FitLifeSF

You are reading this because you are one of the normal people who wants to get more fit.  I say “get more fit,” because some people want to lose weight, some want to add definition, and some of you want to put on muscle mass.  All of you want to improve your fitness level, and are looking for that “magical something” to make it happen.

Well, here’s the secret.  99% of you already have what it takes to get more fit.  You are reading this, and this shows me you have the desire to make a change.  Now we have to make that desire an action, then a habit.  [Read more →]

In case you are wondering why Ms. Smoked Pork herself is going gaga for things like this…

(This, by the way, was a salad with homemade hummus and baked tofu.  And, maybe I’m losing my mind, but it was DELICIOUS!)

Don’t worry, though, we’ll be back to making evil things like this soon enough:

(This, for the curious, is Cayenne Toffeed 4505 Meats Chicharones.)

And, no, Rob is not joining me on my grand Vegan Experiment. He’s just sitting across the table and laughing at me.  I swear, this veganism thing was WAY easier back in college when one could live on bean burritos, peanut butter jelly sandwiches and beer.

Background: So, this might be redundant for some of you, but for those first joining the story I feel like it’s important to say that I didn’t intend to run San Francisco Marathon this year. Last year, I’d had 4 or so stress fractures, my most recent coming on in one step on mile 7 of an 8-mile easy run on Thanksgiving. Fibula. A bone that rarely gets broken, since it’s technically not weight-bearing, but I managed it. Running great, feeling strong… step… broken bone. I remember the exact spot where it happened on the Embarcadero, just before the marina before the ballpark. So every step of the way this training cycle, that was in the back of my mind. “You feel great, but one step…. One step is all it takes.” Even to my last two miler on Friday… “One step and your world can change.” [Read more →]

With the San Francisco Marathon just four days away, taper madness is kicking into full gear here at the FitLifeSF Compound. Today, for example, I lost my lucky safety pins. This apartment WILL get torn to shreds before I race without my lucky safety pins.

Yesterday, I spent some time making a batch of delicious dark-chocolate drizzled bananas with a little bit of walnuts and seasalt. These are chillin’ in the freezer awaiting my first-ever carb load, which starts tomorrow… I also need to make a batch of my “famous” Pruney Oat Piles on which to snack in the next three days… and, OK, I decided to treat myself to a Nerds Rope after months of being at once intrigued and horrified by the product. I’ll let you know how that works out.

As for training- It’s tapering off as it should. I just got done doing my last “real” workout– a 4 mile run, one round of 8-rep-to-failure upper body weights, and Ab Blaster from Tony Horton One-on-One. I ain’t gettin’ any more svelte before race day, so it is what it is.

I’m reluctant to say too much on the subject of “finally making it to a marathon healthy” after my string of injuries, but I do have a lot to say on the subject which I’ll save up for after the race– 4 days, no jinxies. 4 days, no jinxies…

Sometimes it is the wacky and odd that can help us achieve new goals. I happen to like challenges and contests with my friends… So, I have just started a new fitness challenge with 2 of my buddies. These guys are already “fit,” though we all want to see how fit/ripped we can get in the next 90 days. This ISN’T a P90X challenge. It is a “Get Fit” challenge. We all have to choose our plan of attack, we all have to watch our diets, and we all have to kick ass and take name. This time around both bragging rights AND a creepy pair of fleece SAMBO shorts are the prize.

Here is what we did to start:

Thursday July 1st we all took our measurements and did the first of 2 fitness tests. The following Tuesday (After the July 4th weekend) we did the more brutal of the fitness tests. (Test 1 = P90X Fitness Test. Test 2 = Insanity Fitness Test) I must say, we all did really well and are not making it easy for the final test. 

The 3 participants of this craziness are Aaron (Pound for pound, one tough SOB.  Aaron leaves it all on the floor every time.   He wants to add size and definition), Ben (One of the best fighters and most agile guys I have ever met.  He wants to lose some lb’s), and me (Rob.  I think it is time I got ripped!) We all have been training/fighting together for the last 3+ years, we are all friends, and we will workout together at least 2 times a week. The rest of the time we are all on our own.

The winner will be based on the following criteria:

• Visual changes in physique
• % Body Fat Lost/Gained
• Initial weight compared to final weigh in
• Improvements in both Fitness Test Results

The losers have to buy the winner the creepy fleece style SAMBO shorts, and have to live with the fact that we were bested.  (Oh, and none of us are competitive.  No way.  heh)

To me, this is not only fun, but a great way to keep several friends motivated.  In the end, we all really win with this kind of event!

Here are some really uncalled for pics for your amusement!

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