Category Archives: getting fit

Let’s Talk Food

In my effort to get fit again I have made the appropriate changes to my diet. Thanks to Rene it wasn’t that difficult. I’ve cut out the high calorie junk, started eating more green things, generally just “better” than I used to eat. It’s even easier when you don’t have to sacrifice taste or the things you really like, like sushi and a really good steak and fresh pasta (in moderation).

But I’m running into an issue and I wouldn’t mind a little help. Rene and I are really busy. I know everybody is busy, I’m not trying to have a pissing contest about who has the least amount of free time, and I need to find food that is good and fast. There aren’t a lot of options for that. Tonight we did Flame Broiler. I like Flame Broiler, but we’re going to need more options than that. We also do El Pollo Loco quite a bit and that’s about all I can think of that’s quick and has a drive-thru. So does anyone have any spots that they can recommend in Orange County.

Here’s the rules, ‘cuz there’s always rules:

  • No recipes – We got it handled at home, I’m just looking for run-and-gun food.
  • Availability – Ideally there will be more than one or two locations. We know some GREAT spots in Fullerton, but now that we don’t live in downtown it’s tough to get there before they close. We need spots with availability.
I look forward to your responses, if only because January is packed and I’m going to be hungry.
See you next time!

Leave a Comment

Filed under food, getting fit

Workout Update 2 – But without video

I keep thinking that I’m going to do a video from the elliptical machine or one of the weight machines, but I’ve been too chicken to do it. I build up the gumption and then, as soon as I’m in the room, I freeze up. I feel like there is definitely some kind of unspoken law that cameras remain out of the gym. Is this accurate? I look forward to your responses in the comments.

In the meantime, I’m really enjoying my workouts and have been looking forward to them with excitement so far. Part of my motivation while exercising is listening to music. I used to listen to podcasts, but I’ve been using my phone as my Walkman (follow the link if you’re too young to remember what that is) and I don’t currently load anything to it, I play everything through the net. I’ve been using Pandora since it does not require a subscription.

I used Kylie Minogue as the seed. The rhythms are consistent and energetic, the songs are fun and easy and it really helps you blowout a cardio routine. I played with a few other styles when I first started working out, general pop, New Wave, rock; but none of them worked quite as well as the Kylie station is.

While I’m not seeing huge results yet (duh, it’s only been a week), I am definitely feeling results.  Even though it’s only been a week I’m already feeling more energetic and alert. My metabolism must be kicked up a notch because I’m suddenly warm everywhere, even when I’m out with Frankie doing the late-night potty, and my appetite has adjusted. Instead of eating due to it being the scheduled time to eat, I’m actually hungry. So far I feel like these are positive signs.

What do you listen to when you workout, if you workout? I’m open to listening to new stuff, Kylie only has, like, a dozen albums.

See you next time!

Leave a Comment

Filed under getting fit, music, update

Work Out Vlog 1

To celebrate my first day of working out and my dedication to getting myself fit (and trimming down on my growing gut) I have recorded a vlog.

I thought about doing a before and after, but only after I had started my cardio. then I thought about doing a video in the gym, but It was my first time there and I didn’t want to break any rules inadvertently (there’s a code about that, right?). So here’s the vlog I shot when I got home. After I ate. And watched an episode of “The IT Crowd.” Also, I look like hell, but this is a “warts and all thing,” so I’m not going to edit it, filter it or try and make it pretty. And that white streak by my nose is my scar, not a booger.

Also, this Crunch Gym is really nice.

Leave a Comment

Filed under getting fit, getting old, getting started

Workout, Water & Ray

I started my new workout on Monday (which is today as I’m writing but yesterday when this posts) which excludes the gym (I just don’t make the time to make the 1.5 mile trip) and takes away all the excuses that I manage to make for myself.  I really enjoyed it!  Frankie is my cardio and then I use body resistance (push-ups, bicycle crunches and I’m going to add pull-ups and chin-ups) for all the muscle stuff.  I never had a desire to be a  “buff guy” and my body type isn’t one where “buff guy” was going to happen, but I am definitely growing a gut (thanks early 30’s!) and I don’t like that.  I’ll let you know how it’s going.

I’ve been really dry the last few days.  Between the heat an running the A/C I’ve had a decent thirst and I’m drinkin’ water…

I really thought I was gonna’ take that somewhere.  In my brain I had a train of thought about drinking water that made sense to write but then I wrote it and it boiled down to “I was thirsty so I had water.”  That is not interesting.  It is anti-climatic and disappointing though.

So, to finish this up I’ve got the new “Story Time with Ray” video. Enjoy!

See you tomorrow!

Leave a Comment

Filed under blatant plug, getting fit, Story Time with Ray, Wiggy VonSchtick, wiggy webs

Project 365 8-13-2010 Most. Boring. Day. Ever.

I sat in a chair for about eight hours today. 

Almost a straight eight hours. 

I was stuck in front of a computer reading statistics and figures and watching informational videos for the school. 

Got there at 10am, left there at 8pm.  I only got up to eat and pee. 

I only ate once.

I was under the impression when I got there that it would only be a couple of hours.  I even went in my gym clothes because I was headed to the gym right after – but it was not a couple of hours.

