Meta's Strongwoman Training

2009-07-17T08:19:00.001-07:00

Sorry - I have not been keeping up with my blog - I had some access issues. I am back - and have my second competition this weekend in Allentown !!!!!

Event Training

2009-03-20T06:37:00.000-07:00

Well - I trained on some Strongwoman Events last night - let me tell you - I am wasted today !
I did not do as well as I thought on the Stones or Log Press :(
I could not even get teh 170# stone off the ground ! My forarms are bruised and raw - OUCH ! I need MORE forearm strength .

The Logpress was a disappointment - at 100#, I got it over my head once, but could not lock out my left arm - DAMN !

I was able to carry 90# fatmer's up and back ( only 1/2 way back though since the clips broke)\
I could have def made it.

Goin to train again on Sat - need to bring tacky for my arms on the stone, chalk for my hands on the farmers:) I hope it comes in today! I ordered it on line. I def need to tape my arms, though:)

This is really HARD !!!!!!!

Van Push

2009-03-19T08:25:00.001-07:00

Well - I pushed my first van last night - OMG *** is all I can say - it was harder than I thought...I thought my chest was going to explode - It was like running a marathon !
here's the vid.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rexcC1yFL_E

2 weeks out !

2009-03-17T12:21:00.000-07:00

Well - the competition is coming up ! This is exciting. I have not been able to train on any events - which means I have to go into the competition raw - I'm starting to get scared !!!!!

I am getting the harness tonight so I will be able to do a van pull tomorrow.

Training is coming along...I hired a trainer last week - since Troy has not been available to me for a while. I am working on my shoulder strength with him. My bench press has gotten up to 135 ! In addition to a seated Military and an Incline Bench - so things are looking up there.

I have practiced the Farmers with 85# DB's - but need to get to 140 ! OMG - I'm scared !!!

Training has been going well - eating is OK - although there is definitely room for improvement - esp pre and post workout nutrition - although I am trying !!!

More later !

4 weeks out - picking up momentum

2009-03-02T06:29:00.000-08:00

Week - I'm 4 weeks out from the competition and still struggling with the overhead press. I asked my pals at Teambix.com for ideas in gaining more upper body strength. The answer was to work on COMPOUND exercises...Bench Press, Incline Press, Floor Press, Military Press AND pull ups, push ups, tricep extensions....all in ONE session - or so I think - I have a question out about that !

Starting this week, I will also start incorporating in 2 - 30 minute conditioning sessions - over the next 3 weeks in addition to my DE and ME workouts. I decided to tack the condidiong sessions at the end of the DE days. Altough I'm wondering if I do them on DE and ME pressing days, it may be more effective. I just don't know ! I have to worry about OVERTRAINING! Maybe I should only have one conditionng session per week. Today is the first day of this, so I'll see how I feel.
The weekly outlook will look like:
Sun - OFF
Mon - DE Pressing. C&P and conditioning
Tues - Off
Wed - ME DL day
Thurs Off
Fri - ME Press Day and conditioning
Sat - DE DL day

Starting week 7

2009-02-16T12:14:00.000-08:00

The weeks just keep on going by so quickly ! I'm about 1/2 to my competition ( April 4).
I can see my problem areas..
1) my overhead press is killing me - still holding at 95 !
2) Grip strength is still an issue - I can carry 120LB DB's to one end of the room - only about 20 ft. I really have to step this up.. I have grip trainers at home - which I need to use MORE OFTEN !!!!! Remember, the Farmer's walk is 140 lbs per hand!
3) My DL is still pretty weak - holding at 205. My Sumo DL was at 235 at the beginning but I have not been able to hit that again. I separated my squat an DL days - so I only hit them every other week - tonight is a DL night - we'll see how I do. *** I did a 230 lb strait Leg DL last night***

On the fun news front - I did van pushes yesterday - Johnny and I hit the high school parking lot and I did 3 pushes at about 80 ft per push in timing ranges from 25 to 35 seconds. Not too shabby - My legs were screaming !!!! Next is the Van pull - which I need to borrow a harness and chain for - that should be fun !
I have attached the link to the video for the van pushes.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhcFJqNvS-g

Middle of week 6

2009-02-11T11:42:00.000-08:00

I made it into the Arcadia news...what's next???? Women's Health????.... NOT... but I'll take the notoriety.

http://gargoyle.arcadia.edu/bulletin/09/0210.htm

Starting Week 6

2009-02-09T08:03:00.000-08:00

Killer week ! I maxed out with a 245 Box Squat yesterday! I'm really happy about that ! First time in shorts all season - and noticed a huge difference in my quads! Happy about that as well - wish my gut would decrease, though.

