General Improvement Trends in Life

-Eat better (more home-cooked meals)
-Sleep more (at least 7 hours a night)
-Work out more (every other day)
-Write more (update blogs daily, write more poetry)
-Keep going to school (at least 1 class per semester or session)
-Keep a positive attitude and story-telling style
-Play video games rarely (less than once a week, as a reward for completing more than minor goals
-Keep computer usage to school/work/email
-Only drink with friends
-No more watching of porn (it's a little wierd when you see someone you know appear in one)
-Hang out with friends more

Addendum 12/04/08
-Minimise bragging (let my actions speak for me)
-Don't worry so much (have some fun!)

There... Do you think I'll have the time for it all?

Long time coming

Not a whole lot new. I've mostly kept up on my 100 push-up challenge. I'm still on week 5, so I've kinda stalled out a bit. I'm up to 40 push-ups in one go though, so there's progress for ya. At the beginning of last week I tried to do the first day of week six, but I couldn't even do the first set to completion. Oh, well, I just finished out the day pretending I was doing week 5 :-P.

I've completely stopped the couch to 5k program. I switched to 4 10 hour days and I'm finding it alot harder to cram everything in the day that I want to, on top of all the leisure I feel I'm entitled to (whether I deserve it or not)

I want to workout different parts of my body so I decided to get a bow-flex. I friend told me about one for about $300... now I'll need to do is make some more space in my tiny cave of a room. Out of all the pieces of fitness equipment (outside of a cleared parcel of floor) the bow-flew seems to be the most compact for what you can actually do with it. Perhaps more research would have been prudent but I think my gut feeling isn't too off.

Week 5, Oi! Oi! (Fit-Up#10)

I can now do 30 push-ups and started week 5 of the push-up challenge!

Also I'm on week 3 of the couch to 5k program. I'm using a handy podcast to help keep track of the intervals.. plus it's got some cool House-style music too.

Oi! Oi!

Oh Hai! (Fit-Up #9)

A bit of time has passed since the last update. There's been a few note-worthy items.

One: I'm attending an Intro to Engineering class at North Hennipen Community College. A co-worker pestered me into registering for it. Good thing too, because it's only offered once every other year. I'd like to say the class is good so far but the teacher is rather unorganized and really should have a TA or two. I'm not getting alot out of the book yet either, its that intro. We'll see if it gets better. I'll be happy with a 'B'.

Two: I've stalled out on week 4 of the push-up challenge. I'm not sure why. Perhaps I'm not getting enough sleep, maybe I haven't been pushing my self hard enough with it, or maybe I'm doing the push-ups too deep so it's harder overall to keep increasing the numbers. So last week I decided to wait the minimum time in between each set (60, 90, and 120 sec) but I kinda forgot to even work out on the 3rd day. So this week I'm still on week 4 but I've added 2 push-ups per set and really pushed myself on the last set to do as many as I can. Also I'm keeping the rest times between sets low.

I'm still doing the bicep curls and I've kinda stalled out on them as well. I'm gonna have to do some research to see what I can do. I've been hit or miss on the ab crunches because....

Three: I've started the couch to 5k program. I'm on week 2 but I repeated week 1 and this week is a repeat for week 2. I was trying to ease into more. (and I forgot to run the 3rd day last week) I'm using a podcast to help keep track of the intervals and the podcast makes the time fly by. The intervals are set to a mix of house and instrumental techno, just the kind I'd like to listen to when working out.

So far the ankle hasn't bothered me a bit.

I haven't lost any weight that I can tell (still around 186). I think the weight just moved upwards, because three weeks back I drop a belt notch... So there must be some results.

Longer-term, after I've completed both fitness challenges, I'd like to start training for a triathlon and maybe a 1/2 marathon (since I can't really do a full marathon because I run on the front of my feet). I'll probably need to re-join Life-Time or some other gym that has a pool and exercise bikes.

I've been pondering getting a weight bench to increase my work-out options. I have a friend that is interested in getting rid of one he doesn't ever use but first I have to make room. Also, I think I'll do some more research online to find the free and easy work-outs that I can do with minimal equipment... That's why the push-up and couch to 5k challenges are great, all you need is shoes, a floor and ground to run on.

I still want to get a recumbent and bike across the country... I think that's still a longer-term goal but I can't wait too much longer... I just can't afford the bike and the time right now.

I think that's all that's really new these last few weeks.

