Topic
Exercise
166 posts, 2011–2021
I love disc golf!
Disc golf. Who knew? My friend Zakk Shanks knew. Back in December 2019, Zakk and I were talking, and he asked whether I'd ever played disc golf. I'd never tried it, and had only sort of heard of…
Disc Golf Videos - General
These are some of my favorite disc golf instructional videos. I categorize these as "general" because either they cover many different topics or they don't fit into the other categories I created.
Disc Golf Videos - Backhand
These are some of my favorite disc golf instructional videos for backhand throwing. The backhand is the most basic throw in disc golf. Some people find a forehand to be more natural for them. It's not for me.
Disc Golf Videos - Putting
These are some of my favorite disc golf videos for putting. Putting is the one piece of the game that everyone can do somewhat equally with enough practice. If I could consistently make putts from 30-45 feet, I…
Gaining weight during the pandemic?
I see so many people and memes commenting on social media about how they are not exercising and eating poorly during the COVID-19 pandemic. I understand. It's tough. The gyms are either closed or we think they're too…
My life during quarantine and still losing weight with Noom ... sort of
Like many other people, I am living life in virtual quarantine because of the COVID-19 pandemic. This has been going on for about 1.5 months officially. I am in San Antonio, and we are pretty much opening back…
Noom has helped me lose 30 pounds
I am now almost to 30 pounds down on Noom. What? How'd that happen? When I started the program I figured maybe after 20 pounds my body would stop losing, but here I am almost 30 pounds lighter,…
Living life 20 pounds lighter
I am not yet 20 pounds lighter from when I began the Noom Health and Wellness program. I'm only 15 pounds lighter since then. However, I was hovering around 200 pounds just 6 months ago, and now I…
New Year's resolutions, fitness goals, and the Noom Health and Wellness Program
My new year's resolution is to stick with the Noom Health and Wellness program. But let me give you some background that led me to that decision. The holidays and illness knocked me out of my total fitness…
Sickness v. Fitness
I rarely get sick any more, but I've had a cold for a few days now. At least, I think it's just a cold, I hope so. Illness is bad enough, but when I'm sick and hanging at…
Losing weight with Noom
I've been trying to lose fat for the past few years, and I've failed, but after 6 weeks on Noom I'm down 12 pounds, and I have a feeling of accomplishment.
How I am changing myself through Noom
I've noticed some changes in myself since starting the Noom program 3.5 weeks ago: my weight is down, my skin is softer, and I'm not afraid of any foods.
My dietary and exercise habits are improving
I'm winding down Week 3 of my Noom program, and I'm feeling pretty good about how I've done so far. My calorie overruns were not as out of control this week. I only went way over a couple…
Weighing in with Noom
The Noom program wants me to weigh in daily, but that's not good for me. Fortunately, Noom allows me to tailor the program to my needs.
Losing weight with Noom and hitting milestones
I weighed in at under 190 pounds this morning. Noom is working for me. But I won't obsess about that number, even though it's a milestone for me.
I'm pushing myself with walking as my primary exercise
This morning, as part of my Noom program, I walked 3 miles in 54 minutes. That seemed really fast to me, so I doubted the reading on my Letsfit fitness tracker, but I mapped my route with Google,…
Yesterday I hit my 10k steps and ate like a pig
I ate so much yesterday, busting my calorie limit by 1,000, but I got 10,000 steps in, and I think that helped me stay on track with my Noom goals.
My relationship with exercise
I just got a bump from Kyle, my Noom Goal Specialist, asking me to make a goal to help with something I struggle with, like exercise, or blah blah blah. Exercise has often been a struggle for me.…
Tracking my food intake and my steps
Here are some tips to products I am using in journey through the Noom program. These weren't available to me when I first got fit 15 years ago!
Healing is not so easy as we get older
I've been off exercise for a few months now. I'm doing quite a bit of walking, but that's not really exercise, is it? Better than sitting on the couch, for sure, so I'll take it. My goal has…
My fitness goals are off track. Now what?
I'm off track. Not completely off track, but I am: Not exercising the way I want to Gaining fat beyond my acceptable limit I'm still maintaining a vegan-plus-eggs diet, but I injured my shoulder about a year ago,…
Baby wipes are not good for hemorrhoids
Imagine my surprise when I figured out that baby wipes, which I used to help with my hemorrhoids, were actually irritating them. Yup. I had hemorrhoid surgery back in late 2000. Nothing too major, but just so you…
P90X3 is coming December 10th!
