Strength | theclothesmakethegirl

Apr 15, 2013 Posted by Mel

Monday Strength 4/15/13

In my quest for lean superhero-ness, I’m following the Wendler 5/3/1 strength training program. Twice a week, Dave and I are hitting the craptastic gym in our Converse to lift heavy stuff and work on skills. (If you’re new to strength training, here’s a great overview of what all the lingo below means.) All Right, I’ll Write! We’re leaving for our European adventure in just... read more

Apr 14, 2013 Posted by Mel

200# Deadlift: Done!

A few weeks ago, I mentioned that I was going to attempt a 200# deadlift PR this week. Well… I did it! After completing my prescribed deadlifts for the day, I loaded the bar with 200#, took a deep breath, and picked it up! WOOT! It was heavy, but not that heavy. I mean, I wouldn’t want to have to carry around 200 extra pounds with me wherever I go, but it was a manageable amount of heavy.... read more

Apr 8, 2013 Posted by Mel

Sunday Strength 4/7/13 (w/ Bonus Couch Time)

In my quest for lean superhero-ness, I’m following the Wendler 5/3/1 strength training program. Twice a week, Dave and I are hitting the craptastic gym in our Converse to lift heavy stuff and work on skills. (If you’re new to strength training, here’s a great overview of what all the lingo below means.) Madeleine Albright: My New Favorite Badass I’m about a quarter of the way... read more

Apr 3, 2013 Posted by Mel

Strength Wednesday 4/3/12 (w/ Bonus Arm Noodles)

In my quest for lean superhero-ness, I’m following the Wendler 5/3/1 strength training program. Twice a week, Dave and I are hitting the craptastic gym in our Converse to lift heavy stuff and work on skills. (If you’re new to strength training, here’s a great overview of what all the lingo below means.) Pushups, What?! On one hand, I had a triumphant epiphany yesterday. On the other, I... read more

Mar 28, 2013 Posted by Mel

Strength & Sprints & Satnam

Warning: workout war stories ahead. As I explained last week, although I’ve been lax about sharing my workouts in my blog, I have been doing the workouts — and thanks to my new good health report card, I’m hitting ‘em pretty hard. And loving it! Here’s what I’ve been to, sweat-wise. Wednesday, March 20: Strength It’s Week 3 of the Wendler 5/3/1 cycle, which means... read more

Mar 8, 2013 Posted by Mel

Strength Friday (w/ Bonus Jelly Legs)

In my quest for lean superhero-ness, I’m following the Wendler 5/3/1 strength training program. Twice a week, Dave and I are hitting the craptastic gym in our Converse to lift heavy stuff and work on skills. Apricot, if you must know. My favorite jelly flavor: apricot. Not that I eat jelly anymore, but my legs are jelly-fied from squats this morning, so I keep accidentally thinking of apricot jelly.... read more

Mar 4, 2013 Posted by Mel

Strength Monday 3/4/13 (w/ Badassery)

In my quest for lean superhero-ness, I’m following the Wendler 5/3/1 strength training program. Twice a week, Dave and I are hitting the craptastic gym in our Converse to lift heavy stuff and work on skills. Why, hello, badass attitude! I’ve missed you. I’m feeling good. Like, Good. Like, not fatigued or mushy or half-assed or any of the other negative descriptors that have appeared in... read more

Feb 12, 2013 Posted by Mel

Strength Monday 2/11/13 (w/ Bonus Twist)

In my quest for lean superhero-ness, I’m following the Wendler 5/3/1 strength training program. Twice a week, Dave and I are hitting the craptastic gym in our Converse to lift heavy and crank through a mini-metcon. Come on, Baby! Let’s do the twist. My max set of overhead presses proved a little tough on Monday, and without thinking about it — and to avoid defaulting to a push press — I... read more

Feb 8, 2013 Posted by Mel

Strength Friday 2/8/13 (w/ Bonus Butt Ball!)

In my quest for lean superhero-ness, I’m following the Wendler 5/3/1 strength training program. Twice a week, Dave and I are hitting the craptastic gym in our Converse to lift heavy and crank through a mini-metcon. How Low Can You Go? When I mentioned last week that I wasn’t sure I was getting low enough on my back squats, a helpful reader reminded me that at CrossFit gyms, the coaches... read more

Feb 7, 2013 Posted by Mel

Strength Tuesday 2/5/13 (w/ Bonus Bear)

In my quest for lean superhero-ness, I’m following the Wendler 5/3/1 strength training program. Twice a week, Dave and I are hitting the craptastic gym in our Converse to lift heavy and crank through a mini-metcon. Grin Grimace and Bear It Not this bear: Or this bear: Or this bear: Nope. I mean a bear like this: I mean the deadly Bear Complex. In case you’re not familiar, it’s a... read more

Feb 2, 2013 Posted by Mel

Strength Monday & Friday (w/ Bonus Musical)

In my quest for lean superhero-ness, I’m following the Wendler 5/3/1 strength training program. Twice a week, Dave and I are hitting the craptastic gym in our Converse to lift heavy and crank through a mini-metcon. It’s De-Load Week, It’s Delicious, It’s De-Lovely It was our week four of the Wendler 5/3/1 program, which means deload week! Hooray! If you’re unfamiliar with the... read more

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The Redbreast: A Harry Hole Novel
I'm about two-thirds of the way through this detective thriller, and I'm hooked. It's set in modern Norway with flashbacks to WWII (catnip for me!) and features a somewhat grim hero that engenders empathy. I can't help pulling for the guy as I watch him struggle with his case and his life. The cast of characters is a realistic but motley crew, and it reminds me of other favorites set in cold, snowy climes: the Millenium Trilogy and Smila's Sense of Snow.
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I picked up this book after reading an interview with Lee Child (author of the Jack Reacher thrillers). He referred to The Lost as "the book of the century" and since I devour as much as I can about the Holocaust to try to make sense of it all, I decided I needed to read it immediately. Part memoir, part detective tale, this book was thoroughly engrossing. It's intelligent, annoying, moving, frustrating, and ultimately, rewarding and beautifully written. It challenged me in ways I didn't expect, and I was sad when it was finished.