Date:

05 May 2003

Time:

18:24:31

Todays Journal

Cardio in the Morning. Assessment next Monday. And I’m not sure what to say anymore. If anyone has any tips, please send me an email.

Date:

06 May 2003

Time:

22:53:52

Todays Journal

It’s 8:45PM and this is the first time I’ve had to even sit down since I got home from work. Tomorrow is another day like this and I’m wondering how I’m going to fit my workouts in this week. I think tomorrow’s cardio tonight, today’s workout tomorrow morning and tomorrow’s workout on Thursday.

Date:

07 May 2003

Time:

23:41:08

Todays Journal

Well, I didn’t manage to get my cardio done last night. But I did manage to get up earlier today to do my leg workout. It went well, but not excellently. I was a bit concerned I wouldn’t have enough time to finish before I had to get ready to go to work. So I’m still a cardio session and one workout short. I plan on doing the cardio tomorrow morning and the workout in the afternoon.

And Tracy, thanks for the email. I never thought that many would care much about the challenges and struggles that I faced; I figured it might come across as complaining. But, I’ve not abandoned that tack, in fact, I’m planning one of my most honest journals for some time next week. For those that like to read, look for it next Tuesday or Wednesday.

Until tomorrow.

Date:

08 May 2003

Time:

23:50:32

Todays Journal

Did it. Got both cardio and the missed workout in today. And I want to thank Neaghn for the quotes she’s been sending us. As a collector of quotes, these will surely be added to my collection.

Date:

09 May 2003

Time:

19:45:02

Todays Journal

Didn’t check my workout time table last night and missed my morning cardio today. Have to make the time somewhere else now….

Date:

10 May 2003

Time:

15:29:26

Todays Journal

Workout completed first thing in the Morning. Looking forward to getting outside later today.

Date:

11 May 2003

Time:

14:34:58

Todays Journal

Assessment tomorrow. I know I’ve gained weight, but don’t think that much of it is fat although I know that I’ve put some of that on too. Will find out tomorrow for sure. I don’t mind, really. The workouts are going well and my diet has improved so it’s just a matter of staying the course and making some adjustments.

Date:

12 May 2003

Time:

21:15:12

Todays Journal

Cardio & Assessment Day. It’s hard to believe the numbers, but Neaghn tells me that I’m down to around 13.5% body fat and have gained a bunch of lean mass. If next month shows the same success, I should hit my goal (I really should have told Neaghn this)—160lb at 12% body fat. It looks as if I’ll have to start thinking about my next goal sooner than I thought….

Date:

13 May 2003

Time:

22:49:36

Todays Journal

Leg Day. Second time going through the 3 exercise x 4 set routine. Still need to add more weight. Will ask Neaghn about some details around this on Thursday.

Date:

15 May 2003

Time:

00:13:55

Todays Journal

Today was one of those days my mind kept thinking about how much work all this heavy lifting is. It was a bit of a struggle to stay focused. I’m also finding that my grip is starting to give up before the targeted muscles are. I’m hoping that my forearms are working overtime to take on this new challenge.

Date:

15 May 2003

Time:

19:49:36

Todays Journal

Got my new plan today. Thank you, Neaghn. Will start the new rep scheme Saturday

Date:

16 May 2003

Time:

19:11:59

Todays Journal

Funny, until the day before John sent his last missive, I had been thinking of leaving the challenge too. I intended on continuing to do the same things I had been doing before and during the challenge, but I had come to think that being in the challenge was more frustrating than it was worth. These daily journals. As you can see, for the most part I’ve adopted a minimalistic attitude towards them because other than a bit of feedback once and one response to a question I posted from a now ex-challenger, it seems that unless you’re in crisis, words enter a void. My expectations for this challenge were having to be constantly lowered, and having to do that frustrated me and I was asking myself, “Why do I want to be part of a thing like that?”

My workouts are going fine. I’m happy with my results. My meals are going okay. Neaghn’s monthly pinch sessions are perversely enjoyable. The work is in the gym and in the kitchen and if those two things are done right, a lot of the rest seems to follow.

The strangest things were keeping me in the challenge though. First, the thought that some may think I’m a quitter when the caption “No longer in the Challenge” filled my spot on the challenger page and my words were inaccessible to defend my reputation. Second, that even in my disillusionment with the challenge, it may have been one thread in the tangle of reasons that kept me working the iron 4 times a week. But the thing that sustains me now are my original goals of health, wellness, and vitality and the opportunities they bring. These are the things that I always wanted and even though I am a little disappointed knowing the Bodies N’ Motion Limo will never show to pick me up to take me to my next assessment, all the frustrations should never be reasons to not do the things I really want.

