30DWW, Day 29

Today I wrapped up the sorta-30 Days Without Weights, and though I didn't lose as much weight as I wanted, I'm pretty sure I lost fat since I went down a size in buying new pants and was able to use the belts I wore before I started doing deadlifts. And yesterday, I bought a tank top to replace one that's getting worn out, and I moved up from a tight M to a loose L. (Short pants are still XL, haha.)

Tomorrow I'll be taking a one-day break before I embark on my next program. I was considering continuing the fat loss phase with Tom Venuto's Burn the Fat, Feed the Muscle, but over the weekend, I learned about Mehdi's StrongLifts 5x5, a free back-to-basics workout program that focuses on proper technique (love the do's and don'ts in the ebook) and patiently working towards my goals (e.g. since I'm doing full squats, I'll need to really lighten the loads again). Also, it has been half a year since I did NRoL's Strength III, and so this is a good time for me to go crazy again.

Soon I'll probably buy the Burn the Fat program, so I'll already have something to switch to once I'm done with StrongLifts I and II. (Wonder if there's a III; haven't gone through the forums yet.)

30DWW, Day 26

So far my biggest sin in 30DWW has been skipping the burpees (two were unavoidable, one was voluntary ), and I've paid for it with my very slow weight loss, but still, I haven't been 198lbs. in nine months and feeling a lot better than when I was 208 five months ago. Today I cut out 30 seconds from my rest periods in Station #2, made eight unassisted chin-ups for two of the four sets in Station #3, and increased the incline for my sit-ups by one notch in Station #4. I'd be happy if I can match what I did today on my last 30DWW on Monday.

30DWW, Day 24

I really didn't feel like hauling my butt off to the gym this morning, and when I was there, I was seriously considering doing yoga instead, but I decided to just go ahead. What helped was getting nice comments from a couple of people there. Nothing like a little ego boost to make me wanna do a little bit more.

30DWW, Day 22

Two days ago, I surprised myself by completing a 5K run on the treadmill, well, I've done that once before. What actually surprised me was 1) I lasted a whole 45 minutes (ten minutes longer than my first time, though I jogging regularly back then) and 2) my abs fared much, much better than I would've thought (even at the slower pace I went at), moreso than my feet and legs that I had to take it easy on them this morning. I guess I can thank all the cardio-crap, like the barfees (which I conveniently skipped... haha), for that.

30DWW, Day 19

Still couldn't complete Station #2 again, but I did do more reps in Station #1. It's weird to think that years ago I couldn't go past 10 push-ups, and now I've been doing 4 sets of 25.

30DWW, Day 17

Did somewhat better with my jogging/jumping burpees yesterday though my old friend, the tibialis anterior, got really beat up by the end. Well, I got until Saturday to rest up for another round. (Need a reason to get out of the house so I can catch Get Smart.)

Also did somewhat better today with Station #2 where I almost got through every set without extending my rest periods past the average. My feet and quads just couldn't hack it.

30DWW, Day 15

Last Saturday, I just couldn't get myself to do another round of Day 2, remembering how exhausted I got from my first time. I did get three Day 1s in so that's gotta count for something. This week, however, I'll try to do two Day 2s, but as a concession, I'm taking Thursday off as a rest day.

I'm still struggling with the Split squat jumps and Mountain climbers, but that's partly because I tried my best not to exceed my rest periods in between sets. I did OK the first 3 rounds, but the last one had me on my back afterwards.

On the bright side, I made 7 unassisted chin-ups for the first time at my bodyweight of around 200lbs. I learned if my torso's stiff enough, my lats and back have something to latch on and pull my body up without resorting to my arms until the last couple of reps.

30DWW, Day 12

Since I took the day off from work today, I came in later in the morning when the gym's airconditioning was working at regular capacity, and this made a world of difference in my performance, which, unfortunately, is still not at the minimum requirement for the program

Now that I've decided to keep up with this "phase" for the rest of the month, I can probably temporarily reschedule my weekday workouts to noon since I don't have to fight anyone over the free weights and machines.

30DWW, Day 10

I tried out my first "Body endurance day" yesterday, and man, it wasn't pretty. It alternated jogging and doing this thing called burpees (henceforth also known as "barfies"), but not knowing any better (because I can never find the right links until after I do the exercise), I went off did jump burpees instead. By Grapthar's hammer, whoever thought up of this exercise should be drawn and quartered.

And today's session wasn't any better since I came in feeling a bit tired and the airconditioning was at its usual early morning temperature setting. At least I'm improving slightly, even though I had to take longer rests periods to recover.

I'm already looking forward to Friday when I'll be watching the Incredible Hulk after my workout. So glad I'm taking a day off from work that day (and not because of the movie--I'm not that much of a comic book junkie).

30DWW, Day 8

Took two steps forward and one step back today. Got a bit better with Station 1 (push-ups and crunches) and so I'll add a few reps next time. Got killed with Station 2 when I switched to alternating legs for the Split squat jumps. The last two sessions I did only one leg at time. Swinging legs to swap positions in mid-air ain't easy.

30DWW, Day 5

I'm going to extend my 30DWW try-out for another week for three reasons:

1. I had to take a 3-day break for my abs (which were very sore for 2 days) and my right Achilles tendon (which I think I strained from the Single leg DB deadlifts last week) to recover
2. I haven't subjected myself to the Body endurance day of the program that combines jogging/running and this thing called "burpees" (more on this after I actually do it), and
3. I lost 3 lbs. since Monday (The caloric-deficit diet I'm on contributed to that.), and now I want to keep the momentum going. I'm back down to 198.5 lbs. and maybe I can bring that down to 195 by the end of next week.
   

If only my left forearm could just heal faster, but that's why I switched back to the Assisted pull-ups apparatus. Also, I still am nowhere near in completing the Body weight strength day under the proper time, but just as long as I'm making progress, that's what counts.

30DWW, Day 1

Today I started a one-week tryout of Matt Potak's 30 Days Without Weights for Ultimate Strength, Conditioning, and Fat Loss, and right after my very first set of 40 crunches, my lower abs cramped up like crazy. Not a good sign.

In fact, the entire first day is a series of torture exercises including:

• Split squat jumps
• Mountain climbers
• 50 body weight squats
  

I thought I'd be okay with all the pull-ups I had to do, unfortunately, my left upper forearm wasn't up for it. I had hoped it would healed by now since I took my break last week, but at least I may have figured out a way from injuring it any more (than I have to).

By the way this morning went, it's going to take me 30 days to get me to the condition just to redo this day properly (with the correct rest periods and such). Being at least 20-30lbs. overweight made everything harder, but if I do decide to go the full hog for one month, I just may be able to lose 4-8 of that.

Height	5'3"	May 08
Weight	201.5 lbs.	+2 lbs.
Chest	44.5"	+0.25"
Neck	16.25"	no change
Upper Arms (unflexed)	15.625"/15.375"	+0.125" /+0.125"
Upper Arms (flexed)	16.375"/16.125"	+0.125" /+0.125"
Forearms	12.25"/11.875"	+0.25" /+0.125"
Waist at navel	38.25"	-1.0"
Hips	44"	-0.25"
Thighs	26.75"/27"	-0.25"/no change
Calves	16.25"/16.125"	-0.125" /-0.125"

I'm over 200lbs. again, but I did lose an inch off my waist. I knew something was up when I easily fit into those new 36" pants I bought over the weekend. (Had to replace yet another pair my thighs ruined.) Guess The 10/10 Transformation (probably 5/5 in my case, haha) helped me out more than I realized.