Recovery

Weight: 221
Push Ups: 41 - 21, 20

Recovery seems to be improving. I'm still surprised by how fast I run out of steam.

Thirty Days

Weight: 221
Push Ups: 48 - 23, 25

I've been doing this 30 days now and I am seeing progress. It's not as great a progress as I would have thought but there is progress.

Today I flew through the first 15 and then I ran out of gas really fast. However, I made it to 25 today and so that is the new goal per set.

Snow Day

Weight: 221
Push Ups: 21

I only did one set of push ups today as I had to get outside and shovel snow.

We got about three inches overnight and I get the feeling that most of it fell within the last few hours. It is still snowing, even as I write and so I did not fire up the snow blower.

But I did break out the shovel. And so I got a little extra exercise that way.

Dizzy Push Ups

Weight: ?
Push Ups: 38 - 17, 21

I learned this morning that I should not do my push ups in the dark. It's just dark enough to disorient me and I get dizzy and then can only do 17 push ups in a set.

I really hate getting up in the morning with the prospect of push ups in front of me. I'm really glad and pleased with myself when I complete them.

Monday Header Goes Here

Weight: 22-something - Didn't weigh
Push Ups: 41 - 21, 20

Did two sets with shower in between.

Day of Rest

I fully intended to take a day off from exercises but as I was getting ready for church this morning, I suddenly decided to drop and give me 20. 

Actually, my goal was 22 but I made it to a solid 23. 

Yea, Me!

Arguments of Non-Consequence

Weight: 224
Push Ups: 61 - 21, 20, 20

I think this is the first time I've made it to a total of 60 push ups. I am pleased.

One could argue that the amount of time between push up sets this morning disqualifies the total amount. But one would be an Ass.

I did my first set struggled downstairs under halting breathing and made coffee and read the paper. Then I came upstairs and did the second set, took a shower and did the third.

I'm looking forward to getting to 25 in a set. That's my next goal.

A Little Twinge

Weight: Did not weigh in
Push Ups: 41 - 21, 20

I like my new method of doing one set of push ups, taking my shower and then doing another set. It takes a couple of minutes to recover my breathing so it's nice to have that break.

My Dentist has me using Act mouth wash which has some fluoride solution in it to help prevent decay and strengthen my teeth. My problem is I can't remember to use it in the morning. I'm going to have to take the bottle into the shower with me. That's when I brush...once I get my breath back.

I noticed early last week a little twinge of pain in my right shoulder. It was intermittent and didn't interfere with push ups. The first time I felt it I was adjusting my pillow in bed.

I felt it a little today after doing my second set of push ups. I hope it doesn't become a problem.

Exercise Always - Always Exercise

Weight: 223
Push Ups: 41 - 21, 20

I just did push ups today and in a different way. I'm so winded after the first set that I don't feel like waiting around to get my breath back. So I took my shower and did another set after my bathing.

It's quite difficult to make it to 20. That last push up is a struggle.  

Anyway, I'm wondering if I could do sets of 20 throughout the day. If I could I think that would help improve my endurance.

Abs of Flab

Weight: 224
Push Ups: 32 - 20, 12

I did several leg lifts and held them for 20 seconds. It's really hard to count seconds when your breathing is syncopated to micro seconds.

I was really hoping for more out of the push ups today, but no such luck.

Frosty Morning

Weight: 224
Push Ups: 32 - 20, 12
Leg Lifts: Several

I tried leg lifts this morning and felt the burn but not the pain. I'll keep going with those. I kind of pussied out on the push ups. I know I had more in me.

Winded

Weight: Forgot
Push Ups: 40 - 20, 20
Roll Outs: See below

I think I'm done with the roll outs. They really hurt. I'm going to try leg lifts and start light.

We'll see how that goes.

Finally Missed One

Weight: 222
Push Ups: 20
Roll Outs: Ha!

Well, I finally missed a day. Not bad though. I made it for 17 consecutive days. That's more than double the posts I did all last year.

I got up and did 20 straight push ups. That will have to do for today.

A Bad Day

Weight: 220
Push Ups: 34 - 16, 12, 8
Roll Outs: F'gitaboutit!

I new before I was half way down that the roll outs were not going to happen. I have to let my abs rest or start out with a milder exercise. That was brutal!

Painful Abs

Weight: 221
Push Ups: 38 - 20, 10, 8
Roll Outs: 5

The roll outs were really tough this morning. Painful. I don't want to force them and end up rupturing an abdomen or something.

It sure takes a while to recover my breath.

Getting Huge...in my Mind

Weight: Forgot to weigh in

Push Ups: 45   17, 18, 10

Roll Outs: 0

I put all my energy into push ups this morning and decided to bag the roll outs. Pleased to see I'm getting towards 50 push ups...even though they are not consecutive.

Breathless

Weight: 221

Push Ups: 10, 10, 10

Roll Outs: 5, 5, 5

Brutal this morning. Susan thought I was throwing up. The roll outs are killers on my stomach and the push ups take my breath away.

Return to the Grind

Weight: 222

Push Ups: 30 - 3 sets of 10

Roll Outs: 10

The first roll out was a bit painful. It felt like I pulled something in my abs. But the rest were fine...in a stressful sort of exercisy way.

I always dread the prospect of doing these exercises when I get up but I'm so damn pleased with myself afterward that I cannot see myself stopping this ritual short of some sort of injury.

I don't know if the day off helped or hurt.

Day Off

We planned to go skiing today but the weather was not favorable so we slept in and cuddled. Consequently, I decided to give myself a morning off of calisthenics.