So tomorrow morning, at 6:00AM, on my day off, I have a meeting with a pile of metal. There’s a challenge to complete.

Date:

17 May 2003

Time:

12:34:47

Todays Journal

Workout complete. And for Neaghn’s information, my Saturday weigh-in put me at 156.5lb and 14.5% body fat—almost the same as last Saturday’s numbers.

Date:

18 May 2003

Time:

16:35:40

Todays Journal

Shoulders and Hamstrings today. Enjoying the revised workout.

Date:

19 May 2003

Time:

13:48:40

Todays Journal

Cardio Day. Finished it up first thing in the AM. Finding myself more tired lately—not during the day, but in the evenings. Likely due to the earlier get-ups.

Date:

21 May 2003

Time:

00:04:04

Todays Journal

I must have Mysterious Back Syndrome. I’m a little sore all day and wonder if I should take Leg Day easy but I decide to work through it. Likely the toughest leg workout I’ve done in a while and now, hardly any back pain. Go figure.

Date:

21 May 2003

Time:

18:17:34

Todays Journal

Back and Bicep Day with a shot of cardio. Feeling a little tired of working out the last few days. Could have to do with it being ‘year end’ at school. While to many it may sound like wind-down time, there’s actually quite a bit of work as everything is finalized and all ends are neatly tied up and put away for the summer.

Date:

22 May 2003

Time:

22:22:34

Todays Journal

Rest Day. And I added a little afternoon nap just to make sure I got it right. :)

Date:

24 May 2003

Time:

19:03:22

Todays Journal

Chest and Tricep day. Workout went well today. Still feeling tired. Had a nap with my daughter this afternoon.

May 24, 2003 Cardio in the morning, a walk in the afternoon and again at night.

Date:

25 May 2003

Time:

14:06:58

Todays Journal

Shoulders and Hamstring Day. And in case anyone thinks that my napping with my daughter yesterday was a bit strange, she’s three years old….

Date:

26 May 2003

Time:

23:27:18

Todays Journal

Cardio only day today. I’ll be at Gator’s on Thursday. If anyone wants a barely used container of Praire Naturals Greens, give me a quick email and it’s yours for free. I’ll also be bringing back a scale I purchased there too. If Sergio won’t take it back without a receipt, it’s anyones for the asking.

Date:

27 May 2003

Time:

22:19:43

Todays Journal

Leg Day. In spite of increased poundage, my workout went easier than last week. That would be a good thing.

Date:

29 May 2003

Time:

00:32:29

Todays Journal

Back and Bicep Day. I can’t say I’ve had an excellent back workout yet. I seem to be pushing myself as much as I can, but the muscles don’t seem to be fatigued the next day in the same way as some of the other ones are. But I’m sure my back’s day will come.

Date:

29 May 2003

Time:

18:24:56

Todays Journal

Rest Day. Gator’s tonight.

Date:

30 May 2003

Time:

18:35:25

Todays Journal

Cardio Day. Glad I went to Gator’s last night. More to come later.

Date:

01 Jun 2003

Time:

00:15:57

Todays Journal

Chest and Tricep Day. Pushed it a bit with good results.

Date:

01 Jun 2003

Time:

14:45:06

Todays Journal

Shoulders and Hamstrings. The shoulders got a pretty good workout today. I’m almost up to the weights I used years ago when I stopped working out.

Date:

02 Jun 2003

Time:

23:14:22

Todays Journal

I learned something about the way I approach weight training—conservative and calculated. For the longest time I would add just a bit more weight, keeping the reps up, trying to settle in to what might be the ideal weight. Lately, I’ve been slapping more on and finding that in some exercises, I wasn’t lifting as much as I could have.

Date:

03 Jun 2003

Time:

23:41:10

Todays Journal

Had a good leg workout in the afternoon and a great walk later on. Beautiful evening.

Date:

05 Jun 2003

Time:

00:10:45

Todays Journal

Did my cardio and biceps in the morning and my back in the afternoon. I’m finding myself a little unmotivated to be working out inside when the weather is so nice outside so I’m trying to get more of my workouts done in the early AM so I can enjoy the warm and sunny PM’s.

