I’m doing two weeks of workouts in this post so I can get caught back up. That said, I think I’ll continue on the recent theme of cats and talk about our cat, Nero, who lived with us until he passed in late 2014. He was the only cat I’ve owned who came from a breeder complete with papers. His “real” name on said papers was Furrtaztic Night Train III but I liked Nero better being in the middle of re-reading The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire and re-watching the teleplay I, Claudius when he came into our life.* So after a discussion with my husband on the merits and faults of the various emperors so far as cat names went, Nero is what we came up with.**
As you can see, Nero was a fan of 6th edition Warhammer 40K. He also had a bunch of extra toes as well as semi-useful thumbs on his front paws.
Cutting his claws was always a bit of a chore. Besides the extra toes and the fact he didn’t like people messing with his finger razors, he had little claws between his toes too. I counted once and I think he had 40 – 45 claws!
Sun, May 1st
Rest Day.
Calories: 2705, Protein: 157 g.
Mon, May 2nd
I did a two-hour class for wrestling referee training in the evening.
Calories: 2022, Protein: 115 g.
Tues, May 3rd
I did another two-hour class for wrestling referee training in the evening.
Calories: 1871, Protein: 135 g.
With all of those toes and claws (and apparently really strong tendons), Nero was pretty hard on scratching posts. We had this one for a couple of months before he shredded it. I didn’t want to buy a new one so soon so I bought some rope and redid it myself.
Nero didn’t like people moving his stuff around or otherwise messing with it. His expression in this picture tells me he wasn’t too thrilled.
Wed, May 4th
We followed along, shortly after waking up, to The Jack Lalane Show, DVD 4, Episode 5. I did a little stretching afterward.
Calories: 2640, Protein: 140 g.
Thur, May 5th
I helped with set up and teardown for a wrestling show at a beer garden festival in San Jose, California today. I also helped with security for the show. It was quite a heavy day so far as physical labor is concerned.
Calories: 2617, Protein: 131 g.
Fri, May 6th
- (Afternoon) Physical Therapy Back Session at their Office.
- Began the session with some massage.
- (Super Set) Cheerleaders (purple band): 2 sets x 15 reps
- Bilateral External Shoulder Rotation (blue band): 2 sets x 15 reps
- Serratus Clockwork Exercise (blue band): 2 sets x 15 reps
- (Super Set) One-Handed Pulldowns (each arm, cable): 23 lbs. x 2 sets x 15 reps +
- High Rows (d-handles, cable): 46 lbs. x 2 sets x 15 reps
- (Super Set) Standing Rows (purple band): 2 sets x 15 reps +
- Shoulder Extensions (purple band): 2 sets x 15 reps
- (Super Set) Prone “M’s” (DBs): 3 lbs. x 2 sets x 10 reps +
- Prone “T’s” (DBs): 3 lbs. x 2 sets x 10 reps
- One-Handed Bent Over Row (each side): 5 lbs. x 2 sets x 15 reps
- I did some stretching and foam roller work for my back. We ended the session with ice and electric muscle stimulation.
- I did some stretching in the evening.
Calories: 1972, Protein: 128 g.
Sat, May 7th
- We followed along with The Jack Lalane Show shortly after waking up (DVD 1, Episode 1). We ran through all four DVDs that we own and started over again. Going to be getting DVD 5 soon, so that’ll be good.
- Later in the day, I went to a wrestling show at Paypal Stadium, for a San Jose Earthquakes soccer/fútbol game. I helped with setup and teardown and ended up doing quite a bit of heavy lifting.
Calories: 1742, Protein: 137 g.
I gained 0.375 lbs. this week. My total loss is 16.75 lbs. over twelve weeks for an average of 1.40 lbs/week. My calorie intake for the week was 15,569.
