This is just for fun VOTING LINK and pics are to the right and in the posting PRIOR to this one

So in January of 2006 I started working out again, and was pretty off and on for that entire year, so thankfully Chad had this great idea to do this competition and to do it online where humiliation would be our motivation. Whatever the results of this ends up being it definitely served its purpose in keeping both of us in check and working out often. Just for kicks I've posted the pics I took way back in January 2006 and compared them to now. THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE VOTING! Please just vote off of the before and after pics on the link in the posting below, but I was looking at these and am pretty proud of how far I've come in the last 1.5 years.

Thanks again for everyone's support.

Voting time everyone

Hey there, here is the link to the new site www.flabbycage.blogspot.com Read the newest posting, check out the photos and make your vote on the right side of the page. THANKS!

Two Weeks from Voting/Warning to Flabby Chad

So after much delay (Kevin having a baby, Chad in school, vacations, illnesses, etc.) we are locked in to take the final photos on September 10th, 2007. Voting will commence on September 11th. There will be links to the voting website on both of our blogs. More on that when we get there. But here are my before and now pics as of tonight August 29th . . . Chad told me when I saw him last to make sure I saved enough to take him out . . . think again my friend.

No niceties until this is over from here on out . . . smeer campaigning and all! Hahaha.

THANKS for everyone's patience. The saga is coming to a close soon. Look forward to the results "whatever they may be" :-)

LOL

P.S. on one of my Links

FYI - I saw Hot Fuzz, the Simon Pegg/Nick Frost comedy I've had a link to on this blog. It's HILARIOUS!!!!! Just so you know.

Day 120 Pics

So after ankle sprains, car accidents (or accident singular, thankfully) here are my 120 day results thus far. :-)

Not as much handle to grab in the love handle area

My cage is a little less loose :-)

Back has muscles I didn't know I had now. It's either
a good thing . . . or kind of creepy looking. LOL.

Still got some work to do for my own goals, but I feel good.

. . . and the obligatory (I guess) "full flex" for fun. :-)

Chad's at it again

So, first the ankle, and now this. Chad's really going to great lengths to sabotage this contest. First, he paid someone to roll my ankle and now he's paid a guy to hit Sarah and I without insurance or a license. Jeez . . . if it means that much to you, Chad!

HAHA. In all seriousness we did have a moron collide into us. And he did decide to do it without insurance or a license. Pretty kind of him, yeah? Anyway, I worked out today (after a couple of chiro appointments earlier this week), but we'll see if that made sense tomorrow. LOL. Thankfully all is well with our health, including the baby. We're VERY grateful for that.

Next week are our 120 day pics. I think we both deserve to be proud of ourselves for sticking at it this long despite my drama and despite Chad's crazy school schedule.

See ya'll next week.

For those that are curious

For those wondering what the changes in the workouts are here's the jist. I'm not going to get too detailed, but Monday I'll be doing a bodyweight only workouts, only 10 to 15 minutes long, but HIGH intensity, with minimal rests. Tuesday will be Plyometrics, the jump routine from P-90x, Wednesdays will be varying between another bodyweight workout designed for muscle endurance and the P-90x arm routines. Thursday will still be Yoga, Friday will still be Legs & Back and Saturday a cardio only workout. I will also be adding a second cardio workout to Monday, Wednesday and Friday. So there will now be a morning and an evening workout. Those are the goals anyway, we'll see what results they bring!! Thanks everyone!

Good News, Bad News 90 day update

The BAD news first: I really haven't been able to do one cardio workout since hurting my ankle, which has been almost two months (the injury happened on January 31st). So, that combined with me not being "exactly on point" as far as eating right all the time means I haven't lost those pesky love handles or my lovely little pooch of a stomach. I am now entering into a new phase of working out where I am combining the p-90x workouts with a bodyweight workout for the next 90 days to the finish. We'll see how it goes.

The GOOD news: I can do my cardio workouts now (with a heavy duty brace) and I did my 90 day measurements. Here they are: My biceps before: L - 13.5", R - 13.75". Biceps now: L - 14", R - 14.15"!! So that's awesome. My chest before: 39", chest now: 41". My waist was 34" and still is 34" (due to the not eating right, lol). My hips also went down from 40" to 39". So those are all good numbers I think. I also increased pull-ups from 5 to 15 and improved beyond my expectations on all my weight lifting goals.

So, the pictures may or may not represent these changes as they seem to be in my head, haha. But the numbers are good and I feel great. I now look forward to the other half of our competition and being able to get back to 5 workouts a week now that my ankle is strong enough. (It really is this time, I've fooled myself in the past and regretted it when I tried to push it, but it's good enough now). THANKS everyone.

