So I missed posting an update on Tuesday, so this will cover both days.
So Meagan changed up the training plan a bit, so it won't kill me right away. A lot more physical stuff with no machine use.
We started off with 5min of jump rope. I haven't jumped rope in prob. close to 8 years. Ya, it was a rough start, but I got in to a good slow rythem. 5min couldn't come soon enough though. It felt like I had just run a mile. Wasn't fun that's for sure.
So then we started the new circuit training. It consisted of squats using 10Lb weights, 15 pushups, 15 lunges with the same 10Lb weights, Planking, and "mountain climbing steps". It was absolutely NUTS. By the time I was finished the first way though, I hurt all over. And the planking made my back hurt so much. But Meagan was good, and adjusted the number of reps and the amount of time certain exercises were. That's one of the things that I like about having her as my trainer. She actively adjusts the sessions so that I don't die in the middle of them.
After the circuit, we went through some stretches, and then it was the cardio. Was supposed to be 15min on the stair master, and 30min on the treadmill, but I was so exhausted from the work out that I don't think I even managed 8min on the stair master. That is one evil machine. So then I went over to the treadmill, but by this time, I was so tired that I just wanted to go home. I got about 10min on the treadmill before I called it quits and came home.
Wednesday wasn't bad, I was a little sore but it was manageable. Towards the end of the day though, my calves started to tighten up, my feet started to cramp, and my upper arms were tired.
Thursday was even worse. I was limping everywhere. And I started using cubicle walls and door jams to help stretch out my calves. Got a few weird looks from people too.
At the gym, Meagan and I started with some walking on the treadmill. I did my "power walking" at about 4mph, which is pretty speedy. Then we did some stretches, and a couple new ones. When I told her that my calves were sore, she had me try a foam log roll. I started at my ankles, and with a little downward pressure on the foam log, rolled it up my calves. It hurt like hell, but it was one of those hurts that actually feels good. Then we got in to the circuit training again. I found today was a smidge easier than on Tuesday. Who knows why. We did a couple of alternate exercises, some crunches while tossing a medicine ball, and some leg lifts. These were a lot easier on my back than the planking. Hopefully we'll continue doing these for now.
One of the newer exercises that Meagan had me do, was what she called "monster ropes". It was a very long, thick and heavy rope, wrapped around a piece of equipment to keep it steady, and you had to wave it with your arms. Remember in science class using a slinky to make waves when studying sound? Same idea, only on a larger, and heavier scale. While doing this, Meagan and another trainer both commented that I'm very quiet when doing these exercises. Even when I'm exhausted and struggling to finish. I asked if that was a good thing, Meagan laughed and said that it shows I have excellent control. I guess that's good then.
I finished off with that dreaded stairmaster again. This time, I was able to hit the 10min mark. I struggled a little to get to 10min, but I did it. I then finished off with 15min on the treadmill... I think I'm going to bring a pair of headphones with me next time. The treadmills have TV's built in to them, I think next time I'll be able to HEAR the show, instead of making up my own lines that are being said. Its not as fun to make up your own dub when no one else is around to hear it.
So, I'm pretty sore still. My abs aren't too bad, but my upper arms are quite tired. And the cramp in my feet and calves are back. This shall be an interesting weekend as I'm going down to the MIL's place for her 50th birthday with Tabs. Lets hope there's not TOO much moving around...
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Friday, July 8, 2011
The weight loss begins
So, I've decided that its time for me to get rid of my round, fat shape, and return to a slim shape. So I've decided to join a gym. My membership started on Friday June 30th at World Health here in Edmonton. I got set up with a personal trainer (Meagan), who is going to help me reach my goal.
On Monday I met with Meagan; We went over my profile book and answered questions. She took measurements around my neck, arms, chest, waist, hips, thighs and calfs. Did a weight and height measurement and my BFI. Its no surprise. I'm tall, fat, and out of shape.
When she asked me what my goals were, I told her that I want to increase my muscle. I want to have some definition. I need to strengthen my back to help combat my scoliosis and reduce the chances of hurting it. And to loose weight. A lot of weight. When I told her that my goal was 6-8 months to achieve this, she was happy that I had put down such a realistic goal, and said that its very doable. So we arranged my first workout for the following Thursday.
So, Thursday (July-7th) comes. Its gym day... yay... I met with Meagan and she had the workout all planned and was ready to go. First off was 5min on the rowing machine. Looks simple enough, and unless you pace yourself, can wear you out pretty quick. I learned that the hard way. I started off strong, but ended up ok. After that, it was 15 squats with 2 10lb dumbell weights. I sware, I looked like such an idiot doing them. Back straight, and ass out while lifting the weights in the air. I felt like such a dork, but holy CRAP did it kick my ass. After 15 of those, I was really feeling the burn in my legs.
