FitnessDave’s BodyBlog

Last minute thing on Friday I decided to try and rally some guys together to play some ball on Saturday morning, as it turns out… it didn’t turn out. However, this coming Saturday several of us are planning on getting together to play - I’m looking forward to it.

So, my brother and I ended up playing several games of one-on-one, then I ran two miles. I was really happy to get out and do something, because I feared if I didn’t get out that I’d just work all day Saturday… my wife had a baby shower, so I was considering just staying in and cleaning up a bit, and doing some web work, I still managed to do that, but was glad to get out.

I’ll be running more this week as I feel ready to "turn it up a notch" per se. I’m still eating really healthy, although yesterday was my cheat day. I indulged in some Nantucket Bakery Company pizza, the pesto chicken pizza. It was absolutely delicious - one of, if not the, best I’ve ever had. The scale dropped to 206.2 on Saturday, but this morning it ready 208.2 - I know a fluctuation of +/- 5 lbs isn’t really a bad deal… but it still sucks to see. My main goal right now is just getting under 200. Should be able to do that in the next week or two. What’s most important is the BF% though.

I got out yesterday for what I thought was a great run, but time wise it’s still a bit discouraging (I keep comparing times I’m running now, to times I’ve run in the past). However, it was the first time in quite awhile that I’ve run three miles (two of them consecutively) in a day.

I ran 17:24 for the two miles, that’s an 8:42 pace, which to me seems terrible. But hey, it’s a start. I have to keep reminding myself that I haven’t done this in a long time and instead of feeling down about it, that I’ll just continue to improve my times. After that, I ran another mile about 10 minutes later and that was a bit quicker, 7:40.

My legs are just barely sore today, which is definitely a good thing - because I pushed it hard yesterday - I thought I might be limping around, ha.

I’m going to get out tomorrow for a longer run day, maybe do two separate runs. See if I can get in 5-6 miles. Also, I think we’re really getting the bench and weights this weekend… just a matter of coordination.

No cardio yesterday… more excuses. I think I’m going to see if I can pull off morning runs… it’s just a matter of getting up two or three times in a row in the morning and getting into the routine… once I have a routine I do a pretty good job of sticking with it, it is the evening variables that are throwing me off. Regardless, I’m still running (and I’m for sure running tonight).

Yesterday I did some more basic lifting with the dumbbell. Some curls, and tricep extensions… I know a lot of people alternate different parts of the arms different days, but sometimes I like to work both the bi’s and tri’s on the same day and see how fully inflated I can make my arms, haha.

I’m a bit disappointed that I’m not sore this morning, because last time I lifted I was ravaged with DOMS. Although, my chest is feeling a little sore - likely due to all the push ups yesterday.

I’d like to try and make room in the office for some more weights and at least a bench…. but we may be moving soon so we’ll see. Above all else I just want to try and strive for some consistency with workouts and runs. That’s my main initiative.

Yesterday was just a decent cardio day, nothing spectacular but I’m happy to at least say that I did something. My brother and I warmed up with some one-on-one hoops action and once we got our hearts beating we went down to the track and jogged a warm-up lap. After that we decided to go ahead and run a 1600m, not all out, but what we thought was 60-70% pace… enough to sweat and tire ourselves a bit.

I’m happy knowing that I’m really striving toward consistency and making running a regular thing, but I’m really frustrated right now too, because I know I’m so far behind what I use to be…. I know I can get back there though. Anyway, I timed my run and was extremely disappointed. Despite all that, I turned it up a notch the last 200m, but still was in awe of how slow I am now. On a positive note, it now is a time to beat… and then beat the next time, and then beat that time, until I get to as close as where I used to be (if not surpassing it).

I’m very competitive and always have been, so despite the main purpose of cardio (which is getting healthy, losing extra weight), it also is something that I want to improve at time-wise, for myself.

Instead of saying, "I’d like to get out tonight", I need to start saying, "I have to get out tonight". So, tonight I’m going to run too (and get a lift in).

Well, I didn’t get out for a run yesterday. I have an excuse, but it’s just that… an excuse.

The arms feel pretty much back to normal today so I’m going to do my lifting and also my cardio this evening. I’m going to be slightly upping the miles this week, and continuing to do that each following week.

