Workout log 163 - Mission 2 Complete.

Wheew!! So it's been 163 days since I first decided to change my look and here I am today. In perspective, the journey was long, but the results have again proven that with hard work, a goal in mind, a  nutrition/workout plan, constant action and lots of patience can indeed payoff with dramatic results.

So today marks the end of my second mission. The second mission's goal was to :

• increase my overall muscle (upper and lower body), 
• reach 9% fat 
• and to achieve 6 pack abs.

Looking at the stats in comparison to week 12(month 3) :

• my body fat has decreased from 14% to 7%. 
• My upper body and lower body has indeed increased in lean muscle mass from 143lbs to 152lbs.
• As for the 6 pack, well.....I'll leave that up to you decide. I like what I see thus far, but I personally feel I can do better though. :-)

Ground 0 - Pic

Week 12 Pic (3 Months later) - Results and Workout Plan Review

Week 23 Pic (current)

So as with every journey there is a prize for reaching a destination. Right? So, to celebrate the second mission, I've already polished off a 6 pack of  Steam Whistle(Toronto's finest beer), I'll be going out for dinner tomorrow at the Mandarin Chinese Buffet and before the feast, a $500 shopping spree to get new clothes(where I saved $50.00 /week for each successful week while on the second mission).

Speaking of which, I recently filled 2 garbage bags full of last years fall/winter clothes that no longer fit me. Goodwill will be more than happy to receive it and I'll be more than happy to get rid of it...No more large and medium sized clothes!! Coool.... =)

So looking back at the last month or so, nothing came easy. Everyday I worked hard to ensure that I succeed and you were all there to not only witness my struggles and successions but offered your time for encouragement through your comments and for that I appreciate.

I recall times where I had unfortunately missed scheduled workouts, ate unhealthy foods/drinks on non-reward days and missed much needed sleep. Sometimes, it just doesn't matter how much you try, your plan for the day refuses to go your way and failure kicks in. And it is at that time when you fall, you only have one choice : get back up where you left off, refocus on the goal/prize and continue with the journey.

So where do I go from here?

I now go on to Mission 3. (I know, it never stops, eh?)   :-)
In Mission 3 I fill focus on the following :

• decrease fat percentage to 5% (no more than 5 though)
• sustain muscle mass (upper and lower) as I don't want to look like a 'muscle mutt' (no offense to muscle mutts =) )
  
• decrease waist line to 28.5
• Show clear 6 pack abs and look more lean
  

As for the goal date, I believe that by January 1st, I can reach this goal.

So, the goal has been set and my next journey will begin this Monday. This weekend I have decided to go crazy and use this time to have a few beers, grab a bottle of whiskey and eat like a fiend. On Monday I'll start off fresh again with healthy living again. Wish me luck. ;-)


Week 23 / Mission 2 results and monthly comparisons

 Mission 2 Challenge - Daily Results

 

Click here for information on the nutritional & workout plan I use

Day 144 / Week 21 - Puff, Puff, Pass = Munchies :-)

Completed 20 min HIIT cardio no problem after work, where I enjoyed a good episode of Family Guy on the itouch to keep me occupied. I was quite happy it was only 20 min long as I was really hungry and also looking forward to chillin with my buds right after.

Speaking of which, I had to cave in the evening as I had the serious munchies after "blazing" with my buds and as a result, had a few granola bars and nuts near midnight.  It's a good thing there were no Lay's chips around, as those would have been polished off in no time. You know how it is, hunger strikes when yer puffin' and passin'.. ;-)

But overall for the day I did pretty well...So going into tomorrow, I usually have my day off. But knowing that I will be working all day on Sunday, there is no freakin' way that I would want to go to gym after work at 9pm after working a 14 hour shift. Screw that...So, I'll workout tomorrow, get it over and done with and use my  free day pass on Sunday... =)

Mission 2 Challenge - Daily Results

Day 128 / Week 18 Review - Four pack, but not yet a six pack...

So another week has passed by...Still no six-pack, but by looking at my progress for the week, it's starting to take shape. I kinda see a "4 pack" (or is that a "3 pack"?), but it's that lower tummy that has become a challenge. Looking back at the week, I worked pretty hard, kept within my guidelines and chose healthier foods that what was offered to me. An example would be choosing brown rice instead of white rice and sushi instead of fried chicken. Both times these foods were literally right in front me, but since my lifestyle has changed for the better (and the fact that I want a six pack), these fatty foods will keep me back and therefore will not be able to progress like I have thus far. Looking at the numbers, I have lost 1 pound, which therefore slightly increased my fat% and slightly decreased my lean muscle . I'm still in the 9% fat range which is good though. Going forward into the next week, I believe I just have to keep on eating healthy, continue to stay away from alcohol(well maybe not the weekend =) ) and stick with the workout plan.