Been a while . . .

. . . since I posted. But I have been able to keep up on my workouts. I've been really busy with work, but still sticking at it. I still haven't been able to do some of the workouts as my ankle, although not hurting, is still weak. I think this may be the first week since the injury I'll be doing the whole routine every day. I go to Utah next week to see my brother and his family. I'm bringing weights with me, but pull-ups are going to be an issue . . . I'll figure something out. When I get back on the 1st of April I'll then have one "rest week" then I'll post my 90 day pics!! Whoo-hoo! Three months straight!

60 Day Update

I look happy, don't I?

Who's the photographer? . . . she's fired (jk)

There would be more of "V" shape if I didn't have those little love handles lol

Well, here are my 60 day photos. I don't see as big a of difference between these and my 30's as I did between the beginning and 30, but that's to be expected. I also was not able to do about half the workouts due to my 'lovely' ankle. This next 30 should be much better and I hope to see more results. I'm in the same boat as Chad as far as feeling better. I've made marked improvements in strength and flexibility and I just feel healthier overall. I've improved 10-15 pounds per exercise in most of my routines. And I'm doing 2-3 times as many pull-ups as when I started. The one area I am still really weak in is what I eat. I don't eat horribly, but I don't eat what I should either. Now that my working out is a habit I hope to improve my diet. Thanks for everyone's support.

End of Week 9

Still wasn't able to do a lot on my ankle, but it's getting better. I'm moving into my rest week again and after that the 60 day pics. Nothing new to report.

See you in a week.

End of Week 7

Another week down. It was a lot like last week with my ankle still recovering, but on Friday I was able to do more than half the Legs part of my Legs & Back routine, so that was good. This week I should be able to do a normal week of workouts with just an exercise here or there that I still can't quite do. My ankle/foot is still purple in some spots, but it doesn't hurt nearly as bad and I'm walking without any aide, cast or brace just fine. I probably am still a couple weeks from being able to play on it again or do the full cardio workouts without any problems. But I still exercised each day this past week and did my Chest, Shoulders, Tris workout today. I'm still improving on each of the exercises, so I'm excited about that. I still haven't gotten the whole eating really healthy thing down perfectly yet, lol. I think if I could get myself disciplined in that area I would see real results in the abs area (and those lovely love handles :-). Anyway . . . this week, then my "rest week" again and after that the 60-day pics! Hope all is well with everyone!

Day 35

Well, as expected this last week was hampered by the ankle. But I did the Monday workout of Chest, Shoulders and Tris (as stated in the last posting) then I was able to do Wednesday's Back and Bicep workout and Friday's Legs & Back, but just the back exercises (which basically meant a bunch of pull ups). I moved my ab routine to Tues, Thurs, and Sat (days I would normally be doing routines I'd need my ankle for), so I've technically worked out all days. I just hope I don't lose ground on the fact that I can't get much cardio in, which is a big factor in loosing the lovely love handles of mine. We'll see. Hopefully I can do more on this ankle after this next week. Who knows?

Day 29

Well, the injury has set me back from doing any more workouts the rest of last week, but I was able to do my workout today. I'm back on for 3 weeks of normal workouts, but now the order is switched up from the first 3 weeks. Instead of Chest and Back today I did Chest, Shoulders and Triceps. It consisted of 24 exercises and took about an hour. There was only one exercise that I couldn't do with my walking cast on, so I was pretty happy I was able to do the majority. I won't write the whole workout down as I think the people that originally requested that aren't paying much attention (lol). Until this ankle heals though, I won't be able to do the plyo, yoga or cardio workouts, but I should be able to do all me weighted routines. We'll see. I also posted my 30 day pics and what my ankle looks like as of this morning. It's actually coming on pretty well. I'm feeling very blessed in this healing process, especially when looking at the time it took last time around.

Bad News! .. . .

Here are the results of me playing basketball last night. The worst part is it was just a 3 on 3 pick-up game after a forfeit by the other team. I just came down with my foot already turned somehow. I guess I'll be taking a break for a while. (Although by next week I hope I can still do a lot of my upper body stuff with weights and pull-ups, just no legs, yoga or push-ups for a while). Here's your chance to make a move Chad! LOL

Rest Week Day One & Two

As mentioned before on Monday (Day 1 of the rest week, Day 22 overall) I did Yoga. Today (Tues.) I did the following, which is called Core Synergistics. Synergistics means working multiple muscle groups simultaneously.

