Wow! I'm already through week two! --This was a good week. I set my mind that I was going to stick with it... and I did. I will admit, Friday's workout Legs and Back was a killer. I was having a hard time really getting into it and didn't bring the intensity that I needed. But, otherwise... a good week. It seems a little bit funny to say it, but I even feel like I'm starting to see some results and changes when I look in the mirror. Simple changes... that only I would probably notice... but it makes me feel proud of what I'm doing.
I'm down 3 pounds... not a ton, but it's not like I'm trying to lose a ton of weight. In fact, I'd be happy for my weight to stay right around where it is currently at 181... if I had the buff bod to go along with it. Without the muscle tone that I'm working on, I just feel... well, skinny fat.
I'm geared up for week three. I think this will be a tough one. The novelty of working out and eating right is wearing off, but I'm convinced that if I can stay strong this week and keep it up, I'm in a better position than I ever have been. (This is the week where I crashed and fell off the plan when I tried to do this a year ago.) I'm feeling better about things this year. So, here's to keeping it up!
Monday, January 25, 2010
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Week One: Check!
I made it through week one. Which is pretty exciting. I realize that it is only one week, but I did it! I didn't cheat and it has given me confidence to continue!
Here is a recap of the week:
Day Two: I ended up substituting plyometrics routine on Tuesday with the Cardio-X which was still tough and okay for the first week. I'm thinking that we'll try Plyometrics this week... but we'll see.
Day Three: PAIN! I was still so sore from Chest & Back on Monday and then randomly started running a fever about 3:30pm that afternoon. I really considered bagging the workout but then determined I would just push through and take it easier. And... I must say that I hope this becomes a defining moment in my journey to accomplish my goal. I'm afraid if I hadn't done my workout it would have been the first step down the slippery slope of letting my goal slip away from me. --What is the goal you ask? --To complete the P90X Plan in 90 days. I didn't do the "bonus round" in Shoulder and Arms but... hey 101 degree fever, people.
Day Four: YogaX. I wasn't too sure about the whole Yoga thing, but it actually gives me a pretty nice sweat. I wasn't able to do all the moves and I'm not even close to as flexible as the people on the video, but by the end of the routine, I was able to grab hold of my toes and keep my legs straight for a nice (read: totally uncomfortable) stretch. The wife was impressed. --The only thing I really don't like about this workout is that it is a full 90 minutes. But, I suppose it takes this much time to appreciate it and clear my mind. --I just hope I can have enough patience to keep this in the rotation. I noticed that it's done every week and multiple times per week during week four.
Day Five: Legs & Back. Holy wall-sit batman! Ouch! My legs and back are probably my most wimpy areas and this workout showcases it plainly. I did a mix of the resistance bands and the pull-up bar. I'm seriously not even strong enough to do 2-3 "real" pull-ups. I hope to see that number increase.
Day Six: Kenpo X in the morning. Lots and lots of kicking, punching, and sweating. I felt totally uncoordinated and a little like a buffoon at first. But... started to get the hang of most the moves unless he combined a bunch of them! Then... it was FREE DAY!! Both me and the wife are going to subscribe to having a free day with regard to the diet. --I took total advantage and ate at 5 Guys for lunch! Some might say that it is foolish to compromise my progress by taking a free day, but honestly... I'm going to use it as motivation. Come Thursday I'm going to be thinking... free day is only 2 days away!
Day Seven: Rest. --Most people would do free day on rest day, but since we don't eat out or go shopping on Sunday, we'll just have to do it this way. Plus... I'd much rather eat 5 guys on a day where I kicked and punched my way through Kenpo X!
So... there you have it. Week one is complete. Now comes the true test to see if I can stick with it! That is the motto for the next seven days... STICK WITH IT!!
Here is a recap of the week:
Day Two: I ended up substituting plyometrics routine on Tuesday with the Cardio-X which was still tough and okay for the first week. I'm thinking that we'll try Plyometrics this week... but we'll see.