Date:

05 Jun 2003

Time:

22:26:33

Todays Journal

Rest Day and the day my back is sore today. Not the day I'm working out with heavy weights or anything, but spasms today at doing an insignificant chore. Go figure…. This has likely been my top personal frustration during this challenge and makes me question whether this constant on and off back pain will ever go away. The irony of the whole situation is that at 170 lb and 20% body fat my back was just fine. Down to 160ish and 13% body fat, and, well, you know the rest. I'd swear but foul language (does that include references to birds?) is strictly prohibited.

Date:

07 Jun 2003

Time:

01:12:44

Todays Journal

Cardio Day. Went for a walk.

Date:

07 Jun 2003

Time:

23:51:10

Todays Journal

Chest and Triceps. The heat evaporated some of the motivation usually there going into a workout. Can’t say I gave 100%, but close. I’ve got to make sure I get up at my usual time and get the workout done while the house is at its coolest.

Date:

08 Jun 2003

Time:

12:52:15

Todays Journal

Shoulders and Hamstrings. Started the workout around 7 AM. Much more pleasant temperature today than yesterday!

Date:

10 Jun 2003

Time:

00:38:25

Todays Journal

Eased in to the week with an AM cardio session. Wondering what’s going on with our last assessment….

Date:

10 Jun 2003

Time:

18:29:59

Todays Journal

Quads and Calves. Extremely busy time of the year for me, being year end at school. I find that I’m eating things that I shouldn’t be. It was good having Coral in the challenge too as there were basically none of those kinds of things in the house during that time. Now that it’s getting close to over, Coral is doing more baking/buying in that department and I find it extraordinarily hard to resist when junk is close at hand.

Date:

12 Jun 2003

Time:

18:54:19

Todays Journal

Rest Day. The only exercise today will be kicking up my heels with Coral and the Maid from Manhattan.

June 11th, 2003 Back and Bicep Day. Not the greatest workout. Was interrupted halfway through and had to pick up the other half later. Hard to get back into the second half.

Date:

13 Jun 2003

Time:

20:53:57

Todays Journal

Cardio Day. Still feeling tired. Two more days of dealing with students. After that, I’ll have no excuses!

Date:

14 Jun 2003

Time:

09:55:25

Todays Journal

Chest and Triceps—and all done for the day! Looking forward to my next assessment. I’m thinking it’s not going to go as well as last time, but we’ll see.

Date:

15 Jun 2003

Time:

12:25:08

Todays Journal

Shoulders and Hamstrings. Pretty good workout today. Hoping my assessment doesn’t show a fat increase. I’ve modified my breakfasts for the last two weeks, getting rid of some ‘healthy’ cereals we had stockpiled. I much prefer my brown rice ‘pudding’ for breakfast, but I hate to see all that other food go to waste. Depending on how things go tomorrow, we’ll have to tread the straight and narrow for the next little while.

Date:

17 Jun 2003

Time:

00:08:23

Todays Journal

Cardio Day. And was almost set to do some paddling around False Creek, but who’d have guessed that Ecomarine would close at 6 o’clock on one of the sunniest and longest days of the year?

Date:

17 Jun 2003

Time:

19:47:45

Todays Journal

Quads and Calves. Finished in the AM. A pretty good workout, although I’m going to need to get some new equipment if I want to continue to challenge those muscles.

Date:

18 Jun 2003

Time:

18:11:25

Todays Journal

Back and Biceps. Thought I had achieved extraordinary gains this week only to discover on my second set of lat pull downs that I had the pin in the wrong slot….

Date:

19 Jun 2003

Time:

19:37:35

Todays Journal

Rest Day. I’m going to try making energy bars using a recipe my wife got at the Dragon Boat Festival. Main ingredients are tofu and oatmeal which doesn’t sound too promising, but I’m going to give it a shot.

Date:

21 Jun 2003

Time:

09:33:34

Todays Journal

Chest and triceps. Workout went well. Still getting up early to get workouts done in spite it was my day off and a big part of me was wanting to be in bed, sleeping in. I keep hoping that this feeling will go away soon, but it seems like the last two weeks or so have been one of me having to make a conscious decision to get to the weights and, while there, having to deal with the intruding thoughts of, “Gee, these things sure are heavy.” Hopefully Monday’s pinch session will squeeze out some of those voices….

June 20th, 2003 Cardio Day. Wanted to make it to Gator’s today, but wasn’t able to attend. I’m guessing it was a pretty good meeting.

Date:

22 Jun 2003

Time:

13:00:50

Todays Journal

Shoulder and Hamstrings. It seems that I’ve hit some sort of plateau. Looking at my results for the last few weeks, it seems as if I make a gain, it’s maybe only by one rep. While sometimes it’s hard to adopt the attitude, I should at least be thankful for that one rep….