Bench press is sill holding at 110 - we'll see what I can do this week. Since tomorrow is my scheduled ME bench day - I'm focusing on refueling today - lots of protein and carbs - I'd love to get to 120 tomorrow! We'll see !

Diet was better this week - hope to keep the momentum going.

Looked onto making an Atlas Stone to train in my backyard. The stones in competition will be 120 lbs. So I found a site with a recipe to build you own - basically - take a beach ball - cover it with about 2" pf plaster of paris. Fill with concrete, let dry for about a week and then chip away the plaster mold. I will also need a 4' platform built to plop it onto. ( JOHN !)

I'm also in the market for a 300# tire to do tire flips in the backard. Gonna go down to Ernie's Tire in Ambler and see if they have any junk.

I need to start pushing the van in a parking lot and see how far i can push. I'll need to pull a truck in competition- so I'll start with the push and once I accomplish an acceptable time, move on to the pull. It's getting exciting !!!!! Can't wait to start training for the actual events !

Middle of my 5th Week

2009-02-04T03:35:00.000-08:00

Diet was way off this past week. I think my mind set is losing focus. I had been keeping a food journal - maintaining at 2000 calories a day, about 200 g of protein and about 1oo g of carbs. My laptop was rebuilt, and as a result, I did not have the spreadsheet which is maintained throughout the day. As a result - I got very lazy. Well - the spreadsheet has been resurrected, and I will bet back on the wagon.

My numbers definitely reflected the poor eating habits.....I have the power to change this - I will do it ! Have I mentioned this is the HARDEST thing I've ever done?

Starting week 4

2009-01-25T19:02:00.000-08:00

I mentioned before about having rest days. Well - I had two in a row...Fri and Sat. I have to tell you - I HATED having 2 days off in a row - I was SOOO lethargic all weekend - although I had a stomach thing going on Fri - Sun morning. I tried to get all my food in - to refuel for today's Max Effort lift - but did not do a great job. Weekends are always bad eating days for me anyway - I'm out of my routine, and busy with the kids...I think I'll switch up my double OFF days starting this week -
Had a decent Sumo Dead Lift tonight -
I maxed out at 195. I got 205 up, but failed :(
My Box Squats were better - I maxed out at 220 :)
Tomorrow will be an off day - prepping for the "ME" Bench and Press day on Wednesday !

Getting into a groove - finally !

2009-01-22T11:58:00.000-08:00

Well - I'm into my 3rd week, and finally understanding the Westside barbell Training Method, and getting into a groove. I had some advancements this week:
Finally got my overhead press to 95 pounds ! What an achievement for me. My box squats are up to 190 pounds at this point. So I'm making headway in both areas.

In Strongwoman training, you focus only on simple body parts...arms, legs and back strength. If those three areas are strong, the rest SHOULD just follow...We'll see about that !

There is an event, called the "Farmer's Walk" which will require me to carry 140 pounds of weight in each hand for 50 yards...only being allowed to set it down once. Here is a vid of my fav Polish chic - Aneta Florecyk doing this event!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPS2ogvU9K0
I love this girl - I really think she is awesome!!! You'll see why!

I tried a new variation of a chest press this week - its called a Floor Press - also here in this video. The floor press minimizes the range of motion forcing you to use more of your chest than your shoulders - which I have a problem with. Unfortunately - I did it wrong !!!!! You are supposed to get your elbows to the floor. Instead of using the safety rails you see in the video, I should have attached the rack pins! Oh well - I'll get it
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ea8pvLCAVI&feature=channel_page

Here is a vid of the proper way!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXKC49ARFr0&feature=related

Also in the video - I did the C&P's for 95 pounds. C&P means Clean and Press. I had 100 pounds over head but could not lock out. Lock out means to literally lock the elbows for a few seconds. When competing in Strongwoman, I am required to do the Log Press - which is a very similar movement, although the apparatus requires your hands in a different position - they are perpendicular to the floor - not parallel to the floor. Here is a vid of the log press:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FpU0GYYSmVo
in fact, I will be lifting 125 pounds.

