progress in pictures

Didn't blur my face out this time. Whatever.
So I'm a month in. Figured it was time for a photo update. I didn't expect a lot of change, and I didn't get a lot of change, but it's early days yet. I'm working out twice a week, with a few exceptions, and have yet to add any cardio to the mix. I'm actually up to 236 pounds, but that's not unexpected. I'm a big guy, without a lot of muscle, so I need to build some before it can get to work on the fat. But I'm feeling better, and can do more in my sessions, so I feel good about my progress.
Also, I think my back looks kinda huge in that last pic!
Taking the blur off my face plays into what I'll be talking about next, ego and integrity.
seeya!
m

negligence

Been lazy about updating, sorry about that. Had some busy weeks lately. Unfortunately, I've been a victim of some cutbacks where I work, and have been laid off. Not the end of the world, and not entirely unexpected, but a bummer nonetheless. Been sticking with the training though, and seeing some results. Not necessarily visble results, and I don't think I've lost any weight, but I find my ability to do the exercise is improving. I've been resting less, thouogh marginally so, between sets, and my recovery time after the workouts is improving.
I've had some really bad days, where I just didn't want to be anywhere but my couch, and I always tell Guy when I'm having one. You know what I'm talking about. The kind of day where you want to cheat at each exercise and just get the hell out of there. I know what will happen too. I'll get to the studio, climb on the treadmill, hate every minute of it. Guy and I will start talking, we'll get into one of our in-depth chats about what's going on in each other's lives, and even that will seem like work. Despite myself, I will get tinto our chat, get into our workout, and end the session in a great mood. But at that starting point, that feels like a long way offk, and every step towards it is unwelcome and hard work. But, sure enough, when our time is up, I'm smiling, I'm energized, and I'm thanking Guy for his time with a big, dopey, endorphine-fueled grin on my face.
So, despite myself, I'm still at it. I'm feeling better, I'm eating better, maybe even slepping better. I'm heading out for a session in a few minutes, and I'm not dreading it.
Part of what works for me about having a trainer, and I can't imagine going to any other trainer, is the accountability. I told him as much a week or two ago. On those days like I just described, were I simply accountable to myself and heading off to the gym a few days a week, I probably wouldn't have made it. I'd have simply planted my ass on the couch like I sooo wanted to. But knowing I had an appointment, that Guy was expecting me, made me go. And I'm always glad I did.
That's it for today.
I'll put a more constructive post up next.
Thanks,
M

Starting line...

Day one was last week. Last Monday actually. But some background first.
I'm Mike. I'm 34 (35 next month), a dad, a step-dad, and a husband. I'm also five foot ten, and 232 pounds. I haven't done any serious training in about 8 years. Back then, I was in the best shape of my life, and I owe much of that to personal trainer, Guy Murray.
Guy is fantastic. He's not one of these over-the-top, drill sergeant types. He assess your needs and really works with his clients to put you where you want to be. I found my past experience with Guy to be extremely positive, both mentally and physically. We'll be getting Guy to speak her a little about his approach, his philosophy. Should be interesting.
I'm finally at my breaking point though. I had some sobering news from my doctor a while back. Nothing major, but just what one would expect at this stage of the game. My cholesterol was high, my sugars were high, I'm about 40 pounds overweight and if it continues I'll be looking at a heart attack in about ten years. So I did something about the diet, got the cholesterol down to below average, dropped the sugars down to well within normal levels. That went great. Next was my weight, and diet isn't going to do that. This is where Guy enters.
And here we are.
Started last Monday, like I said. It was a slow start, which is good. I've been fatigued and aching from just two sessions. Guy asked me to make a log of my eating, which I've been lazy about. I need to start going to bed earlier. I'm supposed to be doing cardio the rest of the week, been lazy about that too, and I'm only just now getting around to starting this blog. But here we are. So lets see where the next few months take us.
Here's the starting point, some really embarrassing pictures of yours truly:










Yikes! It's really tough to even look at these. The old me could climb into the new me for warmth . And does anyone else notice that my navel is clearly listing to my right? But I've got to keep this in perspective. This is eight-plus years of destructive behaviour. It's the clay I'm working with. I'll stay positive and do my best and well see what happens.

Still tough having those staring back at me though.

Wish me luck