Category Archives: Weekly Wrap Up

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First Thirty Days of Focused…ish…. Nutrition Plan

It is amazing how time flies. It is hard for me to believe we are already through the first week of August. Summer is just about over. Believe me, I am not wishing it away. Autumn is my favorite time of year. Fires, Cocktails, Football,  and hooded sweatshirts. Summer is my second favorite time. We have not gotten to the beach once and we do need to fix that, quickly. We have been on the water a few times in the kayaks and Berger took her maiden voyage. She did well. She was very focused on a paddle boarder behind her and Kylie…not sure why.

It has been seven months since I last posted. Way too long. Things have been going well this year, however I have not been focused on hitting my goals. Life gets in the way. Things happen. We all make choices and push what needs to be done at that time to the top. Sadly I think many of us put ourselves last. Then we find ourselves kind of pissed that we are not achieving the things that six months ago were important to us. And of course, there is also the reality of New Years’ resolutions…..that are the same year after year.

For those of you who know me, you know that I lost my Dad the end of April. Losing a parent seems to change the view of one’s own mortality. It is an assault on it actually. When I was little I thought he was the strongest guy in the world, able to do anything. I watched him age and his physical capabilities diminish. He was hard on his body and in the end his body just gave up. It was done.

So, in part because of that, and because it just beyond time, I spoke with a fellow CultFitter and he recommended a nutritionist he had worked with previously. So I contacted her and we were off. I had to get a Resting Metabolic Rate test and a VO2 max test. The first was not hard, just took twice as much time as it was supposed to. Based on those readings I burn about 2500 calories a day just living. The VO2 max test was a giant PITA. It was on a treadmill and everyone who reads this blog knows how much I looooooove running. So imagine me on a treadmill with basically a fighter pilot mask on, a heart rate monitor around my chest, and a clippy thing on my finger. Quite the sight. I hoped that i did not trip and take out the whole thing.

The numbers came back no differently than I expected. Average/Slightly above average for a person of my age and dimensions. I met with the nutritionist via phone and went over all pertinent information. She put together a meal plan and sent it to me. Using MyFitnessPal is a huge win. It was as one would expect. Reduced calorie, high protein, moderate fat, and low carb. I am at 130 grams per day, which is not bad. Just have to make each one count.

I have enjoyed it and as the title indicates, have been committed…mostly. There was one night that was just silly. I am down 21 pounds in a little over a month. It is a steady clip of 3-5 pounds per week. CrossFit five times per week, 2 runs a week, and yoga once. I do not always get both runs, in however I’ll make it longer if I only get one run in.  The big difference on this one is that I followed exactly what I told, and it is paying off much better. Funny how that works, huh? Kind of like that thing, when you finally do what your Coach told you to do, and shocker, it works.

The eating has been easy to follow. 5-6 meals per day. I like having a plan for the week as it makes it easier to prepare and not worry about it during the day. Sunday is meal prep day. I won’t bore you all with a picture of a counter covered with food and individual prepped meals. Do I miss eating pizza? Do I miss desert? Do I miss cocktailing? Absofreakinloutely! She suggested two drinks on Saturday night. I really don’t have that switch, so i cut it out for a few weeks. The stories aren’t quite as funny, however the mornings are much more fun.

It has been a very good experience thus far and am looking forward to it continuing. Drink a few for me folks. Have a great week. Lift something heavy even if it is not in the WOD.

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Week Ending 11.19.16—-First Good Clean Week in a Looooong Time

 

It has been quite a while since I posted an entry, a little over a year actually. It was a good week. Ate clean, no cocktails. Set a PR. Good times all around.

Monday:

Part 1 ———— 8 Sets Every 2 Minutes – 3 Reps Back Squat

***add weight every set***

My best lift for 3 was 365. I felt pretty good this morning, due to a lazy Sunday and nine hours of solid sleep. Truthfully, i could have continued sleeping without much trouble. I think I will be in bed early tonight as well. Things lined up pretty well and the warm-up sets went smoothly, so 375 became the target number.

