I feel beyond tired right now…in fact I feel down right violated. In my mission to lean down a bit I thought I’d take my training programme to another level. So for every second cardio session I’ve decided to add some interval training to speed up my metabolism.
The concept is easy I’ll pick four machines: two that focus on the lower body for example the elliptical and bicycle and two that focuses more on the upper body for example the rower and the hand bicycle thingy (does anyone actually know what that thing is called?). The gist of it is pretty simple you do one minute at a very leisurely pace, and the next minute as fast as you can, and you alternate like that until you have completed ten minutes for each machine.
Easy enough right? Wrong! Forty minutes of pure hell! After the third machine I felt like I was going to vomit…I’m not sure how I pushed through… but thank goodness I did. The worst is, because I met up with a friend in Moulle Point after work, I trained at the Point Gym…where all the beautiful people hang out.
So you have a whole bunch of good looking schmodels…and me, mister rent-a-wreck sweating, huffing and looking like I was about to keel over and die at any second.
Showing posts with label gym. Show all posts
Showing posts with label gym. Show all posts
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Friday, May 23, 2008
TKO
The Bas Rutten System is the real deal! What is this system you may ask? It’s a workout which is specifically designed, by some crazy mixed martial artist, named Bas Rutten, to keep one fit in confined spaces. Simply explained it is 7 rounds of pure, calorie smashing goodness.
Each round lasts 3 minutes and consists of the recording of some guy (apparently Bas himself, but I’m convinced it’s some lazy voice over guy, sitting on a comfy sofa) shouting at you to kick, punch, do push ups, jumps etc. And in between these rounds there is a 1 minute break for you to try to catch your breath.
I’ve actually heard about it for a while and some of my mates: Junior, Action Dan and Paul; have raved about it and have been hooked since making Generation Kill, a hectic HBO, mini-series about the Gulf War (If any of you are lucky enough, to be in the US at the time, the mini-series starts in July).
I’ve been dying to check the workout out but haven’t had the opportunity, until today. At the little gym in my complex, where I was letting out some steam on the boxing bags after a long day at work, my neighbour, Oliver caught me and asked if I wanted to try a cool workout with him. I agreed and so it began.
Just a word of caution it’s not as easy as it first appears. The first round seemed pretty leisurely but come round 4 or 5; you really start working up a sweat! Reminded me of some of the drills I used to do with my boxing mentor Sandile…minus the body shots and bruises. I’m hooked…and will definitely try, find the workout on the internet and continue it as part of my training regime.
I was in serious need of a recharge after the workout and what better way to get the energy levels back up than with a bit of low GI, rice pasta, courtesy of Bini. A get together with good food and good company still remains my favourite way to spend the evening, but while the rest have gone to have some fun at the Jade Bar. I’m about to retire on account of a TKO.
Each round lasts 3 minutes and consists of the recording of some guy (apparently Bas himself, but I’m convinced it’s some lazy voice over guy, sitting on a comfy sofa) shouting at you to kick, punch, do push ups, jumps etc. And in between these rounds there is a 1 minute break for you to try to catch your breath.
I’ve actually heard about it for a while and some of my mates: Junior, Action Dan and Paul; have raved about it and have been hooked since making Generation Kill, a hectic HBO, mini-series about the Gulf War (If any of you are lucky enough, to be in the US at the time, the mini-series starts in July).
I’ve been dying to check the workout out but haven’t had the opportunity, until today. At the little gym in my complex, where I was letting out some steam on the boxing bags after a long day at work, my neighbour, Oliver caught me and asked if I wanted to try a cool workout with him. I agreed and so it began.
Just a word of caution it’s not as easy as it first appears. The first round seemed pretty leisurely but come round 4 or 5; you really start working up a sweat! Reminded me of some of the drills I used to do with my boxing mentor Sandile…minus the body shots and bruises. I’m hooked…and will definitely try, find the workout on the internet and continue it as part of my training regime.
I was in serious need of a recharge after the workout and what better way to get the energy levels back up than with a bit of low GI, rice pasta, courtesy of Bini. A get together with good food and good company still remains my favourite way to spend the evening, but while the rest have gone to have some fun at the Jade Bar. I’m about to retire on account of a TKO.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
My Engrish is Leary Good!
We’ve all had those days - you know - the ones where nothing seems to go right? Well, I think I just had one…well at least the latter part of my day turned into a tragedy. I thought I’d be really diligent and get my lunch ready for tomorrow, so I made a chicken stir fry thing (I’m trying to eat healthily again), and put it into my neat lil lunch box, but for some odd reason I decided to place it on a hot plate. There is now, a pile of plastic-infused chicken and rice, where my deliciously, prepared lunch used to be. “Smart move, Benny.” Man! My kitchen smells like a massacre!
