I feel extremely sick right now. My throat is killing me, I have a nasty cough, and phlegm in my lungs and sinuses. At any rate, I was watching The Biggest Loser, and it's the season of "No Excuses". I'm sick, I've worked all day, I'm tired, I just want to stay in bed forever and never get up.... I'm not going to make an excuse, and will work out tonight after work. Tomorrow will be day 50 and I will also be taking my measurements. I am not expecting a high number, I didn't get as many work outs this month as I would have liked, and battling sickness doesn't help either. This was a stressful month, and I do know, after reading many articles in Men's Health on my Kindle Fire, that stress can cause someone to not lose as much weight or even gain weight.
I will post some new photos tomorrow, and be ready to see some results!
-Dennis
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Monday, February 20, 2012
Worst Day of Nutrition...
Not a good day for my nutrition, I will have to work out extra hard this week...
Dear Angelica,
Kick my butt please.
Thank you,
-Dennis
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Day 39 - Free Weights, Basketball, and Acquaintances
Today was a rather interesting day. I started the afternoon with lunch at Ziggy's Bar and Grill where I got a buffalo burger with a side of fruit. I was with my friend celebrating her birthday. We went to Sprinkles Cupcake and Crave Cupcake where we each bought one from each store. I know...that I shouldn't have cupcakes, but I thought it was a special one time occasion. Dinner rolled around and I had a grilled chicken breast, mushrooms, and onion stir fry w/ brown rice. Late that evening was when I decided to work out.
The gym was practically empty with the few 4-5 other members training. There was this one particular member who I've seen before, seemed like he didn't really have any set routines. He jumped from one exercise to the next, it seemed like only one set each exercise, and the entire gym, no kidding, had various weights/bars/swiss balls/mats/etc that he used all over the floor. I felt bad for the employee that was going to have to pick up after him.
Besides that, I did my workout. Bench Press with 30 lbs free weights, shoulder press with the 20 lbs free weights, triceps extension and bicep curls using the cables. Butterfly press with the cables, more triceps/biceps/shoulder work outs, leg press and hamstring extensions on the machines. With all of the exercises I did 3 Sets of 12. I also did crunches on the floor, crunches on the swiss ball, side crunches with the exercise ball. I did 2 sets of squats on the BOSU ball until my knees started to hurt. Overall, a good work out.
I then decided to shoot some hoops and when I got to the court, there were three other guys that were playing 21, and asked if i wanted to play. I knew my knees were still weak, but I let them know and they went easy on me for the most part. I loved it though. Playing basketball.....I was not good at all, and only made three baskets, but it was fun. In doing so I met people at the gym. One of which, I think is training with one of the other personal trainers, James, if I'm not mistaken.
All in all, it was a good day...besides the cupcakes, but I hope that I can keep this momentum going.
Thanks for reading!
-Dennis
The gym was practically empty with the few 4-5 other members training. There was this one particular member who I've seen before, seemed like he didn't really have any set routines. He jumped from one exercise to the next, it seemed like only one set each exercise, and the entire gym, no kidding, had various weights/bars/swiss balls/mats/etc that he used all over the floor. I felt bad for the employee that was going to have to pick up after him.
Besides that, I did my workout. Bench Press with 30 lbs free weights, shoulder press with the 20 lbs free weights, triceps extension and bicep curls using the cables. Butterfly press with the cables, more triceps/biceps/shoulder work outs, leg press and hamstring extensions on the machines. With all of the exercises I did 3 Sets of 12. I also did crunches on the floor, crunches on the swiss ball, side crunches with the exercise ball. I did 2 sets of squats on the BOSU ball until my knees started to hurt. Overall, a good work out.
I then decided to shoot some hoops and when I got to the court, there were three other guys that were playing 21, and asked if i wanted to play. I knew my knees were still weak, but I let them know and they went easy on me for the most part. I loved it though. Playing basketball.....I was not good at all, and only made three baskets, but it was fun. In doing so I met people at the gym. One of which, I think is training with one of the other personal trainers, James, if I'm not mistaken.
All in all, it was a good day...besides the cupcakes, but I hope that I can keep this momentum going.
Thanks for reading!
-Dennis
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Day 33 - The 100 Club, Knees, & Basketball
I reached a small stepping stone this weekend, and that is weighing under 200 lbs. It always feels so good to weigh one hundred and so and so. The training has become more and more beneficial, and I am feeling better, starting to see some physical results, as well as getting stronger, faster, and smaller.
I've noticed that I've gone up in weight on the bench press, from benching the bar, to now benching 75 lbs.
Tonight, after my weight training and cardio, I decided to take advantage of the empty basketball court and shoot some hoops. I didn't do so well, but I guess running for the ball is somewhat a form of exercise. I remember kids in the neighborhood where I grew up always playing street ball outside. I always wanted to play. When I did befriend them, I sucked...a lot. I wasn't good at all, I didn't understand the game, and I gave up. I stopped trying. Another part of my childhood was being involved in the YMCA Basketball. I was part of the "Lakers", and I was part of the team that was undefeated!....problem was, I was a bench warmer, and when I did play, I never got the ball. When I did get the ball, I always missed. The only time I really got to shoot the basketball were from the free throw line. I miss both shots, I got the rebound, fouled, and missed the first shot. I then made the second shot, but the damn ref counted it no good because I was passed the line...
