Bowflex Workout Journel 6/29

seated lateral rows, 100lbs

narrow pulldowns, 80lbs

rear deltoid rows, 80lbs w/ chest bar

standing biceps curls, 50lbs w/ chest bar

reverse curls, 10lbs w/ chest bar

low back extensions, 100lbs

resisted reverse crunches, 50lbs

truck rotation, 50lbs

squats, 100lbs

Today is end of week 1 of the Bowflex Ultimate 2 journey. I finished off strong! Anyone average person, and I would consider myself average, that thinks they can't break a sweat on a bowflex is mistaken. I have this machine in a spare bedroom of mine right by the air conditioning vent and under a ceiling fan and I am sweating just as bad a a regular gym. 

On a side note, my softball team competed in our first two games last night, a double header. Unfortunately we lost both games horribly. A multitude of factors contributed to the losses, but the main concern was it was the first time we played with the entire team which was a huge set-back. Our practices average 5-6 show ups! That's ridiculous! Hope things get better.

Start of Bowflex Ultimate 2 Journey

So, after lots of hunting for a good deal (and some eyelash batting at my husband) I finally found a used Bowflex Ultimate 2 with all the extras. We found it on a website called Bookoo.com which is similar to craigslist. Luckily for us, a couple was moving very soon and had no room in there new place for it, so we got quite a deal. The extra's they included were the ab attachment, squat attachment, and extra weight (weight now totals 410). I have been so excited to get started, so I plan on tracking my progress to see what kind of results I can get and share them with all of you.

The workouts I have completed are:

Monday, Jun 25th

Workout A

bench presses using the wide pulley, 60lbs

seated shoulder presses, 60lbs

cross triceps extensions, 40lbs

French presses (overhead tri extension), 40lbs

leg presses, 140lbs

leg curl knee flexio, 50lbs

seated calf presses, 140lbs

squats, 60lbs

Tuesday, Jun 26th

Workout B

seated lateral rows, 80lbs

narrow pulldowns, 80lbs

rear deltoid rows, 80lbs w/ chest bar

standing biceps curls, 20lbs w/ chest bar

reverse curls, 20lbs w/ chest bar

low back extensions, 100lbs

resisted reverse crunches, 50lbs

truck rotation, 50lbs

Wednesday, Jun 27th
Off day but had softball practice

Thursday, Jun 28th 

Workout A

bench presses using the wide pulley, 60lbs

seated shoulder presses, 60lbs

cross triceps extensions, 40lbs

French presses (overhead tri extension), 40lbs

leg presses, 140lbs

leg curl knee flexio, 50lbs

seated calf presses, 140lbs

Double header softball games

The plan is to complete "workout A" on Mondays/Thursdays and "workout B" on Tuesdays/Fridays with Wednesday/Saturday/Sunday as a no lift day (for the first month). I hope to add in some running, but at the moment it is too hot outside. Currently, I am participating in a softball league so I get workouts with the team on Sundays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. I am also am eating clean at the very least Monday-Friday allowing cheating on weekends for now, although not every meal. I will have to plan them out to balance the day. 

Keep you posted :)

Gal Pal Blunders

I am finding it increasingly difficult to stay positive in the friendship arena. Since moving to my husband's new duty station, my high school insecurities have resurfaced leaving much to be desired. Although, the gal pal friendships depicted on film have never been apart of my life, there is some degree of my secluded nature that wants that. I cannot complain about the people I have met being unfriendly. In all actuality, everyone has been very welcoming.

I came here with every intention of being more outgoing, but as time goes on, my never ending stream of thoughts cloud my energy and attention so I am unable to put forth full effort to making good friends. I joined a military wives softball team and the only person I have slightly befriend is one person. This is a personal obstacle I hope to overcome but how?

Since my almost every thought is spent thinking about the future (career wise) and what I can do to strengthen my marriage, I think I loose the "enjoy life as it happens" experience.

