Pittsburgh Political Blog Wars

If you have been keeping up with the news lately, you have undoubtedly heard about the Blog War between former KDKA radio talkshow host John McIntire and Pittsburgh City Councilman Jim Motznik. It is good to know that politicians are realizing the power of the blogosphere. However, you have to know how to use it. Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl has asked Jim Motznik to stop blogging because he does not believe the blogosphere is the right forum to discuss issues. John McIntire is a polished blogger, while Jim Motznik is really rough around the edges. I think Ravenstahl is more worried about the damage Motznik may do to his chances for the upcoming mayoral election. There were a ton of posts out there yesterday about this ongoing Blog War. It will be interesting to see how the blogosphere affects the election race for the mayor of Pittsburgh.

Weekly Workout Rewind - 1/21/2007

I completed one weight lifting session and three cardio sessions. Mid way through the week, I noticed that my right wrist was bothering me more than normal. Last Spring, I injured my right wrist when I fell and used my right hand to brace the fall. My doctor diagnosed it as DeQuervain's Tendinitis. I remembered the test that I completed to determine that it was DeQuervain's. The test is called the Finkelstein test. In this test, the patient makes a fist with the fingers over the thumb. The wrist is then bent in the direction of the little finger. This test can be quite painful for the person with deQuervain's tendinitis. Tenderness directly over the tendons on the thumb side of the wrist is the most common finding, however.

Well, I completed the test, and yes, I have DeQuervain's tendinitis, AGAIN. This discovery deflated my motivation to work out. I stopped lifting any upper body parts to rest my right wrist. I wore a wrist brace most of the weekend and wear it at night when I sleep. I am going to wait until the end of this week to see if there is any improvement. If not, I will have to see my doctor again.

I am pretty bummed out about my re-injury. Every time I seem to be making progress, I always seem to encounter a setback. Am I getting too old for this? Has 18 years of working out made my body more suseptible to injuries, or has it prevented my injuries from being worse? What came first, the chicken, or the egg?

Weekly Workout Rewind - 1/14/2007

I completed 4 weight lifting sessions and 4 cardio sessions. I was not able to work all body parts, I missed working my back. For the past 2 weeks, I have been using a 4 day split - 4 weight lifting sessions over one week. A 4 day split seems to be working better for me than a 3 day split. With a 4 day split, I have to be more responsible with my workouts. On a 3 day split, each workout became too long, and I took too many days off between workouts.

Here is my 4 day split:

Workout A - chest

Workout B - back

Workout C - quadriceps, hamstrings

Workout D - biceps, triceps

This was my 3 day split:

Workout A - chest, triceps

Workout B - back, biceps

Workout C - quadriceps, hamstrings.

For both 4 and 3 day splits, I would also complete a cardio sessions.

Abs were worked when I felt like fitting them in.

The key to any workout routine is not working the same bodyparts on consecutive days and allowing adequate rest between workouts.

Anyway, enough about my training philosopy. Good Night kidz!

Wax On, Wax Off

I have had a weird feeling in my right ear for the last few weeks that a big ball of earwax was just stuck there. I have inserted Q-Tips into my ear as far as I could safely do so. I have also tried to clear it out by staying in the shower a little longer in the morning. I have never, ever, had problems with earwax buildup. I finally decided to stop into the Wal Mar and buy a Ear Wax Removal Kit. The kit contained a bottle of 6% solution of carbamide peroxide and a bulb shaped ear syringe. The instructions said that the solution will start to foam after it contacts the earwax. It was the strangest sensation and lasted for over 10 minutes. I used the bulb shaped syringe to rinse the solution out of my ear with warm water. I did get a little worried because the foaming feeling seemed to last a long time. It seems to have worked though. I am glad I finally decided to do something about it.

Weekly Workout Rewind - 1/7/2007

I completed 4 cardio sessions and was able to work out all major body parts. The amount of weight I used for my biceps was very light, just to get my muscles used to the movement. Even though I completed the workouts that I wanted to do, half way through the week, I was really tired and had to take 2 full days off before my last workout of the week. With my increased physical activity, I need to get more sleep and rest. I saw my Dr. today, and my bicep is OK, but I am still going to ease into my biceps workouts.

24, Season 6, Season Premiere, 1/14 @ 8PM

The TV Show '24' has it's 2 Night, 4 Hour, Season Premiere, on Sunday, January 14th at 8PM and Monday, January 15th, at 8PM on Fox TV. Mark your calendar and program your VCR. 24 is my absolute, #1, most favorite, TV show. Why?

