One of my favorite songs of all time is Peter Framptoms Do you feel like we do, the Live version from the "Framptom Comes Alive!" album. When the synthesized sound, created by his famous "Talk Box" kicks in, I still get goosebumps. Every time. It may have been pure coincidence, but sometimes things are a little to koinky-dinky for me, as this song was the last song that that played on my iPhone as I hit 41 minutes on the elliptical. And you know what? I DID feel good, I think I could have gone for 60 minutes. I felt damn good. Euphoria galore. Almost giddy. I did stop at 41 minutes, as I do not want to burn out. 45 minutes will be the goal on Thursday. Tomorrow is Rest Day - wahooo!
The only bad part today, is my carpool buddy and I left a little late, and with the 41 minutes of elliptical I ran out of time to start the weight training. Again. I need to figure this out.
On another note, I am adding a new food to cut out of my diet. Milk based creams and cheeses. Goodbye my friend Gouda, Havarti, Cheddar, Jack and their cousins of Sour Cream, heavy creams and what not. I will miss thee. So much!!! I am still going to munch on the occasional Goat Cheese and Feta Cheese for now.
Here is the latest list of foods I have cut out of my diet.
Beef
Soda and all other forms of Caffeine (Natural Water Only)
Fast Food
Fried Foods
Sugar and Artifical Sweeteners
Milk based Cheese and Creams
I am still trying to eat 5 or 6 times a day, with protein shakes the first two meals in the morning, a vegetarian lunch, fruit/crackers for afternoon snack and a healthy dinner with a late night snack of fruit/crackers.
Cheers,
-Aaron
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Monday, June 28, 2010
Feeling good today...
I experienced something profound this weekend. It was very spiritual and enlightening, and changed the meaning of "Forever" for me. I won't go into the details here, but I have a new outlook on many things...
Oh yeah - Hello Week 6!
36 minutes of yummy elliptical. I may try 40 tomorrow, the 36 was just too much fun. I really need to workout hard this week, as next week the family and I head to Washington State for some much needed vacation. Tomorrow I am gonna try that workout with weights again. Can't wait, no really, I'm friggen serious, can't wait !!!
A few people have been asking if I have been losing weight through all of this. The short answer is Yes. A decent amount. But, I rarely get on the scale. I really don't care at this point. Eating right, daily exercise and cardio/conditioning are my focus. I am trying to get muscles where there are none, get my heart and lungs to pump more oxygen throughout my body when needed as well as work less when not. Trying to stop eating stuff that is unhealthy, while trying to eat more healthy things. These are my goals. The weight will come off as well, but for now I am not tracking, charting, or even weighing in.
What have you eaten lately that was healthy, what exercise have you been doing? These are the questions I ask myself every day...
Hope everyone has a great Monday...
Cheers,
-Aaron
Oh yeah - Hello Week 6!
36 minutes of yummy elliptical. I may try 40 tomorrow, the 36 was just too much fun. I really need to workout hard this week, as next week the family and I head to Washington State for some much needed vacation. Tomorrow I am gonna try that workout with weights again. Can't wait, no really, I'm friggen serious, can't wait !!!
A few people have been asking if I have been losing weight through all of this. The short answer is Yes. A decent amount. But, I rarely get on the scale. I really don't care at this point. Eating right, daily exercise and cardio/conditioning are my focus. I am trying to get muscles where there are none, get my heart and lungs to pump more oxygen throughout my body when needed as well as work less when not. Trying to stop eating stuff that is unhealthy, while trying to eat more healthy things. These are my goals. The weight will come off as well, but for now I am not tracking, charting, or even weighing in.
What have you eaten lately that was healthy, what exercise have you been doing? These are the questions I ask myself every day...
Hope everyone has a great Monday...
Cheers,
-Aaron
Friday, June 25, 2010
Its Friday!!!
Good bye week 5!
Ended well. 35 minutes of fun on the Elliptical. I think I will try 36 minutes next week, and am still debating on Tues/Thurs weight training or Mon/Wed/Fri. I may start off on Tues/Thurs with Wednesday a TRUE rest day. Start off slow, and make incremental progress eh?
Problem is on July 5th I pack the family in the car and drive to Washington State. I fly back on the 13th. that is more than a full week away from the Gym. I plan to walk and jog most of those days, but I have made such good progress lets hope this little venture does not turn into a setback.
I hope everyone enjoys the weekend, I am sure planning too...
-Aaron
Ended well. 35 minutes of fun on the Elliptical. I think I will try 36 minutes next week, and am still debating on Tues/Thurs weight training or Mon/Wed/Fri. I may start off on Tues/Thurs with Wednesday a TRUE rest day. Start off slow, and make incremental progress eh?
Problem is on July 5th I pack the family in the car and drive to Washington State. I fly back on the 13th. that is more than a full week away from the Gym. I plan to walk and jog most of those days, but I have made such good progress lets hope this little venture does not turn into a setback.
I hope everyone enjoys the weekend, I am sure planning too...
-Aaron
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Feeling better, need more...
Well, that lil nasty stomach bug seems to be mostly cleared up. I was able to get up on time, and arrived at the gym at 6am today. I hit the elliptical for 35 minutes, 3 miles, and almost 500 calories. It was fun. Seriously. I was even pounding out the rhythms to some of the songs (fairly loudly) on the elliptical handle bars, freaking out the other gym members.
It was kewl to see their expressions of their distaste for this new noise. I didn't care. I was exercising, sweating and enjoying myself. I was in the zone baby!
Based on some successes and failures over the last few weeks, I am mixing up the routine as well as my expectations. Having an "organic" approach to this exercise and healthy living thing really is the way to go. Being able to make course corrections and refocus is powerful, very powerful, as long as you keep aiming at your goals by never compromising your primary objective.
The changes… 1 through 4 …
1 - I will continue the elliptical 3 to 4 times a week as my main mode of cardio/conditioning.
2 - I will jog once a week, to continue to keep my knees and hips in check.
3 - Once I can do 5 to 6 mph for 60 minutes on the Elliptical, I will then revisit the jogging regiment as my main form of cardio/conditioning. My main goal right now is to get healthy, and raise my endurance and grow some muscle.
All of this exercise and eating stuff is to get me healthy, as well as to condition my brain that exercise and eating healthy is a way of life. Forever. I’m lookin for life long changes here, not a shortcut. That being said, losing weight would be nice, and hopefully a fantastic side effect of all of this effort, but is NOT my main goal for now. It took me 10 years to get fat. I am really focused on getting healthy; the weight will come off in time. That being said, one of the reasons for the above mentioned changes is that my before mentioned weight is a direct cause of the pain and issues with my knees and hips. Until I can drop 50 pounds or more, I think I will stay with the jogging once a week.
The question I now have is...
When will I reach 60 minutes of 6 mph on the Elliptical and when will I drop 50 pounds? Oh yeah, the Marathon is now only 32 weeks away.
This leads me to point 4 ...
