GIANTMICROBE's SparkPeople Blog

Squat snatches

Thu, 23 May 2013 19:20:33 EST

Nothing terribly exciting to report tonight. Here was our WOD:

5 Rounds for time of:
12 Push presses (115# / 75#)
40m Shuttle sprint (4×10 meters)
8 Squat snatches (115# / 75#)

There were a few options for scaling the squat snatches. One, you could do a snatch first, then an overhead squat. Two, you could do 8 snatches and 8 overhead squats. Three, you could do full-on squat snatches, but with a really light weight.

I chose option three because ...

I love and hate my hands.

Wed, 22 May 2013 20:01:15 EST

I'll just talk about tonight's workout first, and then on to the fun stuff!

For time:

30 hang cleans
50 pistol squats
Row 2K

The hang cleans were too easy actually. I only used 45#, did them all unbroken and was the first one done by like 2 minutes. So for next time, I know to go heavier.

But no worries... everyone caught up to and passed me during the pistols... which goes back to the title of my blog. One modification for pistol sq...

Running By the River

Mon, 20 May 2013 08:09:20 EST

I actually had a pretty good weekend. I am glad I didn't let my grumps get the best of me- especially because Saturday was my 6-year anniversary with my boyfriend which I definitely thought would depress me for the whole weekend. Last year I made him a beautiful card and got him an amazing gift which he never used, so this year I said eff it and didn't do a damn thing. He did remember it was our anniversary- I am not sure how, perhaps a friend tipped him off... anyway, he said happy anniversa...

133# Deadlift, and can't leave out the rowing.

Fri, 17 May 2013 19:56:55 EST

Tonight at CrossFit was nuts in the best way. Friday workouts are always awesome! Not many people are there and we always do strength.

Tonight we did:

Deadlifts
5-5-3-1-1

and then

Row 2K for time (try to keep it under 8 minutes)

The deadlifts were supposed to be percentages of your 1rm (1 rep max) but since I haven't established that yet, the coach told me to just work up to the highest weight I could do with perfect form and base it...

Squat Practice and Tabata

Wed, 15 May 2013 12:34:35 EST

Last night's CrossFit was pretty good. First we practiced squats in annoying detail. LOL. It was fine actually. Yes it was boring but it was extremely important. Basically in CrossFit there is a ladder you have to climb... 1. Learn the movements then 2. Show proficiency consistently then 3. Go as heavy, hard and fast as you can.

So last night all the newbies (you are "new" to CrossFit for a very, very long time) practiced squats. There were 6 of us. 3 girls and 3 guys. First we did...

Last Night

Tue, 14 May 2013 08:02:23 EST

Yesterday at CrossFit the workout was:

15 snatches
Run 200m
15 overhead squats (I did back squats)
Run 200m
15 thrusters
Run 200m
15 clean and jerks
Run 200m

I had 45# on my bar but I did a few thrusters before the workout and decided to go down to 40#. I knew those would be the hardest part for me, so I chose weight according to the thrusters. I think I made a good decision because I finished in 14:06, pretty much right in the middle o...

Me Day

Sun, 12 May 2013 16:23:02 EST

Yesterday I had a bit of a "me" day and it was nice. I really needed it actually.

I went to CrossFit for the 8:30AM class which was, in hindsight, a mistake. I am used to 6PM workouts and my body is NOT ready to go in the morning. I also lost one of my contacts mid-WOD. Well, actually I didn't lose it. It shoved itself up in my eyeball. UGH. These things are making me CRAZY. I NEVER had these problems until just this past year. So I ran to the bathroom, yanked it out, and finished...

I'm So Flattered I Could Pee

Fri, 10 May 2013 19:31:04 EST

Tonight at CrossFit the workout was:

Shoulder Press
5-5-5-5-5

AMRAP in 10 minutes:
5 thrusters
7 hang cleans
9 sumo deadlift high pulls

One of the coaches, Katie, who is the wife of the other coach who is always there at 5:30, Andy, said to me, "You've done sumo deadlift high pulls, right?" I said yes. She said, "With a kettlebell or bar?" I said kettlebell. She said, "Oh, you can use a bar tonight. You'll be fine. Your form is always excel...