REPRINTED FROM TEAMBEACHBODY All good things come in threes, but be warned: P90X3 is far from a trilogy. No, P90X3 is NOT the kid sister workout. It’s the workout that took notes from it’s siblings, then condensed, and…
Stop obsessing about your weight!
We need to stop obsessing about the numbers on the scale, and those on the tape measure, too, if truth be told. If we are a bit over that elusive "goal" weight, but are in good health --…
You can't go from couch to marathon overnight!
You may have read the title of this article and said, "Duh." I mean, who'd be stupid enough to think they could go from being a couch potato to a marathoner without at least a few months of…
Are you on the later-when-I-have-more-time fitness plan?
Nobody has any extra time these days. We go from one job to the next, we work with volunteer organizations, we take college courses, we attend luncheons and birthday parties. Oh, and if we have children -- I…
How do you stay motivated?
One of the most common questions I get from people is, "How do you stay motivated to stick with your fitness and diet plans?" I can understand why this is puzzling to people. After all, finding an hour…
What is your favorite type of workout?
When I was a kid, I used to like to play team games. I played soccer for 4 years from ages 7 to 11. I played baseball for a couple years and basketball for one year -- as…
How you can do P90X -- or any extreme exercise program -- even if you are out of shape!
Maybe you've watched the infomercials for P90X or Insanity or any other great workout-at-home programs. Maybe you've noticed that they always show in-shape people getting even more in shape. Maybe you even think that the "before" photos usually…
Les Mills Combat - A review after one week
I started Les Mills Combat a couple weeks ago, but succumbed to a cold on Day 3, so I had to suspend that activity for a while. I still have a bit of a nagging cough, but, unable…
Why eat right?
I can't help but get just a bit upset when I see posts and articles about the latest diet craze or this week's go-to superfood. There are no silver bullets. The authors of such articles are right about…
I'm sick
Yes, I am sick. And not in a good way. ("Sick" is good these days, right?) It's such a shock for me to have a cold, because I literally cannot remember the last time I had one. It…
You've lost so much weight....
Today I was out walking the dog. I waved at one of my down-the-street-a-ways neighbors -- someone I have never spoken with before, and certainly could not have picked out of a lineup as "one of my neighbors"…
Life's too short....
It happened again yesterday. I saw someone using the "life's too short" argument to justify a hazardous lifestyle. What is up with that kind of attitude? I mean, I agree, life is too short, and that is why…
Smoking -- playing the odds ....
In a recent post, I off-handedly remarked that some people seem to play the odds with their health. "After all," I remarked, "only 20% to 25% of smokers get lung cancer." This morning, as I reread my article,…
Pay yourself first -- it applies to fitness, too
Financial advisors have been telling us for years to pay ourselves first. That just means that before we pay the bills and make purchases, we put some money away for our future. Well, guess what -- that advice…
Being fat is not inevitable
Fitness is a lifelong struggle. It takes work. I tell young people all the time, "Develop a fitness habit now, because when you get older, it's that much harder to get into the swing of things." How often…
Is muscle soreness reduced by a vegan diet?
When I switched from paleo to vegan a few months ago, I did so because in the 21 days of a vegan detoxification program I (1) lost weight that I thought I had no chance of losing, (2)…
Is P90X2 better than P90X? (Part 2)
I'm in Phase 2 of P90X2 now, so I thought I'd give you my second set of impressions of how X2 compares to the original X. While both are great programs that will get you into shape, my mind has changed a bit since my initial thoughts.
How thin is too thin?
I recently visited Kohl's to, finally, get some new new shirts. I am a t-shirt guy. I enjoy a good t-shirt. My favorite bands have cool t-shirts. I am comfortable in a t-shirt. However, there are times when…
Are your clothes hiding a mess?
When my wife and I decided to get a new kitchen range recently, we went with stainless steel. We like the look of it, and it shows everything, so, at least in my mind, that means it's easier…
You can't out-exercise a bad diet
I saw this statement again recently, and, while I have touched on it before in other posts, I thought I should finally write a full article about it, because this is a very important principle to understand. YOU…
The Ultimate Reset - Day 10
Yes, I'm still doing The Ultimate Reset, but even I found the day-by-day posts boring. If you managed to slog through them, I think you get the idea. I'm in Day 10, which is the middle of Phase…
Why Beachbody? Here's my story.
