LP's Fantastic Voyage!

Dear Diary:

Today is Yesterday: Lazy.

Actually, I did a lot, just not physical activity. My brain hurts though. I was up super late reviewing/typing micro and a&p notes. Man I was so productive yesterday. I really like studying. Is that weird? No basketball. I was going to stop on my way home but my ball is at my dad's (took it out and put it in his bike basket when I rode up to the courts last week). I also forgot that when I left school at 630 that it was going to be monster dark out. I'll have to plan better next time (:

Nothing fitness related, but awesome just the same: I finally talked my dad into letting me do a dietary analysis on him (I think the monster made him do it tbh). I had him track his food for a week and entered the four easiest days. He eats out a LOT, so some of these things I didn't even know where to begin. "Spinach salad" Okay, what's on it? "Tamale w beans and rice" "Tuna spring roll" "Ginger Miso dressing" Tough stuff. Well, anyway I got the results back, and he actually listened to me. Though he swears he gets ~2000 calories/day, but everything I did comes out with 3200-4100 (4100 was the monster's birthday, I'll give him that one as an exception). I had to estimate a lot of the portions based on my knowledge of him, and I know some things didn't make it to the list. I know because I saw him eat them, and they aren't there. I did give him the benefit of the doubt on some stuff, and hopefully some pointers that he will take to heart. I really think he understood what I was saying, and listened to me. Of course, I was helping him wax his car while we talked about it, so maybe he was just being nice so I wouldn't leave (: In all honesty though I think he was interested in what I had to say. But, he has to be supportive because he knows if he's not both me and the monster fuss at him, and if there's one thing he hates, it's being fussed at by women!

- LP

Dear Diary:

Today is Today. Again. Wednesday: Jump day!

I forgot my jump rope. I realized when I got to the gym, so I asked if they had any but they don't. So I went back home and got it, and then back to the gym. Box jumps (10), hockey jumps (20) and jump ropes. A couple shuffles for good measure, but not many. 5 minute walk on the treadmill to "Warm up" (reading staining notes) and finished with another 20 minutes (again, staining notes). I hopped off a couple times to jump rope again, reviewing procedures in my head, then back to the notes to check that I was correct. I'll be glad when these dagged exams are through. 2 this week, 2 in another 2 weeks, then finals 2 weeks after that (I think). Barf. (: Plus, I have my entrance exams coming up the Monday before Thanksgiving. Which I forgot about (kinda) until just now. I'm not worried about the math part, but my english leaves something to be desired... Shame they don't have a writing section. I can bs with the best of 'em.

Anyway, I hit 188 jump ropes, and got to 100 today and stopped. So I started working on alternating feet, and rope crosses and wide jumps. Just for funsies. I whipped myself pretty nice a few times. I probably have a big slash mark across my back, and I know I have one on my shin. The boys at the gym I meet with told me it made me look tough, so I have no regrets.

Also I found 3 cents in the water holder on the treadmill. So I think it payed off. Oh, and I made cupcakes for the monster to take to her sewing group tomorrow. We shared one. It was yummy (I am a good cupcaker), but kinda gave me a tummy ache. I gotta stop doing that.

- LP

Dear Diary:

Today is Thursday: Upper.

This workout sucks. It really does. I'm just soooo tired! I tried to see if there's a way I can take Thursdays off, but I really can't. So Tuesdays are my off day, which is fortunate since that is my other super long day. Did Lat pulldowns, tricep pressdowns (increase weight), chest press (increase reps), dips, pullups (both added a rep), shrugs (increased weight and hated every second of it) and front/lateral raises (increased weight, and didn't like it). I did something like 49 minutes on the elliptical afterward, on "random hill". I was reading over eight chapters of a&p notes, but I managed to check the HR a couple times. Stayed around 145. I had to borrow a highlighter from the gym to make notes. Which is always good cos I get shaky after an upper body w/o so now I have incoherent scribbles all over! At least my notes are interesting!

Happy Friday!

- LP

HAPPY FRIDAY to you too!!!! I love me some fridays!
After your workout... Can you take a nap?

Dear Diary:

Today is Friday (Well, Saturday): Lower.