Sun, May 8th
- CoC Gripper (Trainer, 100 lbs.):
- Right Hand: Closed x 3+2 reps, Closed x 2+3 reps, Closed x 3+2 reps, 2mm x 3+2 reps, 2mm x 2+3 reps
- Left Hand: 6mm x 3 sets x 5 reps, 2mm x 3+2 reps, 2mm x 2+3 reps
- Challenge Gripper (0.5, 120 lbs.): Right Hand, 16mm x 5 reps, Left Hand, 16mm x 0+5 reps
- Pinch Block Hold (Hand pronated for thumbs, each hand): 2.5 lbs. x 30 seconds
- Recumbent Bike: 30 Minutes, Manual Program, Level 7, RPMs: 75+
- Afterward, I stretched and did some foam roller work. I ended the session with 30 squats, and the circular balance board for 1:05 minutes.
Calories: 1996, Protein: 113 g.
I saw this cool-looking old car when I was at physical therapy the other day. I wonder if they plan on restoring it? There are a lot of these old cars in Santa Cruz, some in immaculate condition and others more like this. One benefit of living in this part of California (and much of the state really) is there is no snow and thus no salt on the roads and therefore cars don’t rust out. That was one thing about living in Maine that I didn’t like–no matter how assiduous I was about keeping our cars washed in the winter there didn’t seem any way to avoid that creeping rust fungus unless you garaged them for the season, which is what we did with one of our cars.
Mon, May 9th
- We followed along to The Jack Lalane Show (DVD 1, Episode 2) shortly after waking up.
- I did a two-hour class for wrestling referee training in the evening, and also some stretching.
Calories: 2000, Protein: 132 g.
Tues, May 10th
- I stretched and did some foam rolling for about 25 minutes shortly after waking up, and finished with 1:20 on the balance board.
- (Morning) Physical Therapy Leg Sessions at their Office:
- Started the session with some ultrasonic therapy on my knee as well as some warm-up massage.
- Seated Leg Press: 335 lbs. x 2 sets x 15 reps
- Ball Toss With Balancing on Dina Disks (8 lb. ball): 60 seconds
- (Super Set) Monster Walks (blue band): 2 sets x 10 reps +
- Lateral Walking (blue band, each direction): 2 sets x 10 reps
- (Super Set) Step up with Knee Raise and Raise 2 lb. medicine ball (4-ct): 2 sets x 10 reps +
- Hip Flexor Stretch (each leg): 2 sets x 30 seconds
- Rocker Board: 2.5 minutes
- (Super Set) Bird Dips (each side): 2 sets x 10 reps +
- Hip Flexor/lliopsoas stretch (each side): 30 seconds
- Squats with Resisted Hip Abduction (blue band): 2 sets x 10 reps
- (Super Set) Standing Hip Abduction (green band): 2 sets x 10 reps +
- Standing Hip Extension (green band): 2 sets x 10 reps
- Ended the session with ice and muscle electric stimulation.
- I did a two-hour class for wrestling referee training in the evening, and also some stretching.
Calories: 2036, Protein: 122 g.
Wed, May 11th
- (Afternoon) Physical Therapy Back Session at their Office.
- (Super Set) Cheerleaders (purple band): 2 sets x 15 reps
- Bilateral External Shoulder Rotation (blue band): 2 sets x 15 reps
- Seated DB Front Hammer Raises: 3 lbs. x 2 sets x 15 reps
- Serratus Clockwork Exercise (blue band): 2 sets x 15 reps
- (Super Set) One-Handed Pulldowns (each arm, cable): 20 lbs. x 2 sets x 15 reps +
- High Rows (d-handles, cable): 40 lbs. x 2 sets x 15 reps
- (Super Set) Standing Rows (purple band): 2 sets x 15 reps +
- Shoulder Extensions (purple band): 2 sets x 15 reps
- (Super Set) Prone “M’s” (DBs): 2 lbs. x 2 sets x 10 reps +
- Prone “T’s” (DBs): 2 lbs. x 2 sets x 10 reps
- One-Handed Bent Over Row (each side): 10 lbs. x 2 sets x 15 reps
- (Super Set) Cheerleaders (purple band): 2 sets x 15 reps
- I did some stretching and foam roller work for my back. We ended the session with ice and electric muscle stimulation.
