Adam's "Body for Life" Success Journal

[venka009]

that is nice. my wife goes to gym in dubai, sat with dumbell, sunday - abs, monday - step, tuesday - hips and tighs, wednesday - stepper and dumbells, thursday - will be aerobics . friday is a holiday and jollyday for her. apart from this aslo does cycling - 10 min, tredmill - 20 min. orbitrek - for 15 mins in her daily routine. on the whole she works for nearly 90 mins in her gym.

[meho]

Adam

This sounds like a GREAT program. I have been in the Health and Fitness industry for about 15yrs now. I have been a certified exercise specialist (rehabing heart and lung patients) for 8 of those years. Moved into the "Healthy" population and became a certified personal trainer for about 5yrs. I also became the metabolic specialist and assistant manager of the department. I now operate my own business with children. We start exercise and education with Fitness and Nutrition at the age of 2ys old. We do this with our own curriculum ans have grown our business with Daycare, Park Districts and now we are in Cardinal Fitness in the suburbs of Chicago. I practice what I preach and work out 5-7 times per week. The diet is the challenge for me and when I get on point I feel GREAT. I would like you to know that I believe 100% in Healthy lifestyle. Sounds like you do too. I want to say thank you for spreading a super positive word.

[Adam Montana]

meho, you hit the nail on the head! Life isn't complete unless you have happiness in all areas, and a huge key to being happy is being healthy.

If you're overweight, your body is carrying toxins that cause depression. If you don't get enough exercise, your body never gets to release those awesome endorphins that give you such a great feeling... Anyone who's every done even 3 weeks of "training" can attest to how good you feel after only a short time of exercising. Just... do it!

I was supposed to do my upper body yesterday, but I was so tired from the day of skiing before I didn't have any energy. Once again, it's not the end of the world! I used my day of rest yesterday, and today I'm back on it. I need two more weight training days and another cardio day. I'm taking my daughter skiing tonight, tomorrow I'll hit the dumbells for my upper body workout, and Sunday I get to make up the final day of weights this week.

Even though I took a rest day, I stuck to the diet.. so I get to go out for dinner tomorrow night with my lovely wife. And put all the mushrooms and onions and the works on the fattest porterhouse steak they have! I can't wait.

[saphire]

I would like to wish you good luck on your journey. I just wanted to offer some recent information that came to my attention. I know most of the people in this forum are outside the box thinkers that is why we got involved in this investment in the 1st place. I picked up a book recently (in a dollar store believe it or not). The name of the book is "Japanese Woman Don't Get Old or Fat--- Secrets of My Mother's Tokyo Kitchen" by Naomi Moriyama. When I started reading the book I immediately was thrown way out of my comfort zone and had a huge wake up call. What I realized in a fairly short time was that we (Americans) will never win our war with our weight and health issues. No matter what diet we choose we will fail because we eat an American diet. One of the 1st things I thought of was that definition of insanity (when you keep doing the same thing over and over and expect different results). The Japanese people do not eat any bread or dairy. They do not get fat or wrinkled skin,cancer, osteoporosis,diabetes or arthritis. Even if we pick the "BEST" diet offered in this country we will still wind up with these diseases because we eat American food. I also noticed they eat the same foods all day. There are no breakfast foods, lunch foods and separate dinner foods. It is common for them to eat soup for breakfast. They are the longest living people on the planet. It will be very difficult but we need to follow their play book if we want those results. This is very sad and depressing news for me since the change will be overwhelming and I will miss my American diet because I love it. But I am 100 lbs overweight take antidepressants, anxiety medication and 3 blood pressure pills 2x/day. I also have fibromyalgia whatever the **** that is. Basically I feel and look like ****. Enough is enough. I didn't like the slap in the face but it probably saved my life.

One piece of good news I found was how surprisingit was how many recipes had sake in them.

So maybe we can be healthy, skinny, not age and drunk.

Wish me luck this is going to be a rough ride.

[stevethecloser]

Last time i ran like that was in the 1960's was from a jealous husband

Just kidding HAHA

[Adam Montana]

lol Steve

Not sure where I left off, but I'm in a rush right now... Gotta get out on the streets for a run before dinner is done. Ha! It rhymes.

[clkelle]

I just hope i live long enough to see the rv, anything there

[russ1]

I actually got the book and the video about 10 yrs ago and watching the video is very motivating. It will definitely change your life no matter how old you are. I'm going to find it and watch it again. Spring is near ....time to get back in shape!!

[Adam Montana]

Hopped on the eliptical for 20 minutes on Tuesday, yesterday I hit the slopes with a couple of friends... I'm happy to report that the new iPhone held up as a GPS, ipod, and a phone for the entire day with no battery problems!

