Look Better Naked Challenge Day 1 - Work those pecs!

After my "successful" participation in Vin Vallejo's Body Fat Reduction Content, in which I was the only one who GAINED inches (in the manly areas, I lost in my gut), Katie said she wanted to try something similar. So I'm going to take what I learned from Vin and continue my own training while whipping Katie into shape as well.

We'll try to get both our measurements done so that we can track progress over the next few months, but our first day, which was actually Monday, was pretty good.
Oh, and Katie really, really doesn't like the foam roller.

BFRC Day 57 - Results

After nearly two months of training with Vin and competing for a $2500 cash prize, the results are in: I didn't win.

In fact, I GAINED INCHES. Seriously. I was, as of 6pm, the ONLY contestant who actually gained inches.

Now, I did gain in all the manly areas (arms, shoulders, chest and legs) while losing in the fatty places (a bit in the ass and an inch around my gut), so the entire process (minus the nearly three weeks I missed because of travel and sickness) was absolutely worth it.

I feel stronger, look better and, most importantly, have way, way more energy than I have in quite a long time. My next task will be to train Katie the best I can as I prep for my next half or full marathon.

Huge thanks to Vin, as I'll still be training with him sporadically as long as I can keep up giving him some publicity (CLICK ON HIS LINKS! JOIN HIS GYM!) or convince him to trade gym time for a new website.

BFRC Day 56 - What's next?

Okay, so I didn't lose all the weight I hoped. My slow struggle to change my eating habits, a weeklong illness and a loooooong road trip to Chicago certainly didn't help, but the responsibility is obviously mine.

Now it's Katie's turn. Starting tomorrow, and every weekday until we get tired, I'll be training with my fiancée to help the both of us reach our fitness goals. While I'm certain it won't be as productive as my workouts at Pro Fitness AZ, I'm sure I'll be able to figure something out.

Next on my plate is more running, as I'd really like to get my per mile time under nine minutes for runs 10+ miles. I'll also be out on my bike a bit more and will eventually start swimming as I prep for Ironman 2012 in Tempe. 

Whew.

Day 54 & 55 - Done

It's been nearly two months since I started working out with Vin. While we didn't make it five days a week every week, we certainly came close.

I dry heaved five times, sweated gallons and managed to make every pair of pants and shorts I own too big. I'm also working on a nice four-pack that is begging to be let out from underneath a few more pounds of belly fat.

My arms are noticeably larger, my neck is smaller and I feel GOOD. Did it hurt? Hell yes it did. Did it suck giving up flour, sugar and Diet Coke (for the most part)? Yes, at first.

But it was definitely worth it. While I doubt I'll win the contest, my time spent at the gym was more than worth it, and I'd do it again in a heartbeat. Next step? Marathon. 2012 Ironman after that.

BFRC Day 53 - Whew

Much needed day off today, as my forearms and abs still ache from workouts earlier this week. I suppose that's a good thing, but the pain involved is trying to tell me it's not.

And I had a Diet Coke today. I know I wasn't supposed to because of my self imposed no sugar, flour or Diet Coke month of March, but dammit, it's St. Patrick's Day and I don't even drink anymore. I figure a can of Diet Coke when I REALLY want one won't kill me.

I'm also noticing a positive change in the pictures taken of me. While I still look a bit chubby slobbish, my profile has improved even over the past three weeks. Hopefully I won't have to cringe much longer when seeing myself on video or photos.

I think it's a stretch day tomorrow and I really, really want to get some runs in this weekend.

BFRC Day 52 - More pain, more gain

After begging off boxing yesterday (I jammed or bruised both my hands and it hurt to even throw a punch, so we did core work instead), I figured Vin would want to punish me having such fun assigning core work yesterday.

So he made me challenge a girl. Megan Hoover and I were workout buddies today, which mostly consisted of one of us doing something continuously while the other plowed through a certain number of reps so we both could finish.

Megan, who's likely stronger than I am, held her own just fine. The sprints were a little tough for the both of us, but I'm proud that I have no shin splints from running today. First time in a while that I've sprinted without major calf pain.

My shoulders are tired, my forearms hurt from Monday and my abs are making it hard to get out of bed, but damn, it feels good.

BFRC Day 50 & 51 - Best diet ever

(Missed yesterday. My arms hurt. Lots.)

Before I head off to bash my hands against pads, I figured I'd show Vin exactly what kind of diet works for celebrities so he can get his own going. 

Jimmy is going to be faaaaaaat.