Business first:
Nokie - I have class til 245, then again at 530. I get to the gym, change and start my w/o by about 310. I'm usually back at school (showered!) by about 445/500. On Tuesdays, I generally go and sleep on the docks out by the lake, if it is sunny. I could grab a few minutes, probably, on Thursdays, too, but I'd probably have to crunch down on my time. The good news is, I can feel my lil muscleys movin' on Fridays, so I know that even though I am tired, I'm working hard!

Pretty decent w/o overall. Front squats went well. Deadlifts, too. My grip is my weakest point. Last April, I had a slight 'upset' in my system, which is, as of yet, a mystery (I did get a pretty sweet scrip though. Some pills that make me sleep for about 20 hours at a time!). I started losing my grip, and have been working hard to get it back. I have since made the decision to move to plasticware, as I have dropped many a dish in my kitchen. Grr... Anyway, I finally got to the point where I can do 115lbs 8x WITHOUT losing my grip on the bar!! I've been very careful on this point, and have to supplement my deads with other exercises since they aren't heavy enough to actually work the intended muscles. I'm really glad that my grip is starting to get stronger. I'd like my dishes back! I also did some core stuff (decline somethings and figure 8s) and hyperextensions (love that shit).

Ben and I got excited talking about corn (happens a lot...Everyone has a soapbox. This is mine. And his. We share.) and I didn't do my cardio, since we didn't have time (3 hours at the gym, mostly chit chatting). Whoops. On the upside, the monster has a quilting retreat this weekend, kinda close to my house, so I walked down there to visit (and take her some stolen oranges), and see everyone's projects. That counts for something, right (: Oh and I went to an outdoor mall to help my neighbor buy a pedometer. I ended up buying underpants. Oh! And I test drove a C30 (almost bought one back in April, before I had to come back to FL). Holy guacamole. The pickup... omg. It's got a bigger engine than mine now and gets better mileage. Costs about as much as my Masters. I think I'd rather have the Volvo... Ugh. Exam tomorrow.

- LP

got to the point where I can do 115lbs 8x WITHOUT losing my grip on the bar!! I've been very careful on this point, and have to supplement my deads with other exercises since they aren't heavy enough to actually work the intended muscles.

How much weight is needed on a deadlift to work the intended muscles? I think 115lbs. is pretty fantastic!

On the upside, the monster has a quilting retreat this weekend

My grandmother and her sisters used to have "quilting bees" where they would all sit and work around a big wooden frame hand stitching a quilt on it, (I am lucky enough to have one of those quilts- I like to wrap up in it and sit on my grandmother's old couch I inherited, brings back great memories)

Have you had any luck on your search for a road bike?

Dear Diary:

Today is Saturday: Totally Nuts.

Business first:
Lynne - Thanks (: I can deadlift more if I use the straps (I haven't tested this out in awhile, since I think it's pointless), but straps are cheating. Deadlifting is an art, and If you can't grip it, then you need to improve your grip. It is a part of the exercise (: I have been doing grip exercises since April, and I do a lot of "hanging" work at the gym using the pullup bars to help me improve. I am hoping it clears up on its own. I had some other issues at the same time the grip thing developed, and by and large, they are now gone, or at least better.

Stupid monster. She used to keep me busy and out of trouble every summer by making me and my bff Nana do a quilt. We had certain things that had to get done every week, and the quilts were done by the end of the summer. Meanie. Now, I don't get *any* quilts, because I can make my own. My stupid brother and sisters all have some. But OH NO. She taught me to fish so instead of lobster tail and swordfish for dinner like everyone else, she just gives me a can of worms. Sigh. I do have some pretty radass quilts though!!

No word on the bikes. I was at Dicks yesterday, and saw they had some bikes. They had a decent road bike for around 700. Probably not the best quality, and a brand I've never heard of. Still lookin' around for a good used one. As much as I'd love to drop 1400 on a bike that is just going to get stolen, I really do like fixing up my own things. So I'll keep an eye out. Unless you want to donate to my cause (: If I go for eBay is the shipping going to break me?