Christine! That's Me! And best coworkers ever.

Thu, 9 May 2013 20:17:56 EST

I knew tonight's CrossFit would be good and it was only several hours AFTER I saw the WOD and got excited, did I find out it's a benchmark girl WOD... and it's CHRISTINE! That's ME! I was destined to kick some butt tonight.

3 rounds for time

Row 500m
12 bodyweight deadlifts
21 box jumps

I pushed HARD tonight and finished in 15:27, somewhere in the middle of everyone else. Times tended to range from 13 to 18 minutes. The only thing is that I only used...

Okay. Okay...

Wed, 8 May 2013 17:41:51 EST

All right, I'm feeling better after a rough couple of days. I forced myself to go to CrossFit last night. It definitely wasn't the best workout I've ever done, but I wasn't about to miss a heavy lifting day. That's why I am there. I mean, I can do 100 burpees at home, you know? Not that I ever would.

Power Snatches
5-5-5-5-5

Tabata wall balls
Tabata overhead squats

The power snatches were okay. I used 55#. Some were really good and others I failed at...

And Because I Didn't Cry Enough Yesterday

Mon, 6 May 2013 17:44:45 EST

I also got my rejection letter from graduate school today.

This might be the worst week of my life.

I need an attitude adjustment

Mon, 6 May 2013 08:04:08 EST

Well, I managed to waste another weekend with my crappy attitude and this one just happened to be my birthday. I do not even know what is wrong with me. I have so much to be grateful for and I know this. People would love to have the life I have but all I can do is focus on a few tiny negatives and blow them way out of proportion all the time. I am starting to wonder if there might be something really wrong with me. I know some of the politically-correct minded people won't like this term, bu...

Didn't Work

Sun, 5 May 2013 17:00:10 EST

I tried to be happy, but I just hate it here too much. I spent my entire birthday in bed crying. Maybe next year it will be better.

Off To A Good Start

Sat, 4 May 2013 09:18:38 EST

My birthday weekend is off to a good start 41 When I came home from CrossFit last night, I smelled cake! My boyfriend made me a double layer chocolate fudge cake with chocolate frosting and milk and dark chocolate chips.

Yessssssssssssssssssss 334

And I'm totally having some for breakfast because I'm gonna need lots of energy to lie on a massage table all afternoon 334

I always loved my birthday but ever since living in Ma...

Another Great Workout and Compliments

Fri, 3 May 2013 19:35:05 EST

Another great CrossFit workout tonight. I saw this posted yesterday and I said I AM NOT MISSING THAT FOR ANYTHING.

Front Squat
5-5-5-5-5

Followed by -

3 Rounds for time of:
400m Run
50 squats

I keep getting compliments on my form which I am so beyond flattered by. I do credit my at-home workouts for teaching me a lot about my body and body awareness.

During the strength component the coach complimented my form... althou...

Wake Up! Time For Bench Presses!

Thu, 2 May 2013 20:00:36 EST

Maybe the eye doctor is right and I am too old for this crap. I'm having issues with my contacts again... around 3PM each day, they get so dry and cloudy and I feel like I have rocks under my eyelids. It totally zaps my energy, man. There's just something about dry fuzzy eyes that just wipes you out!

I don't have glasses. I broke mine about 2 years ago and never got new ones. I know I really, really need glasses. I've only really been hesitating because in my lab, you can't be in t...

Astrology is Hooey, But This Was Funny

Thu, 2 May 2013 07:48:12 EST

I should first point out that I of course know astrology is complete and total nonsense, but today on the morning radio show I listen to, they talked about this "study" (Who FUNDS this ridiculousness, by the way?!?!?!) that looked at which astrological signs are the most and least likely to work out.

