Three normal guys with the same goal...to shed weight, to shed inches, and to quit being fat asses.
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Weekly Recap
So I decided that daily updates may be tough for me and also overkill for our readers. I am going to switch to weekly reviews which will be more manageable and provide better content.
So this week, hectic to say the least, but I still managed to get most of my workouts in. I already posted Monday and Tuesday so I will star with Wednesday. Well work kept me from heading upstairs with my Trio Challenge buddies so I had to forfeit my 5 dollars for the day. I could tell that not working out put me in a bad mood ad I will say that I didn't like it one bit. Throwing my routine off is something I don't want to do that for a long time.
I continued on Thursday by doing the chest and back P90x workout that the guys did on Wednesday. I felt my muscles getting tired quicker without the longer breaks in between reps that I normally get when doing the workout with the guys. It helped me push harder though and see what my body was capable off. Such a good workout.
Friday I hit the elliptical again for 20 minutes and finished the light Friday workout with some stretching. I know it can be hard to get in the gym on Friday but I feel those are the days that pay off the most even if they aren't hard workouts.
Overall I feel a lot better because of this workout challenge. I need to focus on my ankles which have been sore for a couple weeks. While playing or working out they don't feel too bad, but after sitting or laying down for a while they are sore when I start to walk; it may be time to invest in some compression braces to see if that helps reduce the pain along with more icing after tough workouts.
So far John is winning the challenge with all $40 of his bank intact, I am in second with $35, and Barnes is in third with $30. I always try to keep in mind that this challenge isn't about money, but about keeping each other motivated to workout and get in shape.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Week 4 Day 3
Don’t forget to check out the new poll and tip of the week!
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Week4, Day 2
More elliptical, what can I say. Did 25 minutes today and of course finished up by doing some dips, sit-ups, and pushups. I can feel everything getting easier; which means it is time to push harder so that I keep making my muscles work as hard as possible. Working out is routine and I don't even have thoughts of not doing it. I look forward to my 60 minute mid day break to take my mind off work and ge that extra dose of energy for the afternoon.
"I just kept running, and running, and running"
We then ended with the typical sit up, push up, incline cool down.
Yesterday, I hit the random selection on the elliptical. Man, does that thing make you sweat. I was drenched after that workout. Thing said I burned over 400 calories.
Tomorrow we hit the chest and back...P90X style.
In the first month of this "journey", I can say that this is what I have needed to do for a long time. I have a good support system all around and has made me stay accountable. My clothes are fitting better and I just feel better in general. I am down about 6 total pounds, from when I started this, and definitively down some inches. Thank you to everyone who has talked to me about the blog and supported us through this. Your encouragement drives us and your kind words motivate us. We will keep updating, if you all are still reading. Talk to you all soon.
Peace - John
Week 4, Day 1
Almost a month complete and I think all of us can agree that we look and feel better. I can't wait to see 3 months from now and all the progress we will make.
Today was an elliptical day. John and I both did 30 minutes of the random selection. This day was nothing like last Thursday, but still a good workout. I will see if Barnes wants to do it again on Tuesday, but I really like the elliptical.
Monday, June 20, 2011
Lots of Walking
Week 4 starts today. More updates to come.
Friday, June 17, 2011
Week 3, Day 5
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Week 3 Day 4
Week 3, Day 4
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Week 3 Day 3
Week 3 Days 1 & 2
Day 2-Burmy and I both hit the elliptical for these days. Pushing ourselves a little hard each time. Increasing the resistance levels and chosing the random programs. Its a great workout. We finished the day with our sets of push ups, sit ups and dips. The goal is not to build a great deal of mass, just keep the muscles challeged and toned. The muscle building will come once the weight is off. At least thats my goal. Good workout, felt good and love being back in the gym.
