Scales don't tell the whole truth

Tipping the scales at 251 pounds shocked me into action two and a half years ago.  I've been hovering around 200 pounds for the past few months and haven't had much of an opportunity to work out on a regular basis due to softball season.  Unfortunately, the Lady Knights season ended a little less than three weeks ago and now I'm back on track.

I know that I haven't been getting nearly enough cardio work to drop weight considering the fact that I'm lifting pretty heavy.  My focus through summer and into the first of August will be to build strength and power which is more than likely going to add muscle and weight.  In August my focus will shift to getting the Lady Knights Power Program back in action and then I'll be getting lots of cardio and weight work so hopefully the weight will start falling off then.

I've noticed that my pants are fitting a tad snug but my shirts don't seem to be as restrictive.  I can still bend over and tie my shoes without having to hold my breath or lean to the side so basically I still feel good and I still have range of motion and flexibility to do the things I was doing when I was at my lowest weight which seems a lifetime ago in October!

Because I am still comfortable with how I look and feel, I have decided to shelve the scales until July 3rd.  I'll get an accurate weight on the third so that I can eat "healthy" on the Fourth and not worry about the few pounds I might put on!

With the heat coming on strong remember to hydrate well before, during and after your workouts.  A great sweat is a real motivator but you don't want to lose too many fluids or you can get muscle cramps or become dehydrated.  And remember, whenever possible, workout with a partner!  It's not just for helping with lifts.  In extreme heat you could pass out and need the assistance.

Have a great end of school year and a very safe, very healthy summer!  Goodluck in finding your motivation to get fit!

Time to get serious!!!

Softball season ended with a crash rather than the bang we had hoped for so now it's time to get back into serious workout mode.  One thing that happened earlier than usual is that the baseball league I play in, the WVMSBL, started up this past Sunday so I got an even earlier jump on my workout than I planned!

It's been three weeks since my last full body workout so getting started on Tuesday, May 19, 2009, will be a light weight, yet intense affair which will start with my usual warm up of active stretches and then a light dumbell warm up before getting to a full complement of the clean complex, front squats and deadlifts.  After that we'll hit the bleachers to get in some cardio and wrap it all up with 120 tire swings - golf swings will be optional!

Getting back to competitive sports reminds me that sometimes the harder we try more we just get in our own way.  On Sunday I was pitching and early on I was trying to throw the ball by hitters without much success.  So about the third inning I decided to just relax and not force the action.  What a difference that made.  But allowing my body to work free of tension everything fell into place and I got a fantastic workout in by pitching all seven innings!  Oh, and we won!!!  Go Yankees!  Until next time, keep your head up and keep working toward your goals.

GOUT crushes motivation!!!

For those of you who have never suffered through a gout attack, God bless you!  I hope you never have one.  For those who have suffered, you can understand how it can crush your motivation to workout, go to work, get out of bed, even move!  It's been a few weeks since my last post because I've experienced two attacks and have worked out once since my last post!

During our trip to Frankfort and then Great Wolf Lodge, I had an attack after my workout that centered in my right ankle.  Gout is extremely painful and it limited the activities I was able to do.  That cleared up after about five days and I got in a dumbell workout the following Sunday.  On Tuesday, I suffered another attack in the same ankle but this time, it also hit my right knee and my left elbow.  It was a struggle to get to work and even tougher making it through the day.

As one can imagine my workouts have suffered too.  It's nearly impossible to use the affected body part for any type of effective workout during a gout attack.  But all hasn't been lost.  I've taken this time to do some additional research and I've found a few new exercises I'm going to start soon.  Although my body has been unable to perform during this time, my mind has been hard at work.  I've been planning my new program to incorporate more old school work including the sledgehammer, tire flipping, and sandbags.  Sandbags are completely new to me and I'm excited to get started!

I hope you're having success with your workouts and I look forward to getting back into the swing of things this coming week!