I got paid for it though and that makes it all worth it, but, man, I was unprepared for that amount of sitting.  This is why I could never pull a wage slave job, the tedium is hellish!

I still went to the gym after and looked like this when I got home:

See you tomorrow!

Leave a Comment

Filed under getting fit, project 365 2010, the school

Project 365 7-20-2010 Tuesday

Today is Tuesday of the unintended “Week of Getting Things Done!”  (Imagine the part in quotes in a booming, echoy voice.)

I wrote a to-do list on Sunday night of all the things that either need to be or I wanted to get done by Friday of this week.  It’s the whole sheet of paper and I’ve been adding a thing here or there as they come up.  As of this evening I have checked off about a third of it so if I keep up at this rate I should TOTALLY have the whole list complete by Friday!

By the way, totally off topic, my use of the word “totally” came back into the fold during the writing of “Stupid Teenagers Must Die!” when we were writing 80’s catch phrases and terms into the script.  Back then I figured that it might be a problem getting 80’s phrases stuck in my vocabulary but only one phrase stuck: “totally.”  I annoy myself at how often I use it, but at least I’m not saying “exactly” every other sentence like I was in 2005.

Anyway, back on task, originally the picture for today was going to be of the list that I’m doing so well on…

…but then I realized how much kinda’ personal information was on that sheet of paper so instead you get a cute picture of Pete the chihuahua chewing on his favorite toy:

Ain’t that cute?

The day today blew by like a flash and as I look back on it and try to think of interesting things to write about all I can remember are emails and the phone ringing.  And working out.  I feel very strong right now.

See you tomorrow!

Leave a Comment

Filed under business, getting fit, making movies, pets, project 365 2010

Project 365 7-14-2010 Wanna’ Help Us Get Married?

What to write, what to write?

I’m not feeling the muse today and I’ve been sitting catching up on my YouTube subscriptions hoping that something would stimulate an exciting blog out of me.

It didn’t.

My mind is preoccupied by all the stuff that DIDN’T happen today and, in a totally unrelated way, the BP well cap that might or might not be working.

However, since I don’t have much else to write about tonight I would like to ask for your help!  Rene and I have entered a local radio contest to win a wedding!  We could really use the help because we’ve had to cancel the wedding we were planning – long story, not worth telling.  So please follow THIS LINK and vote for us!  They announce the top ten couples on Friday and we would really appreciate your support!

Today’s picture is of my empty juice cup:

Ever since I’ve stopped drinking soda my appreciation for juice has grown exponentially. 

See you tomorrow!

Leave a Comment

Filed under getting fit, project 365 2010, rene, the wedding

Project 365 7-8-2010 Hungry!

One of the side effects of working out on the regular is an increased appetite!  I have found myself eating much healthier and much more on a regular schedule than I ever have in my life.  I actually eat breakfast now – and that’s something that used to require third-party intervention.

My current favorites, besides Rene’s delightful eggs and fakon (that’s fake bacon) are oatmeal and the blended breakfast things at Jamba Juice.  Right now Jamba Juice is running all kinds of specials too so eating there is suddenly very reasonable!

When it comes to dinner there is a food that has been my favorite since I was a kid: Spinach Tortellini in Alfredo Sauce from The Old Spaghetti Factory!  It’s the only thing I get when I eat there.  When I’ve ordered other things I’ve only been disappointed.

My parents got me an order of it tonight and surprised me with it.  I planned to take a picture of it but my work out appetite got the better of me so this was all that was left:

It doesn’t look as good once it’s all gone.

See you tomorrow!

1 Comment

Filed under food, getting fit, project 365 2010

Project 365 7-7-2010 Workin’ & Workin’ Out

Today was a very busy day.

There were conference calls, a postponed conference call, more emails than I thought I’d have to write or read and teaching.

I had originally thought that I would work out this morning, but that didn’t happen.  I did get to enjoy oatmeal and a Jamba Juice this morning and that was nice.  I got back to my healthy eating today and, thankfully I did not suffer for my Western Bacon Cheeseburger indulgence last night.

My work out came instead tonight and I really pushed it and it felt really good.  Easing into my routine again is working much better than having a personal trainer kick my ass until I can’t move.

I enjoy moving.

Today’s picture is of my face once I got home:

I was tired – still am so I’m going to bed.

See you tomorrow!

Leave a Comment

Filed under business, getting fit, project 365 2010

Project 365 7-2-2010 Sweat

I was a sweating machine today!  Not all day, but most of the day.  It was a hot day in general, but that wasn’t the proactive sweating – the proactive sweating began when I met Rene at the gym.  The cardio really got me going, but then, surprisingly, even my weight work kept up the sweat.

Then at night I did Shmimprov and it was a pretty physical show and I was definitely “glistening” after that performance as well.

If I were in Japan I would have just finished off the day with a refreshing Pokari Sweat!

Today’s picture is of me right before bed – I don’t know how visible the sheen of sweat is:

As I get older I just get more disgusting.

See you tomorrow!

Leave a Comment

Filed under getting fit, Improv Shmimprov, project 365 2010, rene