New Start

Today has been an interesting day.  Started off with not getting up when I wanted to.
Since the time change was on Sunday, my goal was to get up at the "Same" time and try to get some additional extercise in.  Oh well not today, we will try again tomorrow.

During lunch today I went for a run and OH what a fun run it was.  1st starting out my legs were very sore and stiff.  Then as I kept running i found my chest to start hurting, unfortunately that never went away.  On my way back to the gym, within the last 10th of a mile, I FELL !  Not just a fall, but my feet got caught up in a metal wire ring that esentually hog tied me and down I went.  Now you have to understand where I was ON MAIN STREET !  Cars everywhere, me trying to cross the intersection and not paying attention to my feet but the cars that try to kill me on a daily basis......yup down I went rolling into the intersection.  Needless to say I quickly got up brushed myself off and continued my run.....

Today was Monday which means Chest & Triceps day in the Gym.  It started off slow but had a good end
Flat barbell bench
3 sets x 10 Reps (65 lbs)

Incline Bench
10 x 115lbs
10 x 135lbs
10 x 155lbs
2 x 225lbs

Triceps pull-downs (v-bar)
12 x 60lbs
12 x 80lbs
4  x 80lbs

Narrow Push-Ups
3 sets x 10 Reps

over the head cable pulls (Triceps)
3sets x 10-20 Reps
60, 70, 80

Dumbbell flys
30 x 10 Reps
35 x 10 Reps
40 x 10 reps

Flat bench using solid steel bar
135 x 3 sets
10, 8, 8

Philippians 4:13

There are days that sometimes I wonder why I do certain job duties. I wonder if there might be a better person for the job. Then I remember that the Lord has placed me here for a reason. GOD I LOVE YOU!   Through you I can do all things. Please strengthen me.

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Max cardio cond. + insane abs.

I still do not like having to do the beg. portion of Insane abs, run, jumps.....however I did it.
Not able to make it all the way through the 45 sec sets but tried my best.

Burned about 850 cal. for both workouts.

On a lighter note, I had Moo & Britt do the warm up with me today.  That was funny.  It like to beat both of them !

Post Max Interval Plyo

So I have to say, Max Interval Plying has to be my least favorite routine....I feel so sick on my stomach when I get done. However on a positive note I almost finished all of the level 3 drills. Only missed it by 5 on the last set!

Eyes on this finish line

Ok so here is the deal.  I have been a complete slacker and have to repeat one more week.  However I now think I am back and In action.  New finish date is Sep. 19, 2010.

Today I did a random video which turned out to be one of my least favs, Max Interval Circuit.  The down side to this video is it kicks my butt.  HOWEVER the upside to it is I burned 866 calories in the workout.  That is just too awesome !  I am striving to hit the 1,000 calories during the workout before I complete the program.

Max Recovery

Well....I'm a little upset about today.
The video was not downloaded from the network to my LT so I had to run the video from the CD 1/2 way through the program decided to crash on me and would not recover.

As for the part that I did do.  I'm not a big fan of the warm-up on this workout.  A lot of foot rotations from warrior1 to hip flexor and my floor is not setup for that.  However once we got into the actual workout portion of the video it seemed to be very cool.  I like the side balance thing that we did.......right before the video crashed.

After the crash I did the whole body drill and finished the workout from one of the other max workouts.  Then did Ab Ripper X.

Look forward to next week to do the whole video....will download the video to the hard drive tomorrow :-)

Max Cardio & Cond.

Max Cardio Conditioning

very interesting workout.  Much like pure cardio each of the moves are done only once so you can play mind games with yourself and try to push through each one of them !

On each of the squats on these I find that I need to focus on getting my butt down and getting my knees behind my toes.  I am leaning forward too much.

and.......Yes DIAMOND Jumps Suck !

Max Interval Plyo

This workout was really tough !  Pushed through but had to take many breaks.
First Set
1 leg v pushups - suck.
Power Jumps - really hard and exhausting.

Second Set
level 3 drills !  THESE ARE THE WORST !!! I almost made it through the 1st round, LOL
power lunges/hop squats.  I find that these are really hard and place strain on my left knee.

Final Set
Side Pushups.  I was really good on my left side, however when it got to my right side I could not make it through.  I think this has everyting to do with the weakness I have in my right arm specifically my right tricept

FINALLY ............Diamond Jumps & Power Knees.
Power knees not so bad... BUT the diamond jumps are the worst....

Balance Push ups, not bad just hard.

