Personal
Personal Workout Challenge: August Performance – Back on Track
Sep 2nd
After not meeting July’s goals, I became more disciplined in keeping with my swimming. There were times that I just felt tired after working and my mind briefly tried to talk myself out of swimming for that day; coming up with the reasoning of, “Well I’d just not do it today and make up for it tomorrow.” In July I would succumb to it but this time I would lash back and say, “No, I’m going no matter how tired I am.” I realized that as soon as I got out at the pool, somehow from somewhere my body would find the energy. Any moment that I felt weakness coming upon me with the thought of giving up, I would dig deep and find whatever last bit of energy I had left and kick back. This was really what helped me stay on track this month.
With my routine of eating healthy and swimming three times a week, I’m glad to say that I’m back on track to meet my end of the year goal. It’s still not going to be easy, but by meeting most of August’s goals, I’m one step closer.
| ABDMN | ARMS | CALF | CHEST | HIP | NECK | THIGH | WEIGHT | FAT% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PREVIOUS | 33.25 | 11 | 13 | 38.25 | 35.75 | 14.5 | 20 | 129.6 | 11% |
| GOAL | 32.5 | 11.5 | 13.5 | 38.25 | 35.5 | 14 | 20.5 | 128.0 | <10.5% |
| ACTUAL | 32.25 | 11 | 12.75 | 38.0 | 35.25 | 14 | 20 | 127.6 | 10.3% |
See Complete Personal Fitness Log
Notes to Consider
- While I originally thought that there was very little fat in my calves and chest, it seems that there was some; who knew. So my initial thought that I would be adding inches while swimming was a bit unrealistic. Even though I didn’t meet my goal of an increase, I’m overall satisfied that there was a decrease and consider it a step forward.
- If I’m to reach 27in on my abdomen by year end, I’ll have to be losing about 1.25in per month. It’s a bit aggressive but I think it’s doable with this month’s 1in loss on just swimming 3x a week for about 30-45min.
- As the cooler weather comes around, I’ll stop swimming but will begin my exercises with the weights and resistance cords. The different type of exercising will help me develop the arms and chest; at least that’s the plan. I’ll still be swimming for about half of September.
Personal Workout Challenge: July Performance – Missed My Goals
Aug 5th
Unfortunately I will have to say I missed my goals for the end of July. I wasn’t as disciplined as I would have liked to have been with my swimming routines. Food consumption wise, I did okay but my goals require a combination of exercise and eating right. Although I made progress, I did not meet any of my set goals.
| ABDMN | ARMS | CALF | CHEST | HIP | NECK | THIGH | WEIGHT | FAT% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| previous | 33.75 | 11 | 13 | 38 | 35.75 | 15 | 20.5 | 130.6 | 10.9% |
| goal | 33 | 11.5 | 13.5 | 37.75 | 35.5 | 14 | 20.5 | 129.0 | <11% |
| actual | 33.25 | 11 | 13 | 38.25 | 35.75 | 14.5 | 20 | 129.6 | 11% |
See Complete Personal Fitness Log
Notes to Consider
- I must be more disciplined in scheduling my exercises and limiting distractions.
- The warm weather won’t be sticking around for too much longer so I must take this advantage to swim as often as I can.
- My average daily calories dropped to around 1000-1400 calories, I need to increase my calorie intake. This may have been a factor in my energy levels.
My Personal Workout Challenge: The Introduction
Jun 30th
I’ve been hesistant in sharing this part of my life but I believe it’ll help in encouraging me to stay committed and dedicated to my long-term goal. Two years ago I hit my all time highest weight of 145lbs. I’m not particular tall, I stand at about 5’5 on a good day or 5’4 if you ask a doctor 🙂 Given my small frame, my ideal body weight is 114-127lbs. So at 145lbs, I was definitely above my ideal weight and it showed; I wasn’t happy and set out on a path to tone up and lose the weight… More >
Monthly Investment Portfolio Update: Still Outperforming DJIA & S&P
Jun 16th
My investment portfolio keeps beating the Dow Jones, S&P 500, and the NASDAQ which I’m overly happy about. The act of investing in certain industry-specific ETF’s has developed a diversified portfolio that at the same time can be some-what aggressive.
Although my portfolio has done well as the stock market overall hasn’t been having a great time these past couple of months, I wonder if my portfolio will keep outperforming the major indexes as the stock market recovers. My current hypothesis is that the performance of my portfolio may not outperform the indexes during a time of significant growth due to my hedge strategy holdings in the utilities sector. About 30% of my portfolio is in the financial sector which has attributed to a good portion of my gains these past couple of weeks, so that’s been encouraging and may keep my portfolio in a state of outperforming the indexes during a growth period.
Bad Customer Service at Academy Sports + Outdoors
Jun 9th
Rarely am I so motivated by bad customer service to take additional time and energy to write about it… but my recent experience today at Academy Sports + Outdoors is one of those events that I feel compelled to speak about. The manager at Academy Sports showed blatant disregard to the notion of taking responsibility for the confusing price signage placement for their weights. You tell me, if you walk up to this display, what would you think the prices are for the weights…
The Netflix Alternative: Hulu / Redbox
Aug 26th
Netflix gave us all a nice summer surprise with the announcement of their price hike. I’m personally going from paying $11.99 (*Blue-Ray) to $17.98 a month (a 50% increase). Well as a consumer I say no and here’s my alternative: More >
Affordable Dry Cleaners in San Antonio
Sep 21st
I recently moved and so my quest to find affordable dry cleaners near my area began. I’m surprised how expensive dry cleaning can get. I remember spending close to a $100 once for dry cleaning 8 suits. No more, I went to search for some affordable dry cleaners here in San Antonio and this is what I found… More >
