For those who have followed this blog from the beginning (I believe there's one of you and you know who you are), you know that I work out--that I like to work out. In fact, I love to work out. And I love lifting weights--the heavier the better. So yesterday was the Arizona Senior Olympics Powerlifting competition. I entered about a month ago. From the day I sent in my money, I kept hoping that something would happen to keep me from competing: an injury or some other catastrophe. I wanted to compete but I was scared. Didn't want to humiliate myself.
So I trained. But not that hard. Trainer went on vacation two weeks ago. Not the best time for her to leave me! I obsessed for weeks about the event. The unknown. Who would be there. How long would it last. Would I embarrass myself.
I have to say that yesterday was one of the best days of my life.
Got to the gym early. Warmed up a bit on the bike. Did a few light bench presses and a couple of squats. People started arriving about 1/2 hour before the event. Met the woman who was my competition. She holds both national and world titles in powerlifting in our age group! She was gracious, charming and incredibly strong. I felt like a wimp.
She was excited to have another woman there because she said it's almost always just men. We were actually the youngest people there--we're both 65.
I just have to say that meeting her was inspirational--motivational! I'll never do what she does. I'm never going to drink myoflex beverages or eat protein gels for snacks or tape myself up or wear singlets. I'm doing this for fun. For a challenge. I don't ever expect to win. I just want to do it. I want the experience.
Her strength was outrageous. Her husband beemed as she squatted 235 pounds. "She can do so much more than that", he whispered to me. "She's the world record holder on the deadlift", he said as she lifted the bar loaded with weight.
Before the competition, she dressed herself in her "magic" outfit: a $1,000 shirt that took ten minutes to get into that is supposed to increase the lift by 50 pounds. Then she drank some foul smelling juice drink, chalked up her hands and put on her game face.
Me? I drank some water. And made jokes because that's what I do.
We both succeeded at all our lifts. Mine were baby weights compared to hers but still my personal best.
She got the gold. I got the silver. We both won! It was a great day. Not at all scary. I'm happy for the adrenaline that came with being anxious because it helped me lift more than I have ever done before.
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Sunday, February 28, 2010
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Random Thoughts on Weight
1. Looking forward to reading a book called Living Sensationally, : Understanding Your Senses in which the author categorizes people according to their sensory pattners: Seekers, Avoiders, Bystanders, Sensors. Each affects how people make food choices. I'm a Sensor: describe details of textures or flavors; pick the same food at the restaurant.
2. This stuff about Jillian being sued for her supplements: Yes! Look, I kinda like her. Especially since she's seemed to get a bit more human lately--less shouting and name calling. But I was disgusted when I saw that she had put her name on a line of weight loss (or is it weight loss boosting) supplements. Isn't she the one who said there's no magic pill? And finally someone is exposing these pills for what they are: bogus in terms of their ability to hasten the loss of weight but also potentially dangerous because of the combination of ingredients.
3. Kelly Osbourne's diet: Just found this on the web. A photo of Kelly Osbourne looking weird. Head too big for body kind of photo. Apparently she just has a "bite of apple" before bedtime according to web site article and eats no sugar, salt or white flour. Hmmm. I believe that's called an eating disorder? Sure. Let's all take more advice from a celebrity.
4. Saw a lovely movie last night: A Matter of Size. Israeli film about a bunch of "big guys" who get tired of dieting and being dissed by their family and friends for being fat and decide to become sumo wrestlers. Poignant look at how "normal" weight people view and treat overweight people as well as a view of life from the fat person's point. Well done. Charming. Good acting. Probably not in theaters but look for it on DVD.
2. This stuff about Jillian being sued for her supplements: Yes! Look, I kinda like her. Especially since she's seemed to get a bit more human lately--less shouting and name calling. But I was disgusted when I saw that she had put her name on a line of weight loss (or is it weight loss boosting) supplements. Isn't she the one who said there's no magic pill? And finally someone is exposing these pills for what they are: bogus in terms of their ability to hasten the loss of weight but also potentially dangerous because of the combination of ingredients.
