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Hundred push-ups and two hundred sit-ups training programs

I’m sure some of you have heard about the hundred push-ups and two hundred sit-ups training programs. I heard about them a while back and it got my attention, but I never tried doing them. I’ve gotten majorly out of shape since high school where volleyball kept me in good shape and my weight down. A couple years ago I found I had gained 40 pounds since graduating. Moderating my eating habits has allowed me to start losing some of that. The weight doesn’t bother me as much as the lack of core strength. Trying to hold my chunk of a nephew for more than a couple minutes is no easy task and even carrying my bike up the stairs shouldn’t take so much effort.

I did the intial test for both training programs today and printed out the schedules. I’ll alternate between the two every night and take Friday off to bike to work. I’d ultimately like to incorporate the main calisthenics excerices into a weekly routine which needs to be combined with less time on the computer. I talked myself out of buying a Dell Mini 9 from their outlet last week for cheap, but I might reconsider getting a netbook so I don’t just sit up at my desk and surf. I could use it downstairs to check email and RSS, write a blog and then be done.

I won’t do a daily update on my progress, but I’ll let you know how things are going over the next 6 weeks.

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First long bike ride

Yesterday, a group of us went down to the beach to surf and relax. I’m not big on surfing or laying on the sand waiting to inevitably get burned so I decided to ride down and meet everyone. I started out at the Wallace ranch and got on the San Gabriel River Trail at Imperial Hwy. The trail ends at the beach in Seal Beach so I made my way over to PCH for a hop over to Sunset Beach and rode through the parking lot to end up at the north end of Bolsa Chica. 20 miles total, 1:50 of actual pedal time with a few breaks along the way at Liberty Park, El Dorado and Seal Beach.

It was probably the best workout I’ve had in 3 years and I’m not even sore today. If I had gone surfing or attempted to run a couple miles I’d be feeling the pain today. Cycling is probably my best bet to get in shape right now. I’m also pondering an attempt at the 100 Pushup Challenge.

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Jumping on the bike wagon

Two big problems have developed in my life: gas prices suck and I haven’t had any significant exercise in about 5 years. The former makes my wallet lighter and the latter has made me heavier. The solution to both of these problems is a good old fashioned bicycle. We went over to Pat’s 605 Cyclery to pick out a beach cruiser for Sarah and I asked about what would work for starting a bike commute. I was pointed towards the Trek “hybrid” bikes that where close to my budget.

I had done some research on bikes and knew the major differences between road bikes and mountain bikes, but didn’t know a whole lot about hybrids. Hybrid bikes are just that, a hybrid of the two that combine the skinnier, smooth tires and gearing of a road bike with the frame and seating position of a mountain bike.

I grew up riding fairly generic street bikes and rode mountain bikes a couple times up in Mammoth, but besides that my bike experience was pretty limited. I was looking at the Trek 7.2 FX and went in for a spin around the parking lot and I was sold almost immediately. I’m pretty out of shape and it was fun just riding around in circles.

Sarah’s beach cruiser was ready to go home and I couldn’t let her ride alone so I went ahead and bought it right there. Good thing I did because the next bike they would have ordered was going to cost $70 more because of price increases for rubber and all the components getting passed to the consumer. At $480 after tax it wasn’t cheap, but I see it as an investment that will reduce my gas bill and help me get into shape. Instead of driving Saturday morning, we road 8.5 miles around town so the savings have already began.

I’ll post more on all of this, but this will definitely bring some big changes in my life.

Quick specs

  • 20″ aluminum frame
  • Shimano shifting components, 18 speeds
  • 700cc x 35mm wheels

And Sarah’s beach cruiser