Another break

Once again, it has been a while since my last post. I find it hard to start writing at times, not really having anything to say at the time I think about posting. And yet, I come up with things I want to write about when I am away from my computer. These are the times I should notebook! Like so many things, the hardest part is taking that first step. Anyway, here I am now.

I'm taking a few days off P90X to reset my workout weekly schedule for Monday thru Sunday. I went to the gym yesterday, and did my usual stairmaster. It seemed long, even though I only did one hour. Probably because I haven't done it for so long; it's been like two months since I been at the gym. The time I went was especially dead too, so not much to look at. Today I'll go to Tom Brown park for an hour of mountain biking. I'm getter more and more eager to do other exercise than my P90X inside workouts. I like being outside, I want to ride more, I want to train for a century and even start running to try a marathon. But first I want to build muscle, and that means P90X. Also, I want to stick to my commitment about finishing the trilogy. Then, I can do Arnold's program and use riding and running for cardio. Ah, the future looks bright for exercise fun!

I want to become a hardcore healthy eater. More on this later.

Peace

It's Been A While...

Whew! Almost a week since my last post. What have I been up too?

Took the weekend off of working out and ate bad. Marc started his Ironman training on Monday, so we decided to eat bad until Monday and then go hardcore diet. And today is Tuesday, day 2 of the hardcore diet. So far, completely on track! Just had a grapefruit that was super tasty! I'm shooting for around 2000 cal/day, but if I'm a little above or below that's okay. Going for 50/30/20 carb/pro/fat. Can manage that easily.

Legs & Back hurt my quads, but they feel fine today. Now, after doing simple Kenpo, my left shoulder (actually my left side trap) is strained, or sore. Man, I'm never taking time off again! In fact, I think I will only take one week between this round of P90X and the next, which will be doubles. I read on the MDB boards this stud going on round 7 not taking any time off between rounds because "they already have a recovery week"!!! I'm not sure about that, but I think I'll just take one week off, and during that week do yoga, plyo, core, and some cycling.

I have been looking over Arnold's bodybuilding book lately. It really makes me want to get huge! This has made me realize I need to figure out exactly what I want out of my working out, or in other words, my goals. I want to get big and ripped using P90X. But looking on the boards, it seems P90X has limits on the size. Not definition, but that stud guy Briggs is not huge. Fit, cut, ripped; but not huge like a bodybuilder.

Hmmm. I think I'll just do this round, do Doubles, and go from there. I know I want to ride my bike, and look really buff. We shall see. I do have my goals for now: Finish the round, and complete Doubles for the triumvirate! Sounds good. Now, what to do for my birthday challenge?

Sleepy

Didn't get much sleep last night. I stayed up until past 10 working on organizing my music files, putting multiple songs by the same artist in folders. Took a little while to fall asleep too, because my right bicep started spasming. And woke up at 4:15! I see a nap in my future!

My public admin class is over! I rocked on test 2 and was the first one done! That's a first I believe at FSU. I just know I got an A in that class, but will find out my grade next week.

I'm thinking about checking out the 7:45am meetings at 909. They have them Monday thru Friday. It'll help take up my morning time, plus get me a meeting in.

Last weekend for eating bad, then on Monday we start the hardcore diet! I am ready! It will be difficult, but the benefits will be great! I'm so ready!

Legs & Back today, gonna try to tan too. That's about it.

What Can I Say?

Don't really have much to write about this morning, but I'm gonna attempt consistency and post something. Marc will be back today, so we will probably go out to eat tonite. Plyo today. Yesterday I started writing my calorie count for the day on my P90X calendar, for an easy to reference method. Cleaned a bit yesterday. Tanned yesterday; it was hot! It's supposed to rain today so I'll skip tanning. Tanning is a good time to catch up on my podcasts. Slept a little better last nite, woke up today at 4:45. Read more old BB newsletters, trying to work my way through all of them up to the present. The Sopranos is over, and I've been reading a bit about it on the net, like how it ended. It even made CBS evening news last nite! Really brought it on Chest Shoulders Triceps yesterday. That's the way to get results! Ab ripper is getting easier every time, but it's still brutal. Getting used to the way I look shaved down. This is my last lecture for Public Admin, and I turn in that essay today. Thursday is the final, and the last day of class. Yeah! Almost done with another class! Then a week off and another class starts.

Off to school. Ciao

Phase 2!

Today I start Phase 2 of P90x Classic. From here on, these will be the only workouts I will do. Totally focus and commitment on the program, trying to maximize my results. I can already see improvement, and dropping the interference should only bring bigger change. Keep on that diet!

I finished my Public Admin paper yesterday. I spent nearly 8 hours on it, with breaks of course. I'm please with it; I feel it's a solid B paper. It's nice to be done with it a day before it's due. Now no worries.

I'm getting better at using BodyGroom. Like the manual said, it takes practice. Still not super close, but that's alright. Start tanning today! Get dark!

