October 30, 2006
Well, I got a little sidetracked last week but I’m back in the saddle today. The first week working out without my trainer was tough. I managed to do a full workout twice last week, and even upped the weight on a few things. So that felt good. I really dropped the ball on the cardio, though. I admit that probably has something to do with how soul-crushingly boring it is to walk in place for half an hour. I’ve loaded up the trusty iPod with new music though, so I’m ready to start again this week.
Since the last update:
10.18.06: Cardio. Walked 1.52 miles in 30’19”. This was a big day, because I set a new fastest mile—19’40”—and a new fastest average pace—19’56”.
10.19.06: Strength training. Did a full set, 3×15 reps of each.
10.23.06: Cardio. Walked 1.47 miles in 30’47”. Average pace was 20’56”.
10.24.06: Both. Walked 0.71mi in 15’01”. Average pace 21’01”. Full set, legs/arms/shoulders/back/abs, 3×15 reps.
10.26.06: Both. Walked 0.48mi in 10’06”. Can you tell where I started slacking off? Average pace was 20’39”. Full set, 3×15 reps.
The one really cool thing, other than the records I set on 10/18—every day for the past two weeks, my average pace has been lower than my overall average. So I am, indeed, getting faster. Time to go to the gym.
October 18, 2006
I have to say I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my mini vacation. Although we didn’t end up going anywhere, I got my car fixed, I test drove a few new ones (while the Jetta will always hold a special place in my heart, I want to get rid of it before the warranty expires), I went to my grandmom’s 84th birthday, and I reached some new heights at the gym today. Today was the first time we tried doing everything—legs, back, abs, arms—in one session. I did all that and walked a mile. I’m a busy boy.
A few people have told me I’m looking better already. I think they’re just being polite, but I swear now, I think I’ve lost weight in my cheeks. My face doesn’t look as pudgy as it did a month ago. I could get addicted to this weight loss thing.
Maggie’s a happy little dog, too. I dropped a bill at PetSmart and finally tossed out some of her ragged old toys. She’s on this great organic dog food that makes her poop less stinky. Bonus for me. Oh, and I guess it’s good for her, too.
I’ve also learned that “Milkbone” is the magic word to get Maggie inside when I’ve taken her out to do her business and I’m ready to go inside.
The weather here today was ridiculous. Mom and I had to drive to the VW dealership in a torrential downpour. They’re fixing my car now, but I got a Ford Taurus as a loaner. Ok, the Jetta might not be the coolest car ever made, but a blue-green Ford Taurus has to be somewhere lower on that list.
I ordered Auburn tickets on eBay for Camp last week, and thank God, they won. I was worried my buddy was going to have some serious buyer’s remorse if the Tigers didn’t come up on top. War damn eagle.
I’m rambling. I think that’s it.
October 16, 2006
I love the little bonus the Nike+iPod Sport Kit gives you when you reach a new milestone—today I had Paula Radcliffe tell me that I’d set a new fastest mile. Today I worked out for 30’24” and walked 1.5 miles. I burned 508 calories. My average pace was 20’15”(!) and my new fastest mile is 20 minutes, 27 seconds.
On average, I have worked out 6 times for a total of 11.49 mi. My average pace is 22’23” per mile.
October 14, 2006
Well, not bad. On Wednesday, I walked 2.52 miles in 1:01’04”. My average pace slipped a lot, though—24’09 per mile. I burned 855 calories. On total, my average pace is now 22’42” per mile. I tried walking at a faster pace than I’ve attempted before, and had to slow down a bit later as a result, and that may have made for my weak pace. Next time ‘round, I’m going to focus on maintaining a decent speed, rather than trying to see how fast I can turn it up to without falling off the treadmill.
I’ve recorded 5 walks, for a total of 9.99 miles. I’ve burned 3,472 calories.
October 11, 2006
The sprit is willing, but the flesh is weak. I didn’t imagine that the hardest part of working out would be cajoling my various appendages into doing my bidding, but that’s been the biggest challenge by far. I had to cut my cardio in half on Monday because after 15 minutes, I was developing a blister the size of a small economy sedan on the bottom of my left foot.
Tuesday we upped the reps on my legs and abs strength training to three sets of 20 each. Not bad. Leg extensions make me want to just cut the fat off with an X-ACTO though. I had to get my cardio via the stationary bike and the rowing machine which, I must say, is the most awkward motion I’ve ever tried to perform in public. With mirrors all around me. And people staring at me.
On Monday, I walked 1.38 miles in 30 minutes. My pace was 21’43”/mi. I burned 467 calories.
On average, I have completed 4 walks for a total of 7.46 miles. My average paces is (an improving!) 22’12” per mile.
October 5, 2006
Some of my more astute superfans may have noticed that I finally took the plunge last week, joining the local “wellness center” and getting hitched to a new personal trainer. My first experience with working out in Baltimore was a successful one, but it was followed by seven months of pure loafing leaving me, frankly, fatter than ever.
I’ve known for a while that something had to change, as my steadfast dedication to the “sit around and hope something changes” diet was simply refusing to pay dividends.
I’m strength training with Michelle, my new right-hand-girl, twice a week, and doing cardio a soul-crushing five days a week. The work of exercising itself pales in comparison to the pain I’ve endured in getting started. My enormous hulk of a body is not used to doing this, and I’m chafing, blistering, boiling, and spurring pretty much everywhere imaginable now. Band-aids, Gold Bond, Neosporin, and Aleve are my only friends now.
Because everything I do has to involve an Apple logo in some way, I picked up an iPod nano and the Nike + iPod Sport Kit to help keep track of my cardio progress. I’ve only had it for a few days, but have decided to post my progress here, in an attempt to publicly shame myself into keeping up with it and, hopefully, improving.
So far, I’ve completed three walks for a total of 6.08 miles. My average pace is 22’19”. My farthest walk is 2.68mi. My fastest mile is 21’07”. I have burned 2,058 calories.
Now, I’ll either become svelte and studly, or flame out in a chocolate-fueled blaze of glory. Stay tuned to find out what happens.
