Did my full workout Wednesday as planned but my ride home took an unexpected turn.  Will be back in the gym ASAP. 

Did half a workout on Sat.   Did my cardio and about half of my resistance work and then  I got into a conversation with a guy who played at "Bama" back when Joe Namath and Kenny Stabler were the QB's in the middle 60's.  Needless to say, the ensuing conversation lasted about 45 minutes and totally screwed up my workout but the chat was fun.  I predicted the Heisman winner publicly ... the 'kid' really deserved it.  My back has been pretty good but my golf game yesterday SUCKED!!!  Couldn't hit the ball off the tee to save my ass.  Will be having a 'lung capacity' test and having my eyes checked when I get back to Florida after the holidays.  Billy did very well for his opening meet.  Better that he's ever done insofar as both time and injuries....keeping my fingers crossed.

Mom and I are really looking forward to seeing everybody at '1299' and I hope you 'three boys' will not let Grandma work too hard in the kitchen.... you know her, MAKE HER CHILL!!!

Saturday's work out was 'incomplete' thanks to a prolonged conversation with a guy who played for 'Bama' with both Namath and Stabler in the mid 60's.  Completed the cardio and about half the resistance and then this guy simply wouldn't let me go.   Said his name was Richard Bean and played on three National championships from 63-66 .... I googled him and struck out. 

Today's workout completed as scheduled.  Max bpm = 141  PWW = 233.2 Nothing else of note. Seeing the MF doctor tomorrow to conduct a 'case review' concerning my back pain.  I'm not in a good mood nor am I optimistic this appointment will serve to improve it.

Monday cardio/resistance workout completed as scheduled.  No difficulties.  Failed to get PWW.  Went to 'pulmanologist'  and he's starting me on an 'inhaylor' PRN, but mostly before bed and upon wake up.  We'll see.... I'm also scheduled for a 'lung capacity' test after the holidays.  I'm going to my primary physician to have a 'case review' concerning my back issues.  I'm not sure where we'll be going with that.  I no longer go to PT (it was only a short term fix) and the 'neurologist' said I was not a candidate for surgery (OK with me).  I think further evaluation is indicated.  Guided injections to rule in or out the SI joint I believe would be helpful.  We'll see......

Completed my Friday cardio/resistance workout per schedule.  PWW  235 (lots of food and scotch last night :-( .....    I'm trying to standardize my resistance a bit.  I'm doing three sets of 15 on each exercise and timing the rest interval  and at present, I'm taking a  60 second rest between sets.  In almost all cases, to maintain this, the last set is very tough to complete and sometimes I work to failure or almost failure.  I'm being quite careful about my form; getting full range of motion and doing a little 'negative' on occasion.  My cardio is now 20 minutes (instead of 15) and I'm finishing with my 'max' heart rate in the 130's and an average rate in the 120's, which is an improvement. 

Completed my Wednesday workout.  I increased the 'standard cardio' from 15 to 20 minutes and expect to keep it there.  I did my regular resistance stuff  per schedule.  My PWW = 233.2.  I am going to reduce my program to M-W-F with an additional two days on the golf course .... man can not live by sweat alone.  I think it's more manageable over the long haul and should serve me well.

Back to it.  Did my normal Mon cardio/resistance workout.  PWW = 234.2 (not bad with a week off and lots in 'intake').  Will be going to PT tomorrow and doing my 30 minute cardio.  Back problem still in flux ..... very disappointed in treatment thus far.  MRI read, shows 'bulging disc' at L5-S1, Neuro surgeon's 'clerical worker' said that the Doctor doesn't see patients "with just bulging discs... they must have radiating pain before he sees them".... This is NOT HAVING EVEN LOOKED AT THE MRI REPORT OR THE SCAN ITSELF.  Having a 'non-clinician' make these decisions over the phone is bull-shit!!  I asked her to facilitate the Doctor's first hand read of the MRI report and to, himself, look at the actual scan and to make his decision about examining me or not ......DOUBT IF IT WILL MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE.  IF THAT HAPPENS, I'LL TEAR SOMEBODY A NEW ONE!!!!!!!!!!!

