Category Archives: New Rules of Lifting for Women

Lifting FAQ – or my secret superpower!

Okay, I got so many questions and emails about the strength training (and running, but that’s another show post).  I am just going to address them all here in a haphazard manner.  I’ll have a regular post later.

First off – NROLW or New Rules of Lifting for Women.  That topic occupied quite a bit of 2009, since it took me about 6 months to finish the program.  I *loved* doing it.  With a capital “L”.  You can read the recap here.

Did you (or are you) following the exact plan for NROL4W? Have you noticed a difference?
Also, how do you know how hard to push yourself?

I followed the workouts to a T.  And I did the optional stage to prepare for chin ups.  I did not follow the food section of NROLW.   As far as how far to push myself, that has taken some trial and error.  Keep in mind that I have been strength training for a few years now, so doing NROLW was the next logical step as it got me into the heavier lifting, and since I joined a gym I was able to use equipment that I just didn’t have at home (squat cage).    I pretty much know how far to push and what I will feel like the next day based on what I do.  I never go to complete failure on reps (on purpose anyway) – not quite sure I agree with pushing to failure anyway.  With each workout, I just try to do a little more.  Your body will tell you when it is too much.  It’s better to go slower and gradually add weights than to do too much and risk injury.  With that said, don’t be afraid to challenge yourself.  Trust me, you are stronger than you think.

How did you get over the fear of being in the ‘guy’s section’?

Well, it was a wee bit intimidating at first, but for the most part, guys are there to work out and will leave you alone.  At least if you are at the gym when the serious people are there.  I still do not like lifting when the preeners are there and flexing. 🙄  Sometimes I get watched, particularly when I am doing my chin ups, but unless they are overtly staring, it’s no big deal.  If you belong to a gym, you have every right to pick up those dumbbells – everyone pays for the same membership!

How/when did you start lifting weights?

I actually have lifted weights off and on for probably 5 or 6 years.  We bought a bowflex (why do I always type blowflex??) to work out with at home and I liked how strong I was getting with it.  But, it was somewhat limiting.  I got some dumbbells with The Firm Workouts in 2008, and then I read Brad Schoenfeld’s books.  That was my first foray into real lifting and free weight workouts.  Once I finished the 28-Day Shapeover book, I was working out with my own designed workouts, which were 4 days of week of split workouts.  While I was doing research online for new moves, I came across New Rules of Lifting in early 2009.  Since I joined the YMCA to have access to a pool to train for my triathlon, that meant I had access to other cool equipment like a cable machine and the squat cage and a barbell!  I was stoked and the rest was history.  I didn’t realize how much stronger I could get – it was pretty cool.  I have some good arms now,  they look normal in my day to day stuff, but I can flex pretty good.  I think I actually scared my mom when I flexed for her 😀

Did you have a personal trainer or did you read a book or what?

No trainer.  I just read a *lot* about form and watch a lot of videos online.  Not that there aren’t bad examples of form out there, but if you read and watch – it is surprising how much you can understand for yourself.  I would have loved (or still would love) a trainer, but I just cannot afford it.  I am lucky that I am able to push myself on my own.

Did you gain weight when you started lifting weights?

Yep.  I did.  At first I gained and then the scale just stayed the same for a long time.  What that was would be more water than actual weight.  It is very, very hard to actually put on muscle, especially when you are in a calorie deficit.  When you lift weights, you are actually making microtears in the muscle fibers, which makes them hold on to water while your body repairs.  So – a lot of initial weight gain is water, which you don’t lose for a long time if you are consistently training.  However, take measurements because you will shrink as the muscles get stronger and you lose fat.

So, there was some rambling about strength training.  I am not strength training to get ‘cut’ or anything like that (with loose skin, that is pretty unlikely that I would ever see a complete 6 pack).  I just want to be strong and self reliant. I know I am going to age strong and fit.  I love feeling strong and powerful – it makes me confident.  Yes, there is some loose skin and I have wrinkles where there weren’t any before, but underneath that is something special.  It’s kind of my secret.

Guest Post: Andra from Love to Eat, Hate to Exercise

Many thanks to Lori for opening up her lovely blog to guest posters. I hope she’s having a grand time on holiday!

My name is Andra and I write the blog Love to Eat, Hate to Exercise. And I really did hate to exercise or at least I thought I did until I decided to give it a chance. When I started moving I began experiencing many of the mental and physical benefits that I had read about in women’s magazines over the years. Once I got a taste of the increased energy, mental clarity, reduced stress, amazing endorphins, increased strength, endurance and balance (did I mention amazing endorphins?) not only did I start to not hate to exercise, I actually started to look forward to it.