4 - I MUST also do resistance training. Lift weights. I just have to. I need the maximum amount of conditioning both aerobic and anaerobic at this point. I need to push myself. I have tried this in the past. I have started slow, I have started fast. So far it hasn’t worked out yet (no pun intended). But, I need the triangle of health here. Cardio, Muscle Building and Healthy Eating. So, as I get up to speed on the Elliptical and continue to hone my eating regiment I must now figure out how to add 3 days a week of resistance training.
Wish me luck!
It was kewl to see their expressions of their distaste for this new noise. I didn't care. I was exercising, sweating and enjoying myself. I was in the zone baby!
Based on some successes and failures over the last few weeks, I am mixing up the routine as well as my expectations. Having an "organic" approach to this exercise and healthy living thing really is the way to go. Being able to make course corrections and refocus is powerful, very powerful, as long as you keep aiming at your goals by never compromising your primary objective.
The changes… 1 through 4 …
1 - I will continue the elliptical 3 to 4 times a week as my main mode of cardio/conditioning.
2 - I will jog once a week, to continue to keep my knees and hips in check.
3 - Once I can do 5 to 6 mph for 60 minutes on the Elliptical, I will then revisit the jogging regiment as my main form of cardio/conditioning. My main goal right now is to get healthy, and raise my endurance and grow some muscle.
All of this exercise and eating stuff is to get me healthy, as well as to condition my brain that exercise and eating healthy is a way of life. Forever. I’m lookin for life long changes here, not a shortcut. That being said, losing weight would be nice, and hopefully a fantastic side effect of all of this effort, but is NOT my main goal for now. It took me 10 years to get fat. I am really focused on getting healthy; the weight will come off in time. That being said, one of the reasons for the above mentioned changes is that my before mentioned weight is a direct cause of the pain and issues with my knees and hips. Until I can drop 50 pounds or more, I think I will stay with the jogging once a week.
The question I now have is...
When will I reach 60 minutes of 6 mph on the Elliptical and when will I drop 50 pounds? Oh yeah, the Marathon is now only 32 weeks away.
This leads me to point 4 ...
4 - I MUST also do resistance training. Lift weights. I just have to. I need the maximum amount of conditioning both aerobic and anaerobic at this point. I need to push myself. I have tried this in the past. I have started slow, I have started fast. So far it hasn’t worked out yet (no pun intended). But, I need the triangle of health here. Cardio, Muscle Building and Healthy Eating. So, as I get up to speed on the Elliptical and continue to hone my eating regiment I must now figure out how to add 3 days a week of resistance training.
Wish me luck!
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Friggen bad day...
Ate some bad chicken last night (or at least that is what I have surmised so far), was up all night playing with my new friend the Porcelain Bowl. Yuck, yuck and I mean YUCK!
Add to that our 8 month old was screaming at 3am and my team did some maintenance on our servers at work and I was called several times throughout the night with outages and what not.
Last night sucked.
I finally got to bed around 3:30 am, and woke up at 6:30. I am suffering through the day, eating bland foods and sucking down Tylenol.
Days like this suck. Period.
-Aaron
Add to that our 8 month old was screaming at 3am and my team did some maintenance on our servers at work and I was called several times throughout the night with outages and what not.
Last night sucked.
I finally got to bed around 3:30 am, and woke up at 6:30. I am suffering through the day, eating bland foods and sucking down Tylenol.
Days like this suck. Period.
-Aaron
Monday, June 21, 2010
30 Minutes and Counting...
I did it. I hit the treadmill for a full 30 minutes. My lungs and heart pained me a bit, but was completely manageable. My knees and hips were almost completely absent from our jogging conversation today.
Sometimes you just have to push through the pain, not give up and keep doing it. What does not kill you WILL make you stronger, if you can just be steady and sure in your approach.
It felt really good today.
I was a little concerned that my Fathers Day dinner was going to upset the balance today. I splurged a bit. Saturday night, we went to Lucille's Smokehouse and I had a loaded baked potato and a rack of pork ribs. It was so friggen good! More calories and meat then I am used to eating lately, but so worth it.
Sunday, I was busy all day so I ended up having a peach some almonds and a glass of juice until dinner time. We then had a vegetarian Black Bean soup with some white bean hummus spread with whole wheat toast. It was yummy too! (not as much as the ribs tho...) My wife made all of this from scratch (Soup, White Bean Spread and the Bread) - she is AWESOME!
I figure that if I can enjoy what I eat on certain holidays and special occasions then the daily health foods are just a means to an end. And I am goal oriented, so this plan works our well.
Oh yeah, hello week 5!
-Aaron
Sometimes you just have to push through the pain, not give up and keep doing it. What does not kill you WILL make you stronger, if you can just be steady and sure in your approach.
It felt really good today.
I was a little concerned that my Fathers Day dinner was going to upset the balance today. I splurged a bit. Saturday night, we went to Lucille's Smokehouse and I had a loaded baked potato and a rack of pork ribs. It was so friggen good! More calories and meat then I am used to eating lately, but so worth it.
Sunday, I was busy all day so I ended up having a peach some almonds and a glass of juice until dinner time. We then had a vegetarian Black Bean soup with some white bean hummus spread with whole wheat toast. It was yummy too! (not as much as the ribs tho...) My wife made all of this from scratch (Soup, White Bean Spread and the Bread) - she is AWESOME!
I figure that if I can enjoy what I eat on certain holidays and special occasions then the daily health foods are just a means to an end. And I am goal oriented, so this plan works our well.
Oh yeah, hello week 5!
-Aaron
Friday, June 18, 2010
End of week 4...
Pretty boring post today...
I woke up a bit late, but still decided to workout. I was a bit weary, so decided to do all Elliptical today. I hit 3 miles in 35 minutes, burned 450 calories and sweated a ton. While my friend the elliptical and I got to know each other some more, I happened to catch the latter half of the USA / Slovenia World Cup Game. I am NOT a soccer fan, but I must say when the US scored both goals (and the 3rd one should have counted too, that friggen ref), I was woot'in for joy! Woot Woot!
I will probably end up doing 3 to 4 hours of landscaping tomorrow morning, including a trip to the dump so I probably won't be doing any elliptical or running this weekend. Maybe the fam will go swimming as well. Not sure what the wife and kids have planned for Father's Day, but whatever it is I am lookin forward to it.
My eating has improved so much lately. I am eating a ton of veggies and fruits with very little meats, and it is paying off big time. My energy level is way up throughout most of the day. I am dang tired at night though, and sleep very well thank you. My clothes are fitring bit better as well..
Oh yeah - picked up some Naked - Green Machine Juice today at Costco. Damn yummy! Wow - powerful stuff.
Well, to all the dads out there - Happy Fathers Day!
Good bye week 4... Looking forward to meeting you, Week 5... Until then... C-Ya!
-Aaron
I woke up a bit late, but still decided to workout. I was a bit weary, so decided to do all Elliptical today. I hit 3 miles in 35 minutes, burned 450 calories and sweated a ton. While my friend the elliptical and I got to know each other some more, I happened to catch the latter half of the USA / Slovenia World Cup Game. I am NOT a soccer fan, but I must say when the US scored both goals (and the 3rd one should have counted too, that friggen ref), I was woot'in for joy! Woot Woot!
