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!

151... And Counting

One hundred and fifty-one days out from the triathlon. We're finally experiencing some spring-like weather in the area, making outside runs much more enjoyable. This past weekend flew by and unfortunately I didn't get a chance to get out and get some miles in. Yesterday I ran a short two miles (17:32) around South Orange and everything felt good. Tracy has already warned me I'm not going to like Wednesday's workout so that should be interesting!

My workout plan for this week is looking like this:
Tuesday - Lift
Wednesday - Run
Thursday - Run
Friday - Lift
Saturday - Rest
Sunday - Run

We'll see if this week continues to go as planed.

April 15 - Muse at MSG
May 17 - Birthday at Medieval Times
May 19 - Skate and Surf
May 25 - Attack Attack! at Gramercy in NYC

Now Playing - Bring Me the Horizon - "Sleep Walking"

End of Week Musings

The Anberlin show this past Wednesday was awesome! They had really good energy and stage presence and played some serious hits. 

This song, "Modern Age" was awesome! Give it a listen!

See more Instagram photography of mine here.
I had some good lifts yesterday and earlier today. I'm working on building up my muscle endurance so the heavy lifting is going away for a while... until the fall. Here's how they went...

Chest

SS
DB press 60# - 15x, 15x, 12x
DB Fly 30# - 15x, 15x, 12x

SS
Incline DB Press 45# - 15x, 15x,
Incline DB Fly 30# - 12x, 12x, 12x

SS
Cable cross over 40# 15x, 15x, 18x
Stability Ball Pull Over 50# 15x, 15x, 15x

Back

Lat Pull Down 100# 12x, 110# 12x, 120# 12x
Single Arm DB Row 50# 12x, 12x, 12x
Pull Ups 10x, 10x, 9x
Rhomboid Row 40# 15x, 40# 15x, 50# 12x

SS
Stiff Arm Pull Down 90# 15x, 15x, 15x
Single Arm Cable Row 60# 12x, 12x, 12x

Reverse Lat Pull Down 90# 15x, 15x

First Day of Spring

Spring has finally sprung, or at least it was supposed to, but it looks like Old Man Winter didn't get the memo. Some brisk temperatures are still lingering, but hopefully for not much longer.

Tonight I'm going to see Anberlin at Irving Plaza. It will be my first show in a while and the first of a few to come. Excited for A Day to Remember next week - hopefully I'll return without any battle wounds. Last time I was at Irving Plaza was for an Escape the Fate show in May 2012. A crowd surfer kicked the back of my ear and cut it open pretty badly getting blood all over one of my favorite shirts. I doubt history will repeat itself tonight since ETF and Anberlin are quite different.

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Today's Workout -- LEGS

Box Squat - 135# 15x, 15x, 15x
Dead Lift 185# 15x, 12x, 12x
Walking Rope Lunges 25# DB 30 steps 3x; 30 reverse steps BW final set
Leg Curl 70# 15x, 80# 15x, 90# 15x
Leg Extension 70# 15x, 80# 15x, 90# 15x

Cardio 20 mins