New Inspiration

So for some reason I feel like I need a new lease on life. Maybe it's because the semester is coming to an end and everything seems to be changing, but I feel like changing everything in my life. For the purpose of this blog I'll just concentrate on my fitness and health.

Basically, I've been lazy, I haven't really worked out in a while and I feel like crap. It isn't about weight loss anymore, just simply about toning and feeling healthy. I want to get back to how I ate at the beginning of the semester, by throwing out the crap I'm eating now and going back to the nutrious and mostly raw foods. Salads, turkey sandwiches, fruits, and such. One of my favorite snacks is the all powerful date, mmm.

For some reason I've been visiting "Men's Health" a lot. So I will try to eat more of their 12 Power Foods, mostly because they are things I like anyway. Almonds, beans, spinach, dairy, instant oatmeal, eggs, turkey, all-natural peanut butter, olive oil, whole-grain breads and cereal, extra-protein (whey) powder, and raspberries. Another list that I enjoyed was the "10 Foods Your Not Eating." Cabbage, beets, guana, swiss chard, cinnamon, purslane, pomegranate juice, goji berries, dried plums, and pumpkin seeds.

http://www.menshealth.com/cda/article.do?site=MensHealth&channel=nutrition&category=abs.diet&conitem=b72a99edbbbd201099edbbbd2010cfe793cd____

http://www.menshealth.com/mhlists/best_healthy_foods/index.php


Well I have more to say, but it's getting late and sleep helps with health. If you have any supportive advise let me know. I have a month off of school, and I want to stay in shape.

Almost there!

So I know it's been almost 2.5 months since my last entry, aka Kyle's birthday, but things are getting interesting. I'm running my first 5k on Saturday, and it will be with only 4 hours of totally sleep in 2 days. I extremely pumped for it, as t will be the beginning of a great day. After the run, there is the float, then tailgating, followed by the game, then the reception. Hopefully I will make it the KS party.

I have been extremely busy working at Target, so I haven't kept up with my running, maybe twice a week, but last Thursday was my last day. Once Homecoming week is done, I will be totally free. Just a few updates, when I started my "weight-loss" I was about 240 lbs, at the beginning of July I was 204 lbs., and on my last post at the end of July I was 198. My goal was to get under 200 and once I reached that it was 185. About 2 weeks ago I reach that goal with a weight of 183 and have maintained around 185 since.

Once Homecoming is over, I will return to regular runs and workouts. Also my diet since starting classes this fall has mostly been salad with olive oil, turkey sandwich, and apples and bananas. okay that's it for now. If you're free I'm running at 8am on Saturday at Finch Fieldhouse.

Food/Exercise Log: 7/18 - 7/24

**Unless otherwise stated, all runs are at night, as it is cooler**
**Because of Biolife I am weigh every Tuesday and Thursday**

Friday, July 18th, 2008
- bologna sandwich, Fazoli’s (spaghetti & pizza), soft sugar cookies
- 6.2 mile run (10k – all time best)
- 325 crunches, 125 leg ups

Saturday, July 19th, 2008
- IHOP (pigs in a blanket, eggs, hash browns), Subway (tuna sub), cookies, alcohol, Taco Bell (drunk food)
- 2 mile run (uck after eating a foot long I felt sick)

Sunday, July 20th, 2008
- potato chips, Dragon Express, popcorn
- no running today, boo

Monday, July 21st, 2008
- bologna sandwich, potato chips, 3 corndogs, cookies
- 3.1 mile run (28 minutes)
- 300 crunches, 125 leg ups

Tuesday, July 22nd, 2008
- weight: 202 (damn those corn dogs and chips, I blame it on the fact that I was wearing pants and shoes)
- oatmeal, tuna sandwich, potato chips, peanut butter, pineapple, ramen noodles
- 1 mile run (to return movie), 1 mile run (back to house)
- 75 crunches, 50 leg ups

Wednesday, July 23rd, 2008
- tuna, nutty bar, Subway (foot long sub)
- no running today (decided to finish 9 seasons of The X-Files)

Thursday, July 24th, 2008
- weight: 198
- oatmeal, tuna, peanut butter cookies, Applebee’s (spinach and artichoke dip and Cowboy Burger with fries)
- 1.5 mile mid-day run
- 125 crunches, 100 leg ups
- 3 mile run
- 225 crunches, 100 leg ups


I am very disappointed with myself because I have been going out to eat way too often, almost everyday. After this weekend I am cutting myself off, so please don't ask me to go out.