Here is a vid of me practicing the motion back in October! Quite amusing :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MS7dl8DZwBY

So that's where I am this week !

Beginning of week 3

2009-01-18T19:49:00.000-08:00

I think I am finally in synch with the Westside technique - I guess I'm just a SLOW learner :)
The schedule should have the two Max Effort days in the middle with an off day before one of them...the off days MUST focus on FOOD ! Refueling is really important. I saw evidence of this working both positively and negatively this week.

I say my ME Bench numbers climb this week after eating right and gettin proper sleep...today was another story on my ME squat/DL day.

Where I was able to DL 235 in the Sumo Squat last week- I could only get 190 off the floor tonight! My eating was off target yesterday, I only got 5.5 hrs of sleep as opposed to 8 hrs, AND I have my monthly cycle. I can control the eating and sleeping, but not the latter.....I will be doing research on tis before next month's cycle rolls around.

Here's my workout from today
ME DLand squat day

Sumo DL
135*1
155*1
175*1
180*1
190*1
200* failure
***crap - I hit 235 last week

BxSquats
155*1
135*1
160*1
180*1
200*1 ( didn't touch )

SLDL
95*1
115*1
135*1
145*1
155*1
165*1
See vid of SLDL s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDJfqqX5_78

Back extensions 10*3/WB

Leg Raises 10*3/BW

Having Doubts

2009-01-16T03:26:00.000-08:00

I'm feeling pretty low. Since I'm not getting the cardio in which I desperately need ( because if I do, I'm overtraining) I'm feeling very fat. I feel like a bowl of jelly. I thought the weight gain would me muscle - and that my body composition would get leaner...I'm not finding that. I know it's only been two weeks - but I'm just feeling like crap. Shooting the little vids of y exercises is killing me. Although, I'm thing it is necessary in the long term to do them.... I'm hoping for a night of cardio/plyos if I can get to the gym. It may not be till late, but I'm gonna get there ! I have to help at the CYO dance tonight for a while. I just hope I'm not there till 10 PM! Sorry for the dump - I'm just feeling like I can't do this and I'm just getting fatter in the process !

Using Bands for the first time

2009-01-15T15:46:00.000-08:00

Well...this was an experience. I didn'tquite know what to expect...other than the resistance part. They were springy". Which is the point of the Dynamic Effort Day. The idea is todo quick exploding reps.Since I was playing it safe..I didn't experience the "explode"
my workout was as follows:

Dead Lifts...my max effort is 235#.
From my understanding the bands come in 100# + resistance.
You'll see I got the minis - I do not know their resistance power. I set the weight at 140 with bands - warmed upwith bar+ bands for 2 sets of 10
...added 90 for a tot od 140 + bands ...
10 sets of 2

Moved to box squatsMy ME was 155
I warmed upwith bar + bands for 2 sets of 10
...added 50# for a total of 90 + bands...10 sets of 2

Did morelegraisesand some hamstring glute raises

Tomorrow will be a cardio/plyo/ab day!
here's today's video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrjf_Jrm5lA

Thanks for keeping up with me!

First Sign of Strength Increase

2009-01-14T19:21:00.000-08:00

Well folks...all this eating of protein is starting to pay off. I had my second Max Effort Bench Press day.

I increased my Incline Bench Press from 65 to 85 lbs. I almost got 90 lbs up..needed help getting it back on the rack
.
My Hang Cleans increased from my max of 55lbs to 85 lbs !!!!

So the 5 pound increase was not so bad afterall...I'm making baby steps toward my goal !
Thanks to my helpers at teambix.com !
Check out my Hang Cleans vid - shown here at 55lbs - so I could get the motion down...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQAnHftLf1A
Improvements to be made:
boost height of shoulders
point elbows inward

DAY OF REST

2009-01-14T06:44:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was a rest/refuel day....

I feel great today ! Cant wait to do a ME Chest/Shoulder day today ! One thing I noticed...I didn't sleep well because my body was not overly tired....hum....

Hope to press 100lb tonight ! Not sure of my left shoulder will cooperate, though.