Date:

23 Jun 2003

Time:

20:41:58

Todays Journal

If I wake up late on a Cardio Day and vow to myself to do it later, but then I see Neaghn and she cuts the Cardio from my plan, is it still Cardio Day? And Neaghn, I’m sure Coral didn’t tell you I hunted high and low for the low fat snacks….

Date:

24 Jun 2003

Time:

09:28:43

Todays Journal

Quad and Calf Day. Not feeling well lately. On & off nausea, but got the workout completed regardless. Assessment was good news, although it seems hard to believe that I’m down to 7% body fat. Which means the goal I set out to accomplish at the beginning of the challenge has been achieved and the only thing left to do is get my body over 160lbs with a low body fat and all my expectations would have been achieved.

Date:

26 Jun 2003

Time:

17:59:15

Todays Journal

Back and Biceps. Was hoping to come home and have a nap before working out, but those with children know how even the best laid plans rarely seem to get laid. Just letting a bit of food digest and then will get down to business.

June 25th, 2003 Was supposed to work out but was exhausted after coming home from work. Will make it up tomorrow.

Date:

27 Jun 2003

Time:

18:59:33

Todays Journal

My plan has changed, so I’m ‘on’ only three times a week. Tomorrow is my first day doing drop sets. Will write about how it went.

Date:

28 Jun 2003

Time:

09:18:19

Todays Journal

Lower Body (Drop Sets). The workout definitely went faster, which is a plus. Couldn’t drop set my squats as the squat attachment on my home gym is rather pathetic. If anyone has a power rack they’d like to sell, send me an email.

Date:

30 Jun 2003

Time:

10:21:02

Todays Journal

Upper Body: Drop Sets. Not sure whether I’m liking this or not. My weight set has spin collars and it seems I spend a lot of time spinning off, spinning on. But, I will continue and see how it goes. It’s the results we’re after.

June 29th, 2003 Rest Day. Sort of missing the Cardio.

Date:

01 Jul 2003

Time:

09:58:56

Todays Journal

Rest Day.

Date:

02 Jul 2003

Time:

23:01:26

Todays Journal

Was to do Lower Body but missed it because I couldn’t get myself out of bed this morning and was obliged to look after the kids all day. I’ll get it done first thing tomorrow AM.

Date:

03 Jul 2003

Time:

12:41:57

Todays Journal

Lower Body “Make-Up” Day. It didn’t seem like a great workout, but it must have gone well because I had difficulty making it up the stairs after. I seem to be drifting a bit, mentally, when it comes to being enthusiastic about getting to the weights. I’m not sure what it is—tired? Not visibly seeing results in the mirror? Not seeing great strength gains? ???

Date:

04 Jul 2003

Time:

11:02:27

Todays Journal

Upper Body Day. Had a better sleep last night which helped the workout go a bit better. Still had to coax myself to the weights though. Yesterday was a bit of a bomb, food wise. Not an H-Bomb, mind you. Pizza and a Slurpee for supper. This wasn’t exactly the way I wanted to finish up the challenge; I’m usually a very strong finisher. Well, it didn’t kill me and there’s still today and tomorrow….

Date:

05 Jul 2003

Time:

16:17:04

Todays Journal

Rest Day. Eating back on track.

Date:

06 Jul 2003

Time:

17:18:09

Todays Journal

Lower Leg Day. A good workout, but I sure would like a incline leg press machine or a power rack. Hard to come by either of these for a good price.

Date:

07 Jul 2003

Time:

11:01:52

Todays Journal

Rest Day. Will go for a walk with my boy though. Gotta enjoy the sun while it’s here.

Date:

08 Jul 2003

Time:

15:59:04

Todays Journal

Was at Gator’s yesterday picking up some more supplies. Sergio asked me if I learned much from this challenge and I said ‘no’ as I had been quite into fitness in my teens and twenties but then I quickly realized that in spite of the knowledge I had, I wasn’t doing it and had become unfit. So a more appropriate answer to Sergio’s question should have been something more like, “I’ve learned how to make the time to apply what I knew.” After all, what good is knowledge just sitting on a shelf?

Date:

09 Jul 2003

Time:

20:48:58

Todays Journal

Rest Day. Although being at home with the kids all day makes me more tired than working all day….

