I attribute it to being up until 4am on this particular day but I have found a goal to aim for that has given me the motivation to actually get into the gym again. I have been back on TNT Plan A for 2 weeks as of today so it is high time I get the workouts rolling again.
What is my new motivation you ask? (Ok so maybe you weren't asking but I am telling you anyways) I have thought of a great Halloween costume that I want to wear come Halloween and I need to be in much better shape to really pull it off like I envision. The costume, is that of Agent 47 (from the Hitman games/movie).
So, with possibly the stupidest reason for working out pushing me forward I am starting this log as added insurance and motivation as I start the TNT Plan workouts. Workout #1 was this afternoon before work but I can't post the pitiful numbers until I get home and double check my log sheet.
__________________ Beginning is Easy - Continuing is Hard
猿も木から落ちる Even monkeys fall from trees
- Japanese Proverb
Felt good for a first workout. Stuck to my rest times as best I could, realized my gym has no clock in the weight area so I will have to bring something to keep time so I can stick to my rests. Extremely surprised I was able to get all the lunges because normally they are a problem for me. Getting all reps for them has me excited to get back to workout A so I can start doing them with weight for the first time ever (that I can remember).
All exercises were fairly easy so I will have to up the weight next time, except for the seated row to neck. I have a problem with the motion so I am going to double check the book to make sure I am using the proper form before the next time out. I did the hip extensions using a large swiss ball to make them more difficult but they were still really easy, I may try using a weight plate to increase the difficulty or else find some other way to make them tougher.
__________________ Beginning is Easy - Continuing is Hard
猿も木から落ちる Even monkeys fall from trees
- Japanese Proverb
No workout today, woke up feeling a lot sorer then I expected after that workout. Made sure to eat well and get a good deal of protein, then spent some time enjoying the sun and doing some stretching and foam rolling. Not going to be able to workout tomorrow either unfortunately. I have an exam from 8a-10a then I work 10a - Midnight so I think the other two workouts will have to be Thursday and Saturday.
It is weird this time around, normally I get sucked into an all or nothing mentality. If I am not eating clean I feel it is a waste to workout, or if I don't eat clean it snowballs into eating even more garbage. This time however I have been taking everything in stride and not letting little things side track me (like when the Tim Hortons at the college provided free doughnuts to those of us working in the computer lab. I had a couple over my 8 hour shift and it didn't really bother me, I just kept on with the eating plan) . It wasn't a conscious decision to not sweat the small stuff it just seems to have come about on its own.
*Edit* I forgot how much foam rolling the IT Band hurts.....
__________________ Beginning is Easy - Continuing is Hard
猿も木から落ちる Even monkeys fall from trees
- Japanese Proverb
You're off to a good start. I have really enjoyed the TNT Workouts. The actual goal is not as important as actually having a goal. I'm planning on being Mr. Clean for Halloween.
__________________
"The greatest thing in the world is not so much where we are, but in what direction we are moving." --Oliver Wendell Holmes
You're off to a good start. I have really enjoyed the TNT Workouts. The actual goal is not as important as actually having a goal. I'm planning on being Mr. Clean for Halloween.
Well it is good that someone has enjoyed the TNT workouts. I see a lot of people saying they weren't challenging enough etc.
Eating was good today, woke up late so I didn't have time to eat before my exam though. Still really sore today, feels like my legs were tenderized with a baseball bat. Hopefully another good nights rest will leave me recovered enough for tomorrow's workout.
__________________ Beginning is Easy - Continuing is Hard
猿も木から落ちる Even monkeys fall from trees
- Japanese Proverb
Workout #2 (B)
DB Step-Up - 2x15/15 @ 40lbs. (20 ea. hand)
Neutral-Grip Shoulder Press - 2x15 @ 20lbs. ea. hand
Goblet Squat - 2x15 @ 45lbs.
DB Pullover - 1x15, 1x10 @ 20lbs. ea. hand
Plank - 30s
Total workout time: approx. 30 minutes
I had forgotten how much of a good feeling you get after a workout, such a rush. Over estimated my weights a little this week, don't think I am going to back them off though, I think they are good enough to stick with till I can hit them. Stuck to my rest periods but I still need to make a point to remember my iPod to use as a stopwatch to time them better. Few weird looks from people this time around, the last two times at the gym I have arrived later then them and left long before.
Nothing of consequence to mention in regards to eating. Looking forward to BBQ'ing tonight though.
