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.

Day 37: Plyometrics

Still feeling sick. Not as sick as Wednesday but enough that the couch was more tempting than working out. Still pushed through plyometrics which is a tough one when you're not feeling it.

I also picked up Madden 2010 today. I wasn't going to let myself play until I got my workout done though. It was a nice treat to sit down and beat the Vikings in OT tonite.

Day 36: Total Body Plus followed by Ab Ripper X

Still not feeling 100% yet. I'm hoping by tomorrow I'll have this cold kicked though. This was my first time doing the Total Body Plus workout. It was exactly that, a little bit of everything to make you hurt all over....

pushups, pullups, lunges, curls, squats, etc.

It was tough to push through this one and I was glad when it was over. Here's to some better health this weekend!

Day 35: Rest & Weigh in

Ugh, so sick. Slept for two hours after work today. I hate summer colds.

Final weight: 188.4 lbs.
Weight lost this week: 1.7 lbs.
Total weight lost: 6.4 lbs.

Day 34: Kenpo X

If there is one thing I hate more than starting a workout at 8pm it's summer colds. So, you can imagine how I felt tonite working out late and feeling like crap. Aches, chills & a runny nose do not make working out fun. I really wanted to phone it in tonite.

This was my first time doing the Kenpo X workout. It wasn't a bad cardio workout. Being a 3rd Degree black belt had its advantages here. My only problem was that I found myself constantly critiquing their technique and form which at times was pretty bad! Plus, I've never heard a front kick called a "ball kick".

Ughhhh. Feel like crap. Must sleep.

Hopefully I'm feeling better tomorrow. My plan is to skip my rest day tomorrow and start right up again so that my rest day falls on a Tuesday. Tuesday & Thursdays are the toughest days to get a workout in so if I can make one a rest day it will help.

Day 33: Legs & Back followed by Ab Ripper X

Not feeling it today. Work was one of those looooooooooong days with not a whole lot to do. It really felt like a 14 hour day instead of 8. It's amazing what that does to your energy levels when you got home. If I was not committed to the program I probably would have phoned it in today. I pushed through it though and this is not one of my favorite workouts.

I have big legs that are extremely strong so you think this would be a breeze, right? Wrong. 21 years of martial arts have given me fantastic fast twitch muscles but holding lunge after lunge tires my legs quick. I'd much rather throw 400 roundhouse kicks into a heavy bag any day.

Hopefully tomorrow will find me with a bit more energy.

Day 32: Yoga and 2.5mile Run

Now that my wife Christy is a rep for Advocare we get all sorts of great products. I've been taking Catalyst and Slam. Slam gives you a nice burst of energy that really helps you push through tough workouts. Catalyst is great for maintaining energy levels and muscles when you are on a restricted calorie diet.

I took the Slam today before Yoga and was left with enough energy to get in a 2.5 mile run before the storms hit. It felt good to run without Eva today. Not having to push the jogging stroller was a nice change of pace. However, the 90 degree and extremely humid weather was another story.

The weight seems to be coming off nicely now. It was Thursday night that I finally hit the 180s at 189. Yesterday I was at 188 and this morning I was at 187. It would be awesome to finish in the 170s.

Day 31: Back & Biceps followed by Ab Ripper X

Back to strength training as we focus on the back & biceps. I didn't realize there were so many variations of the curl! Great workout for for the arms though but it was my upper back that was burning.

After getting so exciting seeing that "8" yesterday in the tens spot, I was surprised to see it joined by another 8 in the one's spot. 188.4 today!

Day 30: Plyometrics

Woo hoo! 1/3 of the way down and still going with it. Not a single missed workout.

Put yourself in this situation:

You normally get out of work at 4pm. It's been a long week. At 3:30 in the afternoon a late change comes across your desk. Crap. Instead of getting out at 4pm you now get out of work at 5:15pm. Traffic is much worse now. You have to stop and pick up some groceries on the way home. Now you get home at 6:30pm Do you still get in your 1hour workout knowing you won't be done until 7:30pm - on a Friday no less. I did.

That's why I'm going to get results.

Day 29: 2mile run followed by Chest & Back followed by Ab Ripper X T

More progress today. The last time I did this routine I did 130 total push-ups. Today I did 154. I'd love to hit 200 by the end of the 3 months. The biggest improvement was in standard push-ups (52 from 39), military (14 from 6) and diamond (24 from 15).

Why did I throw in a run before an hour long workout? Well, this is Wisconsin and it's festival and fair time. The best food comes out at this time and 99% of it is terrible for you. State Fair started this week and new treat this year is chocolate covered bacon. Yes, you heard right. Last week I tried chocolate chip & bacon cookies and found them absolutely delicious. I actually had already eaten two before I found out there was bacon in them.

Anyways, the State Fair staple is the cream puff. It looks like a giant hamburger but instead of buns, it's a light pastry and instead of beef, it's a giant helping of whip cream. The whole thing is then sprinkled with powdered sugar. The ones at the fair are about the size of a dinner plate. Our cafeteria at work was serving one's the size of a saucer today. I couldn't resist but promised myself I would run at least 2 miles before my workout to make up for it. Gotta earn it, right?

