After Week 5 - Insanity Blog

After Week 5 of Insanity Blog

Weight I’ve lost: Almost a pound. I went from 164.2 to 163.4.

What Hurts the Most: Same body parts as before, but after I did “Max Interval Plyo” the first time, my shoulders and arms were killing me—there were a lot of pushups in that exercise video. I also sustained a painful rug burn on my knee on the very last workout of the week.

What I did: Full 60 minute workouts this week. I did Max Interval Circuit (twice, 60 minutes each), Max Interval Plyo (twice, 55 minutes each), Max Cardio Conditioning, and Max Recovery (Surprisingly hard).

Diet: Breakfast: Small bowl of cereal or oatmeal usually with a banana. Snacks: Nutrition or protein bar or trail mix bar or veggies. Lunch: Varied, but I had leftover pasta and sandwiches. Dinner: Varied, sometimes was small from snacking all day (Such as Christmas Eve or Christmas Day). On Christmas Eve we had a party at work and there were lots of foods. I probably ate too many chips and sweets… the only time I have caved so far. On Christmas I ate veggies, crackers with salami and various cheeses, shrimp, and chips. I drank only water except for on Christmas day when I had a mimosa. Hey, I can enjoy one if I want to.

Summary: Again, just a small bit of weight loss, which I’m fine with. For this 60 day workout, I’m going for appearance more than how much I actually weigh. I might’ve lost a bit more weight had I not splurged a bit this week, but it was Christmas week. During this week, however, I travel down to California for a small week off to see my girlfriend. I will definitely try to limit my splurges to few or none. I will be starting my Core Cardio and Balance the day I leave and finish it the day I get back. It’s in an odd place to be in my workout schedule, but I really didn’t want to bother my girlfriend with my 60 minute Max Interval workouts. The next time I will be posting a blog will be on Wednesday the 5^th, Thursday the 6^th, or Friday the 7^th of next year when I get back, depending on how busy I am. I will be sure to weigh myself and keep notes while I am down there, although my girlfriend’s scale has been to known to sometimes be inaccurate. See you all next year!

My Thoughts on the Survivor Finale, my predictions, and next season

My thoughts on the Survivor finale, my predictions, and next season

*SPOILER ALERT*

If you have not seen the Survivor Finale, do not read any further. This is your warning.

*END SPOILER ALERT*

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Wow, what a season. Not the best season, but a pretty darn good one in my opinion, and I must wish congratulations to Jud “Fabio” Birza, the youngest player to ever win the game of Survivor. He outlasted Chase Rice and Matthew “Sash” Lenahan to be the ultimate survivor. I picked him to win from the final 7 and he did indeed win, making my prediction correct. However, not all my predictions were correct. Here they are, with how each survivor did and my thoughts on them:

Benjamin “Benry” Henry
Predicted: 7^th
Finished: 7^th
I nailed this one. I just knew he was on the outs and he was a threat. I saw it coming. If Benry had lasted a couple more tribal councils, I think he could have gone on an immunity run like Fabio did.

Jane Bright
Predicted: 4^th
Finished: 6^th
Wow, I didn’t see the threesome alliance of Chase, Sash, and Holly picking her out as a threat so soon. I thought she would’ve finished right where Holly did. But Jane definitely deserved the title of *Corporation name omitted due to me opposing corporate sponsors* Player of the season.

Dan Lembo
Predicted: 3^rd
Finished: 5^th
Well, at least Dan fought hard, but man he was ticked in his confessional (after getting voted out) and then when he, as a jury member, talked to the final three. Either he is a sore loser or we just haven’t seen this side of him before.

Holly Hoffman
Predicted: 2^nd
Finished: 4^th
Holly was almost as big of a threat to win as Jane, so I’m not TOO surprised she got voted out before the finals. However, she definitely deserved to be there. She was the one female that lasted the longest.