Today on Facebook I read a conversation about Beachbody. I took a screenshot and it's the graphic you see with this post. The tone of the conversation was not a bit sarcastic, but, although I love me some…
Is it all about looking good? Really?
Shaun T says at the end of one of his Insanity videos -- I think it's "Pure Cardio" -- that he puts himself through these tough workouts "because I wanna look good." I'm sure Shaun T understands the…
I love me some yoga, but ...
If you've been keeping up with my goings-on, you know I've been in a yoga zone for the past 3 or 4 months. That means I've been doing yoga almost exclusively. I fell into the yoga zone because…
Injured by Yoga?
Suddenly I could not touch my toes. It's not like I'm the most flexible guy in the world. Possibly I'm more flexible than most my age, but I think much of that perceived flexibility comes from the fact…
A Tale of Two Yoga DVDs
I have been collecting yoga DVDs. Some are better than others. Some are great. Some are not so great. But recently, on successive days, I tried out two DVDs that each stood out to me for very different…
The Difference between P90X and P90X2 -- by Tony Horton
In this short video, Tony Horton -- the creator of P90X and P90X2 -- explains the difference between the two programs. If you don't want to watch the video, the upshot is that P90X gets you into shape,…
In the Yoga Zone
I have been in the yoga zone for more than 2 months now. How'd I get there? I hurt myself. Tweaked my back, so I thought I'd do yoga for a few days while it healed. Problem is…
Is my doctor an idiot?
I was having a conversation the other day with a good friend of mine. We were discussing exercise, and she said that her doctor had told her to do or not do something -- honestly, I forget right…
Low Carb: My great-grandmother knew
Let me begin by saying that I am not against low-fat diets! If a low-fat diet works for you long-term, fine with me, go with it. Low-fat doesn't work for me, though, so my personal choice is to…
Even after years of inactivity, there is no "I CAN'T"!
I am continually frustrated by people I suggest a fitness program to, who try it once, then tell me, "I can't do that." OF COURSE YOU CAN'T DO THAT, YOU'VE BEEN SITTING ON YOUR ASS FOR 20 YEARS!…
Why I prefer to work out at home
Some of you -- perhaps most of you -- prefer to go to a gym to get a workout. Either you are part of an organized class that keeps you feeling accountable, or the cost of the gym…
Muscle Spasms and Ibuprofen
Back in early November, more than 3 months ago, I started having a sharp pain in my right center rectus abdominis (that's the 6-pack abs). It only hurt when I moved a certain way, and to call it…
Slow and Steady Wins the Body Reshaping Race
The reason many of us fail at having the bodies we want is that it's hard work. There is no magic pill or patch. We have to put in the work and control what we ingest. Why are…
Day 30 of my High Fat Diet and more about Yoga!
Here I am in day 30 of my high-fat diet, and I was just telling my friend yesterday how I feel that my body is undergoing some kind of positive transformation. I feel leaner and more energetic. I…
Getting to your Fitness Tipping Point
It's the middle of February, which means you should be about 6 weeks into your 2012 fitness plan. You are still on your fitness plan, right? Hey, I'm not here to nag you and I'm not here to…
My high fat diet PLUS yoga PLUS allergies
I am in day 20 of my high fat diet, which aims for 70% fat, 20% protein, and 10% carbs. My body seems to have adapted to the lack of carbs, so I am not feeling as run…
Ouch, I tweaked my back. Now what?
I tweaked my back last Wednesday, right at the end of the workout. During the last move, rep 2 of 4. Tweak. DAMMIT! I don't really know if "tweak" has any medical validity -- perhaps my friend Donna…
Staying fit by varying your workouts
Sure, sure, Tony Horton and his P90X program have made "muscle confusion" a buzzphrase, but the fact is, as Tony readily acknowledges, that the idea of muscle confusion has been around for years. For example, in P90X we…
High fat diet - Day 8
It's day 8 of my high-fat diet, which consists of 70% of calories from fat, 20% from protein, and 10% from carbs. See more here at my original post on the subject. How do I feel? Hmmmmmm.... Mixed…
Can't make it all the way through your workout? GOOD!
