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Fun Facts Friday - 5 for 5

Failure? Nope.
This morning I got up at 5:22 to get my workout done. It was at least a bearable 74 degrees upstairs that early as opposed to 85 in the afternoon. I did drop sets again for back and chest doing 4 sets of 8 reps. I did increase the weights from last week as well.

Back
Pullovers
Single-arm rows (all right side then all left side)
Single-arm horizontal rows (all right side then all left side)

Chest
Incline chest flyes
Incline dumbbell chest press
Flat bench dumbbell chest press (failed at 7 on the 2nd set, failed at 6 on the 3rd set)

Sometimes I experience major weakness in my left elbow. It doesn't hurt, it just wants to buckle and give out. Thankfully, Jason got out of bed to spot me this morning (bleary-eyed of course).

I wanted to talk briefly about hitting failure. It's probably not the best term to use. I used to get so angry at myself when I couldn't complete the number of reps intended. I thought of myself literally as a failure, I sucked, I was weak...insert any number of negative comments here. However, I realized that it is the quality not the quantity.

There are times when I would prefer being able to increase my weights and only being able to hit 6 out of 7 reps rather than just sticking with the lower weights that I know I can crank out the reps with. So while I noted that I hit failure, I was going with heavier weights and that was more important to me. It means that (to me at least) that I'm getting stronger. Sometimes failure is really success. So don't be afraid to fail!

Moving on...I followed up the weights with three combos from Cathe Friedrich's Kick, Punch, and Crunch and called it quits. I am officially done with workouts for the day. Woohoo! While I dread getting up early to workout, it's so worth it when I make it happen.

Fun Facts Friday - 5 for 5

Dawn @ Florida Coastal Cooking passed this along to me the other day (thanks girl!), and I thought it would do quite nicely for Fun Facts Friday. It's called 5 Answers for 5 Questions.

1.) What was on your To-Do list today:
  • Weights and short cardio
  • Pick up dogs from groomer
  • Make pizza for Pizza Friday
  • RELAX (and enjoy Pizza Friday)
2.) 5 Snacks you enjoy:
  • Greek yogurt with blueberries, almonds, cinnamon, and teensy bit of stevia
  • Apples with string cheese or peanut butter (love, but almost makes me hungrier)
  • Hummus (any dipping device will do)
  • Kashi cereal (just by the handful no need to dirty bowls)
  • Rice cake with almond butter (heaven)
3.) 5 Places you have lived:
Sorry, only 4 & I am apparently drawn to "A" states
  • Hot Springs, AR (home town)
  • Alexander, AR (during college with cousin)
  • Auburn, AL (long story)
  • Little Rock, AR (where I call home)
4.) What were you doing 5 years ago
This one was hard; only came up with 3 'cause I can't remember 5 days ago let alone 5 years ago:
  • Working on my MA (ugh, tons of research)
  • Working at a job I hated (boo)
  • Enjoying ballet classes still (before I got too old to deal with the teenagers)
5.) 5 things you would do if you were a Billionaire:
  • Pay off all debt
  • Buy my sister a home (next door to me of course)
  • Buy a beach house (or 2)
  • Donate (not just saying this to look good either, promise)
  • Finally buy new vehicles (mine is a 2001 and Jason's is a 2000)

So, I'm supposed to pass this along of course:
Eden @ Eden's Eats
Madeline @ Greens and Jeans
Laura @ B Foxy Fitness Nichole @ Live for the Run
Kat @ Bubblegum Gym Kat

You know that I fully expect everyone to participate though right? So give me either 5 answers for 1 questions or 1 answer for 5 questions. And....Go.

Sorry for the pictureless post. It'll be Pizza Friday unless something crazy happens. I'll be back tomorrow with pretty pictures ;-P  Now log off and enjoy your night!

Comments

  1. Fun! Places I've lived: Shreverport, Louisiana; Charleston, South Carolina; Annot, France; Lafayette, Indiana; and Altoona, Pennsylvania!

    I like your explanation of how "failure" is really a good thing in strength training! Totally makes sense to me!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Snacks...apples, cantaloupe, oatmeal (I eat it for dessert), hummus and popcorn (I love it plain)!

    You have a great night and enjoy that pizza!

    ReplyDelete
  3. 5 things I would do if I was a billionaire:

    - Quit my job
    - Build a few houses in different parts of the world
    - Pay off all debt of my family and closest friends
    - Take everyone I love on a BIG vacation
    - Travel around the world

    ReplyDelete
  4. Fun! So, I pick what I was doing 5 years ago:

    - I met my boyfriend and we spent that entire year breaking up and making up.
    - I'd just gotten my first grownup job.
    - I lived in 3 different places. Almost 4. Drama!
    - I got my first car.

    And..hmm..I guess I only have 4 too. Haha

    ReplyDelete
  5. Love your fav snacks. Apple and peanut butter is my absolute favorite!

    ReplyDelete
  6. AnonymousJuly 16, 2010

    Yay! I love these kind of things! Thanks! My favorite snack this time of year is frozen fruit!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Sweeeeeeetness...You know how I love lists! I'll definitely be posting on this so I can't give away my answers now. It looks like you were rockin' upper body this morning! I agree with quality over quantity. Failure IS an option...when it comes to weights that is :) Thanks for the tag! Have a great weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  8. When I was able to lift heavy weights and challenge myself in my workouts failure was always a good feeling to me. It meant I had sufficiently challenged my muscles.