I will probably end up doing 3 to 4 hours of landscaping tomorrow morning, including a trip to the dump so I probably won't be doing any elliptical or running this weekend. Maybe the fam will go swimming as well. Not sure what the wife and kids have planned for Father's Day, but whatever it is I am lookin forward to it.
My eating has improved so much lately. I am eating a ton of veggies and fruits with very little meats, and it is paying off big time. My energy level is way up throughout most of the day. I am dang tired at night though, and sleep very well thank you. My clothes are fitring bit better as well..
Oh yeah - picked up some Naked - Green Machine Juice today at Costco. Damn yummy! Wow - powerful stuff.
Well, to all the dads out there - Happy Fathers Day!
Good bye week 4... Looking forward to meeting you, Week 5... Until then... C-Ya!
-Aaron
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Music to my ears...
See ya 8 minutes my old pal, and hello 15 minutes my new BFF! I pushed through today, or better yet my body allowed the push. I still had major knee and hip issues, but they didn't crop up until minute 13 or so, which allowed the push to 15 minutes. That is progress my friends, progress indeed.
After I visited with my 15 minute treadmill friend, I went and visited with my semi-new friend the 20 minute elliptical. It was awesome, again. So much fun, no hurt, lots of sweat and good heart beats. Lovin it.
Perhaps the non-impacting elliptical work on Tuesday allowed for today’s push to 15 minutes. Perhaps what I am eating is finally making the difference, perhaps the music I was listening to kicked my adrenaline up a notch. Who knows, but after I get back to 30 minutes on the treadmill, I think I will modify my plan to include an additional 15 to 30 minutes of elliptical each day as well. You can't get too much cardio baby!
Speaking of music...
I think I have a decent ear for music. All my life I have enjoyed many artists of just about every genre I have been exposed to, except country. There really is no excuse for country music. May it suffer and burn in hell. Nuf said bout that.
But on to the good stuff…
I figured I would list a random sampling of 15 to 20 or so songs that make up part of my workout playlist. Some songs really get the juices flowing and some bring back fond memories for me when I was a younger. Both types of songs, I have found, really get my body to perform to a higher level when exercising.
Here is the sample ...
Back in Black - ACDC
Speed Racer - Alpha Team
House of the Rising Sun - Animals
Son of a Preacherman - Aretha Franklin
Brass Monkey - Beastie Boys
Turn the Page - Bob Segar
Chemicals Between Us - Bush
Sandstorm - Darude
Lose Yourself - Eminem
Clint Eastwood - Gorrilaz
Wanted Man - Johnny Cash
Master of Pupptes - Metallica
Lightning Crashes - Live
Gossip Folks - Missy Elliot
Put Your Lights On - Santana
The Zoo - Scorpions
Canción Del Mariachi - Antonio Banderas and Los Lobos
Istanbul - They Might Be Giants
Blister in the Sun - Violent Femmes
Bang Bang (Baby Shot me Down) - Nancy Sinatra
Battle without Honor - Hotei Tomayasu
Just lookin at that list gets me excited.
Oh yeah, along with my utter distaste for Country Music I can absolutely say that I CAN NOT STAND Lady Gaga - please people, PUH LEEZE! Crap, crap, and utter crap. Makes me want to throw up in my mouth.
-Aaron
After I visited with my 15 minute treadmill friend, I went and visited with my semi-new friend the 20 minute elliptical. It was awesome, again. So much fun, no hurt, lots of sweat and good heart beats. Lovin it.
Perhaps the non-impacting elliptical work on Tuesday allowed for today’s push to 15 minutes. Perhaps what I am eating is finally making the difference, perhaps the music I was listening to kicked my adrenaline up a notch. Who knows, but after I get back to 30 minutes on the treadmill, I think I will modify my plan to include an additional 15 to 30 minutes of elliptical each day as well. You can't get too much cardio baby!
Speaking of music...
I think I have a decent ear for music. All my life I have enjoyed many artists of just about every genre I have been exposed to, except country. There really is no excuse for country music. May it suffer and burn in hell. Nuf said bout that.
But on to the good stuff…
I figured I would list a random sampling of 15 to 20 or so songs that make up part of my workout playlist. Some songs really get the juices flowing and some bring back fond memories for me when I was a younger. Both types of songs, I have found, really get my body to perform to a higher level when exercising.
Here is the sample ...
Back in Black - ACDC
Speed Racer - Alpha Team
House of the Rising Sun - Animals
Son of a Preacherman - Aretha Franklin
Brass Monkey - Beastie Boys
Turn the Page - Bob Segar
Chemicals Between Us - Bush
Sandstorm - Darude
Lose Yourself - Eminem
Clint Eastwood - Gorrilaz
Wanted Man - Johnny Cash
Master of Pupptes - Metallica
Lightning Crashes - Live
Gossip Folks - Missy Elliot
Put Your Lights On - Santana
The Zoo - Scorpions
Canción Del Mariachi - Antonio Banderas and Los Lobos
Istanbul - They Might Be Giants
Blister in the Sun - Violent Femmes
Bang Bang (Baby Shot me Down) - Nancy Sinatra
Battle without Honor - Hotei Tomayasu
Just lookin at that list gets me excited.
Oh yeah, along with my utter distaste for Country Music I can absolutely say that I CAN NOT STAND Lady Gaga - please people, PUH LEEZE! Crap, crap, and utter crap. Makes me want to throw up in my mouth.
-Aaron
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Almond Butter and Jelly...
Eating Almond/or Cashew butter twice a day is fun. Both are organic, raw with no salt added. I am eating them on Stone Ground Wheat crackers. Yummy. A bit dry sometimes, which forces me to drink more water, a win-win really. It seems to be helping with my carbs and protein needed throughout the day, so onward we shall march.
On to the jelly part...
So, here it is week 4. And if you read my previous blog posts you will be reminded that I am actually re-doing last week’s training regime as my body (mainly knees and hips) is struggling to keep up the running bit. You see, I figure that if I am to run a marathon then this whole running thing is important, right?
Today around 8 minutes (just like yesterday) my knees and hips groaned and protested loudly about the pain and grinding that was going on. What is up with the 8 minutes? I had a TON of energy, most of my body wanted to run but without the knees and hips, things were just not working out – AGAIN! So, I decided to check out the elliptical machine instead. I needed to sweat, and exercise, I refuse to let something as silly as my overweight out of shape body stand in the way. Progress people, I require progress!
In short, the elliptical was AWESOME! I ended up eliptical’ing (is that a word?) for 25 minutes, 3 miles and 300 calories. The entire time my heart hovered around 145 to 150 beats per minute, and my body felt joy. This was what exercising was supposed to feel like! It friggen rocked. It was almost better then Se… never mind, nothing is better than that – not even pizza. Even when it is bad, nothing is better than … But alas, I digress.
