What is it with vacation and food?

I was on vacation last week, so I wasn't able to post my weekly update. That just means there's double the information in this update! I had a relaxing time during my vacation, but I didn't use that as an excuse not to do anything. I fit in my mini-workouts in the morning after I wake up. I'd say I did more than I normally do. But there is a downside to vacation...food. And man, did I have my fill. Arby's, Cici's, Whataburger, authentic Mexican, buffets, Cambodian, Vietnamese... Whew! Needless to say, I retrogressed in terms of my weight goals. Oh well. Main thing was being able to recharge and destress. Mission accomplished.

Monday: Pullups (8), Squats (40)
Tuesday: Calf raises (90), pushups (45)
Wednesday: Lunges (20)
Thursday: Squats (40), calf raises (90), pullups (8)
Friday: Dynamic pushups (20), squats (40)
Saturday: Shovel, move dining table
Sunday: none

Vacation week:

Monday: Squats (40), lunges (20 each), pullups (10, 10)
Tuesday: Calf raises (90), elevated pushups (20, 20, 20, 20)
Wednesday: Squats (40), lunges (20 each), pullups (10, 10)
Thursday: Calf raises (90), elevated pushups (20, 20, 20, 20, 20, 20 - I was watching TV)
Friday: Squats (40), lunges (20 each), pullups (10, 10)
Saturday: Calf raises (90), elevated pushups (30, 30)
Sunday: None

Last weigh-in:
178.5 lb (2.5 lb gain over vacation!)

Almost there...

So after two weeks, I've finally moved all my stuff to the new apartment. Through it all, I lost many hours of sleep, exhausted my body, caught a mini-cold, and had quite a bit of anxiety about getting it all done. I barely kept up with my mini-workouts, but luckily, moving and cleaning provides quite a bit of caloric burn.

Monday: Move large items
Tuesday: Calf raises (75), pushups (45),
Wednesday: Squats (40), lunges (25 each)
Thursday: Calf raises (75), pullups (8)
Friday: Pullups (5)
Saturday: None
Sunday: Move last bit

I was surprised to find out that I did manage to lose some more weight. I am a bit closer to my goal of 175lb. What will I do when I get there? Maybe set a goal for body fat? More trips to the gym? Who knows?!

Last weigh-in:
176.0lb

100th post!

Wow. Can you believe this is my 100th post? I know. Not really that exciting. But how about getting $215 worth of pans for $60? That's pretty exciting huh? Well, don't say I don't hook you up:

Calphalon One Nonstick 8" and 10" Fry Pan Set

I bought these myself from the Williams-Sonoma store at Burlington Mall. I saw them then the deal, and I knew I had to have it. I guess I can give my crappy $10 pan away now. Mmmm...Can't wait to try them out.

Who says our children "isn't" learning?

If you live in Mass, you guys need to check this out:

Mass. students outperform peers on international exam

We've apparently posted some pretty impressive scores worldwide. So...go MA!!

Moving week

Well, I started moving this week, and I am exhausted. I'm surprised I fit in as much mini-workouts as I did. I very glad I did a two-week overlap between my old and new apartments. I'm also very grateful for all the people that helped me move, paint, and clean. I got a bit more to go, but I should be done moving. Then it'll be off to unpacking. Anyway, here's the breakdown:

Monday: Squats (40), moved boxes

Tuesday: Calf raises (75), lunges (20 each), pushups (45, 45), moved boxes, cleaned bathroom
Wednesday: Squats (40), lunges (20 each), moved boxes
Thursday: Calf raises (75), pushups (45), neutral grip pullups (8), painted
Friday: neutral grip pullups (5)
Saturday: Bring new furniture up three floors, painted
Sunday: neutral grip pullups (10), side raises (10, 10, 10), reverse fly (10, 10, 10), chest dips (10, 20)

I didn't have much time to do weigh-ins, but I fit in one.

Last weigh-in:
178.5lb

Sneaky, sneaky Apple

Just browsing my regular news feeds and noticed Apple is quietly recommending installation of anti-virus software. After years of poking fun at Microsoft Windows for its weakness, they succumb as well. Check out the Slashdot overview.

Thanksgiving workout update

Oh, man. What a week. After one birthday dinner the week before, I had another one right before Thanksgiving. Then, of course, the big Turkey Day. Oh man. Sooooo much food. To help counteract the increase in caloric intake, I tried to fit in more workouts:

Monday: Squats (40), lunges (20 each), kicking exercises, front raises (10, 10, 10), bent-over rows (10, 10, 10), hammer curls (10, 10, 15), biceps curls (10, 10, 15), shrugs (20, 20, 25)
Tuesday: Calf raises (75), pushups (45, 45)
Wednesday: Hammer curls (10), biceps curls (10)
Thursday: Hammer curls (10), biceps curls (10), calf raises (75)
Friday: Side raises (10, 10, 10), bent over raises (10, 10, 10), hammer curls (10), biceps curls (10), squats (40), diagonal raises (3x 10 each), low-weight hammer curls (20), low-weight biceps curls 20), compound shoulder/arm routine (10)
Saturday: Dips (10), calf raises (75), pushups (45)
Sunday: None

Still haven't made it to the gym, and still haven't added in the cardio. To make up for this, I try to limit my rest between sets when I work out at home. This allows me to keep my heart rate elevated so I can stress out my cardiovascular system. Not the best alternative, but it'll do.

Last weigh-in:
178.5lb (pretty good for the amount of food I had)

My Acer Aspire One

I don't believe I've mentioned this, but my new primary computer is the 6-cell Acer Aspire One. As small as it is, this little buddy packs quite a bit, and I'm quite satisfied with it. What I love the most about it is the ultra portability (2.2lb) of this thing. It is tiny! And the battery life is AMAZING - 5.5 hours. Sweet huh? Here's a picture of it on my old HP:



You probably think the keyboard is way too small, but it's actually fine. Not as small as the other netbooks out there. My only gripes about it would be the glossy exterior and the hard-to-press track pad buttons. Other than that, I don't feel like I'm missing much from a full-fledged laptop.

Here are the specs:

Intel Atom 1.6GHz
1GB DDR2 SDRAM
160GB HDD
8.9" LCD
Ethernet
Wireless LAN
Webcam
USB ports
SD/MMC/xD/Memory Stick PRO
VGA out
Windows XP (no more Vista for now!)


And just to avoid the hassle of any warranty issues, I bought a 3-year warranty with Square Trade. I even bought the Accident Protection Plan, in case I drop the thing. Total cost of 3-year warranty with accident plan: $70.00. If anything happens and it can't be fixed, Square Trade will cut me a check for what I paid. Done.