Wonder Twin Powers Activated

So I got my first fist bump at the gym.  It came from a complete stranger.  Today was training with Alex. We started a new lower body workout. He told me it was time to step it up to the next level. Trust me he did.  He was showing me some new machines.  Right across from me was a guy doing an excessive amount of sit ups and trying to do pull ups. He would do this till he was exhausted and laying on the floor.  He was dressed in Under armor from head to toe. When you should not be.  I think only a professional athletes or people with zero body fat should dress like that. My own trainer knows better.  While he is laying on the floor he would cheer me on.  " you can do it man", "keep going". This was just the hamstring machine.  Where was he when I was doing 120 pound squats?  It was strange. Suddenly as I finished he hopped up and said " great job, keep it up" and than gave me a fist bump.  I think it is strange that a total stranger was so excited for me.  I can do without that happening again. It was one of those awkward moments.  The last thing I want to do while I am dripping in sweat and sore is fist bump a stranger. At least he didn't make it blow up.

So today's workout ranks right up there with the first one.  He worked me hard. The difference between the two are, I did not feel like I was going to get sick this time.

He had me start out on the treadmill.  The incline was set at 6 and 11 for 25 minutes.  WOW, was I sweating.  Than he lead me thru several other machines.  They all looked non threatening. was I  wrong.  This all leads to the last exercise,  THE STAIRS.  I needed to climb two fights of stairs 10 times.  I think he was getting worried I was going to die on him.  So he had me stop at 7.  He said it was 6.  I am sure it was 7.

Let's hope I can walk tomorrow.

              

  

Let them eat cake, bars, hot dogs, snicker salad, bacon.....

The weekend started Friday night with Hannah's   birthday. I did pretty good.  One piece of cake and some ice cream.  I ate lots of salad.  Both the green kind and the snicker kind. I thought that's not bad.

Then came Saturday.  I made waffles and bacon for the girls.  I had 2 prices of bacon.  I think that started it.  All day I snacked on sour cream and onion potato chips and leftover snicker salad.  Since Avery has been in the play, Janell and I have been eating late . Last night is was old Chicago.  We love their Nachos.  

Sunday -  I may have liked the nachos but my Body didn't .  Another food hangover.  So I decided it was time to get back on track. I Had my oatmeal for breakfast .  I brought an apple to church so I didn't eat a donut.   I was feeling good.  Then came the Annie cast and family picnic.  I just could not resist.  There was every bar and brownie known to man.   I think I ate everyone of them .

Tomorrow is back to reality.  I will hit the gym hard and come up with a plan for weekends.

I am not Sharing this out of guilt.  I share this to show that even if you let loose every once and awhile, it's ok.   Just remember where you where at the beginning , where you are now and where you going to be at the end.  The journey continues.

It is a salad.

I figured out how to get rid the sour cream & onion chips.  I will eat them.

Along with snicker salad.  Well it is a salad.

Techno pop vs the stairs

Today's workout included walking up and down the stairs.  That was not so bad.  At first.  By the fourth time going up I was not sure what was worst. The stairs or the loud obnoxious techno pop coming from the workout studio at the top of the stairs.  It was the music.  We found love in a hopeless place only helped me get through those stairs faster.  As I reached the top of stairs, I could hear the instructor asking do you feel the burn to her class.  I want to scream yes and that just from the music. By the last climb up, I just wanted her to go sing in a whole new place.  I Guess I am becoming a grumpy old man.  

My tormentor , I mean trainer

I' m just joking.  He is taking good care of me.  He lets me work at my pace, but makes sure I get it done.  

If you need a good trainer. He's the guy. Alex Ballweg.  He is also a coach for the Stillwater high school football team.  

Power 150

I did my power 150 workout today.  It turned out to be a power 200.  This work out usually includes 50 birddogs , 50 shoulder presses and 50 bicep curls.  Plus I warm up for 10 - 15 minutes on the treadmill.   When I finished up, I felt it was not enough.  So I pushed myself to do 50 squats with 60 pounds of weights. I think I may be at a turning point where exercise is be coming enjoyable and less of a chore.  

As promised.  This is my before picture.  I will post another at the end of August 

Row, Row, Row your machine

End of the Month

                                     

It's been a few days since I last posting.  We had a busy weekend.  It was filled with Annie, Birthday Parties and having a night away from the kids.

Sunday night we meet my mom and sister at the casino for my sister birthday.  I enjoyed the seafood buffet.  I filled up on the crab legs (no butter).  I figured I was burning as many calories getting the meat as I was eating.

After getting home Monday, Janell and I took the kids for a bike ride.  I was able to make it back to the gym after that.  I did 20 minutes on the rowing machine and 20 on the shoulder machine.  The rowing machine was so boring I had to break it up to 5 sets of 4 minutes. It was also harder than I thought it would be. Alex warned me that I would be sore.  He didn't lie.

I had my month end workout today.  It was to gauge where I am at.  It was a timed workout that included

1/2 mile - bike
1/4 mile - tread mill
500 meters - rowing
25 each  leg - Step ups
40 - shoulder presses
40- bench presses
40- bicep curls
40 - sit ups

I finished in just under 21 minutes.  I surprised myself.  I think I surprised Alex my trainer. Along with my month end workout,  I had my monthly measurements.  We have decided not to focus on my weights as much as the measurement changes. I will post my weight lost still. It will just be limited to 2 or 3 times a month.

So here are my measurements from the beginning of my adventure vs 1 month into my adventure.

Body Part             Beginning        Today          Gain/Lost

Chest                    65 inches         56 inches          -9
Stomach               61.5 inches      58 inches          -3.5
Waist                   55 inches         53 inches          -2
Bicep                   17.5 inches      16.5 inches       -1
Calfs                    20 inches         20 inches         same
Quads                  25 inches         20 inches          -5