The sign most likely to work out?

Taurus

104

I Like Days Like This

Wed, 1 May 2013 12:49:25 EST

You know those people who say they like to be busy? Perhaps you're even one of them? I am not. I like to be NOT busy. Therefore, today is a nice day for me because I am totally just sitting here at my desk chilling. The only way it could be better is if I didn't work in a windowless basement... so I could see the absolutely GORGEOUS day outside.

I swear if I had vacation time or anything I would not be here. I would have taken today off for my birthday. It's Sunday, but actually it...

I Hate When I Hurt Myself Doing Stupid Shiz

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 19:39:38 EST

Today I pulled a groin muscle foot-flushing a toilet.

46

Getting Into The Kettlebell Swing of Things

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 18:00:07 EST

So exciting news! I think I've finally learned kettlebell swings! Weird to say, right? I mean, they look pretty simple, but for me they were the hardest exercise I've ever learned.

I've been trying for probably over a year to do proper kettlebell swings. The thing is they never did anything for me. I felt like no muscles were working. I could seriously do them forever. Never got tired. Never got out of breath. Never got sore.

At first I thought I needed a heavier kettleb...

We Made a Garden

Sun, 28 Apr 2013 17:11:49 EST

I've noticed none of my friends Spark on weekends. I guess all you guys are out having a life while I sit here surfing the internet for 48 hours... anyway, if any of yinz are catching up on Monday, I sure hope you'll go back and read my blog from Saturday. It was a good one, I think.

All that aside, I have had probably the best weekend I have had since moving to Maryland. Killer, fun workouts at CrossFit Friday and Saturday. I had a really amazing massage Saturday afternoon. Uggggg...

Kind of Awesome

Sat, 27 Apr 2013 13:33:19 EST

I keep surprising myself at CrossFit by doing things I thought I couldn't do and it's a great feeling!

Yesterday the strength component was 5-5-5-5-5 power cleans (5 sets of 5 reps). I warmed up with 35#, and the coach came over and was grinning and said, "You can do a lot more than that. Go get a regular bar and put 10 pound plates on either side." That is 53#. I did two sets with that... and he was like, "Come on... let's get some more on there." I did another set with 63#. Then ...

Neck and Silliness

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 18:21:57 EST

I made a massage appointment today... I have been putting it off but- at the risk of sounding like my mother- I just can't take the pain anymore.

The thing is I have some neck issues. I've had them since I was about 20. I get this horrible golf-ball sized knot on the left side of my neck and knots along the pressure points on the base of my skull as well.

When I was in college, I saw a massage therapist and that helped a LOT. But then when I moved here, I just sort of g...

Legs and Shoulders Week

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 20:05:21 EST

Woooooooooo, I am SORE, you guys! It's awesome. I might always remember this week as the week my legs and shoulders just kept taking beatings.

Legs- Sunday- HIIT squats. Monday- 150 walking lunges. Tuesday- heavy squat day at CrossFit. Today- wall balls.

Shoulders: Sunday- heavy rows. Tuesday- Tabata push presses and Tabata handstand holds. Today- wall balls and wall ball situps.

Today was really fun at CrossFit. The workout was:

21-15-9 reps of

I Re-Joined

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 14:39:45 EST

A lot of people may not know this about me, but I actually lost the 35 pounds in 2011 by using Weight Watchers, not Spark. I mean, I was always on Spark for the community, but the actual tools I used to lose weight were Weight Watchers points and tracking system. I usually don't say that because people tend to be rather judgmental regarding WW (or any plan other than Spark, actually, or many, many, many other things... but that's a whole other blog)

I could never count calories. I ...

Want to get back to normal!

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 07:15:54 EST

Warning, this blog contains some gross bodily functions.

What a week or two it's been... Last week I didn't work out too much because Flo was in town. Normally that does not stop me because it's never really bad. But last week it was pretty miserable! Then my mom came to visit. I did work out at home Friday, Sunday, and Monday.

