2011-04-30

Day 13

Workout % : 66.7%
Body Fat  : 32%
Weight    : 253.8
Trend     : 253.2
% Lost    : 1.89%

Kind of a step back yesterday. It completely slipped my mind, but yesterday was the last day of work for a bunch of my coworkers. That means a team lunch for everyone, and no gym for me.

Disappointing that life so easily interferes with these plans.

My goal for the next couple of days is to avoid the implosion that happened last weekend. 

2011-04-29

Day 12

Workout % : 100.0%
Body Fat  : 32%
Weight    : 251.2
Trend     : 253.1
% Lost    : 1.92%

That's more like it. Having put together a new, more realistic training program, I think it was mentally easier to get my 3 workouts in yesterday.

My morning workout is simple I'm calling it the 100/100/100. 100 sit-ups, 100 push-ups, and 100 jumping jacks. Not complicated, not time consuming. Perfect for the morning.

Made it to the gym yesterday as well. I got in an upper-body cycle and a 30-minute elliptical trainer workout.

It seems that my weight always goes up following the 1st day back to the gym. I have 2 theories.
  1. The tiny bit of immediate muscle gain causes a temporary bump in weight.
  2. Whether it's a mental fabrication or not, I feel a lot hungrier on gym days and end up eating more food.
Regardless, I'll stick to it and hopefully we'll begin heading back down and get under that 250 mark again. 

2011-04-28

Day 11

Workout % : N/A
Body Fat  : 32%
Weight    : 250.8
Trend     : 253.3
% Lost    : 1.84%

I've had to restart this workout program. On some level, I recognized that my original plan was far too ambitious. It's hard to stay motivated when you're in such horrible physical condition that you can't make it through 7 minutes of a 55 minute workout.

So, I re-planned. I planned long term. 

Starting on Sunday, I'll begin the Power 90 program. I've kind of done this before, but never had the motivation to get through the entire 90-day program. Truth be told, I've never even made it to the 2nd half of the program. This time will be different.

2011-04-27

Day 10

Workout % : 19.4%
Body Fat  : 32%
Weight    : 250.0
Trend     : 253.6
% Lost    : 1.72%

It's truly time to turn this ship around. While the results have been pleasing, I've really struggled to make the necessary lifestyle changes. 

Well, summer is here. My excuses are gone. It's time to get serious with this deal. 

2011-04-26

Day 9

Workout % : 22.2%
Body Fat  : 32%
Weight    : 249.8
Trend     : 254.0
% Lost    : 1.56%

Keep on keepin' on. 

The only significant lifestyle changes I've managed to stick with have been eliminating soda from my diet, and not eating before bed. Despite such a half-assed effort, I'm losing weight.

I fully intend on getting to the gym today, and will be making use of that time to do some much needed studying.

2011-04-25

Day 8

Workout % : 26.1%
Body Fat  : 32%
Weight    : 250.0
Trend     : 254.4
% Lost    : 1.37%

Continuing with the theme from the entire long weekend, workouts were nothing more than a pipe dream. Managed to not float too far above that magical 250 pound mark though, so that's something.

Another long, stressful day at work. I really need to work on the my work-life balance if I'm going to be successful. I'm promising myself that I'll get to the gym at lunch tomorrow, come hell or high water. 

2011-04-24

Day 7

Workout % : 28.6%
Body Fat  : 32%
Weight    : 249.6
Trend     : 254.9
% Lost    : 1.17%

Well, we're one week in. I've done well enough diet wise (simply cutting out late night snacks seems to have had a major impact) even though I've dropped the ball on my workouts.

To tip the scales under 250 today was pretty significant. For a few years, I maintained a weight inside the 240-250 range. Then I went above that, and couldn't get back under...until now.

I'm setting a goal for myself of a sub-240 weigh-in before the May long weekend, which is 4 weeks from now. Shouldn't be too difficult, provided I stick to the plan.

2011-04-23

Day 6

Workout % : 31.6%
Body Fat  : 32%
Weight    : 252.6
Trend     : 255.5
% Lost    : 0.93%

Coming up on one week, and success has been somewhat "meh". The results are coming, slowly but surely, which is really all that matters.

Having said that, I need to find a better way of getting in my daily workouts. I also need to find a way of avoiding weekend eating binges...it's a lot easier throughout the work week.

I found out yesterday that I may be on the cusp of inheriting a high-end treadmill. If this comes to fruition, I will certainly be adjusting my workout plan. I think it would be a better idea to just do some jogging every morning (something I would love to do, but am rather embarrassed by the idea of running outside, where people can see) instead of mixing/matching various workout regiments.  