Max Day 1

Pushed really hard on the Fit Test.  Was quite impressed with my results.
My overall reps were not much if any more than the previous fit tests, however my heart rate was siginifiantly lower and I performed all the moves as they should be performed.  No bad form......Really happy with that.

Now on to the max work out.
Today's workout was the Max Interval Circuit
Oh My Gosh !  3 Sets of the Triple repeat exercises, along with the new exercises.  This totally broke me down to the point where I just about gave up.  the Full body move is absolutely exhausting !  I also was so burnt that I could not do the on the ground switch kicks.

On the plus side, I burned about 450 Ck during the Fit Test and Can you believe over 800 CALORIES during the Max workout !! WOW !


I am looking forward to trying this video fresh, with nothing else before it.

Last of the Recover

I decided not to do my workout on Sat. or today in prep for the fit test and the 1st max workout.  Let's hope this pays off !

Thursday - Recovery Week

Another recovery done, the shoulders section of this video still kills me and I can not do the right side knee pulses & ext.

Other than that had a great time, Matthew did most of the workout with me......so that was fun to watch him.  He kept trying to show everyone his abs...haha  was too cute.

Progress

Photos taken 1st thing in the morning. 174 lbs

Wed Night

Lifted hard at the gym.  Church & choir practice.  Not doing my insanity workout tonight.

Tredmill

Day 2 on the treadmill.  My whole ankle area on both feet are sore today and the Inside , maybe muscle, of my knees hurt.  Going to take some ibuprofen to see if I can get it to stop.

Tuesday - Recovery Week

Recovery video was good today, Make it all the way through until the leg section, I have to take several breaks. Then I'm good until almost the end.  The shoulders are killer and had to take 2 breaks

RECOVERY WEEK

Today was the first day of my recovery week.
I went to the gym alone today and lifted quite hard.

At lunch I went to the gym an actually ran for the 1st time since I broke my foot.  If felt really good !  However I am a little worried about my next and foot, wonder if they are going hurt Tues or Wed?

Did the recovery workout.  Not a bad work out at all.  However Saun T did keep saying that if you are exhausted after this workout you are doing it wrong.  Take it easy and keep your core tight.

So that is what I did.  I had plenty of sweat and the ab / balance section killed me.  Did not make it through that section.

Will try again tomorrow.

AWESOME

Yes I DID IT........That is I made it all the way through PURE CARDIO !!!!  I did not stop, just kept moving.  I felt awesome.  I was really wasted by the time we go to the last extercise (Push-up Jacks).  I however did not stop just held plank and then got back into it.

Played horriable golf tonight, and work was tough.  This has been a rough week and I am glad that the weekend is here.

PEACE OUT !

Sat workout

Skip workout today.  Recovery week starting on Monday.

Recovery Day

I figured since it was a recovery day I would do just that, RECOVER !
No workout for me today.  I will think about doing an extra one on Sunday.  No Guilt 172 on the Scale This morning.

YES !

NOW WE ARE GETTING SOMEWHERE.
Tonight's workout was Plyometric Cardio Circuit, which in my opinion, is the hardest workout of month one.
But I sure did BRING IT ! tonight.  Flew through the warm up and stretches.
got into the workout and did the 1st Triad with no problem.  Had great heart rates and felt like I was training really hard.

THEN


The 2nd Triad came.
I find this Triad to be very quadriceps intensive, and once they get tired then my whole core gives out.
So the 1st time through I was like ok, now this is hard and started to fail on reps on the Ski Abs but pushed through it the best I could.
the 2nd time through I could not keep up with the people on the DVD but never fully stopped.
the








3rd time through I was TOAST !  Complete failure, did not finish all the level 1 drills, did not do 1/2 of the ski abs and the in-and-outs were just pitiful !  HOWEVER !!!  I did not stop but once or twice in the last set and that was only for a sec each time.  WOW what a workout and an accomplishment for me.

This should be interesting

So I was up at 3:50am today.  Had to go into work and was there at 4:30AM.  YIKES, came home and crashed then got up at 4:30pm ate 2 pb&j and 2 high fiber bars and went to the gym with Ninja Jr.

Completed a great chest workout + added in a whole med. ball workout.  ended with pushups (regular, jacks, stacks L&R)

Now on to Plymometric Cardio Circuit.  Wonder how this is going to be.........more in a while.

YESSSSSS!!!

Ask me why I am excited !! That would be because I all but made it through Cardio Power & Resistance !!

Was very tired at the the but did good.  The run-it-out while in high plank still gives me trouble.  I had to take breaks during that, also the moving push-ups I had to take break during them.  But overall I did great !!
Watch said 500 cal.