Would you like a second helping of humble pie? Up-Fit #8

So, again, I couldn't get up super early this morning but I did do the first day of couch to 5k this afternoon because it was a nice day today.

Or I should say, I attempted the first day... I got 80% done, quit and walked back home. Holy crap, I really am out of shape. I really thought all the walking at work would have helped. Perhaps its because I run on the front of my foot and walk heel first? But, whatever... the first day is prolly the worst. I'll just keep at it. I just hope it's enough to get into shape by the time the Halloween runs rolls around.

But I'm definitely going to do all the workouts in the morning, especially the running. No sunscreen, no hat, able to see my phone's stopwatch feature more easily without the sunglasses, it's cooler out.

Well, off to bed.

Addendum: Apparently I did the intervals backwards and in the harder ratio. I did 60 seconds of walking and 90 seconds of running... no wonder I felt it was hard. Well, that makes Thursday's round much more bearable... Sheesh...

Up-Fit # 7: Humbled Week 5

I knew I should have taken the 3rd exhaustion test on Saturday... I'm not quite able to do Week 5 of the Challenge. The first set is 30 and I managed 24.... and it pretty much went downhill form there... I've managed 70% of each of the rest of the sets. Except the last one, that's another 30!

Also I just noticed that the second and third day they add 3 more sets, but drop the number of push-ups on each set (except the last one)

I'm gonna go back to the week 4 routine on Wednesday and finish out the week that way. Then I'll do an exhaustion test of Saturday.

I've also been trying to get up in the morning to work out instead of in the afternoon... mainly so it doesn't screw with my sleep anymore and to also wake my ass up. 4am is really damn early.

I was going to also start the couch to 5k program last week but I was too tired. I'm gonna start tomorrow morning. I wanna get going on the running because a friend of a friend told me about a costume Halloween run in October. It's about 3 miles so I should be able to do it if I get started on the running now. Besides, it should help me get in better shape.

Week 4 complete Up-Fit #6

I've completed week 4 of the push-up challenge!

Also, I increased the arm curl weight to 20 and did 5 sets 10, 9, 8, 6 and maxed-out.

And I been more consistent with the crunches doing 4 sets of 15.

I was going to start the Couch to 5k this Tuesday but I couldn't get up early enough all week (4am is ass-early). It's too hot in the day after work to do the running. Besides, my ankle was hurting more this week than in a long time.

I've also haven't been walking as much at work... Just twice at lunch and three times on 1st break. I'll have to redouble my efforts there.

I've been talking with Doni about my ankle and running because she did has the same exact break in her right ankle. Sounds like the screws bother people when they try running. I'll give it a go and see how my physiology holds up to it.

I've gotta keep up on making my lunches and dinners so I can manage to calories. And the drinking too... I still want to lose 15 pounds around the gut. Fitting 32's again would be a nice end result of all this effort.

Financial Improvements

I was bored at work a few days back, playing around with money calculations and budgeting, when I decided to search online for what the best rates in savings accounts are.

I've had this idea bouncing around in my head for awhile now: since I pay my insurance 6 months at a time and in cash (check), why not save monthly for the time after the current 6 months, make a little interest and not have to worry so much about making sure I have the cushion in my checking account when that 6 month deadline rolls around?

So, I set up a goal savings account (well, two actually. The second one is for the trip to Vegas) with SmaryPig. At 3.9% yield, they're the second-highest yielding savings account out there. Plus, you only need to open the account with $25 to get that yield and just like every web 2.0 thingie you can social network bookmark the thing so others can put money into the account (like, joining up with family to but someone a big birthday present). There are some restrictions, like you have to take all the money out of the account when you reach the goal you first put into the account's profile, I'm not sure how easy it is to cancel the account early, if there is any penalties and I've heard that when people put funds in for you they get charged a fee but overall it's an interesting and compatible way to save for a specific goal.

One thing I noticed also is that WaMu has 3.75% rates and is probably more flexible (opening minimum is only a buck). I think in the future I'll tailor my accounts to take advantage of that... TCF is convenient but lame in the interest department.

Holy Stretch Marks Batman! (fitness update#5)

I've completed week 3 of the 100 Push-up Challenge!

I decided to make the bicep curls match up with the reps and sets of whatever week of push-ups I'm doing. I'm noticing a size increase in each arm. Now I wished I took some 'before' pictures or took some measurements to see how much everything is improving. Oh, well... I can SEE the results and I'm very pleased with myself.