Well had my exam at 1:00. Due to the lateness of my Gym last night, I was hoping to sleep until 10 this morning. No such luck. Was up around 730, sort of zombied around the house for a few hours, then went to the gym and rode a bike for 45 minutes, while reading my notes. Went up to take my test, and was shot in the leg w a poison dart or something. I looked around for the culprit and didn't find anything. It might have been a bee or something, but I'm like 90% it was a poison dart. Tell me wife I'll miss her and give this watch to my son. It was my grandfather's. My calf's a lil swollen, and has changed colors a few times in the hours since. It also stings a lot and is slightly numb. Rad. Annoyed the crap of me during the test. Stole a bunch of food from the monster's house. 1/2 Turkey sandwich, pasta chickeny delicious, and 3 dibs bite size ice cream snacks (crunch bar flavor). (All leftovers from her retreat. It is all catered, so they split up the extras. Helllllo free food!!)

- LP

Buy another unicycle, remove the seat, and get it welded around 30-45 degrees onto the back of the first one.

A cheap Bike.

Plus if you use the peddles on the rear wheel, you could lean further forwards and go into race mode .

Have you ever tried sponge ball squeezing, to improve grip strength. Might be a way forward. Better than those coiled spring devices with hand grips, that probably knacker up your wrist after constant use.

Yeah, I have the lil spongy guys. And I use dumbbells/barbells at the gym. And hanging from the pullup bar (: And this, too, shall pass.

Ugh, honestly, we need a "Crap lp wants to buy" thread.

Lynne - Help?
http://cgi.ebay.com/RARE-WAREHOUSE-FIND ... 303wt_1165
http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-2010-ALUMINUM-R ... 145wt_1170

Also, weight is * imperative* I know that nothing I'm looking at is going to be terribly heavy, but I do have to carry it up a couple flights o stairs, and I'd rather that not be too taxing. I think the heaviest I've looked at was like 32lbs, and I can stay under 25 easy, so I really don't think that's an issue. Roads are all lw anyway, since people race on 'em. (Something I intend to do. I have so many causes to ride bikes for...) I really like the first one, and the second might expire before you see this (: But what do you think?

I looked on c-list too, but only have seen one I liked. Roughly 2 1/2 hours from my house. No thanks.

Ty, love (:

love the first one! I love vintage stuff and brand new in the box - how lucky is that?!! concerned about finding parts for it. Also it is a steel frame, so it will weigh more. Nice skinny tires - to go faster with!

second one is nice - aluminum frame - only weighs 24 lbs. and parts would be easy to find. So it is really up to you and what you like best.

Gotta buy pedals ): Haha. Probably for the best anyway. I have no interest in clips, since it will be a commuter, and I'm not takin' spare shoes!!

instead of clips you can buy straps that attach to the pedal and are adjustable to fit your foot. It just gives a little more rotation since you can push/pull with every cycle. Your foot just slips out the back. Also, if you do get into racing (so much fun!) the second bike will help you more, being lighter and newer. My racing bike (an 80's model) and (even tho' I love her ) is fast...but nothing compared to the bikes they have today. One triathlon I did, I was cruising along - speedometer reading a steady 20 to 25 mph - I thought I was really flying, until I got "smoked" by a girl on a new racing bike, she flew by me like I was standing still
Anyway, I'm excited for you and can't wait to hear what you decide to get!

also I noticed the first one only has a 3 day money back guarantee - but FREE shipping. The second one has a 30 day money back g. - but has a 39.00 shipping fee Only 58 minutes left on the second one!!

Yeah but it's too big ): I'll keep an eye out though. Thanks for the help, Lynne. I'll bug you again if I find something else (:

Good thing I didn't buy it. I just went up to a local bike shop to look at some seats and pedals, and make sure I know what I'm looking at on the bikes. I was informed that a "girl like me" should really be on something like a beach cruiser. Freaking ass. I was almost in tears, he was so mean! Told me that I need a mountain bike or a cruiser "something better for someone like me" (yes he said it again) I have no idea what the hell that even means. I mean, honestly! Evidently commuting along "roads" and "sidewalks" doesn't require a "road bike". Explain that one to me. I told him I liked the way that they sit better (more forward) and he looked at me like I was completely mad and told me I couldn't afford it. I love it when people do that. I think it's why I insist on dressing like a scrub. Shoulda' worn my pearls, then maybe he'd've been nice to me ):

Also, I don't know how much you guys know about college sports and rivalries here in Florida, but UF/FSU (gators and seminoles) is a pretty hefty rivalry. I mentioned gainesville (Go Gators. It is one of my top choices for the grad program), and then he told me that the "seminoles were more honest" and I should think about going there, since the bike is less likely to be stolen. Let's aim for a little professionalism here, eh?