The Three Week Challenge

So I've been getting a bit bored with my gym routine and wanted to change things up a bit. I'm constantly looking for something new to "get into." This time, I'm going to see how fast I could lean out by following a healthy, smart plan. For the next three weeks I will be following a strict low-carb diet while performing a whole new workout program.I'll be tracking progress on the blog and posting pictures to show progress at the end.

My starting point:
Weight 160.8 lbs
Body Fat 9.7%

For the last two months, I have been focusing on building lean muscle by performing my exercises with light weight and high reps. What I have been doing was working, but now it's time to switch things up a bit. Yesterday was day 1 - started off good and strong. The lift isn't what I've been accustomed to, so after completion I really didn't feel like I taxed my body enough. The program calls for two days of cardio and upper body exercises, and two days with cardio and lower body movements.

Yesterday's workout consisted of:
15 mins Bike

25 reps Dumbbell Chest Press
20 reps Single Arm Dumbbell Row
20 reps Military Press
25 reps Biceps Curl
20 reps Triceps Kickbacks

10 mins Jump Rope

25 reps Dumbbell Chest Press
20 reps Single Arm Dumbbell Row
20 reps Military Press
25 reps Biceps Curl
20 reps Triceps Kickbacks

Today calls for more cardio and lower body exercises. Wish me luck!

Song of the Week

Let's get right to it...

This week's Song of the Week is letlive - Banshee

Got the chance to see these guys at this past Warped Tour and they were the band that surprised me the most. Such good energy and entertaining throughout their whole set.

Song of the Week

Anniversary Eddition!

This week's Song of the Week comes from the group we're set to see Wednesday at MSG:

Paramore - Emergency

What's This Ringing In My Ears?

When I first started working at the gym over two years ago, I pretty much took on any job opportunity I could get my hands on, whether it was checking the equipment, reorganizing the floor pieces or picking up a large group class to teach. Yesterday I took over the class I started with back in my very rookie days as a trainer - and I'm pretty sure I scared 15 out of the 16 women in the class with my music selection.

Yesterday's playlist consisted of the following songs:
Calvin Harris - You Used to Hold Me
Icona Pop - I Love It
The Fratellis - Chelsea Dagger
Bayside - Already Gone
Paramore - Emergency
AFI - Days of the Phoenix
Anberlin - Feel Good Drag
Paramore - Decode
Love, Robot - Criminal
A Day to Remember - Best of Me
Beloved - Insult to Injury
Black Tide - That Fire
A Day to Remember - All I Want
Cartel - If I Fail
Silverstein - Replace You

When Beloved's song came over, I walked over to one of my clients who was taking the class (who shares similar a taste of music) and said, "It's about to get heavy in here," and sure enough it did. One member gave me a look that showed her displeasure in the music as others stopped performing their crunches and started covering their ears. Needless to say, next week's playlist will be different, softer, and much more member-friendly, but I still might sneak in an "angry" song here and there.

Now Playing - Brand New - Jaws Theme Swimming 

Halloween Done Right

I usually don't like to brag (especially on social media), but I can't resist this one. If you would like to see Halloween done right in 2013, here it is...

Yes, that's a real mustache. 

Silverstein at Irving Plaza

Dressed with some of the best costumes in the venue, Silverstein performed a 10-song set at Irving Plaza last Thursday as part of the Tracing Back Roots tour also featuring Chunk, No Captain Chunk! and We Came as Romans. 

The six-man grouped rocked costumes from Breaking Bad will playing some of their newest hits of their last album "This is How the Wind Shifts."

Here's one pic I was able to snap before getting kicked and pushed around by the enthusiastic crowd.

Song of the Week

This is the "Holy Schnikes I'ts November" edition of  SofW.

This week's Song of the Week - A Day to Remember - Best of Me

If you have ever seen the show "Live from Daryl's House," MTB performed this song on the show and it sounds amazing. The YouTube version is OK, but if you ever see it on Palladia, definitely take a minute and appreciate the song.

