Topic: Laurie Jennifer's Log

[Laurie Jennifer]

I became interested in Parkour a couple of months ago for four main reasons:

1.  A way to get in shape
2.  Motivation to get in shape (the "I wish I could do that..." factor)
3.  To address and get over my fears
4.  Potential practical benefits

I'm 23, female, skinny as a rail, and (until recently) was terribly out of shape (weight does NOT equal health).  I also have a messed up heart, so I need to "take it easy" to a certain extent.  Some of my general goals are as follows:

~Increased flexibility
~Increased endurance
~Increased strength
~Increased agility

Here are my specific, short-term goals (in no particular order):

• Run an 8-minute mile (sprinting is more my thing)
• Do 10 pull-ups (that's a LOT for a girl  )
• Be able to "touch my toes"
• Master landing and rolling techniques
• Do a handstand
• Master basic vault techniques, until every obstacle I approach I can pass over like water on autopilot
• Do a 60 second wall sit
• Etc.
• Etc.

Some seem outlandish, others very reasonable.  That way I push myself, but also don't get discouraged.  The list with undoubtedly evolve with me as I progress.

I don't usually follow a set exercise regiment.  I never keep them, and this discourages me.  So, instead my goal will be to at least do *something* six days a week.  I may not train on a specific apsect of Parkour or for one of my goals every day (most likely not), but will at least be active, and this will help my overall health.

I sold my car.  That has helped a lot.  I'm forced to walk, bike, or rollerblade a lot more.  I also spent a month in San Francisco, and all those hills did wonders for my legs and cardio...

And without further ado, here's the log:

[Laurie Jennifer]

Wednesday, May 09, 2007:

-Biked about 3.5/4.0 miles today (to Walgreens, the Post Office, and back).

-Mowed my parents' lawn (they live on a 1/2 acre.  It took about 90 minutes).


Had coffee for breakfast.  Spaghetti for lunch AND dinner.  Plenty of water.  Craving protein...  Visiting my parents always means my diet goes downhill (what do these people live on???).  Only here a couple more days, then to southern Illinois to see a friend graduate college.

[Zeus]

I like the goals that you have set for yourself, and the reason that you set said goals.

One of my goals starting pk was to not trip over my own feet so much. 

[whiteninja]

Had coffee for breakfast.  Spaghetti for lunch AND dinner.  Plenty of water.  Craving protein...  Visiting my parents always means my diet goes downhill (what do these people live on???).  Only here a couple more days, then to southern Illinois to see a friend graduate college.

Coffee for breakfast...? That's like drinking negative water.  What's your diet usually like?

Something like this is good:
http://frontrangecrossfit.typepad.com/nutrition/files/the_zone_diet_for_crossfit.pdf

You definitely don't want to restrict your calories to a cup of coffee though. That will shoot your metabolism in the foot.  Maybe add two eggs and some ham to that, with some fruit and nuts.

[Laurie Jennifer]

Had coffee for breakfast.  Spaghetti for lunch AND dinner.  Plenty of water.  Craving protein...  Visiting my parents always means my diet goes downhill (what do these people live on???).  Only here a couple more days, then to southern Illinois to see a friend graduate college.

Coffee for breakfast...? That's like drinking negative water.  What's your diet usually like?

Something like this is good:
http://frontrangecrossfit.typepad.com/nutrition/files/the_zone_diet_for_crossfit.pdf

You definitely don't want to restrict your calories to a cup of coffee though. That will shoot your metabolism in the foot.  Maybe add two eggs and some ham to that, with some fruit and nuts.

My metabolism is through the roof.  It's perfect.  Whether I eat a lot or a little, my weight doesn't change.  The only way I've ever been able to gain weight is by exercising (and therefore building muscle).  I can't retain fat.  It just won't stick.  "Wire-y" is a polite way to put it, I think.

No, today is not a standard diet for me at all.  But I'm visiting my parents for a few days and they're famous for having bare cupboards.  When I'm here, I eat whatever I can scavange.