Spent a lot of time on the BB Boards this morning. It really gives me motivation to stay on the program. I was doing all that cardio cuz I would read Steve Edwards' stuff about how much working out he was doing, forgetting that he is a national class athlete and not trying to build his body. So, I will do P90X until I have the body I desire. Then, cycling and maintenance and other exercise stuff!

One more day of solitude. Today will be a cleaning day (whoo!).

That's all I can think of. Peace ~

Changing my program

I've decided to stop my cycling and focus on P90X. After reading the BB message boards, especially the one on P90 and running, along with an article about interference, I decided that I want to sculpt and build up my strength and size more than I want to work on my endurance. As much as I love cycling, for now, I am gonna take a break from it. I'll finish this classic round, and then do the doubles, and then re-evaluate. It kinda makes me sad, because I was really enjoying riding again. But I really want to see how much P90X can change my body. I want a six-pack, I want to have a great looking upper body. Once that is achieved, I can go back to riding with just maintenance resistance training. Yeah. I feel good about this. But I feel like I have to say goodbye to an old friend I was just getting used to seeing again. But I must think long term. Honestly, I want to build muscle. I can ride after that. I can't do both right now. It's only for this year. I have already invested much time and energy into P90X to stop now. It is nice to think that I only have to focus on one exercise, and that I won't be wasted for my P90X workouts. But this does mean that I have to watch my diet better. Only about a week until Marc and I go hardcore diet. Whew.

I'm shaved down completely. My chest looks strange without all the hair, but you can make out definition much better, especially my abs. The electric definitely doesn't get as close as a razor, but it is easier to use. No nicks! Must get tan though. Start that on Monday.

Marc won his age group at My First Tri! Wish I could have been there! But I think this is the first of many high finishes. All that training pays off! He'll be back on Tuesday. It's quiet with just me here. A bit lonely.

So today I will do X Stretch, and work on my paper. Maybe I'll go get a latte too.

Ciao

Let the shaving begin!

So yesterday I used my new BodyGroom to shave my legs. I soon discovered that it is quite a job to lose this fur coat I have, so I have to shave down in stages. Today will be chest, and hopefully I'll have enough charge for my arms. I'm excited about getting smooth, although with the electric razor it's not silky, more like stubbly. But that's fine with me for now.

Marc & I celebrated our 1 year non-smoking by going to Outback and baking chocolate cookies. Yum and yum! Both were awesome, but junk-filling. Then we watched The Descent. Scary chick caving movie!

Marc is leaving for Fort Walton today. He's got My First Tri tomorrow. I will stay here in Tally and write my PAD paper and clean the apartment and train like a fool! I want to kill my body this weekend like Steve Edwards!

More later...

1 year smoke-free!

Yes, today is my one year anniversary quitting smoking. (It's Marc's anniversary too!) Never in my life since taking up smoking have I made it a year smoke-free. Yea me! I feel really good about it, and feel far away from wanting to smoke. I know I could easily relapse, but as long as I never take another puff I will remain a non-smoker! Life is much better not smoking!

Rode on St. Marks road trail yesterday, all the way to the end. Not much there, just a normal road, but I could smell the water and I'm sure there was something there, I just didn't explore enough. I wanted to get home before the rain! And I did, but just barely. I really enjoyed my ride though. Just me on the bike. Riding outside is more challenging than the trainer, with wind and the hazards and such. But I like it so much! When I am on my bike, it feels so natural and so right. So, I will continue my P90X resistance training, but I will also keep on riding!

Drank my coffee black today, and it was pretty good! It was hot like I like it, and I didn't have to fool with the milk. I'm getting used to it quicker than I thought!

Worked on planning my meals for today this morning. With all the time I have in the mornings, this is something I could do every day. It makes sense, and will keep me from impulse eating or overeating, hopefully!

That's it. More later.

My money's in, all is right

My GI Bill money arrived this morning, so everything is good. Last night Marc and I went out to eat at China First buffet, and then shopping. At Target we bought the Norelco BodyGroom electric razor for shaving body hair. I want to shave all the way down and see how I look. I've done it before, but with manual razors. Now is a good time, because all I do is go to school; I don't have a job or friends to notice my lack of hair. I will shave down probably today. I am going to get a haircut today too.

I got a lot of turkey at Publix yesterday. I want to try to up my protein intake, so we'll see how that goes.

I did my department graduation check yesterday, and Friday I will do one with the Registrar's office. I'm on track to graduate in the Spring of '08, and that makes me excited!

This blog has lame writing, I know. But it's just how I'm writing this morning. No biggie.

I want to go riding outside today. I want to go to St. Marks on my road bike. I checked the weather, and my chances are good that it won't rain. So I'll go to class, get my haircut on the way home, rinse out my hair, do Kenpo, and then go riding. I should make it home by 4.

I joined Capital City Cyclists today. Mailed out the check this morning!

That's all for now. More to come!

Not a great start

Well, my day started with me not getting my GI Bill. Sucks, but not unusual. The VA website says I will be getting it tomorrow, making it one of the most late payments yet. Marc got paid though. I have to say, it's better Marc got his money than I. So shopping and dinner is still on for tonight.

