The Chronicles of Slimm Grimm

Though I haven’t been here as often, I’m still here and still working toward my fitness goals.  An inordinate amount of school work and the need to be at the labs early left me with only one day at the gym this week.  And admittedly, without the "teacher" around, the compulsion to play hooky has been ever present.  Fortunately, as I learned during my trip yesterday, this has not yet negatively impacted my weight.  It hasn’t changed, hasn’t gone down or up since I weighed-in a few weeks back.

However, I have a new goal, or at least perhaps a deadline for my old goal.  I’m working on a film project now that will be released to a local theater in April, and it’s my goal to have dropped at least - minimum - 30 pounds by April.  If I hit that mark early, I’ll make a new goal, but for now that’s what I’m aiming for.  It’s seven months away, and I think this is a perfectly attainable goal.  It will also, I hope, provide that extra bit of motivation that my PT provided when she was around.

So, I begin the next week with a renewed effort to kick ass and by the week’s end I expect to back on track.

It took my by surprise when I got to the gym this morning and found out my trainer had resigned last Friday.  I was a bit disappointed; she had done a great job at keeping me motivated over my first week or two, and she provided that all-important role of spotter when I was working with the free weights… especially those that were on the very edge of my ability to lift.

I’m not sure what the Y’s plans are as far as a replacement trainer for students (she was essentially in charge of that, hired separately by my college).

There is a bright side though, and it’s one that became manifest soon after I learned she was gone.  Though we only had a few weeks, she taught me pretty much all of the basics I need to know.  I can return to the gym with confidence because I know what to do and how to do it.  The biggest challenge, then, will be making sure my workouts remain just as intense without her guidance and less-than-gentle encouraging.

This is a small bump in the road; in the end, she gave me her knowledge which will prove to be just as valuable as her presence in the weeks to come.  Hopefully we’ll get a new trainer but if not, I’m confident things will continue just as they have.

Talk about a dangling carrot.

My PT asked me today if I wanted to weigh myself after our workout.  I gave a half-hearted "sure, why not" and honestly, I didn’t expect to see much of a change.  It’s only been two weeks, right?  Surely I can’t have lost any substantial weight in such a short time.

Well, I was wrong, sort of.  I was amazed to see I had lost 5 lbs since my weight check last week.

I guess part of me expected it.  I’ve heard tell the "fat guys" usually burn a lot of water weight at the get-go, and that’s cool.  I recognize that this will probably not be the norm, and I’m okay with that.  But it was a noteworthy marker on this road, a big accomplishment for me at a time where the "routine" was starting to get a little frustrating.  Not the workout routine, just going back to school in general.  It’s not easy doing this with five kids, and it’s even less easy on Mrs. Grimm.  So it’s been a difficult week and this, to me, signifies why it’s worth it… why it’s worthwhile to sacrifice in the present to be closer to the ideal in the future.  Hard times end, storms pass, and the cycle goes on.  Even aching muscles eventually harden up and ask for more punishment.

It’s not a huge number, but it’s a number that will forever inspire me henceforth.  It’s happening.  It’s actually happening.

Wow.  What a rush.

My third day of training was a little shorter, mainly because I missed the usual bus and ended up getting into town late.  My weight training did not suffer, though.  It took about the same amount of time as it has the other days.  What did end up being shorter is the cardio routine.  But not to fear… even though it was 15 minutes instead of 30, I increased the pace and incline of the treadmill to help compensate.

Today was lower body workout day… calves, thighs, hips, etc.  It was a welcome break for my upper half, which is still a bit stiff but improving quite a bit.  The ol’ appetite is staying under control as well, and I have not over-indulged in my usual junk foods for quite awhile now.  However, healthy eating is breaking the piggy bank, so instead of a trip to Subway every day, I found some good alternatives in the form of snack bars.  I’m not really that hungry come lunch time anyway, since the shake I drink for breakfast controls that for much of the day.

I now have three days without a visit to the gym.  I’m finding things at home to do to keep myself active (especially since activity helps keep the muscle aches at a minimum) so that I don’t lose momentum.

Week One is done… Week Two, here I come!

Muscles still aching from yesterday morning’s workout, I strode into the gym (that’s right… strode), eager to start round two.  It’s a good thing I have a masochist streak in me, or else I probably would have run the other way the moment I saw my trainer coming.  But I’m here to change, and sometimes change is painful.

