A few changes - Day 21

I have one more week to go before the recovery week. Today was a rest day and my wife and I took the time to get ready for the upcoming week and to get a tree for the holidays.

I'm still working on some ideas for getting enough calories and keeping my body fueled for this Insanity workout program. Tomorrow will be a hard workout with Pure Cardio and Cardio Abs on the schedule.

I purchased a Biggest Loser workout DVD from Costco yesterday...it's called the Last Chance Workout. I watched it today and my wife tried it out. It looks good for people starting a program, and maybe for some others if you get the timing down and increase the speed of the workout. Anyway, a nice addition to our collection of home workout videos and definitely worth the $8-$11 it sells for depending on where you purchase it.

This brings me to my next subject...Buzz Commuter will see a few changes over the next few weeks. I find that I have less to say at the moment about bikes and bike commuting in general. Originally I wanted this blog to follow my days as a bike commuter while I lived in Colorado. More recently it has evolved into my desire to get and stay fit (a nice result of bike commuting) and now my journey on the Insanity workout program. I want this blog to get back to the world of bikes and bike commuting. After all it was a Novara Buzz V and my chance to use a bike exclusively for transportation. Even thought some of my circumstances have changed my desire to bike commute and support cycling not only for exercise, but also a superior means of community transportation.

I also have a desire to climb a few mountains, enjoy the outdoors as much as possible and hopefully do some good in this world. As much as I want Buzz Commuter to be a part of this I want a place to share these adventures, hits and misses, opinions and maybe just some general griping.

To this end I will soon be adding Fortunes Fare. My journey with Insanity will transfer over the Fortunes Fare as will some other information. I will continue to write on Buzz Commuter as I ride to work and keep pedaling.

I hope to have Fortunes Fare up this week. I will not remove any of the current posts from Buzz Commuter and will start fresh on Fortunes Fare.

Here's to self-expression and digital media.

Rest day and Fit test

Saturday was a rest day and I took it a little more seriously than the last time. It's hard to say if it made a big difference, but I did feel better. I'm planning on running a 5k on a rest day in a couple of weeks...I'll have to see what workout I have planned for the following day, and make sure I get some good rest after the run.

Today was the Fit Test. I've been on Insanity for 15 days and use the test to track my progress. I had pretty good progress on most of the exercises. Nice to see some development. I'll be curious to see how I do after the next 15 days.

I have two more weeks of the current rotations, and the following week is a recovery week. Then I am into the final weeks of the program. This will include some more challenging workouts. I'm looking forward to it, but right now it's one day at a time.

Bananas - Day 9

Today was the first day of Pure Cardio because I decided to run a 5k on the previous day I was supposed to have Pure Cardio.

It definitely the first time I found myself out of breath and my still a few reps left in my arms or legs. Going straight through without designated breaks in between sets may just become my favorite workout of the series, but I think Plyo Cardio Circuit is still my current favorite.

As it happens the Circuit is on the agenda for tomorrow. I plan on biking into work and then getting to the workout in the afternoon. Busy day.

Day 3 and before photos

Pardon the pale Irish in me...there will be more sun come spring and summer. For now shade your eyes.

Today felt good as stiff and sore muscles worked to get through the Cardio Power & Resistance. The workout has power jumps and good arm work (push-ups, triceps dips and incline push-ups for shoulder work). I felt good, but ran out of power...my muscles are still catching up to my cardio. I'll know I'm really making progress when I can get that last jump or keep going during plank sprints.

So this is still the beginning...a skinny white guy. 57 days and counting down.

Tomorrow is a little less intense - Cardio Recovery: I remember this one from the first round and is in no way a rest day. Bring it on!

Insanity - Day 2

Today was the Plyo Cardio Circuit. This half-hour or so workout is one of my favorite and one of the most challenging. It's been a few months since I did this workout and it was hard to keep going at the same level as I remember.

I got through it, but not without a fight, sweat and a bit of yelling.

I am working on my diet...making sure I get the calories I need during this program. I find I'll have to double some meals like mt morning smoothie. I gotta keep at it.

I also took some "before" pics today. I hope to compare them to the photos I shot prior to the 30 days of the workout. I think I'll post these when I have more time.

Tomorrow I have Power Cardio and Resistance. I don't recall the specifics of this workout, but I'm sure it will all come back to me quickly.

Insanity - Day 1

Getting back on the wagon is hard. I don't feel prepared and it took a little while to get out of bed and press play. I did it though and here's how it went.

I started Insanity last in the summer and was able to compare my first day from last time to this go around. The first day is a fit test: 8 exercises to set a base and something to compare against during the 60 day program.

It was interesting to compare my previous attempt to today. In most areas I did the same or better with only one exercise, power knees, below my prior results.

The workout is hard. Looking forward to tomorrow.

Back to the drawing board...

I find it amazing how I can let life take over and stop doing things that are good for me or I really enjoy all in the name of "not enough time" or "too busy" (some relation there).
I see by my last post I just started "Insanity". It have been more than a few months and I have not finished the work-out. In fact most of my activity has been isolated: a hike here, climbing there...etc.

I see a need and an opportunity...so I am going back to the drawing board. Starting this Sunday I am back on a more healthy diet and back to "Insanity".

I'm starting the workout from the beginning and I'm going to make some changes - I found I did not always put in the most effort...I recovered very quickly (not a bad thing), but I think I could push a little more...so I'm not going to hold anything back. I'll need to make sure I don't go too far and not injure myself, but I know I can do more.

As for my commuting...I hope to begin again, but I may wait until I complete my 60-day workout.

I also plan on following my progress here and on facebook...photos on flickr as well.
So, that's the plan...for the next 60 days beginning this Sunday. Wish me luck!

The New Commitment

Do you ever look back and wonder why you started to commute by bike? Was it because gas prices were high, or letting go of a car meant enough to get a bike and start riding? Did you challenge yourself to be more healthy and make a difference in the world you lived in?

I love that there can be so many reasons for getting on a bike and making that commute. It's frustrating I can find just as many reasons not to get on my bike each day.

I started this blog a year ago to record my new adventure in bike commuting. Now I find I am commuting less and still have a passion for using my bike(s) for commuting and recreation.

Originally I got on a bike to save money and because I had the time and ability to ride everyday. I found, too, that as a result of riding all the time I was getting into great physical shape. Now, as I ride less I need to work harder to stay in shape.

So, not to beleaguer my point, I have a new commitment for the buzz commuter: continue to commute when possible, find new ways to get out and ride, never stop riding and dedicate myself to being in the best shape in my life.

Today my wife and I begin a 60-day workout program and I will report my progress here...including pictures. Monday I'm going on a ride in the mountains (I'll have pics on Flickr), and beginning next week I am trying to get a breakfast ride together.

That's it; my commitment to myself and my bike - continue to be a buzz commuter.