Mathew “Sash” Lenahan
Predicted: 6^th
Finished: 3^rd (No votes in the final)
I was shocked when he didn’t get any votes in the final vote. I was sure the final vote would be something like 4-3-2. Sash, however, didn’t really deserve any. Yes, he was probably the most strategic player, but he was like the Russell Hantz of the season. Not in the way he steals and hides things (that’s NaOnka’s thing), but in the way he deceives, lies, and makes alliances with anyone just to further himself in the game. It just goes to show if you play like Russell or Sash (and they played very similar games), you can get to the final, but don’t expect many jury votes, if any.

Chase Rice
Predicted: 5^th
Finished: 2^nd
Chase did much better than I thought he did; I mean, he almost won. But man, his emotions probably cost him the game. He did not play extremely smartly or strategically like Sash. He just did what everyone else was doing. He reminds me of Mick in that way from Samoa (with Sash as Russell).

Jud “Fabio” Birza
Predicted: 1^st
Finished: 1^st
Fabio, my man, you did it! Fabio is an inspiration to all us young people out there (not just guys) that we could get on Survivor and win it. Fabio was incredible in winning three challenges in a row. The guy won those challenges simply because he needed it and wanted it more. Oh, and I guess if Sash is Russell and Chase is Mick, that would make Fabio the Natalie of the season. Quiet game, then sneak attack! BAM! Winner of Survivor. Just… like… that. Congrats Fabio!

Next season: Survivor: Redemption Island

I’m a little skeptical of this season and how it is going to work. Allowing people to come back (like when they created the “Outcasts” tribe one season and allowed two players to rejoin the game) has not generally been well received. It will be interesting to see how it works. In one way, it’ll be nice to see your favorite players come back, but if someone you absolutely hated (i.e. NaOnka) comes back… man, that would P.O. a lot of people. However, I can’t wait for it to start, next February!

After Week 4 - Insanity Blog

Weight I’ve lost: Just over half a pound. I went from 164.8 to 164.2.

What Hurts the Most: Almost everything now, which includes my arms, thighs, shoulders, and feet.

What I did: I finished the first month of Insanity. No more Pure Cardio, thank goodness. But now I go from 40 minute workouts to 60 minute workouts.

Diet: Breakfast: Small bowl of whole grain cereal or oatmeal (sometimes with a banana). For snacks I ate all kinds of bars, bananas, and mandarins. Lunch usually involved a small sandwich with meat in it (either ham, turkey, or meatloaf). Dinner varied; my biggest splurge of the week was probably the Christmas party I went to this past Saturday, where I snacked on foods (I had a few chips to go with salsa and some M&M’s). I only drank water with my meals; except for at the Christmas party I had warm apple cider, which isn’t that bad for you.

Summary: One month done, yay! I still have five weeks to go, however (which includes a week of rest doing nothing but core cardio and balance). I will do that week while I am in California to see my girlfriend, Amanda. I have Christmas coming up, so I’m definitely gonna try to stay away from all the Christmas cookies my sister baked! The sixty minute workouts take a long time and on days I work 8 or 9 am to 4pm it’s hard to find a good time to do it. This week is really going to exhaust me, but I will let you all know how it went next Monday. I also expect to lose a lot more weight this month as I’m working out 360 minutes a week instead of 240. Big difference. See you next week!

After Week 3 - Insanity Blog

Weight I’ve lost: Exactly two pounds! I went from 166.8 to 164.8. I have now lost, since the beginning of the workout, four pounds.

What Hurts the Most: Usually my knees, especially when I do power or those long stretches where I have to stretch my hip flexor. Also, I landed on my foot wrong twice this past week which made it harder to work out.

What I did: More of the same workouts, which are starting to get repetitive. I’m getting to the point where I can predict the next workout and even what Shaun T says next. I did a 2^nd fit test with slight improvements in almost every workout. Pure Cardio is bananas, just like Shaun T says. Even Cardio Recovery has its tougher moments.