I do drink a cup or two of coffee or tea every day (I prefer Earl Grey tea the most).  That's one habit I don't plan on giving up.  Here's a standard meal day:

Breakfast:  tea and a big bowl of cereal/oatmeal.  Both with whole milk.
*Mid-morning:  some sort of snack or a second breakfast.  Another bowl of cereal, for example, or some yogurt, or fruit.
Lunch:  A large sandwich or a wrap.  Maybe a burger or pizza (NOT fast food.  I won't eat fast food, except when it comes to ice cream).   Fries.
*Mid-Afternoon:  A snack, like applesauce or something.  Juice.  Or, if I'm especially bored and hungry, maybe another light meal, like reheating whatever I find in the fridge.  And of course, ice cream's always a possibility.  Who knows.
Dinner:  Could be anything from salmon and bell peppers to fried eggs and potatoes (my two favorite dishes to make).  Will usually include a dessert.

*Not every day (though I will often snack between meals).



It boils down to:  carbs, meat, refined sugar, and caffeine, with some fruit and veggies as filler...

This is what I live on.  Ha.  Wow.  Any doctor would be horrified.  And I wonder why I have no stamina??  I amuse myself.


Thanks for the link and the input.  I know my diet is definitely something I need to work on.  Just because it doesn't show, doesn't mean I'm getting away with it.  I know some day I'll pay for my poor diet choices...

[whiteninja]

Yeah, back during the Cross Country season (when I sucked, big time), I only weighed 140lbs, and I thought that was good. I ate terribly.

- 8+ Chips Deluxe Cookies a day, everyday
- Doritos galore (Cooler Ranch, anyone?)
- Sprite was awesome ("Hey, it's clear like water, so it's as good as water, right?")
- Hot Pockets, when I "was lucky enough to get them"
- Chex Mix, I could literally eat a bag of it in one day
- Huge bowls of ice cream
- 6-7 glasses of milk (need strong bones, right?)
- Chocolate, as much as I could get my hands on

This went on until January. Now...
I see a HotPocket, and I want to puke.
I wonder what's so special about chocolate.
I eat ice cream, and I literally fall asleep because of the insulin spike.
Junk food is a peanut butter and jelly sandwhich. I have one once a week. I use 2 slices of toasted whole wheat bread, chunky natural peanut butter, and non-HFCS strawberry jam.

I thought "I exercise, so I can eat crap."
Now I look back and think "Because of how I ate, my exercise didn't mean crap."

[Laurie Jennifer]

Oh snap.  I haven't updated this thing in FOREVER...  oops...

Well, here's the nutshell.  I work at a summer camp through mid-August.  That means two main things:

1.  I have little/no choice but to eat highly processed food (ah, cafeteria and low pay...)

2.  I use Parkour almost every single day.

I'm the camp photographer/cameraman.  The *only* camp photographer.  So, I have to somehow be two or more places at once.  I do a lot of sprinting back and forth across the campgrounds to take pictures of the various activities that go on at the same time.  There are some fences, decks, and whatnot, but mostly it's nature Parkour.

For example, I sprinted up the dune stairs several times today and Monday.  Just lots of running around (literally).  All day, every day... except when I'm editing photos or updating the website (yeah, hand/eye coordination!  Let's give it up for fine motor skills!).

There's also a large tree outside the house I'm staying in with some climbing ropes in them.  I climb those ropes almost every day.

I'm definitely noticing a substantial increase in strength and endurance.

And how lucky am I that I get to use Parkour every day?  (Granted, it's with the camp's expensive camera in one hand, so that affects things...)


Now that there's a nutshell overview for context's sake, I'll try to update more regularly for the rest of the summer.

[Laurie Jennifer]

So far today:
---------------------
Diet:
Skipped breakfast (just a few ounces of coffee).  I just wasn't feeling well (...it's a "girl thing").

Lunch:
Tater tots, raw broccoli, raw carrots, a little ranch dressing, sugar cookie, juice, water.  (My meat choice was corn dogs and I don't eat pork.)

Dinner:
Will be pizza and salad.

-----------------------
Exercise:
Like every day, just generally a lot of running around with a camera in my hand (literally).  Through the woods, up the stairs, across the field, etc...  It gets easier every day.

I feel so blessed to have an office job (website/multimedia) that lets me be outside and active for most of the day instead of just sitting on my butt.
-----------------------

My biggest problems are lack of sleep and not drinking enough water.  Someone kick my butt about this!  The lack of sleep is just from lack of time (I haven't even taken a shower since Monday...), but there's no excuse not to be drinking more water...


A NEW GOAL:

8 glasses of water a day.

------------------

Okay, back to updating the website.  The pictures are done uploading.  Later!