After 25 minutes, my legs were starting to feel a bit wishy washy and as good as it was still feeling I did not want to overdo it. So I spun down and got off the elliptical. Whoa! My legs felt as if they were made of Jelly! Holy crud. I looked like I had just gotten off a serious ride at Disney land, or as if my legs were made of Styrofoam. It was weird. Out of body experience weird. They did not hurt, they just did not want to work correctly. As I bowed out and in, walking like a drunk cowboy, stumbling to the stairs I figured enough was enough and sat down for a minute or two. What a rush. I actually missed and wanted to get back on the elliptical. Too late now, my legs were done for the day, and I was just hoping I could make it down the stairs to go shower and get ready for the day.
Since High School when I wrestled, I have never felt that fatigued. Nor have I felt that good while exercising. I could get used to this. Oh yeah. The problem is IT WAS NOT RUNNING! Obviously my lungs and heart can take the jogging motions just fine. It is my knees and hips. What to do…
I will NOT give up. In fact, it felt so good today that even though tomorrow is my ‘Rest from Running’ day, I will run again! See if I can push past this 8 minute barrier, and after that I will then stride along my new found friend, the elliptical.
-Aaron
On to the jelly part...
So, here it is week 4. And if you read my previous blog posts you will be reminded that I am actually re-doing last week’s training regime as my body (mainly knees and hips) is struggling to keep up the running bit. You see, I figure that if I am to run a marathon then this whole running thing is important, right?
Today around 8 minutes (just like yesterday) my knees and hips groaned and protested loudly about the pain and grinding that was going on. What is up with the 8 minutes? I had a TON of energy, most of my body wanted to run but without the knees and hips, things were just not working out – AGAIN! So, I decided to check out the elliptical machine instead. I needed to sweat, and exercise, I refuse to let something as silly as my overweight out of shape body stand in the way. Progress people, I require progress!
In short, the elliptical was AWESOME! I ended up eliptical’ing (is that a word?) for 25 minutes, 3 miles and 300 calories. The entire time my heart hovered around 145 to 150 beats per minute, and my body felt joy. This was what exercising was supposed to feel like! It friggen rocked. It was almost better then Se… never mind, nothing is better than that – not even pizza. Even when it is bad, nothing is better than … But alas, I digress.
After 25 minutes, my legs were starting to feel a bit wishy washy and as good as it was still feeling I did not want to overdo it. So I spun down and got off the elliptical. Whoa! My legs felt as if they were made of Jelly! Holy crud. I looked like I had just gotten off a serious ride at Disney land, or as if my legs were made of Styrofoam. It was weird. Out of body experience weird. They did not hurt, they just did not want to work correctly. As I bowed out and in, walking like a drunk cowboy, stumbling to the stairs I figured enough was enough and sat down for a minute or two. What a rush. I actually missed and wanted to get back on the elliptical. Too late now, my legs were done for the day, and I was just hoping I could make it down the stairs to go shower and get ready for the day.
Since High School when I wrestled, I have never felt that fatigued. Nor have I felt that good while exercising. I could get used to this. Oh yeah. The problem is IT WAS NOT RUNNING! Obviously my lungs and heart can take the jogging motions just fine. It is my knees and hips. What to do…
I will NOT give up. In fact, it felt so good today that even though tomorrow is my ‘Rest from Running’ day, I will run again! See if I can push past this 8 minute barrier, and after that I will then stride along my new found friend, the elliptical.
-Aaron
Monday, June 14, 2010
Back in the saddle again... Well kinda...
Ok. Had lots of energy today. My new eating regime really seems to be having a positive impact. It is a bit tough to suck down that almond butter before bed, but hey what works, works - right!
So, I was running at a good clip today. 8 minutes into it, my knees and hips started hurting again! I mean ouch. I'm starting to wonder if my 285 pound frame is doing damage to some joints and ligaments. I quickly got off the treadmill and went over to the stationary bikes where I peddled for about 8 miles. I sweated a ton, and my lungs got a great workout, and my legs felt it too. In fact, they are still feeling it.
I need to figure out this knee and hip thing. I am not against concentrating on fat burning and cardio like exercises to lose 50 pounds or so, and then start running again. But with the energy I felt today I am gonna give running a few more days to see if this knee and hip thing is for real or if it is just some temporary thing I can beat.
On a different note, I keep getting emails from a ton of folks saying they are inspired and are enjoying keeping up with my progress. Thanks for that. I really appreciate the support and all the well wishes I have gotten from everyone. I am humbled by the emails and comments as I am just a fat man trying to figure out how to live a bit longer then my current body will allow. If I have any impact at all, on anyone, it is this. Do something today, something that is healthier than what you did yesterday. Wash, rinse, repeat. Over time this will be a huge and positive impact in your life. Start small; make it a goal an achievable goal. Cross that one off your list, and make a new goal. Keep it going. Get some momentum. Gather some steam. Start making longer term goals. Just friggen do it.
My favorite Tim Robbins quote: "Once you have mastered time, you will understand how true it is that most people overestimate what they can accomplish in a year - and underestimate what they can achieve in a decade!"
I took me 10 years to get fat. If it takes me that long to get healthy again, so be it.
Please keep the good vibes headed this way I sure need them and very my appreciate them, that is for sure!
Stay tuned...
-Aaron
So, I was running at a good clip today. 8 minutes into it, my knees and hips started hurting again! I mean ouch. I'm starting to wonder if my 285 pound frame is doing damage to some joints and ligaments. I quickly got off the treadmill and went over to the stationary bikes where I peddled for about 8 miles. I sweated a ton, and my lungs got a great workout, and my legs felt it too. In fact, they are still feeling it.
I need to figure out this knee and hip thing. I am not against concentrating on fat burning and cardio like exercises to lose 50 pounds or so, and then start running again. But with the energy I felt today I am gonna give running a few more days to see if this knee and hip thing is for real or if it is just some temporary thing I can beat.
On a different note, I keep getting emails from a ton of folks saying they are inspired and are enjoying keeping up with my progress. Thanks for that. I really appreciate the support and all the well wishes I have gotten from everyone. I am humbled by the emails and comments as I am just a fat man trying to figure out how to live a bit longer then my current body will allow. If I have any impact at all, on anyone, it is this. Do something today, something that is healthier than what you did yesterday. Wash, rinse, repeat. Over time this will be a huge and positive impact in your life. Start small; make it a goal an achievable goal. Cross that one off your list, and make a new goal. Keep it going. Get some momentum. Gather some steam. Start making longer term goals. Just friggen do it.
My favorite Tim Robbins quote: "Once you have mastered time, you will understand how true it is that most people overestimate what they can accomplish in a year - and underestimate what they can achieve in a decade!"
I took me 10 years to get fat. If it takes me that long to get healthy again, so be it.
Please keep the good vibes headed this way I sure need them and very my appreciate them, that is for sure!
Stay tuned...
-Aaron
Friday, June 11, 2010
Need Fuel...
Kinda a short post today.
