Day 81--Weight

The positive side to feeling crappy all week is that I haven't eaten much all week.

Because of the reduced calories, I managed to lose some weight even without working out.

I've hit the 130 pound mark.

I weigh 129.4 pounds.

This is the lowest I've weighed since I quit smoking a few years ago. I still have 11 pounds to go until I hit my Wii Fit Plus goal, but only 29.4 pounds to go until I hit my driver's license weight and my smoking and single weight.

Day 80--Death

Ok, no one actually died, but there were moments when I wished for death. I'm sure that all I have is a cold, but it kicked my ass. Even with a constant flow of decongestants, I still went through several boxes of tissues this weekend. I made it into work on Tuesday, but barely made the two block walk home from the train. I feel like crap, and not being able to work out for a week just adds to it. I am hoping that I feel up to it tonight, though.

My run is just a bit over a week away. The race packets go in the mail tomorrow. I'm also hoping to get a run in tonight, now that the weather is above frigid. I did stop my transit beginning May 1, so that's when I will begin biking my commute each day.

Day 79--Deltoids

Yesterday's workout really hit my deltoids. I swear that's a muscle that I don't use in normal life. Think about it; how often do you lift your arms straight up to the side? Or lift a weight over your head? They're a bit sore today, but not as bad as I was anticipating. I also did push-ups yesterday. The More Workouts has you do them with one hand off to the side of the board, which corrects the narrowness issue that many people have with the Wii Fit push-ups. My fix had been to hold onto the side of the board, instead of putting my hands on top of the board.
Yesterday did bring me some weight loss, too. I'm just a hair away from 130, now. I'm hoping that I hit that line before the weekend. I'm attributing some of the weight loss to the home-made instant oatmeal I've been eating for breakfast. I think it's lower in sugar and calories than the Quaker stuff I've been eating. I'll have to get the recipe from http://weightinglist.blogspot.com/ author to find out.

Day 78--Weight loss

I managed to lose weight this weekend, even though I watched yesterday's games at a bar and didn't run at all. I'm thinking about running tonight, but only if the wind dies down a bit. I played some Wii sports tennis when I got home from work tonight, but other than that it's a rest day. Tomorrow night I'll get my workout in quickly before heading out for a wine tasting. Wednesday night I have a play in a near burb, so it's going to be a tough week for me to get in all my scheduled workouts. My run is ever inching closer to becoming a reality, and I have not been out running as often or as far as I think would make me more comfortable. It looks like the weather should be a bit warmer the rest of the week, so maybe I'll be able to get out more after my plans this week.

On another good note, my bracket is looking fairly strong, which could win me money and food.

Day 77--Snow

I fully intended to take the dogs running this morning. I was dressed and out the apartment door when I noticed the snow that had accumulated overnight. That made me less enthusiastic, but didn't stop me. I made it about a block when I remembered that I hate the cold. My hands were cold and my feet were cold. My shoes are all venty to keep them from over-heating when running. This is great when it's warm out, but awful when it's this cold. I turned around and came back home.

I did do the EA Active workout, though. It was mostly lower body work today. They also added sprinting to the list of exercises. These got my dog very excited and she decided to be very involved in the rest of the work out.

My weight is practically the same as it was yesterday, which is good, but not as good as a loss. I didn't eat out or as badly as I normally do on Saturdays, so I think I might be able to maintain my weight over the weekend, instead of it inching back up.

Day 76--Soreness

I did the full workout for the 6 week challenge. It's really a good follow-up to the original game. I am feeling the exercises in more muscles, and I don't think that's just from the weight increase from 5 pounds to 8 pounds that I'm using doing the exercises. I think a good portion of it is coming from the different exercises and how they're hitting my muscles at new/different angles.

I'm not sure if it's the new workout or the running, but I've lost a few pounds this week. I'm back within a reasonable distance from 130. I'm really hoping that I can get below that mark this month. I have given up on losing any weight quickly. Now that I'm down to the last 10 pounds, my body seems to be holding on to every ounce with a really firm grip. I'm already working out most days of the week, and eating fairly well. I don't want to become all about those pounds and do nothing that could slow that loss. I still want to be able to have a beer or two, and go out to eat on the weekends.

Day 75--St. Pat's

I'm off to hoist a pint in honor of a guy who gets credit for doing something that didn't happen. I will work out again tomorrow--during commercials of the games.

