Workouts: 6-7-09 to 6-13-09

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Its been a long week emotionally… stress levels are too the ceiling right now. Just getting in as much of a workout as I can right now. Taking each day as it comes…

6-7-09, Sunday

Forced Rest Day

6-8-09, Monday

cardio only today

45m – Elliptical, Weight Loss Mode, Resistance Level 5

Est. Cal Burn: 611

I would of done more but my nephew called and wanted to talk. Nephew trumps working out… at least in my book

6-9-09, Tuesday

Okay, todays workout – trainer day and he KICKED, and I mean KICKED! My butt! He actually pulled most of these from what I have been doing and added some twists and new things. Its nice to have a trainer that I work with so well and who knows my abilities… I’m guessing being friends helps a lot.

Warm Up
15m – Elliptical Cross ramp, Crosstrainer, Resistance Level 8

Workout – supersets… each pair is the super set.

Leg Press – super set with reverse lunges
20 @ 90# – Warm Up Set
20 @ 140#
15 @ 150#
12 @ 160#

3 x 12 – Reverse Lunges, Right Leg
3 x 12 – Reverse Lunges, Left Leg

Leg Extensions – superset with step ups
15 @ 70# – both legs
2 x 15 @ 30# – right leg, single
2 x 15 @ 30# – left leg, single

3 x 1m each round – step ups

Laying Legs Curls – Superset with Wall Sits
4 x 12 @ 60#
1 x 15 @ 40# (drop set)

3 x 40secs – Wall Sits

2 x 20 @ 75# – Seated Calf Press (all on their own)

2 x 12 – sit ups with 4# medicine ball. (basically, my trainer stood on my feet I had to sit up, grab the medicine ball from his hands. Go down and then go up one more time and give him back the ball – this was one rep.)

5m – Stretching of back and legs…. no cardio

My legs are killing me and I am so damned happy 😀 So far a great day!

Est. Time: 1h 15m (we actually did an hour today instead of our normal 45mins, I think we have too much fun at times.)
Est. Cal Burn: 942

6-10-09, Wednesday

Cardio Warm Up
33mins – Elliptical Crossramp, Glute Trainer, Resistance Level 7

Workout – each grouping is a superset or circuit

3 x 12 @ 8# medicine ball – back extensions
3 x 10 – roman chair leg lift, straight leg

3 x 12 @ 40# – squat w/ back row
3 x 12 @ 50# – fly
3 x 12 @ 50# – rear delt

10m – treadmill, interval inclines, 3.0mph

2 x 10 @ 8# medicine ball – Russian twists on medicine ball
2 x 30 – crunches on medicine ball

Tricep Pushdown w/ V Bar – superset with bicep curl
12 @ 35#
10 @ 45#
8 @ 55#
10 @ 40#
12 @ 30#

Bicep Pull Up w/ Rope
12 @ 30#
10 @ 40#
8 @ 50#
10 @ 40#
12 @ 30#

10m – stretching (I was really really sore)

Cardio Cool Down
20m – Treadmill, Random Inclines, 3.5mph

I feel like I am missing something but don’t know… surprisingly this was around a 2 hour workout… but seeing as over an hour of it was cardio, I guess that is why.

Est. Time: 2h5mins
Est. Cal Burn: 1,310

6-11-09, Thursday

Rest day, had planned on going in but lack of sleep this past week and the need to decompressed overwhelmed me. So I went home and rested.

6-12-09, Friday

Rest day…

6-13-09, Saturday

Warm Up
30m – Treadmill, 3.5mph, 6 Incline

Workout

Smith Squats
15 @ 50# (warm up set)
12 @ 70#
9 @ 80#
7 @ 90#
10 @ 80#
13 @ 70#

Calf Press on Leg Machine
12 @ 60#
10 @ 70#
10 @ 80#
12 @ 70#
14 @ 60#

5m – Row Machine

Hip Abductions (super set with adductions)
15 @ 135#
12 @ 145#
9 @ 155#
12 @ 150#
15 @ 140#
Hip Adductions
15 @ 130#
12 @ 140#
9 @ 150#
12 @ 140#
15 @ 150#
3 rounds of the following:
12 – stability ball leg pull in/bridge
20 – double crunch
10 – plank w/side rolls
2 x 5 @ 22# barbell – triple pump lunge, left leg
2 x 5 @ 22# barbell – triple pump lunge, right leg
2 x 15 @ 22# barbell – deadlights
stretching
Est. Time: 1h 40m
Est. Cal Burn: 1249

