Opening Shots: I wish to thank everyone for the birthday wishes, and for all the comments. I have been spawning readers or the lurkers are finally coming out. Which ever way, I am happy to have everyone here and I hope that everyone is entertained.
Song of the Post: Tritonal's Forever. A couple of my favorite DJs out with another single, this is some quality stuff. I slowly break out of the dance barrier every now anad again. This is not one of those times, as I love to have music when I work out.
Random Title: I was calling this post "How SoF met his husband" in honor of the random posts going around about reminessing on the meeting on thier respective signifigant other. There are two reasons as to why I chose not to 1) I am not in the market for a guy, and section 8 passed, so it would just bring up all kinds of awkward questions. 2) I have been single for the better part of a year, ( I will add the and a half, though grudgingly). So on with the show.
Transformations: The book has not come out yet, and I still have not found out when it is coming out. Everything that I have listed is coming out Autumn. Oh, well to tide me, and everyone over head over to transformation, and check out the TV part of the website. The TV part of the page is where they took the people who have succeeded at the challange.
Twlight: I was out at the twlight premere. Yep, though I have not read the books, nor am I inclined too. It was a chance for me to be social and I took it. I was out with some friends all in homemade Team Edward shirts. The theatre was empty. I was playing spot the oddity. There was a guy with a salt shaker, why you need a salt shaker in a theatre is beyond me. There was a girl trying to finish the book before the movie started. It was apparantly a part of some bet. I counted 2 people recording the movie to bootleg it. It was a nice time. And I was able to hang out with the single female of the group. One of my friends who went was also called one of the coolest old people they girl had ever met. She is 24. I better be careful, by her logic, I should be casket shopping.
Not a typical vacation: I have taken the last couple of weeks off from the workout. This is actually a tip from the pros. Taking some time off, will allow you to get a sense of how you feel when you do not work out, follow a diet or whatever. You can feel a noticable difference after a week. If you do this, make sure to gain weight. Yes, I am advocating this, only because it gives the ability to truely take advantage of this time off, and the difference in how you feel. Do not do this for too long though, it is easy to get too comfortable. From my experince, it is quicker and convienent. You feel awful though. That is the take away lesson.
Funny story of the Post: I do have to laugh that some of my features and titles are spreading around the site. Slowly, everyone will be able to laugh and enjoy themselves a little bit more. Today's is actually my mother's favorite, she tells it to people because she likes it so much. Out by the house, we have a casket store (Yep, the post is about random thoughts that is coming full circle). I was in a discussion with some class mates about places, and I had made mention that it was over by the casket store. One of the classmates asked me if I knew what it was called. I could not think of it, nor was it something that I ever wanted to know. So I told her, That casket store? I believe that it is called Grave Expectations.
It is Monday, so that means it is the best day to post around here. So here goes.
Song of the Post: Band of Horses - No one is going to love you
The Title? I was laughing at the list of people that have made it to my friends list, and it is slowly turning into an EP graveyard. Blogs dying of lack of attention, or just people leaving for better things. Some come back, so post once in a while with the I'm back post, have a post or two and drop off the face of the earth again. I may have to go lurk around other blogs for a while, make some new friends on here. There is just the issue of time. I have a lot going on, and I am taking more things as well.
Monday - Why because it's F*$#ing Monday that's why. I was planning out what I was going to do for the rest of the year, and how I was going to start off the new year, and I was reading up on some success stories, Ok so the Big EP success story, and I liked one of the points, do not wait for a day, if you are going to make something part of your life, then just start doing it, there is no need for days, new years, no birthdays. Monday is as good a day as any.
I am going to start prep work for the Transformations Challange. There is a lot of great information here about how the challange goes, and the book is out Nov 18th. Some of the highlights, are be the change, and one of my favorites, and one that I have stressed in the past. Being a spiritual person. This means following your own path, not anyone else's. There is a wonderful spiritual energy that Even Bill Phillip's says is one of the most powerful sources of energy. Side note, I am creating an account there as well, and I will post the link to my progress page there, though that will be very specific.
