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!
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
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.
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.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
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...
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...
Monday, August 25, 2008
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.
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.
Friday, August 22, 2008
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.
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.
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.
Friday, August 15, 2008
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!
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!
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