So, with the squats done, next was lunges, again with the 10lb weights. Every time I did a lunge, I had to raise the weights in to the air. I did that for about 50 feet total. At this point, sweat is pouring down my face, my heard is beating faster than that of a field mouse and I just want to die. And its only been about 20min! But there was more!
Next was step up, again with the 10lb weight. I had to step up on to a 2' high step, raise my arms so that they are horizontal, and then lower my arms and step down. 15 for my right leg, then 15 for my left leg. It would have been a bit easier had the step not wobbled whenever I'd step up on to it. Maybe that is all part of the exercise? Help use your balance? No idea...
After the step up, we took a little break. Lasted about 5min. Long enough for me to pound back my water bottle, and the pain my entire body was feeling to slightly subside. I could hear my body say "WHAT THE FLYING FUCK ARE YOU DOING TO US?!" But I needed to continue.
Once we started up again, it was doing pull ups. At the gym, they have a multi-purpose steel A-Frame, with a bunch of ropes on them. Meagan showed me how she wanted me to do the pull-ups. I was to go as straight as possible, and lift myself higher off the ground than I already was. Imagine doing a push up, upside down. That's kinda like what it was. She asked for 15, I said that she might get 5. Now, this is where I really like having Meagan as my trainer over the last time I went to the gym many many many years ago. The trainer that I had back then, started me on weight machines right off the bat, and I didn't feel like he was helping to keep me motivated. Meagan on the other hand, was working through the exercises with me, and really doing her best to keep me going. She also began to realize my limits as of right now, and "on the fly" adjusted how many reps she wanted me to do so that I didn't die in the gym. So, when I told her that she might get 5, she said "That's fine. Give me 5, and take your time." I did 2, then stopped, then did 2, then stopped, then struggled to do the last one. And through the entire thing, she was really encouraging me to complete each one, and not to give up.
We took another little break as my stomach was starting to turn. This was the most exercise I've done in... well... how long is it since I worked at the Children's Museum in London as a camp councillor? Ya, so long I don't even remember. I pounded back more water and then we continued.
The next excercise was the first one to use a real machine. It was a simple "pulling" and "punching" excercise. I first had to stand facing the machine, and pull the weights back towards me. after 20 of those, I then had to face away from the machine, and "punch". Aside from the rowing machine, that was the easiest one there was.
Next, we did a different form of push-up. It wasn't the normal kind. I had a half-ball "thing", and what I'd do is I'd go from standing, to a push-up using this half-ball "thing" then go back to standing. Now, the same thing with the pull-up, I got maybe 5 done. At that point, I was finished. If I did any more, I'd surely puke. I think Meagan could tell. She showed me a couple of the other exercises that we were going to do, and then we went to discuss the training package.
So, my goal is 6-8 months, but I think we'll reach it in 6, which is good, because I have 6 months of personal training with Meagan. She's going to tweak the program a bit, lighter weights and fewer reps to start off, but I want to be able to do 20 push-ups without dieing, and 20 pull-ups. I want to loose this keg of a gut, and replace it with a little bit of a 6-pack, I want to have some muscle definition, and be able to look at myself in the mirror and go "yeah! I look good!" instead of "OH GOD! MY EYES!!" This is not only trying to improve my health, and get back in shape, but also improving my self image. I can replace all my XXXL and XXL T-shirts with XL and XXL (I'm not going to kid myself, I'm 6'3, I'm going to need larger shirts to accommodate a larger frame), but hey, if they're a little on the tighter side, and show off some muscle, I'm all for it.
Some may tell me that what I want is what the media says I should look like. Maybe there is some influence from the media's portrayal of men and how a man should look, but that's beside the point. This is how I want to look. I've always been skinny as a kid, with not much muscle. If I got in a fight, I'd get my ass handed to me on a silver platter. As I got older, I traded in the skinniness for chunky, and still couldn't fight if I wanted. But I'm going to change that.
So, I plan on keeping a log of my progress though the next 6 months. I plan on updating this blog 3x a week, for every day that I work out, and will take a new picture every 2 weeks. By the end of the 6 months, I want to look at the final picture, and the first picture, and be in complete and utter shock about how I used to look. And that is what I will do!
On Monday I met with Meagan; We went over my profile book and answered questions. She took measurements around my neck, arms, chest, waist, hips, thighs and calfs. Did a weight and height measurement and my BFI. Its no surprise. I'm tall, fat, and out of shape.
When she asked me what my goals were, I told her that I want to increase my muscle. I want to have some definition. I need to strengthen my back to help combat my scoliosis and reduce the chances of hurting it. And to loose weight. A lot of weight. When I told her that my goal was 6-8 months to achieve this, she was happy that I had put down such a realistic goal, and said that its very doable. So we arranged my first workout for the following Thursday.