But then yesterday at work I started not feeling well. My stomach was upset and by lunchtime I had what I call "tummy fire" which is this really...

Like Cats? And Paleo?

Tue, 9 Apr 2013 19:18:15 EST

I thought this was just way too cute not to share.

www.buzzfeed.com/youotterbelieveit/c
ats-who-are-trying-the-paleo-diet-9n6t

More Workout Babbles

Sat, 6 Apr 2013 11:50:08 EST

My best friend flat out ignores me when I talk about my workouts... but I am so glad I have all you guys!

I didn't blog every day I went to CrossFit this week. I really can't... I have over an hour commute to work each way, and now I go to CF after, so I don't get home until 7PM. In two hours, I need to eat, shower, and do a few chores and that's it, so blogging isn't always a priority. But I went to CF Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and today.

Today's workout was: <...

100 Thrusters

Tue, 2 Apr 2013 19:22:57 EST

Tonight's WOD:

For time:
100 Thrusters (95# / 65#)

I really didn't know what to think about this workout, but, long story short, I chose much too light of a weight and ended up finishing WAAAAAAY before everyone else and not getting a very good workout in because of it. Well, I will know for next time. I'm still learning.

I think I underestimated because thus far I have been overestimating my abilities. It is true what they say- don't bother trying to ge...

Happy About a Five Pound... Gain!

Mon, 1 Apr 2013 19:12:27 EST

Why, you ask?

Because my grandma gained five pounds! 41

My grandma is 86 years old, still lives alone and takes care of herself and her cat, and has sharper mental faculties than my mother by a thousandfold. I love her to pieces. Unfortunately she had a really stressful year in 2012 and didn't want to eat. She got down to 100 pounds 39 But I talked to her yesterday and she was so proud to tell me, she's gained 5 pounds since January 26! It was al...

Adorable Food/Today's WOD

Sat, 30 Mar 2013 11:28:43 EST

Fair Warning:

If you are one of those people not in control of yourself and can't handle pictures of unhealthy food and are going to yell at me for "tempting" you, there's a "back" button in the shape of an arrow at the top left part of your browser. Use it now.

I'll give you a second to think about it.

...

...

...

...

...

All right then! Yesterday I ran into a recipe for Mini Cake Batter Cinnamon Rolls at...

Good Decision

Fri, 29 Mar 2013 08:16:35 EST

I knew I liked the CrossFit box I chose, but when I read something like this that they post on Facebook... I am all the more confident I have chosen very well.

I feel like this is super important for EVERYONE to keep in mind, no matter what workouts you do. I know that I have had times when I was overtraining with my home workouts (Bodyrock, Zuzka, Loving Fit, etc).

It's so hard sometimes, when you love to work out, to take breaks and rest but recovery is truly the most...

Tonight's Workout

Thu, 28 Mar 2013 20:07:32 EST

This was the WOD posted on my CrossFit's website today:

3 rounds for time of:
Run 800m
Rest 2 minutes

*****These are all out efforts! Try not to have your time vary more than 2 or three seconds from the first one to the last. This is an ugly distance that requires some mental toughness to run at your all out pace but get after it and enjoy the improved fitness derived from the discomfort! If you feel OK after this WOD, you have not done it correctly. ...

I Made It: Baked Egg Avocado

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 19:28:52 EST

I really want to get more into the habit of making and sharing healthy recipes on my blog. Tonight, I have done it!

Last week I saw a post from Zuzka on Facebook and this recipe looked so incredibly awesome, I just had to try it.

zuzkalight.com/2013/03/deviled-avoca
do-recipe-awesome-breakfast-option/

I don't usually make Zuzka's recipes. Quite frankly they never look too appetizing. I mean, I want to eat healthy but most of her stuff just...

Top 5 Most Sore Ever

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 16:07:54 EST

My friend Laura (BROCOLIJOLI) mentioned in her last blog that the sore she is experiencing (from CrossFit's 13.3, I believe) is in her "top 5 most sore". I got a huge kick out of that because I could easily name my top 5 most sore! And I've decided to.

