New Blog Page!

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NerdCore Performance

Book Review - Half-Blood (Covenant #1)

Author: Jennifer Armentrout
Date Published: October 18, 2011
Date Read: June 27, 2012
Amazon Link: Half-Blood (Covenant)


Covenant Series: This is one of my favorite book series of all times. I am not going to lie, it has a lot of similarities with Richelle Mead’s Vampire Academy. Guess what? I love BOTH series! Similar or not, both authors have great writing style, different characters, and the books start to drift apart in similarities after book 1 anyway. So if you love one, then you will probably love the other.

Jennifer Armentrout, in my opinion, dominates both the YA and adult book series circuit. Her critically acclaimed Lux series seems to be a fan favorite, but I don't know what it is about the Covenant series that puts it ahead of the game just a bit for me. Maybe it's the Greek mythology tie in, maybe it’s the sassy female lead with a rebellious attitude, maybe it’s the male lead who is rule-abiding enough to not quite be an ALPHA male, but still be a total badass, and maybe it’s the “I’m-going-to-string-you-along-with-a-kind-of-love-triangle-but-in-your-heart-you-know-it’s-not-a-real-love-triangle” aspect.

Either way, this is a book series that I will keep re-reading, over and over again, when I find myself in need of something fun, swoony, adventurous, and a wee-bit torturous.

Summary from Goodreads:
"The Hematoi descend from the unions of gods and mortals, and the children of two Hematoi pure bloods have godlike powers. Children of Hematoi and mortals--well, not so much. Half-bloods only have two options: become trained Sentinels who hunt and kill daimons or become servants in the homes of the pures.

Seventeen-year-old Alexandria would rather risk her life fighting than waste it scrubbing toilets, but she may end up slumming it anyway. There are several rules that students at the Covenant must follow. Alex has problems with them all, but especially rule #1:Relationships between pures and halfs are forbidden. Unfortunately, she's crushing hard on the totally hot pure-blood Aiden. But falling for Aiden isn't her biggest problem--staying alive long enough to graduate the Covenant and become a Sentinel is.

If she fails in her duty, she faces a future worse than death or slavery: being turned into a daimon, and being hunted by Aiden. And that would kind of suck."

Alexandria (Alex) is a half-blood Hematoi, who are descendants of the gods. A half blood occurs when a pure blood Hematoi and a human pair up and reproduce. Hematoi are basically the rulers of their society (which are assimilated with human society, but tend to live in separate areas), whereas the half-bloods only have 2 choices: to live in servitude of the Hematoi (no thanks), or to become trained bad-ass Sentinels and fight/kill daimons. Daimons are Pures who have tasted the aether that runs through the veins of other Pures, become addicted and basically turn into “vampires,” letting the cravings for aether turn them into killing machines. Luckily, half-bloods have this nifty sense where they can see though the glamour that daimons have, glamour that can fool pure bloods to lure them in. Because, with any superior race, there needs to be some kinds of checks and balances (Right Stephanie Meyer, with your perfect vampires with no real flaws or known enemies to hold them back, yet somehow still decide to live in secret from the humans, who they could easily take over with their only risk being sparkling them to squintyness??….but I digress...). In addition, not only do half-bloods have to fight daimons or serve pure-bloods, they're also forbidden from having relationships with pure-bloods.

Any who...Alex is a free spirit, who happens to live in a society dictated by ancient rules, and she generally goes beyond stupidity to break these rules. In fact, she's sometimes frustrating in her attempts to break rules but she's also endearing so I kind of forgive her. Aiden is a smexy, bad-ass, rule abiding pure-blood, who also happens to be training as a Sentinel. He is burdened with the duty of catching Alex up with her training, after she returns to the safety of the Covenant, from 2 years living on the outside with her mother. She and her mother escaped the covenant together (for reasons which you will discover when you read the book!), but when daimons attack, killing her mother, Alex has no choice but to return the Covenant.

This is where our story begins. Follow the beginning of Alex’s journey, as she struggles to catch up with her former classmates (I mean, she used to be better than them, but egos and hiatus don’t mix!), battles with her increasing feelings towards Aiden (and his inner conflict to stay good in the face of ultimate temptation), discovering that she is more than just a lowly half-blood, and learning there is far more at work in her society then she previously knew.