Late workout again 9:PM or so.  Plus no weights, I did however go to the gym at lunch and do the elliptical.
watch said something around 400 cal.

Ughh

Well I did it.  Did not feel good and my stomach hurt,gas pain I think...... but I did it. Pure cardio & cardio ABS. Those tuck jumps still suck and they hurt tonight

Pulled through seemingly well since I have been up since 4:30

More tomorrow

Still going

Well its 9:41 and I am still at work. So who knows if I am going to get to workout today. Doesn't look like it though.

Last Week Sucked

Well folks as you can see from my lack of posts for last week ..................THAT WEEK SUCKED and looks like I will be repeating week 4.  Oh well, I guess my body needed the break from the diet and multi workouts I have been doing.

Time to bring it kids.  Today is month-end so getting the workout in today is going to be tough but it can be done !

More to come later.

ahhhhhhhhh

Now thats more like it.  Tonight's workout was Cardio Power & Resistance and I almost made it through.  Felt real good but now my legs are very tired.

No weights today so I guess that helped.
175 lbs today.

well since I was waiting for Ninja Jr to come and pick me up to goto the gym I decided to do the Ab portion of Cardio Abs, only because I could not Ab Ripper :-).  The workout was good and I pushed all the way through it.  I only stopped once or twice, but would consider it a complete success !

Time to Bring It

Just went to the Gym today at lunch.  Did my normal elliptical workout and seemed to be nice and strong.  32 Min at level 15.  3.80 miles and my heart rate mon. read something like 575 ck burned.  Started the workout with 10 narrow grip pull-ups and finished with the same.  Good & Strong.   Still a day behind on my Insanity so will be doing Tuesday’s Cardio Power & Resistance.  More later………….

PUSH

Well the weather is about the same today, IT SUCKS !  I feel bad and my body hurts.  Have not been to the gym at lunch-time in quite a while and today’s strength workout with Ninja Jr was kinda lame.  I was just not into it.

So after I got home I had it in my mind that I was going to do my INSANITY workout.  So I did Monday’s workout.  Go figure it was Pure Cardio & Cardio Abs.  ONE DAY I WILL FINISH THESE WORKOUTS !!!!  I was doing really good right up until the Level 2 Drills.  It would seem that the combo of Pedal the Poser Jacks really exhaust my legs & somewhat my core.  I just cannot seem to hold the high plank to do the push-ups then the “run it out” while in high plank in somewhat impossible for me to do.  After that the “Frog Jumps” are pitiful then I start to recover somewhat and finish strong until the pushup jacks.  Again, just exhausted.

Went to the Gym today with Ninja Jr.  To be nice I am going to say my workout was just pitiful.  We did our regular flat bench then moved over to inclines.  I was really strong but did not feel well.  Went home and shortly after that.  The weather is aweful and my joints and bones ache.  Blowing off today’s Insanity workout………………….   L

Ughhhh, I ate way too much and feel way guilty.  However the chopped BBQ & chicken was AWESOME !

Today is Saturday, Pure Cardio & Cardio Abs.  Pushed hard today since we are going to a cookout.  I am anticipating much eating of pork and chicken !  Tomorrow is my day off and I am really looking forward to it.

Played golf today with the fellas.  Real hot out there but tried to keep hydrated.  I played really well and hit the ball hard.  Figured out that Mr. 1Wood is my friend and Mr Driver IS NOT !  After some rest it was on to my workout for the day Cardio Power & resistance.  I’m getting stronger each time I do this workout.  It still kicks my butt though.

Cardio Recovery.  This workout is kinda neat and to tell you the truth is a little challenging.  It works the muscle real deep.

Today was Pure Cardio again.  I somehow go into this workout thinking that this will be the week that I can at least not stop.  I'm not saying I’m going to do ALL the reps, just not stop moving.

NOPE !  Oh well, maybe next time. 
It is getting very frustrating though.

In addition to pure cardio it was also cardio abs time.  This workout is ok but I’m not sure why the put the cardio portion in with this?  It’s not that bad however the tuck jumps and oblique jumps are a little much after doing Pure Cardio.

Fit Test #2

So I think I did pretty good tonight keeping in mind that I had a killer strength workout at the gym with Ralph right after work then I did this fit test.

I did better than my 1st Fit test on most of the items howerver was a little depressed on the measurements.  It would seem that I have not had any movement / growth / loss in overall size.  That really suprises me since I have not stoped my Mon, Wed & Fri strength training routine.  If anything I have amped it up since Boy Ninja has been going with me.  Big Heavy weights lots of protine both in the drink and dinner selection !!

