Day 18 - Bowel Movements, Libido and Workouts, oh my!

Today
Hey, its a Saturday so we "slept in"... which is to say 7:45ish, whereas on a "normal" weekend we would sleep until 11am. I say "we" liberally here as it was usually me that would sleep and sleep and sleep. Oddly I always kind of hated myself for it and like feeling like I had made more of the day when waking up early. So, no excuse now, and as today showed been go go go...


Cycled over to the farmer's market to pick up sundry veggies. One of the farmers had been roasting chili peppers so I bought a bag of those to have with a little mesquite grilled chicken in a burrito for lunch. Deeeelish. Left IT Band was quite painful for the ride there and back though. I blame the hated lunges.


Read Patrick's email today about changes in bowel movements, flexibility, libido. Sad (?) to say I haven't really had any significant enough change in any of them to report. I would say more energy during the day, but I have definitely experienced mid-afternoon crashes. My carb amounts, while moderated from before, still seem pretty high. Thankfully no zits at this point or my libidinous nature aside, I might not be able to get any action...


Workout
Not bad, even though this is my most despised grouping (with lunges and leg ups) of exercises:

1. Jump Ropes: not bad again... as seems to be par for the course, the first set is usually kind of sketchy. It sounds like Bruce and I are doing these more similarly. I try to break them up into lots of 100, but with the tripping, it usually ends up being more like 75 or 50 at a time uninterrupted. Still, I'll take all the improvements I'm getting which are doing more, more easily, less tripping generally, and less fatigued after greater numbers.
2. Lunges: fixed so I'm not alternating every other as I had been before... freakin' awful. Not that I can't do them. I just genuinely dislike them. And for the first time my IT Band in my left leg started going hinky. I didn't think much of it, but later in the day when we cycled downtown to the market it was quite painful.
3. Rowing: these are great. Just nice and slow in and out and pinch and hold at the back and I can really feel it. Occasionally my form gets off ever so slightly and I feel that I am using biceps instead, but its fairly easily corrected.
4. Push-up: Awesome. Totally banged these out. On the toes, deep, and the last set was quite difficult but I added one more just to fail.
5. Triceps: so bizarre, whereas a few days ago these were quite easy, now they are probably perfect in the sense that they are quite difficult
6. Forward Shoulder Raise: always a tough one. Lightest resistance band still. I must say I find it more than a little odd that these are so hard. Guess those shoulders are really out of shape.
7. Leg-Ups: Very odd, again. Primarily feel this on the tops of my quads, not my abs. Am I the only one?

Day 17 - TGIF PCP

Today
Looks like we judged the food amounts pretty well since we are only just running out today/tomorrow. Perfect timing so we can head out to the farmer's market tomorrow morning. The salsa was such a success although I'm not sure quite how to follow it up for the next week... Thoughts?


Workout
Not too shabby... Felt like I had a fair bit of energy this morning but as usual that didn't seem to help keep me from tripping up plenty. Ce la vie.

1. Jump rope: per the usual, plenty of tripping... but the 850 count wasn't too tough. Just waiting for the day when I can string more together.
2. Squats: like these so much better than lunges. I know, starting to sound like a broken record... But really... can get deep, get some burn and you are in and out of them lickity split (relatively speaking).
3. Incline Pull-ups: I stuck with the incline pull ups as I could barely do two on the door mounted bar, let alone a full set.
4. Standing Ovation: continue to enjoy these... feel like I am really getting the most of them. Clean, and plenty of burn
5. Curls: Likewise
6. DaVinci: sheesh, these are hard. Last few reps might even be past failure...
7. Sit-ups: As before, first two sets aren't too bad but the second two sets are burning all the way through... Again, have to be careful not to jerk the last few and do in my back.

Being quick and more boring that usual today as its a little later than I normally write, its getting late, and there be chicken to grill! Have a great weekend all!

Day 16 - Talk about Peak Condition...

This is truly incredible. When I can actually wear out and run down a kudu until it collapses in exhaustion in a persistance hunt, I will consider myself fit. Amazing video if you have 7 minutes to spare: 

Until then, I'll have to make do with jump rope.

Today

Switched to my new "no salt" bread. Not too bad... I can definitely tell the difference though and its little wonder the previous whole wheat english muffins tasted the way they did. However, the new bread slices are far less dense so I get "more", visually if not substantially.

It appears that the colossal salsa mix that I made last Saturday may have been more appropriate than previously assumed. Granted we've had some with the majority of our meals but happily so. It has been both very tasty and super convenient to dollop onto salads, burritos, pasta, chicken, fish, etc. The only downside, and this could be pretty big, is that since its diced up so much a lot of the grams appear to be in water weight... probably the juices from the tomatoes. So its possibly a little fudged on the grams. Hopefully not enough to make a difference.