[plasmagrey]

(I haven't even taken a shower since Monday...)

And you've been running around in July heat... Ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

but there's no excuse not to be drinking more water...
A NEW GOAL:
8 glasses of water a day.

This will help with your water intake: Since you're running around outside all day, carry a pocket-size jug with you (an old gatorade bottle works fine). Fill it up every chance you get, and make sure to drink it as you go.

I'm 23, female, skinny as a rail, and (until recently) was terribly out of shape (weight does NOT equal health).  I also have a messed up heart, so I need to "take it easy" to a certain extent. 

That's funny, I've started in almost the exact same position as you: age, body type, fitness (heart murmur too) except you're a girl, your goal isn't to get bigger but to get "in shape" (though we're both getting fit for parkour) and you eat gross unhealthy food Best of luck on your progress!

[Poet (Jesse) Clark]

Yeah, back during the Cross Country season (when I sucked, big time), I only weighed 140lbs, and I thought that was good. I ate terribly.

- 8+ Chips Deluxe Cookies a day, everyday
- Doritos galore (Cooler Ranch, anyone?)
- Sprite was awesome ("Hey, it's clear like water, so it's as good as water, right?")
- Hot Pockets, when I "was lucky enough to get them"
- Chex Mix, I could literally eat a bag of it in one day
- Huge bowls of ice cream
- 6-7 glasses of milk (need strong bones, right?)
- Chocolate, as much as I could get my hands on

This went on until January. Now...
I see a HotPocket, and I want to puke.
I wonder what's so special about chocolate.
I eat ice cream, and I literally fall asleep because of the insulin spike.
Junk food is a peanut butter and jelly sandwhich. I have one once a week. I use 2 slices of toasted whole wheat bread, chunky natural peanut butter, and non-HFCS strawberry jam.

I thought "I exercise, so I can eat crap."
Now I look back and think "Because of how I ate, my exercise didn't mean crap."

I loved the falling asleep due to the insulin spike. I laughed for like 2 minutes straight.

[Laurie Jennifer]

Today:
----------------

DIET:

Breakfast:  Bagel w/ cream cheese from Panera (a special treat since a couple staff members shared a birthday today) and about 6 oz. of coffee

Lunch:  Salmon fresh from Lake Michigan, grilled with lemon and pepper (I love living here...); fresh veggies (lettuce, carrots, broccoli, tomatoes); a little applesauce; 2 glasses of water.

Dinner will be BBQ chicken and more veggies and who knows what else.


Also had a couple natural/organic energy bar things:  one between breakfast/lunch and one between lunch/dinner.  Just too much running around.  (I know drinking more water will help a lot with energy, too, so speaking of...)


----------------------------------------------------

WATER:  I will be having two more glasses with dinner, bringing my total today to 6 glasses of water.  That falls short of my goal, but that's a huge improvement from 0-2 glasses per day.

----------------------------------------------------

EXERCISE:

Much less running and much more walking today.  Whew.  These kids are wearing me out.  This happens at the end of every week.  I need a day to "recoop."  I will have a half-day to do that tomorrow.

I did some pull-ups last night.  I also learned that I can now almost bench 95 lbs.  I pushed the bar up no problem, but struggled/was afraid to bring it down to my chest and actually bench press it.  I haven't done any weightlifting in weeks and my old max then was like 65.  I don't know how I got stronger, but I did...

I climbing the rope up the tree a couple times yesterday.  Did some Parkour.

And I tripped over a rope that was shin high while helping out at the archery range today.  I was jogging over to help a kid look for her arrows when my feet got tangled up the rope that blocks off the course (but I can lazy vault stuff armpit high, right?  Ridiculous).  I could tell I was going down hard and fast.  My first thought and attempt was going to be to roll out of it, but I couldn't get my feet free, so I went for Plan B to avoid as much pain as possible:  spread out and hit the ground with as much of my body as possible at the same time.  I seriously just spread eagled and tried to keep myself as straight as possible, especially careful not to put my knees down first or anything (since my knee is still really messed up from making that mistake on concrete about a month ago).  It worked.  And it looked hilarious.  And it made a really loud SMACK! noise.  It was a cross between a smack and a thud.  I burst out laughing before I even hit the ground because I knew:  1) I looked ridiculous;  2) I wasn't going to be seriously hurt; and 3) If you relax you're less likely to get hurt.  But mostly because  of #1.