HItting the reset button - Whenever one wants to change something in there life, trying to start it is the worst. Something outside of the normal routine is easily put off to I can do it tomorrow, or next time. Waking up earlier is one of my favorites. This is one of the few times that I actually drink coffee. Caffine is a tool, it can be used to help you, though most people use it as a crutch. Working were I sling caffine, it is always interesting to see people strung out on too much caffine, stressed out, and they look defeated. Back to the point, there are many things that can help you start a new habit. One of the best is just talking about it. That is one of the things that helps me with veganism, I say I am a vegan. (though sometimes I say a part time vegan). It works it's way into your subconscience and soon enough you are doing it because you have convinced yourself that you can.
I posted on Kate who Ate's blog (go there now to keep her in the most active list, then come back) that I am like an EP ninja. I put up a post that no one saw, (it has since been deleted as it was missing all of the things that make the blog fun), I put a a new photo, and EP did not list me as having done so, finally, it ate a comment that I left for Gettin'fit (no need to go there, she is already in the top ten). Grr, sometimes I do not know why I keep posting here.
Song of the post: So a couple of posts back I made the comment about combining crappy dance songs into a marketable album. I consider myself at the forefront of dance tracks, things worth listening to more than once. I am going to be bringing headphones to spinning, or at least ear plugs. Last time it was Women of Rock the BPM edition, or how trashy house ruined rock songs. So I am going to try to embed a you tube, if not, then I will put up the last Fms.
Armin Van Burrin - in and out of love (imagine)
I think that I got it. Let's try again Bonus track time!
Oceanlab Lonely girl (siren song)
Ok so off to business. I am now doing something a little different with my workout routines. Ok I am taking a liberal use of the word little. Basically, I have changed the entire workout plan. I am doing splits, Working out in the morning and in the evening. Mostly because, unlike most other people, I find myself with a lots of extra time. So, I will build the habit while I have this oppertunity. You may be asking is that safe? What about overtraining? I know it seems like harder work, though it is not. I do not run the risk of over training because each session is a different muscle group, and typically different exercises. There is more rest between muscle groups, and I am splitting up the cardio aspect of my workouts as well. I spin during one exercise session, and typically swim the other. I run occasionally as well, see the new pic.
Calories have been in interesting topics as of late. So here are some tips from the Pros. Use one of the basal caloric intake calculators to find out how much you use. Adjust for how much activity that you do, be realistic, I add more because of how much I do. Eating 1800 is a great range, though not practical for everyone. The first thing you learn in body building is you need to eat like a champion. I have had to up my calories twice. I tend to consume around 2500 - 3000 a day, depending on what I fix. If you are looking to build muscle, up your healthy calories, if you are looking to lose weight, change your calories to healthy sources, make your own foods, etc.
The new Bill Phillips book Transformation is coming out soon. Nov. 18. Head over the the BFL group and sign up for the first of the challanges coming in January.
I love the american journal on clinical nutrition. This is a great place to find out information about how the body works. There is more misinformation out there than helpful stuff, as well as several back steps. Here are some great things to come out of there.
1) Protien is your best friend. The thermogenic result that takes place to convert protien to amino acids causes you to use calories and in essence burn fat. It has no adverse affects of kidney function nor any other body function. (Issue 107, 2007). I use hemp protien ( I mean I use a lot of this stuff). This is the most bio-available form of protien ( how much protien is in there vs. how much your body is actually able to use).
2) Artificial Sweeteners are worse than regular sweeteners. I cannot believe all the information about this one personally. The article talks about how the brain cannot tell the difference between the two. If you have to use them, do not consume them with meals. (105, 2007) Look for stevia or agave.
More to come as I read more.
I have to make sure that I have great nutirition as well, as this puts a large strain on the calories/glycogen in my body. I have to make sure that I am rested enough, and getting enough rest. It has gone well so far. I am splitting up the suppliments as well. I have to have two pre/post workout shakes, so I have split what I was putting in each in half.