I did my 30 minutes on the treadmill again, at a slightly steeper incline and at a slightly faster pace.  As the clock ticked down I sped up a bit more.

Today’s workout was something of a blur.  We focused mostly on some of the larger machines.  My biceps got quite a workout with several different curls.  My abs took a beating, too… 25 crunches, then 10 more alternating both sides (total of 20), then 25 more regular crunches.  There was an interesting "game" machine too… basically you take a 7lb medicine ball and place it on your chest, then do a sit-up, and on your way up you throw the ball towards a target, pick up the other ball, go back down, and repeat.  I also did a set of crunches on one of those large rubber balls.

Overall it was a step up in terms of the number of exercises.  It was, in retrospect, a harder workout but it didn’t feel quite as hard in some ways.  I had some issues in getting the single-arm "Arnold" bicep curls down right (my elbow kept wanting to move) but by the second or third set I was at least somewhat more capable.

I give lots of credit to my trainer.  She’s leaning into me without making me feel inadequate or slothful, and I appreciate that.  Most fat guys have self esteem issues of some kind, and she’s good about urging me onward without nagging or turning into a crazy psycho.  She’s intense and tough without being cold and unapproachable.  She’s probably one of the few people who could get me to do what I’m doing.

So, two days down!  I got some of my measurements taken today, and I’ll update that on my main page.  I don’t have class tomorrow, so no workout.  It’ll give my aches a day to dissipate a bit before I go back and get a whole set of new ones on Thursday.

Oh, on the diet front… been doing much better.  Again, on class days I have a Slim Fast shake for breakfast and a cup of coffee after my workout.  The shake does wonders for appetite control during the day.  For lunch today I went to Subway and had a chicken wrap with honey mustard and lettuce, and a small bag of Sun Chips with tea to drink.  I felt good after eating it, knowing that the meal was also working towards improving my health.  For dinner, I had pasta… frozen, unfortunately, but it was all that was available.

Tomorrow will be a big test… no work, no class, which means lots of temptation to snack and indulge.  I’ve got some plans to stay busy (most of which are homework related) so that should help.  It’s definitely easier to ignore boredom hunger when you’re not bored.

Here’s to hoping I’m a little less sore tomorrow, since I can barely even move my arms at this point.  Can’t wait to see the well-toned muscle that will soon be replacing all these aches!

It seemed to take forever, but this morning I finally walked through the corridors of my local YMCA a card-carrying member.

Things started simply enough.  My trainer put me on a treadmill for thirty minutes at a brisk place with a slight incline.  According to the calorie "burn-o-meter" I just about broke 200.  It was steady-going, with my iPod blasting in my ears and "Shawn of the Dead" on one of the televisions in front of me.  I also found the myriad elderly women who walked around cleaning the equipment (usually the same piece over and over, whether anyone had used it in the meantime or not) very entertaining.

When I stepped off the treadmill I almost fell… not because it was still moving, but because it felt like everything around me was moving.  It was a strange sensation and it didn’t last long, but it seemed like the room and hallway I was walking down should have been moving past me faster than it was.

After the cardio, my PT took me to the free weights.  We started with some chest presses; two 20lb weights, 12 reps.  Next was two smaller weights (they might have been 15lbs), lifting straight out in front of me (not sure what that particular exercise is called).  Finally, back to the 20lber for tricep work (arm tucked into hip, extended back).  I did, in total, 3 sets of 12 reps and did each one successfully.

We then moved to the decline bench where I did more chest presses.  Then, the aptly named "skull crushers"… holding a weighted barball near the center and essentially bending my elbows back so that the bar came within inches of my face.  By this time I was feeling a bit fatigued, and my right arm didn’t want to cooperate.  I toughed through the first twelve.  Then it was back to the smaller 15lbers… again, not sure the formal name, but I started with them in front of me and lifted my arms out to my sides in a "Hulkster" style "pump".  The goal was 3 sets of 12 reps but my right arm completely gave out during the chest presses and skull crushers, so I ended up with one set of 12 and two sets of ten.

Finally, we moved to a large machine in the corner that had weights affixed to a pulley system and two handles resembling stirrups (I feel so absurd, not knowing the proper name for this stuff yet).  First up, I took the handles and spread my arms out, then pulled them forward and met them in the middle.  (The name for this is on the tip of my tongue…)  Second, my PT attached a bar to one of the sides and I simply pulled it down to just below my rib cage.  Finally, again with the bar, I held it at my waist, hands down, and "pushed" it downward.  I hit all 12 reps for each of the three sets this time out.

