My Baby is going to State!!!!

My oldest daughter, Cierra, is going to the La State Softball 4A Playoffs today!  I am so proud of her and her team, a great group of girls.  They have worked so hard.  Their coach isn't so bad either, he and I graduated high school together.  :) 

Here are some shots I took with my phone at one of their district games this year:

I love you Cierra!  Best of Luck today!!!

Elevated Liver Enzymes Part 2 Plus Therapy

After talking to my GYNO, he feels like my lifestyle (extreme exercise) is what has my liver enzymes elevated (1 point higher than normal range) and that is no reason to be concerned, not to mention I was on Tylenol 3 when the blood work was done.  Either could be a clear culprit for the slight elevation and therefore NO reason to be concerned.  AMEN!! 

Therapy this morning was fun.  My actual therapist was in and he put me through the ringer.  A full upper body workout.  Chest, back, shoulders, bis, & tris.  LOVED IT!!!!  Although my wrist/hand is quite a bit sore fatigued, I am looking forward to my next appointment, Tuesday.  I am very fortunate to have gotten a therapist who understands what I used to do and wants to get me back there ASAP.

Today's Therapist workout:
Mach chest press 3 X 12
Mach shoulder press 3 X 12
Mach row ss
Mach lat pulldown 3 X 15
Hammer curl across chest 3 X 15 ss
Sup curl 3 X 15
DB overhead ext 3 X 12
Inc bench push up 3 X 15
(Got very excited when I realized I could do more back yesterday and then today the therapist told me to use my wrist wraps and I realized I can do even more.  Oh My Goodness, I am like a kid in a candy store again!!!!)

Tonight is my leg weights workout plus at least an hour of cardio, I have some making up to do (I slept in this morning)  :)

Have a great lift today............

Found this at missfitclothing.com, check out their site, several cute slogans.

Today's workout

My girl's are out of school this week, so generally while they are off for the holidays I take off quite a bit from work.  This morning I set my alarm for 6:00 to go to the gym.  Went in to do my bootay workout:
leg press-high wide and tilted outward- 3 X 15
Ass Pullup Mach. leg pressdown 3 X 15, 12, 8
Bentover cable kickbacks 3 X 15, 12, 10 with pulse for another 10 at the end
Reverse Hypers 3 X 30
Abb and Abd machine 2 X 20 for each
Stepmill 30 min

This afternoon I have to play catch up from missing yesterday's workout, since Cierra's ball practice ran late.  My baby girl is going to the state playoffs this weekend for softball!!!!  Whooo hoooo!!!

Sooo this afternoon I am going to Don's to do what I call shoulders, back, bi's, & chest.  Gotta love this:  (Not, but something is better than nothing)
Giant set of:
Weighted hypers
Butterflyes
shoulder machine 6 X 10ish more or less
I just found another shoulder machine I can do as of last week so I will be doing it tonight probably 4 X 10
plus
I can buckle on an ankle strap around my wrist and do some curls 4 X 10

Then off to do another 15 minutes of stepmill.

My weight is holding pretty steady.  Thinking about getting down to 130ish before summer vacation Aug 4-7th.  Got to be bikini ready for Florida!!!!  :)

Therapy

Started therapy today.  The therapist was nice and helpful.  So we shall see.....

I am getting more in the mindset of not competing this year.  My immediate goal is to get as bikini ready as possible through summer.  Hopefully with lifting ASAP.  Once summer is over I plan to start a heck of an off season of building mass, as much muscle as possible on my frame.  Sooooo by January of next year I can  diet down to leave an amazing physique.  :)   In the meantime, I have a couple of shows I plan to go watch and a ton of research to do. 

Thank you guys for offering support of my decision to pull out for this year.  It was one not made lightly and hopefully one I will benefit from.  Right or wrong, I am stepping on the stage to win, not just compete and if I feel like the package I will bring is not a winner then there is no reason for me to compete.  Looking at last years pics of the winner for the show I was interested in made me realize I need to build a lot more mass.

