Great to be in SHAPE!!

Saturday, April 24, 2010

My friend and I had a great workout being amateur loggers last Wednesday. I have a lot on the Washington Long Beach Peninsula that has many trees on them. The associations CC & R's require only a 24 foot height level limit. My plan was to just trim the trees down to conforming height but after climbing up my ladder with my "running" chainsaw I felt a true sense of danger lurking all around me. Remember I said earlier I am an amateur? So in my wisdom and expertise of cutting trees down to a stump, that is what I preceded to do. Better to cut tree limbs off on the ground and not my own limbs while on a ladder. All the trees, 8 of them, fell right where I meant for them to land. (That is the story I am sticking with) I cut, and my friend cleaned/dragged out the debris. In the over 4 hours we took a 10 min. break. We hustled. At the end of the 4 hours I felt tired but not exhausted. I guess I should speak for myself because my friend was jokingly, I think, saying I would not stop and rest longer. The only time we rested , separate from the 10 min. break, was to fill the chainsaw with gas and bar oil. Otherwise I was wielding a chainsaw making chips fly, cutting tree limbs and wood.

Bottom line is I got more of a workout than most of my workouts at the gym. I would estimate I must have burned over 2500 calories. I am happy to report I have all my limbs and so does my friend. Best workout I have had in a long time. I have the sore muscles and the bruises to show for it. (I didn't say I was graceful) Now I have a lot with a debris pile almost 100 foot long X 15 food wide X 10 foot high. I hope I still have my friend when it is time to clean it up. Since I can legally have a fire pit 4'X4'X3' I figure if I have 20 campfires and a lot of wieners we can have a roast we should be able to get ride of that debris pile in a hurry. At least that will be my story to the fire department when they are putting out the neighbors house fire. I am just kidding about the house fire.
Today I feel great and even put in almost 2 hours in the gym. I want to saw more trees!!! But I don't have any more.

The guy in the picture is my friend. Or at least he was my friend.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

SIZE5MOTIVATED 4/28/2010 6:34PM

That's halarious & also very entertainning! I'm so glad that you & youre friend still have all youre limbs & congratulations on the hard workout with the tree sawing & everything! I bet that was one of the best ever, that is realy hard & vigerous work! My dad used to do that stuff a lot in our yard, we had 7 acres of woods surrounding our house! Good job & keep up the amazing work at the gym too. I would never have been able to do that after that previous day of tree cutting. Report Inappropriate Comment

DARLENEK04 4/24/2010 4:33PM

Woohoo, way to go Chuck....I got my workout today running from one door to the other and then window to window and back to the tv .......... watching the weather. Watching the radar, I think the worst of it was in Mississippi and is going to blow over us. Glad you got your trees "trimmed" and had help too... Darlene Report Inappropriate Comment

DDHEART 4/24/2010 7:47AM

Great exercise and a feeling of accomplishment...sounds like a win/win! Report Inappropriate Comment

MUNCHIEMAGS 4/24/2010 2:23AM

Good job . . . last time you went up there to take care of the trees you weren't in as good of shape and you suffered for days. And I thank John for helping you out - it kept me from having to do it!!! Report Inappropriate Comment

Sore Muscles

Monday, April 12, 2010

I have been working out hard, in my humble opinion, for the past 3 months and I am still sore everyday. I try to change my workouts from cardio lower body, then upper body, and the same with strength exercises. I have taken 2 days off in a row at times resting and healing to no avail. The 2 days rest take away some of the soreness but not all. Maybe I am working out to vigorous. About 80 % of my cardio is on the treadmill and 20% with the rowing machine and recumbent bike.
The treadmill I practice my C25K, currently on W5D2 of CoolRunning, for the allotted time then finish off with a walk at a fast pace, 3.8 mph, for the remainder of 65 min.

Once I get started on my exercises the soreness disappears, but the instant I stop...there it is again. I think I may start working out harder and longer. The soreness is mainly in my calf's and hips. I stretch after every session. I need to remember to stretch during my exercise a couple of time, which I do not do now. My reasoning is that I still need more challenging conditioning to get myself in better shape.
I'll see how that works out for me?