I had gone to the chiropractor earlier that morning and I think in that biff I pretty much undid everything he just did.  And I'm gonna have a nice bruise on my thigh.  And thank the good Lord I had just set the camp camera down before I did that.

I don't know if that story really belongs in my training log, but I thought I'd share it anyways because it was hilarious.  The people sitting on the benches who saw me agreed (though at first they had looks of horror and concern).

---------------------------------------

GOALS:
-still need to get up to 8 glasses of water a day
-5 pullups in a row (i *might* be able to do it, but still find 3 a little straining)
-bench that 95!  Heck, why not just go for my bodyweight (110)?
-practice rolling more often
-practice jumping over 1-foot-high rope...

[Muse_of_Fire]

Laurie your story was hilarious! I'm glad you're okay! Congratulations on getting magically stronger! Sounds like a great summer so far.

[Laurie Jennifer]

Friday:
I ended up doing some pull-ups:  2 reps of 2 each (not much, but not bad)
Also some bench presses:  about 10 reps of 45lbs to warm up, then one 65, and one 70!  Turns out 95 is still way out of my league, but 70 is a new max for me, so I'm proud of that!  I couldn't have done it without my friends there cheering me on (aka, "shouting at me")
-------------------------------------------------


Yesterday (Saturday):

DIET:
Ugh, this was a bad day.  I don't even want to talk about it.

-------------------------------------------------
WATER:
Yes, this was even worse.  I think I had one glass of water.  Then some Gatorade, coffee, and tea...

-------------------------------------------------
EXERCISE:  NONE.
Saturday's my day off.  And I crashed hard yesterday.  I was supposed to be helping clean cabins after last week's group left and in the middle of cleaning I mumbled something like, "I just can't do this anymore..." and did something I've never done before:  I just walked away.  I spent most of the day in bed or reading.  I also took a nap on the dock by the river.  And I lied down in the hammock for a while.  I also spent some time processing with a friend who's a really compassionate listener, but who also loves me enough to get in my face a little bit when I need it.  When depression and exhaustion hit with full force like happened yesterday, it's vital to have a good friend like that.  Having such friends is one of the main reasons that I've never attempted suicide.  They help you keep perspective.


I'm still really pooped.  The next group of campers gets here this afternoon.  Whew.  I think my best bet is just to take it one day at a time.

Now I'm going to go help the camp director shuck some corn for lunch...

------------------------
GOALS:
-5 pull-ups in a row
-bench 110lbs (my bodyweight)
-practice the kong vault (I'm definitely improving!  I can get over stuff about waist high now)
-practice rolling at least a little bit every day
-8 glasses of water a day
-no processed sugar (except on Thursdays.  That's my cheat day.)

[Laurie Jennifer]

TODAY (SUNDAY):

------------------------------------------------
DIET:
Breakfast: 2 hearty bowls of Frosted Mini Wheats
Lunch: Grilled Chicken, Pasta Salad, Corn-on-the-Cob, 2 Pieces of Cake (I am ashamed...  )
Snack: Organic energy bar
Dinner:  None.  They were serving hotdogs and I don't eat hotdogs (I'm Jewish)

------------------------------------------------
WATER:
Ack!  Another day of failure.  I was just too busy and running around too much without a water bottle...

------------------------------------------------
EXERCISE:
2 hours of Nature Parkour!  (The campers had obstacle course stuff in the dunes and I had to get to all the different stations to get pictures)

Through the trees and up and down all those dune hills!  I'm proud to say that I've mastered running downhill in sand with control and balance.  Good uphill QMs, too, though very brief (I don't have the upper body endurance yet).

My legs got really scratched up by thorns and underbrush.  It's not a satisfying run in the woods unless you come back with a little blood on your legs and hands (personal opinion).

Also did some vine/rope swinging (from a vine to a rope), some rope climbing, and some crawling/balancing over ropes (it was supposed to simulate "Spiderman's web").

