Wednesday, March 26, 2014

When trying is just not good enough


I returned back to the steps and rowing today.  I think it is time to mix some of my earlier workouts with my new ones .

This was prompted by a statement I keep  Getting told.  "We'll at least you are here and trying,". I don't want to be known at the guy who is just here.  I want to be the guy who pushed past trying.  I want to be the guy who did it.  

So if I plan on 3 sets, I am going to do 4 sets.  If I think I can do another push up. I am going to do two more.  

It's time to stop just showing up.  

















Monday, March 24, 2014

I'm Not a Runner

This Nike Commercial made me laugh, yet I related to it.  I hope you enjoy.


Saturday, March 22, 2014

The best 3 pounds I ever lost

After struggling to jump start the weight lost, it started.  I lost 3 pounds.  The best 3 pounds I have ever lost.  I have been working hard at the gym. I noticed the change came when I buckled down on breakfast again and increased my water.

 I am one pants size away from being out of big and tall. Today was the first time in I don't know how long.  I was able to buy shorts with a 44 waist.  


Monday, March 17, 2014

Burn Baby Burn

I need to burn extra 1100 calories a day just to lose 2 pounds a week.  My 45 workouts averages about between 500- 600 calories.  I need to find another 600 to burn.  Any ideas?




Saturday, March 15, 2014

A sometimes reward.

Good thing we don't live a few blocks away from Mojo Monkeys anymore.  It would than be a all the time treat.


Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Feeling Geared up and ready to go.

Any change, even a change for the better, is always accompanied by drawbacks and discomforts


I have been making an effort to make it to the Gym 5 days a week.  It has been hard, but I am starting to see the results again.  Even with my weight loss being slower, I am starting to see the changes in my body.  I am starting to have less of my stomach hanging over my belt. My arms are getting stronger. I did 40 push ups yesterday.  Still working on endurance. I am having a tough time getting through a mile on the treadmill at a fast pace.  I think it is the treadmill.  I think once it has thawed, I am going to have to try doing it outside.  

I have not been doing a lot with the free weights lately. I have been using kettle bells with my new trainer.  I am hoping to get started again. I need to master a dead lift and get over my fear of getting injured on the leg press again.  I need to come up with a plan that will add variety to my workout.  I can't believe I am typing this.  I miss Alex's boxing class.  


BEFORE AND AFTERS








Friday, March 7, 2014

Life is a process--just one thing after another. When you lose it, just start again



I was able to measure my Metabolic rate using the Body Gem shown above.  This is my 2nd time doing this. I think it is a great way to figure out where you are at .  It has really helped me jump start my workout. It has given me some hard numbers on how many calories I need to burn  each day. These are calories over and above what I burn just doing life. It also gives me the number of calories I should be eating.  It has helped keep me on track.  







It has been a long time since I have been able to say this.  My body was sore from a good workout. It's good to say it is sore from doing something.  Instead of just being sore for no reason. Lots of working out using my body weight. (I have a lot of body weight to use.) I have decided push-ups are my new hated exercise,  I will take a squat any day over a push up.  

I am rotating between a kettle bell, Body weight and a machine workout.  The Kettle bells and Body weight workouts are kicking my butt.  For both of these I have 20 minutes to get through as many sets of my exercises.  There are at least 5 different exercises with 10 to 25 reps each.  This is after doing some Cardio. Making working out on the machines feel like a break.  





Saturday, March 1, 2014

27 Rules of Conquering the Gym





I found some of these very funny and very true.  