too much studying leads…

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…to a very dull, stressed, crying Varza. That is right – I hate studying. Absolutely detest it with all my disgusting soul. Now, don’t get me wrong, I love school and learning new things but I hate the fact that I spent my last free weekend for a few months studying. I did go to dinner with a friend on Saturday night but couldn’t think of anything to talk about beyond my damned class. And on Sunday morning I was stressed from being up late Saturday night that when I went out with another friend to a movie and lunch I was in such a damned mood we got into a bit of a tiff. Course, in that situation I wasn’t the only one in a mood… so I can’t blame all that on my Anatomy class but I will because I can.

I think the main reason I do not like studying a lot is because its generally for classes that I suck in. And when I say suck, I mean big time. I actually sat in my class last Thursday starring at the teacher as he spoke with my mouth open and completely and utterly lost. Well, and I was trying not to fall asleep. I do that a lot when it comes to science classes that are not interactive. My mom had recommended I just sit and listen, I tried only to find myself fighting very hard to keep my eyes open for a majority of the class.

At least the quiz we had last week, I did better on then the first one. I got a 23 out of 30. Still got seven wrong but it wasn’t 9 wrong! ha! Like it really matters. I will spend another evening tonight, working on lab homework and studying/reading until I pass out from boredom.

This is a big hill in my journey – mainly because its a struggle and something in the past I would normally just walk away from because I hate feeling stupid and this lecture and lab make me feel like my IQ is actually a 27 instead of a 127 or is it 128? I can’t remember, I know when I am tired its 119 but whatever. Time to get back to work so I can finish up here then head to the gym for a few hours then home to study, eat, sleep, wake up and head back to the gym then study group and then class again.

Then add in the fact that I can not relax enough to truly enjoy reading a fun book, that I read and then get bored because the last thing I want to do is read another printed word… its sad really, I mean my life is books pretty much and I can’t find enjoyment in it. This class is destroying that!  I don’t even want to go into my lack of ability to write one creative word beyond “it was a dark and stormy night” and “a long time ago”. Ugh… breathe, varza, breathe! Only 9 more weeks and then it is over!

Damned my life is boring as hell! Next semester I am taking that damned film as literature class and western civ II. MUCH more interesting!

this is new…

/ Varza / Leave a comment

… if you have been here before you may be asking yourself: wth varza! What have you done to your blog!??!?!?! Well, basically, like many things in my life lately – it was time for a change. Time to clean up a bit and actually make this a more focused blog then something that is just a bunch of general spouting off of crap that it was when I started.

This is kind of something that has happened by accident. It seems that for the last few months, my blogs are becoming more and more about the changes going on with my life. Be those changes mind, body or soul… and I thought it would be nice to actually make it about that. Hence the line on my banner: …to rise from the ashes… and be born anew. This is actually the title of my workout journal at the 300DC website and it really has become part of my attitude with my working out and with much of what is going on with my life.

Last year was a “Trial by Fire” (my last workout journal title) and now I am starting to “rise from the ashes” and hopefully will be born anew sometime in the near future, just like the Phoenix. I am stealing Dumbledore’s animagus and I don’t care! I am a Slytherin, he can deal with it. lol…

I am going to be continuing to blog about my workouts, school, the things that come into my mind as I finally start to grow up into a big girl. Am I done working on myself? Nope, not in a long run… right now I am JUST getting started. And this is now the official home of the Journey of Varza into take womanhood… being done at the age of 33 years young. Its about time, I guess… 😀

I hope you continue to stay with me as I go and smack me if I do something stupid… I do that a lot – more often then not. lol! Does this mean that some random weird blogs won’t show up? No, but more often then not they may actually make some sense to someone other then myself.