Diet: Breakfast: Small bowl of Wheaties Fuel, Total, or Crispix Cereal. For snacks I ate all kinds of bars, bananas, raisins, and applesauce. I looked for ones with low calories and high protein if I was getting one at work. Dinner varied; my biggest splurge of the week was frozen pizza (Supreme). I usually have 3-4 slices, but that time I only had 2. I had Hawaiian Chicken (Chicken with stuffing and pineapple) on Sunday. I only drank water with my meals.

Summary: Well, going into the last week of the first month, I hope to really make some improvements, because, as I’ve heard, the 2^nd month is a whole lot tougher. I looked and saw the workouts are longer (the ones I’ve done so far have been around 40 minutes—the ones for month two are 60 minutes—yikes). But I’m going to keep at it. The workouts still aren’t getting easier, which I thought they would be by now. I feel stronger and fitter, but the workouts are still just as hard to do. Hopefully within the next few weeks I can start noticing more improvements in my body.

Why Matt Hasselbeck should be benched and who could replace him

Matt Hasselbeck flat out cost us in our last game against the 49ers. Four interceptions and a fumble. You can’t pin this on the offensive line, or the receivers, or the coaches, or anyone else. He is now beginning to cost us games. When he’s healthy, he doesn’t play well enough to keep us competitive in enough games. And his lack of durability hurts us because we never have a quality backup that can win games.

I stated in a Facebook status that if Matt Hasselbeck is our #1 quarterback next year (or our starting quarterback), that this team is not heading in the right direction. You simply cannot stick to an aging, fragile, immobile, and panicky quarterback that is clearly on the decline when you are trying to rebuild. The only good use I see of Hasselbeck in the future is a mentor to someone else (Jake Locker?). He is no longer a quality starting quarterback. He ridded himself of that title with his last performance.

So, if Hasselbeck isn’t the starter next year, who is? We have Charlie Whitehurst, but he’s already in his late 20’s and nowhere near a quality quarterback. I don’t see a bright future in Whitehurst. He’s a nice backup to have, but no team really needs two backup quarterbacks. One just wastes a roster spot.

This team needs to acquire a new franchise quarterback, as I have constantly stated. Either in the upcoming draft or through trade or free agency. Boomer Esiason made a bold prediction on the NFL Today show on CBS earlier this morning. He said by season’s end, Carson Palmer of the Cincinnati Bengals will request a trade. And I see why, Carson is still a quality quarterback and he’s playing for a loser team. Plus, Carson Palmer is a former pupil and quarterback for… Seahawks coach Pete Carroll at USC. Why not reunite them?

I see the downside to Palmer. Later this month he turns 31. But he seems to me like the guy, like Bret Favre or Dan Marino, could play well into his late thirties. I’d say give it a shot, so long as we don’t have to give up a ton to get him. Cincinnati would have to practically beg us to take him, but if they do, we definitely should.

If that doesn’t happen, there is still the draft. Walterfootball.com lists the top three draft prospects next year as Andrew Luck, Jake Locker, and Ryan Mallet. Luck will probably be a Top 3 pick, if not #1 pick. Locker had a somewhat disappointing senior season, at least individually, but if he does well at the combine and in workouts, which I assume he will, he will still be a first round draft prospect. Which is why the Seahawks, who will have a pick somewhere in the teens, will have a shot at him. Go for Locker. Give Locker a chance to play in his home state. If that’s not motivation to win, I don’t know what is.

Seahawks. Go for Palmer or Locker. Or anyone. Someone else besides Hasselbeck, because he is killing us. Matt is a great guy and will make a great mentor, but he is no longer deserving of being a quality starting quarterback in this league. Until our quarterback situation is fixed, don’t expect the Seahawks to make the playoffs, even in the weak NFC West.

After Week 2 - Insanity Blog

After Week 2 of Insanity Blog

Weight I’ve lost: Three pounds. I went from 169.7 to 166.8. Ok, almost 3 pounds.

What Hurts the Most: Again, usually my legs, but I also had a little soreness in the area of my abs. Also, during one workout I started getting pains in my side. However, after a bit of rest, it went away.

