February 2011
43 posts
2 tags
Paleo challenge day 31
Lunch: pulled pork, salad
Snack: cashews, macadamia nuts, pear
Dinner: steak, short ribs, spaghetti squash w/marinara, pastrami, clementine
Meat, meat, and more meat. Started a new job today with an amazing kitchen. Need to check out the local lunch options, but knowing I can always bring in food is heartening.
Weigh-in: 182lb
I’m doing this as part of CFSB’s 60 Day Paleo Challenge. Read...
3 tags
CFSB Day 43
Most of today was spent warming up and stretching the hamstrings. Did some PNF partner stretching and I actually got a decent range of motion going. This was all in preparation for today’s deadlift-focused WOD:
5 Deadlifts (275lb)
10 Burpees
Repeat 5x
Total time: 4:23. Burpees were too damn slow, but the deadlifts felt ok. It helps to focus on gillying the bar down when stringing...
January 2011
61 posts
2 tags
Paleo challenge day 30
Lunch: almonds, apple, steak, chicken, vegetable soup, green beans, sweet potato, more fruit
Snack: clementine, macadamia nuts
Dinner: burger with guac, spinach, spaghetti squash
Half-way point of this 60 day challenge, fellas. It’s frustrating that I can’t get my sleep in order (sick baby at home) or have more consistency getting to the gym because I’m burning clean fuel...
2 tags
Paleo challenge day 29
Lunch: eggs, pastrami, deli turkey, guac, brussels sprouts, pernil, cauliflower “rice”*
Snack: pear, macadamia nuts
Dinner: pernil, brussels sprouts, guac
Cauliflower rice is actually closer texturally to mashed potatoes. Tastes surprisingly good though! And that’s the last of the pernil.
Weigh-in: 185lb
I’m doing this as part of CFSB’s 60 Day Paleo Challenge. Read all...
2 tags
Paleo challenge day 28
Lunch: pastrami, macadamia nuts, 1.5 bunless burgers*, salad
Snack: apple, deli turkey
Dinner: roast pork lettuce wraps with guac, pear, brussels sprouts
Took my BCAAs this morning and broke my fast at around noon. *I ate the uneaten portion of my wife’s burger which resulted in some incidental cheese consumption. Really good, really big dinner. That pernil turned out alright after...
6 tags
CFSB Day 42
Quick warmup on the jump rope this morning - mixing singles and double unders. Then Shane took me through the OHS warmup to get ready for a 1RM.
Overhead Squats:
1 x 180lb
1 x 185lb
1 x 190lb (PR)
1 x 195lb *FAIL*
1 x 195lb *FAIL*
1 x 195lb *FAIL*
3 x 125lb
My 1RM is over my bodyweight (I weighed in at 183lb this morning), which feels good. I was most concerned about getting the weight...
2 tags
Paleo challenge day 27
Lunch: eggs, deli turkey, apple, pastrami, clementine
Snack: mixed nuts
Dinner: roast pork lettuce wraps with guac, apple
Didn’t make it to the gym today, so I treated it like a rest day. No BCAAs, broke my fast at noon and ate my last meal at ~8pm. Sadly the roast pork (top quality meat from the meat share) was initially a bit of a disaster, so we stuck it in the pressure cooker to...
2 tags
Paleo challenge day 26
Lunch: eggs, deli turkey, guacamole, lettuce, broccoli
Snack: apple w/almond butter, cashews
Dinner: ground turkey, guac, lettuce
Took my BCAAs right before working out, then broke my fast afterward with a hearty meal. It sure does feel good to eat massive amounts of quality food.
Weigh-in: 182lb
I’m doing this as part of CFSB’s 60 Day Paleo Challenge. Read all about it.
3 tags
CFSB Day 41
Warmed up with 3 min on the rower, 10 easy strokes/10 hard strokes. Some shoulder mobility work and some time in the bottom of a squat. Today’s WOD was overhead squats, 1 rep every minute on the minute for 12 min. Rx weight was 75% of max triple from the previous exposure, which would have put me at 127.5lb. I was aggressive and went for 135lb for all sets. Missed a couple of reps in there...
2 tags
Paleo challenge day 25
Lunch: roast pork mofongo
Snack: pear, larabar, 99% dark chocolate
Dinner: steak, broccoli
First day of officially supplementing with BCAAs in the am (right before my workout and afterwards). The workout was pretty relaxed, so not sure if I got any benefit. I found some 99% dark chocolate (no sugar!) so I thought I’d give it a shot. I ate a tiny square and it was fucking gross.
...
1 tag
Failure has a thousand explanations. Success doesn’t need one.