This is a YA book, that is a part of a 5 book series, so don’t expect anything conclusive to happen for at least the first 3 or 4 books. Jennifer Armentrout is the queen of stringing you along (Will they? Won’t they?) but her writing style is the kind that make you blush with a simple eye contact, or innocent finger brush. You know it’s good writing when a YA book with limited SEX can still make you swoon and get all the feels. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good hot scene every now and then, but it’s a testament to a true writer who can make you feel stuff without all that. I swear, some of these scenes turn me on more than blatantly written scenes of a more amorous and obvious nature (EHEM, 50 Shades of Grey).

Anyway, if you like fantasy, YA, action, a teeny bit of love-triangle, and fun, then the Covenant series if definitely for you!

Redefining goals: Too many? Not enough focus?

Have you ever wanted to do everything, be everything, know everything, and been so overwhelmed that you just shut down and play video games all day instead?

Not going to lie, my time management SUCKS

Have you ever put off your goals, not because you don't have any, but because you have too many? Too many professional goals, too many personal goals, too many family goals, too many improvement goals, and therefor you get nothing done, because you work 10% effort at each goal?

This is where I feel like I have been the last few years. I have no clear path, no set goals. I like so many things (personal training, fitness, competition, strength, functional fitness, nerdy stuff, video game stuff, books, cosplay, music, furniture refurbishing, comics, ) and I have all these great ideas on how to expand on them, and I want to create a brand, but I cant seem to narrow down and focus. 

I am going to start with the easy thing: Fitness. I have been an athlete (gymnast/cheerleader) and am very functional. I train Marines and I can do pretty much everything they do, at least for 3 reps. I have competed in figure, and I did pretty well there. But now I am just a jack of all trades, neither really aesthetic, not athletic. I have no defined goals there either....I am not planning on defining goals here, but just outlining what I love. I want to do it all! I am on a journey to be both aesthetic and athletic. Stop the laziness and get my drive back! I have spent the last 2 years yo-yoing in limbo between goals.  

But guess what? I am also full-time employed,, with an awesome job with the Marine Corps! I am a mother and my son and raising him right is pretty much top priority. (I'm sorry but we do not need another generation of lazy millennials!) I am a wife and my husband is my best friend, and hes not a huge gym guy! I love doing family things. I need balance.

*SIDENOTE*

 I understand that competitions and bodybuilding isn't about balance. I have nothing but respect for that industry, and I will probably go back one day! I love being on stage! However, bodybuilders are superheros, and they do not get balance. They give 110% to themselves and their sport, and their clients. I am just not able to give 100% of myself right now, when I have other big priorities consuming me. And to be honest, I don't have the money. Trying to give my son and my family a great life with fun experiences (not toys/things, but experiences), and save for my future. I live in SoCal, cost of living is stupid, so I need to plan wisely. 

So how am I going to do this? I have my Masters in Kinesiology, my CSCS, and I have trained many successful people, so its about time I train myself right!

What I WONT do: 
* Obsess over every calorie/carb/fat/protein (I want an idea, but I will not obsess)
* Feel endless guilt and torture if I skip a workout - sometimes the body needs rest
* Feel endless guilt and torture if I skip a workout to hang out with my family and be lazy - We like video games, and everything in moderation right? As long as its not a crazy habit, I will liberate myself from that guilt!
* Do endless long slow cardio for weight loss.
* Obsess over the scale - in fact, I don't even think I will take my weight for a while. LIBERATE!!
* Cut all carbs
* Feel guilty if I have a bad meal - Lets face it, I love pizza and Five guys and beer - everything in moderation.
* Endless hip/glute extensions to "build a booty"

What I WILL do: 
* Track progress with pics, body fat, and fitness assessments (power/speed/agility/endurance/1RM)
* Sign up for physical challenges that push me beyond my comfort zone, give me a date for goals, and promote teamwork and family. (I hate running, but love obstacles, so I am thinking a Tough Mudder or Spartan Race)
* Do high intensity cardio for health and performance improvement
* Do slower cardio for endurance and heart health
* Mix up my weight training - Olympic lifts, sports training, grip training, gymnastics, FUN.
* Mix up my fitness and involve family- Outdoor training, park, hiking, rock climbing, walking my dog more, stop driving places that I can walk/bike too.
* Focus more on natural nutrition, eat to nourish my body, build muscle, eat carbs to re-energize, fuel my workouts.
* Stop making excuses
* Stretch more

The ultimate outcome goal? Be a physical badass that looks fantastic in a bikini year round and dresses up in costumes! :)

My professional goals/other personal goals will shortly follow, but first, I need to get back to blogging, rediscover myself, and get social again ;)

I will follow up with my stats: bodyfat, pics, and fitness assessments measurements will be provided next week!