Needless to say, by the time I was done I could barely lift my arms.  It was a tremendous workout and I feel muscles moving that I never knew were there.  I was told I have a great grasp of form, moreso than many beginners.  I’m able to keep it together while fighting through those last few reps in each set.

After the workout, I headed down to the basketball court and shot around for awhile to kind of unwind.  Sadly, my arms were so incredibly sore and weak that I didn’t accomplish much in the way of impressive shots.  I may start there tomorrow and move to the treadmill, then hit the weights last tomorrow.

Ultimately, I felt wonderful, even though it took me a looong time to stop sweating profusely.  My arms still feel like jelly and I wonder how I’m going to fair tomorrow when I go back, considering how sore I am now.  But pain is gain and struggle is strengthening… I feel great about this experience, and I’m anxious to keep going and see what results consistency breeds (along with smarter choices about eating).

Be the pig, baby.  Be the pig.

What a week.  It’s been awhile since I’ve written here.  We had a fairly busy Labor Day weekend, with a film shoot (two days) and picnics, family gatherings, etc.  After that, my classes began at Point Park (for those not in the know, I’m majoring in Cinema and Digital Arts) and that was an experience in and of itself.  I had some issues as far as financial aid goes (anyone who has had the mixed blessing of dealing with financial aid no doubt knows all about this) and I actually couldn’t my student ID until late Thursday.  That, unfortunately, affected my ability to get in at the YMCA, since I needed to have it to achieve the student discount rate.

That, however, did not stop me from heading over the Y and meeting my personal trainer and checking the place out.  My trainer was as great in person as she had been through e-mail; very driven, very interested in helping me out, but laid back and non-threatening, helpful, and very excited about her work.  I was equally impressed with the facilities.  When you walk into the building, you enter a glass tunnel, beneath which you can see the large swimming pool.  Upstairs are an aerobics floor, a basketball court (where I plan to spend lots of time), a MASSIVE room full of cardio, and rooms full of free weights and other necessesities.

I was blown away by the size and scope of the place, and especially excited when I found out that early mornings are pretty quiet there.  I’ll be there early in the morning most often so it will be nice to have the place so quiet.

Despite me not having joined yet, I have still been taking active steps, especially this past week, to help me prepare.  I’ve cut my soda intake to practically nothing (still trying to shake that nagging can or two per week), reduced junk food snacking (haven’t done that all week), and increased my water intake.  On Tuesdays and Thursdays I have replaced breakfast with a Slim Fast shake, simply because it’s all I have time for (have to catch the bus downtown by 5:30).  On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, I have a normal breakfast; usually whole grain cereal in low fat milk and a cup of coffee.

I’ve also made it a point to walk, walk, walk.  My first day of class I spent well over an hour walking the streets of Pittsburgh, getting familiar with the area around my campus and getting a great workout at the same time.  I’ve also taken the stairs to and from most of my classes.

I now have my Student ID and all that stuff is cleared up, which means Monday morning I’ll be hitting the Y in earnest for the first time.  I’m much more excited about it now, especially having seen the place.  I feel good about it, and about this entire experience in the first place.  Granted, it’s still the "Honeymoon" period and if there’s one thing I know from my real-life marriage experience it’s that Honeymoon’s don’t last forever… or even for very long.  Nevertheless, a successful and positive experience can set the tone for good things later on, and I definitely feel like that’s happening.

A fellow screen writer shared a bit of advice with me the other day.  He asked the difference between "involved" and "committed".  The answer that came to mind was adequate, but it lacked the poignancy of his:

"When it comes to breakfast, the chicken is ‘involved’ but the pig is ‘committed’."

Simple enough terms and imagery.  And while he was specifically referencing our course, I feel that analogy can be applied to all aspects of life.  It forces you to choose how vested you will be in what you’re doing.  In my classes, family life, and now in fitness and health, I aspire to "be the pig".

Yes, I have been down with the sickness.  Not the one spoken of in the Disturbed song… one that has quite literally put me down for the past few days.  It hit me at work on Saturday… just a general malaise and a feeling of "blah".  Yesterday was a little better, and today a little more.

