High

Image found on the Internet and all rights belong to its owner.

Though I haven't worked out in any capacity either Thursday or Friday, I'm still enjoying the afterglow of Monday and Wednesday's cardio workouts, the high. I've scheduled a workout routine for the next month that will dramatically impact my cardiovascular system, physical strength, and--possibly--increased that wonderful afterglow.

However, there's the food intake component. I've already felt the effects: my appetite is increasing with the higher activity level. And I know the new schedule will bring an onslaught of hunger pangs. I'm pulling old strategies to the forefront to deal with my stomach and mental status: fiber, more salads and veggies, bagels, peanut butter, lots of fluids, and trail mix. I'm debating if I want to bring back protein shakes. More small meals.

I will forge my physique. But first: by year's end, I will fit those pants!


Countdown: one day before blog change....

- posted by Unknown @ Saturday, September 25, 2004 0 comments

 
I'll huff and I'll puff and I'll...get off the treadmill...
Frank and Ernest

Who said you can't laugh while lifting weights/dieting?

Countdown: two day before blog change....

- posted by Unknown @ Friday, September 24, 2004 0 comments

 
Revelation from new pants
I was suppose to start weight-training on Tuesday. Note to operative word suppose. Note to self: 1) coffee when one gets home after work to avoid naps; 2) small meal preferably with minimal protein; and 3) do not turn to the Science Channel.

What's that cliche about paying the piper? Well, it's time to pay.

One of the benefits of getting older is that one's clothing sizes don't change as often compared to adolescence. This was true for me in both my pre and post-fitness days (circa 2000). For the past couple of years I've enjoyed size 34 (length), size 36 (waist) pants.

On Sunday I purchased several new pairs of pants with the above measurements and didn't bother to try them on at the store. Tried on a pair this morning...

Oops! I'm hittin' cardio classes and drinking mass quantities of appetite-surpressing fluids (zero calories, of course) hard over the next few months. I will fit in those fu#@&$% new pairs of pants by year's end, if not earlier!

Then I discovered...the lie!

Clothing's been a bit low this week since I didn't do the full wash last week. I checked the other new pants Wednesday morn and discovered they fitted fine (though a bit snug.) Miffed, I checked the size of the first pair (see above) and it's the same size. So now I know who to blame: it's the clothier's fault!

Still motivated by Tuesday's horrifying discover, I hit the gym that evening. Ugh! Cardio mixed with weights. Dangerous combo*. I'm gonna be sore tomorrow!

*What was really interesting was to see many long-time members at the gym, including the aerobic instructor. We seemed to have all simultaneously vanished from the workout scene roughly the same time last year and started again this month. Wow! Very encouraging.


Countdown: three days before blog change....
- posted by Unknown @ Thursday, September 23, 2004 0 comments

 
Yes, there are some tall (over 5'5") body builders....
Our Amateur Bodybuilder of the Week is...


Image found on the Internet and all rights belong to its owner.

James Kohler

Finally someone who is at least six feet. Now I don't feel so awkward...

Countdown: four days before blog change....

- posted by Unknown @ Wednesday, September 22, 2004 0 comments

 
Ugh....
Getting better in controlling my eating habits but still ate a sig amount on Sunday. Continuing to work on it.

Hit the gym hard on Monday. Cardio. Really need to get new shoes; I can feel my feet, ankles, shins, and knees affected by my worn-out sneaks.

Weight continues to hover around 204. But more telling are my clothes: pants are feeling way too snug in the morning, which is the time of day one one is most thin.

Countdown: five days before blog change....

- posted by Unknown @ Tuesday, September 21, 2004 0 comments

 

For all you ladies in the house....

Image found on the Internet and all rights belong to its owner.


Great Women's Fitness Web Sites
(thanks, Jamie!)


Countdown: six days before blog change....

- posted by Unknown @ Monday, September 20, 2004 0 comments

 

Commitment

Continued to change my diet. I’m (again) making a cursory glance at the calorie amount of what I eat. I’m aiming to change from eating three large meals per day (and evening snack) to a small meal every 2-3 hours. Developed a workout schedule for next week alternating between cardio and basic weight training (e.g., cardio on Monday; weights on Tuesday; etc.)



NOTE: You may stop reading. The following are my upcoming goals and barely relevant to the above post.

Among my goals, fitness is the most nebulous. Do I work out/diet for general health? Reshape my body? For athletics? For sheer strength? Or just to look good in speedos? All require different strategies.

Next week’s schedule is basically a warm-up in preparing my body for its new routine. And when will I be starting that routine? The countdown (see below) on all my blogs was not written on a whim.


Countdown: seven days before blog change....

- posted by Unknown @ Sunday, September 19, 2004 0 comments