SYNERGY

Mood: Happy

So I didn't post yesterday, but I did go to the gym. I tried the elliptical machine again--this time on a higher level. About a third of the way through, I didn't think I could make it, but I did! In fact, this time I burned more calories than last time!

In the mornings I have to walk from the subway to my work a fixed distance. Usually when I get there, I'm drenched from the summer heat. But today I noticed I sweat less than I usually do. I am sure that means something, but I don't know what!

Again, I am not going to be able to go the gym today because I have important college related things to do tonight. It's getting annoying because my original plan was to go everyday to the gym, but I always get sidetracked every OTHER day. Geez!

Dealing with my weight training, I think I am going to have to increase my reps on the machines. I am still not feeling it the next day, which I should. I think I'll start on 30-45 lbs on most arm machines, for example, and do at least 5-7 sets of 15. Also, to remind myself, Monday will be my torso day, since I am missing it today. I'll try to increase the number of sets I do by decreasing the weight a bit. I do, however, feel somewhat stronger.

Finally, when I got on the scale this morning, it said that I weighed 261 lbs. I think I am makin' some real progress! I'll check back in on next Friday and she how much I weigh then.

I have quite a bit to do at work today, so I gtg!

Bleh

Mood: T'ed off

Unfortunately I am going to be unable to go the gym today because I have a conflicting appointment.

I was successful in doing the new exercises, and now I have some more variety. However, my torso workout hasn't left me sore today, like some of my first workouts. Even my workout the day before didn't seem good enough. I am not sure if I am doing the right thing. I've heard if you do a lot of reps with a little weight you can achieve what I am looking for (shaping and toning). But if you do a lot of weight with less reps, you bulk up. I am still trying to figure out a balance between reps, sets, and weight. I think I'll ask for some advice... but who? I'll mull over that until my next post.

We have the power to rebuild him...

Mood: Excited

Hey! I just found the coolest website. It has a list of tons of exercises and a list of the muscle groups. It even has animations for how you're supposed to do the exercises! I am going to use some of them at the gym today. I'm anxious to get there!

Today I'll try two machines I saw, also from what I've seen on the website:

• The Cable Side Bend (pull up)
• Broom Stick Twist
• Incline Twisting Crunch (with weight)
• Lever Chest Dip

I'll see how it goes...

Mood: Satisfied

I just got back from the gym. Very satisfying. I tried the eliptical machine which is much more strenuous than the exercise bike (it was getting boring...). The muscle group I worked today was arms. I covered the biceps, triceps, and deltoids. For some reason however, in some resepects I feel like I didn't work hard enough. Maybe I'm suffering from muscle bordem, but I don't feel as sore or tiered as I usually do after I come from the gym. Maybe I just have to wait until tommorow for it to kick in. The exercise may have given me an energy boost as well. Tommorow I am going to work harder. I'll be covering the torso muscle group. Now I must rest to regenerate and rejuvinate mind, body, and soul.

Suggestions...

Mood: Motivated

I just got a suggestion for my meal plans from a friend. He said to split my 3 meals into 5 smaller meals over the course of the day. Since I wake up at like 7:30, the 1st would be at 7:45 am, the next at 11 am, the next at 1 pm, then at 4 pm, finally at 7 pm for dinner. He said that your body goes into starvation mode whenver you don't eat for 3 hours. This would prevent that and glucose spikes. A typical meal day he says would be:

meal 1: Cereal with lots of fiber (at least 7g)
meal 2: Fruit, Yogurt
meal 3: Lunch (like a sandwhich and drink)
meal 4: Protein Bar
meal 5: Dinner (fish or some other lean meat w/veggies

That makes meals 1-4 easy to count...

Day of Reckoning

Well, time for the daily check in:

I completed one of my goals! I got a scale! *Drumroll please!*

My official weight is.... 265 lbs.

The good news: That's nowhere near my previous estimate of 279 lbs
The other good news: I can now track my weight, and I know I still gotta lotta loosin' ta do!

Notice there is no bad news. Almost. Let's just say it involves pizza.

I started a late morning (which I am trying not to do anymore) with one of my boost energy drinks. Then, my family and I went to Subway. I am very proud of myself because I made some very good food choices. I had the 6'' Cold Cut Classic with some Baked chips. My drink was water. Later today, I had a vitamin water. Finally for dinner, since we were running low on cash, I unfortunately had to eat pizza. I had 3 slices. But I noticed one thing after consumption. My stomach felt and still does feel nauteous. I think this is because I have been eating realtively healthy for the past two weeks and that large intake of grease upset my stomach. I showed some real inner strength because I usually would eat 4-5 slices of pizza. So I can now do a calorie estimate. From now on, I'll probably just log what foods I ate and find the calories lately. Overall, I think I did well with my choices, considering I had no control over the pizza incident.

Now, however, I have new found confidence and I am ready to show the world what I can do with myself. Last night after my last post, I came up with a detailed exercise plan that I intend to carry out starting tommorow (Another goal completed!). I decided that if I won't go the gym on Saturdays, I'll have to be very careful about what I eat (yet another goal). A late night of washing clothes awaits and I must get to work early. I'm going to keep trying to do impossible.