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

HARRINGTON5 4/23/2010 10:00AM

It does sound like you are already working hard. Are you stretching after your exercises? That is important. It is good that you are mixing things up. If your calves are sore, you might try icing them for 15 minutes when you are finished. My Red Cross classes teach you to rest, ice, compress and elevate your legs for sore muscles. I only have to do that after long runs, but it really makes a difference for me. I hope you work this out because you are really a motivator! Report Inappropriate Comment

SIZE5MOTIVATED 4/19/2010 11:35AM

WOW! Look at you go, that's amazing work! I don't do that much exercise in a week. Youre persiverance is truely inspiring to me, i think i might hop on my Elliptical soon(even though i'v already done an hour & something long speed-walk already.) I agree with you about stretching before & after youre workouts. I think that would probably help a lot, try taking an extra strength Tylenol about 30 minutes before youre stretches. That should realy help too. Keep up the great work! Report Inappropriate Comment

JUDITH1654 4/16/2010 10:38PM

Are you getting enough potassium? Drinking Green Tea? (get the organic or authentic Asian tea - Lipton is awful.) Report Inappropriate Comment

JUST_TRI_IT 4/14/2010 11:19PM

I am finding that the day of rest and the mixing up the kinds of exercises is helping some. Perhaps it is the getting old thing! Report Inappropriate Comment

DARLENEK04 4/12/2010 8:50PM

Hey Chuck, You are doing good. Maybe working a little too hard?? I am kind of interested in an Elliptical myself due to joint stress being less.. Darlene Report Inappropriate Comment

KAYAKID 4/12/2010 6:36PM

Chuck, I think what your are doing is good it might be time to add some St to your routine. As you build up the core ti will help in your recovery. when you start just make sure you don't run on consective days. Maybe do some St on those days you are not running. I was sore aot when I started too. Thats what happens when we start in our olders years. if you have access to a gym try the elliptical its great and easy on the bones and joints. Mike Report Inappropriate Comment

Natural "No-Doze"

Friday, April 09, 2010

My normal routine was to get home sit in front of the TV, eat dinner and lay around like a slug because I felt to tired and totally drained of energy. I needed to change-up my routine. It all boiled down to being bored and in a rut.
I started forcing myself to get up and get to the gym or jump on the home treadmill. If you work eat a snack just after work (before getting into the car) and head for the gym or find somewhere near work to run or exercise. (Before getting home) I am doing the Cool Running Couch to 5K (C25K) program that only takes 20 to 35 min. to complete, every other day. Once you exercise before getting home it is almost like a shot of adrenaline that keeps you going at home and not feel so rundown and tired. Working out and coupled with a snack before getting home really curbs the appetite and boost your energy levels.
Working out is the best "No-Doze" drug on the market. So change things up and get your butt out and workout and get energized, before the evening meal!!!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

SHEILAKHS1 4/9/2010 1:40PM

What a great idea...i too always hit the couch as soon as i can after a long day at work and then feel horrible the rest of the night i need to keep moving...i havent done well exercising this week and i can tell i am so sluggish i feel like i could take a nap in the middle of the day Report Inappropriate Comment

Measurments VS Scale

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

I really have a fixation on the scale and what it tells me. I tell myself it is only a small piece of the puzzle. For me the tape measurements are the heavy hitters of my main goals. So far it has been very kind to me showing the inches are melting away. However the scale is like a parent and I need its approval and validation showing me "Good Job Chuck" with its pat on my back. But sometimes the scale backhands you screaming "bad boy"!! Today is a good example of measurements vs scale. I weighed in this morning and the scale shows only 1 lbs lost!! Very discouraging since I have logged in over 1640 fitness minutes so far this month, that included C25K every other day plus other cardio and strength exercises. That is an average of 56 min. per day if I worked out every day and since I do cardio every other day I average 110 min. at each workout. My workouts are moderate to vigorous.
Now for the encouraging part; the tape measurements: Difference from 03/23/10 to 03/29/10
Waist: Loss 2.25 in.
Hips: Loss 0.50 in.
Neck: Loss 0.50 in.
Thigh: Loss 0.50 in.
Bicep: Loss 0.50 in. (Plan to add muscle later)
Calf: Increase 1.00 in. ( Maybe the running C25K increased?)
Net total for the week inches: Loss 3.25 in.