Date:

10 Jul 2003

Time:

10:36:43

Todays Journal

Lower Body Day. Still working out faithfully, but midmorning now. Was a little easier getting it done first thing in the morning when I had to get up for work. Getting more sleep now though! Hopefully that will help pack on a few extra pounds

Date:

11 Jul 2003

Time:

11:03:06

Todays Journal

Rest Day. Hope to get out for a bike ride with the kids (pull them in a trailer). Coral and I went out a couple of days ago and I realized how much I miss being on my bike

Date:

12 Jul 2003

Time:

13:28:55

Todays Journal

Upper Body. A good workout today. Had a bit of pain in the thumb joint (of there abouts) while doing reverse flyes. Stopped, tried a few after the workout and the pain was absent but thought I’d not take a chance. Left it for next time.

Date:

15 Jul 2003

Time:

18:34:36

Todays Journal

I’m home now and will be starting my Lower body workout as soon as I get off the computer. It is great to be home in a house that has windows allowed to be open…. I don’t think I ever drank so much water before.

July 14th, 2003 Lower Body day, but I’m in Seattle and will do the workout when I return home tomorrow.

July 13th, 2003 Rest Day. Went to Seattle with my family to visit Coral’s brother for a few days. Always hard to keep to the food plan when you’re away from your home. Tried to keep to the low fat, adequate protein, 6 meals a day plan.

Date:

16 Jul 2003

Time:

10:45:17

Todays Journal

Morning Upper Body Workout completed. A pretty good workout. I can’t remember the last time I worked up such a sweat

Date:

17 Jul 2003

Time:

12:59:07

Todays Journal

Rest Day. Got a bit of cardio happening this morning cutting the lawn. May cycle out to Ocean Park later with Coral and the kids.

Date:

18 Jul 2003

Time:

12:57:27

Todays Journal

Lower Body Day. Didn’t make it to Ocean Park yesterday, but got a good walk in. Also, I figured out a way to adjust my waist belt so doing squats on my home gym would be more comfortable, but I’m still looking for an alternative where I can use more weight.

Date:

19 Jul 2003

Time:

21:48:46

Todays Journal

Rest Day. Didn’t do much in terms of exercise today. Looking after the kids all day.

Date:

20 Jul 2003

Time:

14:25:33

Todays Journal

Upper Body Day. Feeling more motivated and energetic now. Thought I was headed into some kind of weight training abyss for a while there. Was worried I was going to end the challenge on a down note, but feeling better that things are looking up for the end. Finished my essay. Forgot to put my name at the end of it but assume that the powers that be somehow have attached my email address to it. Have missed Neaghn’s quotes this week.

Date:

21 Jul 2003

Time:

12:05:02

Todays Journal

Rest Day. Going to head in to work today for a bit to do a little bit of prep for September. Missing the Cardio. Think I’ll pick it up again after the challenge

Date:

22 Jul 2003

Time:

20:50:33

Todays Journal

Another deviation in the challenge? I was looking through the information we received at the beginning of the challenge and read that only the top 10 would be writing the 1000 word essay. Either Coral and I made it to the top 10 or the rules have changed again and everyone has been asked to write it. Would be a miracle if I made the top 3, unless “Pain in the Rump” is a category.

I’m also betting it’s a done deal. Would it be a surprise if Robert, Kerry, or one of the other two people featured in the new “Challenge” poster didn’t place first or take all top four positions? I know, I know, it’s not about the prizes. They’ve all done a great job, judging from their pictures and I’ve lost the fat I wanted and am on my way to my other goals. Its just that I was looking forward to our ‘last night together’ but now that the results are all but known, where’s the surprise, the anticipation, the excitement? And if BnM needs someone who’s a stickler for details, well, they know where to find me.

I changed up one of my shoulder exercises the other day. They obviously had not been worked much from that angle before—a bit sore today. Tried a few new exercises for fun. Gentle pull in the hamstrings from lunges.

Date:

23 Jul 2003

Time:

14:08:52

Todays Journal

Those lunges were quite deceptive. Both hamstrings feeling like they’ve been given a gigantic workout. Leg curls obviously don’t get all the muscle back there. Read the final essays that have made it to the website. Many good words. Overall, it looked as if everyone had similar, yet separate journeys.

Date:

24 Jul 2003

Time:

20:26:15

Todays Journal

The last assessment is tomorrow, the final exam. This is no test that you can cram for, I suppose. Even then, I think I put a bit more sweat into today’s workout. I’m hoping that the lack of cardio this month didn’t send my fat levels up too much.

Date:

25 Jul 2003

Time:

18:51:10

Todays Journal

In spite of no cardio this month, fat is down a bit and weight up. A respectable result, I’d say. Now that I’ve officially finished, there are a few words I would have liked to add to my final essay. I suppose there is always more we could add as we’re always learning new things each day.