To make things worse, while that was happening, I was at the gym. When I finished, I had to trudge back home in the pouring rain. Ending the spell of bad luck, as I hopped in the shower…there was no hot water, because someone, I won’t mention who, *cough* Joe *cough*, used it all before me…
Thankfully, not everything that happened to me today was quite so tragic; while at work two amusing things crossed my path.
The first of which was that I was reminded that the 25th May, this Sunday is towel day (towelday.org). Towel day commemorates the life of Douglas Adams, the brains behind Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy, in which he stated the importance and the usefulness of towels. Ironically I have a towel over my head as I type, to keep me warm after the damn, cold shower.
I remember Ernst and I gave Katy that book, which by the way is a lot better than the movie, for her birthday and told her that she couldn’t be our friend until she had read it…technically she wasn’t our friend for months, but being the kind of people we are, complacent and desperate for friends, we let her off the hook…you’re lucky we’re computer geeks and don’t know too many people Katy!
The second was an email that was forwarded to me, titled “Is Beijing Ready for the Olympics?” courtesy of Karisa. There were a bunch of pictures from a site called www.Engrish.com attached to it; to illustrate just how far the East’s aptitude and handle on the English language had grown in provision for the influx of tourists. My sides were splitting, and I think I had tears in my eyes from laughing so hard. One thing I’ve learnt today is not to drink coffee while looking at this particular site, because most of my coffee ended up on my keyboard and monitor and not in me, ideally where it should have landed up!
To give you a taste of what I’m talking about, here’s a link for your viewing pleasure: www.Engrish.com. If you think the Engrish site is really far fetched, those who have been to China or Japan will tell you a different story, hey Pleee- siii-rraa (Priscilla in broken Japanese english)?
But if I were you, I wouldn’t be too quick to laugh. The next time you think you’re rocking, with that super, sweet, tattoo of yours. The one in, Chinese calligraphy that’s supposed to translate to something deep like “Love, Honour and Trust” I’d think again…
To make things worse, while that was happening, I was at the gym. When I finished, I had to trudge back home in the pouring rain. Ending the spell of bad luck, as I hopped in the shower…there was no hot water, because someone, I won’t mention who, *cough* Joe *cough*, used it all before me…
Thankfully, not everything that happened to me today was quite so tragic; while at work two amusing things crossed my path.
The first of which was that I was reminded that the 25th May, this Sunday is towel day (towelday.org). Towel day commemorates the life of Douglas Adams, the brains behind Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy, in which he stated the importance and the usefulness of towels. Ironically I have a towel over my head as I type, to keep me warm after the damn, cold shower.
I remember Ernst and I gave Katy that book, which by the way is a lot better than the movie, for her birthday and told her that she couldn’t be our friend until she had read it…technically she wasn’t our friend for months, but being the kind of people we are, complacent and desperate for friends, we let her off the hook…you’re lucky we’re computer geeks and don’t know too many people Katy!
The second was an email that was forwarded to me, titled “Is Beijing Ready for the Olympics?” courtesy of Karisa. There were a bunch of pictures from a site called www.Engrish.com attached to it; to illustrate just how far the East’s aptitude and handle on the English language had grown in provision for the influx of tourists. My sides were splitting, and I think I had tears in my eyes from laughing so hard. One thing I’ve learnt today is not to drink coffee while looking at this particular site, because most of my coffee ended up on my keyboard and monitor and not in me, ideally where it should have landed up!
To give you a taste of what I’m talking about, here’s a link for your viewing pleasure: www.Engrish.com. If you think the Engrish site is really far fetched, those who have been to China or Japan will tell you a different story, hey Pleee- siii-rraa (Priscilla in broken Japanese english)?
But if I were you, I wouldn’t be too quick to laugh. The next time you think you’re rocking, with that super, sweet, tattoo of yours. The one in, Chinese calligraphy that’s supposed to translate to something deep like “Love, Honour and Trust” I’d think again…
Monday, May 19, 2008
No Pain No Gain
I can’t even begin to explain how much my body hurts right now, from this mornings gym session; not to mention, also, how much my head hurts from all the stuff I learnt at work. Not only am I trying to learn five different business domains on the projects I’m working on but I also have to learn five different technologies.
As the saying goes “Pain is weakness leaving the body”…If that statement holds true, then by the end of all of this; I should, not only be the strongest man alive but also the smartest! Oddly enough, all this pain feels kinda good…it feels as if I’ve actually achieved something…
Waking up at 5am reminded me of the first day that the Garden’s Virgin Active opened. Back then, I was far more disciplined and waking up early was really easy…as I recall the grand opening of the gym was supposed to have happened at 4am that morning, I was determined to be the first person there!
I set my alarm for 3:45am, which would have given me 15 minutes to get there…more than enough time. The alarm went off; but on that fateful day I had to hit the snooze button! “Curses” I lost seven minutes. As I got ready, I thought maybe, just maybe I’d get there in time for the opening of the doors. 4:03am I got there I was too late; the doors were open bur two other freaks had beat me!
