Football Epilogue

So for he last two years or so I have been a member of a "no-frills" discount gym. The pros are easy: 24-7 access, I pay a smidgen more ($20USD per month) to be able to use any of the chain's gyms in the United States, the place has all the essentials for anyone looking to maintain fitness or just get started and is within walking distance from my house. Additionally, my membership is essentially free if I go 12 times or more in a month on account of my health insurance. I do occasionally miss the perks of a more full-service gym, or even a high school/community weight room. I belonged to a YMCA for a while and got to love swimming and sitting in a nearly intolerable steam room to do a little extra sweating. Also, childcare was available and the swimming areas had kids activities too. This came at a bit more expense and was less convenient to access as it was a further drive and the hours were limited. Today I realized I was missing the freeweights. I'm sure the l...

One of my basic tenets to trying to eat competently is to avoid added sugar as much as possible (along with getting plenty of protein and fiber). This is inherently difficult given having kids and the desire for food to be convenient, tasty and inexpensive. Oatmeal is one of my breakfast mainstays. From home I usually microwave the plain stuff, add some splenda and either cinnamon or a little baking cocoa powder (just a tiny bit). I'm less inclined to do this at work though. This has me craving those flavored oatmeal packets, particularly Maple & Brown Sugar flavored. Else, I pay $3 for a single serving at the local Caribou Coffee. This morning I think I came across "weight control" Maple & Brown Sugar oatmeal at the grocery. Only 1g of sugar per packet! (admittedly I'm a two-packet guy) I bought a box. It was surprisingly very tasty and for the moment satisfying. Also, at $3 for the box of 8 packets it's 1/4 the cost of the coffee shops.

I know it's only the first day of spring, and it's 40 degrees (F) outside, but I decided to get a 9-hole round of golf in. Besides being a little cold, it was sunny and the course was nearly empty. We're expecting >3 inches of snow tomorrow so it's good to have the opportunity. I even had a couple greens in regulation and a couple pars. I'm still a bogey-and-a-half golfer, but I accept that.    

There are few things that can tire me quicker than some high intensity interval training with my jump-rope. I remember it being the conditioning of choice for a few days during summer strength training in high school. I still even do all the silly different footwork drills as I skip (fast single skips, jumping jacks, shuffles, 2 skips per rotation or 2 rotations per skip, etc.). It makes for a fun, fast, uptempo workout if you have a rope and some open floorspace. I just did my skipping in the garage with some Stone Sour playing on the Bluetooth.

One of the things I like to do a couple/few times per year is run in a 5K-ish race. The first one of the season was this weekend and was actually a 7K entitled the "Get Lucky" 7K. It had a nice Irish theme and being a good part Irish I fit right in. I ran it in between 43 and 44 minutes which amounts to roughly a 10 minute mile. Not too shabby for a 30-something former lineman. I felt good after the run too. The only minor thing was a slight "shin splint" and a little hip-flexor strain that subsided pretty quickly. I "ran" into a high school friend and was joined by a colleague and her cousin for a post race beer. It's good to have people to hang with to  get some exercise.

...a half-way decent diet and exercise day! I feel like I've had a portion of a doughnut every day for the last two weeks. Today, no doughnuts! To summarize and take note: Morning coffee with sugar free creamer and a cup of light & fit yogurt Lunch: Fresh express ceasar salad with pre-cooked chicken added, water with a little black cherry Mio to drink Snack: 1/4 cup cashews A few of those malted milk robin's eggs (okay, not a perfect day, but didn't binge on them) Happy hour with co-workers: diet coke and one light beer (a freebie no one else wanted) Post workout protein shake and good ole H20 A couple things to note: More fruit would be nice to offset any sweet tooth Convenience food is definitely a temptation

My back sucks. I think it stems back to being taught improper squat technique in high school (or just using improper technique and not listening to the strength coach). I noticed with losing weight the instances of "tweaking" my lower back have dissipated substantially. There are also other things, like laying off of heavy squat/leg work, full decline situps, etc. and doing strengthening exercises such as planks and lots of stretching which help to having a stable core. I confess though that I've been gaining a little weight and low and behold I tweaked my lower left part of my back while working on my car this weekend. It's rather uncomfortable. I hit the gym today and cardio was challenging at first. I had to slow my jog down and lay off the lifting, but after the workout and stretching I seem to be feeling a bit better. Point being a little gym work and not overdoing it when you're hurt will really help.

Fresh Express Asian Salad with grilled chicken pieces added ~500 calories and very filling. One of the troubles with trying to eat healthy is to do it conveniently and inexpensively. Let's face it, Fresh and healthy costs a little more and is more time consuming. It requires more frequent trips to the grocery store and more prep time. I have to say that I'm lazy and don't like either option. The nearby grocery store salad bar is nice, but again I end up with the same stupid salad with a little bit of everything. This perhaps includes a short person's sneeze germs. Ultimately I have a goal of eating healthy, cheaply. I try to spend less than $5/work day on lunch, snacks. Here are a couple things that have helped: Drink water with meals. if you need your drink flavored, get some Mio or the like. Frozen "steamer" vegetables are often tasty, don't require much time to prepare and can be found on sale (in Minnesota anyway) for less than $2/package ...

I did it again. Achieved another "runner's high" while on the treadmill last night. Leading up to it was running 2 miles the day before and 3.5 miles the day before that. Last night's run was a slow pace (5.5 mph) for just 2.5 miles, but resulted in feeling great. For those non-distance running types out there, it's still nice to get that RH with modest distances.

I'm trying to get my diet back on track. I'm up a few pounds and realize I can only get back down through eating habits as I'm still hitting the gym with some good regularity. Unfortunately, everywhere I turn there seems to be chocolate. Truffles at work yesterday, chocolate covered almonds at my folks' house, ice cream sandwiches at my house (admittedly those were my fault/purchase). If there's one thing I understand about myself is, if it's there I will eat it. I think ultimately it comes down to an admission of powerlessness over this and to try accepting the cravings and finding something more filling...or at least fulfilling to do.