Food/Exercise Log: 7/11 - 7/17

**Unless otherwise stated, all runs are at night, as it is cooler, most likely 9 to 10pm**
**Because of Biolife I am weigh every Tuesday and Thursday**

Friday, July 11th, 2008
- raisin bran crunch, Subway foot long, a whole cucumber, 2 tuna sandwiches
- 3.4 mile run
- 200 crunches, 100 leg ups, 10 weak pushups

Saturday, July 12th, 2008
- raisin bran crunch, parmesan spinach pasta, brownies, ice cream
- 2 mile run (5pm)
- 200 crunches, 110 leg ups, 20 weak pushups

Sunday, July 13th, 2008
- oatmeal, yogurt, carrot, 2 bologna sandwiches, brownies, ice cream, 2 Hamburger Helper packets, popcorn
- 4.5 mile mid-day run (started about 1:45pm)
- 300 crunches, 100 leg ups, 25 weak pushups

Monday, July 14th, 2008
- bologna sandwich, banana, peas and carrots, Alfredo pasta
- 3.7 mile run
- 150 crunches, 100 leg ups

Tuesday, July 15th, 2008
- weight: 198 (reached my goal of less than 200lbs., next goal is 185lbs.)
- oatmeal, leftover Alfredo pasta, bologna sandwich, banana, picnic (turkey sandwich, vegetables, oranges, bbq potato chips)
- 1.5 mile mid-day run (started about 2pm)
- 100 crunches, 100 leg ups
- 2.4 mile run (Sarah)
- 50 crunches, 60 leg ups, 15 weak pushups, 20 sit-ups

Wednesday, July 16th, 2008
- banana, bbq potato chips, yogurt, Qidoba (chicken nachos), peas and carrots
- 1 mile mid-day run
- 3 mile run with Joe

Thursday, July 17th, 2008
- weight: 198
- oatmeal, Jimmy John’s (tuna sub), Las (burger & fries), gummi bears
- 1 mile run


Ummm so I still haven’t stopped going out to eat as much, and Thursday was kind of like an off day, but I’m going to really try kicking some ass this coming week.

Food/Exercise Log: 7/5 - 7/10

So this is my first section of my food and exercise log, I plan on updating it every Thursday night.

**Unless otherwise stated, all runs are at night, as it is cooler, most likely 9 to 10pm**
**Because of Biolife I am weigh every Tuesday and Thursday**

Saturday, July 5^th, 2008
- raisin bran crunch, shortbread cookies, Culver’s(burger, green beans, pop, custard)
- 2 mile run (from house to Woldt, then Broomfield, and back) - alone
- 100 crunches, 50 leg ups

Sunday, July 6^th, 2008
- raisin bran crunch, Great Wall (buffet), a slice of pizza, banana
- .6 mile run to meet up with Sarah (my house to WCD almost Preston)
- 2.0 mile run (from West Campus Dr., down Bellows to East Campus Dr., down ECD to Broomfield, then to Broomfield/WCD intersection)
- .5 mile walk from Broomfield/WCD intersection to Pray’s Apartment (.2 down Crawford)
- 100 crunches, 50 leg ups, 15 weak pushups
- 1.7 mile run (from Pray’s to Preston/WCD, to Bellows, down Main to High, east then down Franklin and back to house)

Monday, July 7^th, 2008
- raisin bran crunch, U-Cup (tea latte, Club, pickle), chicken alfredo
- 2 mile “fun run” with 1 mile walk in between at Veits Woods
- 10 weak pushups, 30 second plank

Tuesday, July 8^th, 2008
- weight: 202
- raisin bran crunch, Grotto (2 slices of pizza), pretzels, mac and cheese, 2 hotdogs, Ritz crackers
- 3.7 mile run (from house down Washington, down Preston, down Crawford, east on Broomfield, north on ECD to Preston, north on Franklin, down Bellows, and north on University, and back to house)
- 2 mile walk

Wednesday, July 9^th, 2008
- raisin bran crunch, leftover mac and cheese plus broccoli, potatoes, green beans, stuffing
- 1.5 mile mid-day run with Joe
- 2 mile night run - alone
- 125 crunches, 90 leg ups, 1 minute plank, 10 weak pushups

Thursday, July 10^th, 2008
- weight: 203
- raisin bran crunch, leftover green beans and stuffing, baked beans, 1 hotdog
- 3 mile broken run (thanks Sarah for pushing me to run that last 1.5 miles)
- 50 crunches, 50 leg ups (I just felt too tired to do anymore, sorry self)

Looking over this past week I should be eating a bit more protein (meat) and going out to eat less.

