Fitness Transformation 2010: DAY 1

Weight: 209.4 lbs/ 19.6 body fat*

*our scale measures body fat, however we question how accurate it is. Our daughter measured her body fat at school and our scale shows a 7 point difference, listing it on the heavy side. We can only assume it is different.

Monday, March 15th was the actual first day of our routine. I woke up and immediately needed to watch what I ate, and more specifically WHEN I ate. Nick (our personal trainer) instructed us to eat small portions, 2 1/2 hours apart. This helps speed up the metabolism, as your body utilizes the food that you give it, instead of storing it away for later use. As beneficial as that "storage" concept sounds, it really just translates to "fat". That is all fat is... it's our bodies way of storing energy for later use. Of course, with the eating habits that we have in our country, that "storage" never gets used. We just add to it. Hence, the importance of keeping portions small, and eating more times throughout the day. In essence, I may still eat the same amount...and the same foods (Nick said we didn't need to give up carbs, as carbs are needed for energy)... it's just spread out throughout the day.

Another important factor is that of drinking 170 ounces of water, each day. Technically, I am supposed to drink an ounce for every pound in my body. Being overweight, that is not an option. The consumption of water also boosts metabolism, and with cold water, helps the body burn calories. It takes energy to heat the water up to a temperature that is ideal for the bodies use. This, of all the factors involved with this regiment, is the toughest for me. I am a Letter Carrier, and spend most of my days outdoors. It is time consuming for me to go to the bathroom often, yet I find myself needing to go every hour... if not more.

Another important dynamic to my diet is that of making sure that I always have protein. We have a specific amount of protein that we need to consume with each meal (Tiffany has been told that she needs 17 grams of protein, I am currently unsure of my amount), and should actually have carbs, as well. The carbs are then used for energy, and the protein goes towards muscle growth. Without the carbohydrates, the protein would be used as energy. Make sense? Sure it does.

My meal breakdown on Monday was, as follows:

4 eggs, 2 slices of multi-grain toast.

2 pieces of string cheese and a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup

Almonds and small piece of lasagna

Another small piece of lasagna and more almonds

Banana and yet more almonds

Hamburger patty and corn

Post workout protein shake

For the workout routine, Nick concentrated on chest, shoulders and triceps. We utilized several machines and free weights. We did either 3 or 4 sets, often adding weight with each set. The goal was to fatigue the muscles to the point where they could not function. With the chest, we worked them for a solid 20 minutes (with 60 second breaks in between each set), after which Nick told me to do as many push ups as I could. I succeeded in doing five, the first attempt, and only made one the second attempt. My muscles were so fatigued that I couldn't even push myself up off the ground. I had to use other parts of my body to actually get up. I write this on Wednesday 3/17, and fortunately I don't feel too much pain. I attribute this to the fact that my upper body has had weight training, albeit unorganized and much less productive. At least those muscles have seen SOME action, however.

My routine for the evening ended with 30 minutes of fat burning cardio on the treadmill.