Are you interested in joining me to be your best you? I do online/in-person training. Email me gymgirl105@gmail.com. And NO I do not do cookie cutter meal plans that tell you to eat chicken and veggies, rather I educate you in nutrition and how to fuel yourself properly for your workouts and your life.

Ri

Stairs Workout

This is a post from my Other Blog - which I am trying to bring here, because I only want one! :)

It is getting to be that time of year when getting outside to exercise is a nice change. Here is a stair workout I designed. I will be doing this and similar workouts in group format here in San Diego soon, so contact me for more info :)

rianarohmannfit@gmail.com

Easy Locations for Stairs:

·        Stadiums – Most professional stadiums are closed to public, but I know of some that open on random days specifically to allow exercisers in. Check out your local area. Most high-school and college stadiums and tracks are open to the public.

San Diego Specific:

1. ·         Tierrasanta has some good stairs right by Serra High school off Clairemont Dr.
2. ·         Downtown Convention Center
3. ·         La Mesa Secret Stairs    

Sometimes, it is just necessary to get OUT of the gym! We need a break, the weather is great, and the fresh air is invigorating! Here is a stair workout that is so much more involved, and therefore less boring, than the tradition run-up-and-down-and-skip-steps-occasionally workout. It is a whole complex workout! Take some time and find some stairs in your area that accommodate your needs (at least 3 stories, preferably straight and not winding in a stairwell, but hey, use what you can and make it work! Even if it is simply the stairs in a one-story building)

The Workout

(For time intervals- do the exercise to the top of the stairs, and just run back down to reset at the bottom, and continue until the time ends, unless otherwise specified)

Warm-Up:

·         3 minutes walking

·         2 minutes jogging

Workout: (recover as needed, try to decrease your own recovery time a little each workout). Stand next to railing for workout and use as an “Oh-Shit-I-Am-Falling” safety rail if necessary.

Circuit: Repeat as many times as you want! J Approx 15-20 minutes with minimal rest

•       1 minute sprints -1 foot per step
•       15 Offset Squat Jumps on each leg
•       1 minute Two Step Run -2 feet per ste
• 1 minute sprints - skip one step
•       20 push-ups hands on bottom step
•       1 minute sprints - skip one step
•       1 minute each side Crossover side walks
•       20 squats-flat
•       1 minute Sprint – skip 2 steps
• 1 minute Three Step Run
• 1 minute Bear Crawl
•       20 triceps dips on bottom step
• 1 minute Box Jumps
• 1 minute Walking Lunges up steps
• 1 minute Toe Taps

Cool Down

·         3 minutes slow walk

Stretch Quads, Hamstrings, Glutes and Calves

Video Demonstrations!

Fallout Fitness Challenge! - Level 1 (n00b)

Hey-lo NerdVerse!

    Many of you might possibly be aware of a little game that just released its first new game in 6 years, an insignificant small game called Fallout 4! Well, this is the game that prompted my husband and myself to finally purchase a PS4, and also get the game on my PC as well. (I eventually returned it (thanks Steam!) because I decided to get over my fear of playing games with the PlayStation remote, and decided to woman up and create a PSN profile). ANYWHO… this puts me in a bit of a conundrum… I don’t have any time! That thing called TIME that we all struggle with, I mean, who has TIME to play video games? #sadface #firstworldproblems

    One of my biggest loves is obviously fitness, and my time to go to the gym and work out has been very limited lately. With the release of Fallout 4 - PlayStation 4, plus my 6-year old son who is determined to be a YouTube game, time is fleeting! So I decided to implement FALLOUT FITNESS CHALLENGE! This is similar to traditional drinking games, except, when certain poignant events occur in the game, you (the Gamer) have to pause and take a little time to get off your butt and move!

