jengatron's log

[jengatron]

Hi all. I'm another SimpleFit convert directed here by cheapo's post on marksdailyapple.com.

I've been in various stages of fatness since birth probably, and have had a hard time sticking with anything. SimpleFit seems different. The challenge of going from level to level is really appealing because I'm pretty competitive. I'm also committing to the diet and lifestyle changes from Mark Sisson's Primal Blueprint, which is the only diet and exercise philosophy that makes sense to me.

I'll do my best to keep my log updated. I am taking pictures every day but I'm not quite sure I want to post them here. Maybe I could be persuaded.

Wish me good luck!

[robbiew]

Good luck jengatron, it certainly is a challenge but I think you'll enjoy it!

[jengatron]

Monday, May 17th, 2010

SimpleFit: Week 1, Level 1, Day 1

I am about 5'10 and weighed 247 this morning. I have weighed as much as 270 and as low as 180 in my adult life, and have been hovering around 260 for the last year until I started instituting changes (albeit intermittently) inspired by The Primal Blueprint.

When I have lost weight it's always been by low-carbing it. Even though weight loss is obviously a big goal of mine, it's only secondary to my ultimate goal of being able to run and jump around freely and just to not have my body be an impediment to anything I would like to do physically, like join a softball league, or get back into bicycle touring.

Anyway, on to the first workout...

It's going to be quite a milestone when I manage my first pull-up from a dead hang. For now, I am substituting 3 incline body rows ( maybe a 45-degree angle?) using a towel draped over my pullup bar for every 1 pull-up.

I got through 16 rounds, having taken a couple short <1min breaks, once to quickly change shoes, and once to answer the door. My pushup started to fail in the 16th round and then I also got a stitch and I ended up stopping after 17 minutes.

I'm pretty sure I'm going to be stuck on level 1 for a few weeks, and it feels like a cheat to move up before I can perform even ONE dead-hang pullup though I know it's ok to do so assuming I make time on day 3 with the proper substitution. I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.

Food Log:

Roast Chicken
Sweet Potatoes sauteed in onions and butter
6 macadamia nuts
5 blackberries
4 strawberries
5 slices of deli turkey (which I wouldn't normally eat on the Primal Blueprint, but it was in the fridge and I don't want to waste it)
2 slices of deli cheese, Gouda (ditto)

I'd normally eat more than this in a given day, but somehow didn't get around to it.

I joined a CSA and my first produce box is ready on Thursday.

Can a post a shirtless pic without being laughed at? It might be motivating to have people follow along.

[jengatron]

Thursday, May 19th, 2010

SimpleFit: Week 1, Level 1, Day 2 & 3: CANCELLED!

I am still incredibly sore from my first SimpleFit workout on Monday. Maybe I should have eased into it more. There was no way I could have done my L2D2 yesterday, so I'm going to rest until next Monday and try again. Maybe I'll see some improvements, and maybe I won't be sore for days later. What's funny though is because I can feel the soreness distinctly in each muscle group, by attempting to do a given exercise, I know exactly what muscle groups it will hit. Very cool!

In some better news I received my first CSA share today.



That's fennel, kohlrabi, chard, red onions, beets, flat leaf parsley, carrots, garlic, new potatoes, a couple chilies, and summer squash. I'll pass the potatoes and a few of the carrots on to the gf or a friend, but the rest looks pretty good. Now I just have to figure out what the hell to do with all this stuff! If anyone has ideas, I would love for you to share them (assuming anyone is reading this!)

I did have a little setback the other day. Had some pita bread, cookies, and milk. It's really a challenge for me to live with non-primal people and all the stupid food they keep around. I never had as big a junk food habit when I lived alone. :-/

jengatron