2012, 2013

Well, 2012 has passed and a new year has started. The last year was somewhat underwhelming on a personal level. I wasn't able to meet my year-end goals for physical fitness. I had a few experiences that threatened to knock me off balance. But I suppose having survived another year is a good thing.

I'm not particularly fond of new years resolutions. If you want to change something about yourself, why not do it the moment you realize it regardless of time and day? I understand how difficult it can be, so I suppose using the new year as a change motivator is a good thing. Too bad that most resolutions don't get fulfilled.

I've started some projects and I hope I can continue carrying them until they are finished or until I establish a lifetime commitment. These project will help keep me occupied, so I could prevent myself from brooding excessively and going all Edgar Allan Poe

• Guitar
• Drums
• Dream Log
• Writing
• Parkour

I also kind of miss being employed. But seeing as to how I don't really have any unreasonable cravings or a family to support, I can't seem to find motivation to find a job. This is a bit unfair for my family since I'm currently freeloading. I hope I can find a job this year since I'd like to help out with house expenses. Budget allocation is going to be a bit more challenging starting in a few months, since there's a baby on the way.

Stuff To Do 2

It's been a while since my last post. Being disconnected from the internet was very inconvenient at first, but I still managed to adjust accordingly. Seitokai Yakuindomo keeps me entertained whenever I get tired of writing, playing video games or doing exercises. 

Much has happened during the past few weeks, and my life is starting to go in a direction that seems depressing but more practical. I'll be able to concentrate on doing the things I want to do because of fewer distractions. Looking back, what I was doing wasn't exactly healthy or productive for the both of us.

I'm starting to get a good feel with guitar strumming. Maybe in a year I'll be good enough to sing while playing. It also pays to review the core mechanics of drumming, and I'm working extra hard on making all my limbs react and move independently from each other.

I finally bought a sledgehammer. It only weighs 10 lb but it still tires me out after a couple of swings, which was the whole point of buying one. The bike is also being repaired and will hopefully be operational by next week. I'm currently sanding off the yellow paint to make way for the black coating (which I hope won't look too shitty).

June Stats

Stat update for June 02,  2012

Weight: 70.3 kg
Waist  : 84.328 cm
Neck   : 35.56
% BF  : 19.7%
BMI     : 25.2

Slowing down eh.

Yo

I've managed to gather all the requirements for job application including my college diploma. Already gave copies to NEDA CDO early this week. I've been told that an examination will take place once they need new trainees and potential employees. In the meantime, I'll try to finish my father's work backlog.

I've been reading more books lately. Still trying to finish Poe's short story collection while also reading through novels. I seem to prefer books that are politically and socially motivated works, along with books that revolve around grim scenarios and dark comedy.

Training is going along quite well. We're going to reconfigure the program to make the routines more manageable. Core control has improved along with upper body strength. Stat updates will be posted by the first week of June.

Still waiting for Torchlight 2!

April Stats

Hmm... Maybe I ate a little bit too much when I got back home.


Weight: 71 kg
Waist  : 86.15 cm
Neck   : 35.5
% BF  : 21.1%
BMI     : 25.64

Starting today, we'll be pairing the IF system with our regular workout routine.

Late Progress Update

I was supposed to post stat updates by the end of March, but unfortunately I was preoccupied with transferring my stuff. I'll be logging my progress (or lack thereof) tomorrow. Hopefully the differences would be significant enough to keep me from raging over the insignificant two months worth of not-so-hard work.

Good news though, I'm already done with C25K W4. Five more weeks! Endurance has been greatly improved. Recovery and stamina have been greatly increased, giving me extra fuel for workout routines other than C25K.

Intensify

Did Couch to 5K Week 4 Day 2 barefoot today. Speed suffered, but I hope my soles get used to the stress.

Was also able to finish the fitocracy dip quest worth 400 points.

Tomorrow is another Tacfit Firefighter Challenge day. Will still go for the full 20 round workout.

Having a hard time limiting food intake due to the stockpiling of supplies.

Stat updates this weekend.

C25K Update

I wasn't able to finish the Couch to 5k Week 4 - Day 1 workout. I had to stop by the first five minute run because I felt a stabbing-twisting sensation around the lower right area of my torso. I didn't push myself today, Since I might have been seriously injured. If I won't be able to complete the required/recommended intervals this week, I'll stay with W4 for another week.

Thankfully, the pain didn't last long.

Mental prep for tomorrow's TFFC Workout.

Cardio Week

Although I was planning on doing a dedicated cardio week if certain goals were not met by the end of March, I had to reconsider because of how busy I would be by then. I'd have to move my things out of the boarding house, have my clearance signed, submit grades for the second semester, and pack up stuff for the trip home.