185, 225, 275, 295, 315, 335,3 55, 375

I could have gone heavier. 395 or 405 will be the goal if this one comes around again.

Part 2 ————— “Baseline x 2”

2 Rounds for time:

Row 500m

40 Air Squats

30 Abmat Situps

20 Pushups

10 Pullups—-Ring Rows

I did 13:10, first round was 6:10, which was 15 seconds or so longer than my best score. I was pretty smoked after the first round. Rowing was lengthy on the second round. All in all a good day.

Tuesday:

“The Roaring Twenties”

20 Minute AMRAP

20/15 Cals AB

20 Shoulder to OH s(115/75) f(75/55)

20 Toes to Bar f(abmat situp)

I opted for “SPITNESS”, a combination of Sport and Fitness. I chose the 115lb weight and ab mat situps. I am built to be on the ground. I don’t do T2B, pull ups, etc.,…yet.

Score was four rounds and 8 calories. I was smoked afterwards.

Wednesday:

Every 2 Minutes for 20 Minutes:

Double Unders s(30) f(15)

3 Squat Cleans s(155/105) f(115/75)

***add weight each set***

****score is highest weight of completed triple for squat clean***

I did 30 singles at the beginning of each set and decided to add weight every other set. My goal was to focus on the actual form of the lift. Catching the bar low, hitting full depth, knees out, and elbows up. My PR for clean is either 205 or 210…not sure.

I did 95, 115, 135, 155, and 185. The 185 was challenging. They were not touch and go. All in all the form felt good and the coach watched several times and said it was good, nothing more to really offer. I’ll take that as a major win as I am the king of reverse curling and calling it a clean.

Three days in with clean eating and no cocktailing.

Thursday:

Rest Day. ROMWOD and lots of water. Also slept for 9.5 hours. That felt damn good. I didn’t stick with the 12 Labours eating plan today. Thanksgiving dinner at work, so stuffing and sweet potatoes with brown sugar. Also, wifey wanted Italian for dinner so it was penne pasta with in house made crumbled sausage and roasted tomatoes. Needless to say, I was slightly over on carbs. 🙂 No cocktails.

Friday:

Friday’s WOD was “Kelly”, which for those of you who do not know the hell that Kelly is….5 rounds, 400 meter run, 30 box jumps, 30 walls balls. Hell to the No,…squared. It would take me 45 minutes to finish that thing and I would feel like absolute crap for at least two days. Instead I went with one of my own:

WOD 1 Movement Weight (Pounds) Distance Reps Rounds Total Reps
Row 250 Meters 1 6 6
Shrug Bar Deadlift 225 5 6 30
Wall balls 30 7 6 42
Ab Mat Sit Ups 10 6 60
Strict Push Ups 5 6 30
Total 168

I like AMRAP’S with shorter “series” of reps. I think these enable the athlete to focus on the form of each movement and rep and not instead focus on how many reps are left and just getting through it. This may not look like much, however it was harder than I anticipated and I was washed out afterwards. Took about a minute afterwards to get right.

This is very scalable, either be increasing distance, weight, or reps. My plan is to increase the reps of the movements and then compare the total number of reps over time, while keeping weights the same.

I have an appointment in the pain cave today. Definitely need one as things are not feeling as good as they should. That means therapeutic/deep tissue massage. I usually come close to throwing up and or crying. I go with an empty stomach…

Saturday:

Had a late night call last night so sleep was interrupted, however no big deal. Susan broke me yesterday. Have not looked yet, however there should be lots of bruising.

“Pinky and The Brain”

20 Minute Partner AMRAP
10 Deadlifts s(275/185) f(185/125)
20 C2B Pullups s(10 Muscle Ups)
30/20 Cal AB
***split it up however you want***

Saturday has become the day of partner WOD’s. This one does not look at that bad. Basically split everything in half. 5 reps on deadlifts, 5 ring rows, and then 15 calories…and repeat. Right? Can’t be that bad. We shall see. I am usually wrong with these things.