3. Kelly Osbourne's diet: Just found this on the web. A photo of Kelly Osbourne looking weird. Head too big for body kind of photo. Apparently she just has a "bite of apple" before bedtime according to web site article and eats no sugar, salt or white flour. Hmmm. I believe that's called an eating disorder? Sure. Let's all take more advice from a celebrity.
4. Saw a lovely movie last night: A Matter of Size. Israeli film about a bunch of "big guys" who get tired of dieting and being dissed by their family and friends for being fat and decide to become sumo wrestlers. Poignant look at how "normal" weight people view and treat overweight people as well as a view of life from the fat person's point. Well done. Charming. Good acting. Probably not in theaters but look for it on DVD.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Good web site for info
Do you know about this site? You should....
http://www.healthyweight.net/hww.htm
http://www.healthyweight.net/hww.htm
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Is it okay to splurge on special occasions?
I'm opposed to all these articles about how to cook a healthy Thanksgiving dinner or a healthy Valentine's Day meal. I mean, it's only once a year. Right? Why not indulge? Splurge?
But I just started thinking about that--it's only "once a year". Of course, each holiday is only once a year but how many of those once a year splurges might there be?
New Year's Day
Super Bowl
Valentine's Day
Easter Sunday Brunch
Passover Seder
Birthdays
Anniversaries
Fourth of July
Labor Day
Halloween
Thanksgiving
Chanukah
Christmas
I probably left some out. If you think of any, please let me know so I can add them to the list. So I listed 13 special occasions when splurging might be in order. Out of 365 days a year, not such a big deal. Maybe I'm right, then. It is okay to indulge on special occasions.
But I just started thinking about that--it's only "once a year". Of course, each holiday is only once a year but how many of those once a year splurges might there be?
New Year's Day
Super Bowl
Valentine's Day
Easter Sunday Brunch
Passover Seder
Birthdays
Anniversaries
Fourth of July
Labor Day
Halloween
Thanksgiving
Chanukah
Christmas
I probably left some out. If you think of any, please let me know so I can add them to the list. So I listed 13 special occasions when splurging might be in order. Out of 365 days a year, not such a big deal. Maybe I'm right, then. It is okay to indulge on special occasions.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Another breakfast smoothie
I've been making my milk, chocolate syrup, frozen banana, frozen berries smoothie for breakfast for a few years. I don't grow tired of it. It's cold and creamy and sweet and keeps me satisfied for several hours. And....it's good for me!
I was recently doing a little research on The Biggest Loser protein powder and one thing led to another and I ended up on some site where people were sharing recipes for recovery drinks for after exercise. Since most of the protein powders you buy in the health food stores are whey based, someone decided to try a smoothie using ricotta cheese since ricotta is made from whey. Everyone on the site gave it a thumbs up.
So I added 2 tablspoons of low fat ricotta to my smoothie and YUM. Made it even creamier and sort of mellowed out the taste. Loved it. So now it's even healthier because it contains more protein and more calcium. Oh, yes, and more calories but you can't get protein without getting calories.
Since the best way to get nutrients is from real food, calories go along for the ride.
This is a fabulous drink. You can reduce the calories a bit by using powdered cocoa but you'd have to add some alternative sweetener to it because even though the strawberries and banana are sweet, it needs that little extra sweetness that comes from the syrup.
I was recently doing a little research on The Biggest Loser protein powder and one thing led to another and I ended up on some site where people were sharing recipes for recovery drinks for after exercise. Since most of the protein powders you buy in the health food stores are whey based, someone decided to try a smoothie using ricotta cheese since ricotta is made from whey. Everyone on the site gave it a thumbs up.
So I added 2 tablspoons of low fat ricotta to my smoothie and YUM. Made it even creamier and sort of mellowed out the taste. Loved it. So now it's even healthier because it contains more protein and more calcium. Oh, yes, and more calories but you can't get protein without getting calories.
Since the best way to get nutrients is from real food, calories go along for the ride.
This is a fabulous drink. You can reduce the calories a bit by using powdered cocoa but you'd have to add some alternative sweetener to it because even though the strawberries and banana are sweet, it needs that little extra sweetness that comes from the syrup.
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