It’s all in the inches

Submitted by Corey Smith on Monday, February 1, 2010 Posted in -

ruler

Well, I am down another 2 pounds… that puts me at 14 pounds down in seven weeks on my new exercise training program and diet.

Yeah… I like that.

But, what really matters is the inches because that is a far better measure of body fat in the absence of a body fat percentage test. Plus, it is easier to know that you are seeing success when your clothes fit better.

To be honest, some of my clothes are falling off right now, but that is beside the point.

Officially, I am the lightest I have been in some 14 years. As of this morning I was 214.2 pounds and the weight is on it’s way day. But, the really cool thing is that my gut is down 2.5 inches and my waist is down 1.5 inches. continue reading...

12 Pounds – 6 Weeks

Submitted by Corey Smith on Monday, January 25, 2010 Posted in -

scale

I have been on this new diet and exercise program for six weeks now and I must say that I am pretty pleased.

On the scale, I am down a total of 12 pounds. I have lost 1.5 inches around my waist. I can really tell that my legs are leaner and that my muscle is increasing.

In fact, I am 3 pounds heavier than I was when I finished up the HCG diet last year but it is obvious that my muscle mass is more.

I have been working hard on eating right and exercising and I love the results. continue reading...

Back Walkers

Submitted by Corey Smith on Monday, January 18, 2010 Posted in -

JennaLast summer, I hurt my back.

The best I can figure is that when I was camping I slept wrong on a rock or twisted it or something.

I am pretty sure that it was my spine but I thought that my muscles were pulling my spine out of place.

I spent a lot of time stretching and exersing my back to get it to heal.

One thing I found that really helped was having my children walk on my back. It was an easy back massage and the kids had fun doing it.

Jenna, pictured at the left, loved to walk on my back, but the reality is, she wasn't heavy enough to really make a difference... she just had fun.

That brings us up to today.

Last week, my trainer really worked me hard. Most specifically, my glutes and hamstrings felt the work.

One day, I came back especially sore and was slow to stand up or sit down.

As I was helping Jenna get ready for bed, I sat down on the floor to help her and let out a little groan.

Jenna looked at me with a touch of concern on her face and said, "Daddy, I better walk on your back before I go to bed." continue reading...

One month in

Submitted by Corey Smith on Monday, January 11, 2010 Posted in -

one monthWell, it was one month ago that I started at Anytime fitness with my new goals of getting my fitness to the next level.

At this point, I have officially down 5 pounds... a little better than 1 pound per week.

Not as great as I hoped, but I had Christmas and New Year in there with all the treats associated.

I also got sick in the middle and was out for a week from the gym.

So, with that in mind, I feel pretty good about the results.

I'll say, I feel best about how the trainings at Anytime Fitness have gone. As of today, I am more flexible and definitely in better shape. My heart rate recovers after exercise much more quickly than before. I am going to the gym 4 - 5 times per week (working up to 6 times per week). continue reading...

The Resolution

Submitted by Corey Smith on Wednesday, January 6, 2010 Posted in -

New Year ResolutionNow that I am back into my routines, I am much happier.

Working out and eating right is not a New Year's resolution... it is a lifestyle thing to me. If I treat it as such, then I will continue to move towards my goals.

I am amazed every January to see so many people at the gym. It is so incredibly busy... almost annoying. So many people starting anew hoping that this year will be the year to make a difference.

By the end of January, the gyms are empty again.

I can understand why it is hard to keep up. I have been in that position countless times. It doesn't usually coincide with New Year's for me because I don't often wait until the New Year to make resolutions.

For me, if I can make it routine, it makes all the difference in the world.

The reality is that going to the gym doesn't really take a lot of time. It adds about 30 minutes to my day... that's it. I feel great after a particularly hard workout. I feel a sense of accomplishment.

Here's to another day! continue reading...

Routines

Submitted by Corey Smith on Monday, January 4, 2010 Posted in -

routineI am glad the holidays are over.

I know there are a number of people out there that feel the same way.

I like it when January arrives. I get the opportunity to start anew.

But, mostly, I like that I can get back into routines.

I think that everything is more difficult when there is no routine. It is harder to work, it is harder to play it is harder to eat right.

Some will think that I don't make any sense when I say that without a routine it is harder to play. However, because I tend to be a workaholic, if I am not in a routine, I tend to gravitate toward work because I get stressed thinking there is something left undone. But, if I have a work routine, it is easier for me to take the time off and play just a little bit.

I did a pretty good job on my diet and exercise program last week. I worked out well. I ate well (except on New Year's eve). I didn't drink the volume of water that I should have so I am retaining a bit of that.

I am so ready to be back in my routines. I am ready to work hard, play hard and make it a great new year! continue reading...

MMM - Ice Cream

Submitted by Corey Smith on Wednesday, December 30, 2009 Posted in -

ice creamWho doesn't like ice cream?

I mean, it's ice cream... It's cold, it's sweet, it's delicious.

We have a tradition that for every birthday, we make home made ice cream. So, naturally, we have become pretty good at it.

I am the 11 Year Old Scout leader and they wanted an ice cream party so I made ice cream.

I couldn't help myself. I had to eat some. Well, four scoops.

Okay, five.

But it was so good.

With that said, I am down a pound from yesterday.

I didn't eat dinner. I did my cardio. I drank a lot of water.

It was my only diet descretion (well, there might have been a brownie, chocolate sauce, nuts, whipped cream and a glass of root beer involved - but that's it, I promise).

Well, I'm off to the gym. continue reading...

Back on Track

Submitted by Corey Smith on Tuesday, December 29, 2009 Posted in -

back on trackWell, I think that I am back on track with my diet and exercise.

When I started my diet three weeks ago, I was at 228.

On Christmas Eve, I was at 220.

Yesterday, I was at 227 (ouch... darn treats that people bring me).

Today, I am back down to 224.

So, I am not too far off target with my weight. I am sure that I was retaining a bit of water.

I don't think that I drank enough water yesterday so I may still be holding on to some water today. We'll give it another day or so before I decide officially how much damage I did by not working out like I should have and eating too much over Christmas.

BTW, I know that the picture has nothing to do with diet, but when I thought of the title of "Back On Track" and found that cartoon, I thought I might as well make a political statement. You can click on it to see it in full size. I found the cartoon here. continue reading...

The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

Submitted by Corey Smith on Monday, December 28, 2009 Posted in -

good bad uglyStarting any workout routine is a difficult thing. It is so easy to get derailed.

I started off strong three weeks ago. Then I got sick.

Four days later I got really busy (yeah, I know, not a really good excuse).

Last week I did well again, but then Christmas hit.

So, the good is that during the first 2 1/2 weeks, I lost about 6 pounds. continue reading...

A little medicine for me

Submitted by Corey Smith on Wednesday, December 9, 2009 Posted in -

medicine ballI am now a couple of days in to my new routine. I'll talk more about my thoughts on my trainer and how I think it works out.

I'll say now that I really like the beginning. One thing that is very different than what I have seen from other trainers is there is a set program.

I have had trainers in the past who have said come warmed up (whatever that means). I have had trainers in the past say they would warm me up.

Sometimes the warm up would be 15 minutes on the bike or crosstrainer. Sometimes it was taking a couple of weights and raising my arms a few times and jumping up and down for a minute.

My trainer actually has a set program for warming up. He has a video to demonstrate it and cheat sheets at the gym for reference. I really like this approach. There is no doubt how I should proceed. When I do it right, it is a workout all by itself.

There is something to be said for having a program to take the guesswork out. continue reading...