Week 2- Continued

2009-01-13T08:14:00.000-08:00

After regrouping from Sunday ...I hit it hard on Monday...physically and emotionally.
I had a great workout:

warm up with the bar (45lbs) do a couple of sets of 10
85 x 2
105 x 2
135 x 1
145 x 1
155 x 1

SLDL's (stiff legged deadlifts)
95 x 10 ( 3 sets)

back extensions
bw x 10 (3 sets)

leg raises - lying
bw x 10 (3 sets)

That was it...but after my OVER TRAINING day on Sunday...I learned that less is better in this style of training.

Here's my log from Sunday...after looking at it I'm wondering if I'm a masochist !
Goodmornings
45*10
65*5
85*5
stopped= I was taking the bar up from the floor since the rack was in use. Couldn't put any more weight over my head and behind my neck alone. I saw goodmornings done on a Smith - tried it last week, but it was really awkward. I opted to pull it up from the floor

squats
45*10
65*10
85*10
105* 5
115*3
135*1
155 * 1
165*1
5 Sets of 8 at 135
In the vid I prevously attached, I see probs
1) not deep enough
2) tilted forward at 165

Leg Press ( seated)
170*5
190*5
210*5
230*5
250*5
270*5
310*1
330*1
350*1
8 sets of 5 at 240

leg circut
leg ext
60*10
6*10
70*10

leg curl
50*10
55*10
60*10

glutre press
70*10
80*10
85*10

Abductor
130*10
135 * 10
140*10

Adductor
130*10
150*10
170*10

The guys at teambix.com ripped me apart over this...I understand why now.
REST is equally important to building strength...Overdoing it can be detrimental to muscle growth. Please check this out...http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/bbinfo.php?page=Overtraining
I go to the bodybuilding website often.

Food was really on par today...I took in 2038 calories ( when cutting I'm around 1500-1700 cals), Protein was at 238 g, and carbs was at 108 g. Rule of thumb for training, Protein - 1 g per lb of body weight, 2g of carbs lb of body weight...so I hit the mark on Monday ! I ate so much I thought I' die !!!! All good stuff, tho:
Egg Beaters, Turkey Bacon, Talapia, Sweet potato, Wheat Bread, Honey.....

Week 2

2009-01-11T19:05:00.000-08:00

Well, this has been a very interesting week - I learned a lot....from my failures.
As much as I thought I was getting my eating under control - I am still off my mark. I have to increase my protein and carb intake n EVERY meal - journal keeping of meals is important for a few reasons:
1) I see how much/little you are taking in...calories, proteins, carbs
2) Make modifications where necessary:
With the advice from one of my teambix buddies, I am being guided towards how I can change my food intake to allow for my increase in strength.

I also learned about how important REST really is. It was hard not to work out for two days. I'm making a paradigm shift from weight loss to strength increase is hard. Where I want to do cardio and sweat my butt off, I have to tell myself that my goals have changed! This is hard for me.

Another challenge this week is the training program in general. Westside Barbell Training is different - its very calculated. I have to stick to bench presses, dead lifts, and squats...supplamenting with a few secondary muscle group exercises in between. I also need to incorporate plyometrics into my split. Plyos help with the "explode" necessary for strongwoman events, such as the Log Press and car push. Check these both out:
http://www.westside-barbell.com/
http://www.westside-barbell.com/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLzI1mcvIv8
There ate tons more available!

I have spent a lot of time researching all of this, yet discovered I failed miserably in my efforts today. Today was really bad. I cried for the first time in months, and actually felt that perhaps this is not the thing for me. After digging deep, and obtaining diatary and workout recommendations from my teamix buddies, I am back on track. but I have to tell you - there was about 30 minutes of doubt.

One other thing that threw me for a loop today was watching the video that I shot at the gym while doing my squat routine. Not only were the squats sucky - I looked HUGE ! I still have days when I get a slap of reality in my face - I'm NOT close to my weightloss goal, and it's still hard to see myself in that way. I think sharing this with you helps me gain my confidence again. It's hard to see ourselves as others see us - but it's all about TRYING and NEVER giving up !

So here's my vid:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kOeEevaFE2E

All in all, I think it was an "ok" start to my journey, and knowing how far I have come is what keeps me going. There will be peaks and valleys...today was just a valley.