What I did: A lot of cardio workouts again, and I started working on my abs.

Diet: Breakfast: Small bowl of Wheaties Fuel, Total, or Crispix Cereal. I continued eating bananas, NutriGrain bars, Trail Mix bars, Power bars, basically all kinds of bars as snacks. I looked for ones with low calories and high protein if I was getting one at work. Dinner varied; my biggest splurge of the week was spaghetti Sunday night. I only drank water with my meals.

Summary: I finally lost some weight as I seem to be burning off some fat. I mostly repeated workouts from my first week, which is fine with me. I am giving my absolute best in each workout, even if that means I have to rest more than the people in the workout videos. I have noticed weight loss in my calves, face, and thighs slightly so far. For next week, I hope to really work on my upper body strength, which I have to admit, is lacking for me.

My take on the Survivor Final 7 - Survivor Nicaragua

With NaOnka and Kelly now out of the game (quitters!), there are only 7 people left in the game. It looks like another season with a final three. I will discuss each remaining castaway and their chances at winning the game. Finally, I will predict where they will end up.

- Benjamin “Benry” Henry
Benry is a great physical player, but he has no alliance. That is his Achilles heel. He has been targeted by Chase and Jane and will probably be one of the next few to go, since he is a threat to win challenges. A threat + No alliance = Next exit. Bye Benry.
Predicted finish: 7^th

- Mathew “Sash” Lenahan
Sash has been dominating the game… until now. The last three players to leave the game (Brenda, NaOnka, Kelly S) have been his allies. He is pretty much by himself. And he is still a threat to win. I can’t see him getting to the finals. Not that far.
Predicted finish: 6^th

- Chase Rice
Chase is someone that has played this game pretty smartly except for trusting Brenda too much. He is definitely a threat to win if he gets to the finals, which is also why I can’t see him getting there. I think he will do something stupid to put a target on his back.
Predicted finish: 5th

- Jane Bright
Jane is someone that has REALLY surprised me. A LOT. I pegged her from the start as one of the people that would be quickly voted out, but this 60 year old woman has already won two individual challenges… ENDURANCE challenges, that is. She is a real trooper, hasn’t made anyone mad, but that will probably work against her. The other castaways know that if she gets to the final 3, she has an excellent shot of winning.
Predicited finish: 4^th

- Dan Lembo
Dan is not only one of the weakest players I’ve ever seen play Survivor, he is without a doubt the weakest man to ever play Survivor. The guy is a joke. At least he’s toughing it out and hasn’t quit. Word has it that he didn’t apply for the show, but in fact was recruited. Figures. There is absolutely no way he will win. He is just saddling along because he is not a threat and someone that could be easy to beat in the finals.
Predicted finish: 3^rd

- Holly Hoffman
Holly went from one of my least favorite players (stealing Dan’s shoes) to one of my favorites (Trying to persuade Kelly to stay in the game, sacrificing her reward for supplies for everyone else). She is not someone people are going to target… except maybe Dan, haha. She will do well in this game I believe.
Predicited finish: 2nd

- Jud “Fabio” Birza
Fabio is the wildcard. He’s not a huge threat to win, nor is he a weak player like Dan. He is someone that could seriously win this game. I think people will underestimate him and he will win challenges down the stretch, allowing him to further himself in the game. I think he will have just enough moxie and drive to win this game.
Predicted finish: 1^st

So here is what I predict the rest of the way:
7^th: Benry
6^th: Sash
5^th: Chase
4^th: Jane
3^rd: Dan
2^nd: Holly
1^st: Fabio

And while I’m at it, here is how I see the jury voting:
Alina: Fabio
Marty: Fabio
Brenda: Holly
NaOnka: Holly
Kelly: Holly
Benry: Fabio
Sash: Fabio
Chase: Holly
Jane: Fabio

And of course, Dan with no votes. I will review these predictions once the season is over. Go Fabio!