People tell me, "Man, I tried Insanity. I got like two minutes into it and I knew I couldn't do it." Well, of course you couldn't! Could you sit down at a piano and instantly play it the…
Insanity with weekends off
I love Insanity. It's my favorite of the 3 programs I've done. (The other 2 are Tony Horton's P90X and The Asylum. I've also worked out a lot with the One on One DVDs, but that's not a…
Fitness 2012 -- how's it going?
Many people -- perhaps you, too -- set fitness goals for 2012. If you are like most people, your dieting and workout regimen started out great! You were enthusiastic, eager to shed those pounds and unveil a new,…
People get way too hung up on age
Don't let your age get in the way of getting into better shape.
What is your fitness plan for 2012? Here's mine.
Okay, so this is all about me, but it's my blog, right? I can't very well write about you. But here's the thing: I'm no uber-muscular gym rat; I'm no triathlete. I'm just a regular guy who wants…
New Year's fitness resolution?
The new year is almost upon us, and many of us will make resolutions to lose weight, get into better shape. And ... many of us will never follow through on them. Oh, sure, we'll get some new…
Not feeling motivated? Do half a workout.
There are days -- especially this time of year -- when I just don't feel like working out. Sometimes it's because I have gone at it hard for 7 straight days, and my body just needs a rest.…
What I've learned about fitness and nutrition over the past few years
I've been on my fitness quest for about four years now. I went in with with an open mind, wanting to find out as much as I could, experiment on myself, see what works and what doesn't. Here…
Keep your workout results expectations realistic
You may see commercials on tv or ads in magazines that show ripped guys who got that way in only 30 or 60 days! "Yeah, right," you say to yourself. "But, maybe...." I'm not Fire Marshall Bill, but…
How to survive the holiday food fest
The holidays are upon us, with Halloween just past, and Thanksgiving and Christmas right around the corner. I don't know how it is in other parts of the world, but here in the United States, mid-November through New…
Ain't that a pain in the glutes!
I woke up this morning with soreness in my glutes. I expected to wake up that way, and I was not disappointed. In fact, I would have been disappointed if I were not sore. What is the physiological/biological…
What you need to know before you start P90X – Part 4
This is Part 4. You can read Part 1 here, Part 2 here, and Part 3 here. RULE #12: ADJUSTABLE DUMBBELLS ARE GREAT. When I was preparing to start P90X, I didn't even know about adjustable dumbbells, nor…
What you need to know before you start P90X - Part 3
This is Part 3. You can read Part 1 here and Part 2 here. RULE #11: DON'T SKIP YOGA! I'm going to devote this whole post to this one rule, because I believe it's that important. I had…
What you need to know before you start P90X - Part 2
This is Part 2. You can read Part 1 here. RULE #6: GET THE RIGHT EQUIPMENT. When I started P90X, I started with basic necessary equipment: yoga mat and blocks, pullup bar, heart rate monitor, and adjustable dumbbells.…
What you need to know before you start P90X -- Part 1
I am just a regular guy. I am not a gym rat. I have no desire to look like Arnold Schwarzenegger (or, rather, what he used to look like). If you are just a regular guy who is…
Okay, so I got sick ...
I don't know what happened. I so rarely get sick that it always surprises the hell out of me when it happens. I felt fine when I went to bed on Sunday, but I woke up around 4:00am…
Insanity: The Asylum - DAY 25 - "Game Day" + "Overtime"
Oh, wow, I demolished "Game Day" today. I will feel this tomorrow. I did not, however, demolish "Overtime". I was so wiped out by the time I finished "Game Day", that I pretty much just dogged it through…
Insanity: The Asylum - DAY 24 - "Strength"
Day 24 of The Asylum, "Strength". Last week I was not sure I would make it here. I upped my carbs to 20%, so I'm at 50% protein, 30% fat, and 20% carbs. I think my body likes…
Insanity: The Asylum - DAY 23 - "Speed & Agility"
I took my own advice from the other day and took an extra day off. My body is just beat. I have minor pulls in several muscles. I have a weird intermittent feeling of coolness in my left…
How "in shape" do I really need to be?