1) A gym is not designed to make you feel instantly better about yourself. If a gym wanted to make you feel instantly better about yourself, it would be a bar.
2) Give yourself a goal. Maybe you want to lose 10 pounds. Maybe you want to quarterback the New York Jets into the playoffs. But be warned: Losing 10 pounds is hard.
3) Develop a gym routine. Try to go at least three times a week. Do a mix of strength training and cardiovascular conditioning. After the third week, stop carrying around that satchel of fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies.
4) No one in the history of gyms has ever lost a pound while reading “The New Yorker” and slowly pedaling a recumbent bicycle. No one.5) Bring your iPod. Don’t borrow the disgusting gym headphones, or use the sad plastic radio attachment on the treadmill, which always sounds like it’s playing Kenny Loggins from a sewer.
6) Don’t fall for gimmicks. The only tried-and-true method to lose 10 pounds in 48 hours is food poisoning.
7) Yes, every gym has an overenthusiastic spinning instructor who hasn’t bought a record since “Walking on Sunshine.”
8) There’s also the Strange Guy Who is Always at the Gym. Just when you think he isn’t here today…there he is, lurking by the barbells.
9) “Great job!” is trainer-speak for “It’s not polite for me to laugh at you.”
10) Beware a hip gym with a Wilco step class.
11) Gyms have two types of members: Members who wipe down the machines after using them, and the worst people in the universe.
12) Nope, that’s not a “recovery energy bar with antioxidant dark chocolate.” That’s a chocolate bar.
13) Avoid Unsolicited Advice Guy, who, for the small fee of boring you to death, will explain the proper method for any exercise in 45 minutes or longer.
14) You can take 10 Minute Abs, 20 Minute Abs, and 30 Minute Abs. There is also Stop Eating Pizza and Eating Sheet Cake Abs—but that’s super tough!
15) If you’re motivated to buy an expensive home exercise machine, consider a “wooden coat rack.” It costs $40, uses no electricity and does the exact same thing.
16) There’s the yoga instructor everyone loves, and the yoga instructor everyone hates. Memorize who they are.
17) If you see an indoor rock climbing wall, you’re either in a really cool gym or a romantic comedy starring Kate Hudson.
18) Be cautious about any class with the words “sunrise,” “hell,” or “Moby.”
19) If a gym class is going to be effective, it’s hard. If you’re relaxed and enjoying yourself, you’re at brunch.
20) If you need to bring your children, just let them loose in the silent meditation class. Nobody minds, and kids love candles.
21) Don’t buy $150 sneakers, $100 yoga pants, and $4 water. Muscle shirts are for people with muscles, and rhythm guitarists.
22) Fancy gyms can be seductive, but once you get past the modern couches and fresh flowers and the water with lemon slices, you’re basically paying for a boutique hotel with B.O.
23) Everyone sees you secretly racing the old people in the pool.
24) If you’re at the point where you’ve bought biking shoes for the spinning class, you may as well go ahead and buy an actual bike. It’s way more fun and it doesn’t make you listen to C+C Music Factory.
25) Fact: Thinking about going to the gym burns between 0 and 0 calories.
26) A successful gym membership is like a marriage: If it’s good, you show up committed and ready for hard work. If it’s not good, you show up in sweatpants and watch a lot of bad TV
27) There is no secret. Exercise and lay off the fries. The end.

Monday, February 24, 2014

Too Sick to Workout

So here I go again.  Another cold.  I swear it has been  a winter of having a cold every 3 weeks.  
It will now be 3 weeks since I have been able to meet with my trainer.  I hope I can make it to the gym soon. 

I found the below article helpful.  Its from All Canadian Fitness


In the middle of cold and flu season, I get tons of people asking me if they should bother working out when they’re sick, or if they should put their exercise on hold until they are completely symptom free.
Number one… listen to your body.  If you feel like you’re ready to die, stay in bed, rest, drink fluids etc…   You’ve got to really tune into how you feel and, ultimately, you make the call.
On the other hand, sometimes a bit of activity will help to make you feel better.  If you do choose to exercise, the intensity level and the duration of your workout should be taken down a notch.


Unless you are Michael Jordan trying to win the NBA Championship while sick with the flu… slow down a bit.
Another way to decide whether to train or not is the location of your symptoms.  If you’re sick “above the neck” (sore throat, mild headache, stuffy nose), as long as you aren’t “dying”, a bit of mild exercise might make you feel better.  You probably won’t make things worse.  Just keep in mind that your recovery ability is compromised, so don’t push too hard.
If your symptoms are “below the neck” (chest congestion, stomach ache, diarrhea etc…), do NOT work out.  These are signals from your body to take a break.  Chances are that doing a workout will slow recovery and make you more sick.  The “tincture of time” is what is needed here.  Treat your symptoms, rest and let your body heal itself.
If you have a fever, do NOT workout.  An elevated temperature is already putting you at risk for dehydration.  It simply doesn’t make any sense to push yourself in this state.


So, I guess the best advice is to err on the side of good judgement.  Don’t wimp out every time you have a tickle in your throat, but, don’t try to be a hero when you can barely stand without the room spinning.



Unless you are Michael Jordan and it’s game 7.

