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!
Friday, February 3, 2012
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Day 20 - Dreams & Goals
Today was not such a great day today with regards to my nutrition. This morning at 6AM, I was running late for work, didn't eat breakfast, I didn't eat lunch, I had no food in my body until after I got off of work at 4PM. That's 10 hours of time with no food for energy. Top it off, I went to Panera Bread, had 1/2 a chicken panini, chips, and a side salad. I then started to snack. Snacked on things when I don't quite know if I was hungry. On Thursday, I need to clean out my kitchen, get rid of anything that would not comply with my diet, and go to the grocery store for some healthier options.
On the bright side, I went to the gym at 10:30PM, I've never gone that late at night, and it's not as crowded as opposed to 4PM on a weekday. The pool was empty, few people working out in the free weights area, a few people working out in the cardio section, and a lot of guys playing basketball.
Speaking of basketball, I really miss playing it. I used to play basketball in the summer days of high school. I was never really good at it, but I tried. It just reminded me of always wanting to be good at it. I was never better than any of my other friends at that time, but it was a good work out when I did play. Now that I'm having these problems with my knees, I don't know if it'll ever be possible to even play. Switching your weight from side to side and quickly would probably not be good for my knees. I might as well work on my shot.
So I did cardio tonight, I was on the elliptical for 30 minutes, and then in the sauna for 15. It was very relaxing going into the sauna after my cardio, might as well sweat some more and sweat some toxins out of my system.
Tomorrow, I am going to do more cardio because I am doing weights on Thursday.
Dinner for One: Pan-Seared Salmon w/ Sauteed Mushrooms
Ingredients:
1/2 lb Fresh Atlantic Salmon - $4.00
1 Lemon - $.50
1 bunch Cilantro - $.33
1 pkg Whole Mushrooms - $1.70
1 tbsp Mrs. Dash
1 tsp Black Pepper
2 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Total Cost: $6.53
Preheat oven to 350 degree Fahrenheit. Sprinkle the seasonings on both sides of the salmon. Heat oil in skillet. Sear the salmon, skin down, in the skillet until the skin is crispy and golden brown. Take a sheet pan and place a sheet of foil on it. Place the salmon on the sheet pan, skin side up, and cook in the oven for 15 minutes, or until the salmon is flaky.
While the salmon is in the oven, clean the mushroom thoroughly. Remove the stems from the mushroom caps. With the same oil and skillet that was used earlier, toss the mushrooms in the skillet over medium-high heat. Sauteed until tender and serve with the salmon when it's done.
Chop some cilantro and slice some lemons for garnish.
Enjoy!
On the bright side, I went to the gym at 10:30PM, I've never gone that late at night, and it's not as crowded as opposed to 4PM on a weekday. The pool was empty, few people working out in the free weights area, a few people working out in the cardio section, and a lot of guys playing basketball.
Speaking of basketball, I really miss playing it. I used to play basketball in the summer days of high school. I was never really good at it, but I tried. It just reminded me of always wanting to be good at it. I was never better than any of my other friends at that time, but it was a good work out when I did play. Now that I'm having these problems with my knees, I don't know if it'll ever be possible to even play. Switching your weight from side to side and quickly would probably not be good for my knees. I might as well work on my shot.
So I did cardio tonight, I was on the elliptical for 30 minutes, and then in the sauna for 15. It was very relaxing going into the sauna after my cardio, might as well sweat some more and sweat some toxins out of my system.
Tomorrow, I am going to do more cardio because I am doing weights on Thursday.
Dinner for One: Pan-Seared Salmon w/ Sauteed Mushrooms
Ingredients:
1/2 lb Fresh Atlantic Salmon - $4.00
1 Lemon - $.50
1 bunch Cilantro - $.33
1 pkg Whole Mushrooms - $1.70
1 tbsp Mrs. Dash
1 tsp Black Pepper
2 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Total Cost: $6.53
Preheat oven to 350 degree Fahrenheit. Sprinkle the seasonings on both sides of the salmon. Heat oil in skillet. Sear the salmon, skin down, in the skillet until the skin is crispy and golden brown. Take a sheet pan and place a sheet of foil on it. Place the salmon on the sheet pan, skin side up, and cook in the oven for 15 minutes, or until the salmon is flaky.
