Under Armour

Under Armour makes great compression clothing for working out. My exercise equipment is in my basement, which gets cold in the winter and is a bit chilly in the summer with my whole house air conditioner turned on. In the winter, I wear Under Armour's ColdGear line. I wear a mock turtleneck and leggings. They are great for wearing outside when I am shoveling snow off the driveway or using the snowblower.

In warmer weather, I have always worn compression shorts by HIND for the longest time. I started wearing them when they were not cool for guys to wear them. In warmer weather, I have never worn compression wear for my upper body. I bought Reebok's Play Dry compression T Shirts from Kohls a few weeks ago because they were 40 percent off, and with an additional 15 percent off coupon, the final price was way cheaper than Under Armour. The Play Dry compression T Shirt feels great. The compression feeling puts me in a better state of mind to work out. It is tight against my chest, biceps, and abs. I feel more pumped up. I highly recommend wearing compression clothing for both the upper and lower body.

Weekly Review - 5/14/2006

Last week I worked out 4 days and mowed the lawn one day. I wrist is about 66 percent recovered. I still do not have my completed range of motion yet. I am happy about the number of workouts I completed. However, I did not get enough sleep during the week, so I was physically exhausted by the end of the week. One thing about working out is I can worry just a tiny tad less about my diet.

Weekly Review - 5/7/2006

I completed two cardio sessions and mowed the lawn once. No weight lifting. I was still a little reluctant to lift weights.

Yesterday, I started flexing and bending my wrist to get it back in shape. Here are a couple of my wrist exercises:
1. I hold my fingers clenched like a fist, then flex my fingers to open my hand. I do this both palm down and palm up.
2. Vertical wrist bends – I bend my wrist down and up vertically. I do this palm down.
3. Horizontal wrist bends – I bend my wrist left and right, I do this palm down.

I decided to lift weights for my upper body today. It has been over six weeks. I decided to work on my triceps because it seemed like it would be the least stressful to my wrist. It is a start. I will see how I feel later in the next few days.

Slots for Mario

Hey, I just found a website where you can sign a petition in support of the Isle of Capri plan. Click here. I usually do not get too involved with politics (yes, this is a political issue), but I felt that I should post this. The Isle of Capri plan will not use taxpayer dollars. It is the best plan. Plan B proposed by Governer Eddie R is a joke. Let's keep the Pittsburgh Penguins in Pittsburgh!

Weekly Review - 4/30/2006

I completed three cardio sessions and mowed the lawn once. Even though my activity level has decreased, I did not reduce my overall caloric intake, so my midsection is not looking slim and trim. I lifted weights (quadriceps and hamstrings) on Monday for the first time in over four weeks.

My wrist is getting better, but not fully recovered yet. I do not have my full range of motion yet. I have not tried any specific exercises for the wrist yet. I am able to grip a pen and write without discomfort now. This is a big improvement. I can not turn a screwdriver or other twisting motions with my wrist yet.

Time to go to bed.

You Searched for CRUNCHES and Landed Here

My Sitemeter counter http://www.sitemeter.com/ reveals that the number one keyword search that brings people to visit my blog is CRUNCHES. Obviously you are looking for advice on trimming your waistline. As a public service to you lurkers who are looking for advice, I will start posting tips on working out and living a healthy lifestyle.

What are my qualifications? I am not a personal trainer. I do not have 6 pack abs. I am just a normal guy who happens to be a fitness enthusiast who has consistently maintained a workout routine for the past 17 years.

So how good are my abs? I would say that I have a 4 pack. I have never been able to attain the 6 pack that most guys dream about. My abs are very solid. If you poked at my stomach like the Pillsbury Doughboy, you would say, “Wow, your stomach is very firm”

My number one piece of advice on abs is: You can not spot reduce. You must follow PittLeo’s 4 I’s:

Insomnia-sleep/rest
Intake-diet/food
Iron-weights
Inhale-aerobics

What the hell are PittLeo’s 4 I’s? My 4 I’s are similar to Kurt Angle’s 3 I’s, only better. Please see my previous post here.

Ladder Match Anyone?

Not really, fooled you. At work today, I spent time going up and down a ladder running cat 5 cable. I did ride my exercise bike and my Nordic Track after work, but my legs were a little tired from the ladder runs.

Route 8 Accident - Homicide Charges Filed

The Pittsburgh Post Gazette reported that homicide charges were filed against the driver of the truck hauling a wood chipper that became unattached and slammed into a van killing a father and two of his three triplet children, see the story here.

The driver did at least four things wrong which contributed to this tragedy:
1) He was taking stolen prescription painkillers (percocet) that day.
2) He drank beer the day of the accident.
3) Investigators estimate that he was speeding at 67 - 73 mph in a 45 mph zone.
4) He admitted not checking the trailer connection, locking pin, and the safety chains.

Dude, you were just plain stupid, irresponsible, and careless! Three people died because of your actions.

Weekly Review – 4/23/2006

Last week was not a productive week. I was feeling down because of the uncertainty about my wrist injury. I did not do any lifting at all for the third week in a row. I mowed the lawn twice and had one aerobic session.

For lack of a better term, my midsection feels bloated this week. I attribute this to my lack of weight lifting and aerobic exercise the past three weeks. Plus when I was less active, I did not decrease my caloric intake.

My plan for this week is still no lifting until the weekend. I will try to increase the number of cardio sessions this week. I will also try to avoid eating complex carbohydrates before going to bed. I will just eat yogurt.

I have found that after an extended break from working out, the amount of time to get back in shape is roughly the same amount of time as my break. This is week four, so it should take me roughly four weeks to get back in shape.

DeQuervain's Tendinitis

DeQuervain's Tendinitis

I saw a hand surgeon today, and the diagnosis is DeQuervain's Tendinitis. What the hell is it? Well, here is a description from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons:

http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/brochure/thr_report.cfm?Thread_ID=52&topcategory=Hand

DeQuervain's stenosing tenosynovitis is an irritation and swelling of the sheath or tunnel which surrounds the thumb tendons as they pass from the wrist to the thumb. Pain when grasping or pinching and tenderness over the tunnel are the most common symptoms. Sometimes a lump or thickening can be felt in this area. If the hand is made into a fist with the thumb "tucked in" and bent towards the little finger, the pain gets worse (Finkelstein test). Tendonitis may be caused by overuse and also can be seen in association with pregnancy or inflammatory arthritis such as rheumatoid disease. If treated early, many cases improve with short periods of rest in a splint, followed by stretching exercises designed to get the tendons gliding. Injection with steroids and/or taking anti-inflammatory medications. More severe cases or those that do not respond to other treatment may require surgery. Modification of the activities which caused the symptoms initially also may be required.

I received a cortisone shot in my wrist this morning. The Dr. said the wrist should start feeling better mid week or the end of this week. What a relief! I am on the road to recovery.