Since I started my diet, 1/1/10, and exercise program I have lost, as of 3/29/10, an aggragate total of: 22.25 ins. and 35 lbs.
Therefore I should like the tape measurements better? But I am still hooked on the validation of that SCALE!!!
VS

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

TNEWELL26 2/1/2012 6:48PM

Chuck Thanks for telling me about this blog. It is nice to know that I am not the only one who has found their self in this situation. My ultimate measurement will be when I fit into my favorite pair of Levis. I intend to try them on at the end of March. I am seriously considering not using the scales again. I have type I (Juvenile) diabetes and go to the doctor about every four months. I always get weighed at the appointments and I am thinking that for me that will be enough of the scales. I will continue to take my other measurements every month. Best wishes and thanks again. Theresa Report Inappropriate Comment

BESEENU52 6/13/2010 12:24PM

LOL! Hi! i just read your blog about your scale! and you put it soooo well! i know exactly what you mean; that scale of mine must be related to your scale cuz sometimes; i don't know; it is not very supportive of the exercise or food intake that i work so hard to keep track of! LOL! wishing you continued success!! one pound at a time!! Report Inappropriate Comment

MUNCHIEMAGS 4/2/2010 11:58PM

I think you're doing a great job . . and I'm not a bit biased just because you're my husband! Really, you are doing great. You look better & you're getting stronger & building a lot of endurance . . . as I type this you are finishing up on the treadmill. Don't worship the scale . . . I can SEE how well you're doing. Love you. Maggi Report Inappropriate Comment

SIZE5MOTIVATED 4/1/2010 9:25PM

I did that for a looooonnng time, that darn scale is a bi*** (most of the time!) Don't worry about it, youre doing great! All that exercising & eating healthy is doing wonders for you & youre heading straight to youre goals, all that exercising is just building up hidden muscle! Not to mention, i needed to remind myself was: "A Watched Pot Never Boils" well, youre scale is pretty much taunting you like everyones does & doing that exact same thing. Just forget about it for a little while & focus on youre exercising, eating & family &/or friends. Maybe you should try & only look at the scale every 2 weeks "just for a little bit". Youre realy impressive by keeping up youre persiverance & i hope i can do the same, i'm right there with you & my stupid "backhanding scale! LOL." We can do it, let's just keep on trying! Report Inappropriate Comment

Cheat Day's A Sabotage??

Friday, February 19, 2010

I found this title on one of the message boards. I believe it is a haunting question that plagues a great percentage of dieters. I believe that cheat days are a sabotage of eating habits I have been trying diligently to build for a future lifestyle change. If I "cheat" with food I am trying to put in my past it is akin to an alcoholic falling off the wagon to take one drink/s on a predetermined day. One cheat day leads to another, and more often than not it leads to another then another...and then we're back on the food merry-go-round. I have been down this road to many times. I am certainly no puritan because I will cheat from time to time, but I will not set up an actual regular weekly cheat day. There is one exception however, see last paragraph)
When I hit my goal, and I will, I will go out and have an In-N-Out burger (maybe 2,3,4...??) At that time I will be on my 10,000+ mile motorcycle road trip. While in California I need an infusion of In-N-Out Burgers (Double-Doubles). The restaurant is not located in Oregon (thankfully for me). I am reserving my cheat "time" for May 7, 2010 in Redding CA. on Dana Ave. However if I have not reached by goal by then I will have to ride on by, and it will be painful. Last year I was able to eat plenty of Double-Double burgers on my road trip and after 30 days I still lost 5 lbs. The road trip was grueling and took a lot of energy. The problem is when I got back from the trip I forgot to get back on the "diet wagon". However when I get back off coming trip I will have to put my man-pants(the ones that have willpower) back on the "Diet wagon" and "Fitness-Wagon" routine.

Equals TROUBLE!!!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

MUNCHIEMAGS 4/2/2010 11:59PM

The best burger joint in the world. . . bar none. Maggi Report Inappropriate Comment

KAYAKID 2/19/2010 9:42PM

Its very important to have goals! go for it. You can do it! Report Inappropriate Comment

JUDITH1654 2/19/2010 9:15PM

It's good to have a goal. Just keep your eyes focused on the prize!! Report Inappropriate Comment