Testing 1....2....2

Another Challenge in the books.....

I am happy to say that this was my best challenge so far. The 52DC crew provided some great support! You all have been my best advocates, a key part of my persistance and success. I hope I can return the encouragement to all of you....

I actually fell below 200 lbs which is first time since September of 2006. The key for me, as I knew it would be, is keeping to a clean diet. Very little in the way of carbs, no crackers, pasta, potatoes or desserts. I am not where I want to be yet. In fact, I think of it this way, I have a better body and I am hoping to get a very-good body by the end of the spring.

Feelin' smaller everyday.

I am a people watcher. Watch people at the airport, in the restaurant, on the slope... everywhere. I also look to see how I compare. Most of the time, I don't measure up. We are our toughest critics. I try to give myself a break but I am anxious to be happy with what I look like. I can't complain too loudly, when I look down I don't see a massive gut. I am down 14 lbs as of yesterday since the begining of this 52DC winter challenge. Patience grasshopper...

This new little tid-bit of knowledge has encouraged me. It seems, according to Men's Health, that full fat cheese "is an excellent source of casein protein—one of best muscle-building nutrients you can eat". Even 10 ounces a day for 3 weeks didn't budge one study groups bad cholesterol. Not even a cheese lover like me could eat 10 ounces of cheese a day.. Well maybe I could but I don't.

The cookie

It was big, full of chocolate chunks, staring me right in the face. The little sign next to the cookie read that it only contained 430 calories. It was in the front of a display at Starbucks and I had just walked into the store after having a stressfull day. What would it hurt to have one cookie?? I could even have it with a coffee. It would be my little reward for getting through the day. I have been pretty good about watching what I eat during this challenge. There have been celebrations and parties where I passed on cupcakes, brownies and cake. I have slipped once or twice but my cheats now consist of going over the edge ever so slightly, an extra beer or a couple of crackers or pretzels. In previous challenges a cheat day meant like 5000 calories.

I passed on the cookie. I was happy and proud, all of that. I am not saying this to brag because I could fall back into my old habits, easily. I mention this one win because if I can do it, anyone can do it....

My workout today

I do a superset workout. Here it is:

5 minute warmup/stretch

1. Do a set of each, then rest 45 sec. Three sets total.
Leg Press
370 lbs (10x10x10)
Shoulder Press
115 lbs (8x7x6)

2. Repeat (45 sec rest after doing a set of both excercises)
Dead Lift
135 lbs (9x8x8)
Tricep extension
75 lbs (8x8x8)

3. Repeat (45 sec rest after doing a set of both excercises)
Incline Lat Pull Down
130 lbs (10x8x8)
Leg Cul
130 lbs (8x6x7)

4. Repeat
Dumbell Squats
50lbs in each hand (10x10x10)
Dumbell Tricep Extension
25 lbs in each (10x8x8)

5. Pullups (4x4)

Those who workout in glass houses should fog the windows...

... That is what I was thinking while working out the hotel gym in Barcelona Spain this week. Hotel gyms are usually bad and this was no exception. There was a two treadmills (one was broken), two bikes and an elipitical. There was a few dumbells, all under 25 lbs. The gym was on the outside of the hotel and had glass walls on the front of the room. I made it my mission to fog them up during my cardio workouts. Yesterday, a women asked me if would be ok to leave the door open. She needed to cool off. No foggy windows for that workout but I have to say she was really sweet (english accent) and a killer body. Gave me a little extra motivation!!

A little surprise..

Yes! I stepped on the scale this morning, knowing that I would report in on the 5% challenge and I found that I had lost 7 pounds. I was a little shocked and pleased at the same time. I don't expect to keep this weight loss up. I know it won't happen and if it does than it wouldn't be healthy but this is does, in a small way, validate the TNT diet/workout plan.

When I started out a couple of challenges ago, I thought just doing a challenge would motivate me and help me get to where I want to be (didn't fully work). With the next challenge, I thought a blog would help but with the holidays I sabotaged my eating. This time, I am going with a working plan, taking before pictures and staying far away from the goodie table at work. The table was full of cookies and candy that were left over from the holidays.