As for the colour change – I figured something lighter, but not too light was in order for this change. Plus the orange didn’t really go with the new banner and supposedly, the black was hard to read on… lol!

Toodles for now! More later!

Workouts: 5-31-09 to 6-6-09

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5-31-09, Sunday

Rest Day

6-1-09, Monday

30m – Elliptical Cross ramp, Hill Intervals, Level 4
5m – stairmaster
28m – stationary bike, weight loss training, level 3
5m – stationary bike, cool down

Est. Time: 1hr7m
Est. Cal Burn: 747

6-2-09, Tuesday

Sick Day

6-3-09, Wednesday

today was trainer day… I missed school again since the lab has a do not come in if you have been sick at all rule, so I met my trainer earlier then originally scheduled and it was damned nice to see and talk to him again. I missed him like crazy.

Warm Up
10m – Elliptical Crossramp, Glute Trainer, Resistance 8
Stretching

Workout

5 – pushups (big girl ones this time!)

4 rounds of the following circuit:
12 @ 10# dumbbells – lunge with curl (right leg)
12 @ 10# dumbbells – lunge with curl (left leg)
platform ladder walk w/ 5 push ups at the end (done on knees, didn’t want to push my upper body too much)
12 @ 10# dumbbells – front shoulder raises (right arm)
12 @ 10# dumbbells – front shoulder raises (left arm)
12 @ 40# – back row in squat position (stayed in that position no movement on lower body)

3 rounds of the following
15 – reverse crunches
15 – crunches
15 @ 5# dumbbell – mason twists

Cardio
35m – Elliptical, Hill Intervals, Level 4 & 3 (half and half)

Est. Time:1 hour 30m
Est. Cal Burn: 1,157

6-4-09, Thursday

Today was a FUN FUN FUN night at the gym… normally my night off because of a long day of work and school, I went anyways since I took Tuesday off. But seriously I had a great night tonight, and funny cause I was dragging myself up the stairs before my warm up. Its amazing what good music can do for you!

Warm Up
9m – Elliptical Crossramp, Glute Trainer 2, Resistance 8
Stretching

Workout

Leg Press
12 @ 110#
10 @ 120#
8 @ 130#
10 @ 120#
12 @ 110#

Hip Abductions super set with adductions
12 @ 135#
10 @ 145#
8@ 155#
11 @ 145#
13 @ 135#

Hip Adductions
12 @ 145#
10 @ 155#
8@ 165#
11 @ 155#
13 @ 145#

10m – Treadmill, Interval Inclines, 3.2mph

3 x 16 @ 55# – Seated Calf Raise

The following 3 items were done in a circuit, one set each then a bit of a rest then did it again

Step Ups – 18″ inch step
1 @ 15.4lbs (or 7kg) – Right Leg
1 @ 15.4lbs (or 7kg) – Left Leg
2 @ 15.4lbs (or 7kg) – Right Leg with Kickback of Left Leg
2 @ 15.4lbs (or 7kg) – Left Leg with Kickback of Right Leg

Deadlights
3 x 12 @ 15.4lbs

3 x 30secs – wall sits

2 x 5 – burpees, push up on the toes
15 @ 22# – standing oblique twists w/ barbell

Cardio
20m – Elliptical, Weight Loss Circuit, Level 4

Est. WO Time: 1h 45min (took out time for bathroom breaks! I was there 2 hours)
Est. Cal Burn: 1,390 (love that cardio boosts!)

6-5-09, Friday

Emotional Rest Day

6-6-09, Saturday

Warm Up
10m – Treadmill, Interval Inclines, 3.5mph,
Stretching

Workout

Push Up Challenge: 55 push ups on my knees in 10m – I know I suck!