__________________ Beginning is Easy - Continuing is Hard
猿も木から落ちる Even monkeys fall from trees
- Japanese Proverb
No workout today, only worrying about the weight workouts, no cardio/HIIT etc just yet. I want to slowly step into everything instead going gung-ho and getting overwhelmed.
Today was my final exam of the semester, now I am just waiting to find out if we are working in the lab over the summer, if not I have to find another job. I hope they decide soon.
Eating has been good today, have a craving for subway tonight though so I might go pick up a sub. I know it doesn't really fit with my TNT plan but everything else has been good so far so I am not too concerned with the effects of one sub.
Tomorrow will have to be a good hard workout though, to make up for it.
__________________ Beginning is Easy - Continuing is Hard
猿も木から落ちる Even monkeys fall from trees
- Japanese Proverb
Posting this from the school lab because my internet is down at home.
Arrived at my gym today ready to go with my next workout and was surprised to find it closed. Turns out they are doing renovations today and tomorrow. Looks like I am going to have to do some bodyweight stuff at home today in the meantime.
__________________ Beginning is Easy - Continuing is Hard
猿も木から落ちる Even monkeys fall from trees
- Japanese Proverb
Well, the weekend didn't quite turn out like I had planned, still have yet to get internet back (I am posting this from the lab/work) and I ended up helping some friends with moving some furniture around and other home stuff so I didn't get my workouts in. I did get in some foam rolling though and I have definitely noticed a difference since I have started doing it.
Today was a great day, got a good nights sleep, had a good breakfast and went and got a great workout in before coming to work.
Overall a solid workout, my work capacity has definitely improved since the first workouts last week. I remembered to bring my iPod to use as a stop watch so I made sure to hit my rest times. I re-read the instructions for the Seated Row to Neck and realized I had used the wrong attachment (straight bar) during the first workout so this time I used the proper one (rope) and found it to be much more difficult, I am going to have to back the weight off for the next workout unfortunately. Next A workout will involve 3 sets so I am still undecided if I am going to up the weights further or leave them the same and see how I feel after the added set.
On the diet front I have been fairly clean overall, I did cave in and have a sub on friday night and another on Sat. night during the UFC Pay-Per-View. Other then those 2 slips I have stuck 100% to the plan and have been feeling great. I found the transition from using carbs for energy to using fat to be much smoother this time. Nothing at all like the first time I tried TNT.
Monday is my measurement day but I am not going to post my actual measurements just my change per week and change overall since I started taking measurements a couple weeks ago. I can't post the change from last week because I screwed up and accidentally deleted the data but I can at least provide the change overall.
Weight: -11lbs.
Chest: -2.5"
Waist: -2.5"
Hips: -0.5"
Thigh: R +0.5 L: 0.0
Calves: -.75" on both
I do have one question for any guys out there, I am around 5'8" and my thighs are ~25" but I don't really feel any fat on them, this seems rather large for my height but I don't have any real frame of reference. So for any other guys out there that take measurements should I be expecting to lose inches?
__________________ Beginning is Easy - Continuing is Hard
猿も木から落ちる Even monkeys fall from trees
- Japanese Proverb
Nothing really to report today, I am just really really bored. Did some foam rolling today, ate clean, shave my head completely bald, then played the drums on Rock Band for a while. That is about it. Now I am killing time before bed.
__________________ Beginning is Easy - Continuing is Hard
猿も木から落ちる Even monkeys fall from trees
- Japanese Proverb
(*Note* I just realized I made a typo on my first B workout, I only did 1x15 and 1x12 @ 45lbs for the Goblet Squat, not 2x15)
Overall a good workout, stuck to my rest times and really had to work. Might have went up a little too much on the weight but I think using 25s would have been too easy. On the second set of the step-ups I could only get 12 good reps with my right leg. On the shoulder-press I had to lower my arms for a few seconds at rep 11 of the second set then knocked out the last few reps. Goblet squat felt good, no real issues, same weight as before and added a couple reps. DB Pullover was good but my left arm failed at rep 9 of the second set so I stopped. Just like with workout A this workout goes to 3 sets next time so I am going to have to evaluate the weight and decide to keep it the same or go down a little.
__________________ Beginning is Easy - Continuing is Hard
猿も木から落ちる Even monkeys fall from trees
- Japanese Proverb
Well I have come to the decision to fore go cardio for the time being. There are several doubters around me that refuse to believe anything I say regardless of any evidence I have to back it up. They are convinced that I will not be able to lose the weight/fat without doing cardio so I am going to prove them wrong. I know I would see more health benefits with some added cardio which is why I plan to start doing some once I hit my goals but for now it is just workouts and whatever recreational activities I participate in.