It’s a beautiful day for running, so I’m looking forward to getting out after I lift. Also, I’m going to "weigh in" as I’m wanting to do that approximately once a week.

I lifted on Friday and my arms are still sore today. Serious DOMS! I know that I’m not injured, it’s just soreness… but it’s a lot better today than it was Saturday or yesterday (when it was the worst).

It’s crazy how the muscles feel so firm and enlarged for so long.

Anyway, run tonight and lifting tomorrow.

Yesterday was a cool and slightly breezy day, it was perfect for running. I got out and jogged two consecutive miles, it felt good to go the distance without stopping at all. As a reminder, I’m not timing my runs quite yet and I think I might go a couple weeks of just running before I start tracking times and working toward improving those times. In addition, I ate really good yesterday too. I had breakfast yesterday! Yes! I never have breakfast… and I know that I should! So, that was good. Lunch was great too, and way more healthy than the norm… and I finished it strong with a great dinner.

Did the whole push up routine yesterday as well too, chest and shoulders are sore again - so I probably won’t do anything today…. but out for another run tonight!

It’s nearly the weekend, and that means I’m getting the weights soon. Looking forward to adding that to the diet, and running routine I’ve got going now.

As long as I can keep the "ball rolling" per se, I think some big changes will happen this summer.

Well, I decided not to start out running this first week every single day. I’d like to eventually get to the point where I’m running 5-6 days a week, but initially I want to do the first couple weeks in a M-W-F schedule. As sad as it is, the 50 push ups on Monday still had me sore yesterday too, so I avoided doing more of those yesterday as well. I usually push myself really hard and I just want to make sure that I don’t start off overdoing it, I’ll ramp up my workouts and runs… so starting off really focusing on the diet will help once I get into the a regular mode.
With all that said, I’m really excited to get the lifting area all setup by this weekend and get the routine started and refined next week. The cardio, healthier diet, and lifting are all really crucial pieces and to me are all necessary in the overall lifestyle change.

For tonight I’ll be out for another run, as well as doing just my basic situp/pushups for some minimal preparation before the weight training that will begin next week.

Above all, my main focus and goal is consistency. I think by blogging what I do (or don’t do) everyday I’ll be more apt to stick to my plans and more likely to succeed at living a healthier life.

I finally got out for my first "official" run of the season yesterday. I ended up running 2.25 miles, not consecutively though. I ran a mile down, a 3-4 minute walk, a mile back, a 1-2 minute walk and then another .25 - .33 run to finish. I didn’t time it (although I plan to transition into that soon). It was mainly just to get back into the swing of things. In addition to that I’m going to have access to some free weights by the end of the week, so until then I just did 50 push ups yesterday. Surprisingly, I can feel it in my chest today. I also can feel it a little bit in my legs…. however… neither my arms, nor my legs, feel uncomfortable. I’m just aware that I ran and did push ups, it’s the "good" sore.

Anyway, I don’t want to overdo it starting off - so I’m not sure quite yet what’s on the agenda for tonight…. but I plan to get out and do something, even if it’s a bit slower pace and not quite as far. I’m just going to listen to my body. I weighed in this morning too and I was at 208. I’ve been in the 205-210 area for the past couple years, so it wasn’t really a surprise. I’m thinking of just weighing in weekly… it’s not that important of an aspect to me, but I’m just interested in tracking it.

Well, I haven’t really utilized the Bodyspace features to their maximum potential. I also haven’t really stayed on track with goals and updates throughout the past couple years. My routine and diet hasn’t been as strict and concise as I’d like. I’ve fallen off and gotten back on more times than I can count. However, I think the more involved I am with the multiple fitness communities that I belong to, the better success rate I’ll have. There are some really great tools available here for anyone, for free, and I’m going to start using them more. In addition, I have some pretty extensive training and diet spreadsheets that I’ve been tweaking the past couple days and they are all set as well. I’ve done a couple runs here and there over the last couple months, but consistency is the key now.

I’m going out tonight for my first "real" run of my new regimen. I’ll be tracking my miles, times, paces and goals. Wish me luck!

Cheers to a healthier body and mind!