As most of you know, who read my blogs and statuses, I am a "sore chaser". I work out with the intent of ripping my muscle fibers up so that they heal bigger and stronger. Depending on your goals, you may want to be sore, or you may ...

My Week Last Week

Sun, 24 Mar 2013 14:47:28 EST

Well, I've been teasing you all week talking about it 41 so here it is- a recap of my epic week, although, now that I'm typing it out it doesn't seem all that epic... but it sure seems so to me.

First of all, last Friday I told my boyfriend of 6 years I wanted to break up. I was having just a horrible few days, and I came home crying on Friday and I just couldn't take it anymore. I told him I want to leave. It is a long story but basically the ending is that we're still...

Two Workouts

Tue, 12 Mar 2013 12:52:34 EST

Last night I did two workouts- a Loving Fit upper body and an old Bodyrock which is my personal favorite called Transform Your Booty.

The Loving Fit workout was:

12 decline pushups (I used Ferdinand my fitness ball)
12 push presses (15 lb dumbbells)
12 upright rows (15 lb dumbbells)
12 skullcrushers (12 lb dumbbells)
12 bent-over rows (15 lb dumbbells)
12 reverse pushups- or bodyweight rows
12 bicep curls (12 lb dumbbells)

I wante...

Nothing Ever Spoke To Me Like This

Sat, 9 Mar 2013 10:30:16 EST

I've heard all the sayings, saw all the pins... "You are what you eat". "You can't outrun a bad diet." "Your body is your temple". But nothing ever hit me like this one. This was like a slap in the face. I can't stop thinking about it.

I don't know if it's because I'm a biologist or what, but I cannot get this image out of my mind. I think this is definitely my new mantra for healthy eating.

-...

A Better Day! And snacks!

Sun, 3 Mar 2013 19:04:35 EST

I always am happier on Sundays. I guess because I get to go back to work tomorrow? I lead a sad, sad life 246

I had a very nice workout tonight, and by "very nice", I mean it was a slice of tortuous hell wrapped up in a workout package- so in other words, just what I love 41

It was an old Bodyrock- gotta love 'em!

10/30s max rep intervals of:

Part 1- switching between push presses and side jump lunges
Part 2- switchin...

You're Only One Workout Away From a Good Mood

Sat, 2 Mar 2013 18:40:44 EST

I had a difficult morning. I don't really care much for weekends. They are very boring and all I do is sit around a crappy house because my boyfriend won't go anywhere or do anything. I like my job and my coworkers so I'm in a rather better mood Mondays through Fridays. I woke up this morning feeling very cranky and down, and moped around all day. And didn't eat so great... as in, a cinnamon roll for breakfast and ice cream for lunch. Nice, huh? 39

I've also been getti...

Starving and Sleepy!

Thu, 28 Feb 2013 18:01:06 EST

That pretty much sums up my week! I have been feeling sooooooooooo hungry and sooooooooooo tired this week. I could blame Flo but I don't think she's due for awhile. All I want to do is stuff my face and take a nap!

Today, all morning, I couldn't think of anything besides Triscuits and hummus (well, okay, I was also thinking about a deep-fried Oreo cheesecake but that's because my BFF and I were having fun coming up with ridiculous food ideas, LOL) Anyway, at lunch I went out to th...

How To Calculate Rump Hertz

Fri, 22 Feb 2013 07:25:55 EST

Assuming max reps for all intervals,

1 minute weighted hip raises, each side
+
1 minute weighted lunges, each side
+
1 minute side jump lunges
+
1 minute weighted squat jumps
+
1 minute deadlifts

x 5 rounds

=

Rump Hertz
334

Tiny Sexy Pants Compliment! Plus Tonight's Workout

Tue, 19 Feb 2013 18:18:43 EST

Today was Tiny Sexy Pants Day! Most of you know about my Tiny Sexy Pants but for those of you who don't, my Tiny Sexy Pants are this pair of size 6 (tall, of course) smoky gray pants that, on a healthy day, fit me PERFECTLY and look SOOOO HOT. I save them for days I feel especially small, when I have been good about my eating (I'm usually good about working out!)

