So my weight has slowly been creeping back up, hitting 169 just a few days ago. It started off slowly at first, reaching around 165 after a brief dip down to the 161-162 range. I have been eating out a LOT, and missing several classes, so it's not really a surprise, but it does kind of suck to have gotten so far down only to let it get back almost to my max weight of 170. I was 167.4 this morning, as I have been trying to eat a bit better (finally went grocery shopping) and get to more classes this week (already at 3 this week and 1 workout down). Hopefully I'll be back below 165 by next week...
It is really amazing how much difference those extra pounds make when working out or doing forms. Even an extra 5 pounds can make it seem like you are wearing a weight vest or just make you feel all around sluggish and lethargic. It's almost hard to believe that I once maxed out around 203 or that just 6 months ago my mean weight was around 175-180. I hope to never go back to that, but it is a constant struggle to not let myself eat whenever and whatever I want. Especially because I absolutely LOVE food. Luckily, I have been taught how to shop smarter and been given some great advice on how nutrition actually works, both of which have played huge roles in my new routine. I will definitely have to do some more research into nutrition, though, as I know my knowledge in that area is still sorely lacking...
Anyway, just wanted to write a quick update, as I've been pretty lax with the whole blogging thing the past few weeks. I've noticed the number of readers has gone down quite a bit lately, and I blame myself for not really giving many updates, so I'll try harder to keep everyone current on my progress.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Week of Failure #2
This week was a bust. I missed nearly every goal though I had plenty of time and no good reason not to do everything on my list. I made only 4 classes this week, worked out only once outside of class, practiced only once and didn't even get a blog in at all (this one is late by about 2 hours). Pretty much a week of failure.
Not to say that I did nothing at all. I did get to hang out with friends, made a small trip to SA, got a lot of work done, and finished up my book of the month. It has been a while since I've missed my weekly goals, so I'm not really looking forward to a week with no video games. This past week I didn't play at all, and had no real desire to even fire up WoW or my 360. I am, however, human, and easily fall prey to the human weakness of wanting what I can't have. Thus, I can expect unusually strong cravings for WoW and Guitar Hero this coming week...
On a side note, I have been using FitDay every day since my last post and have grown to like it quite a bit. It does an excellent job of helping me to more accurately track my caloric intake, as well as a plethora of other nutritional tidbits I would never be able to keep tabs on with my written journal. I also use it to track my weight and daily activities, though I still have to start making notes of specific exercises, weights, and reps for my workout days. If you're interested in seeing what I'm eating and doing, you can view my public FitDay log at this link.
Also, I've decided to do away with actual book reviews. I've been dreading writing up this last review, mainly because I see it as such a chore. I enjoyed the book, but writing up a witty commentary on exactly why I liked it just makes me want to avoid blogging. I will probably mention some things in passing (yea or nay, quotes, etc.) but no official reviews anymore. Just too much hassle.
And with that, I'm off to bed. Hopefully I'll get back on track this week...
Not to say that I did nothing at all. I did get to hang out with friends, made a small trip to SA, got a lot of work done, and finished up my book of the month. It has been a while since I've missed my weekly goals, so I'm not really looking forward to a week with no video games. This past week I didn't play at all, and had no real desire to even fire up WoW or my 360. I am, however, human, and easily fall prey to the human weakness of wanting what I can't have. Thus, I can expect unusually strong cravings for WoW and Guitar Hero this coming week...
On a side note, I have been using FitDay every day since my last post and have grown to like it quite a bit. It does an excellent job of helping me to more accurately track my caloric intake, as well as a plethora of other nutritional tidbits I would never be able to keep tabs on with my written journal. I also use it to track my weight and daily activities, though I still have to start making notes of specific exercises, weights, and reps for my workout days. If you're interested in seeing what I'm eating and doing, you can view my public FitDay log at this link.
Also, I've decided to do away with actual book reviews. I've been dreading writing up this last review, mainly because I see it as such a chore. I enjoyed the book, but writing up a witty commentary on exactly why I liked it just makes me want to avoid blogging. I will probably mention some things in passing (yea or nay, quotes, etc.) but no official reviews anymore. Just too much hassle.
And with that, I'm off to bed. Hopefully I'll get back on track this week...
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Lazy Days
I have been way too lazy this past week. Like, borderline comatose lazy. Although I made it to conditioning class on Sunday, I skipped all of Monday, Tuesday noon class and all of last night. Thursday is my "day off" but I feel like I should be doing something just to shake off the feeling of apathy. I need to make it to 2 classes tomorrow AND Saturday morning black belt class just to barely scrape by with 5 classes for the week. Not to mention, I have to practice guitar/piano every day for the rest of the week, work out again tomorrow, and keep my steadily increasing weight under 170. I'm not really so much worried about hitting 170 as I am disappointed that I let myself slip so much after hitting 161 just the other week (168 as of this morning). Sigh.
I have also been putting off writing up a book review of last month's book, making some more changes to the list, and starting this months' research topic (I'm thinking stretching techniques). Apparently, I am just a list of complaints and self pity today. Sigh.