Been a crappy week of running. In fact, it deserves a redo. I do not feel that I made as much progress as I needed, so I am redoing this week next week. Part of my problem this week, I think, is the food that I have been eating. Don't get me wrong, my food habits of late has been some of the best I have had in the last 10 years. I am eating healthier than I every have, and I am very conscientious of what I eat. The problem I am noticing, is that some days I have a good amount of energy to run, and others I am slogging and barely able to put one foot in front of the other. The difference? I am betting that the food I eat is the culprit. There seems to be a subcategory of healthy foods called "Foods you should eat if running". Who knew. This area requires some exploring, and some eating habit changes.
So...
A few changes are in order...
For breakfast - protein shake. I typically grab a piece of fruit, or a bite or two of something left over from the previous nights dinner or I don't eat anything at all. I will now be mixing a protein shake each and every morning. I currently use On Gold Standard Whey Protein when I get into the office after I hit the gym. Good quality protein, tastes pretty decent and works well. This should work fine in the mornings for breakfast as well.
After Workout - protein shake. Works good now, should continue to work well.
Lunch - Vegetarian. Steamed veggies, salads, fruits and nuts. As close to as raw as possible. This should help keep my calories down, while ensuring I am getting some healthy carbs and fiber as well.
Afternoon Snack - Nut Butter and Crackers or Fruit etc. 3 or 4 Stoned Wheat crackers and some cashew or almond butter should do the trick. I may swap this out with a piece of fruit and string cheese or perhaps a fruit only smoothie. Just trying to keep my metabolism going, and curb that afternoon hunger streak so I don't go home and binge on left overs and un-healthy options in the pantry etc.
Dinner - Lean Protein and Veggie or Fruit. My wife has really turned into a great cook. She makes all kinds of great foods. My plan is to eat a small portion of whatever she makes, as I am sure it will be yummy. I will supplement that small portion size with raw veggies, salads and whole fruits. 75% of my meal should come from the raw foods, while ensuring I still get to eat some of my wife's great cooking and we don't all have to prepare different foods and can still enjoy eating as a family. You know what they say, a family that eats together stays together.
Before bedtime snack - Nut Butter and Crackers or Fruit etc. Just like the afternoon snack, this is to help balance my metabolism, as well as provide some fuel storage for the next days run. This I think will be a very important step. I currently do NOT eat a bedtime snack. This should be interesting.
I also plan to start keeping a food journal, where I hope to denote the food I eat and its impact on my energy level when running. My gut is telling me (no pun intended) that there is a heavy correlation between what I am eating and why my energy level is high and/or low when at they gym. Can't wait to try this out, starting now!
I am enjoying this journey, and am very excited to apply a learned lesson so soon. I am keeping my fingers crossed.
-Aaron
Been a crappy week of running. In fact, it deserves a redo. I do not feel that I made as much progress as I needed, so I am redoing this week next week. Part of my problem this week, I think, is the food that I have been eating. Don't get me wrong, my food habits of late has been some of the best I have had in the last 10 years. I am eating healthier than I every have, and I am very conscientious of what I eat. The problem I am noticing, is that some days I have a good amount of energy to run, and others I am slogging and barely able to put one foot in front of the other. The difference? I am betting that the food I eat is the culprit. There seems to be a subcategory of healthy foods called "Foods you should eat if running". Who knew. This area requires some exploring, and some eating habit changes.
So...
A few changes are in order...
For breakfast - protein shake. I typically grab a piece of fruit, or a bite or two of something left over from the previous nights dinner or I don't eat anything at all. I will now be mixing a protein shake each and every morning. I currently use On Gold Standard Whey Protein when I get into the office after I hit the gym. Good quality protein, tastes pretty decent and works well. This should work fine in the mornings for breakfast as well.
After Workout - protein shake. Works good now, should continue to work well.
Lunch - Vegetarian. Steamed veggies, salads, fruits and nuts. As close to as raw as possible. This should help keep my calories down, while ensuring I am getting some healthy carbs and fiber as well.
Afternoon Snack - Nut Butter and Crackers or Fruit etc. 3 or 4 Stoned Wheat crackers and some cashew or almond butter should do the trick. I may swap this out with a piece of fruit and string cheese or perhaps a fruit only smoothie. Just trying to keep my metabolism going, and curb that afternoon hunger streak so I don't go home and binge on left overs and un-healthy options in the pantry etc.
Dinner - Lean Protein and Veggie or Fruit. My wife has really turned into a great cook. She makes all kinds of great foods. My plan is to eat a small portion of whatever she makes, as I am sure it will be yummy. I will supplement that small portion size with raw veggies, salads and whole fruits. 75% of my meal should come from the raw foods, while ensuring I still get to eat some of my wife's great cooking and we don't all have to prepare different foods and can still enjoy eating as a family. You know what they say, a family that eats together stays together.
Before bedtime snack - Nut Butter and Crackers or Fruit etc. Just like the afternoon snack, this is to help balance my metabolism, as well as provide some fuel storage for the next days run. This I think will be a very important step. I currently do NOT eat a bedtime snack. This should be interesting.
I also plan to start keeping a food journal, where I hope to denote the food I eat and its impact on my energy level when running. My gut is telling me (no pun intended) that there is a heavy correlation between what I am eating and why my energy level is high and/or low when at they gym. Can't wait to try this out, starting now!
I am enjoying this journey, and am very excited to apply a learned lesson so soon. I am keeping my fingers crossed.
-Aaron
Thursday, June 10, 2010
A Small Setback...
First, some good news...
I sat in the blood pressure cuff machine today. You know the one, where you gladly put your arm into the torture device that encases your bicep and then fills up with air almost forcing you to hit to the emergency stop button due to the pain it causes you? Yeah, that one.
After 2 or 3 retry’s due to comfort and position (do they make the seats on these things for teenage anorexic girls, I’m a grown man dammit! Gimme some room!) Amongst other things, it finally completes. Ding.
120 over 80 with a heartbeat of 67 at rest. Whammo. I’m 36 years old, 285 pounds, and my heart seems to be doing really well. Whoo hoo!
Now for the setback...
Around 10:30pm last night I get home from having to take a Defensive Driving class (that 4 ½ hours could end up being multiple blogs on its own). Let’s just say it was an enlightening experience. After I decompress a bit, and get settled for the night it is almost midnight.
Around 2am I get a call from our NOC (Network Operations Center) informing me that there is some heavy data traffic to one of our Sports Clubs. Really? 2 friggen am, and they are telling me that the data usage is a bit high? WTH? This is after, of course, they had called my cell (which I did not hear on AT&T's wonderful network - shocking) and then called the house phone, which resides next to my wife's side of the bed. Which means she had to answer it? For all you married folks out there, this is not a good thing…
I go back to sleep, and the alarm goes off at 4:55am. Between 2am and 4:55am I have somehow lost all feeling in my left leg. Seriously. All at once that feeling comes back, when I attempt to get up for the alarm. Whammo - needles, pins, fire and some more pain strike my leg. WTH? So, my wife dutifully gets up and shuts off the alarm. My wife is pure greatness, I truly owe here a Spa day or something for all the pain and suffering I seem to be putting her through as I try to get my fat arse up each day and go to the gym.