I began walking at home with Leslie Sansone in my living room a few times a week, graduated to walking around the block to eventually multiple mile trail walks at Kennesaw and Red Top Mountains near our home in Marietta, GA. I also added some strength training, you know the kind, going from machine to machine and don’t forget those crunches. Boring! But it was a start. Then I worked with a personal trainer for a few months and l learned about interval training with weights but a trainer is expensive so he had to go but I wanted more. I found Finding Radiance and Lori’s posts about the New Rules of Lifting for Women and my interest was peaked. I followed Lori’s progress and was utterly impressed by how strong she is. Needless to say, I bought the book and read it through. It was the first fitness book I had ever read. I read through the Stage 1 workout section again and printed off the warm ups, workouts and progress sheets. Then I re-read the book from cover to cover after I did the first two workouts. It made so much more sense once I had actually experienced the workouts as they are laid out. I can’t believe I was actually doing deadlifts with the Olympic bar and prone jack knives!

I’m just a few weeks into the program and I’ve already seen improvements in my strength and balance. Imagine what will be accomplished in 6 months! I’m really excited to take that journey. If you are fed up or bored with your current fitness program, I recommend getting a copy of the New Rules book. It’s a good read that busted so many fitness myths that I had been spoon fed over the years. The recipes look good but I haven’t had a chance to try them yet as I loaned the book to my fitness buddy. If you haven’t started to embrace exercise because you think you hate it, give it a chance. It will pay off in way that you can’t even imagine unless you experience it.

This is me on exercise…

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Thank you Andra for sharing your story with us!  New Rules Rocks!!

New Rules of Lifting Recap

For those that don’t know what the heck I have been talking about when I write NROLW for the last 6 months, it is this:

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I began back in April (where the *heck* have the last 6 months gone????).   I came at this with a good solid strength training regimen already under my belt for the previous year, so I was no stranger to weights.  However, I had just joined a gym and had access to stuff I didn’t have at home like the squat cage and a barbell.

What I really, really loved about this program was the combination moves.  I haven’t done a bicep curl in 6 months and my biceps are as strong as ever.  Combination moves really make the most efficient use of time in the gym, and really mimic real life muscle movements.  I mean, other than lifting a cup of coffee, how often do you use the bicep curl motion? :mrgreen:  Also – just the freedom of using free weights and cable machines.  There was so much balance work done (which I desperately need!)

I gained a lot of strength during these last 6 months.  I know that I gained some muscle.  I probably lost fat, but I don’t know for sure.  My weight is 3 pounds over what it was last year at this time, but it is lower than earlier in the summer after I finished my triathlon.  My lower body got really strong with doing barbell squats.  My first ever attempts at those, and I hit a maximum of 110 pounds during stage 1!

I also graduated from pushups at an angle leaning on a box to straight military style.  Women do not need to be on their knees to do pushups.  Doing pushups and row work helped build up my lats and my shoulder muscles, making my waist more defined.

And my abs?  I can now hold a 2 minute plank – and do 3 sets!  There is a 6-pack under the loose skin.

I feel like I walk with a bit of a swagger now, or maybe it is just better posture from good muscle building.  Maybe it is my secret superpower knowing that I can kick someone’s ass, even though I don’t look like it from the outside :mrgreen:

What I didn’t like about the book was the length of some of the workouts.  Stage 1 got a little long and boring to me.  Stage 4 or 5 (can’t remember) was a longass workout.  It was taking upwards of 45 minutes + just to get through it, which is a lot longer than I like to be lifting for in any session.  I also think there should have been something in there about maintaining the strength after the program and what to do once you finish.

The nutrition part was also good and not a low-calorie program.  Packed with protein and good information.  I did not really follow the written eating plan, though.

Looking back, I probably should have started this program now to get through the winter instead of sticking it in there while I was training for the triathlon, running races, and duathlon!  I had a really intense summer.

I am taking at least a week off from strength training (which I try to do periodically), possibly 2.  I don’t necessarily want to push harder on lifting heavier, but I would like to work on chin ups (gonna do 1, I swear) and keep up a general conditioning program.  I will for sure be sticking mostly with combination exercises.

I cannot recommend this book enough if you are serious about getting strong.  It’s tough, really tough, but it will change you and your perception about what is possible.

NROLW and shortages

The last workout from New Rules of Lifting!