On the topic of food, I love chili, for $20 I made enough chili to last me a week of supper and some lunches, what a deal.
2lbs medium ground beef
1 Green bell pepper
1 Red Bell Pepper
2 Jalapenos
4 Green Onions
3 fresh white mushrooms
1 large can diced tomatoes
1 can Tomato Paste
Brown the hamburger, drain, add all ingredients to a large pot and simmer for 30 minutes. Add in some chili powder, cracked peppers flakes, and cover top with some Oregano then mix it all up and you are done.
After that I made the mashed cauliflower recipe from the TNT book, it was pretty good though I realized I am not as good with a mixer as I had thought, made a little bit of a mess.
__________________ Beginning is Easy - Continuing is Hard
猿も木から落ちる Even monkeys fall from trees
- Japanese Proverb
Workout #5 (3-A) Moved up to 3 sets now still with 45s rest between sets
Static Lunge - 3x15/15 @ 20 lbs. (10 each hand)
Incline DB Bench Press - 2x12, 1x10 @ 40lbs. ea hand
Hip Extension - 3x15 @ 25lbs. Instead of Bodyweight with my feet on a ball I used a 25lb. plate on my hips with my feet on the floor. Seated Row to Neck - 1x15, 1x14, 1x10 @ 40lbs.
Prone Cobra - 1x49s, 1x11s
Total Workout Time: approx. 40 minutes
A good workout overall, adding a third set to everything really pushed my work capacity. Next time I am keeping the lunge weight the same because I still struggle with them slightly on my right side. Bench Press felt good, I am confident I can hit full reps at that weight next week and end the phase strong. Hip Extensions were fairly easy, I am going to use a smaller stability ball as well as a weight plate next week because I don't think I am ready for a 35lb. plate but I will decide when the time comes. I still am having trouble with the seated row to neck, I just can't get comfortable with the motion, I will be glad to be done with them and would much prefer pulling to chest or doing a bent over row. I read over TNT the other day at work and I realized I wasn't doing the prone cobra quite properly. I was using the correct form but I was simply trying to hold for 60s and then stopping as close as I could. This week I did it properly and once I failed I rested for 5-10s and then finished out the last 11s in a second set. I guess I should read the instructions a little closer in the next phase.
I have been thinking about it and I think I need a few more goals, not just workout/weight related but life goals. Something that I can look to and remind myself why I am doing what I am doing (besides the halloween costume goal the log was started about that is).
So, with that in mind here are a few long term goals I have decided upon
1. Get back to my hockey/baseball playing weight of 180lbs.
2. Finish my last year of college with a 3.8GPA or higher.
3. Study hard, and pass the CCNA certification exam.
4. Learn to play the Bass (as soon as I get around to buying it that is)
5. Get a job in my field and get out of this part-time min. wage pit
6. Learn to ride a motorcycle
__________________ Beginning is Easy - Continuing is Hard
猿も木から落ちる Even monkeys fall from trees
- Japanese Proverb
Pretty excited today. Took a run across the border to MI this morning to pick up a few things and stopped at the Guitar Centre in Roseville and picked up my Bass.
Here is the one I got, I couldn't decide if I wanted Red or Jewel Blue but when I got there all they had was the red so that made that decision failry simple.
Other then that, nothing really to add for today. Might do some Foam Rolling later tonight. Oh, and I had a couple Grilled chicken go-wraps when we stopped at McD's for lunch but I am not really phased by it and don't see it affecting my progress in any way.
__________________ Beginning is Easy - Continuing is Hard
猿も木から落ちる Even monkeys fall from trees
- Japanese Proverb
Great posts the last couple days. I think it's always best to have good goals outside of the exercise/nutrition realm.
Going sans the cardio 'eh? I see why you're doing it, just wonder if it's not going to make your gym goals harder? Not that that is a reason to do it.
I've been kicking around the idea of getting a guitar myself and learning to play. Let me know how it goes.
Well the no cardio may mean slower results in the gym, as long as I am making decent forward progress I can deal with it. Now, if things stall out I may consider including it again to jumpstart things but most likely it will be something like a barbell complex (light weight, more for speed) then actual cardio.