Yesterday, Day 21 of The Asylum, was "Back to Core" again. Nothing exciting to report there, except that my lower right back pain is a bit more noticeable than usual today. This is a dull pain that is…
Insanity: The Asylum - DAY 20 - "Vertical Plyo"
After today, I'll be two-thirds of the way through The Asylum. Can I make it through the last 10 days? We'll see. I'm no quitter, but, wow my body is worn out. I have a few minor pains…
Insanity: The Asylum - DAY 19 - "Game Day" + "Overtime"
Yesterday was Day 18, "Relief", of The Asylum, so nothing really to report there. But today was something new. Sorta. I've done the "Game Day" workout before back on Day 11. It's almost an hour of non-stop cardio.…
Insanity: The Asylum - DAY 17 - "Strength"
Wow, Day 17 of The Asylum, "Strength". I am still on sub-50g carbs, focusing on 50% Protein, 40% Fat, 10% Carbs. Still feeling really good. I did not at all feel lacking in energy during "Strength" today. And,…
Insanity: The Asylum - DAY 16 - "Vertical Plyo"
Ah, halfway through The Asylum and I don't expect it will be getting any easier. Well, maybe a little, because as I do the workouts, they have to become easier, right? Nah, not really. These routines are so…
Insanity: The Asylum - DAY 15 - "Speed & Agility"
Yesterday, Day 14, was "Relief", so no post necessary, but today marks the halfway point of The Asylum and I'm stoked about that. I'm not gonna lie, it's been tough going, and I know it won't get any…
Insanity: The Asylum - DAY 13 - "Strength"
Yesterday, Day 12 of The Asylum, was "Back to Core" again. Not much to report, so I did a piece about carbs and the evil of sugar. Today, Day 13, was "Strength" and, as much as I loved…
Are carbs evil?
Hmmmm.... Are carbs really as evil as many people think they are? When I first started my quest for fitness, I went on a calorie-restricted diet. I didn't pay much attention to what the calories were -- fat,…
Insanity: The Asylum - DAY 11 - "Game Day"
Yesterday, Day 10, was just "Recovery" again, so I didn't bother posting about that, but I did put up a little comparison of P90X and P90X2. Today, however, was a huge day in The Asylum, because it was…
The difference between P90X and P90X2
Today is a relief day for The Asylum, so I thought I'd pass along a distilled version of this article I read about the difference between P90X and P90X2. P90X -- as the people who've completed it (including…
Insanity: The Asylum - DAY 9 - "Vertical Plyo"
Okay, so yesterday it was allergies dogging me out, and today, I dunno what I did to my left ankle, but I tweaked it somehow, and when I woke up this morning, it was a bit painful. Just…
Insanity: The Asylum - DAY 8 - "Back to Core"
I was dogged out by allergies today. Just before I started the workout, I felt the beginning of a sinus headache. It went to full force about 10 minutes from the end. But I'm glad I stuck it…
Insanity: The Asylum - DAY 7 - "Strength"
Today, Day 7 of The Asylum, got me through the second iteration of "Strength" from Day 2. Still a great workout, and I think I got a bit farther through it this time. I did not use the…
Insanity: The Asylum - DAY 6 - "Speed & Agility"
This is the first day The Asylum repeats a workout, bringing us back to "Speed & Agility" from Day 1. Was it easier for me today? Hellifiknow.... Shaun T's workouts, unlike the ones in P90X, are mostly time-based,…
Insanity: The Asylum - DAY 5 - "Relief"
Today was supposed to be a rest day for The Asylum, and after having completed that "Vertical Plyo" routine yesterday for the first time, I can see why. That is one tough workout! But I didn't feel too…
Insanity: The Asylum - DAY 4 - "Vertical Plyo"
After yesterday's "Back to Core", I really didn't think The Asylum could get any better ... but it did. Today's "Vertical Plyo" routine was the hardest workout I have ever done. It was intense, difficult, unrelenting, impossible --…
Insanity: The Asylum — DAY 3 - "Back To Core"
Okay, so I should have guessed, and, in fact, figured out last night, that "Back to Core", the third day of The Asylum was not a reference to getting "back to working the core" but that we would…
Insanity: The Asylum -- DAY 2 - "Strength"
Day 2 of The Asylum is entitled "Strength". I don't know about strength. Strength is usually built with low reps, size with 8 to 12 reps, and endurance with high reps. We were doing a lot of reps,…
Insanity: The Asylum — DAY 1 - "Speed & Agility"
Today I started The Asylum. I didn't mean to start it today. I needed to do a cardio workout, and I planned to do one of the Insanity month two DVDs. Then I got to thinking. I have…
Excuses, excuses
One of my favorite mantras is "there's always a good reason not to do something." There is. I can always come up with some really good reasons why I should not do something that I need to do.…
Muscle soreness and the power of muscle confusion
I am sore today. My inner thighs are feeling the effects of yesterday's workout. Why am I sore? Let's put aside the fact that no one really knows for sure why muscles get sore from being worked out,…
Is breakfast really that important?
