tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-326671814510875402024-03-15T21:10:58.591-04:00Going to Nationals LogInvincibility depends on one's self. Sun Tzu
Mr Chesserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06225240500320621190noreply@blogger.comBlogger1351125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32667181451087540.post-34275408004343361072024-03-03T19:12:00.000-05:002024-03-03T19:12:00.891-05:00Feb 25 to March 3<p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNXx85HR-p0jUo1uE9yXQlxDleqC_pyHCGp-teUGRjuPqR0g1x8ucGp3wZ9KPzDSS77oSV2V92KNf25ut1hP9N4Lowa-mWW8_INfbGcPHfSIsTlx8Mm5Max6rsvabnYoBLf0LM_nhFA3xJpFdqBQpNnWgfC-i-nYTVtFG0l7CS4uuwfksBG-1L1Wvmahk/s816/Screen%20Shot%202024-03-03%20at%207.04.04%20PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="386" data-original-width="816" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNXx85HR-p0jUo1uE9yXQlxDleqC_pyHCGp-teUGRjuPqR0g1x8ucGp3wZ9KPzDSS77oSV2V92KNf25ut1hP9N4Lowa-mWW8_INfbGcPHfSIsTlx8Mm5Max6rsvabnYoBLf0LM_nhFA3xJpFdqBQpNnWgfC-i-nYTVtFG0l7CS4uuwfksBG-1L1Wvmahk/w418-h197/Screen%20Shot%202024-03-03%20at%207.04.04%20PM.png" width="418" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This might have been unmotivating</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><p>Meh, the struggle to find discipline continues. Just all over the place and exhaustion is real at the moment. Swimming, when it happens is going well. Not much soreness in the shoulder. Had a massage this week and learned a few new stretches for the legs and shoulders. </p><p>I really do need to get the limitless cardio from running started. I did a HIIT session this week but did not close the rings three times. Meh, I am over 50 percent for the week, but just barely. Morning sessions did get done every day this week, so there is a silver lining here. </p><p>I have been thinking about plans for a return to combat sports, but then money becomes the key issue. I think about expanding the side hustle, and then time becomes the key issue. Diet is also a thing to factor in these days as well. </p><p>I am grateful that February is over and that the warmer weather means I can return to hiking and being out on the water. I look forward to that for sure. </p>Mr Chesserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06225240500320621190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32667181451087540.post-56385959325132078882024-02-24T11:25:00.004-05:002024-02-24T11:25:28.453-05:00Feb 13 to 24<p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIC5cNSlOVLelqA5JEHnEDxDzE6Dp3I_N22eTyVu8UJ8wiQpoqm0tKdrqZOWnDDfl7Gt3qxL08DeU8y_27XMJEuv3fzp1m3lxo8khHD-OtHQvYik8ao62UyCFf7r3PvAWVC_FNIqLd71IVzmqli_6NL4wOiqiKG67g7GtW5-aX1diN-zB_vfuvr_M9y0I/s737/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-24%20at%2011.24.04%20AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="571" data-original-width="737" height="327" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIC5cNSlOVLelqA5JEHnEDxDzE6Dp3I_N22eTyVu8UJ8wiQpoqm0tKdrqZOWnDDfl7Gt3qxL08DeU8y_27XMJEuv3fzp1m3lxo8khHD-OtHQvYik8ao62UyCFf7r3PvAWVC_FNIqLd71IVzmqli_6NL4wOiqiKG67g7GtW5-aX1diN-zB_vfuvr_M9y0I/w422-h327/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-24%20at%2011.24.04%20AM.png" width="422" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thing of beauty</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><p>Whoa, this wasn't the best month for me. I'm just looking into the numbers and seeing them together to write this post, I'm just seeing that. Hmmm. Interesting.</p><p>I missed five of the ten days to be discussed in this post. I did a rugby session and went on a hike, along with a pool shutdown and a flare-up of my hip that was memorable. I also had a five-day weekend and enough free coffee to sink a ship. </p><p>For several of the days I missed, I just didn't want to get my morning routine done. Period. I woke up and lay there with TikTok running through my brain. It was sad. I did do a nice 45-minute HIIT session a few times, but man, that wasn't enough for the circles. