Little things

The last few days have brought a few signposts that all this eating right and exercises is working…..

A new knotch on the belt….

A second pair of 36 work pants worn today that a few weeks ago I couldn’t dream of putting on….

finding a pic I took on Nov 12th 2009 where i weighed 238.0 on my scale, and today I weighed 209.2….

A couple people remarking how you could really tell that I have lost weight…

Getting a few extra reps in my workouts….

Things are happening….

Great day today

Today was one of those days that everything comes together. Eat on plan, get your water in and get lots of exercise activity. I biked to and from work for 9.8km biked. I walked nearly 14000 steps, and I did Power 90 MS Cardio Intervals tonight! Was a great day. Now, just fit in 96 more of these on my little 100 day mini challenge and I will get to where I wanna be.

I am really going to bare down this summer and make it my most active summer in quite some time. All these years lately, the aches and pains, the poor health, family responsibilities and just plain laziness have all been used as excuses to sit on my ever expanding butt and sit on the side lines of life! No more. Back to the things i love, hiking with the family, the occasional game of golf with the boys, some pickup basketball and tennis, and loads of other activity. I wanna get past the days, where with including work, i spend 12 hours a day in front of the computer. That is no way to get anywhere.

My neck/shoulder pain is all but a memory, aside from the normal stuff I deal with. I worked out after a good warmup with zero limitations tonight. I will continue to keep an eye on it but i think i dodged a bullet this time. All for now, time for bed.

Relief

Ok, I don’t think i mentioned it in my blog but on Saturday morning I really did something to my neck/left shoulder.  I did it getting into my car of all things.  I was really concerned at first, because by Saturday supper time I couldn’t lift my left arm to touch my head.  On Sunday I was able to do a few sets off pushups without too much discomfort but I didn’t dare do much more with upper body.  Yesterday and today my exercise was focused on alot of walking and riding the exercise bike.  Tonight I am happy to report I have next to no extra pain in the area and I think I will be safe to resume my Power 90 workouts tomorrow.  i will of course be careful because I don’t want to be set back any further, but I have to say I am sooooo relieved not to be really hurt again.

Starting measurements

So here’s where I started yesterday morning:

I am hoping for some big changes over the next 14 weeks, as I continue on through Power 90 and Power 90 master series, and the occasional foray into P90x videos. 

Off to work, got to get moving if I am going to walk the 4.8 km to get there on time.  Be back tonight after my workout. 

Sunday evening

Well after being thoroughly disappointed by the Survivor outcome (meh…in my opinion the person who SHOULD have won rarely does on that show) I thought I best get a post in.  I took starting measurements today and will post them in the morning before work.  I was supposed to take today off from exercising as I normally take Sundays off, but I still got in 8929 steps in and I did some pushups, free hand squats and pulldowns with my exercise bands.  Nothing to strenuous but got a small sweat on.

I ate well today and on plan, and marked down every bite that passed my lips, that is going to be crucial in taking this to the next level.  I posted my goals for the next 100 days a few posts back and I plan to hit everyone!

Off to bed, before work in the morning I will post my starting stats.

Eager to begin the next phase!

So tomorrow I start phase 2 of this latest journey.  I am ready to go, prepared to make this the best 3 months (plus a week or so) I have had yet, in my long and winding fitness road.  I managed to tweak something in my upper back, but I don’t seem to be do limited by it.  I am of course being VERY careful, as I have had enough injuries, and such over the last few years, I don’t want a minor nuisance to turn into something substantial. 

I am calling this Day 0 of this new, summer 2010 challenge.  As I stated yesterday, I will essentially be continuing on with Power 90 and Power 90 Master Series past the initial 90 days ( I am on day 49 since starting Power 90 today) through 150 days.  So really the only real change is I am adding 60 days to Power 90.    I think this is my best option in kicking butt with P90x when I start it.  I am in this for the long haul, striving to make these habits I have developed over the last 10 weeks or so a lifestyle change, rather another one of my half hearted attempts.

Weigh in at Weight Watchers went well this morning, I weighed in at 212.2 down another 1.4 lbs from last week.  I have been a little slack in writing down my points for Weight Watchers as late, and Starting tomorrow morning I will be diligent through the 100 days of this challenge of marking down EVERYTHING that passes through these lips through the summer.

Through out the challenge I will be taking lots of pics, some videos and will be posting minimally 5 days a week for accountability.  I posted my goals yesterday and I am going to work really hard to achieve them all.  I feel they are challenging yet attainable, and goals that get me fired up !  I believe I mentioned in the past few days that exercising to “feel better” or to “look better” while true, and something I want, doesn’t start that fire under me to get it done. 

I will take starting measurements tomorrow morning, and will be taking the P90x fit test on days 25,50,75, 100 to measure progress.  I think this 100 day private challenge will keep me focused through the summer, when barbeques, get together’s, poker nights etc are tempting me at every turn.  I will not be a monk through the summer, I will still have the occasional beer, but I have solid goals I want to accomplish and will do what it takes to hit them!