Day 74--Post-workout Run

The puppies and I ran 1 1/4 miles tonight. Our time was only 15 minutes. (Maybe 16) We added 1/4 mile to our run without adding any time. I thought the run was actually 1 1/2 miles, but then I mapped my route at the USA Track & Field site and found out the exact mileage of my race. Tomorrow we'll add the extra 1/4 mile to make it a full 1 1/2 miles.

The coolest part of the run was that my feet don't hurt at all. Fleet Feet really knows their stuff. They listened to my concerns and allowed me to try my shoes on the treadmill before buying them. It really seems to have made a difference. The last time I remember running this far it's because my legs were throbbing all the way up to my knees for hours after.

Day 74--More Workouts

I love the new game. It seems to have borrowed a bit from Wii Fit with an obstacle course and balance board water-skiing. It also added ab work, which I felt was sorely lacking from the original game. The remaining exercises seem to be similar to the first game, but with a slight twist or increase in difficulty. I was struggling for breath a few times during the work-out today and I don't think there was much cardio at all. Aside from the Squash that is. Squash, like raquetball, not the winter vegetable. The game has you lunge left and then immediately right to hit the balls off the walls. It was like a pretty decent step class section. The wide-armed push-ups seemed to be the hardest thing from today. It wasn't part of today's workout, but the boxing is much improved from the original, too.

I'm still running, and hope to run 1 1/2 miles later tonight. I like running with my dogs, but if we're out when everyone else is walking their dogs, we end up spending the whole time barking and running becomes secondary.

Day 73--March

The NCAA Men's Basketball tournament starts Thursday, and I'm trying to figure out a way to use my bracket success as an exercise motivational tool. Should I run for 5 minutes for every correct pick and 10 minutes for incorrect picks? Should I do sit-ups? Maybe I should make sure I'm doing free step or free run the entire time I'm watching basketball.

I think that the answer should be used by the NFL to help with their idea about keeping their viewers more active. Have teams challenge viewers to do 100 sit-ups for every turnover. I think they could create a whole list of exercises that correspond to game events and then reward the person who loses the most weight with Super Bowl tickets.

If anyone has any good ideas that fit into this basic outline, please let me know. I don't want a month of watching people being athletic to cause me to lose the athleticism that I've built up.

Day 72--Measurements (take 4)

It hasn't been a full two months since I started this, but I've made a switch in my exercise routine since finishing the 30 Day Challenge on EA Active Personal Trainer. I thought now would be a good time to update my measurements. For past results, see Day 54, Day 25 and Day 4.

My weight is at 132.9. I've been stuck at that weight for about two months, which is frustrating, but at least I'm stuck within the healthy range.

Waist: 29.5 (down 1/2 inch since last time and 2 1/2 inches since the beginning.)
Hips: 38

Waist to Hip ratio is 0.76, which is solidly in the Healthy Range.

My body fat percentage hasn't changed.

None of my other measurements have changed either. My goal over the next month will be to get ready to run my 5K, and also to really work out hard so that these measurements move.

Day 71--More running

I was playing nurse to my sick girlfriend yesterday, so I didn't get a work out in at all. Tonight was bowling and then I ran a mile with my dogs when I got home. We ran the mile in 12 minutes, which is not a record setting time at all, but I'm pretty happy with it. It's only our second run, and that 12 minutes includes the time it took for two pee breaks, a poo break and a near-deadly off course sniffing. I plan on getting back at the Wii tomorrow, and start the 6 week challenge on EA Active More Workouts.

I know the running doesn't seem fit with the blog's title, but it really does for me. I've always known that running is great for cardio-vascular health and a great way to burn calories. I think most people know that to be true. Even with that knowledge, it took the small segments on the "track" on EA Active to break through my mental block to running. It had to build up my endurance and confidence to the point where I would consider running in the real world. Even if the running isn't done with the Wii, it's all because of the Wii. I also know that running won't really help tone and shape my arms or back, which is why I will continue to use the Wii for that part of achieving the "Perfect Body"

Day 70--Running

It's about 60 degrees today, which worked out well for me. I was planning on going outside for my first real run today, and the good weather just added to my desire. My puppies and I ran about a mile in about 15 minutes. It's not bad for my first real run, especially considering we had to stop for numerous pee breaks, a couple poo breaks, traffic, people and stuff smelling. I loved it. I finally understand why runners run. Even though it made my heart race, my breathing difficult, and my head all sweaty, it was still really fun. I'm looking forward to my next run and even more excited about my first puppy-free run. I'm still going to do the EA Active workout tonight and may take all of my measurements again, too. It seems a good point to do this since it's the end of a 30 day challenge and can be my pre-race training measurements.