Here is last year's state show winner:

Pulling Out

With a lot of thought and talking with Harley, I have decided to pull out of any competitions in Louisiana this year.   Of course my broke hand was the biggest factor in this decision.  Being 11 weeks out and still not able to lift dumbbells or even think about a bar that limits my training too much.  My biggest concern even before I broke my hand was that I would not have the size I needed to win.  I am 5'8.5", but I have a small bone structure and it will take time to build the muscle mass I need in order to win, therefore a true off season.  Tomorrow morning I start therapy for my hand and hope to see improvements quickly, but I am sure it will be a wait and see game.  
To be honest, I feel a little numb making this decision right now.  My thought is to continue blogging about the journey of off season.....training.....diet.......cardio or not........going to see shows......research.........so that for this next year I can build the most amazing body I am capable of and enter next season with complete faith that I gave it all I have.  100% and no looking back.


  

Occupational Therapy Starts Tuesday

Hand update:  Will be 5 weeks tomorrow since I broke it and still can not even think about lifting with it.  Called yesterday, finally got through to my Dr office and asked to have therapy scheduled since I am not able to do what he thought I should be doing by this time.  Very frustrated!!!  BUT trying to see the light at the end of the tunnel.  Maybe with the therapy I will start to see more results.  I can only hope since I will be 11 weeks out from my competition this Saturday.  It is almost at the IN or OUT stage.  If I can not start lifting soon, then I may have to wait till next season to compete.  :(  So please say a special prayer for my hand.

Elevated Liver Enzymes

Recently I rewrote a life insurance policy on myself.  Since I have always received the highest/best rating on my policies, it was quite a shock to have not gotten the best rate on this last one.  So, I called my underwriter to see why and he disclosed that I have elevated liver enzymes.  What?!?!!? I immediately searched for the causes of this and try to diagnose myself.........yes, I plan to see a doctor about this because I still have no definite answer. 

A wide range of health problems can lead to elevated liver enzymes.

Some common causes include:

• Adrenal insufficiency (inadequate levels of hormones released by the adrenal gland)
• Alcohol abuse
• Alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency (a disorder caused by defective production of the glycoprotein alpha-1-antitrypsin)
• Autoimmune disorders of the liver and bile ducts, such as autoimmune hepatitis
• Celiac disease
• Diabetes
• Elevated triglycerides (fat tissues)
• Excessive use of certain herbal supplements, such as comfrey, kava, pennyroyal, and skullcap
• Hepatic steatosis and steatohepatitis, and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)
• Infections such as viral hepatitis and mononucleosis
• Medications including certain nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, cholesterol-lowering medications, antibiotics, anti-seizure medications, and acetaminophen
• Metabolic liver disease such as hemochromatosis and Wilson's disease
• Muscle disorders
• Obesity
• Thyroid disorders
• Tumors of the liver or bile ducts

Here are some things I noted to talk to my Dr about:

• I have noticed an acidic taste in my mouth lately.
• I have seen quite a bit more bruising than normal on my body.
• I have always been slightly anemic, so I take an iron pill twice a week.
• I do consume about 180 grams of protein daily.
• I do take a complex B vitamin 6 days/week
• I do occasionally drink fresh lemon juice in my water.
• My sugar intake is limited to about 10-20 grams per day.
• I have recently started to drink more coffee, which as of today is OUT, but the symptoms were there before the coffee.
• I recently was on Tylenol 3 with codeine when I broke my hand.  Can not remember if the symptoms were there before or not.

I can not say for sure if these things (below) are in anything I take, but I intend to look, hopefully not.  I had been taking CycloRim to help me sleep, but have been off of it for about a week or so.  I am hoping that is the culprit, but I do not know.  I intend to ask my Dr about the DIM too.

But for the rest of you take a look at these and check what you take:

Kava Kava:
The main active components in kava root are called kavalactones. Specific types of kavalactones include dihydrokavain, methysticin, kavain, dihydromethysticin, dihydrokawain, yangonin and desmethoxyyangonin.
Although rare, case reports have linked kava use with liver toxicity, including hepatitis, cirrhosis, and liver failure.
As a result, the FDA issued a warning about kava in 2002. Several countries have banned or restricted the sale of kava.
Kava is a diuretic, so it may have an additive effect if combined with drugs or herbs that have diuretic properties.