– Alec Guiness
3 tags
CFSB Day 40
I came in to make up yesterday’s deadlift workout, the final exposure of the month where we’re supposed to find our 1RM and hit a PR. Warmed up with 5 windmills/side, 10 16kg KB swings x3. After a few warmup sets, David noticed that my back was getting soft as the weight got heavy. Since this can be dangerous with heavy weight, I got sent to deadlift detention and spent some time...
2 tags
Paleo challenge day 24
Breakfast: apple w/almond butter, larabar
Lunch: grass-fed burger, sausages, sweet potato fries, sauerkraut
Snack: paleo pancakes, apple w/almond butter
Dinner: chicken, broccoli, sweet potato
Eating on Zach’s terms is tough. More fruit and fluff than I’d like, but I made due with what was available. I also got my new supplements in, so started my dose of calcium and...
1 tag
Boarding at Butternut
Headed up to Ski Butternut in Massachusetts with Zach today, on the coldest day of the year. Decent little mountain, but it was -7 when we got to there in the morning and warmed up to about 1 degree during the day. Since it was so damn cold, we called it an early day so we could keep all our toes. Way too cold to sweat!
2 tags
Paleo challenge day 23
Breakfast: chicken fajitas, sweet potato, collard greens
Snack: coconut milk/frozen berry smoothie
Dinner: steak, chicken burger, butternut squash, mango
Chomped down on a sweet potato right after my workout, then headed out to eat more. Dinner was courtesy of Zach, which means it was a small meal. He starves his guests like he starves his poor dog.
Weigh-in: 184lb
I’m doing this as part...
4 tags
CFSB Day 39
Another advanced/competition class, another HSPU focus! After some DROMS and an intro to the kipping HSPU, we went for max reps strict handstand pushups. I hit 9. The goal was to then match that for two sets using the kip, but I couldn’t connect the kick to the press. I ended up with two sets of 5.
3-Man Partner WOD:
60 Snatches (115lb)
Max rep HSPUS
Time limit was 12 min. My group...
2 tags
Paleo challenge day 22
Breakfast: mexican beef, eggs, asparagus
Lunch: ground chicken prosciutto-wrapped thing from Bierkraft, salad, avocado, apple
Snack: clementine, cashews
Dinner: chicken, spinach, collard greens*
Feeding window was from 12pm - 9pm, so breakfast came at about noon. This schedule will be pretty constant on my new modified IF plan, so each day will have ~16 hours of fasting (though it feels...
2 tags
Paleo challenge day 21
Lunch: almonds, beef with sweet potatoes, guac, and broccoli over salad
Snack: chicken and broccoli, cashews
Dinner: beef, asparagus, avocado
This was supposed to be a fast day, but I basically said fuck it. I’ve been doing a lot of reading on various IF strategies and timing of post workout meals and I’m planning on switching it up. More to come on that front.
Weigh-in: 186lb
...
Early Morning Fasted Training | Intermittent... →
Very interesting. I’ve been doing some research to see if my current IF strategy has been cannibalizing any gains I should be making in the gym. I’m going to make the move to this model and see how it feels.
5 tags
CFSB Day 38
Warmed up with 3 min on the rower, 24 s/m. Did some of the standard warmups for OHS: 2 min bottom squat sit, squat salutations, inchworms, and muscle snatch.
Overhead Squat:
3 x 10 x 127.5lb
Used the rep-out weight from the last OHS exposure, which may have been a bit too light. Strange how not failing on one of the sets makes me thing the weight was too light. The weight was...
2 tags
Paleo challenge day 20
Breakfast: eggs, sausage, guac, tostones, clementine, cashews
Lunch: turkey, broccoli, carrots, avocado & mango salsa, Larabar
Snack: almonds, apple
Dinner: chicken and broccoli, eggplant and string beans
One third of the way through and not a single misstep. Cheating is for suckers. I’m feeling really good and even though my weight is holding stead, my body comp is changing for...
6 tags
CFSB Day 37
Jogged to the box and warmed up with light rowing (2 min @ 22 s/m), band dislocates, band OHS, and planks. Then to the bench.
Bench Press:
3 x 225lb *FAIL* (2)
3 x 215lb
3 x 215lb
9 x 185lb
I really thought I’d get 225 x 3 x 3. Very frustrating. Last set was for max reps. On my 10th rep, the bar came down and I couldn’t budge it - complete muscle failure!
WOD:
Row 1000m
...
2 tags
Paleo challenge day 19
Breakfast: paleo pancakes II, turkey/lettuce roll-ups
Lunch: leftover party: meatballs, chicken, mexican beef/avocado/lettuce roll-ups, cashews
Dinner: plantain-crusted chicken, kale, spinach, tostones, guac, clementine
Since the wife was making regular old buttermilk pancakes this morning, I thought I’d give the paleo pancakes another go. This time I was much more successful - used 1...
