Happy 2013! I hope your new year has been going well so far!
Since classes are starting back up on Wednesday, I took the train back to Philadelphia this morning. The next few days are going to be filled with running errands and studying for an exam that I have on Thursday. Although I absolutely loved seeing my family, friends, and Josh, it feels good to be back at my place in Philly. I’m glad I don’t have to live out of a suitcase for a while!
LiveFit Trainer
After going back and forth a lot, I finally decided to commit to Jamie Eason’s LiveFit Trainer for the next three months. LiveFit is a free online training program that can be utilized by anyone! I completed the program when it was first released by bodybuilding.com and really enjoyed everything about it. I loved the progressive workouts, and I was definitely at my strongest after completing the program’s three phases.
With a hectic schedule last semester, I wasn’t fueling my body as much as I wanted to in order to make any gains in the gym. My strength has just about plateaued, and I can’t remember the last time I PR-ed in anything besides my running distance and time. I don’t think I was under-eating in the fall, but I definitely wasn’t eating enough to give me excess energy to lift heavier. I thrive on strength training and to see that I haven’t progressed at all recently really gives me the urge to physically challenge myself these next few months.
I figured the best plan of attack for this semester would be to follow a structured program, so I don’t have to spend a lot of time designing my own workouts. Also, for some reason, I’m more likely to train harder using a program that I didn’t create for myself. Since I had such a great experience doing LiveFit the first time around, I decided that I’m going to go through it again! LiveFit has you eating a ton of clean foods, so I’m hoping to stick with that at least 95% of the time. 
My main goals for this program are:
- Gain strength and some muscle mass
- Lean out a bit
- Eat, eat, and eat more (clean foods)
LEAN OUT, ARMSIES!
I’m going to have to deviate from the training component a little bit by adding in my weekly runs to continue preparing for my half marathon. I don’t think it’ll be a big deal, as long as I refuel properly. I’ve definitely noticed that since I gave up squatting and added my weekly long runs, my quads have gotten smaller and my glutes are practically nonexistent. 
Can you say pancake butt?! Thank goodness I’ll be doing a lot of glutes and legs during LiveFit.
I’ve got a long to-do list that’s calling my name. Have a great day, friends!
Question of the day:
Have you ever followed a structured training program before? How’d you like it?
Hot damn girl! Your arms look phenomenal! Now that I know that program is free, I might actually try it. I need to get on some kind of program so I have a goal to work towards. I also really need to work on eating more. Mentally, it’s a bit hard to eat more after the holidays because you already feel like you’ve overdone it, but I want dem muscles!!
Haha thanks Devon!! You really should try the program, even if you don’t follow it day by day. I think the workouts are awesome and they get progressively harder. They’ll definitely get you those muscles you want
I would say you have great arms. Wow.
I was born with pancake butt. All my jeans are saggy. I hoped running would fix it, but no dice. Now I am adding more lifting.
I look forward to hearing how the program goes for you. I need something to get me to push my own limits a bit.
I started noticing my pancake butt because my jeans were sagging too! You’ll definitely notice a bigger butt if you add squatting to your lifting days. It does wonders for the back side!
Look at those arms!! Whoo, girl!!
“Pancake butt” made me giggle.. haha. I am fortunate to have had a curvy booty before starting squatting, so it definitely has helped even more. You’ll get that booty back!
Thanks for posting about lifting again.. I was getting tired of you PRing mileage all over the place..
just kidding.. it’s super inspiring and motivating to me!!! I haven’t run since.. who knows. Well we’ve done sprints, does that count? It’s supposed to get back in the 40s this week so maybe I’ll attempt it.. just because you inspire me..
Isn’t it sad that we need a goal to EAT? I always have to remind myself of that.. eat MORE.. #skinnypeopleproblems
Looking forward to your progress with this program!!!
I love sprints!!! 100x better than long distance running hehe. You just made me realize that I actually rarely talk about lifting, even though that’s the main thing I do haha. No worries, you’ll be sick of me talking about it by the time this program is over
Eating more is like a chore for us. I wouldn’t have a problem if it was eating more oreos and junk, but I can only eat so much chicken and veggies!!!
“pancake butt” made me laugh, that’s how mine use to be before i started doing squats and lunges lol. i’ve never done a program, i don’t think i would be good at following, i was never good at doing things when a coach told me to….but i look forward to seeing how you progress with it!!
I love that you are experiencing so many benefits of lifting! We’ve definitely rubbed off on each other a little bit
Dang girl you have some amazing guns! I can totally relate, following a program is ideal for me as well. If I plan my workouts myself, I just do whatever workout I feel like doing but my efforts are a little unfocused, so its hard to make fitness strides. Eeek keep us updated on the LiveFit Program, I am so intrigued!
Don’t make me blush
Thanks girl! You said it perfectly..that’s exactly how I feel when I plan my own workouts. I’ll definitely post updates frequently!
Im gonna have to agree with everyone else… you have AWESOME arms!!!!
Thanks Jessie! That’s really motivating to hear since I always think my arms are my worst body part!