Project Body Back

Checking out my post workout arm muscles while scrubbing pots.  

4,500 may even be a slight underestimate. Not kidding. This was mainly due to starting the day buy consuming about 2 whole cups of almonds.I can demolish nuts like its my job. That's probably 3,000% of my fat intake, but who cares? Also, a lot of the food was definitely NOT CLEAN. Hello entire bag of Haribo Licorice! This is not something I do often (...my TDEE is estimated at about 1,800, I don't need that many cals).

On Saturday I had eaten about 2,500 calories (~700 above maintenance). So, when I weighed myself three days later I expected to see a slight gain or just zero progress on my cut. Instead, I was right on track...steadily losing. 

Changing your body takes time. Sure, you could speed things up by slashing another couple hundred calories from your daily intake. Go ahead, add in more hours of exercise. But how long could you keep hurting your body with deprivation and overexertion before you drive yourself to hurt your body with excess and sloth? You've ridden that roller coaster before - up and down up and down - and ended up worse off.

Remember, this process is a marathon - not a sprint. The finish line may not be in sight yet, but don't give up! 

The changes you are making are permanent. You are creating the body that is going to take you through your whole life, all those adventures you have planned. Provide yourself with fuel. Rest and let your body recover. It may be slower progress now, but the results will last longer.

Here is a recent study that seems to add to the growing scientific support for a restricted feeding window. Granted, the study was done on mice so tread carefully. I have to admit I haven't looked over it yet - I have one foot out the door as I type this - but it is on my reading list! Check it out:

No, seriously, I am. This weekend when I have some time I will check you all out. Until then, leave me a message introducing yourself!...Do it.

This is a bit of a bad time to come across my blog because:

1. I am trying to finish up Medical Biochemistry while working for $$ AND working for muscle. This leaves me less time to check out your sites and post cool things :/ bare with me for a few more weeks!

2. I am currently cutting. Which, is not as fun as bulking. But I will be updating with my progress and what I am learning through the process so hopefully it will benefit you in some way!

1. Favorite time to workout? 

7am is perfect for me. Unfortunately, 6am is better at my current gym. Less douche bags. Don't always make it though, 6am is the miracle time my body is happy waking up. Not 5:30.

2. Favorite place to workout? 

It was my campus gym when I was in college. It had several olympic lifting platforms *sigh*. Now, it's Equinox when my friend with a better paying job takes me as her guest :)

3. Favorite workout shirt. 

I sweat more than clouds rain. Under armor does right by me.

4. Favorite workout shorts. 

Nike pro spandex. Love them. I wear shorts over, but these are necessary...see previous question.

5. Favorite song to listen to while working out.

Sabotage - Beastie Boys * Just...bad!!

Hurricane Jane (Daytoner Remix) - Mr. Confuse *Awesome build up.

On the Road - Midfield General *I can ONLY listen to this song during intense cardio. As soon as I stop or slow down I literally have to rip the earphones out of my ears! But still, it's my power song.

6. Weights exercise you like best.

All of lower body. Can it be lower body day every day?

7. Favorite post workout snack.

Greek yogurt with berries and hemp seeds.

8. How do you get to your place of working out? 

By foot.

9. Would you workout if you didn’t have to in order to stay fit and healthy? 

Good question...I want to say yes. I enjoy working out. A lot. But, honestly, there are many times when I would rather be with my loved ones, enjoying good conversation, traveling, reading, partying, cooking, writing, and a lot of other things I often turn down in order to work out. So, if I was magically healthy and fit I would probably prioritize getting gym time in less.

10. Favorite thing to do to pass time during cardio.

Music. And picturing myself as an action hero in movie sequences. Seriously, sometimes I get so deep in those day dreams that when I see myself in the mirror afterwards I'm confused...like, where did that ripped superhero chick go??

11. How many times per week do you exercise?

Anywhere from 3-6 times. I would say five on average.

12. What gets you most motivated to workout? 

I want to feel ready for anything.  

13. Do you work alone or with a partner? 

Depends, working out is my "me" time. I am driven and focused. Finding an equally serious training partner who isn't so fit that they would be bored with me has been hard. Gone with some of my friends before and the whole time I felt like a grouch sourly thinking, "if we can be mindlessly chatting we are not working hard enough for my taste. I'll hear about your weekend later." However, I do enjoy days when I have a spotter so I can push my limits and have someone check my form. 

14. Any embarrassing moments while running or at the gym? 

The time I got lost on a run...I was only about a mile from my house. Not my shining moment.

15. Water or sports drink?

Water, primarily, and BCAAs.

16. Favorite thing about working out?

After a few weeks of free form workouts followed by an unplanned break (thank you, poor health), I killed it at the gym today. No pain but legs were shaking afterwards. I'll take that as a sign of success (right?).

Also, after a week of eating higher than my targeted calories (averaging around maintenance instead at the deficit I'm aiming for) I got my act together and did all my food prep until Wednesday and planned out my meals for the rest of the week. *Pats self on back* Feeling good.

Work Out May 14th

Lower Body A 

Squats – warm up set, 4 x 6

45 Degree Leg Press -  3 x 10

Romanian Deadlift – 4 x 6

Leg Curl - 3 x 10

Weighted Glute Kick Back – 4 x 6

That is always the worst! I feel like a hog when I use it for like 30+ minutes :-/