  • Barbell dead lifts:  2 sets of 8 at 75 pounds
  • Dumbbell squats (heel lifted): 4 sets of 15 with 20 pound dumbbells
  • Overhead dumbbell press: 4 sets of 15 with 15 pound dumbbells
  • Stepups:  4 sets of 15 with 25 pound dumbbells
  • Underhand grip lat pull down: 4 sets of 15 at 60 pounds

After the last pulldown, I was kind of expecting some confetti or something to come from the ceiling 😀  It was actually very quiet.  I was the only one in the gym at this time (I think the rain kept people away), so I just gave myself a few claps and got on the treadmill for some walking!  I am going to do a post this weekend on NROLW, as I feel it deserves some thought after 6 months of hard workouts!

Came home and wanted something different for breakfast, so I made a psuedo crepe with pumpkin/ricotta filling!

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To make the crepe, I used 30 grams of Bisquick heartsmart mixed with a generous 1/8th cup of milk, then added water to make a thin batter (I also mixed in pumpkin pie spice.  I poured in into a large skillet at rolled the pan around to spread the batter, then cooked up like a pancake.  It is a cross between crepe and pancake.

  • The filling was:
  • 1/2 cup of fresh pumpkin puree
  • 1/4 cup of ricotta cheese
  • pumpkin pie spice
  • 2 tsp of agave nectar.

Mix well and heat in the microwave to warm up.  I actually had too much filling, so I put some on top!  (And a tiny drizzle of dulce du leche)

This brings up the pumpkin shortage.  There was one last year, and pickings were really slim around here.  I was excited to find pumpkin again this fall, and now it seems as it will disappear again!  Is this a ploy?  Maybe some of the other smaller companies will step up.  I don’t really want to buy organic pumpkin.  Heck, I don’t know if it’s even around here!

Keeping in the shortage theme, I had a waffle sandwich with lunch.  Turkey, laughing cow, and apple butter.

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We noticed a lot of missing waffles in our stores the last couple weeks, particularly the nutrigrain brand.  Turns out Kellogg’s has some problems at 2 of their plants creating a shortage of waffles.  (Waffle iron officially on Christmas list).  They are rationing where the waffles go, so you know small upstate NY isn’t getting any!

Lunch also included broccoli for a switch up!

Pixie wants some catnip:

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My mother and I went out to a craft show and shopped around a little bit.  It was a good show with a wide variety of things.  They also served food there, and since it was late afternoon  – we decided to get a snack/early dinner.  I had a bowl of chili and a mini cheesecake.  The cheesecakes were 2 for 50 cents.  Can you believe that?  I don’t know why they didn’t just give them away.

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I think I embarrassed my mom taking this picture since I stood up to do it.  😆  I did get 1 christmas gift and a couple things for me.

Tonight involves some ornament making:

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Question:  Have you noticed the waffle or pumpkin shortages in your area?

NROLW, bagels, and books!

New Rules workout this morning.  Just one more workout after this one!

  • Incline barbell bench press:  2 sets of 8 at 65 pounds
  • Seat row:  2 sets of 8 at 70 pounds
  • Static lunge with rear foot elevated:  4 sets of 15 with 25# plate
  • Push ups:  4 sets of 15
  • Romanian barbell deadlift: 4 sets of 15 at 65 pounds
  • Dumbbell bent over row:  4 sets of 15 with 20 pound dumbbells

I felt weak today.  Although I did increase the weights on the first 2 exercises.  I think it was the 6-mile run yesterday that made me fatigued today for such a difficult workout.  The pushups were so hard today, but I did them.   I did a little treadmill walking and then went for my reward!

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I liked this little bookmark thingie.

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Worked fast today.  I was in a real rhythm and plowed through my lines.  Lunch break for a really boring lunch LOL!

I got tired of tuna, but still had a packet left.  I really wanted more protein for lunch for recovery, so I had that mixed with some lemon pepper and light mayo.  Served with Wheat Thins and carrots.  Does this not look like a ‘diet’ plate?

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Mid afternoon yum!

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Sitting on top of the paperwork for my Olympus.  It was sent out today.  God speed little camera……

Ready for another load of broccoli?  I opened a new bag and accidentally poured too much into the pan.

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This was the most delicious red pear, too.  It almost tasted appley.

So what does a hip woman do when she is done with work and ready to paint the town red?

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When John goes to the library, he will get 1 or maybe 2 books out.  I have a problem and usually end up with at least 6, and today was no exception.  3 Christmas CDs and 6 books!

This one seems quite interesting.  I already try to practice this, but maybe I’ll learn something new.