Seeing as to how relatively empty my schedule is this week, a one-week cardio program won't be able to get in the way of work.

The program schedule:

TFFC/TFFFC = TacFit Firefighter Challenge

GF                = General Flexibility (Stretching/Yoga)

C25K            = Couch to 5k (Week 4)

JJacks          = Jumping Jacks (100x3)

MA               = Martial Arts

This workout is far from perfect, but hopefully it's more than enough to prep the system for the summer vacation training.

External Links:

TFFC

Take the TACFIT Fire Fighter Challenge

The TACFIT Firefighter Workout Challenge

C25K

Cool Running | The Couch-to-5K ® Running Plan

Fitocracy Profile

VoidVariable

End-of-the-Year Goals

Time to set some seemingly achievable goals for the year 2012.

Spec:
One Hand Push-ups       (L&R x5)
Handstand Push-ups      (L&R x3)
Butterfly Kick
Back & Front Flip

Min:
40 Push-ups
25 Full One-Legged Squats (L&R)
5   km run (30min)
      or
10 min Sprint

I'm actually starting to see what's underneath my arm fat again.

Currently at ~70 kg and 21% BF.

Swimming

I know how to swim, but I am far from being a good swimmer. I hope I get extra time during summer vacation to improve my form. It's a good thing I started to jog again, since now I can hold my breath longer when underwater.

Continuing Couch to 5K

Although I took a break for a week, I restarted the running program today with W3D1. One week of rest was apparently enough for my calves to heal, making running somewhat comfortable again.

I would prefer to jog early in the morning, but the dorm compound's gates open at 5 am. I can't manage to scrunch up my morning schedule enough for me to do the routine and have the time to get ready for my 7 am classes. So I always end up doing C25K late afternoon or early in the evening.

Tonight's weather was not really ideal for running. The rain was considerably persistent and heavy. It even soaked up the school's oval, turning the ground into muddy slush. I'm still rather thankful that the rain did not pair up with strong winds. I felt quite accomplished, having finished the required routine for today even with the seemingly daunting conditions.

Couch to 5K Program Details

Katawa Shoujo C25K - Emi Ibarazaki

Fitocracy Journal

I post most of my minor workout/training updates here:

Refine, Polish - VoidVariable's Journal

Still following the usual schedule ([STR-CARDIO]x3, REST).
So far, I've been able to lose around 4 kg from my first month of retraining.

Pokéwalker

One of the reasons why I started training again is because I recently acquired a pokéwalker. It was also the reason why I was so interested in getting myself a copy of HeartGold/SoulSilver way before I managed to get a job.

The step counting function was okay, but I was somewhat disappointed when I found out that the pokémon you take for a stroll can gain only one level per data transfer. Still, I managed to catch a bunch of uncommon pokémon a lot earlier than in the actual game. The dowsing feature was also very nifty.

Since I switched to Pidgey as my party's flyer, I take along Hoothoot for strolls.

So far, I've been able to walk about 140,000 steps with the pokéwalker.

Back to Training

My brother and I started training again some time around the last week of January.

Instead of a weight goal, we'll aim for low body fat percentage. We'll still use the old STR-CARDIO intervals with Sundays assigned as rest days. Workout/routine/schedule synchronization will start this summer.

So far, the results have been more than satisfactory. I managed to lose around 2 kg and I've started to regain my strength and agility from when I was still in college.

We'll have to take it easy if we ever want to be efficient traceurs. We're planning on dedicating one year for trimming down and general fitness. PK training will resume afterwards.

Latest stats (Feb 8 2012):

Weight: 74 kg

Height:  167 cm

Waist:    90.17 cm

Neck:     36.83 cm

% BF:     23%

I'll try to update every month. 

My Fitocracy profile

The Rope

Since there aren't any viable pull-up areas in the house, I bought a 3m length of rope. A nice alternative to bars, I'll be able to work the same muscle groups. A slightly awkward scene happened when I bought the item. The owner casually asked me, "Asa ni nimo gamiton dong?" (What are you gonna use this for?), a question to which I took a bit of time to process and answer with a sheepish "Para sa duyan 'nong." (I'll use it for hammock support.).

It's not much of a heavy duty item, and the small circumference immediately gave me rope burns. I guess I'll have to wear gloves to keep that from happening, or find a gripping method that lessens the rope-to-skin friction. My older brother suggested that the rope be inserted through a short PVC pipe which will then act as a grip mechanism.

Hopefully, I'll be able to find time to complete my scheduled set of conditioning sessions.