Week 3, Day 3
Week 3, Day 2
Going back to running. My main issue is my shin splints which I have mentioned before. I learned a lot about them on Monday night while I was out to dinner with my friend Sarah who just graduated from the Mayo clinic and has been treating sports injuries for a while. The minute I said the term shin splints she corrected me and said that the term meant nothing and that there are actually 4 types of "shin splints." She explained to me why I was feeling that pain and it made perfect sense. I run on the outside of my feet and have known this for a while. The strike point on my foot is causing the outside of my shins to take the direct impact rather than my whole leg which should be taking the hit. She suggested that she could evaluate my running style and recommend shoes that could help with the way I run and possibly cause the issue to go away. I will be taking advantage of that as soon as possible because I cannot stand the pain when I run. I also know I need to be more diligent in icing and strecthing on a daily basis and after the pain is there.
Progress
I always get hung up on the weight loss portion of these things, but need to keep in mind that that you also lose inches. And now I can say I feel that.
This has been a great start to this journey and I look forward to working out everyday. A big thank you to Burmy and Barnes for being there. This is just the beginning and I am looking forward to where this is going to take us.
Talk to you all soon. John
Monday, June 13, 2011
Week 3, Day 1
Yesterday I played more tennis with Andy, probably 20 or so games. Saturday I played 2 kickball games which got me outside and active for a bit.
I am noticing more that my ankle is becoming increasingly sore as the weeks go on. I have always had weak ankles but I haven't sprained it in a while. Hopefully as time passes it will get better, but for now I am going to look into a compression brace for it while doing physical activity.
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Last Weeks Poll Results
Moderate - Climbing stairs, walking, yard work 4 (21%)
Very Active- light exercise, sports, bike riding 12 (63%)
Intense- Aggressive workout, 5K or better, strict diet regiment 1 (5%)
Votes so far: 19
Week 2 Day 5
Week 2 Day 4
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Another Saturday
Peace out - John
Friday, June 10, 2011
Excuses, Excuses...
John Germano: $40 remaining
Brian Burmeister: $40 remaining
Bryan Barnes: $35 remaining
Barnes can say what he wants about why he had to miss the team work out but the fact is that he did, which means he is out $5 at the end of week 2.
Week 2, Day 5 & Week 2 Recap
Overall the week started off slow. I didn't really feel like my work out Monday pushed me, but everyday it became more intense. I like having the structure of a P90X work out to guide me through 45 - 60 minutes of activity. I also like that you are changing things up every minute or two. Overall I think we have a good mix of aerobic and weight lifting.
Feeling Good
Later this afternoon, we hit the gym for a little P90X Core. Nighty nights.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Week 2, Day 4
Updated pictures as well on the site. Damion Zale brought up a good point that we should do side shots as well which we all agreed was a good idea.
Week 2 Day 3 Workout Update
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Week 2 Day Three
Week 2, Day 3
I want to say how awesome I think it is that John Germano can do almost two pull ups. I have respect for that as I cannot even get 1 right now. Good work John.
I also want to say that Bryan Barnes is a mad man on the elliptical.
Watching both of them workout gives me the motivation to get to their level.
WE HAVE OUR FIRST WORKOUT MISS OF THE CHALLENGE!
Weekly totals will be posted on Friday afternoons.
Week 2, Day 2, Session 1 & 2
Session 2 was volleyball in a league I play in. I did not sweat nearly as much as I thought I would during this, but it was still nice to get outside in the warm weather and move around.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
5K training....Week 2
On another note, Charlie at work dropped me off a coupon for a new wellness center that is near work. It is for half off on a 16oz smoothie and a free wellness profile. I think it would be cool to get a profile done now and then re-visit it in 6 months. Will need to talk to the guys about that.
Tomorrow we are working the arms and chest. Should be fun. Peace.
Week 2, Day 1 session 2
Week 2 Day 1- Still Going
Monday, June 6, 2011
A new week...A new dawn
My 5K training application resumes tomorrow. First time I have ever looked forward to running.
Began planning out what I want to eat for meals. Need to stay more focused on that. I know that it is going to take a long time to see the results, but I am looking forward to them.
Stay Tuned.....
Week 2, Day 1
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Day 4- Worst day yet
Saturday, June 4, 2011
New and Improved.... I Think
Day 3- Update
Early Morning Run
I am slowly beginning to come around and feel normal again, except for my right tricep. That thing is extremely tight. My next hurdle that I know that I am going to have to overcome is the food side of things. I need to start planning my meals better and watching what I eat. Just another chapter in this book. As for today, it is Luciana's 1st birthday party, so I will be indulging. Hope everyone has a great weekend.