As it turns out, I was not that wrong. It was challenging, however quite doable. I ran an 800 as my own warm up and that helped workout the kinks.

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Another Week in the Books

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Another week is coming to an end. Time to take a look at what we learned.

Pre WOD Nutrition: I go to the 6:00 am class and had not been eating anything prior. Standard routine was a cup of bullet proof coffee, water and NO Xplode. It’s basically Crystal meth in better flavors. I dropped the bullet proof coffee and no xplode. Now it’s water, coffee with glutamine blended with coconut milk and a smoothie with Progenex, some frozen fruit, water and coconut milk. I get up around 430 so it gives me time to make the shake and allows sufficient time for digestion. I noticed a positive difference so I’ll be sticking with it. Sorry BSN.

Personal Training: I decided to have a session with one of the trainers and attempt to fix my reverse curl otherwise known as a clean. It still needs work but it’s better. I’ll be going back. Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different outcome makes zero sense. Get help if you need it. Apparently it turns out I need to strengthen my upper back. Probably also explains why pull-ups are challenging as well.

Running Still Sucks: I think it always will however it is a necessary evil. Its a great way to improve your wind. Heading out shortly for another one! At least I got new shoes! I am a shoe whore. I can admit and I am ok with it.

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First Week Back

This week was my first week back and the kickoff of Whole Life Challenge, so it was a double whammy!

For those of you who are not familiar with WLC, it’s well worth it. It is an eight week program where exercise, mobility work, and perfect nutrition are the goals. It can be challenging, however it is well worth it. I lost about 10 lbs the last time, unfortunately I found it again. These things happen.

Meat, fish, poultry, eggs, vegetables, nuts, seeds, some fruit, and good fats like coconut and avocado.

None of this:

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Lots of This:

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I published a blog not too long ago about Paleo. It can be expensive, time consuming, and frustrating, however if it was easy, it wouldn’t be any fun! Work with me people.

The first couple of days are the hardest because your body is clearing itself of a drug. It it is similar to other withdrawals. Speaking of which, please watch Flight if you have not already. Wow. Your body is addicted to sugar and when you take it away, your body wants it again. You will survive. You will get through it. You will feel better and perform better.

It was great to get back to CrossFit this week. Working out in a regular gym is fine but it’s not the same. I definitely pushed myself harder and got a much higher caliber of a workout. As proof, I am having a tough time walking today. Quality time with the roller is needed.

First Wod:
Nicole
20 min AMRAP
500 M Row
AMRAP pull ups

I subbed rowing for running and got six rounds and forty two pull ups. I was pretty beat afterwards. It felt great.

Second WOD:
Six Rounds
10 BW Bench Press
30 Slam Balls
100 ft BW stone carry

I scaled this down and kept the bench press weights between 185 and 205. Subbed 20 squats for slam balls and used a 115 lb. stone. I didn’t record the time. I was just glad to be done!

Third WOD:
Five Rounds
10 reps of 185 lb dead lift
15 Wall Balls

I subbed 135lbs and did the wall balls. TIme was 9:50.

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Last Week of October

Trick or Treat…no candy for you because you thought it would be a good idea to do Whole Life Challenge!

It isn’t that bad. I don’t like candy, however if they were handing out IPA’s with corn dogs, we’d have a problem! Two weeks to go in the challenge. We did break down Saturday night and have a few cocktails. That will be it until the end of the challenge.