Calories: 2170, Protein: 138 g.
Thur, May 12th
- (Afternoon Workout) Recumbent Bike: 30 Minutes, Manual Program, Level 7
- I did a slight interval where I went at 75+ rpm’s for one Journey song and then 80+ rpm’s for the next Journey song, and so on. This worked pretty well since it was pretty mild, like I said, and the average Journey song is about four minutes long, give or take. After I was done on the bike, I did a little work with the 1 lb. indian clubs to finish warming up.
- Arnold Press: 20 lbs. x 12 reps, 25 lbs. x 12 reps, 30 lbs. x 8 reps, (30 lbs. x 6 reps + 25 lbs. x 2 reps), (30 lbs. x 6 reps + 25 lbs. x 2 reps + 20 lbs. x 4 reps)
- (Super Set) DB Bench Press (no feet): 15 lbs. x 5 sets x 15 reps +
- Set #1: Dead Bugs (2-ct) x 20 reps
- Set #2: Crunches x 25 reps
- Set #3: Push-up to Elbow Plank (4-ct) x 10 reps
- Set #4: 1 lb. Indian Club Work x 60 seconds
- Set #5: Side Crunches (each side) x 10 reps
Calories: 2026, Protein: 132 g.
My husband and I went out to eat at a local restaurant we like called Cowboy Grill. He asked me where I wanted to go out to eat for my birthday, which is in June, and this was the place I mentioned. Since we both had conjured the place in our minds, we stopped in for lunch, which was nice.
We got to talking about old movies and Shirley Temple came up though I don’t remember why. Then the conversation got to where I said that I have never had a Shirley Temple drink. My husband was pretty surprised so we ordered one. I imagined it would come in something of a more decorative glass since Cowboy Grill does have a full bar but I didn’t really mind.
It was interesting to try the drink though I must confess I’m of one mind with Ms. Temple, who (according to Wikipedia) in a 1986 interview called it a “saccharine sweet, icky drink” and two years later went to court to prevent a plan to bottle the beverage using her name.
Nonetheless, I’m glad I tried it. That is one more new experience I can cross of my bucket list.
Fri, May 13th
- We followed along to The Jack Lalane Show (DVD 5, Episode 3) shortly after waking up. I did some stretching later in the day.
Calories: 2008, Protein: 125 g.
Sat, May 14th
Rest Day.
Calories: 2024, Protein: 102 g.
I lost 1.75 lbs. this week. My total loss is 18.625 lbs. over thirteen weeks for an average of 1.43 lbs/week. My calorie intake for the week was 14,260.
* I, Claudius was also a good book.
** I wonder how the name Elagabalus would be for a cat?
Ann's Immaterium 
11 responses to “Work Outs: May 1 – 14, 2022 (Nero the Cat)”
As a fan of Roman History and Nero more specifically, I strongly approve of this naming choice. Ave kitty! 🙂 I would expect to see more old cars in California whereas, I don’t see many here in the city part of Chicago. I think garage space is too hard to come by and the salt in the winter is too prevalent for them which is a shame (even when they look a little rough like the one you saw does).
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Hehe, I’m sure that Nero up there on Kitty Capitoline Heaven, would appreciate your kind words. 🙂
Yes, you are right. The salt and snow really do a number on cars in my experience. We bought a 1991 Toyota Land Cruiser, which had been a New York State and Canadian vehicle when we bought it many years ago but wasn’t in too bad condition at the time. We still have it and like the mechanic we go to told us–“If you keep up on the maintenance and don’t drive it much where there is snow this thing will run forever,” and so far he seems to be right.