I was flexing in the mirror (ooph, how vain I am!) and I noticed stretch marks on each biceps. Hold\y crap! I've heard of that happening but I never realised it would happen to myself... Two on the right one and one on the left one, each one about an inch long. Crazy...

Also, I figured out a slightly better position to stop the clicking that I was hearing in my right shoulder on the upward press... but I'm gonna have to keep my eye on it because now my left wrist is a bit sore.

Hooray for progress!

Fitness Update #4

Week 3 of the 100 Push-up Challenge is really kicking my ass.

3 things are probably conspiring against me. Maybe 4 things.

1: The starting amount and the total push-ups done in week 3 compared to week 2 have increased by 50%.

2: I haven't been getting as much sleep as I should, 5-7 hours instead of the standard 8. Also, I drank on two of those nights so I didn't get good sleep. It's been a busy week so I've also been doing the push ups later in the night and that's probably why I keep waking up on those nights.

3: I've increased the time, from 20 minutes to about 40 minutes, that I've been walking on breaks. I also did a 4 mile walk on Tuesday that also kicked my ass. The ankle (facebook profile required) is doing fine though. In addition to walking, I've added bicep curls and crunches to the mix and perhaps that's taking it's toll on my recovery between push-up secessions

4: All of my focus has been on tracking my diet (not making changes per se, just tracking), making sure I'm walking and doing the push-up challenge... I'm feeling a bit ragged.

I haven't cut back on drinking, I still drink regular pop once a day, and not everything I've been eating is healthy (McDonald's for dinner tonight). I have to keep reminding myself that I've made good progress, and yes there's more progress to be made, but some progress is better than none.

So, I'm going to stop tracking my calories in/calories out for a week. I've been guessing too much on the calorie content of alot of meals and snacks because I'm having a hard time figuring out how much is a serving. I'm going to stick with eating when I'm hungry and eating light on break and lunch. Drinking the water all the time has helped and is still helping because half the time you feel hungry you're really more thirsty.

I'm going to repeat week 3 because I struggled so much. The first day I couldn't do the minimum on the last set, the second day I couldn't finish the last 2 sets by 2 push ups each, and today I couldn't complete the sets, save one:
20, did 19
15, did 13
15, did 10
12, did 12!
do at least 16, did 10

That's 64 push-ups total... that's 3 times the push-ups I was doing in week one. Progress, gotta keep telling myself this, progress.

Healthy Eating and Calorie Consumption Update #4

I discovered this site for computating how many calories are burned for different activities. I'll take some of the numbers with a grain of salt, I'm not going to count 'brushing teeth' as a significant calorie-burning activity. However, I think it does have some reliable numbers for 'sitting', 'sleeping' and 'sleeping' It's pretty interesting so go check it out.

Calories Burned Estimator

Fitness Update #3

I accomplished something I haven't done before: 20 push-ups in one go. The most I've ever done before was 17, way back when I worked at the Anoka Food Co-op (now Lake Winds Co-op)

I finished up week two of the 100 push-up challenge with no problems, so I took the second test to see where I need to start off week three and I completed 20 push-ups. 16-20 is the low tier of week three's workout routine but I'm happy with progress. I can actually see the crease that you get on the front of the shoulder muscle. Awesomeness!

I've added bicep curls with 15lbs, three sets of 10. Also, crunches three sets of 10. I'm doing those right after I do the push-ups. Sore all over, but in that good-feels-like-you-did-something way.

I'm off to cook beans and rice.

Healthy Eating and Calorie Consumption Update #3 - Fitness Update #2

I've been on week #2 of the 100 Push-up Challenge for 3 weeks now. The first week I struggled with the 2nd workout and could only do the minimum on the last section. So I decided to repeat the 2nd week at least once. The 2nd time I repeated it was because I forgot to do it last Friday and I didn't want the lack of effort to skew the test (the test to see how far I progressed.) Besides, swimming kicked my ass. I haven't swam in about 10 years and there were some good size waves on lake Mille Lac.

As for calories... I knew I'd eat differently at Chomo-Fest 2008 but it was prolly the beer that was the worst. I weighed myself afterwards and I'm still down 1 pound, if I can trust the fidelity of the scale... and exclude my own 'rounding' errors (emphasis on 'round' j/k)

So, it's back to trying not to drink my calories and protion control. And the walking... I've been walking 3 times a week on break and on lunch, for a total of 25-40 minutes on those days. I think every bit is helping.