Day 69--Registration

I just signed up for my first 5K. I've now spent the money, so I will show up for the run.

Date:	Saturday, April 10, 2010
Time:	9 a.m. start
Location:	Grant Park (Upper Hutchinson Field @ Columbus & Balbo) | Chicago
Beneficiary:	Voices for Illinois Children & Prevent Child Abuse America

If anyone knows of other people who might be at this race, please let me know. I would love to see a friendly face or two at the start line. Even if this isn't for me, the worst case is that I just bought a slightly overpriced Dri-Fit shirt.

Day 68--Back at It.

I'm not feeling 100% yet, but I did get back to the workouts. I didn't really have much change in my weight over the week at all, but I do weigh a pound or two more than at the beginning of February. I missed all of last week, and I'll probably miss tomorrow, so I didn't want to wait until Wednesday. Today was the first day of upper body work since I bought the 8 pound weights. They're heavy and it was a bit difficult on my triceps. The rows weren't easy, but not as bad as the tricep kick-backs. It's been a while since I've really felt my muscles straining in that painful, yet kinda enjoyable way. Today's workout also included 6 "laps" of running, which ended up being a threat to my life. My dog decided that my running up and down the hallway was an invitation to play with Bearly. It's a gutted fleece stuffed bear that she wanted to play tug of war. It led to me jumping over her on a few of my laps. Luckily, I've improved my balance with the Wii fit yoga and balance games and didn't fall on my head. I only have one work out left on 30 Day Challenge and then I will move on to the 6 week challenge on the More Workouts.

Day 66 & 67---illness

I'm still feeling craptacular (it's a word, I swear) so I have not worked out at all. It totally sucks that I can't work out, but I can barely get upright, so exercise is out of the question. On the bright side, the illness is stopping me from eating much of anything, either, so I probably won't gain weight with the lack of exercise. I'm hoping to be back at it tomorrow.

Day 65--nothingness

I was not feeling well yesterday, so I didn't do anything after work but crawl under a blanket and stayed there until crawling into bed a few hours later. If I didn't have deadline work on my desk, I would still be in bed right now. I'm not expecting to get a workout in tonight either, even though I have an off week from bowling. I'm hoping that I feel better tomorrow so I can catch up on the missed days and take advantage of the spring/summer weather we're supposed to have this weekend.

Day 64--Trophies

EA Active awards trophies for milestones reached in their game. I have every trophy but 3. I don't have the two for journal entries, because I never enter my food into their journal. I also don't have the 10,000 calorie trophy. I really, really want that trophy, but there's no way of knowing how close I am to it. There's no running balance on the game to let you know how close you are to any of the trophies. The only running total that the game does have is percent of goal reached. The game allows you to set 3 goals: number of workouts, calories burned and time worked out. These can be reset at any time, though. I really like reaching goals, so not getting the calorie trophy when I've been awarded every other trophy is kind of frustrating. I feel like I should do nothing but work out on EA Active until I hit that point. (No, they don't give out the Heisman, but I've already used a standard trophy picture for a previous post. )

Day 64--guilt

I didn't get a work-out in yesterday. I went to a beer tasting instead. I did walk the 5 blocks to the bar, but that's not nearly enough to make up for the missed workout. If I'm ever going to look like Jillian Michaels, I'm going to have to do more than walk a few blocks and drink beer. I will do better tonight.

I found a great motivational idea on The Accidental Wisconsite. She's challenged herself to run a 5K a month for a year. I am going to steal her idea. Not only will I be keeping myself in shape, I'll be helping out the various charities. I think my first race will be the Wrigley Start Early run on April 10, 2010. It raises money to fight child abuse. That gives me a month to work up to it and freak out about it. I haven't run in a race since 8th grade. That was 20 years ago.

Day 62--More workouts

I tried part of the EA Active new workouts. I really think I'm going to enjoy them. There's jumping rope, which I was finding technically difficult, but not physically hard. There were new types of squats and single-arm rows. I did up my weight to 8 ponders. Not as much as Dexter Jackson over here, but more than the 5 I was using. I only tried it for a little bit, though because I still have a week on my 30 day challenge. Today was a rest day, though and I don't like doing nothing. I did the plank challenge and held it for 99 seconds, which is one second shy of my all-time record. I get bored doing the plank, though. I think I need to grab a magazine next time. I also ran in place for about 15 minutes today. I still can't get over how much I enjoy running. I tried to run with my dogs a couple of times this weekend, but Willie kept getting too excited and would try to bite the leashes, or just use that as her method of killing me. I can't be too sure. I may have to try running with them individually.