Weight down 3 lbs.  NOW, what makes me the most mad is that somehow I wrote down inaccurate measurements for my waist.  So I guess that this weeks will be my new bench mark as I was sure to get the correct measurements.

1st Double - Up

Holy Smokes, Pure Cardio & Cardio Abs back to back. 
I still have yet to make it through a Pure Cardio session.  However I'm confused WHY they would put those high cardio moves in the begenning of Cardio Abs.  The tuck jumps are a little much.

Overall the Ab workout was good.  The Low Plank hip contractions are killer though.

CHEATER !

well today should have been my 1st double up day Pure Cardio / Cardio Abs.  I SKIPPED IT, will catch it up tomorrow.  I just needed the day of rest for my body to try and catch up.

Power Cardio & Resistance Day.

Well it's Friday, Not much to say.  I was really tired. 
We went to Cary tonight to try and find me some new shoes.  I think after trying on about 20 pairs of shoes I have finally settled on the Under Armour BlackTip CG.  It just felt right and my orthotics fit into them.  I can not even immagine how good it will feel if I have the proper support on my foot. WOW !

When in the mall I tried to get the guy to come of the $89.00 price and he refused.  Then came home and found that very shoe on UA's website for $44.99.  Whatever !

I did try on my old nike shox and after loosning up the laces and retying them they seem to be better than the cheap walmart shoe that I have been using.  So I guess that is what I will be using for now.

Power Cardio & Resistance after the trip to Cary.  Really late to be working out :-(

Cardio Recovery

ok...ok, I'm playing a little bit of catch-up here.
If I remember correctly today was Cardio Recovery and since I don't remember much about it it must not have been a big deal.  However there is always next week.
Cya

Photos of Post Plyometric Cardio Circuit on 7/14/2010.

Still can not finish the workouts.  However !  After the workout and all the fluid loss im at my target weight. HAHAH  too bad it will not stay.  Cardio feels good though.

687 Calories ARE YOU KIDDING ME, THAT IS AWESOME !!

Pure Cardio - Again

Well what can I say.  I was a sweaty mess at the end of this workout.  I tried, but once again it just tore me apart.  I was tired and my legs hurt for most of the day.

I taped my foot and that make a huge difference !

Later on I did a work out with Ralph.  Ab Ripper (I blew through this) & Cardio X (I also did really well).
These workouts are no longer what they use to be.

I am very excited that Ralph wants to come and lift tomorrow at the gym with me.  Gonna have to get up early for tomorrows Plyometric Cardio Circuit.  Which by the way REALLY scares me.  I reviewed the workout tonight and do not remember doing this one.  BUT IT IS INSANE !!  More on that tomorrow.

Week 2

Today I did not get up a 5:am due to "B" having some oral surgery done so I decided to hit the gym up after work to do some strength training.  I was there for all of an hour and just had a crap workout.  Flat bench went good; I'm up 15 pounds on my normal 4 set work out (160 lbs).  Flat bench dumbbell presses were OK, 4 sets of 8 (55 lbs) and finished up with 4 sets of incline dumbbells (45 lbs) however that is as far as I got.  There was another man on the incline press and i could not finish my chest workout which I guess just messed me up.  so I kinda floundered around the gym.  I did a full 3 sets of lat pull-downs (45, 45+25, 45+35) then 1 set of pull-ups.  Left the gym kinda depressed.  However Today's Insanity workout was Cardio Power & Resistance.  I missed Sat. workout and did not make it up :-(

My left foot had developed a problem and from what I have read it seems to be a Plantar Fasciitis injury.  On the plus side, during my recovery from the broke foot my physical therapist taught me how to tape my foot for just this injury !

So after a good taping tonight I journeyed out to my workout.  To my surprise my foot felt GREAT, which was a very good motivator.  I powered through the warm-up and held my own through the 3 round 1work out set.  Then I was burnt but pushed through.

I was absolutely exhausted when done but did not have to break as much as the 1st week.  Improvement was seen.  What a sweaty mess I was !!  Pure Cardio tomorrow, last time I was disappointed in my performance in this work out.  Let's see if I can "Bring It" in the morning.

Weigh In: 175 lbs after workout.

Modified

OK so after the Pure Cardio workout that just about put me on my back,literally,  I have had to modify my workout mat so it would quit sliding around.