Btw, the wifey has been doing the program with me for the passed 2 weeks and has lost 2 pounds since last week, even with the fatty foods that she periodically ate. Again, her metabolism is different than mine(much higher) and she's naturally skinny, but she feels fat I guess(whatever- I'm still trying to figure out women). Her initial goal was to only lose 10 pounds where she has lost a total of 4 pounds in 2 weeks thus far. She has 6 pounds to go and can see her losing this in no time, but if she were to eat much healthier, she would lose a lot more in less time. I could only teach and show her the way, but it's up to her to take that nutritional step. I guess she figures she can have her cake and eat it too - literally. And from the looks of her results thus far, she may be right - so who am I to judge?. Knowing her metabolism and the amount of sleep she gets, I can see her reaching her goal in 2 to 3 weeks by just sticking with the workout plan. Anyhow, we'll see how it goes.

Tomorrow is cardio - 40 min of it and abs. My back is killing me, but hopefully will be good for tomorrow.


Week 18 Pic

Week 18 Results

Mission 2 Challenge - Daily Results

Day 6/Week 1 - Rest Day - No Workout today

Came back from work quite tired(yes I work Saturdays). Cardio will have to wait till tomorrow seeing that tomorrow is a day off. Ate very healthy today and kept within the calorie intake zone.

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Day 3/Week 1 - Still in Pain....

Today was kind of a write off....Yesterday's workout killed me. I cannot remember the last time I worked out my legs, so since this morning they have been killin' me! Something as simple as going up and down the stairs was a challenge, so I skipped out on my cardio, seeing that it's physically impossible for me to get on a treadmill or elliptical . Looking back at yesterday, I did however rollerblade both Monday and Tuesday to go to Starbucks, so I think missing today's session is not too bad. So I'll get some rest tonight, so I'll be ready for tomorrow. I'll squeeze in a little cardio tomorrow as well to make up anything that is lost(just incase). As for eating, so far so good, I pre-packaged all my foods this evening and have all meals ready for consumption tomorrow. Getting hungry just thinking about it... :-)

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Change I Can Believe In

So it was 1 week ago from today when my wifey last told me that I looked fat. Now - this is not the 1st time she has said this and frankly I never really cared, but this time I really feel I may have hit "ground 0". In a final frustration, I had 2 choices in a way to respond - make that 3...

1. I play it off and just ignore her (like I usually do).
2. I can tell her "you are fat too" (even though she is naturally skinny which I envy) - but may still risk getting a fat lip after she kicks me in the face.
3. Look for a plan to lose weight in an effort to get rid of my overlapping gut and gain muscle at the same time.

As you can see, I'm still alive and as you probably guessed I chose #3. Since I'm not exactly health conscious nor health savvy in the least bit, I went searching around the internet for days. After sifting through all the sites pushing anything from diet pills, acai berries, diet/exercise plans and etc. I finally came across an exercise plan/guide called the RTP Transformation System that in my opinion would live up to it's word. From what I get from the website, the pictures do justice - he shows multiple people either getting ripped or toning up 84 days later - including himself. Hmmm...84 days seems reasonable - it's not like "you can lose 20lbs in 2 weeks" bull sh*t that you read in the google advertisements! Aggghhhh, so very misleading!! Trust me, I 've tried these gimmicks in the past and let's just say that I am still suffering from buyers remorse.
Since I need to shape up for Carnival 2010 in Trinidad (approx. 200 days away), a 3 month sacrifice from all the good things in life that I enjoy everyday won't be too bad, plus this would be a good opportunity to change my bad habits, get myself balanced with my daily intake and be a little more responsible when it comes to my health. Knowing that a personal trainer costs $70 a session or a months supply of diet pills for the same price(which can potentially kill me & no pill ever worked for me), I felt the $67 would be a good investment. So I took the plunge and purchased it. Since I know that I will be going to Las Vegas in 6 days, I will read through the 6 modules before I go and while on the plane. I have made a goal date of June 15th to start. So now I have until then to eat like a fiend and drink like a fish - knowing that I won't be able to do this after June 15th...I hope I don't go overboard(ya right!)....Wish me luck and hope I don't get arrested in Las Vegas - or come back with 3 wedding bands...yikes....!

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