Workout Log 250 - The Triathlon Challenge

To sustain the momentum of changing my routine, I completed somewhat of a triathlon by splitting my 45 minute cardio into three parts : 15 min biking, 15 min running on the treadmill and 15 min on the elliptical.

For each exercise, I increased & decreased the intensity for every 2 to 3 minutes, creating quite a bit of a challenge to my body(heart, legs, you name it - it hurt) and at the same time changing up my routine. This is part of my effort to changing my healthy habits with new healthy habits and avoiding further plateauing.

Another example is changing my morning breakfast from my regular egg sandwich to a bowl of cereal (every other day) and having veggies with every meal(which is not exactly that easy). Every little bit counts.

Tomorrow is 35 min weight training. Looking forward to it. ;)

Mission 3 Commitments - Status of the Day

See here for last weeks picture and status results 

Workout Log 249 - Camera gone to Heaven.

So, good news, bad news....Bad news is, my camera is busted. In perspective, I had a good run with it as it lasted 5 years, which brings the good news.

Good news is, that I'll be getting a new one on Friday. =) So that being said, the weekly pic and review will have to wait till then and will resume future weekly updates to Friday instead of Monday's.

So for today's commitments, I completed 35 min working on all upper body. No increase in weights, but from the looks of what I see in the mirror, I think I'm getting bigger.  =)  All meals on time, but could have gotten more sleep. Will try go to bed a little earlier tomorrow.

Tomorrow is 45 min cardio and abs....looking forward to it.

Mission 3 Commitments - Status of the Day

 See here for last weeks picture and status results 

Workout Log 248 - Sunday Swim

In an effort to change things up, I completed approximately 30 min in the pool instead of using the treadmill along with 3 sets of ab exercises.

1 question...Why?

The good thing is, I can see this pool thing becoming a Sunday routine - plus I can now say that I'm definitely getting my money's worth out of the expensive condo fees that I pay each month. ;)

Tomorrow is 35 min weight training as well as the week in review. Stay tuned for tomorrow's results. I did pretty good this week, so hopefully it's good news.

 Mission 3 Commitments - Status of the Day

 See here for last weeks picture and status results 

Workout Log 247 - Toronto Marlies CRUSH the Manitoba Moose!

Ok maybe they didn't get crushed.....Score was 2 to 0. But it was pretty cool to hit up a game at the Ricoh Colosseum and watch the Toronto Marlies(Minor League Hockey) play.

With today as my reward meal day, I had a couple of beers during the game as well as 2 more for the after party. As you can see, it's not easy giving up alcohol when trying to lean up. Especially when you have so many friends who drink around you, as well as being in an environment where alcohol is available (bar, house party, etc.).

But in perspective of the whole situation, I had nothing compared to my buds and believe I was overall  conservative with the drinks. In other words,  it could have been a lot worse if I had zero will power.

As for the workout today, I also decided to have this day as my 'rest day' and will reconvene tomorrow.

So far, no missed workouts and looking forward to tomorrows scheduled HIIT cardio. Boooyah!

Mission 3 Commitments - Status of the Day

 See here for last weeks picture and status results 

Workout Log 246 - Feeling The Burn

Completed 35 min weight training as well as added in additional 10 min HIIT cardio.

For that little time of being on the treadmill I burned approx. 200 calories and felt really good leaving the gym with a huge sense of accomplishment (since I was contemplating of whether or not to do the extra cardio). Glad it's done though. =)

Tomorrow is only 20 min HIIT cardio and abs..lookin' forward to it.. ;)

Mission 3 Commitments - Status of the Day

 See here for last weeks picture and status results 

Workout Log 245 - Have I Plateaued? Helpful advice from a Personal Trainer

With last weeks results concerning me(no change when I worked my a$$ off), I bumped into a personal trainer and asked for her expertise where I may be going wrong. After explaining what I am trying to achieve she pointed out that everything that I'm doing has become too routine. Basically she was pointing out that I may have plateaued and needed to shock my body again by revamping of everything I'm doing.  

She gave me the following tips/examples of what I should do; hopefully this will help you too :

1. Change the foods that I eat and include veggies in 'every meal'.
(I eat a lot of veggies already but will increase it)
(I'll need to change my routine of eating the same healthy foods through-out the week for other healthy foods and mix it up in sequence)

2. Change my workout routine.
(My workout program just recently changed (to build muscle) and 'should' see results very soon)

3. Include more cardio and try to mix up the cardio - High Impact, Low Impact &  HIIT Cardio
(I will include 10 min HIIT cardio for each non-cardio day)
(I will change up my cardio routines to include different exercises - e.g elliptical, treadmill and bike - all in one workout)

4. Get more sleep
(My sleep has been pretty good lately, but it doesn't hurt to add an hour)

5. Drink more water
(I've always got water and keep a case in the trunk of my car, so no problems in this department)

6. Eat 5 to 6 times a day (or every 3 hours).
(I already do this, as my blackberry tells me when to eat and I'm pretty good in this area - nothing to change here)

7. Absolutely no alcohol.
(Awww man... really?? that sux)

So with the extra knowledge above, I've already implemented #3 by splitting my 45 min cardio today in to 3 parts : 15 min on the treadmill, 15 min on the elliptical and 15 min on the bike. Also, while I was on the bike and treadmill I would change up the speed every min or so to get my HIIT in there as well.

As for the rest of the tips above, I'll need to implement these new things into my routine starting with my next meal, workout or sleep.

Tomorrow is weight training and 10 min extra HIIT cardio. Looking forward to it. ;)

Mission 3 Commitments - Status of the Day

 See here for last weeks picture and status results 

Workout Log 244 - Trinidad Carnival 2010 Photos - A Missed party

Looking back at May when I made my 1st post, my main reason (or spark) for losing the weight was to attend the greatest show on earth - Carnival Trinidad in 2010. This is a time when for 3 brief days each year before lent, the whole country forgets their differences to celebrate life!

In perspective, I 'should' be recovering right now from the party(just ended yesterday). But that's ok - I have been to Carnival once before - I just wanted to relive the moment again! =)

So, in a last minute decision, I decided to go to Trinidad for Christmas to visit family instead and at the end of March(next month) to go to a 5 star beach resort for a week.  I believe the core reason to going to Carnival 2010 back in May(aside from the beautiful ladies in Trinidad - hence why I married one) was that I just wanted to take off my shirt freely without feeling...fat. Hence why I was very open to going to the beach instead of partying my a$$ for 3 days. Which would have been nice though... =) I mean, just look at the pics!!!  =) Oh well...What's done is done....There is always next year =(

 

  

So looking at today's commitments I skipped out on 2 exercises(leg presses and straight-leg deadlifts) and replaced it with extra cardio on the treadmill. Burned approximately 300 calories on the treadmill and felt great. All healthy meals on-time and even had a good night sleep...

Tomorrow is 45 min scheduled cardio and abs...Looking forward to it. ;)

Mission 3 Commitments - Status of the Day

 See here for last weeks picture and status results