I take a quick wake-me-up shower at 5:15am and in walks our 3 year old. That is not going to sit well with the wife. She promptly takes him back to bed. I get ready for the gym, and I hear coughing and some little cries, the 8 month old is now awake and has gotten both legs stuck in the crib slats. Really? The wife takes care of this as well. When getting back in bed, she says vehemently "You are not leaving!" You see, our 3 year olds bedroom is over one of our garages. The automatic garage door is barely loud enough that if our 3 year old is awake and in bed (any time of day or night) he bolts up, and typically runs around the house asking "Wuts dat?” My wife knows this, and wants to go back to sleep which is predicated by the fact that the 3 year old needs to go back to sleep first.
I mention that I have to go. I do. I’m on a mission. The whole training for a marathon thing. I tip toe downstairs and quietly leave the house. I do use the garage door, but I double lock the garage door into the house when leaving, as I plan to leave the garage door open hoping that just opening it will create less sound then closing it as well after I am done.
Anyhoo, long story short, I get to the gym, I am running for 5 minutes and my gym partner texts me a series of questions regarding medical coverage and where he can be seen to look at his severely swollen and twisted ankle he received a couple of days earlier. Lee Dayley works for me at DMB, and we have really good health insurance, and at 6am I seem to be the only expert awake to answer his questions. I don’t mind, I like to take care of my team and I also consider Lee a good friend. After 20 more minutes of texting, my workout is officially over. I have meetings at the office I need to attend to, and my body no longer wants to run.
5 minutes of running, pathetic. A setback for sure.
This running 5 days a week, every week, is harder than I thought.
The best part about all of this is that tomorrow is a new day. A new start. Again.
Wish me luck, and remember that at least my heart is uh-rockin and uh-slammin if even if my legs are still (and resentfully) at the opposite side of the spectrum...
-Aaron
I sat in the blood pressure cuff machine today. You know the one, where you gladly put your arm into the torture device that encases your bicep and then fills up with air almost forcing you to hit to the emergency stop button due to the pain it causes you? Yeah, that one.
After 2 or 3 retry’s due to comfort and position (do they make the seats on these things for teenage anorexic girls, I’m a grown man dammit! Gimme some room!) Amongst other things, it finally completes. Ding.
120 over 80 with a heartbeat of 67 at rest. Whammo. I’m 36 years old, 285 pounds, and my heart seems to be doing really well. Whoo hoo!
Now for the setback...
Around 10:30pm last night I get home from having to take a Defensive Driving class (that 4 ½ hours could end up being multiple blogs on its own). Let’s just say it was an enlightening experience. After I decompress a bit, and get settled for the night it is almost midnight.
Around 2am I get a call from our NOC (Network Operations Center) informing me that there is some heavy data traffic to one of our Sports Clubs. Really? 2 friggen am, and they are telling me that the data usage is a bit high? WTH? This is after, of course, they had called my cell (which I did not hear on AT&T's wonderful network - shocking) and then called the house phone, which resides next to my wife's side of the bed. Which means she had to answer it? For all you married folks out there, this is not a good thing…
I go back to sleep, and the alarm goes off at 4:55am. Between 2am and 4:55am I have somehow lost all feeling in my left leg. Seriously. All at once that feeling comes back, when I attempt to get up for the alarm. Whammo - needles, pins, fire and some more pain strike my leg. WTH? So, my wife dutifully gets up and shuts off the alarm. My wife is pure greatness, I truly owe here a Spa day or something for all the pain and suffering I seem to be putting her through as I try to get my fat arse up each day and go to the gym.
I take a quick wake-me-up shower at 5:15am and in walks our 3 year old. That is not going to sit well with the wife. She promptly takes him back to bed. I get ready for the gym, and I hear coughing and some little cries, the 8 month old is now awake and has gotten both legs stuck in the crib slats. Really? The wife takes care of this as well. When getting back in bed, she says vehemently "You are not leaving!" You see, our 3 year olds bedroom is over one of our garages. The automatic garage door is barely loud enough that if our 3 year old is awake and in bed (any time of day or night) he bolts up, and typically runs around the house asking "Wuts dat?” My wife knows this, and wants to go back to sleep which is predicated by the fact that the 3 year old needs to go back to sleep first.
I mention that I have to go. I do. I’m on a mission. The whole training for a marathon thing. I tip toe downstairs and quietly leave the house. I do use the garage door, but I double lock the garage door into the house when leaving, as I plan to leave the garage door open hoping that just opening it will create less sound then closing it as well after I am done.
Anyhoo, long story short, I get to the gym, I am running for 5 minutes and my gym partner texts me a series of questions regarding medical coverage and where he can be seen to look at his severely swollen and twisted ankle he received a couple of days earlier. Lee Dayley works for me at DMB, and we have really good health insurance, and at 6am I seem to be the only expert awake to answer his questions. I don’t mind, I like to take care of my team and I also consider Lee a good friend. After 20 more minutes of texting, my workout is officially over. I have meetings at the office I need to attend to, and my body no longer wants to run.
5 minutes of running, pathetic. A setback for sure.
This running 5 days a week, every week, is harder than I thought.
The best part about all of this is that tomorrow is a new day. A new start. Again.
Wish me luck, and remember that at least my heart is uh-rockin and uh-slammin if even if my legs are still (and resentfully) at the opposite side of the spectrum...
-Aaron
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Rest Day Good!
Today is my scheduled "Rest from Running" day. Ah yeah.
My running partner twisted his ankle last night, standing completely still on a field of grass, while he coached his kids tackle Football team. Not sure what happened, perhaps he is just getting old. No running for him for a while, in fact he called in to work today.
What does this mean to me?
I had no carpool partner today, and no gym partner. Combine this with the fact that it is my RFR day; this immediately resulted into a fantastic sleeping in opportunity. Carpe Diem baby!
Holy crap, did it feel good. My oldest son Oliver (just about to turn 3 years old) ran in the room around 6:15am and woke me up. The extra hour and a half did me wonders. The world looks good today, it feels right and I feel pretty good to.
So, no gym for me today. I am all sad and broken hearted about it, really, I keep my feelings on the inside. Woo Hoo, Woot, yipee, err I mean dang it I really wanted to go to the gym - NOT!
Well, I will enjoy this gift from above today. Tomorrow will eventually come, when the pain will begin again...
-Aaron
My running partner twisted his ankle last night, standing completely still on a field of grass, while he coached his kids tackle Football team. Not sure what happened, perhaps he is just getting old. No running for him for a while, in fact he called in to work today.
What does this mean to me?
I had no carpool partner today, and no gym partner. Combine this with the fact that it is my RFR day; this immediately resulted into a fantastic sleeping in opportunity. Carpe Diem baby!
Holy crap, did it feel good. My oldest son Oliver (just about to turn 3 years old) ran in the room around 6:15am and woke me up. The extra hour and a half did me wonders. The world looks good today, it feels right and I feel pretty good to.
So, no gym for me today. I am all sad and broken hearted about it, really, I keep my feelings on the inside. Woo Hoo, Woot, yipee, err I mean dang it I really wanted to go to the gym - NOT!