Funny story of the post: Whenever you find yourself trapped somewhere and need something to do that is not too obivous that you are showing signs of being trapped, take from the following examples. Today, I was in spin class with the aforementioned music, and I needed to focus somewhere else, so I started counting how many times the instructor said "whew" in class. I got 37. Roughly 1 every minite and a half. I will keep this as a score to find out if there are going to be better days i.e. lower, or worse days, i.e. more. I do the same thing when trapped at work. I play the North Face game. I count how many people show up in the north face jackets or coats.
Gettin' Fit should not have all the fun..(an SoF post)
So EP we meet again. And this time you are allowing me to surf and check up on my friends? Wow, did you just throw a tantrum and not let pages load until enough of us got angry with you? Hopefully this lasts, as there are at least 2 blogs that I like to read on a regular basis, and then lurk...I mean surf, yeah surf around to see If I can help.
Song of the post: I am putting this at the top now, so you, the savvy reader, can play it while you read the post. Here we go, something other than dance, yeah I know, I am surprised too. http://www.last.fm/music/Editors/The+Back+Room/Lights The band has great tunes, so go out and pick it up if you are interested. I do have more dance for future posts. Speaking of which, I am throughly disappointed in the biggest loser workout cd. It is nothing more than crappy house versions of top 10 songs. Lets take anything that was popular enough to have a dance remix and throw it all together. yeah, then lets market this "dance" album to people. Yeah, it makes people want to move, why not call it a workout CD? /end rant. If you want Dance Music to workout to, go threw my old posts, or send me a private message, I will fill your ipod (or whatever you are using) with music of quality.
Triathalon training - Today was day one of full training. I lifted upper body, then I went to bike, then I walked on the treadmilll (stupid deal or no deal on TV), then I went swimming. I was out at the gym from 11 and I left after a nap in the sauna and showering about 2. So, I just have to go out and buy more food for the house, and I will be set.
For gettin' fit: My gym offers a 545 spin class. This means that I would arrive at the gym at 5 to lift, spin for an hour, then swim. This is going to be my M, W, F, mornings. Which also happens to be my school days, though I will have to skip the nap in the sauna. Happy 5 am to everyone. (it is really not that hard, it just takes practice, and less TV).
For Stardust: Please drop by and send her some love, She is out having back surgery, and will not be able workout or post for a while.
Appearantly it is october, which means halloween. I like to celebrate, though everyone else that I work with, this is there biggest holiday of the year. Or at least october. This means that I will have to dress up to go to work. Which means no fun costumes. I have a friend who does special effects, and she offered to help me dress up as Marv from Sin City.
that is a big no, as wearing silver paint/latex while making drinks in about 85 degrees not very appealing. Maybe next year, this one, I will just go normal, and wait for a costume party.
Which means that Nov and Dec are coming up as well, that time of year when the families all get together, and drive each other crazy only to realize why they do it once a year. Sigh. Jan is weeks away, though it is my new goal to arrive there in one piece.
Speaking of New goals. I am 28 percent body fat. Which is a far cry from 41 percent. So, I am planning out to lose about 10% during this next challange. That puts me at a health 18%, and is not too far off course. I will set the goal to lose the last 8-10 percent next year. Oh lets see, I will be looking forward to accomplishing more in the lifting catagory as well. Appearantly, I had not tried to bench press in a while. As it turns out, I only added 50lbs. since the last time that I did that exercise. Which puts me about body weight, and I am no small man. Also, I am in love with my calves right now. I have no fat on them, and there are great lines in them as well. I guess, I am working from the bottom up. That and do something small like a triathalon.
Wow, I am getting long winded here.
Vegan Recipe of the Post: Again for kate who ate, though for everyone here. This week Pasta. yep, pasta. Though a little differenly than you are used to seeing. Take and organic Zucchani and a potato peeler. Peel back small layers of the zucchani, and then roll them up. It is that easy, and you can eat it late at night and it will not throw off you carbohydrate intake. It makes a great snack, and it is easy to make. I am also about less processed foods (I get enough processed stuff with my suppliments).
