Questions #1

Long time no update. Blame it on the education. Now that I’m somewhat free save for the few odd classes and housesitting in bumfucknowhere, I now have more time to do fun things: sleeping, running, working out, reading, cooking, sleeping, etc


But more importantly I can blog and answer some of your questions. I got quite a few from emails and I’m surprised that my little blog has some readers. Go me!

In every email I was asked what kind of training program I’m on; I’m going to presume no one is asking about my “student training program”. That program consists of Red Bulls (sugar free), Bawls, and Monster Recovery.

I change my workout every month so I don’t get bored, and I do ever get bored. So right now my routine looks like this:

Monday: 30 minute intense cardio/hamstring/glutes

Tuesday: Yoga/1 mile run/biceps/triceps

Wednesday: Back/chest/30 mod minute cardio

Thursday: Yoga/2 mile run/core/shoulders

Friday: Quads/Calves/30 minute light cardio

Saturday: 3 mile run/Yoga

Sunday: Rest

That’s this month. Independence Day celebrations have mucked the routine up a bit, and my knees are a little achey, but I’m getting it back. And with the heat wave the East Coast is having running anytime outdoors between 7am and 7pm is next to impossible for my wimp ass self. So yeah I’m that disgusting person who gets up at 5am for a run.

Next month I’ll switch it up a bit and take out some exercises and put new ones in. Bicep curls are awesome but they get boring. I’ll switch them out with hammer curls or Zottman curls or use the barbell instead of dumb bells. And that’s another thing, grip! Grip on the dumb bells/cable/barbell can change how you work the muscles. There’s neutral (palms facing each other), overhand (palms facing forward), underhand (palms face you); and each grip can be used whether you are working arms, shoulders, back, and even lower body exercises. By changing the grip you are changing how the muscle works.


Another question I got a couple times: Do you have a trainer?

Hahah no. I’m too poor. I wish though. But I’ve managed so far by myself and I don’t see the need for one yet. But if you have the money I definitely recommend a personal trainer. If you are new to working out or need external motivation they are an outstanding resource, even if you are a vet to the gym. Check to make sure they are certified: ASE, NASM, ISSA, AFPA; to name a few.

What do you eat?

I’m a little ashamed this hasn’t gone perfectly well and honestly I know a lot about nutrition but I don’t follow a lot of the advice myself, namely because I’m poor. I do drink A LOT of water, almost a gallon daily, and little more on heavy training days. I try to get a fair share of vegetables and whey protein in, particularly after a workout.

How’s the weight loss?

Ooooooo.......

Okay I have a semi good excuse: school. I’m surprised no one asked me about my stress levels or my sleeping habits. I write that because the top have been scientifically proven to effect weight loss. May and June I hardly slept and my stress levels went through the roof. So it didn’t really matter if I ate well and worked out, I wasn’t going to lose much fat or gain enough muscle. And that’s that. You don’t sleep well and relax then you are not doing your body any favors. Unless you’re in bootcamp, and I can’t personally speak about it until I get there. So July promises that I will get eight hours of sleep every night. Well most nights.

At least I didn’t gain any fat.



The Chicago Marine Officer has good documents on physical fitness; whether you are enlisting or going the commission route. Holly asked about the “Female Upper Body Strength Development”. It’s good...but stale. I would definitely break it into two four week programs and make sure to add exercises for every part of the body during the course of a week. This is my opinion, which is not based on any medical training but on my own experience. I highly recommend taking a look at the CMO’s downloads page. Good stuff.

To continue on with upper body strength make sure you are working out more than just your biceps. Triceps, shoulders, back, chest, and even core work are all needed to perform things like...chin ups, flex arm hangs, push ups, ammo can lifts... So technically you could do biceps and triceps on one day, shoulders the second, back and chest the third and rest on the fourth.



To recap and add: drink at least three liters of water daily, eat your veggies, get your sleep, keep the variety in your workouts, and always push yourself, but never to pain.

Again: I'm not a medical and/or sports expert. This is all base on my personal experience.

I would like to recommend to all of you two books I'm very fond of right now:
 
Jackie Warner's This is Why You're Fat
 
Warner has a very realistic approach to a healthy lifestyle. It's feasible and easily integrated into anyone's life. She makes a point that her eating and work out plan is not a diet but a lifestyle. By shunning the evils of sugar, incorporating more sleep and water into your life, eating vegetables and healthy foods; you will change your life and mindset for good. And she's right. I love her attitude, I love her plan, and I just downright love the woman. :: bows down :: Definitely four out of four stars.
 
Women's Health The Big Book of Exercises
 
Women's Health The Big Book of Exercises is just that. It's a big book of exercises. Filled with photographs of photoshopped women performing exercises for all parts of the body including warm up exercises; and workout plans for all sorts of...events. "Bikini Body Ready Workout". "Bridal Workout". "Mother-to-be Workout". "Look Good in a Pair of Jeans Workout"...corny but, hey it all works. Four out of four.