Moe's Journey to Best Health

Days Fifty Two to Sixty Three

Good Morning!!!  It's been a long time.  First of all, thank you so much Angie.  I appreciate your support and encouragement!  I can't believe that it has already been 63 days since I started the journey.  I would not have made it this far without the love and support from all of my family and friends.  Thank you all!!

The last week and a half have been a little crazy.  Since I was out of the office two weeks in a row, I've been working long hours to catch up.  However, I have been keeping up with my workouts and my nutrition, so that I can stay on track.  I'm feeling awesome, clothes are coming out of the closet that have not been worn in a long while, and my muscles are starting to show some definition.  Overall, it's been a good 11 days, just busy.

Dave has been increasing the intensity of the workouts which I didn't think was possible.  For example, when we do the 8 rounds of squats, 20 seconds of squats, 10 seconds of rest, the 10 seconds of rest are spent in squat form with the butt down toward the ground.  Can you say ow?  I've also been introduced to a new form of the box jump.  Starting in squat form with my butt touching the bench step, I have to jump up and land both feet on top of the bench stop.  For me that one is a killer.  The good thing is that the exercises that used to seem like killers are becoming for manageable.  Meanwhile, I started working out with one of the girls at work last week.  Two girls have volunteered to be my guinea pigs, so I'll keep you updated on that.  Also, Mom is working out with me as well.  She has lost a lot of weight in the past year, so now we're working on building up some muscle. 

Nutrition has become easier.  I haven't been missing simple carbs and sugars too much.  Every now and then I'll break down and have ice cream or chocolate, but it's pretty much limited to the weekend.  I don't miss the rice and pasta that I used to eat all of the time.  I told Mom that it has been months since I have had a big pasta meal with garlic bread.  Crazy, we used to have a big pasta, garlic bread meal at least once a week.  I have to say that I was surprised last week when I went to the Red Robin website (i wanted to see what I could eat because a group of us from work were going) and I found out the calorie content in some of the meals.  It's shocking to see that a BBQ chicken wrap is more calories than some of the burgers.  If any of you eat out a lot, I would look at the nutrition on the website, because it's amazing how many items you think may be the healthier choice but they are not.  Good stuff.

So I'm leaving again tomorrow.  This is my last trip until the first week of May.  YEAH!!  When I come back, Ill give you the dirty details.  With all this travel, I should be getting better.  :O)  Take care and have a GREAT week!!!

Day Forty Four - Fifty One

What happened you ask?  Sorry guys, I did not fall off the planet.  Saturday night I arrived back in Seattle at 11pm.  Sunday I was a zombie, Sunday night Maya woke up in the middle of the night, Monday night was a repeat, and tonight is the first night that I feel human.  :O)

So overall the trip went pretty good, and I feel good about the progress that I made.  Wednesday through Friday were great.  Nutrition was good and I had a good workout every day.  Saturday it all went to hell.  I woke up, worked out, ran stairs, did some bench dips, felt great, ate a healthy breakfast, and then lunch came.... Lunch was okay, salad and fruit, but then I snacked on a few jelly bellys, then an hour later it was a few hershey kisses, then a tootsie roll, and before you know it we're at the airport and I'm eating a big mac meal for dinner.  Nasty.  I wish that I could say, that was it, but it rolled into Sunday.  I started off with a healthy shake, then lunch was ice cream and pop corn.  No, I'm not kidding.  Dinner was okay, salmon and veggies, but no exercise for all of Sunday.  Monday was okay foodwise, smoothie, apple, taco Salad, and Chicken, but my only exercise was a 2 mile walk.  Tuesday was okay again foodwise, Smoothie, apple, salad, flat bread, and taco salad, but again just a 2 mile walk for exercise.  Today would have been great, but I fell off a cliff and had a chocolate chip cookie.  The day started off with a smoothie, on to an apple and string cheese, curry for lunch, then the dreaded cookie, but guess what?, tonight I had Boot camp, and it feels wonderful.  I feel so great.  If anything is kicking my arse back on track, it is boot camp.  My workout could have been much better if there wasn't a cookie sitting at the bottom of my stomach like a log.  There's nothing like being held back by dead weight.