Funny story of the post: I love my coworkers, they provide most of the funny stories, and I occasionally do as well. My co-worker was telling me about halloween, and how I could dress up as a power ranger from the Jungle Fever series. I tell her that I do not think of jungle fever in that way. What a gaff on their part. She then remembered the right name. (this is the same co-worker who said That don't make sentence, which I have not let her forget thusfar).
SoF Interactive: What is your favorite exercise? Why? I will take any here, though I love leg press and cable crossover. I never miss these so I save them. They are my reward for doing all the things that of which I am not a big fan. I love seeing how much I can put on leg press, moving over 500 lbs is a great thrill. Cable crossover, is my favorite on upper body days. I do a lot at this station, upper, fly, lower and reverse. I would stay longer,though there is always someone who wants in. I am becoming a big fan of pullups, mostly because I can do them. Again, I am not a small man.
Enjoy everyone, I will be around to check up on you because EP likes me again. Take care and thanks for reading
Greetings all, as the title says, I have not posted, in part because as many of you know, my life does not change very often, and partly because of what you will read shortly.
Song Of the Post: http://www.last.fm/music/Rise+Against/_/Paper+Wings These guys are great, and really nice. I met them a while ago. The whole album siren song for the counter culture is great for fights and breaks ups.
Opening Shots: So EP is notorious for eating posts. I do not post as often as I should in BFL group because of it not accepting my posts even though I am signed in. I typically post everything there in here as well. So it got me to thinking, How many calories are in an EP post? Is it by the letter? By the word? I have often wondered if EP needs an EP blog about its addiction to EP posts. Will there be an EP post lite with 33% less words from bloggers and commenters? (Side note: according to the FDA for anything to be considered to be lite, it needs 33% less calories for fat and sugar).
With that
Updates: I have often said that the scale is a compass, it will guide you if you are diligent. My scale is really cool, though I have realized that the body fat percentage has not changed more than ~2 up or down for a year. With everything fitting better, more energy, and nearly fully healthy unprocessed eating, it is a little surprising. So, I will just ahve to find a trainer ro do a real test soon. I also know this because I workout 5-6 days a week, cardio and lifting.
Chicago Triathlon: that is the next goal, I am not a big fan of running, though I love biking a swimming. Since, I do not have access a pool yet, and my bike is in the shop, I have been running, or making the attempt. I have lots of experince with running, an old friend was a marathoner, and my old room mate was a swim coach.
Diet Update: I am on a mostly alkaline diet, which is a version vegan. The body naturally produces acid, specifically lactic acid. I will take from stardust and add recipes and other things.
For Kate who Ate and others: Vegan Mac and Cheese: I use rice noodles, boil a full package in water with olive oil and sea salt in the mix. Once they are the consistancy of your choosing, strain and set aside. Take a half cup of water and a half cup of vegetable broth, mix in a small bowl. Now for the "cheese". take 3 tablespoons of nutritional yeast, one tablespoon at a time, mixing it into the bowl with broth and water. This is done so it does not get lumpy. take your strained noodles, mixed broths, and mix over heat until you have the desired constistancy for the "Cheese" mix.
It depends on how much you are eating that determines the servings, though I use it through out the week.
Funny story of the Post: Is going interactive! So this lady came in the other day, and asked for a pumpkin spice latte not too hot, only about 375 degrees. (of all things working at a starbucks teaches you physics,). I immediately thought if we were making a drink or baking a pie. I told her that we cannot make drinks that hot. She then asked for it to be 250 degrees. Yep, the worst part of this, is that people do this all the time. So the interactive part of this: Have you ever said anything really stupid unintentionally in front of others? I have also been asked what is the difference between non-fat and skim milk as well as what is the difference between hot and cold.
I less than three all the comments from everyone. I will be around to post great things soon.
I am changing up the format again, though all your favorite sections will be here.
