Quick post before I go to bed. I was side-tracked by the Olympics and wanted to get this out quick (PS – Shaun White is a freakin’ monster) Started Week 3 today. Arms were a little sore, but I can definitely feel like things are loosening up, especially my first couple of sets. It’s not as hard to get started as it used to be (that’s what she said) My sets today:

12, 17, 13, 13, 30 (max set – min. of 17)

I am especially proud of that last set. I also go into a max set telling myself to get at least 5 – 7 more than the min. (usually depends on what it is, like today’s was 17, I was telling myself 25) I probably shouldn’t do that – mainly because I hit 25 fairly easily, but then it was like night and day – my arms knew I didn’t need anymore. But I powered through five more, and felt great about it. That is 75 pushups in one night. I can’t tell you the last time I did that many in one night (probably never) And to think – in a little over three weeks, I will be doing 100 IN A ROW! Rock out, kiddies

Week 2 = done! It was a lazy weekend, so I didn’t do this on Friday like I should have. Had I done that, I would have been able to do my week 2 stress test yesterday. But I didn’t do anything all weekend except enjoy some downtime with the wife (yay!), so I did something unprecedented – I worked out in the morning! And honestly, I didn’t even think about it until my alarm went off this morning. I thought, “I don’t want to fall too far behind – let’s do pushups!” So I got up after only one snooze (another unprecedented action) and did my pushups downstairs. A very solid set too:

12, 13, 10, 10, 26 (max set – minimum of 15)

My triceps were pretty sore, otherwise I think I might have been able to hit 30 on my max set. But I felt good and I felt pretty good going into work after working out too – a good way to start the week.

But that’s not all – I still didn’t want to fall too far behind, so I did my Week 2 Stress Test tonight! That way I can take off tomorrow night and get right back at it on Wednesday. Since the stress test is just one max set, I also added in a little bit of light weights as well. I figured I should work on my triceps a little since they were a little a tender, and I also did some bicep curls and side laterals (you can view the whole custom workout if you check out my DailyBurn account – I think you have to be logged in to view the whole thing though) I completed a max pushup set of 24, so I will be in the second column for Week 3 of the program. This is about the point that I fell off the wagon the last time around, so I am excited to power through and get to the halfway point. I feel great every time I work out and Kirsten even said that just seeing me stick with it is getting her motivated to start working out, so that is a very good thing!

The only downside right now: my weight. Now I understand that is totally fluctuates and as I said last week, I am still not entirely convinced by my scale, but it is just odd. Granted I could be gaining tons of muscle, but I doubt I’d be gaining 3 pounds a week But I tell you this – I am not going to let my weight get in the way of keeping this up. I am doing this to get into shape, to feel better about myself, and to tone the weight I do have. I am sure I will eventually start losing it, but I need to work out the stuff I do have! And I just need to continue to eat better as well, which will really help.

February 1, 2010: 203.8 lbs.
February 8, 2010: 206.4 lbs.

Current weight: 209.4 lbs.

Difference from last week: +3.0 lbs.
Overall difference: +5.6 lbs.

Today was probably one of the more rough days I have had. Starting out from set number one, I just didn’t feel like I had it in me to get them all done. But I powered through. And I kicked some serious tail on my max set.

10, 12, 9, 9, 21 (max set, minimum of 12)

21 is the most I have done up to this point and it felt damn good. I was almost dead by 17 but I made sure to get to at least 20. Then I through one extra in for good measure Right now, the thing that hurts the most is my wrists. I might invest in some kind of a workout pad of some sort – I typically do my pushups in my bedroom and we have a very thin carpet and a very hard floor, so my wrists don’t like the pressure much. I might try my next set downstairs to see if that helps.