Peace Out - John
Friday, June 3, 2011
Lonely....
I have softball tonight, and while it is not a great work out it is still better than sitting at the bar drinking empty calories, even though I like doing that too.
Over the weekend I plan on either taking a walk or going for a bike ride just to keep the muscles warm so that when Monday comes around they wont feel the shock like they did this week.
NO PAIN, NO GAIN!!!!!!
After Ab Ripper I jumped on the treadmill for about 10 minutes doing some walking/running in intervals, again the shin splints are an absolute thorn in my side and cause me too much pain to push through many of the times. I stopped running and went to the trusty old bike again doing some more intervals. I think the reason I turn to the bike is that after running and having my shins feel like they are going to explode it is a nice to still be exercising and not putting the pressure on them. I also recall my days back in 8th - 10th grade where I would bike into town from my parents house which was approximately 5 miles almost everyday to hang out with friends and then go to work. I look back at pictures of myself from then and realize how much better shape i used to be in; I want to get back to that.
I finished up by some stretching and we ended with a photo shoot for week one. The photos are going to be weekly representations of our progress and will be visible in the slide show on the main blog page.
Writing this the day after working out I can say that the soreness in my arms does not even compare to what I am feeling in the front of my hips. My guess is that I was using those muscles to do many of the ab workouts since my abs aren't strong enough to do the lifting. It is a tad hard to walk, but i know that it will just take time for my body to get used to using some muscles that I haven't in a while.
John and Bryan are off today so I will be heading up to work out by myself today. I plan on keeping it a low key day since I also have softball tonight.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Day 2...Arms sore
After Ab Ripper, I started Day 2 of my 5K training app. Tried to push it a little harder on the minute runs. No big deal.
Tomorrow I have vacation so I will not be upstairs, but there is no penalty because it is scheduled. Will perform Day 3 of training app on Saturday.
Peace out - John
Establishing a routine and state of mind
My plan is to just stay as active as possible. Working out during the day with John and Brian and will be working out in the afternoon with my son while he is training for football. I will try to make solid decisions when it comes to food and to keep my goals in check. I am not going to concentrate too much on the long term and try to keep focus on each day.
I cant remember the last time I can honestly say my weight was less than 200lbs. Thats about to change.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Day One....Kinda, Sorta
As for myself and Brian B (referred to as 'Burmy' from here on out), we started this thing up on Tuesday, 5/31. We both started with a 5K training application on our phones. It is intended to build your endurance and train you for a 5K run. Burmy has had issues with shin splints so he pushed through with what he could and finished off on the bike. I completed the 30 minute exercise and was instructed (by the app) to rest a day and pick up the training program on Thursday.
On to the official "kick-off". We all decided to work on our arms and upper back. We used a modified P90X exercise program that involved many push ups in many different forms (regular, army style, wides, diamond, etc.) We complimented that with many pulls ups and free weight exercises. All in all, great workout and can't wait for the next couple of days to see how my body feels. Right now, I feel like a T-Rex who can't put on deodorant or scratch his back. Real nice.
We are still finalizing the details of exactly how the monetary side of things is going to work, but we have agreed that we will be working out 5 days a week (Monday thru Friday).
Can't wait for tomorrow. Peace out - John
The Beginning
With that being said, we all agreed that we needed the support of one another in order to build a consistent plan. Also, putting a monetary prize behind this also has its benefits (which we will detail out once everything has been finalized), but not as much as the ultimate goal....quit being fat asses.
We will be using this blog to detail out our daily exercises and also using it to showcase the progress. Every Thursday, we will include a picture of the three of us so that we can put together a nice pictorial timeline of the physical changes that we hope our bodies go through. Bryan B. has asked that we take those pictures in tighty whities, but it was quickly shot down by the committee.
I hope you enjoy this blog and that you keep up on our progress. We know that we are at the ultimate hand of accountability since we are posting this, but we are going to do this thing.
Peace out. - John