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To solidify my dorkdum, I love to sit on the couch after getting home from the library and surround myself with all my books.  It’s like Christmas morning and I switch from book to book because I can’t settle on one 😀

Question:  Do you read more fact or fiction?  (I am in a nonfiction mode lately)

NROLW and more camera woes.

In an effort to be extra green this week, I decided that I was going to bike to the gym no matter what this morning.  I didn’t even check the weather to see the temperature, I just bundled up and went.  I knew it was above freezing because there was no frost on the car 😀

I have 1 week left of New Rules of Lifting!

  • Barbell squat:  2 sets of 8 at 85 pounds
  • Dumbbell squats with heels lifted:  4 sets of 15 at 20 pounds
  • Overhead shoulder press:  4 sets of 20 with 12 pound weights
  • Step ups:  4 sets of 15 with 25 pound dumbbells
  • Underhand grip lat pulldown:  4 sets of 15 at 60 pounds

Man oh man.  I am not liking this part very much.  I love lifting, but this is pretty intense.  I tend to take a little more than 30 seconds between sets and that is what makes this so rough.

Walked on the treadmill for a bit and then biked home.  The sun was bright and shiny, so the ride wasn’t bad at all.  I cannot believe I am still getting on my bike in mid November LOL!  Biking makes me so happy.

If you read my post earlier, you know I had steel cut oats for brekkie.  Num, num.

I will show you a pic of my cafe au lait that accompanied it – even though the Broncos do *not* deserve to be featured on my blog right now…..

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Annoying day at work today.  Tough dictators makes for slowness and frustration.  Ah well, not every day is quick and easy, right?

Took a lunch break for another waffle sandwich!  I am so into sweet and savory right now.

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This sandwich was roasted turkey breast, laughing cow cheese, and apple butter!  And yes, to answer a question, I do toast the waffles.

So, my new camera is acting up.  Okay, my refurbished camera is acting up.  You can see what is happening on this post.  That pinkish hue gets on a lot of my photos and the LED screen gets all funked up.  It doesn’t happen all the time, but too many times to just deal with it.  It’s under warranty, so I was on the phone with Olympus to get it straightened away to send to them.  Of course, they won’t tell me if the repair is under warranty until they see the camera, but come on!

I am so addicted to taking pictures that I am panicking about not having this camera again.  Although my mom is going to let me borrow her new camera.

Snack with my latte:

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So yesterday evening was not a good eating time for me.  You know how I blogged about wanting to eat yesterday?  Well I did.  I managed to have some toast with apple butter, some dark chocolate chips and pretzels and a little leftover bread pudding during the course of the football game last night.  And I did not feel full!  What the heck is up with that?   How could I possibly not be full?  Bah!  So, today is really one of those days where I leaned out the calories to make up for that.

No broccoli for dinner tonight!  Heehee.  I did a basic sauteed chicken breast and roasted brussel sprouts, plus some applesauce.

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A-1 sauce for dippin’.  I am in a roasted, sauteed vegetable rut.  Like you all couldn’t see that for yourselves!  Although, I like my ruts.  Guess that’s why I get in them!

Evening snack for MNF:

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This is pretty good.  Nice coffee flavor, although I don’t drink sweetened coffee, so it was a little weird to have a sweet coffee flavor in my mouth.  I like the gingerbread larabar better.  What I really need to do is make more of my own.

Question:  Are you in any kind of rut now?

NROLW and falafel

It’s my weekend!  I think I am resigned to just wake up early no matter what.  About 6:45 and I got up to hit the gym.

  • Barbell dead lifts:  2 x sets of 8 at 75 pounds
  • Static lunge with rear foot elevated:  4 sets of 15 with 25 pound plate
  • Push ups:  4 sets of 15
  • Romanian deadlifts:  4 sets of 15 at 65 pounds
  • Bent over barbell row:  4 sets of 15 with 20 pound weights

This is exhausting, I have to say, with the circuit.  This last stage is definitely the hardest!  I then walked on the treadmill and did 5 minutes of jogging to see if it would bother my back.  It didn’t, so I think I am okay on that front!  I haven’t been running since Sunday.

Came home and had a relaxed and lazy breakfast chatting with John:

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Pumpkin Cream of Wheat with pecans and cranberry sauce.  Warm and filling.  I used to eat Cream of Wheat a lot when I was little, it’s nice to discover it again!