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That’s interesting Ann, only coming into contact with cat later in life I can’t say I have heard of extra thumbs and claws on cats but ours with only the norm is dangerous enough when she doesn’t get her way 😉. I had a store bought one but it was badly made so I built two , one four foot and another around eight feet so she could get up into the bunk that one of my daughters had in the early days. Neat old cars , we saw some amazing Americans ones on our trip, a shame I didn’t think to take some shots😡. It was hard to get back t the gym this morning 😅😅.
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I’d heard of extra toes on cats before Nero, but he was the first and only cat we’ve had who had them. Yes, a lot of the store-bought scratching posts are very flimsy here too though the one we bought for Nero was very sturdy and had good bones. The problem was the rope, though it wasn’t cheap rope.
That is too bad you weren’t able to get some good car pictures when you saw them on your trip. They have car shows here sometimes in the summer which can be pretty impressive. Like miniatures painters, many car people take their art very seriously indeed.
Hope you were able to get into the gym though if your body needs a break it is good to take a rest and concentrate on stretching or just dial it down a notch and do an active recovery. That’s what I find.
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The old car that amazed me the most (I had to look it up it was so amazing) a Buick Riviera, must have spent ten minutes checking it out 🤔🤓. I’m back at the gym and the body’s coping 😉.
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Great continuation with the workouts and referee training Ann. Nero looked to be a cat that knew what it wanted and how he wanted it.
Love those old style cars, they had such character and when done up can look amazing
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Thank you, Dave. The referee training is getting a bit more advanced these days and I’m in general going twice a week for it instead of once. Also, back in the old days I used to do a lot of interviews and talking (mostly ranting and screaming) as part of my wrestling thing, so I’m thinking of asking the school if they’ll let me have some advanced training as a manager too in order to expand my skillset in a way that isn’t too tough on the body.
Yes, Nero was a great cat and while he didn’t think he ruled the house, we could tell he considered himself an equal with as much of a say as anyone else in setting policy. I remember once when one of my husband’s friends came over and stayed really late. We usually went to sleep at 9 pm so that was what Nero was used to. Well, 9 pm came and went and for about an hour Nero would come out and give my husband’s friend a dirty look and then make an audible, huffing house and walk back into the other room. He did this a bunch of times. Eventually, around 11 pm he came out and parked himself in front of H.F. and started doing this yowling screaming thing that was pretty unbearable. He said, “Hey, I think your cat wants me to go home,” and within 5 minutes he was out the door!
You are right about those old cars. They sure made some that had a lot of class and style.
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Great pictures, Ann, car and Nero! 🙂 Nice of you to share the pictures of him with us! The picture of him in the box makes me think of him as more of a Chinese emperor with that inscrutable look on his face (I’m probably not allowed to say that in a politically correct world any more but ti’s a great picture)! My wife knew about cats having extra toes, although none of ours had them!
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Thank you, John. Nero was a great and somewhat unusual cat. As it turned out he wasn’t unusual so far as Maine Coon cats go but the breed is a little different in some ways, such as they REALLY like you to be on a schedule and will actively and aggressively enforce it. Wyatt, the black and white cat we have now is part Maine Coon, I think. Besides how he looks, the thing that tipped it off is he likes rituals and schedules way more than is normal for cats and will try and enforce them too.
I can see that inscrutable thing. Although as you say that trope has fallen out of favor I did also grow up with it in movies and such.
The extra toe thing seems cool but it can be a real bear when it comes time for a kitty mani and pedi. Another thing I’ve learned too about polydactyl cats is often some of the claws grow in weird and are hard to cut. The aforementioned claws between the toes were a bit of a challenge too. The funny thing is the breeder we got Nero from said that “poly’s” cost more but kitty was the last one of the litter available so she gave us a break on that since I said that I could take or leave the extra toes but if he came with them we’d like to keep them all if we could. 🙂
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Cats are evolving thumbs? I think we’re in trouble.
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Yeah, I know! There is no way this ends well.
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