Wow that was a mouthful.  So all, I'm back in the saddle again!  :O)  Moral of the story, get more sleep, keep the workouts up, and junk food slows you down!  And junk food is repetitive for me, once I have it one day, I crave it the following day at the same time.

Goal - Stay focused on the prize, workout every day (this includes some calisthenic work, not just walking), eat for health and maximum performance.  JUNK FOOD SLOWS US DOWN!

Thank you all!  This is it for me tonight.  My blogs will not be daily from this point forward.  I will be giving you weekly updates as my schedule has been a little kooky lately.  Thank you all for your support!  Take care, be healthy, and spread joy!

Day Forty Three

Thank you Mom for your support!  Last week was a challenge, but I'm feeling good and back on track.  Wednesday I leave for another trip.  Sunday I'll give you the results.  My goals are to stay on top of my nutrition and push the intensity of my workouts up a few notches.  Boot camp classes are great, but I need to keep up the work when I'm out of town too.

Tonight was another boot camp class, and like always it was awesome.  I love the way that I feel when I'm done.  I'm feeling stronger and leaner, just have to keep it up.  I hope that all of you have a wonderful week.  If I don't get a chance to post an entry tomorrow, you'll hear from me on Sunday.  Thank you!!!

Day Forty Three Recap

Movement:  Boot camp
Exercise 1 - Dumb bell swings alternating chest high and over the head, 20 each arm.  20 push ups.  Repeat each set.
Exercise 2 - Lay down on the floor feet facing a partner.  With a 10lb ball over head lay down, sit up, throw the ball to your partner, repeat 60 times.
Exercise 3 - 10 one arm dead lifts, 5 each arm. 1 minute of push ups, repeat 3 times.
Exercise 4 - 21 thrusters (my new least liked exercise...start with a 35lb bar at your chest, squat down, jump up to full extension over head) 9 tricep dips, 21 thrusters, 15 tricep dips, 21 thrusters, 10 tricep dips
Exercise 5 - Chest Presses - 5, Split Chest Presses - 10, Split Chest Presses - 10.

Nutrition:

Breakfast - Blackberry Smoothie w/ fish oil

Snack - apple, string cheese

Lunch - Spinach Salad w/ hard boiled egg

Snack - string cheese

Dinner - chili, salad

Days Forty One and Forty two

Who would I be without my family and friends?  Thank you so much Donna and Dave for your support and well wishes!  I appreciate it so much.  btw... the cookies were not that good.  Mom and I watched an episode of Throw down with Bobby Flay, but Mom's version were MUCH better, wasted calories...   I came back from a training meeting this afternoon, and I have to tell you that I am excited about my future and the possibilities of helping other people.  It is great!

Saturday was not a perfect day, but today I got it all back on track.  If one issue is my road block, it is my nutrition, but I know that I will overcome this hurdle.  I'm on my way out the door for a walk with Dan, so I'm cutting this short.  Just know that I am so thankful for all of you.  I would be nothing if it was not for the support of my friends and family.  Thank you!!

Day Forty One Recap

Movement:  6 mile walk

Nutrition:

Breakfast - Protein Smoothie
Lunch - Burger, fries
Dinner - Chicken breast, apple, asparagus

Day Forty Two Recap

Movement:  Mini boot camp workout, short walk with Dan

Nutrition: 

Breakfast - Strawberry Smoothie with fish oil
Lunch - Hard boiled egg w/ asparagus
Snack - grapes, broccoli with dip
Dinner - Salmon, asparagus, green beans, salad, white wine

Days Thirty Seven - Forty One

Thank you Dan for your comments and support!  I couldn't do this without you!