Darn, I was mad with myself! “How could I hit the snooze…stupid, stupid, stupid” I thought to myself. My hopes and dreams, dashed; just because I hit the snooze, I was devastated.
For all that hard effort you’d think that one would be handsomely rewarded, but all I received for getting there so early (third place), was a lousy water bottle, which I managed to lose on the same day in any case. I also got half a smoothie from Kauai Smoothie bar -at least the smoothie was good!
As the saying goes “Pain is weakness leaving the body”…If that statement holds true, then by the end of all of this; I should, not only be the strongest man alive but also the smartest! Oddly enough, all this pain feels kinda good…it feels as if I’ve actually achieved something…
Waking up at 5am reminded me of the first day that the Garden’s Virgin Active opened. Back then, I was far more disciplined and waking up early was really easy…as I recall the grand opening of the gym was supposed to have happened at 4am that morning, I was determined to be the first person there!
I set my alarm for 3:45am, which would have given me 15 minutes to get there…more than enough time. The alarm went off; but on that fateful day I had to hit the snooze button! “Curses” I lost seven minutes. As I got ready, I thought maybe, just maybe I’d get there in time for the opening of the doors. 4:03am I got there I was too late; the doors were open bur two other freaks had beat me!
Darn, I was mad with myself! “How could I hit the snooze…stupid, stupid, stupid” I thought to myself. My hopes and dreams, dashed; just because I hit the snooze, I was devastated.
For all that hard effort you’d think that one would be handsomely rewarded, but all I received for getting there so early (third place), was a lousy water bottle, which I managed to lose on the same day in any case. I also got half a smoothie from Kauai Smoothie bar -at least the smoothie was good!
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Business Time!
After ending an earlier session at Caprice, that's where all the cool kids hang out on a Sunday by the way. It’s business time!
Another weekend of fun and debaucheries has blitzed by, and tomorrow, well tomorrow my friends its back to business. I always feel relieved when the weekend is over, and can’t wait to get up early in the morning and become a productive member of society again….
Seriously though, it’s going to be the first week of starting a normal routine again, (after a few months of slacking off); and I’m not looking forward to it. Since January, I’ve somehow managed to settle into the comfort zone of apathy, sleeping late eating junk and pretty much lazing around without much focus and motivation.
My work day routine is pretty hectic (or at least I think it is) and goes something like this: I wake up at 5am for the gym, train for an hour; have breakfast and get lunch prepared by 7:30, clean up, get ready for work and be out the door by 8am, graft till 6pm, back in the gym for another hour session, have supper by 8, write my daily blog and then do a bit of studying/programming or meet up with some mates, and hopefully be in bed by 11-11:30pm.
Perhaps that’s why I’ve become so fond and clinically dependent on coffee these days, because without it, the day seems nearly impossible. However painful the weekly routine may seem, I think it is necessary. One day I plan to be successful in all areas in my life, and to achieve this I believe I’ll need to get up early, work hard at it and be pushed.
Rambo says "When a man is pushed cramming a bucket load of stuff in one day becomes as easy as breathing!" Rambo actually used "killing" instead of "cramming bucket loads of stuff in one day" in his version; but for my particular illustration I don't think "killing" is quite appropriate...
There’s also another old saying that goes something like this: "The morning belongs to those who wake early" = that’s it, that’s the saying…think about it…
Another weekend of fun and debaucheries has blitzed by, and tomorrow, well tomorrow my friends its back to business. I always feel relieved when the weekend is over, and can’t wait to get up early in the morning and become a productive member of society again….
Seriously though, it’s going to be the first week of starting a normal routine again, (after a few months of slacking off); and I’m not looking forward to it. Since January, I’ve somehow managed to settle into the comfort zone of apathy, sleeping late eating junk and pretty much lazing around without much focus and motivation.
My work day routine is pretty hectic (or at least I think it is) and goes something like this: I wake up at 5am for the gym, train for an hour; have breakfast and get lunch prepared by 7:30, clean up, get ready for work and be out the door by 8am, graft till 6pm, back in the gym for another hour session, have supper by 8, write my daily blog and then do a bit of studying/programming or meet up with some mates, and hopefully be in bed by 11-11:30pm.
Perhaps that’s why I’ve become so fond and clinically dependent on coffee these days, because without it, the day seems nearly impossible. However painful the weekly routine may seem, I think it is necessary. One day I plan to be successful in all areas in my life, and to achieve this I believe I’ll need to get up early, work hard at it and be pushed.
Rambo says "When a man is pushed cramming a bucket load of stuff in one day becomes as easy as breathing!" Rambo actually used "killing" instead of "cramming bucket loads of stuff in one day" in his version; but for my particular illustration I don't think "killing" is quite appropriate...
There’s also another old saying that goes something like this: "The morning belongs to those who wake early" = that’s it, that’s the saying…think about it…
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