Bicep Curl w/ EZ Bar super set with tricep pressdown
12 @ 25#
9 @ 35#
7 @ 45#
10 @ 35#
12 @ 25#

Tricep Pushdown w/ V Bar
12 @ 30#
9 @ 40#
7 @ 50#
10 @ 40#
12 @ 30#

10m – Treadmill, Interval Inclines, 3.3mph

3 x 10 @ 25# – Shoulder Press

Lat Pulldown – Superset with Chest Press
12 @ 45#
10 @ 55#
8 @ 65#
10 @ 55#
12 @ 45#

2 x 10 @ 40# – Chest Press
2 x 10 @ 35# – Chest Press

10m – Stationary Bike, Interval Resistance, Level 4

Smith Machine Squats
12 @ 70#
10 @ 80#
8 @ 90#
10 @ 80#
12 @ 70#

10m – Stationary Bike, Hills, Level 3

Est. Time: 1h 45m
Est. Cal Burn: 1287

Silence is the Enemy

/ Varza / 3 Comments

It is hard for me to find the right words to say about this topic… there is a group being started online called “Silence is the Enemy” by a group of women in protest against the mass rapings of children in war times.

I just want to pass on the links and some information because I feel this is a worthy cause and needs as much attention as possible. Put the spotlight on it and maybe people will start realizing that we can hopefully do something to stop it.

Read the Blog: http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/intersection/2009/06/01/silence-is-the-enemy/

Join the Facebook Group: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=88260307629&ref=nf

Workouts: 5-24-09 to 5-30-09

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5-24-09, Sunday

Cardio Day!
60m – treadmill, 3.3mph, random inclines
20m – treadmill, 2.0mph, flat, cool down

Est. Time 1h20m
Est. Cal Burn 600 cals

5-25-09, Monday

Warm Up
10m – Elliptical, Weight Loss Training, Level 4
Stretching

Workout

3 x 12 @ 35# – Squat w/ row
3 x 12 – pull ups w/ 180# counterweight

3 x 12 @ 20# – chest press
3 x 12 @ 20# – tricep extensions

2 x 12 @ 6# med ball- some weird ab workout, wood cuter or something of the like
2 x 20 – crunches w/ legs on stability ball
2 @ 1m – plank in push up formation, on toes

5m20s – stairstepper

stretching

thats it

Est. Time: 1 hour
Est. Cal Burn: 737

5-26-09, Tuesday

cardio day…

15m – Elliptical Crossramp, Cross Training, Level 5
Stretching

3 x 5 – burpees minus the jump but did the push ups with no knees. Big girl push ups!
3 x 12 @ 8# medicine ball – back extensions

15m – Treadmill, 3.3mph, 5incline

30m – elliptical, hill intervals, level 3

Est. Time: 1h20m
Est Cal Burns: 977

5-27-09, Wednesday

Warm Up
10m – Elliptical Crossramp, Glute Trainer, Resistance 8
Stretching

Workout

Seated Legg Press – superset with calf presses
15 @ 90#
12 @ 100#
10 @ 110#
12 @ 100#
15 @ 90#

Seated Leg Press Single Legged- Right Leg
15 @ 75#
12 @ 85#
9 @ 95#
12 @ 85#
15 @ 75#

Seated Leg Press Single Legged- Left Leg
15 @ 75#
12 @ 85#
9 @ 95#
12 @ 85#
15 @ 75#

Bicep Curl w/ EZ Bar super set with tricep pressdown[/i]
12 @ 25#
9 @ 35#
7 @ 45#
10 @ 35#
12 @ 25#

Tricep Pushdown w/ V Bar
12 @ 30#
9 @ 40#
7 @ 50#
10 @ 40#
12 @ 30#

10m – Elliptical, Hill Intervals, Level 3

1 x 15 @ 50# – Fly (superset with rear delt)
3 x 12 @ 55# – Fly
3 x 12 @ 55# – Rear Delt

3 x 10 @ 25# – lat raises

3 x 12 @ 15# dumbbells – Lunges, Right Leg
3 x 12 @ 15# dumbbells – Lunges, Left Leg
2 x 10 @ 15# dumbbells – step ups, left leg
2 x 10 @ 15# dumbbells – step ups, right leg
3 x 10 – roman chair

10m – treadmill, 3.3mph, random inclines

I was going to do more but I was beat, this was the 5th day in a row for working out, I was tired. As well as the gym getting insanely crowded. Taking tomorrow off and going back on friday and saturday.