I need to get some weights in, so I'll do some upper body today down in the dungeon.

I'm already feeling abolutely fantastic and my energy level is climbing daily. I love being back on this program!

[Firepie]

I tried Body for Life several years ago. I actually just gave the book to one of my friends and he's lost almost 20 pounds! I've been doing the P90X program and really like it. It's pretty hard, especially since I had back surgery last year, but I can definitely tell a difference. It's good to be back in the gym!!

[GJM]

Thanks for the ongoing updates! Those of us who have joined you in the battle (same or different methods) appreciate your "stick to edness" <----- is that a word?? Keeps us all going! Yea Adam! Lost 3.5lbs last week (1st week usually loose more). Weigh in again on Sat. Zumba class tonight - moving in the right direction and do indeed feel better.

[jbbdolphins]

Thank you Adam: (Moderation is a magical word and has such a big meaning) As we get older we find that what we did as youngsters do not apply...especially the way or what we ate back then. After many years of trying to "diet" I too made changes...I never use the word diet, nor do I expect to be the weight I was in my youth, however, saying that the way that I have changed is to eat what I want, but in moderation...for example, if I want a cookie, I will have one cookie. I usually take my dinner and half it with the exception of foods that have very calories. I also walk, walk, walk...So, eat what you want, just in moderation. jbbdolphins

[Adam Montana]

Today is back to cardio. Cardio is the easiest exercise to fit into Body for Life, because it's only 20 minutes and you can do it anywhere. Like the rest of the program, you tune it to suit you - if your level of fitness allows you to walk around the block and get a good workout, that's what you do. If you need to run a few miles to hit that level 8-9-10... that's what you do!

I was never a runner until a family member asked me to do a 5k run for charity last year. I had always "ran" on treadmills and the elliptical machine, and while you get a workout... it was never really fun for me.

Running in a crowd of 500 people changed my view on running. Before last year, the furthest I had ever ran without stopping was 2 miles. On this cold, rainy day in April of 2009, surrounded by hundreds of other people getting soaked to the bone but having a great time, I pushed out the entire 3.1 miles! I owe a lot to the race crew who kept saying "one more block!", because if I'd known it was really another mile or so I never would have pushed myself like I did.

As it turned out, it wasn't "one more block", it was more like 10 more blocks. When I finally made it to the finish line, I collapsed in a mud puddle and I was literally so wet from the rain that I couldn't get any wetter. When my chest stopped heaving, I drug myself up and went to get some water, smiling the whole way. "I just ran an entire 5k!!!", I was thinking.

My brother is a nut - he runs a few marathons a year and last year he did a 50 mile and a 110 mile run out in California. A fun weekend event for him is an 8 mile "jog". When I told him I did an outdoor race, he said "Congratulations on your first fun run!". I didn't get it at the time, because while I had a good time... I couldn't see doing that for fun. It wasn't fun like skiing or boating, that's for sure! Over the course of the next month, as the weather got nicer here in beautiful Wisconsin, I did more and more of my runs outside. The fresh air and the change of scenery every block was more appealing than turning on CNN while on the elliptical. I found myself switching my routes up, taking random left turns and pushing further all the time. At some point, someone turned me on to mapmyrun.com (AWESOME!), and I've been hooked ever since. And finally, after a 4 mile run one day, as I lay collapsed on my lawn cooling down... it hit me. This really IS fun! That is what he meant by "fun run"... it gets addicting, and when you're in the habit of throwing on your running shoes a couple of times a week, as you are getting healthier and in better shape every day - it gets even more fun!

The point is that you have to make this part of your life. Part of the body for life program is cardio, and that means three days a week you are going to be doing it. Swimming, treadmill, elliptical, running, or whatever. If you like tabloids - grab a copy of your favorite gossip rag and make it your Tuesday-Thursday-Saturday ritual - on the treadmill. If you love CSI - find a gym that has TVs or get a cheap TV off craigslist and throw it in front of your eliptical at home. If you're a nerd, like my wife, get the audio versions of the tax and audit law books you love and throw them on your iPod so you can enjoy your nerdy learnings while getting a good heartrate going.

I'm obviously running today, and I can't wait to get out there!

[wasp]

if you have your health you are already a wealthy person being on a disability i know that i am right

[Adam Montana]

I went out for a quick (should have been) 20 minute run yesterday, which would have been about 2 miles... I took a random left, random right, ended up doing 2.6 miles! Woooooooooo!

My wrist is screwed up from skiing the other day (I wish I had video!), and I definitely don't want to screw up my shins by running again, so I'm going to either hop on the elliptical or go swimming if I end up running some errands. It's been a while since I went swimming, I think I'll do that.