Day Three: PAIN! I was still so sore from Chest & Back on Monday and then randomly started running a fever about 3:30pm that afternoon. I really considered bagging the workout but then determined I would just push through and take it easier. And... I must say that I hope this becomes a defining moment in my journey to accomplish my goal. I'm afraid if I hadn't done my workout it would have been the first step down the slippery slope of letting my goal slip away from me. --What is the goal you ask? --To complete the P90X Plan in 90 days. I didn't do the "bonus round" in Shoulder and Arms but... hey 101 degree fever, people.
Day Four: YogaX. I wasn't too sure about the whole Yoga thing, but it actually gives me a pretty nice sweat. I wasn't able to do all the moves and I'm not even close to as flexible as the people on the video, but by the end of the routine, I was able to grab hold of my toes and keep my legs straight for a nice (read: totally uncomfortable) stretch. The wife was impressed. --The only thing I really don't like about this workout is that it is a full 90 minutes. But, I suppose it takes this much time to appreciate it and clear my mind. --I just hope I can have enough patience to keep this in the rotation. I noticed that it's done every week and multiple times per week during week four.
Day Five: Legs & Back. Holy wall-sit batman! Ouch! My legs and back are probably my most wimpy areas and this workout showcases it plainly. I did a mix of the resistance bands and the pull-up bar. I'm seriously not even strong enough to do 2-3 "real" pull-ups. I hope to see that number increase.
Day Six: Kenpo X in the morning. Lots and lots of kicking, punching, and sweating. I felt totally uncoordinated and a little like a buffoon at first. But... started to get the hang of most the moves unless he combined a bunch of them! Then... it was FREE DAY!! Both me and the wife are going to subscribe to having a free day with regard to the diet. --I took total advantage and ate at 5 Guys for lunch! Some might say that it is foolish to compromise my progress by taking a free day, but honestly... I'm going to use it as motivation. Come Thursday I'm going to be thinking... free day is only 2 days away!
Day Seven: Rest. --Most people would do free day on rest day, but since we don't eat out or go shopping on Sunday, we'll just have to do it this way. Plus... I'd much rather eat 5 guys on a day where I kicked and punched my way through Kenpo X!
So... there you have it. Week one is complete. Now comes the true test to see if I can stick with it! That is the motto for the next seven days... STICK WITH IT!!
Monday, January 11, 2010
Day One
Day One is over... Eighty Nine days to go!!
So... despite my lack of posts since I started this health blog... I didn't drop off the wagon just yet! --I just had a harder time getting on the wagon to begin with since the whole family has been sick sick sick to ring in the new year. The wifey said that she declared a new year do-over this weekend so we started Day One today of our healthy lifestyle.
And... I didn't let myself totally slack off last week. I got myself motivated earlier by creating a weekly calendar/schedule on an excel spreadsheet. It has places to record my food and plan my meals... reminders about what I'm supposed to be eating during the day. I don't really enjoy the fact that so much about getting in shape revolves around food... but it's a major part and I know that if I didn't make it part of the routine it wouldn't be as effective. And... ironically, the "diet" causes me to eat more than I ever normally did before. Let's just say... eating breakfast is more than drinking a coke on the way to work? --Who knew! Anyway, the schedule is nice. It allows me to plan out the week every Sunday so I know what to expect food-wise and workout-wise.
So, the wifey and I started P90X today. We've had a go at it once before... but only lasted about 3 weeks. We're determined that if we can make it past week 4, we'll be golden. Also... we have a better idea of what were getting ourselves into. At least... that's what we're telling ourselves and I know that I'm really going to go for it this time. I'd really like to prove it to myself that I can see this through.
Our workout consisted of chest and back and woah nelly... I'm gonna be feeling it tomorrow. I could hardly lift my arms to wash my hair tonight after the workout! But it feels good. I'm glad I'm on my way!