Est. Time: 1h30m
Est. Cal Burn: 1,121

5-28-09, Thursday

Rest Day

5-29-09, Friday

tonights workout – not as much as I wanted to do but at least I went!

Warm Up
5m – Treadmill, Incline 6, 3.5mph
Stretching

Workout

3 x 12 @ 45# – Squat w/ Row
3 x 10 @ 180# counterweight – pull ups

2 x 10 @ 20# – Shoulder Press

3 x 15 @ 60# – Seated Tricep Pushdown

10m – Elliptical, Weight Loss, Level 4

3 x 12 @ 8# medicine ball – back extensions
3 x 12 @ 8# medicine ball – russian twists on stability ball

Cardio
30m – Treadmill, 3.3mph, Interval Inclines

Est. Time: 1h15m
Est. Cal Burn 840 (mainly the cardio)

I feel like I am forgetting something but have no clue what… I am gonna go back again tomorrow I think then take sunday off.

5-30-09, Saturday

kinda rest day… I attempted to workout today but my body just wasn’t having it. I basically got in 10m on the elliptical and tried some smith squats but my knees were dying. So wish me luck tomorrow!

the right guy?

/ Varza / 4 Comments

My mom and I have been having some interesting conversations lately mainly about my non-existent love life. While there are times that she still says I should become a nun there are times we have some deeper discussions about my failures in this particular field (ignoring my many failures in the other fields) and they have been particularly enlightening. In truth, I asked her why she never told me this like 10 – 20 years ago… she said, I wouldn’t of been receptive and my response when in such a state of mind doesn’t make me able to listen very well and usually end up brushing off what people say to me.

It has been a difficult week, heck it has not been an easy few weeks. There are a lot of things that are going on that are forcing me to take a very serious look at myself. Not just look but really see me and not turn away in shame but see the strengths that lie beneath the fears that overwhelm me at times. It defiantly is not a pretty picture but one I have to learn to live with. I may not like myself at times but I do not hate myself. I am proud I have come as far as I have. I could be dead or a stripper or living on the streets – so it could defiantly be a lot worse. Instead I am alive, have a stable job, am going to school and own my own home.  Defiantly, not the girl I was 12 years ago when I was dragged out of Atlanta to San Jose.

Pretty soon, I am coming up to my 1 year anniversary of starting on my workout and diet regiment. In total I have lost around 55lbs and counting. It does not seem like a lot when you look at it but each pound was a struggle. A struggle against my desire to walk away and give up (like I have so often before), the desire to ruin it all by binging every single night while watching tv, the desire to make this not about me but someone or something else. I am very happy with how this year has progressed and who I am becoming. Yes, I still have massive amounts of negatives on my side but the positive aspects are outweighing those more and more. The biggest is becoming my own person and loving myself. I am finally, after 33 years of existance, loving me for me. Even the disappoints that I still have, I know I learn and grow from them. Not let them hold me back anymore.

Back to the conversations I have been having with my mom, we had a semi-deep one this week that unfortunately got cut short due to people coming into work but my mom yanked one of those final nails in my coffin back out when it comes to how I deal with men. I yanked a big one out of a few months ago but that is too private for me to talk about in a blog. She basically pointed out my biggest weakness when it comes to the opposite sex; one she and my dad have noticed over the years and wished I would finally notice it myself… I had started to but it took my mom saying it to realize how blatant it was to the rest of the world.

Hello, my name is Varza, and I am a relationship chameleon. Please do not think, after reading this explanation of what that is, that I am a weak willed or weak person. I am not, I am a strong woman with her own mind – which is probably why I ended so many of my relationships quickly because of my struggles with this. A relationship chameleon is a person who slowly morphs who they are to fit into what they feel the other person wants or what they expect that person wants, instead of showing their true form. Constantly changing from one guy to the next – hiding behind their desires so that no one will truly SEE them. At least this is my explanation for this.

