Day 8: All hail the god of thunder

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Meals
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Yeah okay, I'm giving in on the diet thing. Food is just too way damn good to give up. Mind you, I'm not gonna go savage... I decided to eat whatever I want, but in reasonable portions.. further more, I'm going to keep my distance from fast food and fatty snacks. And if I really want to snack on something, I'm going to snack on my stock of apple-pears I bought...mmmmm apple-pears..

Meal 1: Corned Beef & Rice
Meal 2: Ham & Cheese Sandwich w. Coffee

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Workout @ 1st Break
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Not much to report today thats different than any other day.. Although I did run into Thor for the first time today..

Elliptical - 16 min - 5.5 mph - 160 HR - 177 cals

Day 7: Temptation takes hold

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Meals
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Okay. I couldn't help it. I gave in and finally ate something I wasn't supposed to. Man, this dieting thing is harder than I thought. If anyone out there has some tips on dieting, I'm all for it. Send in your comments =)

Meal 1: Coffee. Turkey Sandwich.

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Workout @ 1st Break
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Elliptical - 16 min 30 sec - 160 HR - 5.10 mph - 178 calories

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Workout @ End of Shift
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I conducted an experiment involving the elliptical today. I wanted to see if I'd get the same results during about a 10 min run, in terms of heart rate and calories lost, if I ran at a slower speed. The key here, is that the Elliptical adjusts its resistance to retain my HR. Suprisingly, I actually did get the same results, and I ended up just as winded as if I was running at full pace.

I felt bad about not following my dietary plans today, so I worked extra hard during my second workout to make myself feel better. I completely punished my arms and shoulders today *groan* (low weights, but keep in mind I haven't been to the gym in years)

Elliptical - 9 mins 30 secs - 4.8 mph - 160 HR - 108 cals

Pecs/Shoulders - 3 sets - 15 reps - 60 lbs
Triceps - 3 sets - 10 reps - 80 lbs
Biceps - 2 sets - 10 reps - 30 lbs

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Personal Stats Thusfar
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Starting Weight - 174 lbs
Current Weight - 174 lbs
Differential - 0 lbs

Day 6: Food Record

I realized today that its also important to keep track of my food consumption as well. So that being said.....

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Meals
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Meal 1: Red Delicious Apple. Quantity:1 . Calories: 80.
Meal 2: Red Delicious Apple. Quantity:1. Calories: 80.

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Workout @ 1st Break
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Elliptical - 15 mins - 160 HR - 6.0 mph - 160 calories

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Workout @ End of Shift
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Weird thing happened today. In order for me to get to the mens changeroom, I must pass through the mens washroom as that is the only way to get to the changeroom. Normally, after my workout, I run into the cleaning lady in the mens washroom. Which is fine, considering there is a door separating the washroom from the changeroom.

So today, as per usual, she was there cleaning the mens washroom. I smiled, like I always do, and wished her a good morning before heading into the changeroom. So I begin to change, and just when I'm standing there in nothing but boxers, the door to the changeroom swings open, and in strolls the old woman, who continues cleaning as if nothing is wrong =0 I politely ask her if she can wait until I'm done changing.. she looks at me and says yes... AND THEN CONTINUES CLEANING!!! So I'm standing there in disbelief, not sure of what to do. I get dressed as quick as I can and leave. Some people have no decency. *sigh*

Elliptical - 10 mins - 155 HR - 5.5 mph - 104 calories
Forearm - 3 sets - 20 reps - 12 lbs

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Personal Stats Thusfar
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Starting Weight - 174 lbs
Current Weight - 171 lbs
Differential - 3 lbs

Day 5: Energy Boost

Workout @ 1st break
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Due to irregular sleep patterns for the past few days, I wasn't feeling very energetic at all today. In fact, when I arrived at work, I actually was having trouble keeping my eyes open. I started to tell myself that I'd use my breaks to sleep instead of work out. But then I started to feel guilty, because I felt like I was on a roll. Since I started working out, I haven't missed a day. So, wanting to keep my streak going, I knew I needed more energy before 3:00am. I decided that the only way, was to drink a large cup of coffee during my 1:00am break. I knew that it took a while for the caffeine to kick in and wake me up so I figured I'd be ready by 3:00am. Two hours passed and just as I predicted, my energy level spiked, and I was ready to go to the gym. I didn't realize it yet, but I soon found out that not only did the caffeine wake me up, but it also gave me an extra boost of energy that allowed me to run longer at a higher and more consistent speed than normal. All hail the power of coffee =) I also noticed my heart rate was boosted roughly 10 points higher than normal. I've decided to start monitoring my heart rate as well.

Gym Log:
Elliptical - 18 mins - 6.5 mph - 165 Average Heart Rate (HR) - 181 calories


Workout @ End of Shift
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I reminded myself today that losing the amount of fat in my body is more important to me right now than building and toning muscle mass. So, that being said, from this day forward, until I reach 150 lbs, I will be doubling up on my time on the elliptical each day.

Gym Log:

Elliptical - 10 mins - 7.0 mph - 171 HR - 100 calories
Lat Pulldown - 3 sets - 15 reps - 50lbs

Day 4: The Addition of Weights

Lesson of the day.... eating a whole bag of baby carrots WILL cause you to suffer by making you run to the bathroom often. A little too often. Lesson learned. =)

Workout @ 1st break
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Gym Log:

Elliptical - 5.1 mph - 16 mins - 184 cals


Workout @ End of Shift
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Rear Deltoids - 3 sets / 15 reps - 50 lbs
Shoulders - 3 sets / 10 reps - 40 lbs

Day 3: Lethargy

Workout @ 1st Break
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I've reached that point where I say to myself "I don't feel like working out today.... I'll start fresh on monday." I feel lethargic, my body is sore, and I'm trying to come up with excuses to not work out. It's because of this, that I pushed myself harder today than the past two days. I can't let procrastination take hold. Gotta keep pushing.

I set the elliptical for a new program I spotted on the control panel today. 'Fat Burn' as opposed to pressing the 'quick start' button like I've been doing. After doing so, the machine asked me my target heart rate. Using the chart posted on the machine itself, I punched in 160. It then notified me that it would constantly monitor my heart rate and adjust its resistance level accordingly to keep my heart rate constant throughout the whole workout so I can be sure I'm burning fat. Wow, high tech! I love these times ^_^

Gym Log:

Elliptical Trainer - 5.0 mph - 17 mins - 174 calories

Day 2: Calibration

Workout @ 1st break
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I ran for 20 mins yesterday (Jan. 23) on the treadmill at a speed of 5.1 units (no idea what the units are) and burned 203 calories. I'm trying something different today - to run at a slower speed for a longer period of time. Running at 5.1 units for the whole 20 mins tired me out to the point where I was struggling with the last few mins. I figure, if I run at a slower speed, my energy level won't deplete so quickly allowing me to run for longer and hence burn more calories.

Workout @ End of shift
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I've been using the treadmill for the last 2 days and although the workout was decent, my legs were left really sore. My guess is, that its not so much from running for an extended period of time; but rather from the continuous impact of each step. To solve this, I've decided to switch to the elliptical trainers instead. Its the same workout, but zero impact. We'll see how it goes.

Gym Log
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1st break: Treadmill - speed 3.1 units - 11 mins - 72 calories
end shift: Elliptical Trainer - speed 6.5 mpH - 15 mins - 140 calories

total cals burned: 212 calories