I've really been trying to develop a "earn a treat" lifestyle. Want fast food, gotta earn it. Want to play Xbox Live for an hour with some buddies, gotta earn it. It's not easy but you feel a whole lot better knowing you earned it.

Bonus: Day 29.5 (after workout, after shower)

189.4!!!!!! Finally! You have no idea how thrilled I am. I honestly cannot remember the last time the number 8 was in the tens spot. The only time an eight was in my weight was when I was 198 and then I was just thrilled to be under 200. It doesn't sound like much but this is huge to me and my motivation has just went through the roof.

Day 28: Rest & Weigh-in

I took pics tonite but will have to go back and actually post them. Or maybe not. They aren't much to look at once again, so maybe I'll just spare everybody. I never got sun like I promised. Well, this is now 4 weeks in. Tomorrow starts phase 3 which is back to lifting again. The rest did me some good today. I'm seriously beat. I fell asleep on the couch tonite and I'm making this post while my iPod gets updated.

Here are some notes for this month: Just under 5 pounds lost. Gained two notches on my belt. Pants definitely getting looser. I'm feeling good. Once thing that ticked me off today was my wrist. I noticed my watch was loose. I think I managed to lose weight in my forearms. I didn't realize my arms needed to lose weight. Why can't it just take it from the gut?

Final weight: 190.1 lbs.
Weight lost this week: 1.7 lbs.
Total weight lost: 4.7 lbs.

Day 26 & 27: Core Synergistics & Yoga (plus a run)

Day 26: Core Synergistics

This was the second time around on Core Synergistics and I still love it. Felt a lot more comfortable doing the drills & exercises the second time around. Still my favorite workout of the bunch and it leaves your core feeling great. Time got away from me though and I forgot to post!

Day 27: Yoga (plus a run)

Another difficult day schedule wise. I was going to have the baby after work until 7:30pm and I knew it would be difficult to get my workout in that late at night. My only option was to workout in the morning. The problem was that I needed to get to work early as well (I start at 7:30am already as it is). So, I got up at 5:00am and worked out. Yoga in the morning feels great and is probably the easiest of the workouts to do waking up.

After work, I decided to try a new jogging route with Eva. It was only 2.5 mile run but it felt great as second workout. I've been trying to find a route that involves less street crossing and quieter streets. This one seems to have both.

Day 24 & 25: Yoga and Heavy Bag

Thought I skipped a day? Yesterday was very tight schedule wise. With Christy working until noon, I was a baby duty. Working out is impossible with her unless it's jogging. Once Christy got home, I had 2 1/2 hours to workout, shower, eat, pack and head to Madison for the night. I got my yoga workout in but saved my post for today.

Last night, I got together with my friend Marc in Madison. We had tickets to the "Madtown Throwdown, a UFC style cage fighting event. We saw 12 fights over the course of the night - 5 amateur, 7 professional with 2 title fights. It was incredible to watch. You wanna talk about being in shape, these dudes were cut. I couldn't help but to pay close attention to the heights & weights and what that looked like on these fighters. Several fighters were my height or within an inch: 5' 8". Their weights fluctuated between 135 & 195 but all were completely ripped.

It was good motivation for me though. So, today I deviated from the schedule once again. Todays workout was supposed to be "Stretch X" which is simply that - stretching. I'm not worried about my flexibility. You wouldn't look at me and think I can do the splits but I can still get down with my front splits and still kick above my head. So, instead of stretching I beat on the heavy bag for 45 minutes (with sprints mixed in). It felt great.

Today I also wore Christy's heart rate monitor which keeps track of my average heart rate, peak heart rate and calories burned. My heart rate peaked at 178 which was a little lower than I had hoped for but I managed to burn over 500 calories in that time. Since, I'm currently taking a calorie burner you take 10-15 minutes prior to working out, it was probably much, much more.

Alright, that's all for now.

Day 23: Core Synergistics

This was a brand new workout in the program and my favorite so far. This was a lot of fun but a LOT of work. Every exercises had you working your core (back, chest, stomach, hips). Arms got a great workout too though. Lot's of plank work, push-up varieties and lunges. There were roughly 20 exercises with nothing repeated. I did really well with the first half and kept up well. Some of the exercises towards the end were just kicking my butt though. I look forward to doing this one again.

Day 22: 5 mile run

Woot! A new personal best for me today. I can't remember the last time I ran 5 miles.

Today started phase two with a new workout schedule. Today was supposed to be Yoga. With the wife working late tonite, I wasn't going to be able to do yoga and watch the baby. So, tonite we ran, and ran, and ran. I actually start to tire by the end of this run. My hips started to get a bit sore. Other than that, the legs and everything else felt good.

When Kenpo comes up on this week, I'll substitute for th missing yoga workout. Cookie day came and went again at work. That's 4 weeks now without touching a cookie!