What the heck has been happening??

So the wheels have really gone off the wagon....okay that makes no sense.  I've been going thru a bit of a rough patch these last few weeks but seriously not a really bad thing.  Yes I've been skipping the gym and not being bothered to think before eating whatever I feel like.  I'm currently flirting with the 250lb area of the scale.  Ah well just means I gotta re-set and get after it again.

So this last weekend I was in Seattle for a gaming convention.  Five days of doing nothing but sitting and moving my hands and arms just enough to make dice roll. ;)  In addition to that heavy amount of physical activity I was eating at all hours of the night and then not eating very healthy.

Let's see, there was JackintheBox late night (haven't done that in over 20yrs, maybe 30yrs).  Ate twice at Denny's, once was after midnite.  And then there was the "wonderful" hotel food, actually not that bad but certainly at a premium price for so so food.  Finally on the way home we hit a buffet at a local casino and I stuffed myself to the hilt (gotta get your money's worth!).

The one "bright" spot was the fact that I felt like working out on Sunday.  So took advantage of the hotels workout room and had a good workout.  30min of cardio on the treadmill and threw some iron around for 20-25min.  It was a bit of a surprise that I actually worked out but there it was, a rather sweaty t-shirt.  So it must have happened.

Met with Lorinda on Sat for the first time in a couple of weeks, we've both been busy.  I'd let her know that I'd fallen a bit off kilter so she was prepared to make me sweat:

No rest do as a superset
Chest press: 20lbs x 10
Squats: no weight x 10
Bent over Row: 20lbs x 10
Squats: 10
Biceps curls: 20lbs x 10
Squats: 10
Shoulder press (palms facing each other): 20lbs x 10
Squats: 10
Triceps Kickbacks: 15lbs x 10

Repeat 3-4 times

Then we did some abs:
Legs raises with knees bent x 15
Crunches x 15

It felt good to get back to really working out so I guess the "vacation" is over and time to get those wheels back on the wagon.  Moving onward and upward!
 

Not feeling it or I ate a McDonalds hamburger and fries tonite

So just not feeling it this week.  Huh?  I'm not sick but I just don't feel like being myself.  I was good all last week (after vac) but this week not so much.  And next week is my annual game convention weekend.  It's going to be one long bad for my health time.  For five days I'll drink booze, eat until I can't eat anymore (at times) and spend hours sitting at a table doing nothing but rolling dice.  Not a very healthy life style.  Fortunately it's only for five days.

This week though I've only gone to the gym once (kettle bell yay) and will meet with Lorinda on Sat to at least get one more workout in.  Then Sunday I'll do something I hope, followed by a Tues kettle bell and then it's over until the following week.

I will say that I just haven't felt that drive that keeps me going to the gym.  Maybe it's time for a break and of course the coming week would qualify as a break.

I did buy some new shoes specifically for riding my bike so I am looking forward to trying them out.  My hope is that they will help me push myself to ride better and more efficiently.  I'm looking forward to better weather as I'm really not a fan of rainy bike riding. 

So definitely feeling a bit of guilt over not working out but at the same time I know it's not the end of the world.  I just need to re-focus.

Here's a workout that Lorinda put together for me:

This is a mix of weights and abs.  I suggest doing these as supersets.  Do each exercise once all the way thru and then repeat.  If you're short on time just one time thru is a good workout.

Bench press: 10-12 reps with a heavy weight  ( I used 25lbs)
Lat pull down: 10-12reps  again a heavy weight ( I used 80lbs)
Now do abs (any abs exercise that will allow you to do 25 reps)
Bicep curls: 10-12 reps (I used 20lbs)
Overhead press: 10-12reps (20lbs)
Abs: 25reps
Lateral raise: 10-12 reps ( I used 10lbs) standing with your arms at your sides palms facing each other raise your arms vertical to shoulder height and back down that's one rep.  You'll want to use a lighter weight for this.
Kettle bell high pull: 10-12reps (25lb KB) stand with the kettle bell directly in front of you and grip the "horns" over hand (palms facing down) pull the kettle bell up with your elbows extending out to the sides stop when the KB is chest high.
Abs: 25reps
Hammer curls: 10-12reps (15lbs) curl like you did for the bicep curls but with your palms facing each other.  Like you are hammering a nail.
Triceps extensions: 10-12reps ( 12lbs) you should be a bit tired by now so the weight should be lighter so you can keep your form.  Standing up, hold the weights over your head with your arms extended.  Now lower the weights behind your head bending at the elbow.

If you choose to do another set you should do a set of abs here and then rest before repeating the workout for another superset.  You can repeat this up to 4x.  So far I've made it thru just one superset. 

Vacation Time pt 2

So I'm going to cheat and just tell the story of the rest of the vacation without any details except the important ones.  Huh, you might say?

Here's the deal.  I failed the food choice test and jumped the shark on the scale.  Friday morning weigh in was a bit disappointing as it rang in at 240lbs. 

I did workout on Wed and Thurs but then the rest of the vacation was a bust when it came to getting any exercise.  Weds was a meeting with Lorinda, we threw some iron around.  Thurs was cardio walking with the weight vest for two miles at a quick pace.

I indulged in a fish burger with curly fries one day, and a rice bowl another.  There were roast beef and turkey sandwiches.  Even a chili cheeseburger made an appearance.  I did go to friends for a game day but was actually somewhat conservative compared to past gatherings.  I did go for a meal that I've had on my list of "want this but shouldn't eat this", chicken teriyaki.  So I got that out of my system for another year or so.  And then on the Sunday game day I did fairly well but still over did it a bit.  I try not to eat a big meal Sunday evening and I did okay but I could have made a better choice.

So what did I learn this time?  Not much frankly other than I know what I did wrong, but still it felt good.  I will have to get back on the wagon and then work my way back to doing the right thing.

Ah well new month and new attitude to work on.  Of course it doesn't hurt that kettle bell is only a day away.  Bring it!