Fun Runs!

So yesterday Sarah and I ran a little bit earlier than our normal 9pm runs. I'm extremely glad we did as when we ran on Sunday it was past 9:30 and getting dark. We decided to run through Veits Woods, and area I haven't seen in my five years at CMU. I designated this as a Fun Run because it was all off road, trails and trees. There was no way I could go on Google Maps this time and track my exact route and how far I went, although we estimated that we ran 2 miles and did a nice 1 mile walk. It was great to just get some fresh air and nature, I love to mix things up. It was nice to run through the field, into the woods, and along the Chip River. Along the way we saw at least four deer laying and running through the woods. It was a change of pace, but definately something I enjoyed.

I know this post doesn't really have much of a point to it, but it really felt like a great run. Also I told Sarah I would mention the way we breathe. Basically, it's like pregnant women, as in Lamaze. See no point to this post. Also I think that every Thursday i will give an update on my eating and exercise habits. I'm doing this to show myself how poorly I eat sometimes, and to keep myself on track and responsible for my actions. Ok, that's all for today, thanks for caring enough to read.

Beginning Comments and Goals

Since the end of spring semester I've been wanting to run a 5k, and for anyone who knows me, that's a big deal. Brian + running = what the hell?! Also before Lent started, so like February, I weighed about 240lbs., and I decided I needed to make a change in my life. Obviously I lost some weight during the Lenten season, as I gave up sugar, fatty foods, desserts, fast food, all junk food and snacks, Monster, basically anything bad, also I didn't eat meat. These were for Lent only, but the reason for this season is to reflect on your life, see how one care better oneself, and become closer to God. This time period really got me thinking, so when Lent was over I began to eat meat again, but I still tried to keep out the crap food, I ate more fresh foods, salads, and other fruits and vegetables. Towards the end of Lent, about mid-March, I began working out. Mostly all I was doing was heavy biking in the East Area Fitness Center, with occasional trips on the elliptical.

Towards the end of the semester I began running outside. I hated running, but it was something I knew I had to do, and so I did. Reaching my 23rd birthday I knew I wasn't in shape, and if I didn't do anything about it now, I knew I never would. If you've seen my entire family, you would know that weight is a major issue. I don't feel that genes have to be the blame, I'm young and capable, I am going to do this. So I started running with the help and encouragement of my great friends Paul, Liz, and Ashley. I was awful at running, I was out of breath just getting to the other side of campus, and my side would always cramp up, but I stuck with it. I even did 7am runs after working 4-7 shifts at the desk, even on my 23rd birthday, and I felt great. This is when I decided I wanted to run a 5k, and I picked the end of summer to accomplish this goal, September. I knew it was gonna be hard, but it was a concrete goal, one that I knew and had to accomplish. Also by the end of the school year I was about 215lbs., yeah I lost around 25lbs.

So when summer started I kind of stopped working out, seeing that I no longer had the EAFC, but I ride my bike everywhere, and gradually I began running. Thanks to Sarah, Kyle, Nichole, Joe, and Tricia, I have great people to run with. It's usually Sarah that accompanies me and I am gratefully thankful. I like the company as I love to talk while running, and just ask her, I do. I am like a talk radio show. Also during this summer, Sarah started me doing crunches like crazy. At first I couldn't do many, but through her encouragement I am reaching a satisfactory level. Also at the beginning of summer I could only run like 1 mile, not continuously either. Now I try not to settle for anything less than 2 miles continuously, a few times I have even run a full 5k, but only like 2 or 3 times. My goal for the end of summer is to run at least 5 straight miles so that a 5k (3.1 miles) will be like a jog.

So that's where I stand for now. My over all goal is to keep this up, it's more of a life change than anything. When I get this running thing down, I would like to work on muscular endurance, as in I'm weak. Also when the fall semester picks up again, I will return to eat more healthy, as since I have a lack of money and a cupboard full of food, I'm gonna eat what I currently have. If you have any suggestions or comments I would love to hear them, this is something I really want to do, and a goal that is easily in my reach. Also, I plan on keeping a daily log of my eating habits and my workout to make sure that I'm keeping on track. I almost forgot to mention, now that summer is half way through, my current weight is 204lbs., and my goal is to be at 199lbs. without loosing muscle.