This is how I fulfilled my Thanksgiving Day workout at MTSU Stadium.   About 120 steps to the top and I jogged every one!!!!!  Billy did it 21 times with some 'jump ups' some 'three stairs at a time' and so on ....I did it once and thought I'd die.....CRAZY!!!!  

Check it out......

Thanksgiving week will be some 'time off'.  Played golf Monday and getting ready to leave Tue, driving all day Wed, eating 'big' Thurs, going to 'the Mountain' Fri and probably heading home Sat or Sun.  This will be the first break from my 'five a week' schedule since I began so I'm not going to fuss over it.   Happy Thanksgiving to all my loved ones!!!!!!

Completed a good Sat workout, with 15 min, one mile cardio on elliptical and a full range of resistance stuff on the machines.  PWW = 233.9   Handsome as a son-of-a-gun!!!!  Mom's decorating the tree as I write this, listening to 'seasonal music' (or Muzak as Billy would call it). 

Thurs cardio completed per schedule.  Average bpm = 118  Max bpm = 142.   Have joined a Villages "8" Ball league  on Thurs evenings (6:30)  as a permanent 'sub'.  Will be playing against the 'class of the league' tonight so I'll likely get my ass handed to me. If I lose all my games, I'll challenge them to a push up contest or an arm wrestling match.

Went to PT for an hour /Tuesday, worked pretty hard, then went to the gym and did my normal Tue 30min, 2mile elliptical.  BTW, played golf  (shot 34) Monday and substituted golf for Mon work out....:-(    I think access to the site should be less difficult now as Billy helped me make some technical changes.   Let me know if you continue to have 'access issues'.  PWW = 235.1.

Planning on doing my regular Wed workout today.

Just got back from my regular Sat workout.  All went according to plan.   15 min, 1mile  + elliptical followed by normal resistance work.  Lower back hurts in some positions.  PWW = 234.6, staying in that range.  Getting stronger but would like to see what I'd look like below 200.... or 180!!!

I told Tom I'd post some pics of my gym so I will today.  These show you the range of Nautilus equipment we have .... it's quite diverse. Non of the 'users' are me.
 

Did my regular Wed workout per schedule yesterday and expect to do my Thur cardio for 30 min.,\ today.  Not much to report except my back and leg have been a bit bothersome ..... old age.

Missed yesterday (Monday) due to Golf and after golf beer.  Will be doing my cardio and seeing the PT today.  My knee and SI hurt a lot at golf yesterday.... the 'knee' was something new.  Only thing different was that I was wearing a 1/4" lift in my left shoe as per PT advise. 

Completed my regular cardio and resistance workout per schedule.  PWW was an enormous 236.6 and I am a little embarrassed (but just a 'little').  I'm stronger and more fit and feel better but my waist line is the same.  I did do some 'slow negs' today as per the PT's suggestion and tried to keep my reps at 15.  My back is a little sore but I'll live.  Mom and I made a small donation to the flood victims of 'Sandy' as we are still very thankful that our family was spared!!!! 

Did 30 minute, 2 mile, elliptical AS PROMISED!  Average bpm = 136, Max bpm = 149. 

Will be seeing the PT this PM and the first thing I'm telling him is that if he hurt me again, I'll kick his ass (with my good leg)!!!!  Honestly, still not sure which activity did the damage; golf or the PT.  I'm next scheduled to play golf on Monday so I'll have a couple days to evaluate.

Guess what just happened Thomas.... Just got a call from Dr. Barrett's office for a 'colonoscopy' routine five year followup call and during my discussion, learned that you were a "NO SHOW" for your last appointment with Dr. Barretts partner, Dr. Ryan (I think).   Tom, I will be on your ass like ugly on an ape until you follow up with that rupture or hernia or whatever it is!!!!!!!!!!   For you to simply NOT SHOW UP FOR AN APPOINTMENT ...... I'm  very disappointed.