In addition to my work...my girls have kept me this week. In addition to helping with a friend's funeral, a soccer game, a bball game, an Irish Dance Competition, and preparing my daughter to Cantor at mass on Saturday. All this in addition to having a killer week at the office - the semester begins tomorrow, so this past week has been a real marathon ! So if I can do it, SO CAN YOU !!!!!

On eating

2009-01-08T09:39:00.000-08:00

One thing I discovered on my weight loss journey and my road to Strongwoman is that EATING is incredibly important. Too many people starve themselves when they try and loose weight. This not only slows down your body's metabolism, but your muscles are not receiving enough fuel to burn the fat which you need to loose !

The key to success is simple:

eat 5-6 meals per day
take in "good carbs"
take in "good fats"
always incude a source of protein in each meal
eat at home before you go to social functions, football games, school events, meetings...you will not be hungary, and you are less likely to grab something unhealthy!

Keep good foods in your bag or car..sunflower seeds, water, apples, granola, almonds....so if you miss a meal cause you'r running the kids all over God's reation, you at least have something to snack on !

Check out teambix.com's nutrition section - there is TONS of information regarding nutrition! That's where I educated myself...

Remember...this is a LIFE CHANGE, not a diet. This isn't to say I don't treat myself to a little something here and there - I'm human !

1/6/09 Quickie post

2009-01-06T20:24:00.001-08:00

I have to record this...
I did Sumo Dead Lifts last night at 235pounds !!!!!

Day 1 of Training

2009-01-04T17:52:00.000-08:00

Ok folks- I started training today - I am doing the Westside Barbell Training method. I did not have my trainer today, although I followed some advice from my teambix.com pros - so I started with a DE day. DE means Dynamic Effort. The idea here is to go for max weight with speed. As opposed to ME, or Maximun Effort days, when you max out wour weights to the point of failure ( I think) - I am at the bottom of the learning curve here.

I ended up with the following for the day:
Bench Press - 10*45;10*55; 10*65; 10*75 ( this means I did 10 reps with each weight level)
Overhead Barbell Press 10*45; 10*55; 10*65; 3*75 ( I could not get my left shoulder to cooperate) I have some major work to do here to increase the strength.
EZ Bar Incline Skull Crushers 10*20' 10*30; 10/40*2 ( this means I did 10 sets of each weight with the exception of the 40 pounder 0 I did 2 sets of 10)
Lat Pull Down machine 10*65;10*70; 10*75

I also did 20 minutes of cardio - split between the ellyptical and the treadmill

I ate 5 meals so far today:
8 AM - protein shake with Peanut Butter, bananna and yogurt and glutamine
10:30AM- egg beaters with mushrooms and turkey bacon
3:00 PM- Another Protein Shake 0 just water and whey powwder ( missed lunch - not advisable) BCAA And Creating 2E
5:30 PM- Another Protein Shake pot work out with my BCAA's and Creatine 2E ( mocha and yogurt)
7:30 PM 12 oz flounder and sweet potato
I willclose out the evening with carrots and apple ( need some crunchies)

I took some video and posted to youtube. Here's the link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9IKTNzwAjqc
I'll attempt to link through this blog- but I'mstill learning here as well.

I have a spreadsheet which I will update weekly and post - it includes my weight, BMI, Fat % and includes my weight lifting progress. I will chart it and try and post as well. ( I purchased BMI and Fat Loss monitor for $30.00)

This is very hard for me to do - to put myself out there - seeing myself in the gym, posting my weight and stats for all to see - but I have come leaps and bounds since Jan '08 and I know I can do this. I hope to inspire some of you who struggle with similar issues of weight and low self esteem.

As for my friends - please be kind with the comments !

January 3rd Update

2009-01-03T06:31:00.000-08:00

So I've spent the past few days getting this Blog together - adding pics was not easy - I thought I could just a slideshow to Flickr - hopefully I'll get better.

At any rate - I've been eating really clean since I returned from PGH after the holiday - getting in 5-6 meals a day - its tough, but it is just as important as exercising. Taking in lean protein, complex carbs is critical. The only supplemants I take are:
Glutamine, BCAA's and Creatine EE. Everything I've learned on supplements is from teambix.com - you should really check out that site. Search through the forus - my screen name is Metamorphosis ( get it?) At any rate, the guys there are extremely nice and helpful - AND non-judgemental. If you are like me, you are embarassed to let anone know how much you weigh, what you eat on a regular basis, and how little exercise you actually do on a daily basis. Hey, you have to start somewhere !