Stacked Foot/Staggered Hands Push-ups (max)
Banana Rolls (5 sec count each position for 2 passes)
Leaning Crescent Lunges (24 reps)
Squat Run (60 seconds)
Sphinx Push-ups (max)
Bow to Boat (5 reps)
Low Lateral Skaters (20 reps)
Lunge & Reach (2 minutes)
Break
Prison Cell Push-up or Burpee (max)
Side Hip Raise (20 reps per side)
Squat X Press (30 reps)
Plank Run to Chaturanga Run (60 seconds)
Walking Push-up (4 reps each direction)
Superman/Banana (60 seconds)
Lunge Kickback Curl Press (20 reps)
Break
Reach High & Under Push-ups (max)
Steam Engine (50 reps)
Dreya Roll (max)
Plank to Chaturanga Iso (60 seconds)
Halfback (60 seconds)
Table Dip Leg Raise (60 seconds)
Cool Down.

If anyone wants to know what these names mean and what to do for any exercise e-mail me or leave a comment. Pics go up next Monday . . . .

Day 15-21

Well finished my third week and got six workouts in! Now is my 'rest' week. Monday is Yoga and I'll post Tuesday's workout after the fact. Still going . . .

Days 8 through 14

I just finished my second full week. I did pretty well. I improved on every exercise by either weight or reps. I did miss my Legs & Back workout because I played 3 hours of basketball the night before and just couldn't do anything more to my legs. I got 5 workout days in (not including the basketball), and I just finshed my hour stretch session minutes ago. Man, I feel good after doing that.

This coming week is another repeat of the last two weeks. I'll try to get all six workout days in this time. Then the next week I'll post daily again as I go into my "rest week". Not very restful, trust me. LOL. Hope all is well with everyone.

PS-After the rest week I'll take the 30 day pictures and see if there's much change yet.

Also, when playing basketball I am back to being able to grab the rim, which it's been a few months since that has been possible. (I think it has to do with the exercises and the stretching). Hopefully by the end of March I'll be able to dunk again (which I was FINALLY able to do last August, but then stupidly let life get in the way of me keeping shape and haven't been close since).

Day 6 & 7

Day six was a rest day and today (Day 7) is sort of one also. I do a stretch routine that lasts about 50 minutes of just stretching. It's amazing how good you feel afterwards. For the next two weeks I will just be repeating this first week's workout so I will only post at the end of the week to report how I did as far as improvements and/or missed days. (Which won't happen, right!)

Day 5

Another day. I did Legs & Back today. Here's the breakdown:

Balance Lunges: 15 each leg
Calf Raise Squats: 25@15lb dumbells
Reverse Grip Chin-ups: 10 (5 reg, 5 assisted)
"Super Skaters": 25 each leg
Wall Squats: 90 seconds
Wide Pull-ups: 10 (3 reg, 7 assisted)
Stepback Lunges: 15 each leg
Side Lunges: 24
Close Grip Pull-ups: 8 (3 ref, 5 assisted)
Single Leg Wall Squats: 0 (I skip this exercise because of my knees)
Single Leg Press: 20 each leg
Switch Grip Pull-up: 10 (6 reg, 4 Assisted)
BREAK
3-Way Lunges: 15 each leg
"Sneaky" (Toe) Lunges: 20 each leg
Revers Grip Chin-ups: 10 assisted
Chair Pose: 2 reps of 30 seconds each
Rolling Lunges: 20 each leg
Wide Pull-ups: 10 assisted
Groucho Walk: 45 seconds
Calf Raises: 45@20lb dumbells
Closed Grip Chin-ups: 10 assisted
80-20 Speed Squats: 25 each leg

Then I did that stinkin' ab routine. Still 15 reps per exercise.

This one was tough. I faded near the end of the workout due to fatigue, but not so much my muscles as my mind. I worked a 13 hour day today on set, but I won't let that stop me . . . right?

Until tomorrow . . .
P.S. - thanks for those who have commented, both on here and through e-mail. I appreciate it.

Day 4

I had a shoot day for work today, which translates to me being in the studio by 6:30am and not getting home until 7pm. BUT I did my workout anyway! I can't lag behind this early on. Today was a yoga routine. I only did 45 minutes instead of the insane 1.5hours that the routine is normally. Yoga is MUCH more difficult than one might imagine. Anyway, I mainly did the half routine due to my long day on the soundstage, but as I get further into my workout habits and my body reacts better I should be able to do that or any other routine to its fullest even on days I work. For those who don't know I work freelance in film and commercial production, so my work varies. Anyway, another day down . . . .

