Jamie Eason's Live Fit- Week 5

Here's Jamie Eason's Phase One of the Live Fit Trainer Video to get your started!

Today, I started Jamie Eason's Live Fit Trainer on Bodybuilding.com. I started on week 5 because I wanted to continue the cardio I have been doing. If you are just starting out, start at week one. To find the best workout for you based on your needs, start at this interactive workout creator. I have used it in the past and it has been great. Each workout includes a meal plan. Now, something about the meal plans, they are a huge difference for anyone who hasn't ever eaten real, clean food. I suggest easing into it, but still, you have got to cut the crap, seriously, cut the junk food out. If not, you are wasting your time and effort.

Now, what I have done in the past and has worked for me, is follow it Monday-Friday to the letter and splurge a bit on the weekend. I suggest just one unclean meal on Saturday and Sunday each. After you have done this for awhile, you will be amazing how much you really don't want that stuff as often. If you absolutely hate eating clean, I would highly suggest letting yourself have this weekend pass BUT this means you have to be very dedicated to your meals during the week.

Today, I completed a 1.5 miles in my hilly neighborhood, which said to say took 18.24 minutes. Then completed day 29, back and cardio, of the Live Fit trainer but with Bowflex Ultimate alterations.

Workout video coming soon!!!

I have got to share Sweaty Betty's video about Sensa and other "sprinkle" products. I use to work with someone who used this stuff in order to curb appetite who desperately needed to loose some weight. This person was unwilling to make food or drink changes, was limited by an injury, and basically embodies most Americans these days. This person was very excited to share her start with Sensa with me, as I was know as the healthy workout girl in the office. I didn't know much about it (thank goodness) so I didn't have much to add to the conversation. Only added my subtle hints of making small manageable changes in diet are the way to go, such as loosing the diet soda. It never sank in unfortunately. I am glad I figured this out before I let my body get out of hand.

Although, for me, its not so much (but kinda sorta its) about my body. I started originally working out because I was tired and depressed all the time. I figured I could release some stress and feel a bit better. I gradually turned into an elliptical monster who was terrified of doing anything else in the gym.

When my husband deployed, I discovered Bodybuilding.com and became obsessed a little with researching food and how to use the equipment. If I had a workout buddy, I may have learned faster, but I made huge changes during that deployment. Lifting became a love! Kettlebells are my jam, just need some for my home gym!! Seriously, you want to tone and pump up your metabolism, use some kettlebells! There are lots of great videos on youtube to help you out.

When we got orders to move, I fell off the wagon a bit. But I kind of went back and fourth between working out and eating right. I was at least balancing a day with some healthy options, but the pizza and beer was hurting me. haha, I love beer! So, I am on my way to figuring out a happy medium to work this into my new life.

Be sure to subscribe to my page and watch me on this journey! I might even post some before and after pics if your lucky!

Workout Entry 8/14/12

So, I said I was going to post everyday about my Bowflex workouts, well, shows you how dedicated I was to posting it!! Needless to say, I got busy with school and my crappy girls softball team. My team named "Pitch Slap" which ironically had crappy pitches and we lost most games due to walks, ended up being last in the league...WHOOO! So in your face!
On the plus side, I got some good exercise playing. Average practices about 2-3 times a week (yep, we still sucked!) and I made the most out of it so it could count for some fitness.
Anyways, I started running outside in my neighborhood. Yes, me who hates running with a passion and avoided all sports and PE classes as a kid so I wouldn't have to run. I figured, look at people who run regularly, they look awesome, I am going to do that and look awesome. So, I got the Nike+ app which is cool cause it tracks how far you run, the pace, the elevation, and other cool stuff. I simultaneously use another app called C25K Free which is an app to help you train for a 5 k. Basically, you run 3 days a week and each week you progress to different intervals. You can play music that's on your phone through the app or play Pandora while the other apps are running. The Nike+ app also lets you pick a power up song to get you motivated. I haven't used it cause I just play Pandora.
C25k app example: Week 1 you alternate between 60 seconds of jogging and 90 seconds of walking for 20 minutes, then Week 2 alternate 90 seconds of jogging and 2 minutes of walking. Sounds easy right? WRONG, unless your awesome. Which I am, but it has been hard for me anyways. My neighborhood has a lot of elevation changes, so its great for building stamina, or so I think, but rough on a beginner runner. The C25k app tells you in a sweet voice when to run/walk. The Nike+ app tells you periodically how the time, distance, and pace you have completed. If you beat your best time or longest distance, you get a cool "Good Job" from Michael Phelps or other athlete. LOVE it, but kind of silly.
I have decided to stay on Week 2 for awhile, cause I am still pretty weak with running. My year of weight lifting and my 30 minutes of elliptical training have not prepared me for running on the ground. I will be honest, it has been rough on my ankles and hips, but the pain is slowly decreasing.
I will be better with the workout blog, so stay tuned. May even post some videos with the bowflex!!

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!!