Song of the Post: http://www.last.fm/music/element one/_/Guanacaste. This is just amazing and it gets me pumped up. I listen to it a lot, and I put it in between Thomas Datt "2v2" and Tritonal's Essance of Kea. This will give you 20 mins of high energy, non-vocal music to listen to while you work out.
On to business.
Opening shots: I have started to keep a training journal again. I am looking into how to do this and not drive myself crazy. When I have a months worth of information, I will talk to a professional (I use that word strongly) Trainer. There are some at my gym that are not worth the $30 a session, and I know where my old trainer is working out of, and I know that he is a lot more, though you cannot replace quality information. I will be doing this to help end the plateau that I have been on, a as a way to stop losing the same 7 lbs every month.
High Energy: I get out and do a lot during the week, I tend to hang around here when I am not out and about during the week. I make plans, and I just go out. I know that I cannot meet people if I am locked away. That brings me up to the next part of my weekly tale.
Back to searching: So, I am back to searching again. The girl who said that she wanted to be with me, and the same person that I spent 3 years talking to, helping and pining for, has vanished. I talked with her once in the last 2 weeks and it was her cancelling plans. I have not been able to reach her since. I feel terrible about this, though I used her email address to see if she had been to myspace. She has since out last talk, though her page is private. I abhor myspace, I should not say that, I have an addictive personality. The last thing that I need is a needle in my arm. I have enough of them with Yoga and Martial Arts. So, I have been on a string of bad outings and shot down a few times since all it went down. So I am out trying still. Though I realize that I am fishing for salmon in trout waters. (that is my reference to the demographic, almost everyone out in my area has antithetical beliefs to me). So, I will be travelling North and more into the city when I have time. If I have time. So, I am rejoining the single life. Again...
My mother always teases me about being in a relationship with myself. Between Yoga, School, Martial Arts, my diet, travelling to see my friends, I do not have the oppertunity to date someone. Where in my lifestyle would I put them? Why is a relationship so important to me? Basically, because I am the last person on my branch of the family tree. When my mother goes, I am left with only family that is removed, and at least one time zone away; for good reason though. I have posted in the past about my mom and her current health.
On to better things.
Funny story of the post: My co-worker and I were talking about the USRDA of Fiber. It is 24 a day grams for those unaware. She goes on to tell me that there is no way for anyone to get that much. "I do not understand how you can do this without taking a fiber suppliment". I tell her that I get about 100 to 150 grams of fiber a day. I think that 24 is too little. I was talking about normal people. and how normal people cannot get that much fiber. I reply so what am I then?
I hope that everyone is having a great week, some had a short week, others not so much. Best of luck towards your goals, and thanks for Reading
How many people blog about the dreaded starting over? That point when you realize that the bender is over and you have to go back to the real world? What is that point? Does anyone know when to call it, Done, and walk home? I have read about this decision, and the aftermath, and thought that posting about it would be kinda fun.
Dun Dun Dunn....
The Peak Point: There is that point of peaking, where you are following everything according to plan, things are going your way, and all seems well. This is the point that we look to achieve again.
The onset: There is always that on set, that start event that will start the downward spiral. It may be a birthday party with booze and cake, it may be that your friend is having a bad day and during the consoling you split ice cream. For me this was needing to take my bike into the shop.
The Binge: There is the point where the binge begins, something that allows you to start with the downward path. Mine was too few calories, I was not getting enough calories on my diet, though it just so happens that all i was really eating was fruit. It progressed down the line to something worse. When you start a low calorie diet, the first thing that happens is that you crave all kinds of food, mostly junk food. This is the body trying to stablize itself, lots of healthier foods, do not satisify you the way that junk food did. Once you get used to it, there are few things that can bring you down. Once it happens it is hard to escape from.
The Recovery Phase: There has to be that one thing that makes you question what you are doing. Are you on the right track, what is going to happen to day from day to your goals. Mine was sitting around eating cold pizza. After eating a lot of raw food, food temp does not bother me as much as it did. Then I thought about heating it up to make it warm. That was that quintessential final straw about where I was heading.