So, I celebrated my 1 year anniversayr to health and fitness yesterday - I joined a new GYM - Retro Fitness - a franchise tyPe establishment - but really nice - clean, and great machines, cables, cardio, free weights - its beautiful - I fugure I can gO there a few times a week when I'm not training with my trainer ! Check it out online - the best part...its only 20 bucks a month - a real value !

Tomorrow starts my StrongWoman training. I will be woking with my trainer and his brother on the basics of Westside Barbell Training, and playing with some of the Stong Woman aparatus' - Log Press, Atlas Stones... I'll be sure to take some pics and vid and post.

Glad you are with me on this journey !

December 2007 - My turning point Size 22W - weighed in at 225 !

2009-01-03T06:30:00.001-08:00

glenda
Originally uploaded by a.mclaughlin69

December 2008 - down 35lbs... .

2009-01-03T06:29:00.001-08:00

blog2
Originally uploaded by a.mclaughlin69

First pics of me in the gym - very hard for me to look at

December 2008 - Down 35lbs

2009-01-03T06:28:00.003-08:00

blog3
Originally uploaded by a.mclaughlin69

First pics of me in the gym - very hard for me to look at

Christmas 2008 - Down 35 lbs feeling great with my girls

2009-01-03T06:28:00.001-08:00

DSC03681
Originally uploaded by a.mclaughlin69

Finally got into the "little black dress" !

2009-01-03T06:26:00.001-08:00

2009-01-03T06:24:00.003-08:00

April 2008 - My last day at work. Pictured here with my trainer...down20 lbs

2009-01-03T06:24:00.001-08:00

DSC00901
Originally uploaded by a.mclaughlin69

I could never have come this far without THIS wonderful guy ! He is my rock ! Constant motivation and support through my journey, and training me for strongwoman !

2009-01-03T06:22:00.001-08:00

Me and Jaimie - June, 2008 - Down 25

2009-01-03T06:21:00.001-08:00

DSC01106
Originally uploaded by a.mclaughlin69

Great night with my daughter at a concert....I was the only 42 yearld in themosh pit with my kid ! A real teaching moment ! Again...nothing I wont do !

June 2008, Down 30 lbs

2009-01-03T06:20:00.001-08:00

DSC01956
Originally uploaded by a.mclaughlin69

My daughter's 8th grade graduation

May, 2008- Down 25...

2009-01-03T06:19:00.001-08:00

DSC02183
Originally uploaded by a.mclaughlin69

hard pic to look at, but there is a reason I posted it. Prior to my journey, I became so introverted, I would not do fun things like go horse back riding. I was so self conscious. Now, there is NOTHING I won't do !

LBI, NJ August 2008

2009-01-03T06:18:00.003-08:00

DSC02414
Originally uploaded by a.mclaughlin69

If you loook at my photo albumbs over the past 15 years, the only pics of me are hiding behind my kids...well not anymore. I'm still 35 lbs away from my goal - but I have increaed self confidence!

Me and My sis - July 2008

2009-01-03T06:18:00.001-08:00

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Originally uploaded by a.mclaughlin69

My first EVER Spinning class

2009-01-03T06:17:00.001-08:00

DSC03054
Originally uploaded by a.mclaughlin69

Pictured here with my best friend - my sister! She is the Spinning instructor. I also took one of her yoga classes over Christmas break !

Conference in Florida

2009-01-03T06:16:00.001-08:00

DSC03191
Originally uploaded by a.mclaughlin69

still holdin at 35...I worked out 3 of the 5 days I was at the conference ! Always keep the momentum going! This is a LIFE change,not a diet !

2009-01-03T06:15:00.001-08:00

July 2008 My first Spinning Class - Down 30 lbs

2009-01-03T06:13:00.001-08:00

DSC03051
Originally uploaded by a.mclaughlin69

2009-01-03T06:11:00.001-08:00

Amy and Sarah St Pat's Parade 2008 ( down 20lbs)

2009-01-03T06:10:00.001-08:00

DSC00663
Originally uploaded by a.mclaughlin69

what a great day ! Walked for 4 solid hours that day...enough cardio?????