Workout

I'm happy to say that the severe leg pain I was experiencing a week ago has been almost entirely banished. I get a little pang now and again and a dull throb after the jumps but that dissipates quickly. Definitely felt a little low on energy this morning, but it might have been mental because the skips and exercises weren't much different in terms of intensity from yesterday. Oh, one little luxury we allow ourselves while doing the muscle exercises: The Simpsons on in the background. Kind of nice to have a little humorous white (or yellow) noise in the background. Only issue is if a guffaw interrupts a given workout at a bad time. OK, workout details:

1. Jump rope: Despite the continued trip ups (or just plain poor skips), the jump rope continues to thankfully improve. Although I would say consistency-wise yesterday was better, today felt better from the perspective of having more energy to get through batches of a hundred at a time (or more) without needing to catch my breath as frequently as in the past. So today felt good from a noted improvement in stamina (although I'm not to a superhuman Amanda level yet). I still get foot pain (right in the arch area) around the middle of the reps (~300-500), but can usually bear it until it subsides. 
2. Lunges: ugh, really truly hate these... not only do they kill and feel wobbly, but it feels like they go on forever.
3. Rowing: I'm glad I've been keeping track because I remembered to add the second resistance band right up front this time. Really helped to make this difficult all the way through. Really pinching and holding at the end of the motion and controlled return. Felt great, and shockingly I think I actually felt it in my back a little towards the end.
4. Push-ups: ah ha! back to toes, eh? Well, the previous higher reps/sets seemed to have been good preparation. This was right at the limit to do max reps per set. Total burnt out chest by the end.
5. Triceps Dip: this was a surprise. I felt like I had kind of coasted on this previously, adding extra reps to the end. But this morning was a different story. Don't know if there was a form change (I did scoot my feet a little farther out to ensure I wasn't subtly assisting myself back up with my legs), but this was quite a bit harder today. Slow and steady up and down... definitely felt it more than before and no extra reps were necessary as I was well shot by the end.
6. Forward Shoulder Raise: still tough. The last few reps in the last set are nigh on impossible. I think my form on those last few are likely abysmal. Oddly, I kind of like these, but they are terrifically hard.
7. Leg Ups: Kim noted that I was likely raising my butt a little too much in these so I noted that for future sets. Last two sets are super tough, but as with last time, I am feeling more burn on the top of my quads than in my abs. The abs are working, but I feel my legs wanting to quit well before my stomach. Might have to pose this as a question in the question thread...

Congrats to all the PCPers so far and a special shout out to the Pucksters who seem to really be gelling as a group (whilst shedding our jello). Lots of support all around, and the posting of us all in our largely distressed current physical states seems to have lowered inhibitions in general so the freak flags are flying along with the witty banter banners. Georgie and Ashley, get those pics up!!!

Day 15 - Skip to the Loo

Today

Again, weird sleep issues. Had a really hard time falling asleep last night so I'm willing to bet I am going to crash out this evening. Oddly was able to roll out this morning without much of the typical lethargy and moaning (and hardly any back pain which is very unusual - its usually quite tight in the morning). Pete will hate to hear this (he's so full of rage), but I'm glad the carb amounts are going down a little this week. Lunch and dinner were just a bit much, as much as I am enjoying them.

Made an au natural taco seasoning last night with garlic, cumin, cayenne pepper, red pepper, oregano, a pinch of sage and a squirt of lemon juice. Turned out great for ground turkey meat... and rolled it all up in a whole wheat tortilla with the aforementioned salsa, some lettuce and sundry other veggies into a massive burrito baby. I was afraid it was going to taste too bland since our taco rituals at the house used to involve a pre-made package that is loaded with salt, shells likewise loaded with salt, and topping the burrito with a heap of cheese. No such issue. Was quite tasty indeed... The food "restrictions" are proving to be a fun challenge actually.

First morning with the new carb reduction wasn't too bad but a half of a half of a whole wheat english muffin is certainly weird. Found some "no salt" bread at the grocer yesterday so will be giving that a try tomorrow.

Workout

Each day seems to be getting better. Jump ropes are still not something I want to put on display but are getting better. One day:

Still, I had to suppress an overwhelming urge to use the crapper the whole way through my workout, so its possible that was just the motivation I needed to bust through all the exercises. Still, Kim and I were chatting and we agree that this set of exercises is the most fun. Squats are better than lunges and sit-ups are better than leg lifts...