Gotta Start Somewhere

"Onto the next challenge," is what I usually say shortly after completing another physical test. At first it started back in 2010 when I ran my first two half marathons. "On to a full!" I insisted (which turned out to be a mistake - my knees are just starting to forgive me) after completing the Disney Half marathon in January 2011. Once my full marathon was checked off my bucket list I moved onto body building where I competed in three shows in early 2012. This year called for my first triathlon (another Bucket List check-off) - the Nation's Triathlon which was an experience in itself.

So what's next? I would really like to complete the Spartan Trifecta (the Sprint, Super and Beast all in one year) in 2014, but first I have decided to run 50k (~31mi). Why? Because I feel like it's time to really start pushing myself. All my other races and events, I knew I would finish the challenge. Yes, that sounds a bit cocky and over confident, but it's true. Never in my training or during an event did I think that the forthcoming challenge would force me to stop. The closest I came was when I ran my first and only marathon. That was over two and a half years ago. I'm smarter, stronger and less ignorant than I was then, so I'm well aware there is a possibility I won't be able to finish the 50k, but I'm going to do everything in my power to cross that finish line.

So, my training leading up to the race will still include weight training four to five days per week as well as running three to four times per week. On Tuesday I wanted to set a benchmark 5k time. I must say, since running in the Tough Mudder a few weeks ago, I felt good. I ended up completing the run in under 29 minutes with and average pace of nine minutes per mile. Over the next four weeks I'll be using my elevation mask for my weight training and cardio and see how much my time improves because of the mask.

Song of the Week

In light of seeing Silverstein on Thursday...

This week's Song of the Week:

Silverstein - Replace You

Mid-Week Musings

So it seems as autumn has finally arrived here in Jersey. Mid 50s all week and high 30s at night... now we're talking!It's hard to believe November is just over a week away...

A few things in the pipeline:

• Minus the Bear in NYC Friday night
• Family photo shoot in NYC Saturday
• First Halloween party Saturday night

Next week I must start my run-training for the Feb Frozen Apple 50k in Maplewood.  It seems that I keep taking my desire for a challenge to a higher level each time, but I'm not too sure how much higher I can go. I'm well aware of my physical limitations and 31 miles might be it. 

That's it for now... I leave you with this. What State Fits Your Mood -  I belong in New Mexico. I'll be looking for a place on Negra Arroyo Ln.

Now Playing - letlive. - Banshee

Another First

This month is proving to be very unique for me. Last week I mentioned that I had my first maternity photo shoot - and my second one only a few days later. I'm holding off on posting the pictures from my second shoot because the couple wants to surprise everyone around the holidays with cards so I will keep them hidden until then.

My latest first-encounter - selling on eBay. I just sold 13 games for more than I would have ever guessed or received from Game Stop. I think the next item for sale is the PS3, and basically anything else I haven't touched in six months.

Back to editing pictures and waiting for the plumber to come... I remember the days when thinking of a plumber meant playing Super Mario.

Song of the Week

It's funny how this blog keeps gettign away from me. It was a lot easier when I spent all my time in front of a computer at work. Anyway, I digress...

This week's Song of the Week:

Bayside - Already Gone

Saw these guys last month in Chicago at Riot Fest and they were awesome! One of my favorite sets that we saw that weekend.

Song of the Week

This week's Song of the Week is meant to be played at loud volumes.

Beloved - Insult to Injury
 

If you're constantly on the hunt for new music, check out SonicAwareness.net.

A First for Me

As a professional photographer I have had the opportunity to shoot weddings, events, portraits, products, etc. This weekend I had the chance to work my first maternity shoot with a couple who's wedding I captured end two years ago. Here are a few teasers from yesterday.