2011-04-22

Day 5

Workout % : 40.0%
Body Fat  : 32%
Weight    : 254.4
Trend     : 255.8
% Lost    : 0.80%

What a horrible start to the weekend.

Rough day at work led to a lunch at one of the local watering holes (which obviously includes a beer). Followed that up with a less than healthy dinner.

To make matters worse, I only got in my morning workout. Today, it doesn't look like I'll get any of my workouts in. I have to get more disciplined or this plan will not work.

2011-04-21

Day 4

Workout % : 45.5%
Body Fat  : 32%
Weight    : 251.2
Trend     : 256.0
% Lost    : 0.73%

So far, so good.

Got through my SWEAT 1-2 (from the original Power 90 series) last night...pretty simple stuff. Then tackled BURN CIRCUIT 2 this morning. A little more challenging, but still not bad.

It's been a really stressful week at work, and I'm definitely looking forward to a long weekend. I haven't gotten any of my lunch time workouts in (or my lunch time saunas!). This has to change next week.

The big challenge coming up will be getting my workouts in over the course of the weekend. If I can do that, and avoid partaking in the binge eating festivities, then I can probably emerge from the weekend sub-250 for the first time in a while. 

2011-04-20

Day 3

Workout % : 37.5%
Body Fat  : 32%
Weight    : 251.8
Trend     : 256.5
% Lost    : 0.51%

Rough day yesterday. Had an unanticipated lunch meeting that cut into my gym going plans. On the plus side, they served a healthier lunch than they usually do. This meeting caused work for me, which meant I got home far later than normal and missed my evening workout too. 

Hoping for a better day today. 

2011-04-19

Day 2

Workout % : 50.0%
Body Fat  : 32%
Weight    : 253.2
Trend     : 257.1
% Lost    : 0.30%

Not exactly off to a flying start at the gym. With this new schedule that sees me working out in the morning, I didn't have enough time to get my gym bag together. So I missed my 2 lunch workouts yesterday, though I did manage to get my evening workout in. Last night, I went through the Spartacus workout from Men's Health Magazine. Since I'm starting off from such a handicapped position, I only made it through 1 cycle and 2 exercises before running out of gas.

This morning's workout, the "FIRE 30 Class" from the Turbo-Fire series, is clearly spawned by the children of Satan. I've seen this series in stored and on TV pitched at people as a way to lose weight. Judging by the first video, it will certainly do that. The catch is that you would get the same workout by running on the spot, mixing in random punching and kicking motions with the odd jumping jack. The instructor leads a group of people through a cardio routine, but these people have clearly been practicing. Frequently, and without warning or explanation, she will jump into a different motion.

Having said that, it seems enjoyable and the time went by quickly. I can only imagine that the more frequently I see these videos the easier they'll be to follow. 

2011-04-18

Day 1


Workout % : N/A
Body Fat  : 32%
Weight    : 254.8
Trend     : 257.5
% Lost    : 0.12%

Difficult getting out of bed this morning. Alarm was set for 5:30, allowing sufficient time for a full morning workout. However, I binged on some of my favorite foods in anticipation of no longer having them (that's so wrong, and I know it), which means I had a restless sleep full of tossing and turning.

I did manage to hurry in today's morning workout, which was "Burn Circuit 1" from the "Chalean Extreme" video series. Not a bad video. The exercises are challenging, though it is somewhat unnerving that the video is led and performed by ultra-thin fitness models.

The rest of today's schedule includes a full day at the office, with a visit to the gym at lunch time. I plan on doing a quick upper-body cycle followed by a 30-minute ride on the stationery bike and a  7-8 minute stay in the sauna. 

2011-04-17

Day 0

Body Fat : 32%
Weight   : 257.8
Trend    : 257.8
% Lost   : 0.00%

I recently turned 30. I also recently realized a deep dissatisfaction with my physical appearance. Undoubtedly, the 2 are related facts (30 and the realization, not the weight problem).

I've put together a ridiculously ambitious workout plan that will carry me through the foreseeable future. I've acquired a series of products from Team Beachbody, as well as some from elsewhere on the web. These programs are typically targeted at people far closer to being in shape than I am, but a part of me still doesn't want to make the full admission of just how bad it is.

I recognize that I won't be able to complete the program (at least to start) but hopefully will build up the endurance as the days go by. I'll also do my best to not injure myself...that would put a severe dent in my plans.