WOD’s:

Monday:

Workout of the Day
Max Snatch(Full) in 20 min

then
7 Min AMRAP
7 Overhead Squat 95/65
7 Burpee over Bar

Three rounds and a few OHS

then

5 min AMRAP
20 Unbroken Wall Ball Shots

2 rounds and a lot of ten wall ball rounds

Tuesday:

4 sets
10 (CTB) Pull Ups
10 Deadlift 225
Run 400m
rest 4 min

Thursday:

5 sets
60 Sec Row for Cal 22, 20, 22, 23, 19
60 Sec Singles 87, 63, 79, 85, 62
rest 2 min

Friday: 

Max Power Clean in 20 min

185lbs.

then

Press 3,2,1,3,2,1; rest 30 sec

135, 155, 175 (f) 155, 165, 175(f)

Unbroken Kb Swings 20 reps 2 pood

rest 2 min

Saturday:

for time:
1000m Row
30 Db Front Squats 45/30
30 T2B

Tuesday: 

20 Min AMRAP
Row 500m
15 GHD Sit Ups
AMRAP Strict Ring Pull Ups

5 rounds, 12 pull ups

Aside by

We topped this past week with “Barbells for Boobs”, which is a great cause. We had several participants and raised a little over $6,000.00. Plus the Ravens just lost, which is a great ending for any week!

So, tell me again how CrossFit isn’t a Team Sport?Image

WOD:

Helen Meets Grace

Two-person team workout with one person working at a time, except for the 400m runs, which must be performed together.

  • THREE rounds of:
  • 400 meter run
  • 21 kettlebell swings (Rx 53/35#)
  • 12 pull-ups
  • 30 clean and jerks (Rx 135/95#)

Eric and I did it in 16:24. The run was the worst part, it just adds a lot of time for me, because, well, I hate running.

I was really proud of everyone who participated today. Everyone worked hard. I heard a few people set PR’s with the clean and jerks. Nice to see!

There are three weeks left for Whole Life Challenge and I think we are all buckling down and making a big push to get the most out of the last three weeks. We cheated on Friday night and had a few beers with some friends. We both woke up Saturday morning and agreed we were good for another few weeks. I definitely feel better and am not in a hurry to go back to the old ways any time soon. I think we’ll stick with it for a while after it is over.

This Week’s WOD’s:

Monday: 

Michael

  • Three rounds for time of:
  • Run 800 meters
  • 50 HIp Extensions
  • 50 Anchored Sit-ups (no GHD)

This was tough and my hamstrings and lower back are still tight! 150 hip extensions is no joke.

Tuesday:

Jackie:

  • Row 1000m
  • 50 Thrusters 45 pound bar
  • 30 Pull Ups

Thursday:

  • High Hang Clean(Full) + Hang (Above the Knee) Clean; 8 sets x 2 reps OTM; 145 lbs

then

  • Back Squat 225 x 10 reps x 3 sets; rest 3 min

then

  • Split Jerk 5 reps x 3 sets rest 60 sec
  • Pendlay Row 10-12 reps; rest 60 sec
  • 145 lbs

Friday:

3 Rounds

  • 10 Power Snatch 95 pounds
  • 7 Handstand Push Ups
  • 10 T2B

I took Wednesday and Saturday off. I did take Berger for a four or five mile walk Saturday morning.

End of Another Week

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Back from Vacation and Back on Whole Life Challenge

We are back from our week long celebration of my brother in law’s wedding, and the ridiculous amount of eating and drinking that went along with the celebration. I think we did pretty well. We had a lot of fun and didn’t go too overboard. We did still work out while we were away. We are both back on the clean eating wagon and are both very thankful for it!

This week’s WOD’s were challenging after being away. I did set a PR on my front squat with 270 lbs which is nice.  I didn’t follow on my advice from “Cleans and Snatches”, https://crossfitrook.wordpress.com/2012/09/29/197/ yesterday though. I didn’t get under the bar and paid the price in regards to the amount of time it took to complete the WOD.

I did notice a difference this week when I ate something before the WOD. I ate hard boiled eggs, fruit, almonds…not all at once on the same day. It helped quite a bit and I noticed I had more energy.

