This new HRM is great. It’s giving me more incentive to squeeze out those additional calories out of each workout. Since I bought it “new” from the eBay dealer, I suspect I can get warranty service for the sound issues. Otherwise, it seems to be functioning as I suspected.

As I expected, my kickboxing workout this morning did not yield as many calories burned as MFP’s database had me believing. I’m about 150 shy of their standard entry, which means I’m burning about  42 cals every 9 minutes for the 45-min class. I’m kinda bummed about this revelation, given that I can burn 100 cals in a 10-12 min run. Now I know it’s not all about the calorie burn since I’m improving strength, endurance and overall fitness in that 45 minute class. But as with many people, the mindset is to achieve the most you can squeeze into as little time as possible.

Granted, there are some perks to extending exercise, like bonding with your pups on a good long walk and enjoying the scenery (though in my case, I get to see the daffodils blooming around the neighborhood this time of year).

Still, there is that wish that the pace can be accelerated–though I have to be mindful that I gained 20 lbs over a span of 2 years, I can’t always expect to lose that weight in a fraction of that time. Or can I?

I’d love to take up weight lifting next to see if I can achieve better results…but how do I start? I’m not confident that today’s generic gyms will give me the guidance to get to my goals. 

PS: This is the first morning the scale reported my weight at 144. Of course that’s not gonna last long…but since I haven’t seen that number in more than a year, it’s actually quite gratifying. Losing weight slowly a pound at a time…as long as I keep it off. 

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Wow! Today I was just all sapped of energy. I think adding in that mile run in the morning and evening strength/core sets this week have worn me out. I dragged myself into work and found myself nodding off to sleep a few times. Despite that I really had no appetite, I did cram some food down…too bad I had to have all that vinegary fat for dinner.

I thought one of my personal friends and MFP bud was going to launch full force into the newest 30-day Bodyrock.tv challenge. But I haven’t heard a peep from him since the first day. I did notice that day 2 involved a sandbag–I shopped around looking for a kettlebell with soft handles, but I guess those things really don’t exist. I prolly will have to invest in one of those Atlus Athletics med ball/kettle combos.

So the folks at PBT this morning bluffed their way through the strength exercises this morning. The trainer declared it was an all-body workout day…but I felt it was more focused on upper body and triceps. We had several push-up pyramid super sets, but heck…I still can’t get half-way through those.

Anyway, I was feeling that lower ab burn this evening, doing those knee raises. I hope I get closer to that flat stomach…coz right now my bikini bod still looks scary.  More bodyweight ab exercises at: http://www.muscleandstrength.com/exercises/lying-floor-knee-raise.html

Won a Polar FT40 last night on eBay–it’s LIME GREEN and it looks pretty!

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It appears there is less muffin-top love these days. I managed to squeeze into my size 6 ON jeans yesterday…it was still tight and it looks like the battle of the bulge–but I’m winning.

That .5 inch gain on my upper arms have me thinking that the frequent cardio and strength training is finally making a difference. Now if I could focus some of that exercise on my glutes and thighs. I’m still noticeably weak in those areas, but today’s strength training had me on the next color bands: GREEN!

While I am disappointed that it took me three months to get here, I must say that it’s good validation to finally see some progress. This will be my first week attempt to run/jog a mile every morning. Hope to be able to keep it up! 

One thing I need to remember to do is take my BP meds in the evenings. It has given me better energy for the morning workout. 

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Title says it all.

I stopped by Kroger after my morning workout to pickup some 1/2% lowfat milk. (I didn’t even realize such a thing existed–1% I can understand, but half a percent?) I tried my hand at another smoothie, this time using the frozen Tropical Blend fruit from Kroger’s Private Selection brand and 6 fresh blackberries. Threw in some fresh shredded coconut along with my bulk whey protein concentrate, mixed it all with my trusty hand blender.

I discovered that the Orange honey I’ve been using in the smoothie gives it a very off-putting taste. I think that I’ll also have to add orange juice to future smoothie recipes if I’m going to get a sweeter taste that I prefer. 

I’m giving the protein shake/smoothie one more try before I scrap the whole idea. I just can’t justify the expense and effort for such a bland smoothie. 

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I’ve been scouring the net looking for a particular exercise’s name that has been eluding me. I first experienced it in Transformation Boot Camp, then later at Peak Body. It seems to be a hanging sit-up or crunch in which I’m twisting left and right, tapping the ground with my elbows. The closest I’ve come to finding it is Russian Twist, though I did find one resource that referred to it as a Backwards Crunch (not to be confused with the leg-raising Reverse Crunch).

I did find a whole lot more core builders and strength exercises I want to add to my regimen; with particular emphasis to abs, obliques and glutes.

I also plan on hitting those push-ups, squats, and lunges more regularly, since I’m particularly weak in those areas. The push-up pyramids in PBT are hellish.

General exercise resources: 

• http://www.sport-fitness-advisor.com/core-strength-training.html
• http://www.shapefit.com/training.html
• http://www.exrx.net/Exercise.html 

Specifics: 

• http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/bbinfo.php?page=Abdominals 
• http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/bbinfo.php?page=Glutes 
• http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/bbinfo.php?page=Shoulders 

I will mention here that my first protein shake attempt ended in failure; the whey protein concentrate tends to overpower the drink, and the lack of sweetness really just doesn’t inspire drinkability. I hope to try again with some better ingredients (and minus the vitamin D milk).

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