Anyway, this is it. It’s been interesting. Thanks to all who made the challenge possible—Neaghn, Phyllis, Sergio, Patrick, and John. Best of luck to present and future challengers: may all the hopes and dreams you never thought possible come true. See you all at the final presentation.

May 3

Worked out at a gym today, for a change of pace. I still like working out from home more--easier to focus on the workout. Used different equipment than usual so hard to tell, but I don't think it was as productive as could have been.

May 2

Went for a nice bike ride today. Cycling weather doesn’t get much better than this.

May 1

Rest & Recuperation Day. Went for a walk with my family to my in-law’s place. Enjoyed the sunshine.

[ Return to Top ]

March 5th

Considering I've got my consultation with John tomorrow, I thought it would be prudent to start journaling today. I'm not so much afraid of him yelling at me for not starting the journal yet but more so of him taking me into the gym for a leg workout demo and 'encouraging me' to feel the burn....To those who have been diligently writing, I'm impressed. Not knowing what to write about would have left me musing about how the challenge hasn't been quite what I've expected. But we'll save all that for other late night ponderings.

But I do realize that a change was necessary. My father passed away from heart disease in his mid fifties and me turning 40 this year with 2 young kids and a great wife left me a tad fearful that history might repeat itself and I'd miss all those years with the people who are the most important to me.

And I apologize to all who bared their breasts in the photos (well, the men, at least). I work in a high school and I didn't know what reaction I would get from either my employer or the students. If you remember high school, you'll understand.

My big disappointment so far: I started exercising about 3 months ago to prepare for the challenge and my Tanita fat scale said I was down to 17.5% bodyfat. My assessment porked me out at 22. I doubt that the half bag of cheezies I ate today will help me in that regard, but as I didn't think I'd see them on John's menu for me tomorrow, I thought I'd treat myself to that rare indulgence this one last time. And I hate to say it, but they were good. Now why can't anyone make healthy food taste like that?

March 6

Am a little discourage when I read in my plan that I've chosen a goal that is difficult: to lose fat while gaining muscle mass. Will still shoot to get into the 'excellent' bodyfat range by the end of the 16 weeks though, and hope that my socks will still have something to hang onto when it's over. As far as the meal plans, I was actually getting quite hungry when reading them. I hope it's because of the extremely tasty chicken recipes and not because of the lack of food it seems to provide. All I know is that ever since I started exercising a couple of months ago in preparation for this challenge, I'm always hungry. Seems like the worst possible week to have to get ready for this challenge. I wish I would have postponed today's meeting with John until next week. I feel like I'm already behind and I haven't hardly started yet. And to the woman whose husband brought home the McDonald food and ate it in front of you, may you win the trip, take your husband on a grand holiday and make him stay in the hotel.

March 8

Before the challenge, my routine was to do 10 minutes on the exercise bike in the morning. Wasn’t much, but it got me going in the morning and helped with my initial weight loss. This morning, I wanted to do the 10 minutes, but “The Plan” says not to mess with the 30 minutes, 3X per week. Who would have ever guessed that someone would miss getting up earlier to exercise? And hey,     I lost a pound.

March 16

I’m at a conference for three days, and our delegation has the best snack committee in the province, and I think I’m in trouble.  Last night I ate more M&M’s than I know I’m supposed to and there is more decadence to come.  This was my biggest concern last week.  But early today I told a healthy someone my worries and she was able to keep the whole thing light-hearted as bowl after bowl of restricted treats made their way past me.  I couldn’t resist entirely, but I made it through with only a small occasional nibble.  Eating in restaurants for the next three days will be a

challenge too.  I have a small cooler that I will keep my midmorning and afternoon snacks in, but the rest, I’ll just do my best.  It helps that I may have lost 5 pounds last week—it gives me a (poor) excuse to indulge a bit, but also concern that overeating may pack on pure fat.   The hotel has a good exercise facility.  I did cardio today.

 March 17

I’m keeping as close to the eating plan as possible.  It is not easy when you eat out all the time.  Most restaurants are making substitutions (veggies for pasta or potatoes) and this helps a bit.  While I am eating portions a little bigger than I normally do, I am sticking strong to my resolve to leave the table a little hungry.     My upper body workout went well, although since I was using equipment entirely different than at home, it was hard to judge how well.  I did cardio again today.  It isn’t on my plan, but neither were those M&M’s from Saturday.

