Day 44: Plyometrics

Well, I finally pulled a muscle. Last night during Chest & Back I felt something go deep in my lower abdominal area while trying to pull out one more pull-up. I was hoping it would be better this morning but it has been bugging me all day. I was paranoid it was a hernia but it just appears to be a muscle pull.

The muscle pull didn't effect me too much today though. The only time it become uncomfortable was during lunges but even that seemed to disappear with time.

Tonite I wore my wife's heart rate monitor to get a better idea of where my heart rate was at, what its peak was and how many calories I burned.

I only peaked at 160 but the particular workout tends to bring muscle exhaustion before cardio exhaustion. I burned over 550 calories in 45min but what was really great is that 45% of those calories where fat calories. My wife said that was fantastic and that most of their clients only burn between 25-35%. It all has to do with where your heart rate is at while working out and where and when you peak. It was nice to know though.

Day 43: Chest & Back followed by Ab Ripper X

What a day. After work it was daddy duty as I spent a good hour assembling the play kitchen that grandma bought Eva today. By the time I was done, it was time for dinner. Tonight was probably the latest I got started on a workout. I think I finished at about 9:10pm

Two things made it easier to do tonight's workout.

1. Christy was willing to do it with me. A partner always makes a workout easier as you can push each other to keep going.

2. It was Chest & back. One of my favorite workouts. I love seeing my progression with push-ups and trying to beat last week's numbers.

Speaking of numbers, I beat all of last weeks numbers except in decline (1 less) and diamond (2 less). However, overall I did 12 more push-ups than last for a total of 166 push-ups. Way back in week one, I only managed 99. That's 67 more push-ups!

Day 42: Rest & Weigh in

It feels good to take the night off. I'm going to enjoy relaxing.

Final weight: 186.8 lbs.
Weight lost this week: 1.6 lbs.
Total weight lost: 8 lbs.

Day 41: 3.25 mile run

Ahhh, cardio day. I was on baby duty so nothing is easier than taking a jog. Eva slept for most of it but I think she missed a pretty good run. Felt really good out there today and worked up a killer sweat. I felt really strong at the end too which is a good sign.

Day 40: Legs & Back followed by Ab Ripper X

Wow. 40 days. Seems like I've been doing this forever now and I'm not even to the halfway mark!

I did not think I was going to have a good workout today. I was just beat going into it and started off a bit sluggish. I really hit the zone early though and finished surprisingly strong. By the time I got to the Ab Ripper portion I was really cruising.

I hit a new low this weekend that didn't involve drinking, partial nudity or livestock. I hit 185 which I was pretty stoked about. The thing about new lows is that don't become a standard high for about a week or more it seems. It's been quite some time since I was registering in the 190s so I'm glad to be consistently below that.

I really have to thank my wife Christy though for all her support in this. I would not be where I'm at if not for her. The daily 1hr+ commitment this takes is tough on both of us. By her taking care of Eva's nightly feeding & bathing I'm able to get my workout in. If not for her allowing me to get these workouts in, this would be impossible.

Thanks wife!

Day: 38 & 39 ~ Back & Biceps, Ab Ripper, Yoga

I was too busy on Saturday to post. I left early with Eva for Oconomowoc to check out the Festival of the Arts. The taekwondo school where I got my start was performing for their 17th year there. It was a great chance to see a bunch of the students again. The last time they all saw me, I was between 195-200lbs. It was great to see their reactions to the weight I've lost. It's harder to notice when you see yourself everyday.

After the festival, it was off to our neighborhood block party. Mmmmm, beer and grilling. While at the Festival, I was able to find a tuna fish pita pocket and bottled water. The health choices at the block party were not so easy to find. I kept it 2 Miller Lights and had some taco salad. We excused ourselves early and I still got my workout in before 7:30pm.

Rather than push it that late again, this morning I did my yoga as soon as I got up. Now I won't have my workout hanging over me all day.