   Here are your Challenges! (Note: these might change, or be amended, or added to as we continue to play J There is no limit to fitness, much like there is no limit to this Fallout Open World!) These are in NO particular Order:

Kill small creatures – Bloatfly, RadRoaches, Mole Rat, etc… 

     3 Push Ups per kill! Get going and Clear the wasteland!

Kill Larger creatures – Ghouls, Mirelurks, Raiders, etc….

     5 Squats per kill! (Or Tea Bags, after all, this is a gamer game ;)

Kill a DeathClaw

     10 Burpees – As if you needed to get your heart rate up any higher!

Find a BobbleHead or LunchBox

     25 Jumping Jacks – Celebration!

Complete a Quest

     10 Dips – use a coffee table or a chair.

Build a House/Complete Sanctuary Steps

     10 Lunges on each leg

Loading Screen – Walking in and out doors, new rooms, loading saved games, etc….

     Mountain climbers continuously until load ends OR 10 mountain climbers per load if using the Tally System

Use Stimpack/RadAway

     5 Jumping Lunges on each leg and be thankful to be alive.

Use Crafting Station –

     10 High Knee Jog in Place for each item crafted (can alternate with butt kickers in place)

Level Up – The Big Dog!

     10 squat jumps

     10 Jack knife crunches (V Ups) or straight leg lifts

     10 Incline Push Ups (put feet on chair or table)

Have Fun! And Play lots, because the more you play, the better in shape you will get! Please feel free to comment or email me about other games you would like me to create workouts for, or other ideas for Fallout 4!

rianarohmannfit@gmail.com ;)

Ri

Busy Nerd Mom Park Workout!

There is no reason why busy moms cannot live the Nerdy Fit lifestyle! With a little heart, dedication, and some quality time at the park with your kids, you can squeeze in a great workout. Do not be shy, but get your workout on loud and proud. Remember, you never know whom you are going to motivate, so lead by example!

Move through the exercises as quickly as possible with very little rest between sets, but keep your movements controlled and work through your entire range of motion for maximum effect. If you are short on time, just do each exercise once for 15 to 25 reps, or if you have more time, circuit your exercises for two to four sets of 12 to 15 reps. Enjoy your journey!

Circuit 1:

Assisted Pull-Ups on Monkey Bars

Place your foot on a step for assistance and grab the bars in either a neutral grip or an overhand grip. Squeeze your back muscles and pull yourself up, using as much upper body as possible and the step as little as possible. 

Bench Push-Ups

These are great for getting full range of motion during your pushups, especially targeting your chest, front delts and triceps. Place your hands on the bench, feet on the ground, and bend your elbows until your chest contacts the bench. Hold that bottom position for a moment, then push back up. Squeeze your abs during the movement and keep your body straight.  For added intensity, do decline push-ups and place your hands on the floor, feet on the bench. 

Bench Step Ups

Step-ups are great at targeting your booty and hamstrings, helping to get you that sexy and strong backside you deserve! Place one foot on the bench and the other on the ground behind you. Push through your heel and step up, finishing in a stand on one leg on the bench. Give and extra booty squeeze at the top position for added benefits. Balance for a moment, then slowly lower back down into a lunge.

 Swing Abdominal Pikes

If you have ever used a TRX or a stability ball, then you know that suspended abdominal exercises are excellent for targeting your abs! Just place your feet in the swing, hands on the ground, and pull you booty up over your head, keeping your legs straight. Lower back down to a straight body push-up position, keeping abs engaged the whole time. For variety,  you can also do these with bent knees in a tuck position. 

Circuit 2:

Hanging Leg Lifts

Hang from a bar, and tuck your knees up to your chest. Keep your movements slow and controlled to avoid swinging. Squeeze your abs and raise your hips and you lift your knees. This keeps the emphasis on your abs and not on your hip flexors. 

High Elevated Split Squat

Split squats are one of the best exercises for the glute-hamstring tie in, and the higher you can get your back leg, the better! Place it behind you on a bench/step/ladder and bring your front leg out so you are in a wide lunge position. Bend you front leg and lower yourself to a deep lunge position, really feeling the stretch in your legs. Make sure your front knee does not pass you toes!