Comfrey:
Although I have limited my personal use to topical application on wounds and abraded skin, many herbalists and physicians prize comfrey for the treatment of broken bones, torn cartilage, tendon damage, lung congestion and ulceration in the gastrointestinal tract.    These applications have not been tested in clinical trials although there is research supporting anti-inflammatory[3-8], analgesic[9-10], would healing[9,11], and immune modulating effects[15-17].    The major barrier to testing this plant's therapeutic effects is the naturally occurring pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) in comfrey.   Due to the presence of PAs many countries have laws restricting the distribution, sale, and/or use of comfrey.    This includes the United States, Canada, Germany, and the United Kingdom.
Despite the concerns regarding PAs in comfrey and the risk of liver damage many alternative medicine practitioners and the lay public continue to eat or use comfrey as medicine (much as people demanded the continued availability of diet products containing saccharine even after it was shown to cause disease in laboratory animals). 


Pennyroyal:

Pennyroyal is a plant. The oil and leaves are used to make medicine. Throughout history, both American pennyroyal and European pennyroyal have been used interchangeably as a source of oil.

Despite serious safety concerns, pennyroyal is used for colds, pneumonia, and other breathing problems. It is also used for stomach pains, gas, intestinal disorders, and liver and gallbladder problems.

Women use it to start or regulate their menstrual periods, or to cause an abortion.

Pennyroyal is also used to control muscle spasms, cause sweating, and increase urine production.

Some people use it as a stimulant and to counteract weakness.

Pennyroyal is applied to the skin to kill germs, keep insects away, and treat skin diseases. It is also used topically for gout, venomous bites, and mouth sores; and as a flea-killing bath.

In foods, pennyroyal is used for flavoring.

In manufacturing, pennyroyal oil is used as a dog and cat flea repellent; and as a fragrance for detergents, perfumes, and soaps.

How effective is it?

Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate.

The effectiveness ratings for PENNYROYAL are as follows:

Insufficient evidence to rate effectiveness for...

• Causing abortion. The large doses needed to cause an abortion can kill the mother or cause her irreversible kidney and liver damage.
• Reducing spasms.
• Intestinal gas.
• Pneumonia.
• Stomach pains.
• Weakness.
• Fluid retention.
• Killing germs.
• Skin diseases.
• Other conditions.

More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of pennyroyal for these uses.

How does it work?

Return to top

There isn't enough information available to know how pennyroyal might work.

Skullcap:
Traditionally, skullcap is known to be an effective stimulant for the nervous organization, as the herb contains high value ingredients for a sound nervous system. The herb is particularly effective in helping as well as escalating the nervous system when a person undergoes mental and physical stress and strain. In fact, skullcap is a time tested medicine for all kinds of disturbed mental state, be it tension, anxiety, insomnia, neurasthenia, panic, headaches, fatigue, depression as well as melancholy. Skullcap’s ability to heal physical irregularities like convulsions, jerking muscles, epilepsy, wobbliness as well as heart trembles has been tested over the ages. Many experts have advocated the use of skullcap instead of applying the normal allopathic tranquillizers and medicines to cure depression. However, skullcap yields the best results when it is blended with other hormone stability thymes like chaste tree or false unicorn root to heal PMS.
These days, skullcap is predominantly consumed as a stimulant for the nervous system and its ability to heal the system. As mentioned earlier, skullcap is a herb that is extremely effective in the treatment of the nervous system as it is beneficial in soothing anxiety, stress and worries. In fact, the ability of skullcap to control and rectify nervous irregularities makes it one of the most effective remedies for tension and anxiety that leads to muscular contractions. Physicians often recommend usage of skullcap individually or in combination with other tranquilizing herbal medicines to cure sleeplessness as well as for respite from menstrual pains. Scientists as well as physicians are of the opinion that there is need for more studies into skullcap as this may bring to the fore other still unknown uses of the herb.
Although gulping standard measures of skullcap does not lead to any serious adverse effects in the body, when a person is administered an injection containing ingredients of S. baicalensis it may cause aches in the muscles and also raise the body temperature. While it may also lead to reduced count of leukocyte in the body, many people have even complained of liver damage after being administered the injection. Since, skullcap is known to damage the liver, it is advised that people should not intake the herb casually.




I will let you know more when I find out.

12 weeks out and ANOTHER SHOUT OUT!!!

