Archive for February, 2010

February 7, 2010 Weigh-in

February 8th, 2010

This past weekend really did a number on my weight. I did lose 1.4 pounds, but I had some celebratory lunches/dinners — my older sister’s going-away party and the super bowl — that probably hurt me a bit.

As for exercise, I did not get as much cardiovascular exercise as I’d hoped; the weight training I did led to very fatigued and sore muscles that just would not go like I wanted them to. This coming week I hope to be able to get a little more in as my body acclimates to the stress of the consistent weight training.

None of my other stats changed, but I am happy I was able to stick to my diet enough to lose that 1.4 pounds no matter how insignificant it might look.

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The First Week Is Not Even Over

February 3rd, 2010

This is day three and I’m wishing for next week already. Since my workout schedule right now involves weight training in the morning on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday I’m attempting to adjust to waking up early once again. I’ve been struggling with it lately and it’s a big hurdle for me.

Monday I woke up with no problems, possibly due to all the excitement of starting this personal challenge. I made it to the gym and I tore through the workout. As it turns out I was probably a little over-zealous as I am incredibly sore now and the soreness slightly restricts everyday movements such as walking. I was supposed to run after work on Monday but Lisa and I had a meeting with the priest who is performing our marriage and it interfered with my scheduling.

I attempted to make up the run after work yesterday, but managed only to run a short distance and finished out the 45 minutes outside with walking. Sore muscles are not fans of the running. The plan is to wake up at the same time everyday, but at 5:15 a.m. on Tuesday I decided that the warm bed was more important. I’m not disappointed with that decision since my body most likely needed some more recovery time.

This morning, I forced myself through the workout at the gym. My legs are still sore from Monday and today included dead lifts and step-ups which were difficult but I managed to pull through the slight discomfort. I’m proud of myself.

I do feel better now despite the sore muscles. I feel like I have more energy during the day. That will be the one thing that gets me through this process.

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Posted in Announcements and Rambling

The Buff Smoothie

February 2nd, 2010

I cannot take credit for this recipe. Alton Brown introduced this application in his Good Eats episode entitled “Live and Let Diet“. During the show Alton described the method he used to lose 50 pounds.

One of his many “rules to live by” outlined in this episode is to eat breakfast always, no exceptions. Prior to this challenge I have always been a breakfast eater; it is probably a carry-over from my more healthier days. The one challenge that must always be overcome is finding the time to prepare and consume breakfast. When one works out in the morning, like I do, time is definitely a commodity.

Enter the Buff Smoothie. Prepare the ingredients in the blender carafe the night before and run the blades in the morning when you are ready. It really is that easy.

Buff Smoothie

Ingredients:

  • 4 oz. Juice (grape, pomegranete, Acai, etc.) by weight;
  • 4 oz. Soy milk by weight;
  • 4 oz. frozen banana slices;
  • 4 oz. frozen peaches;
  • 4 oz. frozen blueberries;
  • 4 oz. frozen strawberries.

Instructions:

  • Combine all ingredients in blender carafe and refrigerate overnight.
  • In the morning assemble blender and mix over low speed for one minute. Blend on high for an additional minute to whip air into mixture.

To make it a little better for my nutritional goals I add one or two scoops of protein powder — Optimum Nutrition 100% weight is my product of choice. I add this in the low speed blending step.

Eating this in the morning usually keeps me satisfied until my 10:00 a.m. snack time.

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Posted in Nutrition

February 1, 2010 Weigh-in

February 1st, 2010

These posts are going to be embarrassing at first. Just pull the Band-Aid® off, right?

This morning I weighed myself after working out and eating breakfast right at 266.4 lbs. I’ll use this as my “starting” weight as I begin my journey to my goal weight of 178 lbs. I feel horrible. Oh what the weeks will change.

According to the Mayo Clinic online BMI calculator my current BMI is 36.1 which puts me in the obese category.

Using my Accu-Measure body fat calipers my body fat percentage is 25.4%.

I did not get a chance to take my blood pressure today. I will be seeing my doctor on February 11 and at that time will ask him for recommendations on an accurate in-home blood pressure monitor. I will use the reading from my visit as my baseline.

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Posted in Weekly Weigh-in