent almost every morning of our trip  hiking out the alcohol from the day before.  It's a good way to do it.  

[CourtnieMarie]

So much awesome in this post...  That picture looks great! I've never done any hiking in the northeast before, it looks like it would be fun.   And diner breakfast is the best breakfast, all of that extra delicious grease... 

 

We spent almost every morning of our trip  hiking out the alcohol from the day before.  It's a good way to do it.  

ha! thanks! thats not even the gorgeous view from Mount major - we did the lazy route on Sunday and took the ski lift up Gunstock. Diner breakfast WAS awesome. But I ate less than half of my hash, cheese, and spinach omelette due to said root beer float!

 

When/where did you go for your trip?

[orcwarrior]

 

It was great! Not perfect weather but definitely could have been worse. That's what I'm hoping will happen with the calories - by the way, I stole your grading system!

 

So that's where it went!   Glad it was good enough to steal! Just return it when you're done...

[Max Power]

ha! thanks! thats not even the gorgeous view from Mount major - we did the lazy route on Sunday and took the ski lift up Gunstock. Diner breakfast WAS awesome. But I ate less than half of my hash, cheese, and spinach omelette due to said root beer float!

 

When/where did you go for your trip?

 

I was in the Grand Tetons in Wyoming just before this challenge started.  It was brutal, but there are some crazy "for the love of all that is geology" scenery out there.  

[CourtnieMarie]

I was in the Grand Tetons in Wyoming just before this challenge started.  It was brutal, but there are some crazy "for the love of all that is geology" scenery out there.  

Awesome! Did you see bison? Did you EAT bison??

[CourtnieMarie]

Week 1, Day 3 â€“ Back to reality. Gained 4 lbs over the long weekend! Whoops. Dropped two of those this AM though so hopefully by weigh in tomorrow I’ll be okay.

1. ~1835 cals, 95g protein (weekly total 6063cals, 261g)

2. 1/3 See below for details.

3. Not yet. Tomorrow.

 

7/31/13 Workout

 

Negative chin up: So, never done this before. Interesting. A lot of swing happening and not a lot of time above the bar.

1 at 5 second drop

2 at 7 second drop

 

Underhand lat pulldown: These were done pulling down as fast as possible and pausing at the bottom. Then took 4 seconds to return bar up.

1x10 70lbs (thought this was supposed to be 10 reps but it was supposed to be 10 sets of 2. Whoops)

1x2 70lbs

2x2 80lbs

 

Barbell split squat: In order to get my front leg parallel to the floor my back knee ALWAYS hits the floor. Bruised.

2x10 (each leg) 45lbs

 

Pushups:

2x10 on 6^th rung of smith machine

 

Another lifting session is planned for after work today. Can’t wait to finish up all this fatty meat we have left over. Kielbasa, cheddar wursts, steak tips, oh my!

[Max Power]

Awesome! Did you see bison? Did you EAT bison??

 

We didn't see any bison, I did have a bison burger though, nothing special, but good.  We did see a few moose, lots of mule deer, and a black bear.  We had a mule deer and three fawn walk through our camp one night when we were in the backcountry, we named her Becky.  

 

Another lifting session is planned for after work today. Can’t wait to finish up all this fatty meat we have left over. Kielbasa, cheddar wursts, steak tips, oh my!

 

Just ship it down my way, I'll take care of all that delicious food!  

 

That's a solid workout too, good job!  Sorry about the bruised knee, stupid split squats! 

[CourtnieMarie]

We didn't see any bison, I did have a bison burger though, nothing special, but good.  We did see a few moose, lots of mule deer, and a black bear.  We had a mule deer and three fawn walk through our camp one night when we were in the backcountry, we named her Becky.  

 

That's fantastic!

 

That's a solid workout too, good job!  Sorry about the bruised knee, stupid split squats! 

 

Seriously! It happens with lunges too. 

[weirdquark]

Seriously! It happens with lunges too. 

 

My back knee hits the ground on lunges and split squats too, though it's not every time so I know it can be done without. Have you tried different width stances? (with putting your foot further back/closer when you step back, not side-to-side.)

[CourtnieMarie]

Week 1, Day 4 â€“ Got sucked in by sheet cake in the break room yesterday. Had two small bites. Put me just over on fat and surprisingly not that much on sugar. The chobani was the real sugar culprit yesterday. Need to remember to get plain flavor next time.

 

1. ~1762 cals, 117g protein (weekly total 7825cals, 378)

 

2. 2/3 See below for details.

 

3. Took measurements this morning. Thigh, wrist, and hips went down; neck went up; bicep and waist stayed the same. Weighed in at 163.8lbs which is up 1.2lbs from last Friday. Not sure what this all means but I like data.

 

SQ: Paid $500 to credit card today. My usage hadn’t fully been logged on my account but I knew I had at least used it for gas this weekend so I made sure to cover myself with a bit extra. At least $255 next week unless I use the card between now and then.

 

 

8/1/13 Workout

 

Reverse lunge with DB on shoulder:

 

2x10 at 20lbs each side

 

 

Two-point DB row: this way does each arm separately

 

2x10 at 20lbs each side

 

 

DB push press: this was weird. Supposed to partially squat down with DBs at ear height and then push up all the way onto your toes and arm above head. My heels kept coming off the ground during the squat part and didn’t feel like I was getting the right amount of momentum to really push the weight here like I think I’m supposed to…

 

2x10 at 20lbs in each hand

 

 

Back Extension:

 

2x10 at 20lbs

 

 

Incline Reverse Crunches: man – I feel like I am using a lot of momentum to get these done but my abs are definitely feeling the workout. I’d like to see where I’m at with these at the end of the challenge since I can’t hold my butt up for even 1 second at this point. Also the incline bench at my gym don't go down less than (it looks like) 45degrees

 

2x10

 

 

Have my third lifting session for this week scheduled for tomorrow. Today is a much needed rest day/night. After my lifting, I'm planning on going for an hour hike around a nearby pond with the SO, our dog, and my sister. My sister requested this activity for her birthday! Can’t complain there: free, productive fun.

 

My best friend is getting married next year and myself and her other best friend are co-maids of honor Another bridesmaid volunteered to plan the engagement party for this summer but, well, it’s August and nothing has been done. I offered and provided some help at the beginning of the summer but – oh well. The co-maid and I decided we’d just take the engaged couple out to dinner to celebrate their pending nuptials. Going here http://www.astrestaurant.com/our-menu/dinner-menu on Saturday night! I am not a sushi person so I’m not sure what I’ll end up deciding on. Plenty to choose from though!

 

 

[CourtnieMarie]

My back knee hits the ground on lunges and split squats too, though it's not every time so I know it can be done without. Have you tried different width stances? (with putting your foot further back/closer when you step back, not side-to-side.)

I have tried different stances, but haven't really paid attention as to whether closer or further make my knee hit. I feel like if I get closer though, my front knee becomes compromised and is close to going over my toes. I might need to somehow markout where my back foot hits and see what is needed to fix it.

[exjamieus]

Running by to say "Happy Friday" 

 

Re: Sushi can I be your new best friend? Because I would love to introduce you to how sushi can be amazing. I made sushi rolls last night for dinner and am super excited for lunch today.