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLKizNyCVl58783ub785rUUL1qtV8mx_0yPZnVq7_oDkdNJKfbkEqlBdBTv3YjIGImA5K3A7Tf0vtmo1YtXMQ8vthHrI5CBGOUiWQqRFX5YKmamGgIw13p59HZ1HiJHFgTjKgKdmYAsv9ZCDHxaVvZCIs3PurC1HuSP-6WdzeAeu5GxnpAVJSLchhmw2M/s738/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-24%20at%2011.21.24%20AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="564" data-original-width="738" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLKizNyCVl58783ub785rUUL1qtV8mx_0yPZnVq7_oDkdNJKfbkEqlBdBTv3YjIGImA5K3A7Tf0vtmo1YtXMQ8vthHrI5CBGOUiWQqRFX5YKmamGgIw13p59HZ1HiJHFgTjKgKdmYAsv9ZCDHxaVvZCIs3PurC1HuSP-6WdzeAeu5GxnpAVJSLchhmw2M/w340-h260/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-24%20at%2011.21.24%20AM.png" width="340" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><p>On Tuesday the 20th, I finally had enough and got back to stretching in the morning and getting my hips to move every day. On Wednesday and every day since I've been able to get back to an evening swim. </p><p>Burn out, quitting and recovering all in one month. How exciting. </p><p>I did get out on a hike this morning, out to the beach near my house. The rest of my family was sleeping and I got to see some very cold waves. </p>Mr Chesserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06225240500320621190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32667181451087540.post-46271767876045242772024-02-14T09:14:00.003-05:002024-02-14T09:23:51.687-05:00Jan 28 to Feb 12<p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1sfib4HWKDynzhk3UJ5HrO_pO_KND3LuLWbWW4vbfE2YffKsG_pbVixR_Xnn2ifkaF7DokxzwuJGKniJ36CFu-ghVBT7jrI9PR7qZKIHUgcma5r3midxvQL90Ra66pTuh-f-ZXqj0eAVWKP_-D0aSeeP0nRyT0uTXzdcT-kGHFnXpZTbll37OIufXrlg/s484/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-14%20at%209.12.28%20AM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="271" data-original-width="484" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1sfib4HWKDynzhk3UJ5HrO_pO_KND3LuLWbWW4vbfE2YffKsG_pbVixR_Xnn2ifkaF7DokxzwuJGKniJ36CFu-ghVBT7jrI9PR7qZKIHUgcma5r3midxvQL90Ra66pTuh-f-ZXqj0eAVWKP_-D0aSeeP0nRyT0uTXzdcT-kGHFnXpZTbll37OIufXrlg/w396-h221/Screen%20Shot%202024-02-14%20at%209.12.28%20AM.png" width="396" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What was on the screen this week.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p>Whoa, let this get away from me for a second. To my loyal readers of this blog, I do humbly apologize. Life gets in the way sometimes and sometimes I just am overwhelmed by the stuff coming at me. </p><p>I had a few days - especially the weekends, where I just got too busy or pissed off at the stuff going on around me that I basically abandoned training for the day. As a result, missed five days of sixteen. Still above a passing grade, but not really a great mark. </p><p>The morning routine has gone in and out of favour, but this morning I did this:</p><p>10 minutes of stretching and leg/hip mobility</p><p>10 minutes of ab work and back/shoulder mobility</p><p>10 minutes of shoulder raises, meels, banded standing rows, curls and overhead presses</p><p>After that, I get on with the day, with sort of a glowing feeling until I have to get into my office. Shrug, at least it lasts that long. </p><p>Monday I did a 30-minute swim and Tuesday I did a 30-minute HIIT session. </p><p>It's all about balance. </p><p>Just remember that the future is not set ... </p>Mr Chesserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06225240500320621190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32667181451087540.post-52896634142113878282024-01-28T14:24:00.004-05:002024-01-29T07:58:23.165-05:00Jan 22- 27<p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitQWpJLcGrCYkmifOS6HH5E7jgVs5Taqc8YyXmbo1csm8koD2Hhb38JjX8q16PYxrMYi_O7uS7h9cOE-f1VPw56bBuwAzy-cudOnpM9WzJO0H4OWtT7W3PaXlmi14z-BsgkWKBfNcqutdW1DG00IzCQg0rb4yCRJR7tGAtV-fKr9BsME8wOlcRbOZUnjI/s625/Screen%20Shot%202024-01-28%20at%202.09.42%20PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="562" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitQWpJLcGrCYkmifOS6HH5E7jgVs5Taqc8YyXmbo1csm8koD2Hhb38JjX8q16PYxrMYi_O7uS7h9cOE-f1VPw56bBuwAzy-cudOnpM9WzJO0H4OWtT7W3PaXlmi14z-BsgkWKBfNcqutdW1DG00IzCQg0rb4yCRJR7tGAtV-fKr9BsME8wOlcRbOZUnjI/s320/Screen%20Shot%202024-01-28%20at%202.09.42%20PM.png" width="288" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just the first one, the rest kind of blows. Until the last one. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p>This week started off pretty well but ended stupidly.