146 to go! LOL

Day Three

Today was Shoulder & Arms. Every three exercises make up a cycle. You do each cycle twice, resting for 45 seconds before the next set of three. (Note: all exercises with weights are done with dumbells, so the weight listed is the weight in each hand) Here's how I did:
Alternating Shoulder Press: 10@20lb both rounds
In & Out Curls: 16@20lb both rounds
Tricep Kick-backs: 12@20lb first round, 10@20lb second round
Break
Deep Swimmer Press: 10@15lb both rounds
Full Supination Curls: 10@20lb both rounds
Chair Dips: 25 reps both rounds
Break
Upright rows: 10@20lb first round, 10@25lb second round
Static Arm Curls: 16@15lb first round, 16@20lb second round
Flip-Grip Triceps: 10@15lb first round, 12@10lb second round
Break
2-angle Shoulder Fly: 16@10lb both rounds
Crouching Curls: 10@15lb both rounds
Lying Down Tricep: 10@20lb first round, 9@20lb second round
Break
Straight Shoulder Fly (in & out): 16@10lb both rounds
Congdon Curls: 10@20lb both rounds
Side Tri-rises: 15 (left & right side) both rounds

Then I did that stupid Ab routine, which sucks (meaning it's hard and it hurts, which actually means it's good). I do the 11 exercises @15 reps each (except the last is 40). My goal is to hit all of them @25 reps.

Still sore from Monday and now legs are sore from yesterday! Whoo-hoo, this is fun!

Day Number 2

I did my plyometric workout today. That's jump training. I'd give the actual workout, but most of the exercise names wouldn't make much sense unless you know what they are already. (names like Jump Squat Switch Pickups). The jist of the workout is that it is timed routines that all involve jumping in some form or another. It's an hour long workout and was pretty freakin' brutal.

P.S. - I am SORE from yesterday!!!

First workout

I thought I'd post my actual workout for a couple of reasons. It'll make me stay accountable, so I actually do my workouts. And a couple people through e-mail expressed interest in getting in shape along with us (albeit without getting online). So this workout can be cut in half or modified, or done with a lot more intensity, depending on where you're at. One does the first round in the order it appears here then repeats the second round with the wide pull ups first and the standard push-ups second, etc. 45 second break every fourth excercise. It takes about an hour, then the ab workout is 15 minutes. (The first number is the first round, the second listed is the next time around)

Standard Pushups 10 /15
Wide Pull-ups 5 / 7
Military Push-ups 10 / 10
Reverse Grip Pull-ups 5 / 7
Wide Push -ups 10 / 15
Closed Grip Pull-ups 5 / 7
Decline Push-ups 10 / 10
Heavy Pants (weights) 10@ 30lb dumbells /12@30lb dumbells
Diamond Push-ups 10 / 10 (on knees)
Lawnmowers (weights) 10@35lb dumbells / 10@35lb dumbells
Dive-Bomber Push-ups 10 / 10
Back Flys (weights) 8@30lb dumbells / 10@30lb dumbells
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total pushups: 130 push-ups Total Pull-ups/Back excerises: 89 reps

Ab Workout: 10 excercises 15-20 reps each with a 40 rep "Mason Twist" as the tenth.

One day down . . . 149 workout days left . . . OUCH!

Hopefully these number will improve drastically over the next few months. My goals for this workout is to be doing 25 reps on each of the push-up exercises for each round and 15 reps on each of the pull-up exercises for each round. We'll see . . .

Just adding the other before pics

The Before Measurements

Here's the beginning of the end for Flabby Chad. Here are the major measurements we took. You'll have to go to his site for his info . . . and to make fun of him. Let the war of words and pictures begin.

Weight: 178 lbs.
Waist: 34 inches
Hips: 40 inches
Chest: 39 inches
Neck: 16 inches
Thigh: 25.5 inches
Biceps: Right: 13.5 inches Left: 13.25 inches

My actual goal is to gain weight and reach between 195 and 200. Obviously the weight gain is planned to be from MUSCLE gain not fat gain!

Just a point to remember. The competition is based on who makes the biggest gains and changes, percentage-wise. We obviously can't go off of who simply looks the best . . . that's just not fair to poor Chad . . . hehe.

The smack talk is motivation, nothing more. lol.

Clarification

So, the 'weigh in' and measurments and pics all come on this Friday (the 5th). But I also wanted to clarify what my blog title means. It seems some people have read it as I'm an animal let loose or something . . . funny, but not the intention. I am physically loose in the cage . . . as in my ribcage and midsection is loose. Just FYI. Anyway, look for the pics and stuff this weekend. Thanks for those who have responded, either through here or e-mail.