Well, I will enjoy this gift from above today. Tomorrow will eventually come, when the pain will begin again...
-Aaron
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Weighted down...
Today started phase 2 of my master pan (or not so master, based on the results). I started off doing the run 3 minutes, walk 3 minutes thing (wash, rinse, repeat 5 times). I almost finished that portion. So close, but with 60 seconds left my lungs just couldn’t take it. After which, in a dizzying and stumbling attempt at working out, I approached the following workout routine with as much fervor, ardor and intensity as I could muster up.
3 sets each, 10 reps each set
Cable Lat Pull-down
Cable Triceps Pushdown
Cable Seated Row
Machine Chest Press
Machine Biceps Curl
Machine Shoulder Press
This is a VERY BASIC workout. I am way out of shape, and this is still part of my general conditioning regiment. That being said it was tough today. Friggen tough. I completed both the Lat Pull-downs and the Triceps Pushdowns fairly comfortably. And then went to the Machine Chest Press... First set = good, second set = bad, third set my body just flat gave-up. I sat there in a pool of sweat, not wanting to give up. Telling my body to straighten up and do one more set, one more rep, one more something. It didn’t listen. I tucked my tail and went and sat in the steam room for 20 minutes. Boy do I love that steam room. If only the steam room an in-shape person made. Wishful thinking, I know...
My marathon goal is 36 weeks away. That should be enough time right? I am still hoping. Today was not a total setback. I almost finished the running portion and almost half of the workout routine got done.
Almost one step forward, but not quite.
Thursday, I will adjust the weights down a bit and try to at least get through the entire routine. Slow and steady should win this race, and today I think I learned that lesson more so then I have up to this point.
It took me 20 years to get out of shape; I am on my 3rd week of trying to get back in shape, time to dig in and really pace myself, if only my pride would get out of the way…
-Aaron
3 sets each, 10 reps each set
Cable Lat Pull-down
Cable Triceps Pushdown
Cable Seated Row
Machine Chest Press
Machine Biceps Curl
Machine Shoulder Press
This is a VERY BASIC workout. I am way out of shape, and this is still part of my general conditioning regiment. That being said it was tough today. Friggen tough. I completed both the Lat Pull-downs and the Triceps Pushdowns fairly comfortably. And then went to the Machine Chest Press... First set = good, second set = bad, third set my body just flat gave-up. I sat there in a pool of sweat, not wanting to give up. Telling my body to straighten up and do one more set, one more rep, one more something. It didn’t listen. I tucked my tail and went and sat in the steam room for 20 minutes. Boy do I love that steam room. If only the steam room an in-shape person made. Wishful thinking, I know...
My marathon goal is 36 weeks away. That should be enough time right? I am still hoping. Today was not a total setback. I almost finished the running portion and almost half of the workout routine got done.
Almost one step forward, but not quite.
Thursday, I will adjust the weights down a bit and try to at least get through the entire routine. Slow and steady should win this race, and today I think I learned that lesson more so then I have up to this point.
It took me 20 years to get out of shape; I am on my 3rd week of trying to get back in shape, time to dig in and really pace myself, if only my pride would get out of the way…
-Aaron
Monday, June 7, 2010
Case of the Monday's...
4:55am - Alarm goes off
4:56am - Best wife EVER, turns off Alarm.
4:59am - I ask said wife, to program alarm for 30 minutes of snooze. No way I wanna get up. I have also somehow turned the closet light on (in my weak attempt to get up), and forget to turn it off.
5:00am - Wife reminds me to turn off closet light. I fib, and tell her it is helping me wake up (Really? That is the best I can do? Helping me get up? Lame!)
5:05am - Wife mentions that the closet light is buggin her. Then she starts to snore.
5:29am - Alarm goes off. The closet light is still on. My wife deserves better.
5:30am - I get up, turn alarm clock off, and sit on the edge of the bed to ponder life, the universe and how good it will feel to go back to sleep right now. My mind starts to shut down, feeling oh so drowsy (fight it, FIGHT IT, MUST WORK OUT!).
5:35am - Barely, and I mean barley, I decide to get up, brush teeth, throw on workout clothes and head downstairs – shhhhh, walk quietly, don’t wake the kids!
5:37am - Clothes for the day on hangars - check. Gym bag - check. Overflowing dry cleaning bag - check. Computer bag - check. Breakfast? Hrm. Leftover chicken cacciatore? Two bites of chicken cacciatore - check.
5:45am - At car, trunk is already full with church stuff, and extra car seat. Must rearrange.
5:46am - Trunk rearranged - check.
5:47am - Gym Clothes and Clothes on hangar in car, computer bag in trunk. Dry Cleaning on passenger seat, so that I don’t forget to drop off after work - check.
5:48am - Pulling out of driveway, realizing that I don’t have my phone or a bottle of water.
5:50am - In car, with phone and water - check.
5:52am - Waiting at train tracks, for the longest train in the world to finish complicating my progress.
5:57am - Train is done peeving me off. Back on the road – check.
6:40am - At gym.
6:45am - Back at car, forgot headphones.
6:50am - Running and walking in 3 minute splits. Oh it hurts today.
6:20am - On the 4th rotation of 3 minutes of walking, 3 minutes of running I stop. My hips hurt. Bad. This is new. And it sucks. Sucks so bad, I get off the treadmill. I'm done for today.
6:22am - I am sitting on leather couch (I really LOVE the Village Clubs where I go), programming my workout routine, on my iPhone using iFitness, that I will be starting tomorrow.
I didn't even finish my running routine today, and already I am working on a new segment of my master plan, the workout with weights part. I still need to shower, get dressed for the day and head into the office. What kinds of things will this Monday throw at me? I know my problems are small, compared to things like Cancer, World Peace and the Oil Spill, but really – if I ever find Murphy he is going to answer for these Mondays. Boy will he have things to answer for. Huzzah.
6:23am – I really hate Mondays.
-Aaron
4:56am - Best wife EVER, turns off Alarm.
4:59am - I ask said wife, to program alarm for 30 minutes of snooze. No way I wanna get up. I have also somehow turned the closet light on (in my weak attempt to get up), and forget to turn it off.
5:00am - Wife reminds me to turn off closet light. I fib, and tell her it is helping me wake up (Really? That is the best I can do? Helping me get up? Lame!)
5:05am - Wife mentions that the closet light is buggin her. Then she starts to snore.
5:29am - Alarm goes off. The closet light is still on. My wife deserves better.
5:30am - I get up, turn alarm clock off, and sit on the edge of the bed to ponder life, the universe and how good it will feel to go back to sleep right now. My mind starts to shut down, feeling oh so drowsy (fight it, FIGHT IT, MUST WORK OUT!).
5:35am - Barely, and I mean barley, I decide to get up, brush teeth, throw on workout clothes and head downstairs – shhhhh, walk quietly, don’t wake the kids!
5:37am - Clothes for the day on hangars - check. Gym bag - check. Overflowing dry cleaning bag - check. Computer bag - check. Breakfast? Hrm. Leftover chicken cacciatore? Two bites of chicken cacciatore - check.