A new start

I am into my first week using the TNT program. I am looking forward to reaping some of the rewards (weight loss, better health). My beginning weight was 217 lbs. I am looking to lose 11 lbs or %5 of my total weight. I can say after just a few days that I am feeling really good. I was a little weak on Tuesday night but I have read that things get easier with any program after the fourth day, I am now into my fourth day. I have done two 52 day challenges and have had some success but I am looking to really have a good year with the TNT program. As I have said before I am looking to be a "beach" guy not a "big" guy....

Past the halfway mark.

My numbers are within reach, my personal goals...not so much.
The 3600 numbers are mostly near half of my needed numbers. I've already passed the crunches numbers. What does this all mean??

I feel fit, I feel strong but I still feel like I need to do more. The eating numbers worry me because I don't feel like I am losing any weight. Weigh-in on Monday.....

CE: 51/58/95
RT: 12/24
CT: 15/25
PG1: 7 morning skates
PG2: 5/10 consecutive pull ups
PG3: Lose 10 lbs
PG4:3600 Challenge
cardio mins 540/800
push ups 290/600
crunches 850/800
leg presses 210/400
dead lifts 210/300
squats 255/400
leg lifts 140/300

A little Bleaker...

Fall is here and it's getting darker and more grey all the time. I am not feeling too good after a busy business trip, where I didn't eat so well. I realize that I have to step up with this challenge if I am going to meet my goals.

An interesting article was brought to my attention by a co-worker. It seems that there is a new way that hockey skates are being sharpened. The type of sharpening is what is called a flatbotton-V. The NY Times details it as "The flat-bottom V uses specially made spinners to carve out tiny fangs along the skate blade’s ridges that bite into the ice for turns. The flat bottom between the fangs, similar to the flat cut of a speedskater’s blade, puts more of the blade’s surface in contact with the ice and is supposed to increase speed." I could use a little more speed when I skate. That is when I skate. I promised that I would start after this past trip was over.

Here is the link to the whole article if you are interested - http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/02/sports/hockey/02skate.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=skae%20sharpening&st=cse


Even more interesting is an article that was linked to the skating one. This was titled "Why Doesn’t Exercise Lead to Weight Loss?" The link is below. I am not sure that I believe it. I will wait for more research. I would hate to think there is no "afterburn" when my workout is done.

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/11/04/phys-ed-why-doesnt-exercise-lead-to-weight-loss/?scp=1&sq=excercise&st=cse

End of a great weekend!

First true test of this challenge came yesterday. My wife and I went to a good friend's anniversary party. I ate light in the morning and avoided a lot of temptation at the party. Stuck to a few light beers, veggies, cheese and a few shrimp. This was just the kind of event where I would cheat. I'd have non-light beer, chips, crackers, cake, meatballs. All of those foods where available, but I passed. I did see a lot of old friends, guys I knew from summer camp and college.....

I got a good upper body workout in yesterday morning. Worked on chest, abs and arms.

Today was a nice sunny day here, north of Boston. I went to my Father's house. I did a lot of outdoor work, raked some leaves, stacked wood and cut his lawn. Then I came home and raked some more leaves. We watched the Patriots win... My son called from Clemson U. He was excited that the Tigers upset the host Miami Hurricanes.

Not a bad weekend.

Day One in the Books!

Yesterday was the first day of the challenge. I am happy with the results. I ate well and I had a 40 minute cardio session. Threw around the football after work, adding to my calories burned. I use fitday to calculate.

1,767 total in

3,858 burned

2091 deficit

Looking forward to a good RT workout and maybe some cardio later.

Later tonight I am serving dinner @ the Boston Living Center. The Center is a supportive environment to those infected with and affected by HIV/AIDS.

One more day....

Chest and arms workout this morning.

Bench
warm up set
bench press - 205 - 7X7X5
dumbel press 50

Curls
warm up set
barbell curls 90 - 8x8x6
dumbell curls 30 - 10X10
pushups - 40

I am happy with the Patriots win in the snow this past Sunday!!!

Getting ready for the next challenge

Two more days until the "Classic" challenge. I am looking to give this everything I have.


Failure is absolutely not an option.