Day 3 — Cardio Power and Resistance

Today was hard, and not just because Cardio Power and Resistance is not my strong suit. My day started at about 5 AM, started work at 7:30 AM and it didn't stop until I got home at 7:30 PM. Most of that time was spend in a 16" slot between a wall and a very hot boiler—while doing some very precise and tedious work.

Did I mention that I was doing body origami in that 16" slot and on my feet all day? Needless to say, I probably worked out harder in any given two-hour span just working today than I did during my 39 minute Instanity workout.

However, you all kept me going. I came home and I put my dinner off—which meant eating reheated pot roast alone—just so that I could do my workout. My lower back was so tense for half of it—and for all of the stretch—that for 10-15 second periods, I couldn't move at all and my legs and feet were sore from last night's workout and work today. I knew there was a reason I woke up with the distinct feeling that I didn't want to do my workout before work today.

But! I did my workout, pushed through and I only rested for 6:30 of today's workout. That said, it is a higher percentage of minutes than yesterday's workout...but I'll take victories when I get them. Another small victory—according to Libra I will reach my weight goal of 205 a full three weeks before the end of my Insanity program! I know it is early, but I have been weighing myself daily for months so I believe in the data and I believe the trend, so that is good news. Even if that trend is skewed right now, I know that my weight has gotten off the plateau again so that is all I need to hear to keep me going.

My diet was messed up today. Had some 'fried' potato skillet my mom made with 'lean' breakfast sausage and a sprinkling of cheese, two eggs and two pieces of whole wheat toast for breakfast. Not low fat, but mostly good stuff. However, I had no lunch to speak of because I didn't have time to stop working, so I didn't eat again until 6:15 when I had a small peanut butter and jelly sandwich and an orange Cutie. Drank over two litres of water today, and then had altogether too much pot roast for dinner.

My problem with eating too much is that I hate wasting food. I will gladly stuff myself to avoid throwing food away. I know that isn't good for my weight loss, but I feel so selfish wasting food when so many people don't have the luxury of even eating every day. So I have talked to my parents—you know, the people who cook around here—and they are starting to understand that I don't eat as large of portions as I did in high school when I was at baseball practice for 3-4 hours a day. Sure, my metabolism will go up some, but I don't have a 15 year old's bottomless pit of a stomach anymore. Hopefully they are starting to get that.

My short rant today is about the fact that I understand why these workout DVDs only have people in them who are in great shape, but it actually detracts from my motivation some. I would love for there to be an average guy in the back who is taking 12-15, 20-35 second breaks during each workout because he is getting into shape, not looking to shave off another .25% of body fat. Maybe that wouldn't work for everyone, but I'd believe Shaun T saying "you can do it" a bit more if I could see someone else struggling like me to feel like I'm not the only crazy person using these DVDs to get into shape from being vastly out of it.

One last bit before I go—why do they put body fat percentage "estimators" on scales and state your body fat percent like it is fact? It is total bull! I weighed myself this morning, 216.4 lbs, 34.5% body fat according to my scale. Weighed myself for giggles after my workout—216.0 lbs but 44.0% body fat. What? How did I barely eat all day, lose .4 pounds, but gain 10% body fat? Not sure how that happens exactly.

Anyway, I'm out for the night. Hoping to get my first morning workout in tomorrow since work will be low key tomorrow with the boss man out of the office. Three down—51 left!