Enough so that this evening, I had Mrs. Grimm snap a few "before" pics in preparation for things to come.  They’re nothing fancy, just a few front shots and a profile to establish something of a waistline baseline (ooh, that rhymes).
My eating habits have been rather erratic the past few days, since I haven’t really been in the mood for food and since I’ve been sleeping quite a bit.  I have been drinking "Perfectly Protein" Cappuccino’s instead of my usual coffee.  I wouldn’t label it a health drink, but it’s got some good stuff in it; better than what I usually deal with: http://www.bolthouse.com/html/cs_mocha_n.html

Not that coffee is necessarily a bad thing.  I know there are disagreements out there, but there’s a lot of positive research that suggests java is quite healthy: http://men.webmd.com/features/coffee-new-health-food … now granted, I usually drink decaf, since my esophagus problems don’t benefit much from it.  Still, it’s good news for javaddicts.

Short and sweet today, as there’s not really much to say (more rhyming!).  Goals for tomorrow: no soda, no junk food.

I suppose it’s time to get a bit more personal.  I’ve kept this blog to pretty much fitness (or in my case, oftentimes lack thereof) related things, but perhaps some more context would be helpful.

I’m a 29 year-old father of five awesome kids whom I cherish more than anything.  I grew up as an only child and had some very bad habits (health and otherwise) ingrained on me, and it was never worth changing those things in my mind.  I didn’t have a compelling enough reason… at least until my kids showed up.  Since then, I’ve been trying to find something that will work for me… trying and failing… admitting that I need some external help to keep me on task.  In a week or so I’ll be starting at a new gym, with a personal trainer developing a custom plan for me.  I’ve never been this excited (or this nervous) about such a prospect.
Until then, this blog is largely going to be me pontificating about my forthcoming plan and musing on my final days as a junk food consumer.  Already I’ve tried to phase out the junk and start making better decisions.  Despite what you may have read in my previous entries, I’m actually doing just that; trust me, if what I have posted there makes one’s stomach turn now, a month ago it would have been twice as bad.  For me it’s one day at a time, one step at a time.  My circumstances make it a bit tougher, a bit slower going.  But I am going.  And that counts for something.
I must be clear: I’m not here to compete or to turn myself into a walking mass of muscle (though I have nothing but respect for you guys out there who do; you are all an inspiration to guys like me, believe me).  I’m here because I feel that being here, having a central place to focus my energy and attention, will help me to stay on track and push myself harder to attain the physique and lifestyle that I want so badly.  I’m here to be up front and honest about what I’m doing so that I can have honest progress and honest results.

If you don’t want to hear words like "pizza" or "pop" or "McDonald’s" then I wouldn’t read my entries.  But if you want to see those words morph into something better, if you want to follow the story of a fat guy getting into great shape, then I encourage you to take a look.  You can’t judge a novel by its first few pages, nor a film by the opening credits.  Just wait ’till we get to the good stuff.  I know I can’t wait.

I have to admit that as the days roll on by, I’m starting to understand more about what I really want to achieve in terms of well being and fitness.  I’ve done a lot of thinking about the things I’ll have to give up, and the things I’ll have to really start liking, in order for this to work.

I’m also identifying the areas I’d like to work on the most and trying to define how I want to look.  It’s not enough just to say "I want to be thinner" - there needs to be an image, a goal to reach for.

I’ll be posting my "before" pics pretty soon.  I’m not real crazy about the notion, but I need to get them up here so I’ll have something drastic to compare it to.

I’ve also been e-mailing with my future trainer at my future gym, and I am more and more convinced it’s the right place to be.  She seems awesome, and very confident that she can help me lose the weight if I give her an honest an effort.  That is certainly what she’s going to get.  The thought of being thinner in time for Christmas is very appealing; for the first time in ages, I won’t look like I could play Santa.
So, today’s menu… had a bowl of Honey Nut Cheerios for breakfast.  Lunch was a bowl of Mac-n-Cheese.  Dinner was late and on the run so we stopped at Burger King.  There, I had chicken fries and an order of cheesey hash brown bites (which were excrutiatingly good). This evening I had a vanilla pudding and a few vanilla Oreo’s for a snack.  Also had a vanilla frappuccino, a Coke at Burger King, and a couple cans of Nestea, and one glass of milk.  We’re out of bottled water so no go there.

I’m getting anxious to start both my workouts and my classes.  It’s going to be a long week.