 Bench Dips

Dips are one of my favorite exercises for triceps and shoulders. Keep your body as close to the bench as you can and focus on a deep bend through the elbows. As you straighten your arms, add an extra squeeze to your triceps.

 Bench Side Step Ups

Similar to the forward step-ups, except the side step ups challenge your balance a little more, and place more of an emphasis on your inner and outer legs (adductors and abductors).  Step-up and balance, with an extra booty squeeze, then step down into a deep side lunge.

Circuit 3:

Swing Crunches

These are very similar to stability ball crunches. They require control, helping to activate the deep abdominal muscles (transverse abdominus) that act like a girdle on your midsection, helping make your waist appear teenier. 

Deep Step-Ups (assisted)

These are similar to the front-step up, except you get a deeper lunge, which activates the glutes/hamstring tie in better. Find a spot, such as a ladder, where you can place your foot at a level between your hips and knees. Grab the handles to help life yourself, but use as much lower body muscle as possible. At the top position, kick your back leg straight behind you for extra emphasis on glutes. Slowly and with control lower back down.

Bench Jumps

Bench jumps are like box jumps. Be careful with these and take your time because cement benches can be unforgiving on the shins!

Feel free to message me for personal training/nutrition/supplementation questions! :) 

rianarohmannfit@gmail.com

Its been awhile...Here is some Nerd Fitness

Yes it has been a while. I have been really trying to start my personal training business, while still prepping for competitions and being a wife and mom, while working full-time for the Military...I am not busy at ALL..../sarcasm. But I miss this, my secret little joy, my clandestine nerdisms, my thing that is MINE and nobody elses in my household (except maybe Robin, my roomate/manny/friend).

We all need to hold onto that little piece of us, so here I am, putting off writing a fitness blog, article, training a client, training myself, etc. so that I can post this lovely picture of Daniel Radcliff (see my hot nerds post), with Malfoy seemingly staring viciously at his junk (thanks Matt for that one, I shall never unsee it now!)

May I add that I can bench more than Malfoy?  (we are just going to pretend its him, even if its not). Just putting that out there ;). Peace out MuscleNerds! I will be back because I have about a zillion /notsarcasm book reviews I have to write!

Things I am excited for!

Nerdy Things I am excited for:

1. World of Warcraft Mists of Panderia Expansion pack!

I am so stoked for this. I am not a big raider, but I love questing and following the story lines. Plus I like doing dungeons if the immature horny 12 year olds can keep to themselves. Seriously, can we start an adult only realm please????

2. Jennifer Armentrout…that’s it, she needs no introduction.

She has 2 book series that I love: Lux and Covenant, and honestly, I can’t decide which one I am looking forward to most. Maybe Lux #3 because thusofar there is no more dreaded love triangle. Covenant is an amazing story, but I am team hot Aiden, and if she screws it up and falls for the “other guy” Seth, then I am throwing the series out the window….

3. Divergent, Insurgent….Detergent???

What the H-E-Double Hockey Sticks is the 3rd book called? And why do I have to wait until long after the 2nd Hunger Games (Catching Fire) is in theatres to continue this compelling story? (That’s November 2013, for you). I mean, I am totally willing to wait for a fantastic series finale, but man, I need some Four in my life. I can only re-read Divergent so much! Although I have turned so many friends onto this series (just to gleefully break the news that they too have to wait over a year for the 3rd book, MUAHAHHAHA) that it is nice to live vicariously through them. Thanks Veronica Roth for this series!

4. Halloween – Where good girls can dress like sluts and get away with it

What should my costume be??? I am thinking something totally home-makeable, like a Night Elf from WoW! Although my whole family might be Mario Bros and Co (with me being Peach…slutty of course!). We have toyed around with being LeeLoo and Corbin from the 5th Element numerous times, but I need to get a good costume, not a cheesy buy-in-a-bag POS. Any ideas??

5. Walking Dead and ZOMBIES

I have hit the zombie craze hardcore. I am reading the Walking Dead Compendium, and I just got finished reading the first two books in the Razorland Series by Ann Aguirre (Enclave and Outpost, which I warn you, there is a damned love triangle), which is really good! I also recently picked up The Scourge by A.G. Henley, which was AMAZEBALLS. BTW, read all those books in about a 5 day span. So ya, bring on the zombies! My Goodreads to-read list is getting mighty long!

