Posting Quicksand Gone, HLS Bound

Well despite my strong desire to post more this summer I’ve hit some posting quicksand, to put it mildly. I don’t know if its the new job, the lazy evenings, or the fact that I’m completely drained after these long hot days. Seriously, it’s around 100% humidity on most days and those that aren’t we’re rushing to get our 60+ minute runs in … its been crazy. I’m either hot or tired or both depending on the day.

I’m certainly going to be posting more this and next week though, that’s for sure. I have the Healthy Living Summit coming this weekend and all of the activities surrounding it. I’m planning on participating in the Frito-Lay plant tour on Friday, the welcome drinks Friday night, the indian dinner on Saturday, and the 5k (if it’s still happening) on Sunday morning … to name a few. I’m sure they’ll be more as my schedule permits.

I’m very excited for the conference though, it’s gonna be a blast to meet a lot of the people who’s blogs I read. Is anyone here (assuming I have a few readers left) attending HLS?

My amazing wife told me to just make it easier on myself (and her I think) and just stay in downtown Chicago this weekend. It’d be some seriously painful late night train commuting and driving if I were to go back and forth all weekend since I wanted to attend so many of the festivities. I can’t even imagine how the 5k would work Sunday morning … and now I don’t need to. Thanks sweetie!

Quickie Weigh-In

I might as well throw in an update on my progress while I’m at it since it’s been a while. I weighed in this past Friday (though I didn’t post it) and here were the results:

Previous Weight — 276.8 lbs (on 7/7)
Current Weight — 275.0 lbs
Change In Weight — -1.8 lbs

Yes, that’s a loss of 1.8 lbs but it took me a month. I know … I know … A loss is better than a gain, I keep telling myself that, especially with the summer and my ice cream addiction. I don’t know why this heat makes me crave it so much but it does.

Swimming … gotta have an ice cream when we’re done.
Long walk in the heat … gotta get an ice cream.
Great run with the kids … goes perfect with an ice cream.

It’s ridiculous I tell ya but at least I’m not gaining. It’s been a hard summer of few to no losses but darn it, I haven’t given up. We’re getting our workouts in 5-6 days per week and most of our meals are near perfect. Heck, we even picked up a few new fitness DVD’s to spice things up:

Bob Harper: Pure Burn Super Strength

I wasn’t sure what to expect with this DVD but after doing it twice in the two days since I purchased it all I have to say WOW. I was completely nuked after these workouts and can’t wait to go back for more. I really like how Bob pushes yet motivated me throughout the workout. I guess I like to be yelled at when I work out, but that’s another blog posting.

Jillian Michaels: Banish Fat, Boost Metabolism

A pure cardiovascular circuit training DVD that really pushes you. It was a good change-up from some of the weight training circuit DVD’s she’s done in the past.

I’ll post more details on them in the future … needless to say they’re a great addition to my circuit training arsenal and we’re (the wife and I) usually covered with sweat when we finish.

Do you have any new DVDs or routines that are keeping you going this summer?

Running …

It’s certainly been challenging doing the c210k program but I’m actually doing quite well I think. The heat has to have been the biggest challenge to date. It’s so hard running in near 100% humidity, I can’t stress that enough. It’s like running under water and is a constant sweat and hydration management nightmare.

On a positive note though, I’m usually averaging a 10-11 minute mile depending on said temperature and my energy levels. We’re in week 8 right now which has us running 7+ minutes and then walking for 2 for ~70 minutes. From this point on the run times go up dramatically and the walks stay at 1 or 2 minutes.

I had to dump my Vibram Five Fingers around week 4 of my running program. I think my weight was (and still is) a bit high to run in them as my feet were usually killing me for several days afterwards. I’m not talking sore as in running sore, I’m talking sore as in pain and I can’t walk very well. While I still use them 100% for all other workouts, and absolutely love them, I’m use regular running shoes for my 10k training.

We’re planning now to run in at least are few 5k’s before our race in October to test out our legs. I’ve never ran a 5k before (officially) nor have I run with anyone other than my wife. Both should be interesting and I’m sure I’ll have a thing or ten to say about them when I do.

• Thursday Confession, The Ice Cream Monster
• Friday Weigh-In, Prerace Planning, and da Bunny
• Is My 2 Week Weight Loss Goal Reachable?
• I Almost Forgot My Friday Weigh-In Results
• Friday Weigh-In And Race Weekend