Weekend Recap: Muddy Edition

This past weekend I completed my first Tough Mudder with two active clients and one former client of mine. The four of us set out early Saturday morning to concour the event that last year jacked up my ankle, cost me a pair of Vibram Five Fingers, and had me carted of the course. At 8:20 am we set out for the 11-mile run riddled with over 15 obstacles - and we concoured! Two hours forty minutes later we crossed the finish line covered head-to-toe in mud, shocked (electrically), and in dire need of a hot shower. Unfortunately, the sweatband you receive as a finisher medal was lost, so I guess I will just have to do it again next year!

With the conclusion of the Tristate Tough Mudder, this year I have completed four races which is the most I've done in one calendar year. It all started with a Spartan Race in June, Warrior Dash in August, Nation's Triathlon in September, and most recently the Tough Mudder in October. What's on the agenda for next year, you ask? A 50k in February and then onto the Spartan trifecta - the sprint, dash and beast all in one year. Yes, I am crazy.

Now Playing Silverstein - In a Place of Solace 

Guess Who's Back....Back Again

Wow it's been a while since my last post and things have been crazy, but are finally settling down! I did miss writing and now seems like a great time to bring back the blog.

Since I last wrote, I did compete in my first triathlon (the Nation's Triathlon in Washington DC) back in September, went to Riot Fest in Chicago and most recently got two new tattoos. Every weekend in September was spent living out of a suitcase and it's good to be done with that!

This upcoming weekend I'll be looking to complete my first Tough Mudder in Englishtown. Last year's attempt didn't go so well as I was carted off the course at mile four with a major high ankle sprain. It wasn't until June/July this year that the range of motion in that ankle really started to improve. Hopefully Saturday isn't a repeat of last year and I'll be able to write a new entry with some completion pictures!

For now, I leave you with my new ink!

Song of the Week

This week's Song of the Week is chosen because one year ago today we were seeing these guys in NYC... turned out to be an awesome show... with a bloody ear.

Escape the Fate - The Aftermath G3

19-Week-Out Training Update

As of this past Sunday, the triathlon is 19 weeks out and I still need a pool to swim in. The YMCA seems to be a bit pricy so I might have to look elsewhere... possibly the West Orange Community Pool. By next week I'd like to have this little "issue" settled so I can really start locking in on training.

Today was a bit light - lift session this morning and a 20 minute bike ride this evening. I was able to maintain an average of 16 mph on the bike for the 20 mins and got in just under 5.5 miles. I'd like to get my average pace up around 18/19mph as I feel I could make up some time on this part of the race.

Starting next week I will be locking into a new diet from our gym nutritionist Laura. We will be taking some before pics and then updates every few weeks. Ever since my body building competitions last spring I have been finding it hard to focus on my nutrition so I'm hoping working with Laura will be able to realign me.

Tomorrow calls for sprints with a chance of a light run at South Mountain Reservation!

Now Playing - Moving Mountains - Tired Tiger

137 and Counting

So I did the math today, and as of this past Sunday we are 20 weeks out from the big day. Most training programs range from 20 to 16 weeks out. Within the next month we'll be really kicking it up. This also means I might have to join a pool earlier than mid June. Those are precious days to train and I really don't have much time to waste. A YMCA membership might be in the works.

Today's workout was rough and it seems like that is going to be a common theme throughout the next 20 weeks. My goal was to keep the legs fresh for tomorrow's speed workout so I wanted to focus on upper body today, and here is how it went:

• 15 Bent Over Rows
• 15 Overhead Presses
• 10 Pull Ups
• 15 Push Ups

- No rest between each exercise
- 2 mins rest between sets
- 4 sets total

After the circuit I biked just under seven and a half miles in 30 minutes.

Tomorrow I'll be repeating the fartlek workout form two weeks ago and possibly adding an outdoor run since the weather will be nice.

Now Playing - Set Your Goals - This Will Be the Death of Us

Song of the Week

This weekend didn't go totally as planned, but it was a much needed few days off.

I picked another song from this album a couple of weeks ago. If you like both, give the whole CD a listen... it's awesome.

This week's Song of the Week - Silverstein - Massachusetts