Here are just a few reasons why I like 24:

• Great storylines
  
• Superb acting
  
• It is addictive
  
• The plot twists make it very suspenseful
  
• Someone gets interrogated by Jack in his own special way
  
• Jack gets interrogated by the bad guys
  
• Jack is a tough guy, but a smart, resourceful tough guy
  
• A main character is guaranteed to get knocked off at some point in the season, but you never know who
  
• The female characters are babes

Enjoy

Pittsburgh's 25 Most Beautiful People

The January 2007 Issue of Pittsburgh Magazine features their annual 25 Most Beautiful People in Pittsburgh. Check it out. Pittsburgh Steelers Running Back Verron Haynes is on the cover. During the pro football season, Verron co-hosts a radio talk show on ESPN Radio 1250 with Mark Madden. On the radio show, Verron is very articulate, football savvy, and truthful. OnQ Magazine, on WQED Channel 13, featured Verron in the show tonight. He is also involved in a number of charities, including Breast Cancer Research, and the local Boys and Girls Club of America. Verron Haynes is an outstanding guy.

For you guys, there are plenty of beautiful females on the list.

Weekly Workout Rewind - 12/30/2007

Last week was the final week of my 3 week restriction of not working out my upper body due to biceps tendonitis. I managed 4 cardio sessions and worked my abs one day. I finally decided to weigh myself Saturday, and found out that I had gained 4 lbs, my percent bodyfat had increased, and my water weight was low. My 3 week restriction over the holidays combined to make me gain weight. Too much food, too many sweets and desserts, and decreased physicaly activity all added up literally.

On Saturday, I used my NordicTrack ski machine for the first time in 3 weeks. Yesterday, I actually lifted weights for my chest for the first time in 3 weeks. I was getting very bored just riding my exercise bike and lifting my legs. I am looking forward to getting back into my regular workout routine.

CSI - My 2nd Favorite TV Show

CSI is my 2nd favorite TV Show behind my number 1 favorite TV Show '24'. Here are a couple reasons why:

1. My undergraduate degree is Chemical Engineering., so I have a strong affinity for anything related to science.

2. I like solving problems.

3. CSI Babes - the actresses are all babes.

I am referring to the original CSI TV series, not CSI Miami or CSI New York. I do enjoy watching the other CSI shows too. Each one is different in its own way. I particularly like David Caruso's performance on CSI Miami.

Anyway, time for Mr. Science to sign off now.

2007 New Years Fitness Resolutions

It is that time of the year to come up with New Years resolutions that I will never keep. This will be a twist on the traditional type of New Years resolutions, they will be fitness related New Years resolutions. I sat down and thought of 13 New Years Fitness Resolutions. Why 13? I came up with 12, but needed one more, so I made it 13, a baker's dozen. Here it is:

The first 4 are my personal 4 I's, not to be confused with Pittsburgh native and pro wrestler Kurt Angle's 3 I's (Intelligence, Integrity, and Intensity):

1. Intake - Diet, keep my fat intake low, eat clean foods, eat non processed foods in their most natural state

2. Iron - Weights, resistance training is part of my overall health plan.

3. Inhale - Aerobics or cardio is needed to keep your heart healthy and to burn calories.

4. Insomnia - Rest, I need to get more rest so my body can recuperate from the physical stress of working out.

5. Keep a detailed training log - My log has been more generalize, I need to put more detailed records so I can track my progress.

6. Work all bodyparts - I have been working my triceps indirectly by working my chest and my biceps indirectly by working my back. This is not good for my overall fitness level and balance for all body parts. This came to light due to my recent biceps tendonitis injury.

7. Work out smarter - Be injury free this year, do not over do it. I need to adjust my activity level based on my caloric intake.

8. Increase my cardio time.

9. Increase the poundages on my lifts.

10. Don't feel guilt about missing a workout.

11. Change/vary my workouts so I do not get bored.

12. Take my supplements - Nothing really extreme. Protein powder, vitamins, ginseng, joint supplements (glucosamine, MSM, chondroitin).

13. Make time for my workouts - Cut out non productive time like TV, video games, web surfing.

These are my personal fitness resolutions. Your's may be different based on your experience and fitness level. Good luck to all in your fitness resolutions!

Weekly Workout Rewind - 12/23/2006

Last week was week 2 of my week 3 restriction from working out my upper body to let my biceps tendonitis properly heal. I completed 3 cardio sessions and worked my abs 3 times. I did not lift weights for my legs because I did not want to overwork my legs. It is never a good time to take time off to recover from an injury, but with Christmas and New Years, it was a good time to take a break from my normal workout routine.