I ate breakfast this morning. I did it because I was hungry, and when I'm hungry, I eat. Conversely, when I'm not hungry, I do not eat. And, generally, I am not hungry around breakfast time. But, but…
Have you created an exercise habit?
Working out for me is a way of life. It's something I need to do. I am happy to finally have arrived at that point in my life. It took a long time to get here, and I…
My P90X - One On One - Insanity hybrid
After completing Insanity about a month ago, I felt great and ready to go into a hybrid of that program and Tony Horton's P90X. However, when I scoured the internet for such a program, they all looked pretty…
If you want to be fit, you have to commit!
Did you ever have this conversation with yourself? SELF 1: "It's time to work out, but I have other stuff to do." SELF 2: "Sure I have other stuff, but I need to get my workout in!" SELF…
Do you have fitness goals? They might be your problem.
Goals are great, but what happens when you reach them? Too often, the fitness training stops, and, yup, we all know what happens after that.
Fear of falling back into old habits
I wouldn't call it exactly a "fear", but, wow, I am really not interested in falling back into my old habits, which include: overeating overdrinking oversittingonmyass all of which lead, of course, to being overweight I may tend…
How Does Insanity Affect Upper Body Strength?
When I started Insanity in early May, I was concerned about what it might do to my upper body strength. After all, the workouts really emphasized lower body and abs, and while there was some shoulder work, there…
Be accountable to yourself!
A fitness friend of mine recently retweeted something along the lines of "Write down your fitness goals, then share them with someone. That way the person can hold you accountable." WHAT? I am familiar with this concept, and…
Insanity completed. Now what?
I finished Insanity. Didn't bother with the final fit test. I had a big day scheduled for Sunday and didn't really feel the need to record the final results. If you looked at the results of my last…
P90X: A Lifetime Commitment?
A friend of mine told me the other day that she was interested in Tony Horton's P90X, but didn't want to be stuck doing it for the rest of her life. I laughed, because those are almost the…
Alcohol and Fitness
When I am talking with people about getting fit with Tony Horton's P90X and Insanity, I always tell them that, while working out is very important to building your body, the most important thing to get straight is…
How many 20-pound bags of rice are you carrying around?
The other day I was at my favorite store, Costco, and I decided to buy a 20-pound bag of rice. I don't eat a lot of rice, but my dog does, so I figured I can buy in…
Insanity Fit Test - Week 8
Made it through the first seven weeks of Insanity. I think that means I will make it through the last two! Here are the results of today's fit test. 05/02/11 06/05/11 Switch Kicks (2 kicks = 1 rep)…
I've discovered the key to Insanity!
This is not all that big a revelation, and, yeah, sometimes I'm a little slow on the uptake, but bear with me. The key to Insanity is that you are not expected to be able to complete the…
No time for fitness? Maybe you should get a puppy
I don't have a direct recollection of any epiphany I had regarding making time for fitness. I am busy. Every minute of my day seems to be accounted for. My life has been like that for years, and…
Insanity: Month Two -- started that today
This is very hard. I couldn't even make it all the way through the workouts of Month One, and now the Month Two workouts are even longer. If I were a quitter, I'd quit Insanity right now. I…
The best time of day to work out
You can read all you want about how many calories are burned after your workout, whether working out after a hard day at work is a great thing to do, the benefits of getting the blood flowing in…
Insanity is KILLING ME!
Have I mentioned that Insanity is killing me? Yeah, it is. I told someone the other day that I was doing Insanity. She said, "Cool. Do you have more energy?" My answer: "NO!" I mean, what do you…
The power of a good recovery drink
Never underestimate the power of a good recovery drink. What? You only drink water or some kinda sports drink after your workout? Hmmmmm.... A recovery drink has some important attributes. First of all, your body needs protein. If…
Not achieving your fitness goals? Try something different!
Back in 2007 I realized I was fat and out of shape. I'd been that way for a long time, but in 2007, I finally realized it. But I've covered this story in my last post. Having then…
How do you know if you are fat?