Digitizing My Life: Scanning Old Photos, Part 1

There's been an item on my mental 'to-do' list for awhile now, prolly since I broke my ankle.

Scanning all my old photos.

Actually I guess what really prompted me to finally tackling the task was this:

About a month back I developed the last two rolls of film that I had laying around. Now that I own a digital camera, I intend for those to be the last two rolls of film I ever take. They're from 2 Halloweens ago when I didn't dress up as anything. Eric was later-years Elvis, Chris was Dapper and Abe was a Sad Hobo.

I tried reinstalling the scanner I bought for my poetry redux project and after some frustrating research online, found out that there are no Vista drivers for said scanner. So, I've been going to my mom's place to use one of her Windows XP machines to complete the task.

What I thought might be a 1-2 day project has so far stretched into 3 days (probably more like 120 hours, if you include the cropping and rotating). As I tackled removing all the photos from their albums, it slowly dawned on me that I have a shit-ton of photos. I thought I had, oh, maybe 300 photos... I think it's more like 500-600. That's good in one way, I have many more memories that I remember having. But damn... talk about ever-receding horizons.

It's been keeping me busy tho and it's been a good time catching up with mom while I scan.

Healthy Eating and Calorie Consumption Update #2

I've been formally tracking my calorie consumption for 10 days now. The goal was 2 weeks, so I've got just a few more to go. It's surprisingly easy, as long as I can find out the calorie content of each food. That's the hardest part, mostly for the eating out.

Take Famous Dave's for example. The only relevant items that I could find online were the firecracker beans (60 per 6oz serving). Good to know but it's the ribs I was really curious about.

I wasn't trying to make any major changes while I was tracking my calorie intake, I mainly wanted to know how much I was actually eating. I didn't skip any meals. I ate on all my breaks. I usually ate when I was hungry (sometimes had to wait 30-45 minutes because lunch break hadn't arrived yet).

The things I did change were simple to me. I knew soda was a bigger part of my diet than I'd like it to be so I mostly switched it for water on breaks and with meals. If I felt hungry at work, I went to get a drink of water and that helped most times. I switched to caffeine-free diet coke for lunches because I was still craving sweet fluids during lunch. I didn't stop drinking soda completely but I did manage to cut it to one or two cans every other day.

The other interesting thing with this tracking the calories was where those calories are coming from. Over the last few months I've been trying to balance the macro-nutrients (carbohydrates, fats and proteins) at each meal and also with each snacks (that's not easy without turning a snack into a full-fledged meal). But a bigger issue is the alcohol consumption. I just drink too much, for good health and for too many calories. So I'm taking a long break away from any heavy drinking after this St. Cloud fun hangout time.

I weighed myself last night and I weigh 184.5 lbs. Now, I don't know how accurate the last measurement was since I thought the battery was dead. But if that was correct, that means I've lost 4 pounds just from being observant of what I eat and making some minor changes on top of that. ( and yes, I weighed myself in the nude, no glasses, after I ate but with an empty bladder... just because you wanted to know)

Healthy eating and calorie consumption update #1

So I've been informally tracking my calorie consumption for the last few days. I'm actually amazed how little I eat. If it wasn't for the homemade wine, chicken wings once a week and the pop consumption, I imagine I'd be 20 pounds lighter.

Yesterday I ate about 1700 calories and that's including a 20oz of Lipton iced tea and two cans of Dr. Pepper.

That's what I'm going to shoot for: 1700 calories a day, averaged out over a 7-day week. Average being the key. a 15% reduction off the base amount of a 2000 calorie daily diet would amount to 2100 calories a week. Doable, very doable. Coupled with the fitness challenge(s) I've started, I should be able to drop a pound or two a week.

I bought a scale but the battery went dead after my first weigh-in. 188.5 pounds. I'm only going to weigh myself once a week at most, maybe more like once every other week.

Fitness Update #1: the 100 push-up challenge

I found this link on a personal finance site called Get Rich Slowly. It's called the 100 push-up challenge. It's an interesting fitness challenge since it has a very specific goal: 100 push-ups in one go. Nothing nebulous like "get in better shape" or "be healthier." That's just gravy when we're talking about a specific end goal.

I think that's what clicked in my head about this challenge. I can do 10 push-ups, I can do this challenge.

This is just a sample post for the moment.

I'll probably be writing about fuel economy projects I'd like to work on this summer.

So, stay tuned... more fun is bound to appear.