    1. To-Do List = WRITE!
    2. Snack = Organic Chips & Salsa (total Mexican kick right now..this baby is coming out JLo I swear)
    3. Place I have lived = GA my entire life...how boring, but I love it!
    4. 5 years ago = battling depression
    5. Billionare = Buy a lake house + boat!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I must not be right I like lifting to failure. Hmmm, I wonder what that says about me? LOL

    I am going to stick with the snacks:
    1)medjool date stuffed with nut butter
    2)banana with walnut butter
    3)hummus and anything crunchy (cucumber, carrot, celery, radish)
    4)fresh veggie and fruit juice
    5)homemade trail mix with chocolate chips

    enjoy pizza Friday,
    Ali

    ReplyDelete
  10. 1.) What was on your To-Do list today:

    Dr appt
    pick up freebie from Firehouse
    plant flowers (still trying to convince myself to go do this)
    clean kitchen
    work

    ReplyDelete
  11. love your facts and madeline and eden are great, dont know the other 2 girls

    "just by the handful no need to dirty bowls"--great minds think alike!

    5 yrs ago
    tons of disposable cash
    no schedule
    beholden to no one
    went out and partied like a rock star nightly
    did tons of yoga, all the time.

    Then i got pregnant and had a baby and life changed :) For the better, but massively changed!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Thanks for passing it on girl! Ill answer them in my next post! you are SO not a failure, we all have weak moments, getting through them and accepting them makes us stronger. I also do handfuls! handfuls o old tubs of cottage cheese!

    ReplyDelete
  13. I don't know how I missed where the title of your blog came from, but I just read it and it totally cracked me up. Your hubbs sounds like a really funny guy.

    On my to do list-
    1. Walk the bridge.
    2. Sushi with dad.
    3. Catch up with an old friend.
    4. Cross my fingers my new Polar is on the porch when I get back.
    5. Celebrate a birthday.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg Wow you get around ;-)

    Sarena @ The Non-Dairy Queen I could definitely see oatmeal as dessert!

    Jolene @ Everyday Foodie Oh I love the idea of taking everyone on a big vacation how fun.

    Eunice @ Food 4 Fitness Wow that was a busy year for you!

    Kristen @ Swanky Dietitian It's a classic, but classics can be good right!

    Madeline @ Greens and Jeans I never think to snack on frozen fruit. I need to branch out.

    Laura @ B Foxy Fitness Maybe that could be a new quote: Failure is an option only with weights.

    Tina @ Faith Fitness and Fun JLo - love it!

    Alicia @ Vegan Epicurean The dates sound fantastic. I never think to buy them and keep them on hand...

    Mel @ Melissa Dishes I put the clean the kitchen off until Sunday ;-)

    Averie @ Loves Veggies and Yoga There's seriously no need to dirty more dishes right?! I can see you partying like a rock star :-)

    Eden's Eats Oh I didn't mean for it to sound like I thought I was a failure, just trying to point out that it can be a good thing sometimes. I look forward to your 5 for 5!!

    Lindsay @ Pancakes N Pajamas He has his moments LOL. sounds like you had some fun things on that to do list. Love that!

    ReplyDelete
  15. i LOVE that you got in a super early morning workout! btw thank you for asking how ive been doing. im noticing that if i get up earlier too, the heaviness in my legs subsides and ive also focused more on stretching before exercise too. increasing my fats and reducing sugars a little bit helps as well.. i guess it sort of controls the inflammation a bit. im trying to reduce more of the animal protein as well which seems to be helping in the summer heat too.

    when u mentioned above that u were feeling weak during the reps, it reminded me of last week when i was working on my shoulders.. lol after two sets i was like "screw it".. felt like a jellyfish. i hate those days when its so hard to just push ur muscles and really get into it.

    xoxo <3

    ReplyDelete
  16. SNACKS:
    1. Apple with all natural peanut butter is my go to snack

    2. Huge bowls of watermelon

    3. Mashed banana,1/2tbsp. pb,drizzle of honey, all mixed and warmed in microwave (if I'm craving a dessert)

    4. Popcorn

    5. Greek yogurt with drizzle of honey

    ReplyDelete
  17. AnonymousJuly 17, 2010

    whoa! you deserve a big pat on the back for getting up that early to exercise! EEKkk...

    Love hummus!

    Dana xo
    http://happinessiswithin.wordpress.com/

    ReplyDelete
  18. I prefer early exercise also, get it out of the way.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Kelsey @ Snacking Squirrel Sometimes I really want to just say screw it too LOL. Weak days definitely are testing aren't they?

    Tricia @ Endurance Isn't Only Physical Oh how interesting on the smashed heated bananas!!! YUM

    Dana @ Happiness is Within and Tanya @ Tanya's Daily Product Reviews Thank you ladies so much for stopping by and taking the time to comment. I look forward to checking out your blogs now!

    ReplyDelete
  20. What was on my to-do list today? Clean the kitchen, make raw chips, go to Wild River Country, and blog. I got it all done except clean the kitchen! I totally missed the Little Rock mention yesterday because 1) I just glanced at the weighlifting section, and my brain was screaming, "Look away! Avert your eyes!" :) I haven't worked out in a few weeks...the guilt was swarming me, ha! Then I got distracted by the cute taco bowl. It's so fun, though - I'm glad you noticed our connection!

    ReplyDelete

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