Do you ever have those days where they go by so fast and you didn’t even do anything?  That was today for me.  I did spend some time making a list of priorities and projects I want to accomplish and got a head start on one of the biggest ones, which is refinancing my rental property.  I really hope it works out.  Sometimes lists help, sometimes they freak me out!

Lunch break was protein powered yogurt!

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Kind of like breakfast, I had pumpkin in the yogurt with some vanilla protein powder.  Topped with a packet of animal crackers leftover from Halloween.

Took a few more things to the consignment shop.  I think some of my things sold, or at least I hope so because I didn’t see them.  They are only inventoried up through the middle of October, so anything sold after that isn’t on file yet.  Bummer because I was kind of wanting to shop some 😀

Something different for dinner!

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This is a mix you just add water to and cook.  Deep fried would be best, I’m sure, but we pan fried them.  I also shredded and sauteed some brussel sprouts and made a bed for the falafel patties and topped with dried cranberries.

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I realize looking at these pictures that I had cranberries with each meal except my afternoon snack (not pictured).

John asked if I wanted to go Christmas shopping tomorrow!  I love my hubby :mrgreen:  It will have to be after a longer run tomorrow.  Going to do at least 5 miles, I think.

I’m going to sign off and get working on those ornaments so I can get something done by Christmas LOL.  This isn’t a very exciting post, sorry about that.  I sure know how to live it up 😳   Have a great night!

Question:  Do you make lists?

NROLW and art with breakfast

Happy Wednesday!  And Happy Veterans Day.  Thank you to all veterans and those currently serving our country!

Another New Rule workout this morning.  Ate 1/2 a Zone bar,  bundled up and biked to the gym as it was 39 degrees :mrgreen:

What a routine this was, too:

  • Barbell incline bench press:  2 sets of 8 at 55 pounds
  • Seated lat row:  2 sets of 8 at 60 pounds
  • Dumbbell squats with heel lifted:  4 sets of 15 with 20 pound dumbbells
  • Overhead shoulder press:  4 sets of 20 with 10 pound dumbbells
  • Step ups:  4 sets of 15 with 20 pound dumbbells
  • Underhand grip lat pull down:  4 sets of 15 at 60 pounds

Dang these are hard!  The last 4 exercises are done in a circuit with 30 second rests.  For the dumbbell squats, I used 2 plates on the floor to put my heels on.  John texted me and was not feeling well enough to bike, so he told me to meet him at the coffeehouse and he would drive.  I hopped on the bike and hit the path.  How things change in a few weeks:

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Bagel and hot coffee to warm up!

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This cafe showcases local artists, and there were some nice pictures by our table:

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My back started bothering me again during the ride there, so I actually am glad John drove because I just put the bike in the car after breakfast and came home with him.  It has something to do with the pushing motion on the pedal on my left side.  I didn’t want it to feel as bad as it did on Monday, so I was smart for a change and took the ride home.

Another waffle creation for lunch  (guess it is Waffle Wednesday!).  I love my waffle sandwiches.  Plus some homemade cashew butter and a local honeycrisp apple.

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I can’t tell you how many times I am transcribing files about the H1N1 vaccine and how it isn’t available.  Is it ever going to be around??  There is only 1 company in the US that makes the vaccine and they were unable to meet their promised production. Losers.  I don’t want the H1N1 vaccine, but there are a lot of high risk people that need it.

Break time was a latte (not pictured) plus an Attune bar.  Dark chocolate bliss…

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Was feeling the pasta vibe for dinner.  Cheese ravioli with a sprinkling of mozzarella.  And more broccoli!  Think I should have named this blog Finding Broccoli instead of Finding Radiance 😉

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I’ve been doing really well on the snacking front.  Or not snacking front, I should say.  Keeping cereal out of the house has made a huge difference.  It’s funny how just a small change like that and the scale starts to drift downwards.

Hot 100 update:

1. Duathlon.  DONE!!!
2. Limit the number of eggnog lattes this year to 2 or 3.  Have not had any.
3. Keep a redline of weight in mind to not go over during the holidays.  Under redline.
4. Complete the New Rules of Lifting for Women.  Started stage 7 (Ow!!!)
5. Enjoy time with family during the holidays.  Breakfast with my  mom tomorrow

6.  Better organization of time to be productive.  Maybe a bit better?

7.  Do some freelance writing.  Pretty lame here this week.

8.  Run at least 2 more official 5K races this year.  1 down, 1 to go

Talk to you all tomorrow!

NROLW and da bike!

Happy Monday!  It was nice to take a little bloggy picture break yesterday.  Don’t worry, I ate healthy 😀

Today started Stage 7 of New Rule of Lifting.  The final cut.  Each day will be different for the next 2 weeks.