I am so hesitant to prepare this post ahead of time, as it is Friday, because the last time I "prepared" a blog for you guys I broke my hand before I could post it.  So, I am going to say a special prayer I get to post this on Saturday morning with no accidents to myself.  :)


As you know I have been "back on" my diet for 1 week now, as I am 12 weeks out now.  Wanted to kick start my metabolism a small bit into action.  Her are my measurements starting my journey:
Chest:  33 2/8
Waist:  26 2/8
Hips:  36 1/2
Thighs:  21 6/8
Weight:  134.5

Did my 45 min of cardio this morning followed by PLYO, then my sis and bro n law wanted an upper body workout, so I put them through a back and tri's.  Love working with them.  May have found what I will be doing in retirement.  :) 




     Here I want to give a huge shout out to my fellow blogger and a huge source of encouragement for me during my ordeal, Melissa Cunningham! She is competing in a triathlon Sunday!  Girl, thank you for all of your words of support and encouragement.  It has been a pleasure reading about your personal journey and I can not wait to hear how all will turn out for you.  You truly are a winner long before you ever even step up. 

Here is to proving DYNAMITE does come in small packages!

4:00 am in the gym

Hooray!  My 1st week back to my diet has gone beautifully!  The object this week was 103 carbs and about 1550 cal per day with a huge re feed on Sunday and I am almost there.  (No, this is not the diet I will keep for the remainder of my 12 1/2 weeks, but it is just to kick my rear in gear this week and see how my body responds)  Speaking of, my body is responding well and it has not been as tough as I thought.  :)  (We'll see if I am still saying that next week)  

I know it is not update pic time, but I wanted to share to give you an idea where I am right now...and how far I have to go over the next 12 weeks (as of this Saturday)  Keep in mind I have not been able to do any upper body for the last 3 1/2 weeks and it is looking like that is going to continue for at least another week.  I tried to put a 5lb db in my hand this morning and curl, well it was fine until right at the 90 degree angle mark and then instant pain, so no go there......UGH!!!!  I was really hoping this weekend would be the big day to lift again.  One more week! 

Still have much work to do on the calves.

I know, I know, its all about diet.  Hopefully in another week or so they will be back to where they were.

My guns are getting smaller :(  Thank the Lord for muscle memory......I am banking alot into that right now!

Just daydreaming of things I miss (again)

Meet Ms. Camala Rodriguez.........

One day soon I will do rows again with 60's.......

And feel beast while doing some pulldowns......

Soon!

Edit

After yesterday's post, a nice late lunch with Harley, and a great workout in the gym, I am still in this!  How can I ever think I am not??!!  I love the way I feel after a great workout, or after a crazy cardio session.  I love how I look in the mirror on Saturday morning after I have stuck to my diet all week long or better yet after many weeks (looking forward to seeing just how I can look again after a few weeks of diet).  Plus there is nothing like knowing my body is 100% clean.  No insane amounts of sugar, no extra sodium, plenty of water daily, and a balanced diet.  And above all else, knowing my daughters know what a healthy lifestyle consists of and what they need to do to be their best.  They know why we eat so much protein, why we limit cheat meals, why we exercise almost daily, why women should lift heavy weights, and why they should take vitamins.  They will grow up so much farther ahead of the game than I did.  They have access to 3 gyms, pools, racket ball courts, basketball courts, jogging trails, even roller blades :) .

Guys, I am happy and I am in this!  Lafayette here I come!

Maybe after Lafayette I can do one of these poses in Florida. 

State Show & Shout Out

Guys, try as hard as I might, I can not seem to get excited about doing this show!  It is really very frustrating.  I know how crazy excited I was to do my other "planned" show before I broke my hand and now that I am so restricted on workouts, I find I am not remotely motivated to do this other show.  At 13 weeks out, I should be in full ready status, but I am not.  I keep looking for motivation, but can not seem to spark anything.  This morning I even thought if I can not get excited, then why would I bother to do it?  My hand is much better, but still NO WHERE ready to lift a dumbbell, even a light one.  The only thought keeping me in this right now is "wait and see".  Maybe in ANOTHER week (seems like I have been saying that forever) my hand will be better and I can lift and then I will be excited again.


On another more positive note, during this "down time" I have been working my legs 5 days a week plus cardio.  There is more definition in my legs than I have ever had.  This I am happy about.  Although yesterday my legs were so tired.....imagine that!  So instead of my normal all out killing it leg workout on Sunday, I took it kind of light and only did leg curls and leg extensions for 6 sets.


Every fiber of my being that can be crossed is crossed in hopes of being able to lift by this weekend.  I don't care even if it is a 5 lb dumbbell, I will take that!


I want to give a huge shout out to Tenecia with Boobs, Barbells, and Broccoli.....I have enjoyed reading and following your progress and am looking forward to hearing the results of your show this weekend!  You are looking amazing and your heart is all in.  The judges will be impressed.  Take care and Best of LUCK!!!