As for the guitar, I have been kind of playing around with it tonight, just trying to get a feel for it. Have come to the realization that my left wrist is not quite as flexible as it should so looks like I will have to work on wrist flexibility as well (which can only help when it comes time for front squats )
__________________ Beginning is Easy - Continuing is Hard
猿も木から落ちる Even monkeys fall from trees
- Japanese Proverb
This workout started strong and I was feeling good but it died in a hurry. By the time I got to the Pullovers I was feeling gassed and as you can see didn't even come close to hitting the proper number of reps. Overall the workout was still an improvement as the overall volume of work done is higher but it felt like a disappointment to fail out so badly at the end. By the time I was at the planks I was cooked, I couldn't even improve on my previous time.
I am thinking the lack of energy today is due to not eating enough yesterday. Yesterday started out well but in the afternoon a friend IM'd me and asked if I could help her and her roommate move since they didn't have anyone else to help. I spent 5-6 hours moving furniture and didn't have anything more to eat then the bowl of chili I ate before I went to help them and the breakfast I had had earlier. I might try to eat a little more today to compensate for the lack of calories yesterday; not a lot but a little more, maybe spread some extra calories out over the week.
__________________ Beginning is Easy - Continuing is Hard
猿も木から落ちる Even monkeys fall from trees
- Japanese Proverb
Another day another workout. Didn't get to bed till 3am last night because I was helping my friend and her roommate with the last of the moving; nothing like moving stuff at 10 o'clock at night till 2 in the morning. Eating was better yesterday though which is why I think I was able to get through it completely.
Workout #7 (4-A) Final A workout of this phase
Static Lunge - 3x15/15 @ 20 lbs. (10 each hand)
Incline DB Bench Press - 3x12 @ 40lbs. ea hand
Hip Extension - 3x15 @ 35lbs. Instead of Bodyweight with my feet on a ball I used a 35lb. plate on my hips with my feet on the floor. Seated Row to Neck - 2x15, 1x14 @ 40lbs.
Prone Cobra - gym was busy and I couldn't get floor space to do these so I left them out today
Total Workout Time: approx. 35 minutes
Was supposed to be 30s rest today but I got to the gym late due to sleeping in later today and it was much busier so I ended up with 45-50s rests. Was able to increase on my exercises in either reps/weight/or simply improving form and stability in the case of the lunges. This was my final A workout of this phase, and frankly I am glad to be done with it and moving on to something new.
Obviously my weights haven't increased by a whole lot over the course of this phase but they have increased a little and my work capacity is much higher then it was when I started. Overall I am very pleased with progress so far and for once can finally envision myself reaching my goals. Hopefully the rest of the week will be a good one and I can go into Friday well nourished and rested and end this Phase on a high note.
__________________ Beginning is Easy - Continuing is Hard
猿も木から落ちる Even monkeys fall from trees
- Japanese Proverb
Wow, it has been 4 days since I last posted, this will probably be a long one so I will get right to it.
This week is my rest week before I start Phase II of the TNT Workouts so my goal this week is to just keep eating right and maintain my progress. As usual today was weigh-in today, I won't put all the results because frankly there isn't much change, only about 1-2lbs lost, and 0.5" gained on chest, 0.5" lost on waist, everything else stayed the same. It was kind of a lost cause over the weekend, eating was sub-par, sleep was sub-par, and water intake was sub-par. In fact, I am surprised that I maintained and potentially lost a little(0.5" is hardly a guaranteed loss when doing self-measurements, easily could be error) despite all the crap the 2 days before the weigh-in.
This next stuff is personal/life stuff and not workout/fitness related so I will put it in white text, if you want to read it, feel free to highlight it.
Now, besides all the eating/sleeping/drinking crap over the weekend, I also had a startling moment of clarity. Friday, while at work and really really bored I was staring at the wall and just letting my mind wander when I started thinking back to my Ex and the last half-year or so we were together. Suddenly I just felt that I owed her an apology,
I had been so angry at her for leaving me that I was ignoring the issues that led up to it in the first place. Simply put, I wasn't being the man that I should have been, and truthfully I don't blame her for leaving. So, towards the end of my shift I gathered up some courage and sent her an email (still too hard to talk to her on the phone) apologizing for the way things ended and for all the strain and stress I put on her in the last year or so of the relationship (I won't go into those details here). After that moment, I felt much better, like a weight had been lifted.
