2.24.2007

Lazy Saturday

Running: 2.0 miles, 23.5 minutes (11.75 min/mi)
No lifting today, just running. I did get on the ass machine too. Turns out it's called "glutes" which is the effectively the same thing.

Ass machine: 110 x 12 x 3

2.23.2007

Two-a-days

So fitness is my new hobby. Well, not new so much as recommitted. I was never a runner but last last May I joined a gym for the first time in my life and really worked at improving my cardiovascular fitness. I love basketball but my lack of speed and stamina really hurt my game. I didn't realize how much until September when I started playing in a league I played in the previous year. Four months of running everyday made a huge difference in my stamina, speed, and vertical. I shouldn't call it running, it was more like a fast walk at first. Now I'm young and it was sad to be so bad at running but I do have flat feet and it makes things very hard what with shin splints and bad form and all but slowly I worked my way up.

So working out isn't exactly new to me but I recently upped the ante. For months my mom has been asking why I haven't been lifting as well as running. I knew I should for health reasons and to improve my appearance but I avoided it. I don't like lifting at the gym mostly because I bench about nothing. I'm 6' 2" and can't curl basically anything. It's embarrassing. Finally, I decided to just suck it up and develop a routine wherein most of my lifting can be done in the solitude of my basement. So in my new found spirit of fitness-ness I've decided to also transform my blog from whatever is on my mind to a chronicle of my progress. Though I know it may be slow and at first very embarrassing, many semesters of psychology and Robert Cialdini taught me documenting things make you stick to them. Plus, I already know I need numerical reinforcement I am improving because a glance in the mirror everyday just doesn't have the same effect. Progress keeps me going.

Running: 1.86 miles, 22 minutes (I think that's right)
I need to check this tomorrow. I just increased the speed from "6" to "7" on the treadmill, whatever that means. I tend to top out at 3 miles no matter what speed I go at. My knees just give out. They get weak and my form breaks down. If I go at the same speed for a while they calm down and I can increase my speed but right now I'm concentrating on a cardio workout. I think I could push myself to 4 miles if I could slow down a bunch but I'd rather increase to a faster speed and see how fast I can get the 5k down to. When I get to 3 miles I'll reassess my priorities. I can't imagine running much faster than I am now because I don't think my knees could take it.

Lifting: (It's the first day of recording so I'm going to backtrack a couple of days to get those in here too.)

Wednesday - Chest and Back
Chest Press: 80 x 10 x 3
Dumbell Fly: 10 x 12, 10 x 12, 20 x 8
Squat: 90 x 12 x 3
Wide Grip Lat Pulldown: 60 x 12 x 3
Row: 70 x 12, 80 x 12, 80 x 12

Thursday - Arms
Overhead Press: 20 x 12, 20 x 10, 20 x 10
Rear Delt: 20 x 12, 25 x 12, 25 x 12
:( Arm Curl: 20 x 12, 20 x 5, 15 x 8
Tricep Extension: 40 x 12, 40 x 12, 40 x10
Wrist Curl: 20 x 12, 25 x 12 25 x 15 (Yes, I am aware I can wrist curl more than I can bicep curl...)
Reverse Wrist Curl: 20 x 12, 20 x 9, 20 x 7

Friday - Legs (This is the workout I really need to do to improve my running and take the strain out of my knees)
Leg Press: 210 x 12, 230 x 12, 250 x 12
Leg Extension: 130 x 12 x 3
Leg Curl: 90 x 12 x 3
Rotary Calf: 130 x 12 x 3
Ass Machine ( I don't know it's real name. Couldn't use it. Too many people on it.)

All in all not a bad week. I'm giving it three weeks before I see any results but I think it'll be surprising when I'm running in the morning and lifting at night. I'm very optimistic. Given my stagnant girlfriend situation, it's a good way to spend my time. Tomorrow it's abs and back. Not sure which exercises it'll be but it will definitely not be at the gym.