5:45am - At car, trunk is already full with church stuff, and extra car seat. Must rearrange.
5:46am - Trunk rearranged - check.
5:47am - Gym Clothes and Clothes on hangar in car, computer bag in trunk. Dry Cleaning on passenger seat, so that I don’t forget to drop off after work - check.
5:48am - Pulling out of driveway, realizing that I don’t have my phone or a bottle of water.
5:50am - In car, with phone and water - check.
5:52am - Waiting at train tracks, for the longest train in the world to finish complicating my progress.
5:57am - Train is done peeving me off. Back on the road – check.
6:40am - At gym.
6:45am - Back at car, forgot headphones.
6:50am - Running and walking in 3 minute splits. Oh it hurts today.
6:20am - On the 4th rotation of 3 minutes of walking, 3 minutes of running I stop. My hips hurt. Bad. This is new. And it sucks. Sucks so bad, I get off the treadmill. I'm done for today.
6:22am - I am sitting on leather couch (I really LOVE the Village Clubs where I go), programming my workout routine, on my iPhone using iFitness, that I will be starting tomorrow.
I didn't even finish my running routine today, and already I am working on a new segment of my master plan, the workout with weights part. I still need to shower, get dressed for the day and head into the office. What kinds of things will this Monday throw at me? I know my problems are small, compared to things like Cancer, World Peace and the Oil Spill, but really – if I ever find Murphy he is going to answer for these Mondays. Boy will he have things to answer for. Huzzah.
6:23am – I really hate Mondays.
-Aaron
Friday, June 4, 2010
Felt good, for at least 2 seconds...
To call this week’s exercise plan actual running, is stretching the truth a bit. I am walking for 4 minutes, and then jogging for 2. Wash, rinse repeat 5 times. That being said I felt much better today and it seemed a bit easier today than Tuesday or Wednesday. Not as easy as yesterday (and still not easy for me at all) as it was being my “Rest from Running” day.
Now I have read quotes, blogs, websites, magazines and other printed materials of actual marathon runners where they mention this "Euphoria" feeling they experience when running. Uh huh. That is crap, right? Running is hard; it hurts, and never feels good. Poo Poo it is. Bone squealing, joint stretching, muscle hardening torture work. Didn’t we outlaw torture in the Geneva Convention? Why do we (or at least I) submit ourselves to this pain? Anyhow, I am convinced this Euphoria feeling is a myth, told to wannabe runners (like me) to get us on that treadmill. By the time we figure out that it does NOT exist, we have already gone down the running path for a bit and are less likely to turn around. Euphoria is a lie!
That is what I believed, until today…
When I ran my first 2 minutes today, right around 1:57 I felt something. Euphoria? Maybe. It felt good. It felt right. It was like a breath of fresh air. I rubbed up against that feeling; I touched it ever so lightly. It lasted for around 2 seconds, it was awesome. It was if the heavens opened and I saw the golden palace I have been promised, and my body responded with physical glee. Then it hurt again. Boy did it hurt. I tried to reach that feeling over the remaining 4 cycles of running, and even tho most of today’s exercise felt better than it has up to this point, I never reached that Wow feeling again. But, I do I have hope now. Maybe, just maybe this Ephoria thing is NOT a lie, maybe there is some truth in it, I look forward to reaching it again.
Perhaps running will not always suck, I have hope...
-Aaron
Now I have read quotes, blogs, websites, magazines and other printed materials of actual marathon runners where they mention this "Euphoria" feeling they experience when running. Uh huh. That is crap, right? Running is hard; it hurts, and never feels good. Poo Poo it is. Bone squealing, joint stretching, muscle hardening torture work. Didn’t we outlaw torture in the Geneva Convention? Why do we (or at least I) submit ourselves to this pain? Anyhow, I am convinced this Euphoria feeling is a myth, told to wannabe runners (like me) to get us on that treadmill. By the time we figure out that it does NOT exist, we have already gone down the running path for a bit and are less likely to turn around. Euphoria is a lie!
That is what I believed, until today…
When I ran my first 2 minutes today, right around 1:57 I felt something. Euphoria? Maybe. It felt good. It felt right. It was like a breath of fresh air. I rubbed up against that feeling; I touched it ever so lightly. It lasted for around 2 seconds, it was awesome. It was if the heavens opened and I saw the golden palace I have been promised, and my body responded with physical glee. Then it hurt again. Boy did it hurt. I tried to reach that feeling over the remaining 4 cycles of running, and even tho most of today’s exercise felt better than it has up to this point, I never reached that Wow feeling again. But, I do I have hope now. Maybe, just maybe this Ephoria thing is NOT a lie, maybe there is some truth in it, I look forward to reaching it again.
Perhaps running will not always suck, I have hope...
-Aaron
Thursday, June 3, 2010
So Tired...
So, nearing the end of week 2. Today was my Rest day. Getting up at 4:55am each day is starting to get to me.
For instance...
At the gym I decided to ride a stationary bicycle for a bit just to sweat a little (it being my "Rest from Running" day today). I got my heart rate up in the mid 130's and after 10 minutes or so, I felt very drowsy and was fighting to keep my elylids open and I friggen nodded off! Seriously! I was so thankful that my feet were strapped in. I was in midstride of pedaling and my head dived forward and I almost fell off. I shook myself off, and said "Wake up!". 10 minutes later, it happened again.
Later, in the steam room, I almost feel alseep as well.
Only I could nod off, in the middle of sweat inducing excercise.
I need a nap... And some stamina would be nice...
-Aaron
For instance...
At the gym I decided to ride a stationary bicycle for a bit just to sweat a little (it being my "Rest from Running" day today). I got my heart rate up in the mid 130's and after 10 minutes or so, I felt very drowsy and was fighting to keep my elylids open and I friggen nodded off! Seriously! I was so thankful that my feet were strapped in. I was in midstride of pedaling and my head dived forward and I almost fell off. I shook myself off, and said "Wake up!". 10 minutes later, it happened again.
Later, in the steam room, I almost feel alseep as well.
Only I could nod off, in the middle of sweat inducing excercise.
I need a nap... And some stamina would be nice...
-Aaron
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Day 3 of Week 2 of "The Plan" ...
Ouch.
Started the running portion this week. Very slow. I am walking 4 minutes, then jogging for 2 minutes. I repeat this 5 times, takes about 30 minutes total. This is the plan for each day this week. Yesterday hurt. Today hurts more. My thighs and inner knees are pained. These effin muscles need to buck up, we are only on week 2. 38 weeks to go. (Did I just refer to me and my muscles as we?)
Oh yeah, here is a snapshot of said plan, enjoy :)
-Aaron
Started the running portion this week. Very slow. I am walking 4 minutes, then jogging for 2 minutes. I repeat this 5 times, takes about 30 minutes total. This is the plan for each day this week. Yesterday hurt. Today hurts more. My thighs and inner knees are pained. These effin muscles need to buck up, we are only on week 2. 38 weeks to go. (Did I just refer to me and my muscles as we?)
Oh yeah, here is a snapshot of said plan, enjoy :)
-Aaron
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