If you want to see some pictures of what this all looked like, I've posted some on the camp website HERE:  http://pinetrailcamp.org/updates/?s=senior-high)

------------------------------------------------
GOALS:
-5 pull-ups in a row (all that rope climbing is helping me get there!)
-bench press 110 lbs (that is, my bodyweight; currently at 70 max)
-practice the kong vault (did only once or twice today...)
-practice rolling at least a little bit every day (I did one roll today!  Better than nothing...)
-8 glasses of water a day (... )
-no processed sugar (not only the cake, but I forgot to mention the donut... )

[Laurie Jennifer]

YESTERDAY (MONDAY):

-----------------------------------
DIET:
Breakfast:  Just a cup of coffee and water.  I had a bad dream and it left me with no appetite.
Lunch:  ...I should have done this sooner.  I can't remember...
Dinner:  ...Also can't remember... (This is not a good sign.  I need more sleep...)

----------------------------------
WATER:
Much better!  2 glasses at breakfast and at lunch, and at least one other.

(And a glass of all natural juice.)

--------------------------------
EXERCISE:
A rather light day.  I did much more walking than running (for pictures). I also did the following very simple workout in the evening:


-Two 30-second "wall sits" (you know, where you "sit" up against the wall and hold yourself up as if there's a chair under you)

-3 (resting between each) pull-ups using the door frame to my room.  I don't have a pull-up bar, so I stood perpendicular to the doorway and grabbed both sides of the door frame above my head and pulled myself up with the first three fingers of each hand.

-3 sets of 5 push-ups.

Then lots of good stretching...


I was actually taking it really slow and intentionally trying NOT to break a sweat.  It had been a long day at work and I had finally gotten a shower.  I don't get one of those every day...

---------------------------------------
GOALS:
-5 pull-ups in a row (still stuck @ 2 or 3 max)
-bench press 110lbs (at least I did some push-ups today...)
-practice the kong vault (only a handful of times)
-practice rolling every day (I missed this one...)
-8 glasses of water a day (I was certainly closer)
-no processed sugar (to the best of my knowledge, I kept this, except for the little bit in my coffee...)

---------------------------------------

That's all for now, folks...  I'm gonna finish updating the camp website and then it's off to chapel...

[Laurie Jennifer]

i'm posting with my cellphone, so this will be brief:

today:
stretching
handstands
bouldering
some lazy vaults (one almost armpit high)


yes, the lazy vault is still the vault i am most comfortable and proficient with.  i must break out of this shell!  i just don't yet feel confident enough yet in my upper body strength and body awareness yet to really go for a good kong... (hence the handstands and bouldering)

[Laurie Jennifer]

and yet i don't think i used the word yet enough in one sentence... yet...

[Laurie Jennifer]

No training today.  Saturday's my day off anyway, but then I got a phone call at lunchtime and now I'm at my parents' house for the evening.

My dog is being put down Monday or Tuesday.  He has cancer.  He's miserable.

My grandma is having surgery in a week and a half.  She has cancer.  Again.

My mom was in the hospital for a couple days with a bad scare.

My pet mouse, Renee, died last week.  At least two of my other mice are very sick.

Don't touch me; you might get the Plague.

Tonight I'm sleeping on the floor with my dog for one last night, among proverbial ashes and broken pottery*.  Tomorrow I will go back to camp.





*Then Job took a piece of broken pottery and scraped himself with it as he sat among the ashes (Job chapter 2, verse 8 )

[Muse_of_Fire]

*hugs*

Laurie, I'm sorry to hear that things are so difficult for you now. When it rains, it pours, it seems. I wish I could say something to make it all be better. I can see you are taking solace in your faith and that's good. Just know that there are people who are holding a good thought for you and your family. I'm here if you need me, in whatever capacity you need, just ask. Even if it's just to Be Present.

I'm holding you in my thoughts.

[Poet (Jesse) Clark]

No training today.  Saturday's my day off anyway, but then I got a phone call at lunchtime and now I'm at my parents' house for the evening.

My dog is being put down Monday or Tuesday.  He has cancer.  He's miserable.

My grandma is having surgery in a week and a half.  She has cancer.  Again.

My mom was in the hospital for a couple days with a bad scare.

My pet mouse, Renee, died last week.  At least two of my other mice are very sick.

Don't touch me; you might get the Plague.

Tonight I'm sleeping on the floor with my dog for one last night, among proverbial ashes and broken pottery*.  Tomorrow I will go back to camp.





*Then Job took a piece of broken pottery and scraped himself with it as he sat among the ashes (Job chapter 2, verse 8 )

Wow, that's horrible.

Hold tight onto God and your faith will be re payed to you in heaven, seven fold.