So... despite my lack of posts since I started this health blog... I didn't drop off the wagon just yet! --I just had a harder time getting on the wagon to begin with since the whole family has been sick sick sick to ring in the new year. The wifey said that she declared a new year do-over this weekend so we started Day One today of our healthy lifestyle.
And... I didn't let myself totally slack off last week. I got myself motivated earlier by creating a weekly calendar/schedule on an excel spreadsheet. It has places to record my food and plan my meals... reminders about what I'm supposed to be eating during the day. I don't really enjoy the fact that so much about getting in shape revolves around food... but it's a major part and I know that if I didn't make it part of the routine it wouldn't be as effective. And... ironically, the "diet" causes me to eat more than I ever normally did before. Let's just say... eating breakfast is more than drinking a coke on the way to work? --Who knew! Anyway, the schedule is nice. It allows me to plan out the week every Sunday so I know what to expect food-wise and workout-wise.
So, the wifey and I started P90X today. We've had a go at it once before... but only lasted about 3 weeks. We're determined that if we can make it past week 4, we'll be golden. Also... we have a better idea of what were getting ourselves into. At least... that's what we're telling ourselves and I know that I'm really going to go for it this time. I'd really like to prove it to myself that I can see this through.
Our workout consisted of chest and back and woah nelly... I'm gonna be feeling it tomorrow. I could hardly lift my arms to wash my hair tonight after the workout! But it feels good. I'm glad I'm on my way!
Monday, January 4, 2010
Realization that I'm skinny fat.
I realize that it is a little bit cliche to have a health and wellness resolution in January. But hey... you've got to start sometime and my aspirations to start this back in November, you know, "before the holidays and I get a little more cushion around the middle" and "before I'm the guy starting the resolution in January" just didn't pan out. And now I am the guy starting this in January and I did put a little extra cushion around the middle during the holidays.
Which, frankly, is new territory for me. Because, I've always been skinny. At times rail thin skinny. Some might even say skeleton skinny. (Ask those who knew me in high school.) --I've toned up a few times now and then, even liked how I looked at times but for the most part... I've just been the skinny guy.
My wife and I were watching the making of a movie we recently rented with a fair amount of food scenes. The actors were all commentating about how much weight they had gained by being in the movie when one of the guys remarked that he was now "skinny fat". And it hit me. --I have become a skinny fat dude.
Thus, the resolution to get back in shape, be healthy and feel better in general.
Unfortunately, I have yet to make my plan for how to accomplish this. Partially because I rang in the new year with a nasty head cold. So stay tuned as I add my plans, talk about my diet and exercise routines and add stats about my progress.
And so it begins. I am 30 years old, just over 6 feet tall and yesterday I weighed in (my heaviest EVER) at 185.5 pounds. I know it doesn't sound terrible... but trust me it doesn't look good. Like I said... skinny fat! Wish me luck.
Which, frankly, is new territory for me. Because, I've always been skinny. At times rail thin skinny. Some might even say skeleton skinny. (Ask those who knew me in high school.) --I've toned up a few times now and then, even liked how I looked at times but for the most part... I've just been the skinny guy.
My wife and I were watching the making of a movie we recently rented with a fair amount of food scenes. The actors were all commentating about how much weight they had gained by being in the movie when one of the guys remarked that he was now "skinny fat". And it hit me. --I have become a skinny fat dude.
Thus, the resolution to get back in shape, be healthy and feel better in general.
Unfortunately, I have yet to make my plan for how to accomplish this. Partially because I rang in the new year with a nasty head cold. So stay tuned as I add my plans, talk about my diet and exercise routines and add stats about my progress.
And so it begins. I am 30 years old, just over 6 feet tall and yesterday I weighed in (my heaviest EVER) at 185.5 pounds. I know it doesn't sound terrible... but trust me it doesn't look good. Like I said... skinny fat! Wish me luck.
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