It was a tough day today. On the good side, I had off, so I was able to sleep in and take it easy. On the bad, I did something to my back and it was killing me all day. I almost didn’t do my workout for today, but I figured you gotta work through the pain sometimes. I stretched extra before hand, just trying to work out whatever it was I did in my back. And actually, my back didn’t hurt as much as I thought it would while doing my pushups. With the hundred pushups program, for Week 2, you stick with the same column you did during Week 1 (which for me was the second column) It starts off much like Week 1 did, but with a little more progression in the next two days. My sets today:

9, 8, 6, 4, 14 (max set, minimum of 7)

And I just noticed something interesting now. I have been logging my pushups on DailyBurn, just as part of my workouts. I went to the hundred pushups website to remind myself when you do the stress test, and they have different numbers for their sets (should be doing more at this point). It is possible that the guy that put this workout into DailyBurn was using old numbers, but I think I am going to switch to the actual current program numbers from the hundred pushups website. The next two workouts might be a little bit more of an increase than I should be doing, but I want to make sure I am following the program as closely as possible (and really, a few extra pushups sure won’t kill me)

Being Monday, I also weighed myself today. Now I really haven’t been eating the greatest lately, especially today, so I am not surprised that I went up, but 2 pounds surprised me. Granted I have never really trusted my scale, but that is what it said – so that is what I put in. No secrets here, blog followers Just gotta keep doing better!

February 1, 2010: 203.8 lbs.

Current weight: 206.4 lbs.

Difference from last week: +1.6 lbs.
Overall difference: +1.6 lbs.

Week 1 = in the books! Woohoo! And on a Saturday, no less! I am quite proud that I worked out and was able to finish the first week. They say starting out is always the hardest…I am not sure who “they” is, but it was hard to motivate myself to get going. But I did get going, and I will keep on going. Felt good today – chest and arms are a little sore, but a good kind of sore. My sets today…

10, 8, 8, 5, 16 (max set, at least 10)

Felt good about that last set especially. I am looking forward to ramping up a little bit more next week. Yay me!

Day 2 overall of my workout program is in the books! And actually, I felt pretty good today. Did a few more pushups than on Tuesday, and I also mixed in a little bit of free weight action as well (side-laterals!) Today’s sets:

9, 8, 6, 5, 11 (max set, minimum of 7)

Felt good through the whole thing, and I continue to feel good about my progress – even thought it is only the second day

I have a busy weekend coming up, so it will be interesting to see when I fit in the third day of pushups this week, but I am committed to this, so I will find time! Woo! Keep it up!

So I promised I would blog and keep you updated on my workout status.  And damn it – my fans demand to be entertained!  So I need to keep that promise!

I have switched gears a little bit on my working out.  I got lazy on Monday, but I started back on Tuesday – but with a new program.  I found a much better site, DailyBurn.com (run by Google) that let’s keep track of a lot more things.  It has a lot more workouts and different types of things that I can do and track, so I figured I would just switch now before I got too into the workout I was doing.  I will probably incorporate a couple of the exercises that I liked into my new workout, but my main focus now will be pushups.  One hundred pushups, to be exact.

If you haven’t heard of the one hundred pushups program, it’s pretty simple.  The workout vows within 6 weeks, you will be able to do 100 pushups in a row.  Pushups are a great workout for your upper body, and doing them on a regular basis can really help tone and strengthen your arms, chest, shoulders, etc.  I tried this program a few months ago, but only lasted 2 weeks before moving on to other things (read: giving up because I am lazy).  But I thought this would be a perfect time to get back into it.  It basically requires doing pushups 3 days a week.  You start with an initial test.  Do as many pushups as you can, and this will put you into a certain bracket.  Based on that bracket, you do 5 sets of a predetermined amount of pushups (with a set break in between each set).  For the fifth set, you do as many as you can (just to finish off the workout on a good note)  Then you should rest a day, and continue on your merry way.  After 2 weeks, you do an “exhaustion test”, to make sure you are progressing.  As long as you hit a certain number, you can keep going.  Otherwise just redo that week.  Fairly simple (check out the website linked above for full details if you want to do it yourself!)

So basically, I found this workout as one of the ones you can track on DailyBurn.  I started that and at this point, I will be doing the second column (the 6 – 10 pushups area) for the first week.  I did my first day of this yesterday with the follow sets:

7, 7, 5, 4, 8 (the fifth set is a max set, with a minimum of 5)

Pushups were a part of the workout I had been doing last week, so it’s not like I was doing them for the first time in a while, and it definitely felt good.  I really hope I can stick to the program this time around.  Doing 100 pushups in a row would be a really great accomplishment.  I will likely add a few of those exercises I had been doing into the routine eventually, and I also want to add some running to the list as well.  Slowly but surely, right?