By Indira Ghandi

I saw this and absolutely had to post it:

"You must learn to be still in the midst of activity and to be vibrantly alive in repose."

Discovered coffee

So, this week has been dragging by.  Not that I am looking forward to the weekend so much because it is probably more busy than my week, but at least I can "choose" what I want to do.  This morning and every morning this week I have been soooo tired.  Not sure what is going on because for at least the last two nights I have been getting to bed around 8:30 and getting up at 3:45 or 4:00, so plenty of rest, just sleepy.  Well this morning I said, "hey ya'll watch this" and grabbed a BIG cup of coffee.  Now mind you that crap is DIS-GUST-TING!!!!  So I had to doctor it up quite a bit in order to get it down, but now I know how all the other little roaches on raid feel.  I am humming right along.  AND I have proven my lil theory regarding thermos.  Lots of people say they would NEVER take anything like that, but they will drink 3-4 cups of coffee in the morning and in the evening.  WHAT is the difference??? 

DIM Part 2

Guys, I blogged about this product before, and wanted to let you know what is going on.  I started taking it about 3 weeks ago, right about when I broke my hand.  Sooooo, it is hard to say what effects it has had on me because of all I have dealt with my hand.  I started off the 1st two weeks with 150 mg.  Then this last week increased it to 225 mg.  When I did my measurements the other day the only "mover" was  my thighs.  I do not know how much my new workout split or diet or DIM played a role in that change.  My mood has been crazy, again alot of that can definitely be pointed at me breaking my hand, and I have to wonder if the DIM has helped my mood swing to be not as bad.  I spent more time recently doing more research on DIM side effects.  Again, I find nothing bad, only promising.  If this supplement does only 1 of the things it is supposed to help or do I will be extremely happy.  I think the true test will be when I can workout again and the results at that time.  Speaking of, I am about two and a half weeks out from my break.  I am much improved as far as usage, but still not near ready to put a dumbbell in my hand.  I just over the last couple of days managed to start putting a rubber band in my hair by myself (with a bit of pain), but the pain gets less and less each day.  Guys, I am praying 1 more week and I will be able to lift.  I so miss it!

Anywho, I know this was a bit of a rambler, but I can not say enough for women to check out this product.  At least read about it!

So I am going to leave you with a pic to represent the way I feel most days since the big B:

Between a rock and a hard place!  :)

No, not a pity party just trying to see the lighter side of all this.

My inspiration for today, Ms. Erin Stern

All the things I am looking forward to doing again!  SOON!!!

Have a good Tuesday!

Moment of truth

I have been weak.
I had fallen off the train.
I have NOT maintained a diet over the past 2 weeks.


Yea, my diet was OK, but not competition mode.  If I felt like having it, I did.  Well I am now 14 weeks out.  Time to get serious (again). 

See Arnold's serious face.  Eye on the prize!

My sister is too funny

See my BDay card she got me.....

Love you Chris!

14 weeks out

Weight:  134 at the most may be less...

Chest:  33 7/8

Waist:  26 3/8

Hips:  36 1/2

Thighs:  21 1/2

No big changes, as expected.  Kind of right back where I was before I broke my hand, so I can handle that.  At least one more week of no lifting -UGH!  See Ortho next Friday to find out about after that.

K, guys, we are off to see my beautiful daughter play some ball.  :)



Preview update

So glad it is Friday!!!  I have busted my rear this week to get everything done ahead of time so I could enjoy this weekend.  It feels great to know I am ahead instead of behind.  All of my workouts for this week are done.  The only thing I am missing is 35 min of cardio and Harley said we could knock that out before we get on the road tomorrow.  (No regrets)  My weight as of yesterday was 134.5!!!!  Which means I am .5 pounds of where I was before I broke my hand.  Guys, I am so excited about that because there for a bit I was worried.  Plus not being able to workout like I was before has had me more than worried.  I have noticed some changes in my arms :( but I am not driving myself nuts over that because my arms build fast and I know they be there when I start up again.  My legs are coming together.  Still not where they need to be, but I am 14 weeks out.  :)   

I have decided to post my update pics tomorrow.  Just because that is what I started this blog for....to keep it real and that is all a part of it.  Things happen in life beyond our control, what matters is how we roll with it. 

Have a great Friday!