So, Thursday (July-7th) comes. Its gym day... yay... I met with Meagan and she had the workout all planned and was ready to go. First off was 5min on the rowing machine. Looks simple enough, and unless you pace yourself, can wear you out pretty quick. I learned that the hard way. I started off strong, but ended up ok. After that, it was 15 squats with 2 10lb dumbell weights. I sware, I looked like such an idiot doing them. Back straight, and ass out while lifting the weights in the air. I felt like such a dork, but holy CRAP did it kick my ass. After 15 of those, I was really feeling the burn in my legs.
So, with the squats done, next was lunges, again with the 10lb weights. Every time I did a lunge, I had to raise the weights in to the air. I did that for about 50 feet total. At this point, sweat is pouring down my face, my heard is beating faster than that of a field mouse and I just want to die. And its only been about 20min! But there was more!
Next was step up, again with the 10lb weight. I had to step up on to a 2' high step, raise my arms so that they are horizontal, and then lower my arms and step down. 15 for my right leg, then 15 for my left leg. It would have been a bit easier had the step not wobbled whenever I'd step up on to it. Maybe that is all part of the exercise? Help use your balance? No idea...
After the step up, we took a little break. Lasted about 5min. Long enough for me to pound back my water bottle, and the pain my entire body was feeling to slightly subside. I could hear my body say "WHAT THE FLYING FUCK ARE YOU DOING TO US?!" But I needed to continue.
Once we started up again, it was doing pull ups. At the gym, they have a multi-purpose steel A-Frame, with a bunch of ropes on them. Meagan showed me how she wanted me to do the pull-ups. I was to go as straight as possible, and lift myself higher off the ground than I already was. Imagine doing a push up, upside down. That's kinda like what it was. She asked for 15, I said that she might get 5. Now, this is where I really like having Meagan as my trainer over the last time I went to the gym many many many years ago. The trainer that I had back then, started me on weight machines right off the bat, and I didn't feel like he was helping to keep me motivated. Meagan on the other hand, was working through the exercises with me, and really doing her best to keep me going. She also began to realize my limits as of right now, and "on the fly" adjusted how many reps she wanted me to do so that I didn't die in the gym. So, when I told her that she might get 5, she said "That's fine. Give me 5, and take your time." I did 2, then stopped, then did 2, then stopped, then struggled to do the last one. And through the entire thing, she was really encouraging me to complete each one, and not to give up.
We took another little break as my stomach was starting to turn. This was the most exercise I've done in... well... how long is it since I worked at the Children's Museum in London as a camp councillor? Ya, so long I don't even remember. I pounded back more water and then we continued.
The next excercise was the first one to use a real machine. It was a simple "pulling" and "punching" excercise. I first had to stand facing the machine, and pull the weights back towards me. after 20 of those, I then had to face away from the machine, and "punch". Aside from the rowing machine, that was the easiest one there was.
Next, we did a different form of push-up. It wasn't the normal kind. I had a half-ball "thing", and what I'd do is I'd go from standing, to a push-up using this half-ball "thing" then go back to standing. Now, the same thing with the pull-up, I got maybe 5 done. At that point, I was finished. If I did any more, I'd surely puke. I think Meagan could tell. She showed me a couple of the other exercises that we were going to do, and then we went to discuss the training package.
So, my goal is 6-8 months, but I think we'll reach it in 6, which is good, because I have 6 months of personal training with Meagan. She's going to tweak the program a bit, lighter weights and fewer reps to start off, but I want to be able to do 20 push-ups without dieing, and 20 pull-ups. I want to loose this keg of a gut, and replace it with a little bit of a 6-pack, I want to have some muscle definition, and be able to look at myself in the mirror and go "yeah! I look good!" instead of "OH GOD! MY EYES!!" This is not only trying to improve my health, and get back in shape, but also improving my self image. I can replace all my XXXL and XXL T-shirts with XL and XXL (I'm not going to kid myself, I'm 6'3, I'm going to need larger shirts to accommodate a larger frame), but hey, if they're a little on the tighter side, and show off some muscle, I'm all for it.
Some may tell me that what I want is what the media says I should look like. Maybe there is some influence from the media's portrayal of men and how a man should look, but that's beside the point. This is how I want to look. I've always been skinny as a kid, with not much muscle. If I got in a fight, I'd get my ass handed to me on a silver platter. As I got older, I traded in the skinniness for chunky, and still couldn't fight if I wanted. But I'm going to change that.
So, I plan on keeping a log of my progress though the next 6 months. I plan on updating this blog 3x a week, for every day that I work out, and will take a new picture every 2 weeks. By the end of the 6 months, I want to look at the final picture, and the first picture, and be in complete and utter shock about how I used to look. And that is what I will do!
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