Today marks my 10-month "anniversary" of starting Crossfit. When I started, I was wearing size 42 jeans that had probably been stretched out to more like 43-44. I weighed ~240lbs, a very high percentage of which was fat. I was weak, had poor endurance, and was pretty down on myself because of where I had let my health go.
Today, I am comfortably in size 34 jeans. I weigh 198 lbs. (according to my cheap scale at home), and my body composition is much more muscle now than fat. I am much stronger, have better endurance, and feel totally rejuvenated -- both physically and spiritually. I feel ready for whatever may come at me next, whether it's the set of stairs that used to leave me gasping or 21-15-9 of thrusters and pullups.
This journey is far from over. In fact, it's just getting started. This time though, I have my weightlifting shoes on and am ready for it.
Showing posts with label fitness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fitness. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Don't lose weight. Get fit.
Throw out the scale.
Don't focus on your weight.
Focus on your health and fitness.
"Ideal" weight and "fitness" are not synonymous.
You want to be fit when you die. Whether or not you're at some arbitrarily-determined "ideal" weight is irrelevant. Be fit and strong.
That is all.
Oh, and eat real frickin' food. Not egg whites and protein shakes.
Don't focus on your weight.
Focus on your health and fitness.
"Ideal" weight and "fitness" are not synonymous.
You want to be fit when you die. Whether or not you're at some arbitrarily-determined "ideal" weight is irrelevant. Be fit and strong.
That is all.
Oh, and eat real frickin' food. Not egg whites and protein shakes.
Monday, October 31, 2005
Swimming coming along
I guess I've been at it for about four weeks now. When I started back in the pool, a 50-yard freestyle was a bit of a struggle, and a 100-yard free left my heart trying to thump its way out of my chest.
Four weeks later, I am routinely managing to complete a workout consisting of ten easy 100-yard free plus some number (usually ten) moderate 50-yard free, along with a short warmup and cooldown. Yesterday morning (Oct 30), I was able to complete five 200-yard free, so I'm definitely making progress; however, I'm also trying to do it using this new Total Immersion style of freestyle, and I know that my form is breaking down a bit after around 125 yards. I need to make sure I focus on my drills a bit more and not try to get too aggressive with distance for a while longer. That will come with time.
- Mark
Four weeks later, I am routinely managing to complete a workout consisting of ten easy 100-yard free plus some number (usually ten) moderate 50-yard free, along with a short warmup and cooldown. Yesterday morning (Oct 30), I was able to complete five 200-yard free, so I'm definitely making progress; however, I'm also trying to do it using this new Total Immersion style of freestyle, and I know that my form is breaking down a bit after around 125 yards. I need to make sure I focus on my drills a bit more and not try to get too aggressive with distance for a while longer. That will come with time.
- Mark
Sunday, September 18, 2005
Awake at 6:15 on a Sunday for THIS?
I got up at 6:15 and to the gym by 7:30 this morning to take my free BodyAge test that came with my membership.
The test components and their results:
Time to step it up in the areas of cardio and flexibility. Fortunately, I'm experienced in both (running, swimming, and yoga), so I know I can regain my health in those areas. I know I'm on the right track already since I began swimming again a week or two ago. I just need to stick with the swimming and start stretching again.
- Mark
The test components and their results:
- Body Fat percentage - Don't ask. Let's just say "Poor"
- VO2 max - Poor
- Flexibility - Poor
- Strength - Excellent (thanks to my consistent weight training)
Time to step it up in the areas of cardio and flexibility. Fortunately, I'm experienced in both (running, swimming, and yoga), so I know I can regain my health in those areas. I know I'm on the right track already since I began swimming again a week or two ago. I just need to stick with the swimming and start stretching again.
- Mark
Friday, September 09, 2005
Calf cramp!
Holy treading water, Batman!
Years and years ago, back in Jr. High and High School, I was a pretty good competitive swimmer. I specialized in backstroke and breaststroke, and I rarely lost a race in those two disciplines. I had a passable butterfly, and a decent freestyle, which combined with my back and breast made me okay in the individual medley as well.
Anyhow...a few days ago, after having spent the previous few days in the new pool at Lifetime, I decided to see if I could do a 100m IM. I hadn't swum a length of fly in over 20 years, so I knew that that would be the big struggle; however, I had no idea how bad it would be. I started out okay and was reasonably strong for the first 3/4 of the lap. At that point - and at the same time - both of my calves cramped up. Ever had both calves cramp at the same time? I don't recommend it.
In the end, I toughed it out and was able to struggle along through back, breast, and free in what was probably the slowest time ever swum for 100m IM. Thankfully, I don't know what that time was, despite the looming presence of race clocks at each end of the pool. I don't think I'll be using those clocks anytime soon.
Man...one would think that I've gotten older and fatter or something. Sheesh.
- Mark
Years and years ago, back in Jr. High and High School, I was a pretty good competitive swimmer. I specialized in backstroke and breaststroke, and I rarely lost a race in those two disciplines. I had a passable butterfly, and a decent freestyle, which combined with my back and breast made me okay in the individual medley as well.
Anyhow...a few days ago, after having spent the previous few days in the new pool at Lifetime, I decided to see if I could do a 100m IM. I hadn't swum a length of fly in over 20 years, so I knew that that would be the big struggle; however, I had no idea how bad it would be. I started out okay and was reasonably strong for the first 3/4 of the lap. At that point - and at the same time - both of my calves cramped up. Ever had both calves cramp at the same time? I don't recommend it.
In the end, I toughed it out and was able to struggle along through back, breast, and free in what was probably the slowest time ever swum for 100m IM. Thankfully, I don't know what that time was, despite the looming presence of race clocks at each end of the pool. I don't think I'll be using those clocks anytime soon.
Man...one would think that I've gotten older and fatter or something. Sheesh.
- Mark
Sunday, September 04, 2005
Opening of Lifetime Fitness Austin
Well, I'll sure miss my old gym (Full Court Fitness), but man am I excited about the now-open Lifetime Fitness. Austin's first Lifetime is now open on the southeast corner of FM620 and Parmer Lane. If you have never been in to a Lifetime, you should go take a look. This place has far more than I care to describe or list, so go http://www.lifetimefitness.com/austin for more details. I loved the cozy feel of Full Court, but Lifetime so far has it beaten hands-down.
They opened yesterday, and I've already been there three times. :-)
- Mark
They opened yesterday, and I've already been there three times. :-)
- Mark
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