1. Jump rope (or skipping as the manly Noelinator insists it be called): slowly getting into a groove here. I think we may have shortened my rope just a hair too short though so I lengthened it by about 3/4 inch after the whole workout was complete. Will see how that fairs tomorrow. Its just such a bizarre, inconsistent exercise at the moment. Typically slow start tripping a bit through the first 200 before I hit my stride. And I couldn't manage more than ~175 before petering out. 200 through 700 wasn't all bad, occasional trip ups marring the overall performance per the usual... but surprisingly: the last 100 were flawless. Fast, sharp, precise and no trip ups. So very weird.
2. Squats: hurt so good... although its entirely possible I like these more just because I hate its evil twin, the lunges
3. Incline Pull Up: not feeling this in my shoulders anymore... but my pace feels frantic rather than deliberate if that makes sense. Almost like I want to bash them out because they are so very difficult. Need to keep an eye on form here though.
4. Push Ups: Per the usual the first two sets weren't too bad. I've decided to go super deep from now on though, so its nose touch to the floor and back up. That seemed to have an effect as the last two sets were extraordinarily difficult the whole way through.
5. Thumbs Up Curl: I am going to be so very good at hitchhiking and encouragement after this is done. As before, one of my stronger exercises so I go super slow and ensure I get all the resistance on the way down as well as the way up and add a few reps to the end to failure. My only worry is that I end up with great arms out of balance with an otherwise featureless torso.
6. DaVinci: so freakin' hard. Same as before with the lightest resistance bands... last set and a half are a real struggle.
7. Sit Ups: First two sets weren't bad, but since modifying my form to be more crunchy and less full sit up the last two sets are a struggle. I can really feel it though, so I trust that is a good sign.

Was glad for Patrick's reminder/admonition to not wait more than a minute between exercises, as well as to stick closely to the between set rest periods... not only does it feel like its working me harder, but I can get the exercises done that much more quickly. 

Day 14 - Skipping the Life Fantastic

Today
I don't think I will be able to keep up the jump rope and skipping related horrific puns for much longer. Much to the delight of all, I'm sure.


Has anyone else noticed that conversations with your significant others has become focused and reduced down into the rather narrow band of talking about food and working out? Every time Kim and I sit down to eat, and often when we are not, the topics are food and workout technique. I feel like we have become those people that I so frequently rail against out here in Colorado that you can't have a conversation with unless it revolves around their diet or workout. I kind of like it because its the most that I've thought about food for as long as I can remember, but I also hate myself a little bit... Presumably once its more routine and the general lessons have set in I can return to being a bit more well rounded (not physically, of course)... and on that note...


Workout
Little more ache post-jumps this morning so I stretched and slapped the ice pack on for 20 minutes, but again, relative to only three days ago things are so much better. Still inconsistent as can be (don't think I managed a clean 100 today), but weirdly my pace has increased enormously within each set of 100. I presume that at some point I will need to be able to bang these all out without stopping but that still seems a ways away at the moment.

Day 13 - That's What I'm Talkin' 'Bout

Today
Definitely hitting a good pace here both for food prep and workout, just in time for it to no doubt be upended on Wednesday. Very very sleepy this afternoon however... Last night I went to bed early (for me) but it took me a really long time to fall asleep so I don't think I quite got all of my required rest given we got up early to workout.


Workout
Jump rope continues to improve. I still have my occasional trip up and I can't get through more than ~200 or so without a break but my hope is that with technique no longer holding me back I can make strides towards being able to do more in succession. Perhaps not so surprisingly my feet are the ones that ache now, but I presume that is just the muscle weakness showing. The basics:

1. Lunges: per the usual these are quite a strain so my presumption is they are doing some good. Certainly don't look forward to them though.
2. Rowing: I actually ended up adding an additional resistance band to the heaviest one as well added quite a few more reps before maxing out. Feel nice and clean but this is one of the only exercises that I seem capable of well exceeding the set/reps on the sheet.
3. Standing Ovation: another one I really like. The sets/max reps are perfect and I can feel quite a good burn all the way through the last set
4. Tricep Dip: This is another one where I can knock out a few more than prescribed. Not many more, if I remember correctly it was probably 6 more at the end.
5. Forward Shoulder Raise: on the other end of the spectrum, these continue to be tough, even with the lightest resistance band. I think I strained my neck doing them as it ached most of the day, but still a difficult exercise that I actually enjoy.
6. Leg-ups: I know Kim posted this question so I will be curious to see if it is answered at some point but we had been doing a butt lift with the leg up. Its hard to tell in the PDF pic if that is correct or not, but today I just did the leg up portions without the butt up and I felt it, not in my abs as I did with the lift, but on the tops of my quads. So, a little confused as to what the proper form is here as it appears that this is an ab workout, not a leg one. Or if the muscles are compensating somehow... Anyone have insight on this one?

Day 12 - Ghetto Jump Rope Straightener

Working the kinks out...