Tonight, I made up for it. I shot from the free throw line, made 7-8 good shots, and it made me just want to practice it more and more. Although my knees are bad, I would like to be able to play one day, and be good at it too.
In regards to my knees, I finally seeked medical attention and went and saw my physician. I have discovered that I have thin cartilage, which is almost like bone to bone from my tibia to my patella (or knee cap). I also got an x-ray and will soon find out if I should worry. The doctor recommended me anti-inflammatory medicine and glucosamine.
Now off to bed...I have work in 4-5 hours...
-Dennis
I've noticed that I've gone up in weight on the bench press, from benching the bar, to now benching 75 lbs.
Tonight, after my weight training and cardio, I decided to take advantage of the empty basketball court and shoot some hoops. I didn't do so well, but I guess running for the ball is somewhat a form of exercise. I remember kids in the neighborhood where I grew up always playing street ball outside. I always wanted to play. When I did befriend them, I sucked...a lot. I wasn't good at all, I didn't understand the game, and I gave up. I stopped trying. Another part of my childhood was being involved in the YMCA Basketball. I was part of the "Lakers", and I was part of the team that was undefeated!....problem was, I was a bench warmer, and when I did play, I never got the ball. When I did get the ball, I always missed. The only time I really got to shoot the basketball were from the free throw line. I miss both shots, I got the rebound, fouled, and missed the first shot. I then made the second shot, but the damn ref counted it no good because I was passed the line...
Tonight, I made up for it. I shot from the free throw line, made 7-8 good shots, and it made me just want to practice it more and more. Although my knees are bad, I would like to be able to play one day, and be good at it too.
In regards to my knees, I finally seeked medical attention and went and saw my physician. I have discovered that I have thin cartilage, which is almost like bone to bone from my tibia to my patella (or knee cap). I also got an x-ray and will soon find out if I should worry. The doctor recommended me anti-inflammatory medicine and glucosamine.
Now off to bed...I have work in 4-5 hours...
-Dennis
Monday, February 6, 2012
Day 25 - Nutrition is the Key
The weekend was a good weekend overall. I didn't work out on Saturday, so I worked out on Sunday instead. I did weight training today, worked out my pectorals, abs, biceps, triceps, shoulders, and back. Nutrition wise, I had oatmeal, yogurt, and fruit for breakfast, a protein shake after the work out, and tried to eat every three hours when I could.
After reading some articles that Angelica sent me, I am starting to understand how much carbohydrates and amino acids are important in order for me to reach my goals. The carbohydrates provide two things for my body.
1. Energy to perform at maximum level. For example, if I do not eat before I work out, I will not be at 100%. Which is very important that I eat an hour before I work out. One training session I had with Angelica, I was running on empty. She had to get me a protein shake towards the end of the session. The carbohydrates is like gas for your body, to make sure it keeps running.
2. Repair/Rebuild - After a workout, you need carbohydrates in order to give you, once again, energy to rebuild your muscles.
Overall, it was a good weekend, but after today, I will be on a 7 day work week. I am hoping that all will be okay and I won't be as tired throughout the week.
After reading some articles that Angelica sent me, I am starting to understand how much carbohydrates and amino acids are important in order for me to reach my goals. The carbohydrates provide two things for my body.
1. Energy to perform at maximum level. For example, if I do not eat before I work out, I will not be at 100%. Which is very important that I eat an hour before I work out. One training session I had with Angelica, I was running on empty. She had to get me a protein shake towards the end of the session. The carbohydrates is like gas for your body, to make sure it keeps running.
2. Repair/Rebuild - After a workout, you need carbohydrates in order to give you, once again, energy to rebuild your muscles.
Overall, it was a good weekend, but after today, I will be on a 7 day work week. I am hoping that all will be okay and I won't be as tired throughout the week.
Friday, February 3, 2012
Day 22 - New Month, New Goals
Today, was a wonderful day. In two weeks, I've lost 1.5% body fat. I went from being unhealthy on the body fat chart to acceptable! I had a training session with Angelica today and during my session today, is that my legs are weak and it will take steps in order for it to get better. We did a work out on the hip abductor, which I have always seen a lot of women on the machine, doing so many reps so that they can burn the fat off of their hips, but I learned that with the correct posture, weight, and consistency, it would be possible to increase the strength and muscle at the same time as burning off the fat.
I was really proud of myself for doing 75lbs on the bench press today. I remember when I first started years ago, I could only lift the bar. I have come a long way from back then.
So we set out some goals today, and my target goal for this month is to lose 5% body fat. It's going to be a tough feat to accomplish, but I think with the right training and possibly the purchase of a bodybugg, it will help track what I eat, how much I'm burning, and what I'm doing throughout the day.
In regards to the gym in Rice Village, it is an amazing facility. It's one of the cleanest gyms I've ever been to in Houston. There is always towels ready for you when you are greeted at the door, and did I mention they have a basketball court and a racquetball court as well!
I was really proud of myself for doing 75lbs on the bench press today. I remember when I first started years ago, I could only lift the bar. I have come a long way from back then.
So we set out some goals today, and my target goal for this month is to lose 5% body fat. It's going to be a tough feat to accomplish, but I think with the right training and possibly the purchase of a bodybugg, it will help track what I eat, how much I'm burning, and what I'm doing throughout the day.
In regards to the gym in Rice Village, it is an amazing facility. It's one of the cleanest gyms I've ever been to in Houston. There is always towels ready for you when you are greeted at the door, and did I mention they have a basketball court and a racquetball court as well!
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