I am a big fan of the Adidas commercials with athletes and celebrities running together. Adidas has found a way to use athletes from all over the world and all different sports to create a mass general appeal within the US. Anyway, I saw this commercial spot yesterday and found myself thinking about it on my run:
I've identified Ali (obviously), McGrady, Zidane, Beckham, Henry and Laila Ali. Anyone know who else is in this thing?
Friday, August 29, 2008
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Day 2 on the Deadmill
Went to the gym again yesterday and ran on the treadmill. I didn't go on Tuesday because of the untimely finale of my beach volleyball team in the playoffs. Anyway, 3 miles in 37 minutes (10 songs). I benefited by creating a quick playlist on my ipod so i didn't have any 7 or 8 minute songs in the middle of my run. Yes, Monday I got stuck with an 11 minute song at the end of my run that damn near killed me. I felt good, except for my foot which felt horrible.
The whole eating right thing is the hardest part about this for me. Going to the gym is not that big of a deal. My wife isn't home until 7 most days so I have a 2 hour window to get home, get to the gym, and get started on dinner or whatever task awaits at home. Eating right is a whole different story. I topped off what was a pretty good diet day with a mini-, homemade chocolate cream pie last night. Yum, but bad for the belly. Moving forward, I'm trying to stick with a bowl of cereal for breakfast, fruit and a pb&j during the day, and dinner at night. If I have to snack after dinner I want to keep it limited. If you ask me, there is nothing worth snacking on that is any good for you. I also still can't decide if italian ice is completely horrible or a nice alternative to a half a box of cheez-its.
Back to the deadmill today. 3 miles and a stretch, then home sweet home with some ice on the foot. Yay!
The whole eating right thing is the hardest part about this for me. Going to the gym is not that big of a deal. My wife isn't home until 7 most days so I have a 2 hour window to get home, get to the gym, and get started on dinner or whatever task awaits at home. Eating right is a whole different story. I topped off what was a pretty good diet day with a mini-, homemade chocolate cream pie last night. Yum, but bad for the belly. Moving forward, I'm trying to stick with a bowl of cereal for breakfast, fruit and a pb&j during the day, and dinner at night. If I have to snack after dinner I want to keep it limited. If you ask me, there is nothing worth snacking on that is any good for you. I also still can't decide if italian ice is completely horrible or a nice alternative to a half a box of cheez-its.
Back to the deadmill today. 3 miles and a stretch, then home sweet home with some ice on the foot. Yay!
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Update
I finally joined a gym! Anytime Fitness - a 24 hour/7 days a week do-da that is more like a small apartment than a fitness center. It's convenient to my house and has everything I will need, plus I got a month to month membership so I can switch if my fitness goals or gear ever exceed what they offer.
Monday was my first day (I know a little later than my goals) and all I did was run on the treadmill. 3 miles in about 43 minutes, a snail's pace. I alternated between jogging at 5 mph and walking at 4 mph for the entire time. A while ago, I discovered that running on a treadmill is infinately more enjoyable when you throw a towel over the monitor and run to music. In the past, 8 songs was three miles (approx 29 minutes). I used to go over a little or under a little, in which case I would just complete the final distance at a max pace. Monday I ran for two songs and walked for one song ran for two songs, etc. Eventually I will get my time back down to the thirty minute mark.
My plan for the next few weeks is to just continue to use the treadmill, get a good stretch, and go home. I don't think there is much value in hitting the weights when my body is so un-accustomed to continous, strenuous movement. Add that to the fact that I haven't had much physical activity because of my foot (plantar fascitis, achilles tendonitis, tarpal syndrome - TAKE CARE OF YOUR FEET or end up like me) and I've get a solid recipe for out of shape soup. So anyway, we will call this my run in period. Sort of like a clinical trial but I won't be taking any drugs.
I'm also working on cleaning up my diet. Step 1: No fast food.
Monday was my first day (I know a little later than my goals) and all I did was run on the treadmill. 3 miles in about 43 minutes, a snail's pace. I alternated between jogging at 5 mph and walking at 4 mph for the entire time. A while ago, I discovered that running on a treadmill is infinately more enjoyable when you throw a towel over the monitor and run to music. In the past, 8 songs was three miles (approx 29 minutes). I used to go over a little or under a little, in which case I would just complete the final distance at a max pace. Monday I ran for two songs and walked for one song ran for two songs, etc. Eventually I will get my time back down to the thirty minute mark.
My plan for the next few weeks is to just continue to use the treadmill, get a good stretch, and go home. I don't think there is much value in hitting the weights when my body is so un-accustomed to continous, strenuous movement. Add that to the fact that I haven't had much physical activity because of my foot (plantar fascitis, achilles tendonitis, tarpal syndrome - TAKE CARE OF YOUR FEET or end up like me) and I've get a solid recipe for out of shape soup. So anyway, we will call this my run in period. Sort of like a clinical trial but I won't be taking any drugs.
I'm also working on cleaning up my diet. Step 1: No fast food.
Monday, July 28, 2008
Crawling to the starting line
This blog was originally created for a couple of reasons: (1) a place to track progress of workouts, weight loss, and the conversion from sedentary life to something a little less, and (2) a place to share with other readers who stumble upon this motivation, tips, and tricks that help me reach fitness and lifestyle goals.
So what happened? Life got in the way. I was working out steadily when I created the blog then work got busy, my wedding came and went, honeymoons took place, other commitments popped up and I stopped going. Then we moved, my gym membership expired, and my foot started to hurt more than ever (i'll post on this someday). It seems that each week I say I'll start next week, and next week comes and I forget to pack a gym bag, I can't decide what gym to join or re-join, my ipod isn't charged or any number of minuscule interruptions destroys my motivation.
I figure I'll start here with a list of goals and go from there. Hopefully, I'll keep with these and the blog and provide myself and anyone reading with updated now and then:
This week:
So what happened? Life got in the way. I was working out steadily when I created the blog then work got busy, my wedding came and went, honeymoons took place, other commitments popped up and I stopped going. Then we moved, my gym membership expired, and my foot started to hurt more than ever (i'll post on this someday). It seems that each week I say I'll start next week, and next week comes and I forget to pack a gym bag, I can't decide what gym to join or re-join, my ipod isn't charged or any number of minuscule interruptions destroys my motivation.
I figure I'll start here with a list of goals and go from there. Hopefully, I'll keep with these and the blog and provide myself and anyone reading with updated now and then:
This week:
- Pick a gym - Do I go with the old gym that I'm comfortable with, is priced reasonably, but is 40 minutes from my house or a new nicer gym at high price that is more convenient?
- Go to the gym three times
Semi-long term:
- Lose 5 pounds
- Run 3 miles in under 27 minutes
- Perform 20 consecutive flawless pushups
Long term:
- Lose 15 pounds
- Run in a competitive 5k, faster than 25 minutes
- Perform 15 flawless pullups
- Perform 25 flawless pushups
- Squat my body weight
Friday, July 25, 2008
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