Thursday, February 20, 2014

Small Achievements can mean big Victories

                What do you do with the fat hanging out? 

                      Check out at http://www.theflatteringman.com/                
I thought the above ad was funny. 
 We all wish it was that easy.


                                 I Hate Push Ups


I know to some of you are not going to be impressive.  For me this was a big deal.  Push ups are new to my workout routine.  Today I was able to do 2 sets of 10 push-ups.  I can hear some of you right now saying "big deal, it only 20 push ups!".  Well let me tell you.  Last week, I could only do 10 push-ups.  I have doubled the number of push up I can do.

This was after doing kettle bell swings, kettlebell presses and kettlebell squats.  Not bad for a guy who's idea of a push up was the kind you eat.  

Just when you think you can't you do

                          It doesn't matter what you've heard                                                         Impossible is not a word                                                                           It just a reason                                                                             For someone not to try

   







Monday, February 17, 2014

Now for something completely different

I did promise that there would be some humor.  It has been awhile.  So here you go.


Whatever I do in reaction is my choice

I had an appointment with my trainer today.  I got there right on time, ready to go.  He tells me he thought our appointment was at 2:30.  I thought it was at 3:30. Instead of having him fit me in.  I told him I would wait to meet next week.  I left there feeling lots of things. Mad at me, because I got it wrong.  I was than got mad at him.  Thinking why didn't he send me a appointment reminder.  I was thinking why am wasting all this time and effort.  I have not been seeing much in the way of result lately.  I was ready to just say forget it.  I was ready to hit the McDonald's drive thru

On my way home, something I learned Sunday at church popped into my mind.  ( In case you read this Pastor Jim.  I do pay attention. I really am taking notes on my phone.) "Whatever I do in reaction is my choice.  I could choice to just be mad, sad, frustrated, angry or whatever else I was feeling.  Give up and just be done with it all. Go eat my Big Mac or 3. The other option is I could choice to push through it and use it get past whatever my problem is. Because to be perfectly honest it is my problem.  Not my trainer or anyone else problem. 

So I choose to react positively.  I choose to press on.  I choose to take responsibility when I make bad  choices. I choose to succeed.  

Saturday, February 8, 2014

Strength does not come from winning. Your struggle develop your strengths

I have been finding it hard to stay motivated.  I just have not had the energy.  It's been hard.  The less motivated I get the more disappointed I get with myself.   I think I may have finally turned a corner.  I forced myself to workout today instead of going swimming with the kids. I walked into the gym grumpy, tired and feeling like I have made no progress in the last month.  Almost Defeated.  My workout started out slow and without purpose.  As I progressed, I felt my mood change.  My walked turned into a slow run.  My slow run turned into a fast run.  Soon I was adding inclines. I know this sounds weird and almost new age.  The harder I worked out, the better I felt.  My mood improved.  I had more energy .  I was able to do more push up then I thought I could. I think I figured out that my workout is more then pounds and inches.  It's about how it makes me feel. Don't get me wrong I will still check the pounds and inches .  But I am starting to figure it's not the important thing.

Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Check out Emmy Smith's Site.

Check out the link below.  For full discloser, Emmy is my nephew's wife.  Does that make her my niece inlaw?




She has great tips.  She is a Certified Personal Trainer, Health Coach and Specialist in Sport Conditioning.  She is becoming a great resource of information for me.  





Monday, February 3, 2014

It Hurts so good.

Breaking in a new trainer

Today was my first workout with my new trainer. It felt good to leave the gym with that feeling of a hard productive workout.  My body is sore, but my spirits are up.  I have concluded that when you are in school to become a trainer,they must teach you to have that laugh.  You trainer know it.  That laugh that comes with that smile. Where you slightly enjoying the suffering and pain you are inflicting. I saw that smile and heard that laugh while I was doing my  new most hated exercise ,L Sits.  These make Squats look a walk in the park. I wanted to show a video.  But that would have given you the wrong impression of my ability.



I will be updating you on new adventures as I learn new exercises. 