2 tags
Paleo challenge day 18
Breakfast: eggs, mexican beef, cashews, clementine
Lunch: chicken soup, brussels sprouts
Snack: Larabar
Dinner: grilled chicken, more sprouts, turkey/lettuce roll-ups
Had some strange stomach discomfort yesterday and not sure why. I was wary about what I ate today, but ended up feeling ok.
Weigh-in: 187lb
I’m doing this as part of CFSB’s 60 Day Paleo Challenge. Read all about it.
2 tags
Paleo challenge day 17
Snack: Larabar
Dinner: mexican beef, sweet potato, avocado, clementine
Fasted from 8pm Sunday to 9pm today. Ate the Larabar on the way home from kung fu, then sat down for a feast when I got in.
Weigh-in: 185lb
I’m doing this as part of CFSB’s 60 Day Paleo Challenge. Read all about it.
2 tags
Kung Fu class
I’m feeling kinda beat up from poor sleep the past few nights, so I didn’t go too crazy in class tonight. Led the guys through a warmup and some stance/forearm training before we got into forms. I didn’t get much dedicated work for myself and just ended up instructing.
4 tags
CFSB Day 36
Warmed up with 3 min on the rower, medium intensity, 20 s/m. After that we did some hip stretching and foam rolled the inside and outside, followed by a little rolling on the t-spine. It was deadlift day again, and we were shooting for 3 sets of heavy doubles. On my last warmup set (365lb) I started to round my back again, so David had me drop the weight and really focus on form. Did a few...
2 tags
Paleo challenge day 16
Breakfast: eggs, broccoli, cashews
Snack: nose carrots w/almond butter
Lunch: tacos from Oaxaca (no tortillas, no cheese)
Dinner: mexican beef, sweet potato, spinach
Feeling good. It’s interesting to see my weight going up. It can vary by ~10lbs depending on what time of day I step on the scale, so it’s not a real concern.
Weigh-in: 189lb
I’m doing this as part of CFSB’s 60 Day...
6 tags
CFSB Day 35
Today was my first advanced class at CFSB, geared towards preparing the stronger athletes for competition. Warmed myself up on the rower before class and did a bit of DROMS. We kicked things off with some handstand pushups. First we did a set for max reps. I hit 9. Then the plan was to do 3 sets at 80% of that number, so I shot for 7. First set was no problem, but I only completed 5 reps on set 2...
2 tags
Paleo challenge day 15
Breakfast: mexican beef ‘n eggs, leftover guacamole, leftover chicken
Snack: larabar
Snack: cashews, clementine
Dinner: meatballs, broccoli, cashews
No time for a real lunch, Dr. Jones. Also picked up 5lbs of grassfed beef and a huge pork shoulder butt from a meatshare. Good food’s on the horizon.
Weigh-in: 187lb
I’m doing this as part of CFSB’s 60 Day Paleo Challenge. Read all...
2 tags
Paleo challenge day 14
Dinner: pernil, spinach, kale, tostones, guacamole, chicken
Fasted from 8pm Thursday to 8pm today. Broke my fast with a huge meal from the paleo-friendly Bogota Bistro. Shopping and prepping for the week ahead tomorrow!
Weigh-in: 185lb
I’m doing this as part of CFSB’s 60 Day Paleo Challenge. Read all about it.
5 tags
CFSB Day 34
Warmed up with 2 min on the rower, 20 s/m. Did some of the standard warmups for OHS: t spine foam roll, 2 min bottom squat sit (with band on knees to reinforce knees out), squat salutations, inchworms, and muscle snatch.
Overhead Squat:
3 x 150lb
3 x 160lb
3 x 170lb *FAIL* (2)
3 x 170lb (PR)
12 x 127.5lb
These are starting to feel really strong. Some helpful tips from Shane today -...
2 tags
Paleo challenge day 13
Breakfast: beef negimaki, salad, paleo blueberry pie
Second Breakfast: eggs, bacon
Lunch: fresh turkey, roasted vegetables, asparagus, avocado & mango salsa
Snack: Larabar
Dinner: Mexican beef, avocado, apple w/almond butter
Eating a second breakfast always makes me feel like Peregrin Took, but sometimes it’s necessary.
Weigh-in: 189lb
I’m doing this as part of CFSB’s 60 Day...
2 tags
Paleo challenge day 12
Breakfast: eggs, avocado
Lunch: pulled pork, brussels sprouts, some sort of cabbage slaw
Snack: Larabar
Post WO Snack: sweet potato, meatballs
Dinner: chicken teriyaki, mixed veggies, paleo blueberry pie
That ‘pie’ was disappointing. I prefer a coconut milk smoothie to get a little sweetness into my life.
Weigh-in: 187lb
I’m doing this as part of CFSB’s 60 Day Paleo...