We shall see if a day off is conducive to progress.

Roll Out Progress

Weight: 222
Push Ups: 30 3 Sets of 10
Roll Outs: 10

I weighed myself twice this morning and came up with the same number, I feel confident that I am fat.

I'm finally starting to see progress with the rollouts. For a while there I thought I was not going to be able to do them. I really want to gt the number up to a respectful number because I know they will do wonder for strengthening my abs. I feel the burn in my abs and a little stress in my spine, which I also hope will get stronger before I pop something.

Trusted Scale

Weight: 223
Push Ups: 30 - 3 Sets of 10
Roll Outs: 7

I'm not sure that I should trust my scale. I weighed myself three times this morning and got three different readings. 223, 224, & 222. I went with 223 because I feel a pound lighter than yesterday.

I do not get winded from the Roll Outs like I do from the Push Ups. I'm trying to give myself a minute or two between sets. I think I'll stick with 3 sets of 10 for the next week and then try adding extras on my third set.

Holding at 224

Weight: 224
Push Ups: 30  -  3 Sets of 10
Roll Outs: 5

I knew as I approached my tenth push up that I wasn't going to go very far beyond. So I stopped at 10 and rested and did another set. Then I decided to do another set and barely pushed out number 10.

Even so, I'm pretty pleased that I'm up to 30 push ups, even though they are in sets. I could not have done that nine days ago. Although the weight isn't anything to brag about, I'm happy with the exercises.

I did the roll outs before the push ups and the pain I've been feeling in my abs was gone...at least until I did roll out number four.

Snow Day

I woke up early today because I knew I had to get out and do some snow blowing. I didn't weigh myself but I did do 17 push ups. I should have tried for 18 but I don't think I could have done more. It seems like some mornings I have more grit.

I figured my exercise this morning would be the neighborhood snow blow.

All went well and I was happy to get out for my first blow job of the year...nay, the season.

Wrong Direction

Weight: 224 pounds - Up 2 pounds
Push Ups: 19 1/2
Roll Outs: 4

The roll outs continue to be painful but I'm making progress. At the very least, I am completing a few.

I almost made it to 20 push ups but could not quite make the last two inches.

I am pretty winded after the push ups and it takes a while to get it back. I'll be keeping an eye on that.

Progressive Progressions

Weight: 222 pounds
Push ups: 17
Roll outs: 2

I think I'm making progress even though the numbers above would not confirm that. I got through the push ups without pause and the two roll outs didn't hurt near as bad as yesterday.

Slip on the Ice

Weight: 221 Down 2 pounds
Push Ups: 17
Roll Outs: 2

The roll outs were very painful. Barely made the two. I really had to work hard to make that last push up. At least I'm making some improvement there.

I had my first official slip on the ice for the season. Actually, I think it's the first slip on the ice in a loooong while. I was walking to the Hub yesterday and thinking about what a nice crisp day it was. I wasn't watching the sidewalk so when I stepped on the small sheet of ice, my legs went right out from under me. I managed to make it somewhat graceful and didn't hurt myself, but I went down.

Happy Birthday to Dad

Weight: 223 pounds, Up 1

Push ups: 17

Wheelie: 0

Sit ups: 0

I had to take a break after 10 push ups so I really tried to go for another 10 but couldn't.

I could not do even one roll out on the wheel. My stomach muscles wouldn't allow it. I tried to do some sit ups and had the same results. I must have strained myself yesterday cuz it sure hurts. 

The First Day of Exercise

Weight: 222 pounds  Down 2 pounds
Push ups: 15
Rollie Wheel: 5

So, I got up this morning and was kind of excited to start this. I really tried hard to start with the bar on high. I only managed to get it just off the floor.

I think the push ups will improve quickly but the rollie wheel is going to be a bitch. My goal for push ups is to do 100 per day. If I can get the rollie wheel to 25, I think I'll be happy.

The rollie wheel is essentially a version of sit ups. I kneel on the ground with my hands on the handles the extend from either side of this wheel. The exercise involves me pushing the wheel out in front of me until my stomach almost touches the floor. It really works the abs, which have not had much work recently.

The Goal: a Post a Day

Since I am posting again on the second day of the year, I am clearly well on my way to posting every day of the year.

However that would require to have something interesting to post.

Well, I think I have figured out something interesting to post...at least interesting to me...and isn't that what we are concerned with here?!

In keeping with the thoughts and intensions of my Love Letter, I want to get into better shape. I have no definite goal other than any shape is better than the shape I'm in now.

So, I shall post every day the status of my weight, and the results of my morning workout. The morning workout shall simply consist of push ups and my rollie wheel.

Since I am starting from scratch, it shant be very impressive at the start. But it will be a guide to watch (what I hope will be) improvement. And the fact that I am dedicated to posting the results every day will be the thing that makes me actually do the exercise.

So, here we go!

A Love Letter to Myself

Dear Stan,

Let's start off the year with a decision to try and do better!

You are 56. You presently tip the scales at 224. You have a horrible diet. You're out of shape because you never exercise and consequently, your stamina sucks. And you're not terribly attractive. You are another heart attack waiting to happen!

On the positive side, you are 56. You are not yet so portly or out of shape that you couldn't start working out and get yourself to 200 pounds. But even at 200, you would still be unattractive.

Anyway, what do you say we try to make a better Stan in 2014. I guess we need a slogan.

"Less Stan to be seen in Twenty-Fourteen"

Well, we'll work on that.