I found some anti-slide rug tape plus to keep the mats from separating I applied corded duct tape to the seams.

Pure Cardio

All I can say is WOW.  Pure Cardio totally kicked my tail.  I held back for a good portion of the beginning of the warm-up and workout, not know what was going to come up next and how many times I was going to have to repeat it, and still did not make it even half way through!

Notes from the workout:

Warm up repeat 3 times

Then all the exercises are done once but for 1min or so.

Absolutely exhausting.

Level 2 Drills

Wide football drills

Switch Kicks

Must have the mat firmly attached to the floor, or will have to move it.

First Recovery Day

Today was my first recover day and wow I sure did need it.  After fighting myself to get out of bed I made may way to the "Work-Out Center" a.k.a. the dining room, and turned on Suan T.  We breathed, stretched and did some light aerobics.  Over opinion, a much needed break.  Looking forward to Pure Cardio tomorrow morning.

July 7, 2010

After Day 3 of Insanity.  WOW this thing is kicking my tail and its only day 3

Insanity - Post Fit Test # 1 (The Beginning)

July 5, 2010 177 lbs

These were taken right after I finished the Insanity fit test.  I thought I was going to ROCK this program little did I know they don't call it Insanity for nothing !

So starts the next evolution of my fitness transformation!


INSANITY – 60 Days of the most intense home fitness workout programs on the market.

Above you will find my documentation of my transformation for the next 60 days. Whether It be photos of me and my weight-loss &/or muscular development. Maybe my nutritional / food consumption for the day. You might get lucky and get some blog posts on how the work outs were, how intense they are and how I felt during & after.

Whatever it might be, just remember: YOU CAN DO IT / BRING IT

Since we have not used this area for a dining room since e have moved into this house I thought it would be a great location to make my home work out center.

Ok, Now on to the good stuff and really the Meat and purpose of this blog.


Fast forward time to 2010. At some time in the 1st quarter i started feeling really bad. My body was not co-operating with me, I hurt all the time and I could not move without my joints creaking and cracking. And not to mention that I had become FAT ! I mean really, my Size 38 pants were getting to small on me? WOW !! So me being 100% Type A personality decided that it was time for me to get back into shape and start exercising.

For the first couple of months just going to the gym every week day at lunch was enough. I was burning calories and dropping some weight. Right about this time the P90X fitness program came on the scene then the Insanity program appeared. So I grabed onto the Nutrition Guide for Insanity and started following it to the letter. Also, me and a friend started doing the Ab Ripper program from the P90X. I did all this and was still doing the cardio workouts at lunch. Finally the pounds started melting away. I went from 207 lbs to about 195 in four weeks. In the following weeks I added in some strength training on Monday , Wed & Fridays after work. Fast forward to July 2010. Now that I am eating correctly and extercising I have dropped all the way down to 177 lbs. Ab Ripper, Plus Cardio X, Elliptical at lunch & streiength in the afternoons. Somehow my body had adapted to all of this and I have hit a wall.

A couple months and a few thousand dollars later surgery was determined to be my best bet. By now I was losing muscle strength and the numbness was not going away. The Dr advised me that if we did not do something soon I could be facing severe & permanent nerve damage.

So in early October 2009 the Dr successfully completed an Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). Which is another topic for a later time.

The result of my surgery was a complete success, I now have about 97% feeling back in my hand and no muscle spasms. As for an additional bonus, now I have a Titanium plate & four titanium screws placed on my spine.

Almost 2 years after my broke foot I woke up one night with the most extreme pain in my right shoulder, arm and hand. Went to the Dr the very next morning and they said I was having a series of severe muscle spasms. Well after a couple of days of these excruciating spasms the general practitioner finally sent me to an orthopedic specialist. As luck would have it I already knew a good one from my broke foot. That Dr ordered an MRI and above is the result.


The image above is an MRI of my cervical spine. Notice the thick white tube looking thing in the center of my neck is my spinal column and towards the top of the spinal column you will notice that it has been pushed in and is pressing on the spinal cord. This was causing my entire right hand to be cold and numb.

Now the Orthopedic Dr made the recomendation that I seek the care of a neurologist Immediately !  So we made some phone calls, did a little research and found an excellent neurologist.

Cast with Wall

So back in January of 2007 I ran down the hill in the background of the above photo and jumped off the wood wall.  The problem with this was I thought the wall was only a couple of feet tall.  As you can see I was wrong.  Hence the resulting broken foot.  Come to find out I had fractured my Lisfranc Joint and would spend 6 weeks in a cast up to my knee.