Missed today.... will do a 'make up' tomorrow (usually off on Friday).

NOT TO WORRY!!  Was at the gym yesterday (Tuesday) completed my regular Tue cardio and back there again today (Wed).   Did a good cardio followed by my increased (four sets) resistance work on all parts.  PWW = 233.2 and max bpm =138. 

My back still hurts from Sun or Mon, not sure.  Sunday was golf (the swing) and Monday was the PT.  I hurt following each encounter and it still does.  Kind of pisses me off because it was feeling very good right before my Sunday round of golf and I think the PT made it worse.  It's not a pain....it's an ache and it is continuous and very annoying.  Suppose to return to PT Friday and I'm not sure if I should ..... any suggestions??

Intended to do both my PT appointment and my gym workout, but I cut my workout a little short.....was a bit tired.   My PT hurt me a little and since I did some cardio with him, I skipped it at the gym and did chest, back and abs ONLY.  :-(

Workout complete per plan.  Cardio is getting a bit easier and I, at Tom's suggestion, moved all resistance stations from 3x15/20 to 4x12/15.  The only exception was with abs which I did reps of 25, 30, and 35 for a total of 90 crunches.  PWW = 235.8. 

Back is feeling OK after 'Big Olga' had her way with me yesterday.  Actually, it feels a bit better but her 'work area' (lower back, both sides) is sore to the touch (not from moving).  Scheduled to see the PT Mon and Friday next week .... stay tuned and PLEASE NO FLOODING!!!!!!!!!!

Reporting on Thursday..... 30 minute cardio completed with better numbers; Ave = 127 bpm, High bpm = 146

PWW - 235.4   Went to PT on Thurs....I like HIM and will return two times per week for next 2-4 weeks.  Am going to have a massage today (Friday) and have been encouraged by both PT and Mom to ask for 'deep (the hurting kind) message' in the area of my discomfort (lower back).  Hope 'Big Ulga' doesn't cause me to have an uncontrollable erection... :-).

Pray for Tom and Deb, we are!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Completed today's workout per plan, both cardio and resistance components. I do lament my PWW of 234.6 as somewhat discouraging but I must say, I am looking and feeling much, much better!  How about this ... I'll champion a new fitness crazz ..... NO REDUCTION IN WEIGHT BUT  INSTEAD.......TRANSFORMATION!!!  Weight stays about the same but you get more fit cardio-vascularly and your BMI swings to better numbers.  Your dense muscle-mass grows, your strength returns to former levels, your aches and pains diminish and your mental health soars to new heights!!  This is what seems to be happening ....... SERIOUSLY!!!!!!!!!!!

Thoughts anybody?????

Now that I'm back on line and the blog is working again, my Sat and Mon workouts were completed according to plan.   No special problems or 'outliers' to report.  I'm making this short as I must get my ass to the gym ..... Its Tue cardio time.

And 'cardio' has now been completed per schedule.  Feels great when it's over but it doesn't 'scare' me as it use to.  It's still hard but I know I can complete it and the distraction of the room with six TVs on different channels, each tied into my elliptical machine, and of course the other 'old farts' doing this and that all serve as helpful distraction to the 'breathing and sweating' song.  I figure that I do over two hours of cardio each week..... not bad for a 235lb fat man.

Cardio work went as planned.  30 minute elliptical with an average pulse of 132 and a high of 160 bpm at workout's end.  The ending pulse was somewhat high but I'm of the belief that as one, even an 'old one' like me, gets more cardio-vascularly fit, his 'pump' will work at a higher rate and max out high but will return to baseline at an increasingly more rapid rate.....(no, I haven't measured that but I will on Tuesday next.)   OK my learned buds, am I right?

PWW = 232.2, same as last Thursday...  ;-(

Wednesday workout as planned.  PWW = 231.8.   Feeling and looking better.