Wow, it's been quite a week since I last made an entry.  There have been successes and a couple of challenges.  Traveling for work is not conducive to my health routine, and my goal is to keep my routine going on the road as much as possible.  With all the trips coming up, I have lots of opportunity for practice.

The week started off well.  Monday I had a great nutrition and fitness day.  Chase and I started off with a 3 mile walk, and the day ended with boot camp. 

Tuesday morning was the flight.  We took off at 7am, landed in NYC at 3:30pm, and arrived at the hotel at 4:00pm.  Everyone headed for the bar, but I opted for the gym.  One thing about traveling in a work group is that it is easy to drink your week away.  In general, I feel like I need to detox when I come back from a trip, however this time I made the promise that I was going to put myself and my body first.   I worried about being alienated from the group, but I didn't experience that at all.  After my workout I walked up to 74th from 42nd and Lex, and across to Amsterdam to visit a bakery that my Mom and I saw on the Food Network.  I bought cookies and took the subway back to times square.  On my way back to the hotel I stopped in on my work buddies at the bar, didn't drink, bought some water, and went back to my room.  I had dinner in my room, watched Project Runway, had a cookie (one of my challenges of the week), and went to bed. 

Sleeping away from home is not easy for me.  I tend to toss and turn all night, and with the time change, my body does not want to go to bed, but I woke up at 6am and headed to the gym before meetings.  We walked around town all day for meetings, and at 4:00pm when everyone headed to the bar, I went back to the gym.  Our group met up for dinner, and then they went back to the bar, and I went to my room.  Now I wish that I could say my night ended and I was great, but I fell in to the bowels of craving hell (probably brought up from too much wine at dinner) and ordered room service.  I felt like crap and went to sleep.

Thursday I tried to undo the damage from Wednesday night.  I went back to the gym, did not eat breakfast (big mistake), and headed for meetings.  Needless to say I was starving by lunch, and we went to a place called BLT Burger, the name says it all.  I could have had a bun less burger, but as you'll see from my nutrition recap I did not.  Then it was off to another vendor who had candy out all over his desk.  All of the sugar from lunch had left me tired and some candy sent my blood spiking back up.  Like I said there were a few challenges this week, but that's how we learn.  After our last appointment we went to dinner and a show.  I came back and was tempted to call room service, but remembered how I felt the night before, and went to sleep.

Friday was an early wake up call to the airport at 5am.  The plane landed at 12pm and I was home by 12:30pm.  I did laundry, picked up Murdock, had a sandwich (i couldn't find veggies to make a salad), and took a nap.  Boot camp was at 4:30pm, and it felt great after being off my routine for the week.
Overall it was a good week, and a great learning experience.  Next week I'm gone Wednesday through Saturday in San Diego, so I'll be sharing those experiences as well.  I hope that all of you have a wonderful weekend!  I'm excited to spend some time with my family!

Day Thirty Seven Recap

Movement: Boot camp, 3 mile walk
1st exercise - 1000M row
2nd exercise - 50 wall ball
3rd exercise - 8 reps of squats, 9 each round, 10second break
4th exercise - 50 dead lifts w/44lbs, 50 chess presses w/44lbs
5th exercise - alternating pull ups and kettle bell swings, 5 rotations, 1min of each, no rest
6th exercise - bench lunges, 6 each leg

Nutrition:

Breakfast - Raspberry Smoothie
Lunch - Salad, Cup of Chicken corn chowder
Snack - Apple, Cheese
Dinner - Beef Stew

Day Thirty Eight Recap

Movement:  Elliptical 15min, Bike 20min, Push Ups, long walk

Nutrition:
Breakfast - yogurt, fruit, milk
Snack - nuts
Dinner - Steak, Spinach, Tomato, Salad, glass of wine
Dessert - Cookie

Day Thirty Nine Recap

Movement:  Elliptical 15 min, Bike 15 min, Push ups, Chest Presses, Dead lifts, Bicep Curls, Tricep Extensions, Shoulder Presses

Nutrition:

Breakfast - egg white omelet w/ mushrooms and asparagus

Snack - fruit, cottage cheese

Lunch - Salad, olives, turkey, cheese

Dinner - Eggplant, Veal, Chicken, Tomatoes, too much wine

Dessert - thin crust cheese and tomato pizza, sick i know.