[Adam Montana]

ahhhhhhhhhhh......... FREE DAY!!!

[Adam Montana]

Day 15.

I had the BEST upper body workout I've had in a long time, it felt amazing! I was starving by dinnertime, but I kept my portions right and didn't over do it.

Tomorrow is cardio, I'll be updating more after that.

[Adam Montana]

Sory everyone, I know I meant to update this daily... I have been true to my workout schedule, but the recent flurry of excitement with my CBI email left me with no time to update HERE.

Day 16 was cardio - I wanted to swim, didn't make it out of the office. Wanted to run, didn't make that before dinner either! Luckily the elliptical was staring me in the face when I went upstairs. My wife sat down and we crammed some "together time" in while I was sweating on the elliptical.

Day 17 - the dreaded lower body workout. Grrrrrr.... strapped on the headphones, hit the gym - I'm STILL sore! Feels great.

Day 18 was yesterday, ran a quick 2 miles around the subdivision.

Today is upper body, I'll hit the gym on the way to the airport. I'm taking the weekend to head out to some nice big hills... my 20 minutes of cardio on day 20 is going to be replaced with a full day of skiing. WOOOO!

That's the update, keep the faith if you're following along!

[jbbdolphins]

Dear Adam: I have to commend you for all that you do. I know that it takes many minutes out of your day to update all of us on what is happening with the dinar. I for one have become a big fan and am thankful that you care to share something so personal as your weight loss. I too have lost a lot of weight, and like you, have changed the way I eat. Like you said, it is a change in your lifestyle. Please keep sharing with us if that will help you and others to achieve your goals. Thank you again for all you do.

[Adam Montana]

WOW I'm behind - whooops! I'll catch up shortly, I just need to grab my journal.

[audrey williams]

Adam the last post (that i see) was in June 09 on Body for Life...what happened...did you keep it up or what...i only needed to lose 15lbs...but for a lady that might as well be 100lbs!!! I am so dedicated(addicted) to weightlifting...hate cardio...but can maintain my weight easily..because lifting weights burns belly fat and keeps you sooooo toned...so if you fell off the wagon....get back on

[Adam Montana]

Adam the last post (that i see) was in June 09 on Body for Life...what happened...did you keep it up or what...i only needed to lose 15lbs...but for a lady that might as well be 100lbs!!! I am so dedicated(addicted) to weightlifting...hate cardio...but can maintain my weight easily..because lifting weights burns belly fat and keeps you sooooo toned...so if you fell off the wagon....get back on

No way! I made my last update on 3-12, only 5 days ago. I actually just got back from a ski trip, so I simply need to update my journal on here.

I hate cardio as well... I find it easier if I do it outside. Running, for example, is a GREAT way to stay motivated... I hate treadmills, ellipticals annoy the crap out of me, but if I get to look at different scenery every block - that's different.

I'm actually considering biking. I'm going to search CL today for a road bike, and then get some Spandex. I'm sure my brothers will both disown me shortly.

Thanks for the encouraging words.

[pegsue]

Adam, keep up the great work. It will all pay off big time both in how you feel and how you look! I don't mind the treadmill but your are right - scenery does make it easier! I don't really care for the cardio either but you have to be "well rounded." Ha Ha

GO ADAM!

[audrey williams]

my bad i was looking at your join date....biking is the only cardio i get....we bike anywhere from 11-20miles when we can...get you a good road bike..worth the money!!!! and the "spandex" PADDED shorts are a MUST...GOOD LUCK...love muscles!!!!!!!! ....my goal is to enter a bodybuilding contest!!!!!!

[Adam Montana]

day 21 was a FREE day, I ate a bunch of junk. It was awesome.

Day 22 - back to Lower Body. My wrist was STILL screwed up, so I went to the gym - good thing they have machines!

Day 23 - Cardio. Ran a nice 2.56 miles in - l ol! - 30 minutes. Oy vey... I started checking out another run tracker called RunKeeper for the iPhone, which is why I slacked on my updates. It screwed my journaling up! But on a neat token, they were both very close in stats:

Summary from MapMyRun

Name: run

Type: Regular Run

Date: 03/16/2010

Time Taken: 00:30:00

Workout Weight: 192.0 lbs.

Workout Route: 03/16/2010 Route

Total Distance: 2.54 mi.

Burned: 368 (kcal)

Summary from RunKeeper:

Start Time

3:10 pm

End Time

3:40 pm

Duration

0:28:52

h : m : s

Distance

2.51

mi

Avg. Pace

11:31

per mi

Avg. Speed

5.21

mph

Climbed

14

ft

Burned

358

calories