I do, do this. I really fear people seeing me for me and more importantly, seeing me for me and seeing that I am worth loving. I give men, boys, guys what I think they want. I will walk into a relationship an equal partner and then lose myself into their desires and wishes. This goes hand in hand with my troubles with saying no to guys. Its hard but I am learning to say it and stand by it without fearing that they will hate me or be disappointed in me.

Thirty-three years old and I am finally not afraid to show the world who I really am… kinda sad ain’t it?

The title of this blog is called “the right guy?” and I am sure you may be wondering why I am talking all about my and my relationships with men and not “the right guy”. There is a method to my madness, I promise! Part of this chameleon part of my personality is that I have been thinking about wanting to settle down (not that I have a love life at all, single for most of my life because I’d rather not date then lose me again) and trying to see myself with someone but I fear settling on what it is I want. What if I put it out there and I am wrong and I pull the wrong person towards me? What if I meet someone and settle then the real right one comes along? What if I make a mistake? What if I do try and I fail? All those fears that eat away at my mind in the middle of the night when I can’t sleep making me wish that there were a bottle of whiskey in my house and a Cherry Pepsi to chase it with (there isn’t thankfully).

Part of the realizations and the opening up of the coffin that is my soul is letting go of these fears and realizing I do know what I want and I should NOT be afraid to want the best for myself or that I should NOT be afraid that I will make a mistake or fail. I won’t. In truth, I am not scared as I once was… I am still scared at times and I have to fight against it often. Like people seeing me… the losing the weight – I know it means men will look at me again like they used to and I have to realize I am not the scared drunk chick I used to be. I won’t make the mistakes I once made.

So, the right guy? Who is he? Where is he? So many questions and I am sure I have answers in spades for who I think he should be *cough*christian bale*cough* but I do know there are things I desearve:

a man who loves me for me

a man who is not ashamed of me

a man who is not afraid to love me

a man who makes me a priority in their life

a man who wants to be around me

a man cherishes me

a man who can see themselves growing old with me

a man who wants to have children with me

a man who has the same ideals and morals as I do

a man who is athletic and fit

a man who is tall

a man who has a job and can support me if I need to take time off of working

a man who loves to travel

a man who wants to live in different places around the world (I do not want to live in NM forever)

a man who will not treat me as though I am not good enough

a man who will not hurt me

a man…. (I have no idea what else)

I am sure I could go into more detail but I won’t. In truth, this is just the basis of the right guy for me. Is it dumb? Maybe… I don’t know. I mean I am not going to put out there, I want a man with a specific eye colour or hair colour. The athletic and tall is mainly because that is what I am comfortable with. The rest is just dressing… its in my head and not sure if I want to share it just yet. My brother says I may be being too picky. Who knows… but don’t I deserve to be? Maybe I don’t, but I think I do.   😀

(btw – I did figure out my major finally… actually writing the last blog I wrote it in there and realized it was the right thing: English Major, Business Minor… )

New Playlist

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Music is as important to my workout as having the desire to actually get my butt to the gym. I have a variety of workout playlists… all titled: Workout – Extra Long (this is about 6 hours long), Work Out – Irregular, Work Out – Regular, Work Out – Joan Warm Up (all joan jett songs), Work Out 2.

Tonight I made a new one. There are some songs that are on some of the others lists but some completely new. Its a weird variety but alas its all music that makes me want to move. The biggest problem I can see is trying to stop myself from actually dancing to some of the music since a lot of it is good for dancing. One of the songs on the list is a song I heard for the first time today and I caught myself dancing and moving to it on the gym floor a few times. I finally went into the bathroom and let it out for a bit. I couldn’t help myself – I love dancing and don’t get to do it enough. Maybe next time I will sneak into the aerobics room, turn off the lights and let it go… but not too much. 😀