 March 18

In all, “The Plan” is going pretty good.  I’ve been doing my cardio workout on a stationary bike with a built-in heart rate monitor.  It monitors your rate and keeps you in the desired zone.  These are the kinds of gadgets guys need to make exercise fun.     Always preferring to exercise at home, I’ve never been in a gym so when I read about “Gym Etiquette” in our plans I thought it was all a bit overstated.  But Day One at the hotel confirmed how common bad manners must

be as one guy dropped weights, slammed weight stacks and grunted away.  Another guy, who looked in shape, limited his range of motion to about 15 degrees as he flailed around on the machines most likely an attempt to impress the “Spandex Girl” on the treadmill.  I was also surprised by the guy drinking coffee while biking, another interesting concept: drinking diuretics while sweating your butt off! 

March 19

Being away from home for a few days, wife at work, me home with two kids and having a bunch of errands to do left me doing my leg work out late tonight.  I do not like doing that but once done, am content that it is at least done.  My meals are now back to ‘normal’.

March 20

Getting up in the mornings seem easier these days; the cravings for more sleep, the rolling over and wishing the morning away, diminished. It helps that I’m getting to bed earlier, eating better and exercising more too, I’m sure. But maybe what’s making the AM’s more friendly are the morning workouts that are moving me towards the goal I’ve set for myself. I couldn’t wait to weigh myself until Saturday to know the answer to the question of how far I may have slid during the last 4 days. Had Coral not told me she lost weight, I’d have waited. I’ll give the update on

March 21

Arm Day. It’s great being home for Spring Break, getting to my workouts before the kids get up. I don’t know how to interpret this, but I’m hardly sore after a workout in spite of pushing myself to failure, though my triceps experienced some initial soreness because I hadn’t included them in my “Pre-Challenge” routine. I suppose this is where a personal trainer would be handy—to get those few extra reps out of you just when you think you’re done. Anyway, I’m still getting used to the new routine, adding weight and ensuring that I keep the movements slow, so I should have a better idea of how my muscles are reacting to “The Plan” in a couple of weeks. I just hope John doesn’t change things completely around.

March 22

(Disclaimer: First, I don’t work for Tanita, and secondly, the scales don’t actually measure body fat but something else that supposedly correlates to body fat and lastly, the reading I got from my assessment was about 5% different from what my scale read. I’m basing my numbers on my scale assuming it will correlate with my BnM assessments.) I lost a ½ pound this week, in spite of the 4 day conference. But according to my Tanita Fat Scale I lost quite a bit of muscle the week before that. What’s the point of losing weight if it’s mostly muscle? This ticks me off considerably considering the week I lost the most lean mass was the one I followed “The Plan” the strictest. For those of you now skinny dipping in your clothes, you may not care, but at 5’ 10” and 155.5 pounds now, I care lots.I bought a new pair of pants yesterday, 2” smaller at the waist, the size I wore for the greater part of my adult life. They were a bit snug, but they fit.

March 23

Just as I say I’m more energetic in the morning, I’m tired when I wake up again. :( Leg Day. Squats are going better as the knee is not bothering me much anymore, therefore am able to work my weights up.

March 24

I’m tired today and feel sluggish. I was having difficulties keeping up with my wife, pushing a stroller with 2 kids in it, on our walk to get groceries. Met Sergio today and got another carton of egg whites. Sounds like there will be a good crowd on Saturday. I’m looking forward to seeing what’s left of the other challengers.

March 25

I was tired today and thought my workout was going to be pointless, especially since I didn't get to it until 5:15. But surprisingly, it went well. I finally made it to Garcha Brothers and got 5 pounds of chicken. I am wondering what price is the 'standard' price others are getting, one question I'll be asking on Saturday. Anyway, Coral cooked it all up and it's ready to add to our meals.

March 26

I think my body is trying to psyche me out. It's been acting tired lately, as if in energy-saving mode. It didn't even want to eat its full rations for lunch. But as soon as I need the gas (i.e. to workout) it's there. I have a sense my Saturday weigh-in will not be dramatic because of this, and with 2 weeks until my next assessment!

March 27

I don't know why, but my appetite doesn't get insatiable until late afternoon. Leg workout went well today.

March 28

Cardio Day. These are the easy days as my plan only requires me to stay in the fat burning zone. I have to hold back as I want to get the heart really pumping. I'd love to start training for the Mount Saint Helens Ride (Tour de Blast) but that would likely have to change my plan considerably. At first, all I wanted was to get leaner, but now that I'm getting there, I'd like to do something with it.