4 tags
CFSB Day 33
Warmed up with 2 min on the rower, medium intensity. Fox led us through some mobility work to prepare for the OHS today - focusing on hips, ankles, and shoulders. Then got to work on the lift:
Overhead Squat (2-3-1 tempo)
3 x 155lb *FAIL* (2)
3 x 155lb *FAIL* (1)
3 x 145lb
These were done at a tempo of 2 seconds down, 3 seconds pause at the bottom, 1 second up. This made it much more...
2 tags
Paleo challenge day 11
Breakfast: paleo pancakes* topped with berries, turkey
Lunch: salad with chicken, avocado, and a whole bunch of other good stuff
Snack: Larabar
Dinner: meatballs, kale, cashews, clementine
Trying to use Larabars as an emergency-only situation this time around. I needed this one today. I think I might need to start preparing better snacks for these situations.
Weigh-in: 182lb
I’m doing...
1 tag
Be at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let every New Year...
– Ben Franklin (via)
2 tags
Paleo challenge day 10
Dinner: beef stew, kale*, sweet potato, cashews, part of an apple
Fasted from dinner 8pm Sunday to 8pm today. Tried cooking kale for the first time and it was very easy to make and pretty tasty.
Weigh-in: 186lb
I’m doing this as part of CFSB’s 60 Day Paleo Challenge. Read all about it.
4 tags
CFSB Day 32
Warmed up with 3 min on the rower, medium intensity, 813m. Then we did some hip and hamstring stretching and got ready for the second deadlift exposure of the month. Rx was 1 rep of the max weight used last time every minute, on the minute for 12 min. Since my back was feeling crumby from carrying Ms. Chubalub around all day yesterday, I kept the weight light (135lb) and tripled the volume (3 reps...
3 tags
CFSB Day 31
Easy dynamic stretching warmup followed by some forward roll practice. Then onto today’s WOD:
3 Muscle Ups*
10 1 Arm DB Thrusters Left
3 Muscle Ups*
10 1 Arm DB Thrusters Right
AMRAP 20 min
Finished 8 rounds + 5 left arm thrusters. Rx weight was 20% bodyweight, so I rounded up to 40lb. I need to work on pushing my butt back and staying on my heels for the thrusters. *Muscle...
Paleo challenge day 9
Breakfast: paleo pancakes* topped with berries
Post WOD Snack: sweet potato, roast beef
Lunch: meatballs, broccoli rabe, cashews
Dinner: meatballs, broccoli rabe (yes, again)
After researching a ton of “paleo pancake” recipes, I tried one that was 1c almond butter, 1c applesauce, 1 egg. I also mixed in unsweetened coconut flakes for fun. Apparently that’s enough to feed a...
2 tags
Paleo challenge day 8
Breakfast: eggs, broccoli, cashews
Snack: some chicken
Lunch: Paleo pinwheels from Bierkraft! Ground turkey wrapped in bacon, ground pork wrapped in ham, side salad.
Snack: roast beef, turkey from Bierkraft
Dinner: steak, broccoli rabe*, sweet potato
Snack: apple w/almond butter
Feast day! Saw that Bierkraft was a paleo-friendly establishment on the CFSB comments, so I popped by. The...
2 tags
Paleo challenge day 7
Post WOD snack: coconut milk & berry smoothie
Dinner: chicken kabobs, spinach, salad, clementine
Fasted from dinner Thurs to post WOD today (around 7pm). Had to make the smoothie since I had nothing else in the house to eat! Food shopping tomorrow.
Weigh-in: 185lb
I’m doing this as part of CFSB’s 60 Day Paleo Challenge. Read all about it.
4 tags
CFSB Day 30
Open gym today! Warmed up on the rower: 10 hard strokes, 10 easy strokes for 3 min, then some DROMS for my hips and such. Then I made up Wednesday’s strength workout and WOD.
Overhead Squat:
5 x 105lb
5 x 125lb
5 x 145lb
Great tips from David on how to stay in the proper position - think about breaking the bar in half by rotating the arms. I felt pretty good overall considering my...
2 tags
Paleo challenge day 6
Breakfast: eggs, mexican beef, brussels sprouts, apple, pistachios
Lunch: spinach salad with chicken and stuff
Snack: Larabar
Post-workout snack: another Larabar
Dinner: bunless burger, avocado, salsa verde, brussels sprouts, clementine
Finally exhausted my supply of mexican beef. Need to make some more big batches this week so I can live off a new type of leftover next week.
Weigh-in:...
2 tags
Kung Fu class
First class in a while since all the holiday and blizzard madness. Worked on a few hand techniques with the class and then hung around and worked some bridge training and Fu Hok Seung Ying Kuen on my own. Also worked in a little handstand practice.