Oooh, I also got a battery for my scale!  I guess that means I should probably put it in the scale and weigh myself…but I am too lazy for that…

Fine…be pushy.  I will do that now.  Be right back.

Yikes – I never really trusted that scale before, but at least I have a starting point…all uphill from here, right?

Starting Weight: 203.8 lbs.

I think I will probably do weekly updates of the weight, starting on Mondays (I will probably let next week slide just since I did this one so late).

I had meant to make this post a couple weeks ago, when it was actually my parents anniversary, but life got in the way and I wasn’t able to find the time to do it.  But now, I feel it needs to be said: my parents are amazing.  Plain and simple.

My parents were married January 11th, 1985 at the courthouse, so they never had their “big wedding”.   When discussions have their 25th anniversary started a couple years ago, a few options were presented.  Kirsten, my lovely wife, brought up the idea of a “renewal of vows” – basically a wedding without the license (since they already have that).  The more the topic was brought up, the more my Mom and Dad loved the idea.  So the plans started in motion – and of course, they started small and grew exponentially from there.  It started with just a few people at an intimate get-together, it grew into a full-blown “wedding” at a chapel with a huge reception afterwards.  In fact, the chapel they ended up going with was the same chapel where Kirsten and I got married (Country Chapel in Appleton – it’s an amazing little place, check it out), so it was fun going back there and reliving all the memories we had almost 4 years ago (yikes!).  My brother and I stood up as best men (I tried to convince my Mom to put “Bestest Man” and “2nd Best Man” on the program, but she shot me down…) and my sister and Kirsten stood up as Maid and Matron of Honor, respectively.  Grace and my cousin Collin (my parent’s godchild) stood up as Flower Girl and Ring Bearer.  We got to ride in a big ass limo to and from the ceremony (and it drove us home – score!)  The ceremony itself was absolutely awesome ceremony.  Everyone ooohed and ahhhed at the cuteness of Gracie and Collin, and of course at how gorgeous my Mom looked (and I am sure a few snickers were had at mine and my brother’s expense, as we were wearing tuxes with pink vests – thanks Mom!)  And then the reception was just a blast, seeing all my the friends and family of our family, some of whom we haven’t seen in a while, just celebrating and partying and having a grand ol’ time.

And why, again, were we there?  Love.  Love was the reason.  The immense love between my Mom and Dad.  25 years of it.  Hell, a lot of people flat out said they weren’t going to make it when they first got together.  But love endures.  Through the first months, through their wedding, through having me (tough enough, I know!), through the hard times, and through the amazing times.  My parents have raised 3 pretty amazing children (if I do say so myself) and now we can get to pass that love on to our significant others and kids.  Kirsten and I have been together for a little over 6 years, and as all couples do, we’ve had our fair share of tough times.  But I always knew – if my parents could do it, then we can too.  I always look up to them as an example of what I want to be, of the type of parent I want to be to my kids.  My parents have always been there for me, no matter what – maybe not giving me handouts and exactly telling me what to do, but showing me the right path and letting me get there on my own.  Sure, I might stumble, but they would help pick me up, dust me off, and keep leading me in the right direction.  That is the parent I want to be.  And I know that the sky is the limit.

I feel like I rambling a little more than I was hoping, but I hope my point wasn’t lost.  This is a simple toast (an e-toast, if you will) to two people I look up to the most in my life.  I love you, Mom and Dad – and here’s to an amazing 25 years together.  And here is also to another 25 more.

Just a note, for those of you asking – I will be posting some pictures and the video that we made for my folks on here shortly.  Just have to get around to doing that, so be patient

