July 2008

My goal this week was to run faster and, yeah, that’s working out. Today I took 8 minutes off my 3-mile time, apparently just for lack of trying earlier.

I was reminded of how to do it by this guest post by Nitmos of Feet Meet Street on MizFitOnline — to build “pick ups” into my run. I’ve used the same track off and on for years, and, wouldn’t you know it, back in the days when I’d habitually run a certain stretch faster, I also ran the whole thing faster. That’s all it took.

The crappy part was that the increased burn rate was completely cancelled out by the reduced exercise time! For running it 8 minutes faster, I burned only 8 more calories. What a bummer.

And as was the original plan for picking up the pace, I picked up some techno/electronica/metal. We’ll see how that works out.

(crossposted to fatbloggers.net)

Starting weight: 194
Current weight: 191
Goal weight: 180 (with strength increases)
7-day change: -3 pounds
Total change: -3 pounds
To goal: 11 pounds

Highlights of the week, fitness-wise:

• There was free pizza at the all-day gaming event I attended yesterday, but I had four really good all-natural nutrition bars (2 Larabars, a Bumble Bar, and a Clif Bar) and plenty of water, so ate only one slice of thin-crust cheese pizza
• I went out to Macaroni Grill and got the super-healthy broiled fish entree
• I bought lighter weights, so that I’m not putting my ego above proper form
• I ran 12 miles, started the “one hundred pushups” program, and followed my free weight routine religiously

Goals for next week:

• Run my 3 miles just a little faster [method: get more energetic music]
• Keep up the rest

Does anyone have any suggestions for good running music?

Girlyfruitybar with shell in it

I’ve joined a group, FatBloggers.net. As this blog gradually gets tarted up, the banner will be on the sidebar, etc.

BTW, it looks like I’m not going to get away with stew and stir-fried asparagus and onion for dinner: I’m still hungry. But, I have a sack of Bumble Bars and Larabars to try. Both are pricier than Clif Bars, and Larabars distinctly less manly.

Basically a miracle food

Fresh starts are full of gusto and good intentions, leaving one wide open for petty disappointment. Despite careful adherence to calorie limits and daily exercise, I’ve gained weight daily.

These minor fluctuations are disproportionately upsetting, and it’s tough to micromanage everything else, yet let them go.

Everything matters. Every choice during the day, for example. I eat when I’m hungry, 5-6 times daily, ~300 calories, but when my Clif bar and chocolate square barely held me ’til 10, the protein drink I had was a poor choice; I then needed my sandwich by 12:15. I should’ve just had another Clif bar; the protein drink works better as meal 4. See what I mean about micromanaging? All that to gain 2 pounds is pants.

I’m re-starting my diet and exercise program, but following some best practices this time, in addition to using Dietpower. I lost about 27 pounds last time, but gained back 9 after slacking off for a couple months. Here’s what I’m doing that’s new:

1. I measured my waist (40″ — why do I wear size 34?)
2. I’ve started using free weights on non-running days & “gravitron” assisted chinups and bar dips after running, to maintain & increase muscle mass
3. I took some “before” photos (below), at 194 lbs (goal is 180)
4. I got a wok at Ikea, to get more vegetables in
5. I started this blog to record my progress

Craigslist, here I come..

It's not as bad as we feared, sir