Let's Shape Up!

Let me start off by saying today has been a challenging day. I woke up this morning feeling really sore; you’d think it was because of weight training which I yesterday (upper body) after a two weeks break. I’m pretty sure weight training had a lot to do with it but I went to play basketball with my family last night and that most certainly did not help my muscles to rest/relax. Even though I was sore I was ready for my six mile power walk. I jogged 1 mile to meet my friend and walking partner, then we power walked 4 miles, then she left and I jogged the last mile home. Whilst returning home from my jog, I tripped and dived right into the pavement. I tried to use my hands to break my fall and as a result I banged and scratched my knee on the pavement. You know the saying “If you fall just brush yourself off and get right back up”? Well, that’s exactly what I did! Even though I was hurt I continued to jog. Eventually I had to roll up the foot of my sweat pants to relieve the uncomfortable feeling caused by the friction between the cotton and my skin; none the less I continued and eventually I got home.

Upon reaching home I logged my workout calories, drank my protein shake, and then I went and had a shower. I then took a nap hoping my body would recoup somewhat. I woke up around 2pm. I was still sore and tired. Thank God tomorrow is just a weight training day, even though its leg day, so I am hoping my knee isn’t sore and it won’t hurt as much.

I guess it’s just all part of the journey….TO BE CONTINUED!!

I left for New York on Wednesday June 30th, my family and I drove for 21 hours before finally arriving Thursday July 1st. Needless to say my eating habits weren’t what you’d consider desirable for the entire trip! We spent most of our time during the trip on the road (It’s New York, what else would you have me do). I think overall I did pretty well with respect to my eating habits considering the situation. We started heading back home Sunday and after 18.5 hours we were finally back home.

Tuesday morning I was way too tired to workout. I was finally able to get myself out there and do my 6 miles of power walking; I wasn’t able to jog because my knees were soar from sitting so many hours for the drive plus the walk in Manhattan on the Friday when we went shopping.

Wednesday I finally started counting my calories again and working out, and drinking my protein shakes. I didn’t have any fruits, which is very important to eating healthy and weight loss. I did start drinking my 96+ ounces of water again, because I didn’t drink much water during the New York trip.

I went on the scale on Friday and weighed in at 156 pounds. I didn’t think much of it because I know it’s not possible to gain 3 pounds over a weekend. I figured it was from water retention from all the sodium in the food I ate on the road. I then went on the scale again this morning and weighed in at 155.2, so I know the water weight is coming down. I just need to continue drinking my water and eating my fruits, and not taking in nearly as much sodium as I did on my trip, and in a couple of weeks I should be back to the 153 pounds I weighed prior to leaving for New York.

Today was an awesome morning! I finally went back to the gym to do my weight training. I hadn’t been to the gym in two weeks, because my girlfriend and gym partner and who provides the buddy pass for the gym membership was out of the country. I was delighted to get the weight training in as well my abs workout; I’m finally back on track.

My goal is to weight 140 LBS. I’m getting there slowly but surely, ONE OUNCE AT A TIME!!

Today was an awesome day of cardio. I won’t be doing any more weight training until Monday; it’s just cardio for the rest of the week. I got up at 6am and went walking for 6 miles. My arms were a bit sore from the biceps routine I did yesterday, but nothing major. I Came home and drank my protein shake and ate breakfast, which consisted of an egg and whole grain bagel.

After the 10 am football match between Nigeria and Greece, I decided to watch a movie until the other match started, so I put in “Men who stare at goats”. The movie was so boring; it literally put me to sleep. After waking up, I was twice as sore as I felt earlier in the morning.

Starting Monday my schedule will be as follows: Monday, Wednesday and Friday will be weight training and core exercise, with some Zumba later in the day. Then on Tuesday, Thursdays and Saturdays, I will do my 6 mile power walk.

Today I added whey protein back to my diet. I used to take whey protein months ago but stopped once I wasn’t doing the P90X workouts anymore. I added weight training to my workout last week Friday, and my body has been feeling real fatigued I went to sleep at 8pm last night, that’s how tired I was. My friend asked me why don’t I take some type of protein shake, thats when I remembered I still had the Whey protein.

Whey protein is benefec.ial to healthy living. I have no idea why I stopped taking it in the first place but I have no plans to ever stop taking it again. Maybe its a mind thing, but I feel 100% better today, since drinking the shake.

Often times someone trying to loose or gain weight will only use the scale to track their success. However, taking measurements is just as important if not more important than the scale is. If weight training is involved you tend to build muscle, and muscle weighs more than fat, which sometimes will cause the scale not to go down, or even make your numbers higher!

Yesterday I took my measurements and I will take them again in 2-3 months based on the advice of Joe the trainer (who took my measurements). I also will not be going on the scale until June 28th 2010 (well thats the plan atleast); its easier said than done. I usually weigh every Monday morning, but since I’ve starting weight training I have decided to decrease the amount of times I go on the scale.c