This new one is called: Work Out – Another One

  • One Minute Man – Missy Elliott
  • Die in Your Arms – Everlast
  • Fetts Vett – McChris
  • Rag Doll – Aerosmith
  • So What – Pink
  • Dirrty – Christiana A.
  • Get Ur Freak On – Missy E.
  • I’m Really Hot – Missy E.
  • Next Go Round – Nickelback
  • SEX – Nickelback
  • Buttons – Pussycat Dolls
  • Red Lips, Red Eyes – Red Elvises
  • If You Want Blood – AC/DC
  • Gossip Folks – Missy E.
  • Teenagers – My Chemical Romance
  • Get a Job – Offspring
  • No One Knows – Queens of the Stone Age
  • London Bridge – Fergie
  • Pump It – Black Eye Peas
  • Boom Boom Pow – Black Eye Peas
  • All the Small Things – Blink 182
  • Glory Days – Springstein
  • Just Dance – Lady GaGa
  • Dueling Canters – Chieftains
  • Pump It Up – Elvis Costello
  • Baby Got Back – Sit Mix-A-Lot
  • Centerfold – J.Giels Band
  • Cherry Pie – Warrant
  • Legs – ZZTop
  • Mother – Wolfmother
  • Bust A Move – Young MC
  • Yeah – Usher
  • Laffy Taffy – D4L
  • When I Grow Up – Pussycat Dolls
  • Hot n Cold – Katy Perry
  • Shake That – Eminem
  • All Summer Long – Kid Rock

Thats it… its a weird mix but it will stop me from getting bored for a bit.

I am looking for one song though – its that new Kid Rock song “All Summer Long” for some reason its not on itunes. I love that song! ETA – Found it! Yeah!!!

Workouts 5-17-09 to 5-23-09

/ Varza / 2 Comments

5-17-09, Sunday

Rest day! Had to get ready for a new school semester that started this week…

5-18-09, Monday

Warm Up
9m – Elliptical Cross ramp, glute trainer, resistance 8
stretching

Workout

Leg Press
15 @ 100#
12 @ 110#
10 @ 120#
8 @ 130#
10 @ 120#
12 @ 110#
15 @ 100#

Seated Calf Raises
12 @ 45#
10 @ 55#
8 @ 65#
10 @ 55#
12 @ 45#

3 x 12 @ 60# – Laying Leg Curl

5m – Treadmill, Incline Intervals, 3.5mph

Abductions
12 @ 145#
10 @ 155#
8 @ 165#
10 @ 175#
12 @ 145#

Adductions
12 @ 135#
10 @ 145#
8 @ 155#
10 @ 165#
12 @ 135#

3 x 12 @ 60# – Leg Extensions

3 Rounds of the Following
12 @ 15# dumbbells – lunges, right leg
12 @ 15# dumbbells – lunges, left leg
10 @ 15# dumbbells – deadlifts
12 @ 15# dumbbells – step ups

Cardio

25m – Elliptical, Weight Loss, Level 4

Est. Time: 2 hours
Est. Cal Burn: 1285

5-19-09, Tuesday

Warm Up
10m – Treadmill, 3.5mph, Inclines 2, 4, 6
stretching

Workout

Tricep Push Down w/ v bar superset with bicep curls
12 @ 30#
10 @ 40#
8 @ 50#
10 @ 40#
12 @ 30#

Bicep Curl w/ ezbar super set with tricep pushdown
12 @ 25#
10 @ 35#
8 @ 45#
10 @ 35#
12 @ 25#

5m – Treadmill, 3.2mph, Interval Inclines

Hammer Strength – ISO, Lat Decline Press weight is per arm
12 @ 25#
10 @ 35#
8 @ 45#
12 @ 25#

2 x 10 @ 10# each arm – ISO, Shoulder Press

3 x 10 @ 8# medicine ball – back extensions
3 x 10 – roman chair, straight legged

Cardio Cool Down
15m – Treadmill, 3.5mph, Random Inclines

Est Time:1 hour
Est Cal Burn: 700

5-20-09, Wednesday

30m – Elliptical Cross ramp, glute trainer 2, resistnace 8

2 rounds of:
20 – stability ball crunches
10 – reverse crunches
15 @ 8# medicine ball – Russian twists on stability ball

11m – treadmill, 3.5mph, incline 3 & 6 (50/50)