Day Forty Recap

Movement:  Elliptical 30 min, push ups

Nutrition: 

Breakfast - skipped

Lunch - Lamb burger, fries, shake

Snack - soft gelled candies

Dinner - Salad, Steak and Lobster

NO DESSERT!

Day Forty One Recap

Movement:  Boot Camp

1st Exercise - 10 reps kettle bell swings each arm from waist and then from floor.  increase weight and repeat.  10 reps with 2 kettle bells, one in each arm, from waist and then from floor. 

2nd exercise - 21 squats with overhead weight, 21 push ups

3rd exercise - Four stations, two minutes at each station, one minute rest between each station.  1. squats, 2. kettle bell swings, 3. push ups, 4. chest presses.

4th exercise - Three stations, 30 reps at each station, repeat the stations 3 times, minimal rest between each, 1.  wall ball, 2.  lunges, 3. dead lifts

Nutrition:

Breakfast - scrambled eggs, fruit

Snack - Nuts

Lunch - Turkey Sandwich

Dinner - Chicken, Spinach, Carrots, wine

Day Thirty Six

Happy Monday!  This is going to be quick.  I'll be out for the next four days, so you won't be hearing from me until Friday.  Take care and have a WONDERFUL week!!

Day Thirty Six Recap

Movement:  3 mile walk

Nutrition:

Breakfast - Scrambled eggs with onion, mushrooms, 2 pcs bacon

Lunch - Steak and asparagus

Dinner - Beef Stew and red wine

Dessert - 1/2 chocolate chip cookie

Day Thirty Five

Happy Sunday!  Yesterday was a fun day.  We started off at H&R block, took the kids to Chuck E Cheese, dropped by the mall, came home and Chase and I went for a walk, I did a mini boot camp workout, and we ended the day with a family game night of Sorry.  It was nice and busy day. 

Today, Dan and I are going out for a morning walk with Chase to get some coffee.  I'm looking forward to some one on one time.  :O)  I hope that all of you have a wonderful rest of your weekend.

Day Thirty Five Recap

Movement:  3 mile walk, mini boot camp workout

Nutrition:

Breakfast - Strawberry Smoothie

Lunch - Salad

Dinner - Steak, carrots, asparagus, red wine

Dessert - 1/2 cookie

Goal for the week: 

Maintain good nutrition while traveling to NYC.
Continue to practice kettle bell raises and squats.

Day Thirty Four

Happy Saturday!  It's been a crazy work week.  I am so glad the weekend is here!  Last night was another great boot camp workout.  I even came home and steam cleaned the carpets.  I feel energized!!

Boot Camp Recap
1st exercise - 50 wall ball
2nd exercise - deadlifts - 10,6,3,3 singles
3rd exercise - rowing - 300M 1:24, 300M 109.1, 300M 111.1
4th exercise - how many kettle bell swings on each arm in 10 min?  81, my goal is 150.
5th exercise - same exercise as the 1st on day 32, but with a 15lb dumb bell.  alternating with 20 assisted dips, repeat 2 times.

I hope that all of you have a wonderful weekend!  I feel strong.  I feel good, and I'm starting to like my body again for the first time in a long time.

Day Thirty Four Recap

Movement:  Boot Camp

Nutrition: 

Breakfast - Raspberry Smoothie with fish oil

Snack - Non fat Cappuccino

Snack - apple with string cheese

Lunch - Green Tofu Curry

Dinner - hamburger (no bun) w/ cheese, grilled onions and mushrooms, steamed cauliflower