End of week 2

I know I have been neglecting Blogger. I've been putting off writing something until I got an updated photo. Alas we haven't been able to sync so that Bogna could take one.

Last week the intensity in training went up a couple of notches. The Monday before last Troy got me to workout almost exclusively on the gravity trainer. This contraption is essentially the pro version of The Total Gym that Chuck Norris advertises on late night tv. They have a few different models ranging in price, options and build quality. Anyway, it's a sliding bench where the incline can be raised and there are two cables and pulleys that you pull I'm various positions to pull yourself on the sliding bench. This uses your own body weight to give you a full body workout like I've never experienced.

The big difference I saw using this machine vs other exercise machines (aside from its compactness) is that not only do you build muscles but you also stretch and improve your balance at the same time. You have to keep a very good form and your movements have to be very controlled, otherwise it's very easy to extend too much and fall off. Troy saved me a few times from taking a big spill. Wouldn't have been pretty!

As I mentioned I did various exercises using the cables and pulleys but there is also a couple other attachments on there to do for example pull ups, crunchies, squats and leg presses. Also by increasing the pace it became one hell of a cardio and endurance workout. By the end I was totally dead and exhausted.

For the next three days there was no single muscle in my body that wasn't sore.

Thursday I was still sore all over to some degree, and to make matters worse I tweaked my knee the night before going down the stairs. I felt a sharp pain anytime I bent the knee and at the same time put weight on it.

I came in for training wondering what Troy would have in store for me and hoping my knee wouldn't be a hindrance. Up until now before each session I started off on the treadmill to get a sweat going. This time Troy told me to jump on the stationary bike. It was as if he read my mind and I thought the pedaling could do my knee some good. But I hate the bike because my ass always falls asleep on it and I keep sliding off of it.

Once I was properly warmed up Troy came and introduced me to a guy (I'll call him N since I don't know how to spell his name :P) that he's been training for the past few years, and now he was showing N how to train others. He asked me if N could watch us train. Why not? It would be extra motivation to train in front of an audience.

That day we were going to work on cardio, something I'm severely lacking in. I continued on the bike, increasing the RPMs to a steady 70. Them every couple of minutes I had to sprint for a full minute as fast as I could while he increased the tension. The goal was to stay above 100RPMs. This was a killer for me. I was bowering mostly around 97 or 98 but couldn't somehow get above 100 consistently. After a minute of sprinting I would go back down to 70 for a couple mins and them repeat the sprint cycle. We did that a couple more times and at that point I was ready to die. Or at least fall off the bike.

But Troy would have none of that, and he brought some 5lb weights and made me continue 60RPMs while I did 20 reps with the weights (sets of arm curls, press ups, raising arms to the front, raising arms to the sides, and finally triceps curls above my head). OMG this was hell!

Next I took a "breather" by going on all fours down on the mat and had to raise and straighten out one arm and the opposing leg at the same time, alternating sides.

Troy then announced I would be doing something that N is especially good at now. That N started off at almost the same shape as I am in now but now he's better in this next thing than all Troy's other students. N had a big grin on his face and they both relished in the thought of how I'd soon be suffering :) It was pretty simple, all I had to do was grab a couple weights (I think they were 20lb each..or maybe 10...it's all a blur now) and carry them up the stairs to the top floor of the hotel (where the gym is). 14 floors... no big deal, right? riiiiiiiightttt! I was supposed to double-step up and very quickly realized I would be in big trouble soon. My breathing increased exponentially, and by the 3rd flight I was totally winded. On the 4th flight I was starting to feel nauseous, just like I felt after that first training day. My head was pounding and spinning and I thought I was going to pass out. Luckily Troy didn't make me keep going. He took me to the hallway and told me to lie down. I initially propped myself up against a wall and closed my eyes and ignored him, thinking what the hell I got myself into. It was the first time the thought of quitting crossed my mind. I was in just such bad shape, and it was embarrassing. After a few minutes I finally listened to Troy and lay down on my back. Troy and N both reassured me that what I was feeling was normal for where I'm at, but it WOULD get better. That everyone, including N, felt like that the first (and subsequent) time(s). But it would keep getting better until I could make it to the top without stopping and carry more weight. Apparently N does it now with 70lb weights. A few more minutes and I felt like I could continue. My head was still a bit woozy but I didn't want to keep them waiting any longer, so I grabbed the weights and started up the stairs. Four flights later I once again started feeling more woozy, but it wasn't as bad as at first. I took a short breather and then continued to the top. I made it. It was nice to take the elevator down. My wonky knee wouldn't be able to handle the stairs going down.

And this was it I think. I can't really remember anything after that :)

So the intensity of the training went up last week, but as expected the weight loss wasn't as dramatic as the first week and so I lost exactly 1kg, which I guess is within range of what I should expect going forward. I was happy about this since I was able to put on a pair of jeans that were too tight before and so I haven't worn them in a while. A pretty nice feeling! :)