Est. Time: 65min
Est. Cal Burn: 625

5-21-09, Thursday

Rest Day

5-22-09, Friday

Rest day…

5-21-09, Saturday

Warm Up
10m – Elliptical, Hill Intervals, level 5
stretching

Workout

Smith Machine Squats
12 @ 60#
10 @ 70#
8 @ 85#
10 @ 75#
12 @ 65#

Hip Abductions
12 @ 145#
12 @ 155#
10 @ 165#
12 @ 150#

Hip Adductions
12 @ 140#
12 @ 150#
10 @ 160#
12 @ 145#

4 x 15 @ 75# – Calf Press, left leg
4 x 15 @ 75# – Calf Press, right leg

8 x 30sec – wall sits

3 x 15 – Stability ball bridge pull in

Cool Down
10m – Treadmill, 3.3mph, Interval Inclines

Est. Time: 1 hour
Est. Cal Burn: 350

Time to Figure It Out Part 2!

/ Varza / 2 Comments

I told you I would be back to finish that last part of this adventure. If you need to reread or read for the first time, Part one go here: Time to Figure It Out Part 1.

Okay, when we last left off I rushed through what I thought I should major in. Since then I have had some deep discussions with my mom. She too didn’t go to college until she was in her 20s and 30s, mainly cause of raising kids and having to work to help support the household. My mom had some interesting thoughts on what I should major in but her main point was to just get a degree in something, and preferably something that wasn’t too specific. That if I go for a very specific degree it would be harder to find a job in just anything. Whereas a degree in just English or liberal arts would give me a degree and the ability for a wider range of positions. For example, I could go for a psychology degree, but in truth unless I am willing to go further in my education then a bachelors it is basically worthless.

She also stated that, this is what minors are for. I could major in English and minor in something else. This would give me a focus but not too specific a focus. Is she right? Probably but the real question is if it is right for me. I have no clue but I do know that my mom is speaking from experience. It took her over a decade to final graduate from college in her 40s. She went for an teaching degree… now she loved teaching but hated the politics of the administration in the education system today. So, now she has a teaching degree which isn’t really good for much beyond teaching.

I look at my brother, he went for a history degree with a teaching degree attached to it. He is stuck working in retail. I look at my friends who majored in psychology – one can’t find a job because that degree means nothing without, like I said, another degree attached to it; the other works for the government in a job that needs no degree for people to do. Another friend with a journalism degree who works at a gym for just about minimum wage. And the stories go on and on and on…

So, does the major really matter? And in that case, if I do this I can only be sure that it does not guarantee me a job in career just because I have a piece of paper. I have to really look to the outside of just the degree and find out – what do I want to study for 2 – 3 years and where would I like to go to school.

I have been looking and asking for information on some schools and found that not all of them have departments for all the different majors. Such as the University of Pittsburgh, a school I wanted to attend most of my childhood, does not have a journalism school. So, if I want to move back to Pittsburgh at all – I could not major in journalism. Not that really matters, there are plenty of schools that have a journalism department in different parts of the country.

I have stated before that I am looking at possibly moving out of New Mexico to another part of the country, preferably to the east coast. In my search for university and colleges I started to look overseas to the UK. One of my dreams since I was a kid was to live somewhere on the British Isles for a few years. This is a possibility for me to do with finishing up my final years of school. I couple of the universities I came across are very open to international students of all ages and also give scholarships to help pay for your time there – including housing. Depending on my major – this is another possibility for me.

I am right now stuck on two majors: Journalism or English. Either one would be good but part of me wants to follow my mothers advice and go for the more general degree of English (most places don’t have a general lib. arts degree anymore at least that I can see) and possibly do two minors. One in journalism and another in business. The business would give me a back up. Or do a double major in English & Business w/ a minor in Journalism. Something on my paper that gives me something more concrete in the real world. Something that I could grow with and hopefully give me a boost up in the insanity that is life.

Maybe I did not find my exact major at this time but I do now at least have it narrowed down to a more specific region of study. I have come to realize that there are things, while I think they would be fascinating to do, are things that I would hate doing as a career. Now, I just need to figure out that last bit but I have awhile before I have to have it solid. I can spend the next year finalizing it and helping it come to fruition.