Week’s WOD’s:

Monday:

PC 8×3 reps OTM (65%) 115lbs

then
3 sets
10 Pistols Alternating (use the video in continuing education to scale)
10 Pull Ups (Bands)
10 OH Squats 95/65

Tuesday:

5 sets
1 min AMRAP Db Push Press 40/30
1 min AMRAP Box Jumps 24/20
1 min AMRAP Burpees

204 total reps
Wednesday:

A1. Front Squat@30×1 3,2,1,1, 205. 225. 245. 270
A2. Strict Pull Ups 8-10 reps; add weight if necessary

then
B1. Kettlebell Swings 3 sets x 15 reps; rest 30 sec 2 pood
B2. GHD Sit Ups 15 reps x 3 sets; rest 30 sec

Thursday:

20 Ring Push Ups
10 Deadlfit 245
20 HSPU
10 Clean 155/105
20 Ring Dips
10 Snatch 95/65

Friday:

3 five minute sets for reps(including double unders)
Airdyne (cal) 45 sec
Slam Ball 45 sec
50 Double Unders
rest remaining time

then
Tabata Sit Ups

then
Tabata Kipping Pull Ups…

I’ll be taking Saturday off!

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August is Over….

August is over and so is Summer. Flew by this year to say the least. It seems like it was the middle of June and then all of a sudden, it is Labor Day. It is fine because Fall is my favorite time of year. No humidity and football is on.

So, what did I learn during the last two weeks?

I did six days in a row with no rest. Paid the price on Sunday. I was beat. I won’t be doing that again.

I did better at Cindy. For some reason that one seems like it won’t be bad and then after three rounds you realize it just got real.

I was happy with the 145lb stone work. That was the heaviest I had done.

We are now getting ready for the Whole Life Challenge which starts in two weeks. So you know what that means! A little unhealthy living. Nothing too crazy. Chipotle….corn chips and rice. Look out!

https://www.wholelifechallenge.com/

56 Days of fish, meat, chicken, vegetables, avocados, a little fruit, some nuts….and that’s about it.

None of this…

None of this:

Five Guys Burger and Fries

WOD’s:

1)

12 min AMRAP
2 EROM HSPU* (used 45lb plates to get lower)
4 TGU Right 16/12kg
4 TGU Left 16/12kg

2)

5 sets
3 Heavy Bench Press; rest 10 sec (225 -275lb)
30 Russian Kb Swings; rest 5 min (1.5 pood)

then
5 sets
5 Hang Power Clean; rest 10 sec (135lb)
30 Push Ups; rest 5min

3)

Two Rounds:

Teams of 4 – 2 guys, 2 girls ..One guy and one girl may work at a time.

150 DUs or 300 Singles

80 Pushups

60 DL- 135, 95

40- Ring Rows

10 – Sled Pushes-30 m – 2 people must push sled

4)

5 rds for time
10 CTB Pull Ups
30 Air Squat
Row 300/250m

5)

3 sets
90 sec Tire Flips(Heavy Enough to get 2-3 flips) partner 700lb tire
90 sec Box Jumps On Tire
rest 3 min

then
3 sets
60 sec Viper Press 95lbs 7-10 reps per round
60 sec Burpees
rest 2 min

7)

A1. Back Squat@30×1; 3 reps x 5 sets; rest 10 sec (265lb)
A2. Weighted Pull Ups@21×1; 5 reps x 5 sets; rest 10
A3. Jumping AirSquats x 15 reps; rest 2 min

then
B1. Double Unders 30 reps x 3 sets; rest 20 sec
B2. Ab Mat Sit Ups 15 reps x 3 sets; rest 20 sec

8)

10 sets
Row or AirDyne
30 sec @100%
30 sec Easy(50%)

185 calories on the AirDyne

9)

15 Axel Deadlift 205 pounds
9 HSPU
12 Axel Deadlift 205 pounds
15 HSPU
9 Axel Deadlift 205 pounds
21 HSPU

used a switch grip and probably should have done double overhand….