March 29

Weigh-in Day. Lost another pound and a half, and it looks as if it was all fat. That's what I like to see happen. I've switched my morning and afternoon snack around as it meets my time restraints better and does a better job of keeping the hungries away longer in the afternoon. I didn't ask John, so we'll see what he says now that he knows.. Did my 'long' workout first thing in the morning today and it went great in spite of throwing off my eating schedule all day.

March 30

Went to the meeting at Gators last night and found the tip on preparing meals based on carb, protein and fat breakdowns particularly helpful. John said something that I may have misunderstood, and would appreciate some clarification. And to do this, I must break my promise not to talk about being hungry.

I can tolerate discomfort. Among other things, I used to bicycle long distances, at times in the mountains in summer's heat, and I know what pushing limits are. I fed and hydrated my body to the best of my ability and knew the rest was only going to happen by will and determination. So when I say "I AM HUNGRY," I am not some spoiled, bratty, South Surrey, privileged kid who has decided that giving up Mocha Latte's, Swiss chocolate treats, and Chardonnay is for another class. When I say that I am hungry, I am at my limit of coping without food. And while I know that even then I could continue to deny myself food, I'd have to deal with my mind constantly falling into the big, empty pit in my stomach wondering when it will get to eat next. And while I understand that even this could be a worthwhile and enlightening exercise, I also I want to create a lifestyle that I can maintain.

Why I say this, is because I already feel a bit guilty for occasionally cheating on my plan and have maybe misunderstood John when I heard that those who follow the plan exactly will (and this is the part that I'm not sure I understood right) either not have cravings, will feel satisfied or whatever. I wanted to scream but let my blood pressure raise instead. The fact is, the only time I feel 'satisfied' is when I do a poor job of making the food taste good and my taste buds, my stomach and my brain are so weary of the food that they just don't want any more. "Take another bite of that and we'll puke it out", they say. But when it tastes good, I crave more. My hunger levels are the same, predictable, day to day. I know something is off center when after I eat a full meal, my body says, "So, when are you going to eat?" So then I'm not only feeling guilty about cheating, but then made to feel worse about being hungry. This is what set me off.

In retrospect, I could have jumped at the hint that my calorie intake be raised (I take it that this would have been done before the 2nd assessment). That was my responsibility, and rather than trying to tough it out and nibbling my way through my hankerings, I could have eaten more and had a more accurate 2nd assessment. Still, it would have helped if someone more experienced in these matters insisted. And while I'm at it, I may as well get it all out as this other thing is interfering with my progress in the challenge. In some cases, it is even the justification to snack or not to push myself as hard as I know I can in my workouts.

I had already started an exercise program when the challenge was first advertised and was having success with it. Seeing the challenge as an opportunity to enhance that success, I put 100% (you can't give more than that unless you failed math :) ) into my application for this challenge. I made sure I developed the habit of doing some cardio every morning, dragging me, a 'non-morning-person,' out of bed to make sure it got done. I formulated a plan so that I'd have a good base from which to start. There is no doubt in my mind that the challenge has helped me focus on what's needed and needs to be done, but having given my dedication to the challenge, my overly sensitive sense of justice leaves me feeling that I have not been given the same, hence my sporadic justification for not  following the plan 100%. The challenge was advertised as a $6000 package for all participants. 

Having a pretty good sense of numbers, I imagined gym membership, assessments, some personal training, supplements, possibly team clothing and  a whole gaggle of fat and thin people all perspiring away trying to out-do  each other. The meeting in Delta put that notion aside somewhat, but I  thought, well, maybe this is to dissuade those who are in it only for the fringe benefits-those that truly want it will stay in and the surprises  would come. What we get are regular assessments, a plan, and some support. And thus the challenge to accept reality, the opportunity that is available, and to be grateful that even if I am upset about the way the  whole things started, the benefits to my fitness level will be there at the  end if I follow the plan.

 And as a very last point (other than: where are the 'compulsory'  journals of some First Wavers?), I wonder why my plan says that I should weigh myself daily when we're told not to weigh ourselves daily? As a teacher, these kinds of things drive me as crazy as a dedicated personal trainer would be hearing someone say they are getting all their protein  requirements from Schneider's Ball Park Wieners. Enough said. Cardio day. And my heart was in it.

March 31

While my abs are far from ripped, I can make out their outline from under the thinning layer of fat. And it's uncomfortable to sit on a hard surface now. With the padding gone, I'm going to have to start focusing on those glutes. Or carry around a cushion. :)