  • Barbell squat:  1 set of 8 at 45 pounds (warmup), 1 set of 8 at 65 pounds, 1 set of 8 at 85 pounds
  • Static lunge with rear foot elevated:  2 sets of 15 with 25 pound plate, 2 sets of 15 with no weight
  • Push ups:  4 sets of 15  (man style!)
  • Romanian deadlifts:  4 sets of 15 at 65 pounds
  • Bent over barbell row:  4 sets of 15 with 20 pound weights

This was a kickazz workout!  Holy cow!  I reduced the weights to start with because of the higher reps, but had to drop the plate (not literally 😉  ) on the last 2 sets of lunges.  Plus, the rest was 30 seconds between sets, so I was breathing hard for this workout.  Raise your hand if you think I am going to feel this tomorrow!!  I had better feel 60 push ups!

Gorgeous day outside.  Came home to some pumpkin Cream of Wheat topped with cranberry sauce and a sprinkle of toasted pecans:

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Slow work day in the morning, so I took advantage and cleaned the bird feeders and put out a suet cake.  Someone else decided they wanted to investigate….

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Lunch time!  Egg salad along with half a grapefruit.

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I haven’t had grapefruit in forever, but they were on sale.  You know how I love a bargain!

We couldn’t resist playing some hooky this afternoon and going for a bike ride!  You can’t let a 65 degree day in November pass you by without spending some of it outdoors.  Did 15 miles.  My back started to hurt a little bit when we stopped on a hill and had to start going up again.  It twinged a little for most of the ride, and then the last 1/4  of the route was misery!  I don’t know what I did to it, but it sure hurts.  Hope it will be better tomorrow.  It was a bummer to end the ride on that note.  Maybe there is another bike ride somewhere before winter??  😕

I soothed myself with a post ride snack:

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Dinner was quick because I didn’t feel like doing much.  Clam strips, broccoli, applesauce, and a few pieces of pan fried sweet potatoes that John cooked up.

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Tonight is finishing up work (due to the hooky bike ride!) and then MNF – Go Broncos!!  I’ll be joined by these 2 (one of whom won’t be watching the game 😛  )

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Question:  Do you have bird feeders?

NROLW and soap!

Hello again!  Did you guys make a plan yet?  I woke up before the sun today, which meant 5:30!  Too early.  The time change is messing with me 😕  I laid in bed for awhile before getting up.  Got dressed and stood outside for several minutes deciding whether to bike or drive to the gym.  It was 28 degrees, and I kept trying to talk myself into it, but wimped out and drove.

Last day of NROLW stage 6

  • Reverse lunge single dumbbell:  4 sets of 4 at 25 pounds
  • 2-point dumbbell row:  3 sets of 4 at 30 pounds, 1 set at 35 pounds
  • Dumbbell push press:  4 sets of 4 with 20 pound DBs
  • Back extension (machine):  4 sets of 4 at 100 pounds
  • Incline revers crunch:  4 sets of 4

Then I walked on the treadmill for 40 minutes.  Simple workout today.  I am going to dink around on the weights for Wed and Friday before starting the final stage of NROLW next week!

Came home feeling the pumpkin today!

Cream of Wheat with pumpkin, brown sugar, craisins, cinnamon, and toasted almonds.  Really good!

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So, all that soap that I made last week was ready to ship out.  Here are the blocks ready to wrap:

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Each of those blocks weighs 2.5 pounds.  So you are looking at 60 pounds of soap right there.  Each block yields 10 bars of soap (240 bars). It’s a little dull on the color palate, just due to what this customer ordered.  This customer cuts the blocks into bars.

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Back when I had my shop, I would do this much or more every day!  It’s hard to do when you work another full time job LOL!  Too bad luxury soap doesn’t sell as well in tough economic times, or I might start doing it again on a regular basis.  Makes the house smell wonderful, I have to say – at least until it shipped out this afternoon!

Yesterday was shopping day, so waffles are back in the house and I got to have a waffle sammie for lunch!

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Plus a kiwi and strawberries.  I’ve gotten on a bit of a kiwi kick lately.

I also had a coupon for more of these:

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😀

Had to flex some work time to get that order packed and out, so I’ll be working late tonight.  Took a break for dinner.  Clam strips!  Another oldie, but goodie.

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All settled in now with my 10 kernels of candy corn (can you believe how long this bag has lasted??) and a cup of Constant Comment.  Hoping the Saints win tonight!