How do you know if you are fat? This seems like a silly question, right? Look at the scale. Look in a mirror. Pretty simple. You might think so, but so many of us are blind to our…
Insanity fit test - results after two weeks
I've been doing Insanity for two weeks now. Just did the second fit test yesterday and here are the results. Switch Kicks 55 65 +18.18% Power Jacks 30 56 +86.67% Power Knees 78 109 +39.74% Power Jumps 23…
Just about two weeks into Insanity! Let's work through this injury....
Wow. Two weeks into Insanity and, yeah, it's still challenging. You know what else? You can pull stuff doing this! Well, strain, anyway. I strained my lower back last week. Worked through it, it's fine. Today I strained…
Yoga in the morning
I really like yoga a lot. Makes me feel good. Increases my strength, flexibility, and balance. What's not to like? So far, though, my only real exposure to yoga has been with Tony Horton's P90X and One-On-One. That's…
So, I started Insanity the other day
I started Insanity on Sunday, so Day Four was today. Wow. If you've been following my posts, you may remember that I had planned to start the program earlier this year, but I was concerned about my arthritic…
The single best exercise
I read this article the other day at NYTimes.com about "The Single Best Exercise". Well, really, that's just an eye-catching headline, because there is no one "single best exercise". Or, rather, for my money, the single best exercise…
How many reps should you do in P90X?
When I started Tony Horton's P90X, one of the first decisions to make was whether to go for larger muscles or simply toned muscles. Tony would repeat over and over: 8-10 reps for mass or 12-15 reps for…
The most important meal of the day
My brother posted a question on Facebook the other day. He often posts questions to spark discussion, and they often do just that. The question he posted the other day was "Trick Question: What is the most important…
Lap band? Really?
A friend of mine is considering a laparoscopic adjustable gastric band -- more commonly called a lap band -- because he just can't lose the weight any other way. Really? My friend and I have had discussions on…
Too much cardio?
I've been protecting my knees, particularly my arthritic left knee, so about two months ago I stopped doing cardio. Sure, I could do some low-impact cardio, but I'm not convinced that cardio is all that important. Don't get…
Get started with good nutrition when you are young
So many things we learn as we get older. It takes a while to get out of shape, but it all starts when you are young. For me it was around when I turned 25 or so. That's…
Lost another half-inch on the waist
If you've been following along, you know I've been stymied by this gut fat I just can't seem to lose. It's not that I look bad -- I look so much better than I used to -- but…
Eat less, move more
Eat less, move more. It's a fitness mantra that's been around for a long time. And it works. But people, like the lady in the MadTV skit, want an easy way out. The madness of it is that…
What if you just can't make it through a workout?
A lot has been said about forcing yourself to work out. Just getting started is the hardest part. But what if you do get started with a workout and it becomes apparent that you just don't have it…
So much health and fitness information. What should we believe?
Wow, there is so much health and fitness information out there. Can I really get fit and strong in only 30 minutes a week? Should I avoid carbs? Are fats bad for me? How about cholesterol? Aerobics --…
Always time for abs or some yoga
In keeping with the theme of my last post, I am faced today with a time crunch. Too much to do, too little time to do it. Now, I do always take time out from work to get…
Finding the time to work out
I remember the first time I told someone I just don't have the time to do whatever-it-was, and he said back to me, "You know, we all have the same amount of time." Yeah, I know. Thanks for…
Dealing with arthritic knee pain
Today for the first time in a long time I woke up with no pain in my left knee. Now, I am not foolish enough to think my knee is miraculously healed. I am, however, encouraged. After all,…
You're going to walk off that McRib? Really?
I think we often fool ourselves about our rate of calorie burn. There are many times I hear friends talk about eating something like a McRib with fries and finishing with "I guess I'll have to get in…
Do you get enough fruit?
If you're like me, you're not really a fruit eater. I like a good apple, but it's hard to find a good apple. I love a good pear ... but it's hard to find a good pear. And…
Chest & Back Workout
"Chest & Back" is the first routine in Tony Horton's P90X, probably because every guy wants to work his chest and every guy needs to work his back, so it's a good way to get things rolling. (Sure,…
Making up my own routines
It's been a year since I started Tony Horton's P90X and I only just discovered recently that: I know some of the routines well enough to do them without the DVDs, and I can damn well make up…
Fitness products I recommend
PRODUCTSHere is a list of products I have actually used and recommend. Tony Horton's P90X One on One Insanity The Asylum Rodney Yee Yoga DVDs Shakeology The Primal Blueprint Good Calories, Bad Calories Ultimate Power Yoga Be a…
Yoga is an important piece of the fitness puzzle
During my recovery weeks, which occur for one week after every three or four weeks of training, I don't do any heavy weight training, or anything too intense, for that matter. I generally do a lot of yoga.…
How to do pull ups, when you can't do pull ups
If you are like me, you struggle with pullups. Pushups I can do, but those back exercises are difficult. In fact, when I did the fitness test before starting Tony Horton's P90X, I was able to do 33…
Which shoes should you wear for P90X (or for any workout)?