I still haven’t come up with a catchy name for my weight loss posts, but seeing as this is only my second one, I still have some time to do that.  Day 2 of working out went pretty good – again, almost didn’t even do it, but I pushed myself to do it and it felt really good.  I definitely was still feeling the effects of Monday’s work out, but that has got to be a good sign, right?  Sure, it means I am definitely out of shape – but the fact that I felt like that and still kept going today is a good sign!  I definitely felt very good though.  I only did 2 sets again, but I pushed myself very hard on each set and fully completed them both (I skimped on a couple on Monday).  I was feeling a good rush of adrenaline afterward, and I almost threw on a long sleeve shirt and went for a run.  But I figured I would wait until it wasn’t 13 degrees out…although I do think I want to add some cardio into the mix soon (I was thinking around week 3).  I know that is a part I can get Kirsten involved in too – although she probably wouldn’t run with me, and I couldn’t get her to walk until it is warmer out (mainly because Grace would have to come with too, and she already says “Brrr!” when I open the front door, haha)

Either way, I felt good today.  I set out to 2 – 3 workouts a week, and my FreeTrainers.com fitness plan did give me a workout for Friday, but seeing as that is bowling night, I probably won’t work out that night.  Possibly Saturday (still giving me that day off before Monday), but we will see.  I had hoped to keep updated track of my weight on here too, but seeing as how our scale is dead, I can’t do that yet (of course, the stupid thing takes one of those little lithium batteries…never have those laying around when you need them!)

I have told a few people about what I doing and already gotten some good support, so I appreciate it guys.  I haven’t a clue how many people actually read this blog, but I do appreciate everyone that does and lends their support.  Lord knows I’d rather be building a website or playing WoW or something else…but I know I need this.  So thanks all  Onward!!

So I have been meaning to update for the past couple of weeks, but every time I sit down to write, something pulls me away and I never get back to it.  I have a draft started for an anniversary post for my parents…but their anniversary was two weeks ago now! (I still might get that one out, heh)  But as I eluded to in a Twitter post last week, I have set out to start working out this week, so I figured that was a good way to get me into blogging again – blog about keeping my fat ass in shape!

I have never been very good at staying in shape.  Well, I shouldn’t say that.  I have typically been in…decent…shape most of my life.  I always tried to stay active throughout high school and college.  I love playing sports when I can, and I love to just be active.  But after 4 years of college, and now 3 years (not counting college years) of a pretty sedentary job, things have caught up to me.  I rarely gained any weight all through high school and even the first year or two of college.  Then it ALL caught up to me.  I suppose (as many would say) that the copious amounts of beer I have consumed over the years could be a key factor to that, but still.  I want to be more in shape.  I weigh around 195 pounds right – maybe not “fat” (whatever that word means), but overweight enough where I feel I can do something about it.  And hell, even if I lose just 5 pounds, I’d love to tone what meat I DO have on my bones.

So here is what I have set out to do.  I don’t really have a long-term goal in mind, but I know I just want to get into SOME kind of habit with working out.  I found a website – www.freetrainers.com – and I set up a profile there.  There were quite a few sites like this that I found, but most had a membership fee attached to them, and I really didn’t want or need that kind of obligation right now.  You might say I want an “easy way out” just in case, but that’s not it.  Really I just wanted a place that gave me a good path for a decent workout that I could do 2 or 3 times a week just to stay active.  And that is what this site does.  It lets you choose a workout type and gives you a plan to fit that – plus it allows you to choose if you are just doing it at home with no equipment or at a gym or whatever (I do have access to a gym at work, but for now I am starting with my free weight set in my house)

So long story short – I started that workout tonight.  I almost didn’t.  I knew Monday was the first night of it, and I almost just wimped out.  I know a lot of people might think I will still wimp out after a week or two (wouldn’t be the first time), but I really feel I can stick with this.  The first workout tonight was 4 sets of 7 different exercises.  I made it through 2 sets before calling it quits – I really don’t want to push myself too hard the first night and make it so I don’t even want to do it anymore.  I can clearly feel that I had worked out – which I am not sure is a good thing or a bad thing.  On one hand, it definitely was working those muscles.  On the other, it was work those muscles don’t do often, haha.  But it definitely felt really good while I was doing it, and my hope is that if I can update my blog at least twice a week with updates, I can see some progress and maybe get some encouragement along the way (depending on who even reads this, haha)

So the long journey begins.  This first workout plan that I have is for 12-weeks.  As I said, I don’t have a real long-term goal at this point, but I will see where this takes me and go from there.  I just want to start getting into a habit – nothing too intense yet – and take you all along for the ride.  If I can do this (which I know I can!!!!), then you can too