I have suggested a "Suit Up" night with a group of couples from my husband's unit. The idea spurs from the character Barney from How I Met Your Mother television show. We plan on all dressing up and going to dinner. My thoughts were to play the night out like we are important well-to-do's. Kind of a themed night. We will see how this pans out. Everyone seemed on bored with the idea.

Although I feel lost still, I cannot say I haven't tried. I pretty much say yes to every invitation. The main change needs to be in my attitude and stop the hyperly self-aware streaming mental updates.

Summer Semester Blues

I am embarking on my summer semester which is proving to be the most challenging. My month off of school to visit family and attend a military memorial in Florida has made it difficult to get back in the grove of things. I find it unfortunate that online learning platforms still hold a stigma of being lowering in quality: this maybe true for some, but let us remember that if it is an accredited university, it should hold some clout. Of course I would have preferred to go to a prestigious school, but I am doing all I can to better my future so I hope any future employers will honor my will to overcome obstacles. My husband's current duty station limited the education options immensely. I could go to a brick and mortar school here, but there are in no way a traditional school and offer very limited degree plans.

My choice to attend American Military University was a hard one. They are regionally accredited, I don't have to pay out of state tuition, and many government agency's recognize them due to the overwhelming amount of military personnel who attend AMU while overseas. It seems it was my best, although limited, option.

I am still anxiously awaiting news on my internship application as well as some scholarship applications. It has been frustrating to apply for scholarship after scholarship with no success. It makes you wonder if the time spent on the applications is worth the $500-$1000 most of them award. I mean, I would  be eternally grateful to receive one, but the time put in to the money receive don't equate to a decent return on investment. 

If I receive the opportunity to attend the internship in Washington D.C., I have decided I will send out donation request letters to people/ businesses. Some will be back home I am familiar with and some maybe random businesses. It seems this maybe my best bet at success. Maybe I will send a letters to some of my state representatives? It is an election year? Hmm, I wonder if that is something they could do?

I will keep you updated on how it all progresses!

Washington D.C. Internship Opportunity

I have applied for an internship with the Department of the State in Washington D.C. I should know in September if I was chosen. I am overwhelmed at the costs that is going to be associated with this venture but this is my best bet into the intelligence community since I have not served in the military. I need the federal government experience.

The internship may or may not be paid. That will be determined by the FAFSA information and the amount of available funds, so it looks bleak. I will have to find my own housing as well, so I have been on a hunt to see what's out there. It looks like I have two options: internship housing or rent a room. Out of safety and to get some kind of a college experience while networking for the future, the student internship housing is the most appealing. it is very expensive though, I am looking from $4000-$6500 just for housing. Although, this includes all utilities, fully furnished, safe location with security, close to Capital Hill, close to Metro, and includes planned events with the interns.

If my university currently accepted internship for credit, I would be able to use federal loans for living expense associated with this internship, but since they don't I will have to pay for all of it on my own. I will be trying to fund raise once I get official accpetance. If all the money is not raised, I will be taking a private student loan I suppose. This is my one shot to try and add some great experience to my resume.

Here is a website I started to help cover the funds. I have not promoted it much until I know for sure, but please feel free to donate. Anything I may receive if I don't get the internship will just go to another internship opportunity or will be returned to the donor if they do not donate anonymously. 

(THIS LINK HAS BEEN REMOVED DUE TO ACCOUNT FRAUD. PLEASE DO NOT DONATE IN THIS WAY.)

Just some information about my collegiate ventures.I am working towards a Bachelors in Political Science with a minor in Intelligence. All of my electives are focus towards government and intelligence studies as this is the only way for me to widen my knowledge base at this time. I was scheduled to graduate by May 2013, but if I take this internship, I will lessen the course load to part time in the Spring to I may work full time in D.C. I should finish by August 2013. I am interested in obtaining a Masters, but I have not fully decided that factor as of yet. I currently hold a 4.0 with my university and plan to keep it that way.

Feel free to share this information or stay tuned for updates. If you would like to donate to my internship fund, please got o the above website. It is safe and free with transaction through PayPal (paypal charge may apply but not fee to me or from website).

Thanks so much!!