While the salmon is in the oven, clean the mushroom thoroughly. Remove the stems from the mushroom caps. With the same oil and skillet that was used earlier, toss the mushrooms in the skillet over medium-high heat. Sauteed until tender and serve with the salmon when it's done.
Chop some cilantro and slice some lemons for garnish.
Enjoy!
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Day 14 - McDonald's
It was quite a long day today. I had work all morning, and stayed for an hour meeting, and then had my training session with Angelica. We started my work out with leg work outs again. The goal is trying to strengthen my quads so that it can support my weak knees. We worked out all upper body as well and a goal that Angelica gave me is to do push-ups every day, adding one push-up a day. I also, played a small joke with Angelica, that I ate McDonald's right before the training session and she almost flipped out. Part of me wanted to get in super trouble so that she could kick my butt even harder. After the work out, I had a 50g protein shake, went home, had one beer [Shiner Bock Light Blonde], and am watching shows on tv with my roommate. I still need to get up and do Cardio!
Until next time,
-Dennis
Until next time,
-Dennis
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Day 13 - All That Jazz!
Today was an interesting day. It started off very well, I slept in later than normal, and I tried a new grab and go place to eat. I tried Tru Meals today for lunch, I had a Tuna and Apple Salad with Pita Bread and Carrots Sticks. The meal was medium size, had 27g of Protein, and had moderate calories and very low fat. Tru Meals had a lot more variety than My Fit Foods, it's a bit more expensive, but I must admit it does taste better.
I had my training session with Angelica today. She tried a couple different work outs to help support my knees. Since I have bad knees, and I think I might have a Runner's Knee, the exercises with the resistance bands will help tremendously. We were on the bench press again today, adding 5 more lbs to the bar. It was a good work out today. After the work out, we took [shirtless] before photos, which I will post shortly.
After the training session, later that evening, I went to a beginner's Jazz dancing lesson with my friend Brent. It was more intense than I thought it would be. We stretched and warmed up for 30 minutes, did a core work out for 5-10, and the rest of the time we were dancing, or rather following the instructors precise directions. I learned how to do a pirouette! It was a pretty good class, a bit fast pace than I wanted it to be, but nonetheless it was also a good work out.
At the end of the night, we had dinner at Ziggy's Bar and Grill in Montrose. It's a healthy restaurant, that had a lot of amazing items on it's menu. Brent got Spaghetti and Meatball with Garlic Mashed Potatoes and Mixed Veggies. I got the Grilled Salmon, Carrots, and a healthy Macaroni and Cheese.
I will post photos soon.
Thanks for reading!
-Dennis
I had my training session with Angelica today. She tried a couple different work outs to help support my knees. Since I have bad knees, and I think I might have a Runner's Knee, the exercises with the resistance bands will help tremendously. We were on the bench press again today, adding 5 more lbs to the bar. It was a good work out today. After the work out, we took [shirtless] before photos, which I will post shortly.
After the training session, later that evening, I went to a beginner's Jazz dancing lesson with my friend Brent. It was more intense than I thought it would be. We stretched and warmed up for 30 minutes, did a core work out for 5-10, and the rest of the time we were dancing, or rather following the instructors precise directions. I learned how to do a pirouette! It was a pretty good class, a bit fast pace than I wanted it to be, but nonetheless it was also a good work out.
At the end of the night, we had dinner at Ziggy's Bar and Grill in Montrose. It's a healthy restaurant, that had a lot of amazing items on it's menu. Brent got Spaghetti and Meatball with Garlic Mashed Potatoes and Mixed Veggies. I got the Grilled Salmon, Carrots, and a healthy Macaroni and Cheese.
I will post photos soon.
Thanks for reading!
-Dennis
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