Usually it is about once a week or once every two weeks I will make an ordinary day special by wearing my Tiny Sexy Pant...

Yesterday's Killerrrrrrr Leg Workout

Mon, 18 Feb 2013 18:24:44 EST

Hey you guys! Wow, I had a ridiculous leg workout yesterday. It does not sound like much but it will buuuuuuuuuuuurn!

It is from Loving Fit and it's called Strong Confidence.

www.lovingfit.com/exercises-workouts
/strong-confidence-workout/

15 lunge press-ups- right leg
15 jumping lunges- right leg
15 lunge press-ups- left leg
15 jumping lunges- left leg
30 step-ups each leg

x 4 rounds

then

Just a couple thoughts

Sun, 17 Feb 2013 09:21:35 EST

First off thanks for all the suggestions regarding my afternoon slump. I keep meaning to go back and thank people specifically but the comments about B vitamins really stood out to me.

When I was in college I went through a period where I was having a really hard time focusing/concentrating. I just felt distracted all the time, like I had ADD or something. I read- probably on Spark- that B vitamins help with concentration. So I got a multivitamin with like extra B vitamins in it or...

Afternoon Slump... suggestions please?

Fri, 15 Feb 2013 07:38:48 EST

I've been meaning to type up this blog for a long time and ask for some help regarding The Afternoon Slump.

So... I get the worst afternoon slump. After lunch I just want to take a nap. (And on the weekends- I WILL take a nap). I have zero motivation to do anything. My body is tired and my brain is foggy. It even gets mental- I am crabby and down and tend to hate on everything from the hours of 1PM-4PM.

There are certain things that make it better. My lunch, for example....

Chugging Along

Sat, 9 Feb 2013 09:08:21 EST

I've been doing pretty well this week without trying too hard. I find that when I take the pressure off myself to be "perfect" that is when I do my best.

I had two great workouts Thursday and Friday. On Thursday I did a MyOMyTV kettlebell workout called "Super Variety Kettlebell Workout". It was like this:

20/1:00 intervals of:

One arm thruster, R- 20 lbs
One arm thruster, L- 20 lbs
Squat and row- 30 lbs
Jump Rope
Mountain runners
Ket...

Workout Fail

Tue, 5 Feb 2013 18:17:03 EST

Sometimes you go out with the best of intentions but it is just not your day. And today it was not mine.

I drew a workout from my Stack O' Workouts that was an ab workout. OK, I don't usually do all core but my motto is keep your body guessing! And I thought, well, I hit upper and lower pretty good yesterday so a core workout makes sense.

It had mountain climbers, side plank lifts, and half burpees (in-and-outs). Anyone see a pattern here? Anyone remember what I did yest...

Burn Shoulders Burn

Mon, 4 Feb 2013 18:15:22 EST

I haven't been blogging about my workouts... and I picked a fine damn night to do it because my arms are literally shaking so hard I'm having trouble drinking my water, seriously. I had a great workout.

I warmed up, then started off with a classic Bodyrock, one of my very favorites and a very special one to me because it was the first Bodyrock I ever did and it got me hooked on high intensity worko...

Attitude Adjustment and Crossfit

Mon, 4 Feb 2013 08:15:58 EST

I am in need of an attitude adjustment, big time. Most of the time I feel very angry and bitter and I only have some idea why, and I'm just not sure how to turn it around. I have really noticed it lately, I just feel like I am constantly complaining and that I just hate everything and everyone. I don't WANT to be like that, but... I'm not sure how to make it better.

On a directly related note, there's a Crossfit box literally across the street from where I work. How did I never kno...