I am writing this quick post for those who, like me, had that question before starting Tony Horton's P90X. I didn't know what kind of shoes to buy for the workouts, so I googled it, of course, but…
Finding someone to work out with. Is it important?
Fitness gurus harp on the idea that you should work out with friends. They help motivate you, keep you on track, supposedly. Tony Horton really talks this up during his workout DVDs. Whatever. I work out alone. That's…
What's my weekly workout schedule?
I've had some people tell me that they really need the structure of a workout schedule to keep going. I'm the same way -- I need some kind of structure, even if it's a loose one, to stay…
It's the weekend - to work out or not to work out
When I first started Tony Horton's P90X about a year ago, I was motivated and ready to change my body. I pressed play every day, did some kind of workout seven days a week for the first 8…
Can my knees handle the pounding of P90X and Insanity?
Knees. They are two of the most important joints in the body. We use them a lot and, so, they are subject to injury. You may be wondering if your knees can handle P90X or Insanity. I wondered…
Cardio -- how much do we need?
How much cardio is enough to get your heart and lungs functioning as efficiently as possible? Hmmmm.... There are only two cardio days per week in Tony Horton's P90X -- Plyo and Kenpo, with the option to throw…
How fit do you really need to be to start P90X?
You know you need to get into shape. You've seen the commercials for Tony Horton's P90X, but you think you are not in good enough shape to try it. I feel you. I was there myself. I was…
REVIEW: Tony Horton's One on One, Volume 3, Number 3: "Shoulders and Arms"
As you may know, I am a big fan of Tony Horton. He is just the right mix of goofy, funny, knowledgeable, and fit for me to enjoy spending a lot of time with him, even if it's…
Sometimes you have to fit a workout into your schedule
I have a pretty fluid schedule. I work for myself out of my home. I don't have to meet with clients a lot, and I don't need to be on the phone very often. I am usually in…
I didn't feel like working out ... but I did it anyway
This happens to me far too often. I really enjoy working out, I do, truly, but I often just don't feel up to it. I believe this is due primarily to allergies. When my eyes are burning and…
Why are my muscles sore?
I am sore today. Really sore. I am in week 9 of a P90X run, but I decided to mix it up a bit and so some workouts from Tony Horton's One-On-One series. (I don't have all these…
What's your motivation for working out and eating right?
My brother posted on one of those social networks today something about how he needs to get into shape for a reunion this summer. I have a friend who started a diet in January, because she's getting married…
Blood sugar and me
My grandmother was a type 1 diabetic. My father is type 2. Last time I had bloodwork done my fasting blood sugar was at 110, which is on the cusp of too high. So, I struggle with high…
P90X tips
Here are some tips based on my experiences while doing P90X. Be in tune with your body. How do you feel today? Can you really push it? Should you take it easy? Listen to what your body is…
My goal for this year is to lose this waist fat
If you've read "about the author" you know that my weight peaked at 235 -- pretty huge for a 5'10" guy. I lost 50 pounds by restricting calories and walking and I thought I was stuck there, but…
Today kinda got away from me....
I really wanted to get a workout in today, but I work out in the living room, and my wife was in there watching tv, relaxing. That's cool by me, because she really does put in a lot…
Does your significant other sidetrack your fitness goals?
I often have been sidetracked from my fitness goals by my significant other. It's not her fault. Honestly, I don't expect my wife to make every dietary turn with me in my quest for fitness. That's not fair…
Have you had your wake up call?
I was fat for a long time and didn't even know it. How could that be? I'm not sure. I was always a thin kid, didn't start really chubbing out until I hit 30 or so. I kept…
Sometimes I just don't feel like working out
I have been working out with Tony Horton's P90X and One-On-One DVDs for about a year now. I was, and continue to be, amazed at the differences these workouts have made in my body. But some days I…