Completed my T-Th cardio.  30 minute elliptical.  Average bpm = 137, Max bpm = 155 (was up there for about the last 25%, a little longer than I should but felt no discomfort).   PWW = 233.2 .....  a little lighter. 

My somatic complaints thus far are as follows:

1.  My right elbow (inside) .... the location of my old football dislocation .... hurts when doing biceps, try's, and delts.  I think I can work through this over time.  It never hurt until I stopped doing resistance work several years ago.  It sort of regressed to back when it was 'green' and in recovery.

2.  Must admit, my knee and SI joint have not been a problem.  I will try a new PT as soon as I find one that will accept my insurance.  Elliptical has been good so far.  I do not do leg extensions or curls on the machines as I feel actual motion (elliptical) is better and I don't trust my left knee of my old ham string injury (same leg) doing static stuff.



 

OK, OK it's MONDAY!   Back at it per schedule.  Cardio was74bpm to start, 118 bpm average, and 139 bpm max.  Did resistance with a little lighter weight, 20 reps x 3 sets and added ab/ad of hip joint (sitting) for my SI rehab.  BTW, I fired my PT and am looking for another except this time, one which is in 'my insurance plan'. PWW was 233.6 ..... not horrible for a Monday.

Peace to All!! (and hey, the Jets won .... their opponent sucked though)

Final workout of the week and have now completed six weeks.  No significant weight loss but I guess we all know why.  Mom and I will do a meat, vegges, and fruit for one week beginning Mon.  Anxious to see what that does (if anything).  Billy says I'll lose.... we'll see. 

Good workout today with my regular elliptical followed by all my regular resistance.  I did up the sets from 3 to 4 with 15 reps on some and 20 on others (Tom will be happy I did 4x20 crunches on the ab machine).   My PWW was a hefty 235.4 and I was somewhat disappointed but not discouraged since I am looking and feeling better.  I think I may lighten up on the weight but keep the reps high and the sets increasing.  Later boys.... off Sunday .... GO JETS!!!!!  (you slobs)

TGIF   Off today but did do my Thursday workout per plan.   30 minute elliptical with and average heart rate in the 130s with a max at 155.   Great sweat ..... love riding home on my bike with the wind drying me off.  No serious pain in either knee or SI. 

Went out with Mom and some of her cronies for drinks and diner (prime rib/scotch).  The couple we were with is kind of interesting....he is an active pilot for US Airways and flies to Paris and London twice a week and he and his wife (a retired flight attendant) are going to hook up with Mom and I in either Paris or London when we go next summer.  All Mom's buds just love her and think she's the greatest thing since 'depends'.

Trust Kris is on the mend and HEY, don't screw around until that's healed! 

Went to PT for my first appointment (and probably my last).  She began doing measurements, strength and flexibility tests and what I thought was some kind of 'provocational testing' respecting my 'possible SI joint inflamation'.  She made it hurt one or two time with her manipulations but never remarked upon the significance of her findings insofar as how she would prescriptively proceed.   She then put me through a serious of stretches and isometrics and finished with ice and electric stimulation in the "SI region".   I hurt when I left.

Went to the gym and did my normal Wed routine and experienced some pain not heretofore felt.  I finished my workout (PWW=233.2) and went home bitching to Mom that "the fucker killed me and I'm not going back".  

This morning it's not as bad but I am not going to go and have her do 'resistance bull-shit I can do myself'.   What I need is a 'PT script' for this issue.  I also need a 'guided injection' into the SI because I believe the Arthropod "missed" when he injected me by simply saying "is this where it hurts?"  According to my research, corticosteroid injections should be fluoroscopic guided..... he winged it.

30 minute elliptical with average bpm of 131 and a max of 151.  Good sweat with a PWW = 232.4 (again).  Start PT tomorrow .  

I'd like to introduce you to VP candidate Paul Ryan as a child.  I'm sure you'll notice the familiar 'hairline' he still has an adult .....   His 'stage name' back then was Eddie Monster.