6. Zombie Fitness

You may have noticed that my blog URL is NerdgasmFitness…well that’s because I am a fitness freak. So I want to combine both my loves and create a Zombie boot camp. Gonna be great, and I am not giving up my ideas yet. You’ll have to wait. Gonne be EPIC though!

Who am I?

My name is Riana Rohmann. I am a fitness competitor, personal trainer, and combat fitness specialist for the Marine Corps (Visit my facebook page and "like" for awesomeness). I am ENGULFED in fitness. I love it. It is my life. I wake up, work at the gym, workout out, go home and cook healthily for the fam, go back out and train on my own, work out some more, and sleep. Well, little do many of my peers know that I am also a self-proclaimed nerd. I have loved fantasy/sci-fi stuff since I was about 10 years old when my mother made me read Alanna: The First Adventure by Tamora Pierce. Instantaneous obsession! I also have a love affair with Dragons. I specifically love the Enchantica style Dragons in sculpture form. My mother also collects there. Go Figure. Video Games? RPG? Dungeons and Dragons? World of Warcraft?  Yep, I am there too!

I lost touch with my nerd side in college unfortunately. Classes and training just did not allow a lot of time for me to escape to my dreamspace. I met my now husband in college, and that was a lot of fun, but he isn’t really a D&D sort of guy, although he embraced the fact that I was! (win!) What other guy will let his woman totally geek out on things like that? Plus, my husband isn’t even that interested in fitness! What do we have in common? You may ask….We are both quirky, like the Padres, love to talk to each other, and he is one of my best friends! But we are SO different too...Why would I want to be with someone like me? I digress…Back to my total abandonment of all things nerdy. I was so focused on getting a good job, grades, career, and then my son was born and OH BOY Mothers Unite, because that is a whole new world! Slowly my nerdisms were drifting farther and farther away, though still buried deep inside.

Well, once I had my established career (combat specialist for our US Marines), home, training routine down pat, fitness competitions, family time, etc., all organized, I decided to actually pick up a book. I was passengering (what? I wasn’t driving) to LA with Dave (my husband, if I forgot to mention). And I was like, “What’s all this talk about Hunger Games?” I have issues with things that are pop-culture that I know nothing about. It’s the only reason I read Twilight (that’s a WHOLE other blog). So I downloaded the books onto my Kindle, and pretty much read all of them in less than a week. BAZINGA! I actually found time to read! By the way, the Kindle App on my Droid is the best thing ever. I find that when I am a passenger in cars, I can read a few pages. Stolen moments in between playing with my son, I read. OH AND JACKPOT! Cardio! We fitness competitors tend to log a lot of miles on the stairmaster, elliptical and incline walking on treadmill.

Hunger Games started my delve back into YA (that’s Young Adult for all you laymen out there) novels. I love myself some kick-ass female characters, and some steamy (but not pornographic) romance. (BTW, I hate love triangles). Since reading Hunger Games late last year, I have read almost 50 books, thanks to that Kindle App (I always have my phone on me, and its more convenient than carrying a book, plus its cheaper, sorry, but I’m a tight-ass). However, if there are book series that I LOVE, I will buy the hard copy, preferably first edition, and hopefully something I can get signed by authors at the local Dealers down at Mysterious Galaxy SD.

Now that I have found time to read, I also do need to work on balancing out other nertastic things I love, from certain TV shows (I REALLY need to re-watch Buffy, and get caught up on Dr.Who) and other books (I have 143 books on my to read list – find me on Goodreads) video games ( I play WoW, but also want to get into Star Wars TOR) and get started with graphic novels. I feel like I am a decent nerd, but there is no WAY I can compete with the nerdiest. That’s ok, I will get there soon! (Challenge Accepted, Sorry Babe!)

                Basically, this blog is for me to jot down my thoughts, experiences, book reviews, game reviews, etc. Basically this is a place for me to post about random, nertastic things and escape the world of fitness for 5 seconds. I also plan on posting some Cosplay things I want to get into, my artwork, and some short stories. My own little online diary if you will. That is open to the public…scary! I’ll keep this short. I plan on blogging a few times a week, as my little mental escapes. Thanks for reading.