10)

4 Rounds

3 Hang Squat Cleans
7 Strict T2B
10 Kb Goblet Squats 2 Pood
Run 200m
Rest 1:1

11)

Workout of the Day
Power Snatch
2-2-2-2-2; rest 2 min (135-145lb)

then
5 sets
PP 3 reps; rest 20 sec (185)
Kb Swings Unbroken 12 reps; rest 60 sec (2 pood)

then
Prowler Suicide

12)

Cindy
20 min AMRAP
5 Pull Ups
10 Push Ups
15 Air Squats

10 full rounds. PR.

13)

Stone to Shoulder – Technique

20 Min Amrap

10 Partner Stone to Shoulder-Alternating Partners 145lb stone

50 Feet Bear Crawl….not bear claws which would have tasted much better…..

 

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Second Week of August

It is an end to a great week. We hit it pretty hard last weekend at a bachelor party so I was ready to get clean when I got back.

WOD’s:

Tuesday:

OH Squat
Build to a Heavy 1 rep (135#)

then
30,20,10
OH Squat-use 50% of above (65#)
Box Dips

Wednesday:

Dead lift
Work up to a heavy 3 Rep (405#)

then
2k Row (7:58)

Thursday:

12 min AMRAP
2 EROM HSPU*
4 TGU Right 16/12kg
4 TGU Left 16/12kg
*Make these HARD: plates, parallettes, rings…

Three full rounds. TGU’s and I do not get along.

Friday:

5 sets
3 Heavy Bench Press; rest 10 sec (255#)
30 Russian Kb Swings; rest 2 min (1.5 pood)

then
5 sets
5 Hang Power Clean; rest 10 sec (135#)
20 Push Ups; rest 2 min

Saturday:

Teams of 4 – 2 guys, 2 girls ..One guy and one girl may work at a time.

Two Rounds:

150 DUs or 300 Singles

100 Ab-mat Sit-ups

80 Pushups

60 DL- 135, 95

40- Ring Rows

10 – Sled Pushes-30 m – 2 people must push sled

Sunday: REST

Monday I ran in the morning and Tuesday and Thursday I swam as well. Relatively injury free this week. My right shoulder/chest is tight, but nothing serious.

We ate well this week with Saturday night being a cheat meal. Lobster rolls. Very good.

Kylie and I signed up for the Whole Life Challenge. It is going to be challenging however I think it will help us considerably. A little competition helps everyone perform better.  https://www.wholelifechallenge.com/

 

 

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First Week of April

It has been a good week. Lots of fun WOD’s to say the least. The toughest one of the week was:

75 KB Swings 1.5

150 Double Unders

75 Overhead squats 95#

I did 450 singles because I am still unable to string together double unders. The OHS were at 65# because for some reason I can’t hold 95lbs over my damn head.

Fun WOD:

5 sets
Farmers Carry 300ft 45 on each side
250m Sprint(M: 1:45 and under, W: 2:00 under pace)
rest:work equal

My shoulders are still sore from the farmer’s carry.

I did a hit new PR by dead lifting 405 for two. I could have gone a little heavier, and next time I will.

Pretty clean food week as well. A burger and a couple of beers Wednesday night. Sue me. My wife was out of town and I was bachin’ it up. Really crazy, right? Victorias…wow!

I picked up some new protein and will be having a shake right after my workout  based on the suggestion from one of the trainers.

Optimum Nutrition Pro Complex: It was a little pricey however based on the description, it should be pretty good.

Uniting Whey Protein Isolates, Egg Albumen, and Hydrolyzed Proteins, and key Free Form Amino Acids, we’ve created a protein with varied digestion rates and an amino acid profile that’s off the charts. Each serving of Pro Complex APS is packed with 60 grams of the highest quality proteins commercially available. Simply put, it’s formulated to take you to the next level. 8 Premium Protein Sources Over 14,000 mg of BCAAs 10,500 mg of Glutamine. BOOM!

Time for a new pair of shoes, and I am going to let you pick.

or 

Look forward to 1) seeing how many people follow my blog and 2) which shoe gets picked.

Following is a link to a blog I have been reading. It’s funny as hell and has great pictures:

http://www.liftbigeatbig.com