On the plus side, I am slowly but surely getting used to eating multiple smaller meals a day. I average 4 meals a day, sometimes 5 or 6 if I really try, and all around 200-600 calories. I still have a ways to go before getting completely accustomed to eating like this, and an even longer way to go before I can accurately calculate the calories I'm taking in without having to constantly read nutrition labels. I'm actually thinking of signing up for an online site called fitday.com that is supposed to be an excellent way to track meals and workouts. It may even replace my workout log if I like it, but I want to give it a decent test run before fully committing to it on the list. Anyway, I'd best get back to work, seeing as how I actually made it in to the office today (only the second time this week). Those excel sheets won't update themselves. Sigh...
I have also been putting off writing up a book review of last month's book, making some more changes to the list, and starting this months' research topic (I'm thinking stretching techniques). Apparently, I am just a list of complaints and self pity today. Sigh.
On the plus side, I am slowly but surely getting used to eating multiple smaller meals a day. I average 4 meals a day, sometimes 5 or 6 if I really try, and all around 200-600 calories. I still have a ways to go before getting completely accustomed to eating like this, and an even longer way to go before I can accurately calculate the calories I'm taking in without having to constantly read nutrition labels. I'm actually thinking of signing up for an online site called fitday.com that is supposed to be an excellent way to track meals and workouts. It may even replace my workout log if I like it, but I want to give it a decent test run before fully committing to it on the list. Anyway, I'd best get back to work, seeing as how I actually made it in to the office today (only the second time this week). Those excel sheets won't update themselves. Sigh...
Thursday, April 3, 2008
New Workout Routines!
So here are my new workout routines. There are a few main points I tried to hit when creating these and I've already seen some major improvements since starting last week, so hopefully this will be a good change up. I added pull ups as a major component of both routines, as I've found that they are bar none the best total upper body workout you can give yourself. On my best day, I've gotten in 3 sets at 13/8/6 reps, which isn't too shabby, but I'd like to get that to 3 sets of 12 minimum. I also added a decent sized push up set to both routines because, again, they are a key strength builder, and with so many varieties, you get a great overall workout doing them. I have three ab sets which I will rotate in for my 2 workout days a week. Eventually, I'd like to get all 3 ab sets in one week, just adding in the last one after a class or before bed. So, without further ado, here are the new routines. If you have any suggestions, feel free to comment. Or, better yet, go and try them out, and then tell me what you think!
Workout 1
Workout 2
Workout 1
| Exercise | Weight | Reps | Sets |
| Jump rope | 2 min | 1 | |
| Dynamic/Active stretching | 5 min | 1 | |
| Jump rope | 2 min | 1 | |
| Pull up | 12 | 3 | |
| Curl | 75 | 12 | 3 |
| Lunge w/ weight | 25 | 20 | 3 |
| One leg knee bend | 15 | 3 | |
| Shoulder lift | 25 | 12 | 3 |
| Inverse Curl | 75 | 12 | 3 |
| Ab workout 1, 2, or 3 | |||
| Push up - Normal | 10 | 1 | |
| Push up - Side to Side w/ MB | 10 | 1 | |
| Push up - Vertical or Incline | 10 | 1 | |
| Push up - Diamond | 10 | 1 | |
| Push up - One Hand | 10 | 1 | |
| Push up - Plyo (Clapping) | 10 | 1 | |
| Push up - Tricep | 10 | 1 | |
| Push up - Row | 10 | 1 | |
| Push up - Offset Hands | 10 | 1 | |
| Push up - Lateral Hand Raise | 10 | 1 | |
| Push up - Wide | 10 | 1 |
Workout 2
| Exercise | Weight | Reps | Sets |
| Jump rope | 2 min | 1 | |
| Dynamic/Active stretching | 5 min | 1 | |
| Jump rope | 2 min | 1 | |
| Pull up | 12 | 3 | |
| Rear Delt Raise | 65 | 12 | 3 |
| Knee bend (fingers touch) | 20 | 3 | |
| Calf raise w/ weight | 25 | 50 | 3 |
| Bench Press | 155 | 12 | 3 |
| Bentover Row | 40 | 12 | 3 |
| Ab workout 1, 2, or 3 | |||
| Push up - Normal | 10 | 1 | |
| Push up - Side to Side w/ MB | 10 | 1 | |
| Push up - Vertical or Incline | 10 | 1 | |
| Push up - Diamond | 10 | 1 | |
| Push up - One Hand | 10 | 1 | |
| Push up - Plyo (Clapping) | 10 | 1 | |
| Push up - Tricep | 10 | 1 | |
| Push up - Row | 10 | 1 | |
| Push up - Offset Hands | 10 | 1 | |
| Push up - Lateral Hand Raise | 10 | 1 | |
| Push up - Wide | 10 | 1 |
| Ab Workout 1 |
| Crunch w/ weight |
| Leg Lift w/ weight |
| Knee bent crunch |
| Crunch twist w/ weight |
| Oblique V-up |
| Flutter kicks (fast and slow) |
| Situp and punch |
| Supermans |
| Oblique crunch |
| Froggy crunch |
| Ab Workout 2 |
| Leg pull ins |
| Double crunch |
| Leg up crunch |
| Leg climb |
| Finger to heel oblique touchers |
| Bicycle |
| Cross leg situp |
| Supermans |
| Oblique V-up |
| Froggy crunch |
| Ab Workout 3 |
| Lower ab crunch |
| Decline situp w/ weight |
| Crunch twist |
| Hanging knees to chest |
| Hanging knees to side |
| Leg Lift w/ thrust |
| Leg climb |
| Back lifts |
| Side to side w/ weight |
| Froggy crunch |
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