That was just part of the weirdness though, throughout the weekend I couldn't help but think about my financial situation and how I had really been splurging on things I probably shouldn't have, buying unnecessary toys for no good reason other then "Hey, I want that". Living on the edge financially is not something I have been enjoying, so I decided to get rid of some things and give myself a little more breathing room. With that said, over the weekend, I returned the Bass (I still want to learn to play but it just isn't the time, in the future I will just pick up a used bass somewhere and learn on that), traded in several PS2 and PS3 games, sold a couple games to friends, and pawned a pile of DVDs that I either don't like or will never watch again. I am feeling much more focused, and calm now that I have some extra money to put towards some debts and I feel like I have cleared out a lot of clutter (emotionally, mentally, physically). The only other thing I have left to sell is my PC which I think a friend is going to buy (hopefully) and then I can buy a laptop.
Ok that was a lot of typing, but, I like typing it out like this, helps me organize the thoughts and re-evaluate all my actions.
__________________ Beginning is Easy - Continuing is Hard
猿も木から落ちる Even monkeys fall from trees
- Japanese Proverb
Wow. It appears the training is doing quite a bit for you emotionally as well as physically. It all comes clear when working out.... ha!
Good for you! It's good to get that apology and closure out of the way.
Are you going to post some pics soon? Anxious to see how you're coming.
Wow. It appears the training is doing quite a bit for you emotionally as well as physically. It all comes clear when working out.... ha!
Good for you! It's good to get that apology and closure out of the way.
Are you going to post some pics soon? Anxious to see how you're coming.
Yeah it really has made things a lot clearer. I have been way more focused lately and have managed to really rethink my priorities.
As for the pics, I don't own a digital camera and besides that there is to be no photo graphical evidence of myself at this weight. Any current evidence will be found and burned and I will have plausible deniability
Oh, and I forgot to mention in the last post that it is a good thing I have this week off because on Sunday I sliced my thumb really deep while cutting up some broccoli. It probably could have used a stitch or two but didn't want to waste my time in the ER/Doctors. It seems to be healing nicely though, and it should be good to go by the time I am starting my next phase next week.
__________________ Beginning is Easy - Continuing is Hard
猿も木から落ちる Even monkeys fall from trees
- Japanese Proverb
Welcome and great workouts so far! I love your reason for getting down to business (Agent 47 Halloween costume) because that's the kind of thing that would motivate my son.
Mayday! Mayday! The Tim Horton's at the college just walked up the the desk at the computer lab and left at LEAST 3 dozen donuts/muffins/cinnamon buns for us (me and the one other guy working) just because we helped them out one day in the lab. So tempting...
Quote:
Originally Posted by foodfromafar
Welcome and great workouts so far! I love your reason for getting down to business (Agent 47 Halloween costume) because that's the kind of thing that would motivate my son.
Hope your thumb heals quickly.
I hope it heals quickly too lol. As for the costume, it is weird but it seems to motivate me more then anything else.
__________________ Beginning is Easy - Continuing is Hard
猿も木から落ちる Even monkeys fall from trees
- Japanese Proverb
Unfortunately I caved and had a plain cake doughnut.
As for the thumb, it has healed amazingly fast imo for how deep it was. There is still a bit of a flap at the very edge of it that I have to be careful not to catch on anything but other then that it has healed up and it isn't sore/tender anymore. I have no doubt that it will be good as new in time for the next phase so I won't have any excuses to miss the workouts.
__________________ Beginning is Easy - Continuing is Hard
猿も木から落ちる Even monkeys fall from trees
- Japanese Proverb
Gonna get this post up now because I don't think I will be on this weekend.
This week has been a complete and total disaster. In all honesty I will be surprised if I haven't lost some ground over the week. Some things were beyond my control but even the stuff that was in my control I let go. Gotta get back on track this weekend and come out strong next week. I don't plan to let this setback derail me, but it is frustrating.
As for the thumb, I am starting to question if it will be 100% but I still am confident that it will be healed well enough to allow me to workout on Monday.
__________________ Beginning is Easy - Continuing is Hard
猿も木から落ちる Even monkeys fall from trees
- Japanese Proverb
I hope all is well after the bad week. Frustration is part of what we do. Accept it, and move on. No use in dwelling on what has happened but plan for what you're going to do next and how you'll handle the situation better next time. I have complete and utter confidence that you can do it. Reminds me of a quote I have up in my basement gym: "I never said it would be easy, I just said it would be worth it" ~ unknown.
Keep your eye on the prize my friend.
As for the thumb, is there a any way you can wrap it as to avoid further damage/pain in the next workout?
Becoming Agent 47
)
Unfortunately I caved and had a plain cake doughnut.
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