FLIPBOARD MAGAZINE

Check me out on flipboard. I have created my own magazine.  I have compiled tweets and articles  that I find interesting .  Most are health and fitness. I try to find a few oddball ones to add to the mix.  Check it out at the below link 






Thursday, January 23, 2014

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

WWAD (What would Alex do)

First I have been pretty laid back with my workouts.  Lots going on at home.   Truck broke, twins getting tonsils removed, add dance for Hannah, Gymnastics for Avery and everyday life stuff.  Before you know it the workout is on the back burner.  Well I have made it to the Gym two days in a row.  That is pretty exciting.  I am back on track.  I have my first real workout with my new trainer next Monday.  I meet with him last week.  It will be like starting over.  He was unable to locate the file of my workouts with Alex. (my copies are in the broken truck at the shop).  New workout routines, new challenges.   Speaking of new workout,  I discovered a new kettle bell workout online.  I have been doing Kettle bell crawl and carry.  






So I bet you are all wondering why this posting is titled WWAD.  Usually when I workout by myself.  I come up with excuses for not wanting to keep pushing.  If I have to do 1 minute, I will tell myself it's OK I did 45 seconds.  If I get tired I tell myself it's OK to do 2 sets instead of 3 sets.  Well today While I was workout, I was trying to think of a reason not to keep pushing.  As I was on my hands and knees convincing myself  to do my next set of crawls.  I thought WWAD (what would Alex do).  He would kick my butt. He would not put up with me coming up with excuses.   So I pushed through,  finished my final set.   So when I want to quit I will remember WWAD.

Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Where's the Kettle Bells

So I went to a different YMCA today.  It was a very interesting experience.  I was unable to find the Kettle bells.  I wanted to do some swings.  I asked the trainer where I could find them. He said they do not let the general public use them.  They are for a class or to be used if you have a trainer.  I told him I have used them with and without a trainer.  So he gave in and got me one.  It was only 30 pounds.  I was not going to complain.  I got through one set of my Intervals.  I did my second set with the Kettlebells.  When I was done he asked of he could show me proper form.  I told him I know, I have bad form and I was working on not rounding my back.  He said that was not the issue. the issue was that I should not be swinging over my head.  I guess he has never heard of over the head kettle bell swings.  He kept telling me everything I have done wrong.That most trainers, don't have the knowledge he has.   He wasted my time so I could not finish my workout.  He gave me his card and said I should work with him.  I finally told him my trainer and I must be doing somthing right.  I have lost close to 60 pounds and over 100 inches.  I think that shut him up.



I have a new toy.  I had to spend down my FSA.  I was able to buy a heart monitor.  I am looking forward to using while working out.I wanted the fancy Polar brand. It was not covered by my FSA   I also start with my new trainer Mitchell next week. I am going to work hard to drop some major pounds by July.  I will be officiating my first wedding. Yes someone asked me to marry them. More information to come. 






Wednesday, January 1, 2014

New Year's Resolutions by the Numbers


New Year's resolutions—or, at least, making them stick—is an act of war. After all, you've got overcrowded gyms, after-Christmas designer sales, and winter's trademark lack of willpower to contend with.
So this year, if you want to come out on top, you've got to know your enemy. To help, we rounded up the top stats you need to know heading into 2014—plus some pointers on sticking to your guns.
45: Percentage of Americans who usually make New Year's resolutions
10: Amount by which people who fully commit to making resolutions are more successful at keeping them.
1 in 3: Number of people who ditch their vows by the end of January. Top reasons include being too busy or not being committed to their goals in the first place.
66: Percentage of resolvers who set fitness goals as part of their resolutions.
73: Percentage of those who gave up before meeting their goal.
4: The number of times those same people have given up on their fitness resolutions in the past.
7: Percentage by which men are more successful than women at resolving to exercise.
38: Percentage of people who don't make resolutions in the first place.
The Top American Resolutions:
21% Weight loss
14% Improve finances
14% Exercise
10% Get a new job
7% Healthier eating
5% Manage stress better
5% Stop/reduce smoking
5% Improve a relationship
3% Stop procrastinating
3% Set time aside for self
3% Start a new activity/hobby
2% Improve my work habits
2% Stop/reduce drinking alcohol
1% Assertion/learn to say no
Want to beat the odds? Tell others your goal, says John C. Norcross, Ph.D., ABPP, a distinguished professor of psychology at the University of Scranton and author of Changeology: 5 Steps to Realizing your Goals and Resolutions. "Going public increases accountability and allows for more support," he says.

Monday, December 30, 2013

One of the greatest inventions

I could make smoothies all day.  
Spinach, mango, banana, almond milk.