Day 2

I promise not to bog this blog down with uber boring daily updates in the future, but for now I can't help it.

(This is you, reading this blog entry.)

But just this once I'll say that I jogged 1.5 miles at the indoor track today. Mile time was slower than yesterday due to a little bit of soreness that's taken the bounce out of my step. I also worked some core strengthening exercises in. Two sets of 25 reps for abs & lower back. Short set of pushups. Gotta work to steadily increase some strength here before returning to Fighter Fitness classes at WJJC.

Leaving the gym and realizing how little I was really sweating and how rotund the guy in the mirror was makes me want to keep with this all the more. I REALLY want some progress.

Ate 1673 calories today and burned 333. Now you can follow along at home with your own spreadsheet of data!

The Baseline

I made it to the YMCA today for a baseline run on the indoor track. Between now and May (Warrior Dash or Rugged Maniac events) I'd like to measure my 1 and 2 mile run times before/after to measure progress. 

(These kind gentlemen showed me to the door. They were almost too nice.)

Mile 1 went by alright but I could tell before it was over there'd be some mild muscle soreness tomorrow. In the interesting of getting another workout in tomorrow, I walked the 2nd mile. Time was 8:48 minutes. It could be worse. Unfortunately I've been in this position several times. Seems pitiful at first but things will improve quickly from here.

While there a trainer measured my body fat percentage... 28.2%. That's a good number for staying afloat during a water emergency. Body weight this morning was 233.6 lbs. BMI, if you give that any credence, equated to 33.4.

Lastly, I've started keeping track of my diet and exercise on an Android phone app called MyFitnessPal. Thank you Amber & Aaron, for the recommendation. It allows you to log your weight, diet & nutrition, and exercise in one handy place. Almost every food you can think of is already in the internet database. Here are today's results:

Calories eaten 1790. Burned approximately 340 with exercise. If I kept this up for 5 weeks I'd drop 10 lbs. Not bad. 

Asses n' Elbows

It's not good enough to target some body weight on some date. There's no risk and little motivation. Instead I'm going to train for a series of events. Results and hilarity will be posted here.

(The starting line from the 2010 Groundhog Run)

The first event I want to do is a 5k run that takes place in underground caverns in Kansas City. I'm already signed up. If you'd like to join me, go here. Running by itself is not my favorite sport but it's hard to find a better aerobic exercise. And really anyone half way serious should be able to run 5k (3.1 miles).

(A photo from a Warrior Dash event in Chicago. Thanks Google)

For my next feat, I'd like to pillage the Warrior Dash event in Kansas City on May 5th. These events are a combination of endurance, strength, and testicular size. I think this is just the sort of thing that Chris & Aaron can help me train for.

I'd also like to find a cycling event at some point. I've got an old road bike and a decent mountain bike. Wouldn't mind travelling a bit either, especially to Colorado. Something unusual would be a bonus.

Suggestions?

The 3 Big Questions

What:

So here's the game plan... diet and exercise. While possibly slower and harder than several specialty diets out there, it's better long term.

Specifically, I want a combination of strength and endurance that you'd find in a modern MMA fighter. I'm also interested in some endurance sports but don't envision full length triathlons or marathons. At age 35 I won't be going pro in anything but could still develop a very high level of fitness.

Where:

Lots of options here. Frankly it's sad that I haven't taken better advantage of them. I've trained at Wichita Jiu-Jitsu Club with Chris Haines and Aaron Ogilvie off and on for few years now but have barely darkened the door in 2011 for a number of reasons--work schedule, injuries, and other stuff.

I also have a membership with the YMCA, which is actually the biggest & nicest gym I've ever seen.

When:

My work schedule has varied quite a bit in 2011, and 2012 looks to be more of the same. I also have a family, so my workout schedule is going to vary. This might mean some 5 AM workouts or working out at home.

I've Been Bigger

I've been 30 lbs heavier, to be precise. But 235 lbs is not a good place to be at 5' 10". One can still buy clothes off the rack, with a few sizes to spare, but it isn't pretty. I'm not content here on a number of levels. I know that changing this is up to me and thought it would be fun to document here for our mutual entertainment.

So thanks for following along. Comments, even anonymous ones, are welcome. Actually from previous experience, the anonymous comments are some of the best.