WEEK 9
Level 10 18pushupsx4
30 minutes
24 MAY (364 cal)
Hot, humid, no breeze. Shoelace came undone during the cool-down which made me hesitant. Satisfactory result, can use a day or two off.
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
WEEK 9
Cardio Burn (80%HR)
45 minutes
23 MAY (440 cal)
Not hard at all, though I dipped under 100rpm momentarily at two points. I think I need to get a new seat. The one on the bike now is too thick and it's rubbing my inner thighs. I prefer a narrower seat, but I don't know if the shop where I purchased the bike will have any in stock.
Cardio Burn (80%HR)
45 minutes
23 MAY (440 cal)
Not hard at all, though I dipped under 100rpm momentarily at two points. I think I need to get a new seat. The one on the bike now is too thick and it's rubbing my inner thighs. I prefer a narrower seat, but I don't know if the shop where I purchased the bike will have any in stock.
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
WEEK 9
Level 10 18pushupsx4
30 minutes
22 MAY (365 cal)
I am the greatest! Totally smashed through 360. Got there with 30 seconds left in the ride and was still able to tack on another five. No cramp at all today, but still felt winded through most of the ride. The odd thing is, I was going to take back what I wrote yesterday, because for most of today I felt I may be slightly overtrained. However, from about 1430 I had recuperated fully.
Still, I am considering alternating between the Hill and Cardio program each day instead of my current two Hills followed by one Cardio, because I burn more calories in the Cardio and I think it will help increase my endurance. I'll do the Cardio tomorrow and see how I feel. I hung a bit on the final two pushups in the fourth set, but no biggie, got through them.
Level 10 18pushupsx4
30 minutes
22 MAY (365 cal)
I am the greatest! Totally smashed through 360. Got there with 30 seconds left in the ride and was still able to tack on another five. No cramp at all today, but still felt winded through most of the ride. The odd thing is, I was going to take back what I wrote yesterday, because for most of today I felt I may be slightly overtrained. However, from about 1430 I had recuperated fully.
Still, I am considering alternating between the Hill and Cardio program each day instead of my current two Hills followed by one Cardio, because I burn more calories in the Cardio and I think it will help increase my endurance. I'll do the Cardio tomorrow and see how I feel. I hung a bit on the final two pushups in the fourth set, but no biggie, got through them.
Monday, May 21, 2007
WEEK 9
Level 10 18pushupsx4
30 minutes
21 MAY (360 cal)
Cracked 360 but it wasn't easy. Very high heart rate (180 at times) and even got light-headed. Still a strong ride. Made it with about five seconds to spare. It may have been my newly shaved head that got me those extra two calories.
I may be pushing myself too hard. I read where you're supposed to have a relaxed feeling of well-being after exercise. Not me, I feel exhausted for at least an hour afterwards. But I prefer doing things this way. I've been sleeping really well, and I'm completely recovered the next day, so I don't think I'm overdoing it.
Level 10 18pushupsx4
30 minutes
21 MAY (360 cal)
Cracked 360 but it wasn't easy. Very high heart rate (180 at times) and even got light-headed. Still a strong ride. Made it with about five seconds to spare. It may have been my newly shaved head that got me those extra two calories.
I may be pushing myself too hard. I read where you're supposed to have a relaxed feeling of well-being after exercise. Not me, I feel exhausted for at least an hour afterwards. But I prefer doing things this way. I've been sleeping really well, and I'm completely recovered the next day, so I don't think I'm overdoing it.
Sunday, May 20, 2007
Reflections After Two Months
I started my ninth week today, and I'm quite pleased with my progress up to now. This weekend, for the first time, I could actually see clear, convincing improvement in my physique. My wife had been telling me from after the first month that she could tell the difference, but I thought she was just trying to keep me motivated.
Of course I can gauge my progress from the training log, but it's another feeling of accomplishment altogether when the mirror gives you feedback. I haven't lost much weight-only 3-5 pounds tops, but my waist is definitely smaller, and my pants fit more loosely than before. My shirts feel slightly tighter in the shoulders and arms-certainly due to the pushups. I think that's why I haven't lost much weight-I've gained some muscle in the upper body, and also my legs. I still have a long way to go, but after another year I hope to reach my target goal of 180 pounds. And actually, weight loss isn't even my primary goal.
The program has paid dividends in other areas of my life as well. I think I have more energy and productivity at work-about 30% in fact. I also believe my general mood and well-being have changed for the better. Not quite where I want to be, but well on the way. The first few weeks were tough, just because it was difficult to see any difference. But I fought through the doldrums and the gains are coming. Now to enjoy the euphoria until the inevitable plateaus...
Of course I can gauge my progress from the training log, but it's another feeling of accomplishment altogether when the mirror gives you feedback. I haven't lost much weight-only 3-5 pounds tops, but my waist is definitely smaller, and my pants fit more loosely than before. My shirts feel slightly tighter in the shoulders and arms-certainly due to the pushups. I think that's why I haven't lost much weight-I've gained some muscle in the upper body, and also my legs. I still have a long way to go, but after another year I hope to reach my target goal of 180 pounds. And actually, weight loss isn't even my primary goal.
The program has paid dividends in other areas of my life as well. I think I have more energy and productivity at work-about 30% in fact. I also believe my general mood and well-being have changed for the better. Not quite where I want to be, but well on the way. The first few weeks were tough, just because it was difficult to see any difference. But I fought through the doldrums and the gains are coming. Now to enjoy the euphoria until the inevitable plateaus...
WEEK 9
Cardio Burn (80%HR)
45 minutes
20 MAY (422 cal)
Upped the time by five minutes and easily broke the 400 calorie barrier. I'm hoping to increase the hill program by five minutes after another couple of weeks; I just don't know if I can take three hill series at over 100rpms each. Maybe the week I'm doing 4x20 pushups will be a good time to make the move.
Cardio Burn (80%HR)
45 minutes
20 MAY (422 cal)
Upped the time by five minutes and easily broke the 400 calorie barrier. I'm hoping to increase the hill program by five minutes after another couple of weeks; I just don't know if I can take three hill series at over 100rpms each. Maybe the week I'm doing 4x20 pushups will be a good time to make the move.
Thursday, May 17, 2007
WEEK 8
Level 10 17pushupsx4
30 minutes
17 MAY (358 cal)
I honestly thought I'd break 360 today; I felt strong through all stages of the ride, even during the peak hills. I was surprised I had this much energy, because my legs were slightly sore when I woke up this morning. The 8.5 hours of sleep last night must have helped, and I think the cardio program at a higher heart rate range played a role. Maybe I should alternate hill and cardio?
Level 10 17pushupsx4
30 minutes
17 MAY (358 cal)
I honestly thought I'd break 360 today; I felt strong through all stages of the ride, even during the peak hills. I was surprised I had this much energy, because my legs were slightly sore when I woke up this morning. The 8.5 hours of sleep last night must have helped, and I think the cardio program at a higher heart rate range played a role. Maybe I should alternate hill and cardio?
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