Here is my weekly progress pic after two months and two days since I started weight watchers:

Starting Measurements are coming tomorrow. 

I will not be doing P90x til fall….

But fear not those of you that are still reading my blog despite the fact that I have barely posted in the last two weeks, I am not returning to my sluggish ways of the past, or planning to drown myself in Jack Daniels or Crown Royal (or insert other alcoholic beverage that I love).  Starting this Sunday, May 16th I am starting 100 days of fitness, that will conclude Aug 24th.  While I will mainly be continuing on doing Power 90 and Power 90 master series workouts during this time, I will also be throwing in a  mix and match of many different workouts.  6 days a week I will do something.  There will be a lot of “Pushing Play”.  I have many different workouts that I have gathered over the years.  And over the last few months I have gotten Power 90 and Power 90 MS, P90x, Insanity, 3 different Jillian Michaels Dvd’s, an assortment of Wii fit games etc.  There will be mountain biking and walking.  There will be hikes with the family, and hopefully playing some pickup sports such as tennis and basketball.  This summer will be my most active summer in years.

 

This isn’t me giving up on my plan to get into my best shape ever in 2010, but rather REDEDICATING myself to just that.  This will be me focusing on moving more, everyday and continuing  living a healthier lifestyle than I have in the past.  I have some big goals for the next 100 days (they are coming).  6 days a week, I will move move move, and I will document the whole journey here.  Then come September I will do P90x or Insanity or some program and follow that to a T.  To get ready for that, I am going to do things that give me the best opportunity to get the best results.  The ultimate goal, is come NYE 2010, my 38th Birthday, be in the BEST SHAPE OF MY LIFE.

 

Just as there has been the last few months, there will be bumps and bruises.  There will be detours that life will throw at me.  However, to the best of my ability, I am dedicating myself to working hard every single day to just move move move, and to make healthy choices when it comes to eating.  I will be continuing doing Weight Watchers as I like the program.  I will be more vigilant in tracking my daily points and I will work hard to get all my water in as well as hit my daily point allowance (I have been under eating much of the last 9 weeks).  I will continue taking and posting my progress pictures every Saturday for the duration of my 100 Days of Focus. 

 

What led me to the decision of not doing P90x til the fall is the results I have been having on some of the Power 90 Master Series workouts I have done over the last 10 days or so.  Part of me wanted to stop doing P90 and jump ahead to P90x starting as early as this coming week.  However, if I am going to be realistic about things, I am not quite ready to get the full benefit of the program.  Yes you can modify and yes I can take breaks or hit the pause button etc, but I want to get the best results possible.  While the 1-2 workouts are now to easy, the 3-4 workouts are starting to get boring.  I am 48 days into power 90, plus I had done 6 weeks of it earlier this year.  I am tired of the same couple workouts, and starting to know what Tony is going to say before he says it on the tapes.  Meanwhile over the last 10 days or so I have been doing the different workouts on power 90 master series and done the ocasional Jillian Michaels DVD’s and I am enjoying doing different workouts.  So my thoughts are I am going to take the summer and just do a variety of things.  I will give whichever workout I do my all, and I will just be sure to do SOMETHING six days a week.  I will work hard to build my cardio, improve my strength and flexibility,  and work on my endurance so that come the fall I can give my all to P90x or Insanity or whatever I decide to do and get maximum benefit.

 

Goals for May 16th-Aug 24th 2010

1.  1,000,000 counted steps on my pedometer

2.  500 km on bike (combined mountain and stationary)

3.  lose 30 scale pounds

4.  lose 6 inches from waist

5.  be able to perform at least 3 chinups (minimum recommended to start P90x)

6.  be able to wear my wedding ring again

7.  get to 4th knotch on my weight belt

8.  Be able to jog 2km without stopping

9.  blog 5 days a week minimum

10.  take fit tests at days 25, 50, 75, 100 to measure progress

 

So there we have it, 10 goals, measureable and challenging, yet realistic.  Full starting measurements and pictures will be posted this weekend.  I have my weight watchers meeting tomorrow morning, and I am not sure what to expect.  I have been working out all week, but have not been on the scale, I have been so close to breaking 210 pounds, only to creep up again.  210 is a mental block for me much like 200 has been a mental block for me in the past.  But I will get there, and maybe as soon as this weekend, we’ll see.    I am excited about the next part of my journey.  This 100 days of focus will get me through the doldrums of working out “to feel better” or “to get healthier”.  These two statements are important and they are what I want to do, but they are not truly measurable.  My brain needs something to shoot for, and I think I have given myself plenty to shoot for.  I will be ready come September to give P90x my all.  Over the summer I will start doing the odd p90x workout, mixing it in with power 90, and I will be ready to really rock it.   I am excited for the most active summer I have had in years.  Bring it on!