Today's workout was amazing, something I have not done in a long time. I am looking forward to continuing the diet that I have been on, with some improvements. I.E. Adding more fat to the meals that I make either with Coconut milk for shakes or Nuts with salads. If you do not know the wonders of coconut milk yet, it is time for it to come off all junk food lists and be added to the list of foods to eat very often. I have some coconut related product everyday. Cultured yogurt (by So Delicious, a soy company), Coconut milk as a thickening agent for Frostings, smoothies, in soups, etc. Also there is Coconut water, which has the all the properties of sports drinks without any of the fillers, colors, or sugars. I digress...
The main part of this is that if you fall off it is not enough to get back up, you need to regain your convictions. Convictions are not enough, you muct practice. Practice is not enough, you must challange yourself to see how far you have come. The challange is not enough for you must learn, and understand all the things that are happening to you in order to truely succeed.
Wow, that is a lot. Ok, so what else is happening out here? I am trying to register for classes, though it seems that the schools that I could go to are too on different schedules. One has started and is not accepting any more people even if the classes are not full. I go tomorrow to register at the closer school(which is considered out of district for me, so 3x the price for classes). I am working out my calling, trying finish off so that I can leave the wonderful world of service, which is funny to me as I like my job, just not the people. If I could take some of them out of the equation, I would be much happier.
Funny Story of the Post: It is funny to me that as soon as I tell people that I am seeing someone, people come out of the woodworks and want to hang out, couple to couple. I have had more offers to see people in the last week, than in the last few months. My answer to all of the requests: " If you happen to talk to her, Would you tell her to call me? (Some relationship eh? I think it is called buyer's remorse or being cautious of what glitters).
Song of the Post: I am blaming Stardust for this one, I have Bloc party signs as the first page on my you tube iphone extension. I was not too impressed with some of their stuff, though I may have to reevaluate some, as i like the song. Though there are some bands that I hate thier older stuff and love the new stuff. The opposite is more common that not.
I will get back on track here, All the typical posts, and post topics. I hope that everyone has had a great summer.
Opening Shots: If you are on a highly-restrictive diet, travelling is the toughest part of it. I was in Indy over the weekend, I could not really follow my diet, though I had packed lots of snacks, though nothing of sustanance. In turn, I ended up hunting down things, I did not do so well, though I was thinking about, it, I need more appropiate calories in my diet, I have been eating mostly fruit.
The Big news: So some of you have been following for a while, so there was a post about people who were in my life. About 3 years ago, I met a woman who was engaged. This would typically a deterant, though she confided in me about being unhappy, and not knowing if she was making the right choice. So while I did everything that I could to make my case, she decided that she would go to Vegas with him.....Only to break up a month later. Yep, I had called it, and we were both talking about it. Off and on for the last three years, we have been talking and just going about our lives. In april I got an email from her about finally moving back to IL. We made plans, talked some off and on, though nothing really came of it. I finally set a day, time, and place, and it worked for the two of us to get together. I will say that we are both really excited about being together, although one of my favorite lines was that this could have happened three years ago. I guess all things in time. Hence the Title of the last of the great SoF's. For the time, I am no longer single.
Funny Story of the Post: When ever I am out to a place with a lot of androgeny, I will have to make sure that I do not assume anything. As part of the trip to Indy, there was an Anime convention. This is bad, very bad for those of us who are not savvy with tact or lacking a brain to mouth filter. I will not go into the actual event suffice to say I tried to set our gay friend up with an apparently straight female....[insert D'oH here]
Song of the post: I have been listening to a lot more varieties of music lately, so I am posting about Mogwai, specifically Auto and Glasgow mega snake. The are another great instrumental band, the songs are great, and worth the time to listen to.
I did not place one last time, so here is the one that I have promised...
A woman comes in the other day, really skinny waist, small size, and a really big chest in a tight shirt. As any red blooded male the first thing that came to my mind was "My, her back must kill her at the end of the day"