Looks like I lost internet connection. So I'm typing this on notepad, and will transfer it to Blogger once I get reconnected. Arrgh! So many little annoyances this morning. Like Not being able to access my financial aid toolkit for a while, and also Suntrust was sketchy for a bit. Now the internet! Oh well. Both the FSU site and Suntrust got working, so it's all okay.

My financial aid was changed, but only slightly. I'm not sure how much, or even if it's less or more. But now I copied the amounts so if it changes again, I'll be able to see the change. As of now, I'll have $2100 a month after tuition and books. That's enough to support myself.

It's almost 8. I have to leave for school. I have an appointment with my adviser at 9 to see if I'll still on track to graduate in the Spring '08. I think so, but I want confirmation!

See ya soon!

Last day before payday

So much for posting twice a day, or even every day. I will try to post in the mornings, every day, or just when I can. Maybe it's not best to try to post on a schedule, but hey, figuring out how to become a blogger is what I'm trying to do here, so there you go.

Rode with Capital City Cyclists on their group ride yesterday morning. Marc came along too, so that was cool. Only thing is, we hung with the A group (the fast ones) and it really trashed me. I could keep up, but only by staying at the back of the paceline. Marc had no problem hanging with them, but he is in much better shape than I. I decided to just ride with the B group on future rides. I totally want to continue the Sunday group ride thing as long as I can. It's fun and good for me!

Man! Only two paragraphs written and already my fingers are hurting. Oh well, work through the pain.

P90X is going well. I'm on phase 1 recovery week, starting today with Yoga. I'm skipping my rest day of last week to make up for the two rest days in a row I took the previous weekend. A little worried about missing the rest, but that's what a recovery week is for anyway. I really want to get back on the Monday thru Sunday schedule.

Still waking up early. Today at 4:45. It gives me so much time in the morning. Maybe too much time! Whatever. Am now drinking coffee with just skim milk. Black was okay, but with milk is better, not so hardcore. I may move to black in the future, time will tell.

Tomorrow we will have money! Yeah! Both Marc and I will be getting paid on Tuesday. I am reminded of when I was in New Orleans being broke before payday. The urgency was much greater then, probably because the anticipation of getting drugs with my money. Now, I look forward to buying stuff I need, mostly food and other living items. But the best thing about having money is not having to pinch so much. Come September, when my financial aid arrives, things will be soooo nice. I wonder how much that first deposit will be? Thousands, hopefully!

Starting on June 13 Marc and I will go hardcore on our diets. We have been cheating about 3 days a week now, and I want that number to be like 1. One cheat meal a week, no more. If I can stick with that, I will not only be more healthy, I will see muscle definition that much sooner. My strength and flexibility and endurance are increasing nicely, but I want to be bigger and more cut! Patience and persistence are required here. I will "exercise" both!

That's good for now. More later!

Barry!

First, sorry I didn't post last nite before bed. I'll keep trying to do it, and we'll see if it will work out.

This morning woke at 4. Early, but I went to sleep last nite at around 8. I'll try to nap this afternoon. I'd like to get 8 solid hours of sleep a night, and I guess I do most nights. Though sometimes I don't feel all that rested.

Tropical Storm Barry is off the coast of Florida, bringing much-needed rain to our state. I'm thankful for it, and it should clear out for Sunday morning's ride. But it will probably rain all day today.

I have to interrupt this post. My fingers are hurting from the typing. I guess they are not used to typing so much?! I'll continue later.

It starts here...

My name is Michael Robards, and this is my journal. I will post twice a day, in the morning before I leave and at night before I bed down. I will do my best to keep this posting schedule as long as I can, and will make changes if needed. I am doing this because journaling is a great way of recording what I have done in life, and how I feel about it. It is also a good way to work on my writing!

Today I woke at 4:30 am. Marc was up at 4 in an attempt to regulate the time he wakes up every morning. After coffee, I decided to throw out my artificial sweetener and non-dairy creamer, so tomorrow will be my first day drinking coffee black. I feel it will take some getting used to, but I know I'll enjoy it eventually.

Today is the first day of the hurricane season. I think it will be a busy one. I feel safe here in Tally, a lot safer than Destin or New Orleans, definitely. Eager to watch Tropical Update on the Weather Channel!

Yesterday I decided to stop bike commuting to school. The risks of getting hit by a car, doing all that hard hill riding before my P90X workout, and it taking the place of riding my road bike are all good reasons for me to return to driving. I will be parking at the Call Street garage though, and walking the rest of the way to my classes (a 10-15 min walk). Today at school I will be finding out what I made on my first Statistics test. I'm confident I got an A or a B. I've already gotten two A's on the group-works, so I feel really good about this class.

I've been listening to the Motivation to Move podcast lately. I like it, and it keeps me in a self-improvement state of mind. I've also been reading a bunch of Beachbody nutrition and fitness articles, mostly by Steve Edwards. I feel like I can't get enough knowledge on those subjects.

That's all for now. Off to school.