2008-12-29T07:28:00.001-08:00

This blog is being used to track my progress as I train for my first Strongwoman competition. I plan on entering weekly updates, and include pictures and videos. I want to inspire other women or men who have had issues with their weight, self-esteem or depression. I hope that my story and my activities can help to inspire you. To begin, I want to tell you a little it about me and the journey of my transformation. I am in no way near my goal, but I am stronger every day, and know I will one day get there!

My name is Amy. I'm a 43 year old mother of two teenage daughters. I have had an issue with weight since 1992. Growing up, I was chubby and "solid". Taunted by my siblings and neighborhood kids, I grew up with negative self-esteem. Looking back over pictures of me as a child, teenager and young adult, I don’t understand why I felt the way I did about myself. I was pretty average in size. But the constant teasing as a child really hurt me. And stayed with me for a life time.

Over the years, I tried so many "diets', but always gained my weight back. I would feel good about myself for a few weeks or a month or so, but then the scale just kept on going up My clothes closet housed closes from size 8P to 22W. The constant yo-yo was so difficult to live with. In fact, every time I gained my weight back after a diet I got bigger ! It was so frustrating.

In the summer of 2007, I was in a size 20W. I had constant issues with my back. There would be weeks that I was in constant pain. I was taking anti-inflamatory, muscle relaxers, pain killers, anti depressants and anti anxiety meds - all at the same time. I would go to work, come home and go straight to my bed. I would not even make dinner half of the time for the kids. Near the peak of my depression, I stopped going to the kid's sporting and school events. That was rock bottom for me. I was always an involved parent...an executive member of he Home and School Association, CCD teacher, volunteer at my church...had the kids involved in every sport and activity under the sun. All of this went into a downward spiral - until one night I fell down the stairs and broke 7 ribs in 15 places, punctured my lung, dislocated my shoulder and banged up my head. My husband thought I was dead. After spending 5 days in the hospital, and six weeks out of work, I grew in size to a 22W.

The straw that broke the camel's back was when I dressed up as Glenda the Good Witch for my nieces birthday. My rotund body could not fit into the already enormous costume. The seamstress had to tear out the seams, and add panels into the gown. The most humiliating part was standing for what felt like hours in an open dressing room in my undergarments while this process was under way. I died inside that day. Once the pictures from the party were developed, I died a little bit more. That was the day that changed my life forever. I have attached that photo for you to see where I was.

January 2, 2008 was the turning point for me. With the help of a very good friend who is my trainer ( he also used to work for me), he slowly got me in shape. It was not easy. The first day in the gym was awful. Not only was I surrounded by physically fit people, they were all under the age of 22 - since the gym was at the college where I used to work. We started with walking on the treadmill, and doing simple sit-ups ad lifting light weights. He put me on a 5 day split routine, where he and I worked together 2-3 days a week, and I worked on my own 2-3 days a week.. There were many weeks when I went to the gym 7 days a week. Every day was like reaching a goal for me. Just going to the gym was a success. I cried when I couldn’t endure the pain or stress anymore, and my trainer encouraged me every step of the way. By April of 2008, I had lost 20 pounds and was down from a 22W to an 18W.

At one year into my metamorphosis I have lost 35 pounds and have dropped 5 dress sizes, currently sporting a 14P. Currently, I can leg press 500 pounds, dead lift 165 pounds, and bench press 135 pounds. I need to increase my numbers across the board in order to be ready for the competition. Feeling very proud of myself for my efforts, and hearing the constant praises from my coworkers, family and friends, I continued on my quest for health and fitness. I joined an online strength and fitness forum called teambix.com. Here I learned about nutrition and additional fitness routines from all of the other members on the discussion board. It is the best support system in the world for me.

By November 2008 I was down 35 pounds and into a size 14P. I am addicted to this new life style, and have decided to train for my first Strong Woman Competition, which will take place in April 2009. This competition is a North American Strongman sanctioned event, and is being sponsored by Teambix. It will be held in Bethlehem, PA on April 4th. I want to use this blog site to track my weekly progress. Please feel free to post comments and questions on this site.

Thank you for joining me in my journey!