</p><p>Let me explain. I finished my rings four times Monday to Friday - Wednesday was the "I have to be a dad and husband" day, so I did not finish them that day. I did however stay married and stay in the lives of my children. Also important. </p><p>I earned the January Challenge on the Apple Watch by doing 19 swimming workouts in a month. Neat, but not really why I'm doing these sessions. I also had a Dr. appointment on Tuesday after school. Blood Pressure was 120/80, HR was 81. That's why I'm doing these sessions. </p><p>I did get the first three a day done on Friday, expecting to do the same for the rest of the weekend. Nope. The RV smashed me in the head Saturday at noon and I ended up having to get checked out by another medical professional. Nothing jarred loose, nothing too deeply cut, but it was a skull injury so it bled like stupid. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjNuCa3u4JU1F1F1a4TUETW03fMoX6cDTv6q_LaDowRAhfpTD1d1SI-wuVnXBPDX6xSTAwGfuNCQnrHV3t-V-jIE0E1LTO6Yn01lu6TkoNRlT8Cl_A-5Y3c9fIXc_g9U8n6AaC8H3EfY-KN9SHwvi0magxIejB2qeaEzml2q1WecStiG3LrYA8RCUMkAE/s354/Screen%20Shot%202024-01-28%20at%202.10.48%20PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="309" data-original-width="354" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjNuCa3u4JU1F1F1a4TUETW03fMoX6cDTv6q_LaDowRAhfpTD1d1SI-wuVnXBPDX6xSTAwGfuNCQnrHV3t-V-jIE0E1LTO6Yn01lu6TkoNRlT8Cl_A-5Y3c9fIXc_g9U8n6AaC8H3EfY-KN9SHwvi0magxIejB2qeaEzml2q1WecStiG3LrYA8RCUMkAE/w200-h175/Screen%20Shot%202024-01-28%20at%202.10.48%20PM.png" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">May or may not have been me</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Mah, whatever. I did get my morning routine done ahead of time and I took it easy the rest of the day. It is clotted up quite nicely at the moment and is good. I'll get a thing that goes on the head and get a swim done after some work Sunday.</p><p>I did also get some HIIT workouts done this week, as promised. They were a bit of fun - the DVDs are cheap from Value Village at the moment and are really helping with getting in there to get the work done. </p><p>Friday's workout was for almost 40 minutes ... four rounds of</p><p>3 - 5 min Airdyne bike</p><p>2 min kettlebell swings - single and double-handed</p><p>90 seconds battle ropes - so cool when the car isn't home and I can use the space</p><p>20 step-ups on the 20 cm step. </p><p><br /></p>Mr Chesserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06225240500320621190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32667181451087540.post-27568311243935793052024-01-22T12:46:00.004-05:002024-01-22T12:48:45.628-05:00Jan 15-21<p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzT5K8_WxslcHogdVmptUKIzBGtEKHAW29TYIfIcsQYv5plvLxQqgViqyDzLpt1z6f_atDoidPE31GQC1UiuuteOckIMwfHkrm0OtexehUw3FAhVc8auOBVuaT2S_GdeAfzXVucDXkoxb2xQOlz_xVYVJUygk5_qeoarKpd0hB4-o99STuHRo2zAVBttI/s319/Screen%20Shot%202024-01-22%20at%2012.38.13%20PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="311" data-original-width="319" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzT5K8_WxslcHogdVmptUKIzBGtEKHAW29TYIfIcsQYv5plvLxQqgViqyDzLpt1z6f_atDoidPE31GQC1UiuuteOckIMwfHkrm0OtexehUw3FAhVc8auOBVuaT2S_GdeAfzXVucDXkoxb2xQOlz_xVYVJUygk5_qeoarKpd0hB4-o99STuHRo2zAVBttI/s1600/Screen%20Shot%202024-01-22%20at%2012.38.13%20PM.png" width="319" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Last Samurai was on the screen this week.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p>This is a day late, but not without good news. I mean ... I didn't finish off the rings every day. Friday, for example, I missed the standing ring by six minutes.</p><p>Eye roll. Yeah, I trained that day for 105 minutes and got 1500+ on the Move circle, but Standing I missed. Yeah, whatever.</p><p>In any case, the good news is that I had three days of three workouts a day during this time - Friday, Saturday and Sunday I had a morning routine, an afternoon HIIT workout and then ended the day with a swim. Good days for the heart and for the family - my wife came with me on Sunday night to bear witness to the greyness in the hot tub. Sadly, it was pretty gross. We got our swim done and got ourselves home. </p><p>The HIIT workouts in the garage were a nice addition to the week. About 30 minutes long and they looked like this:</p><p>Rounds to get to 30 minutes:</p><p>3-5 minutes air bike</p><p>90 seconds 12-kilo kettlebell swings</p><p>20 step-ups on 12-inch step</p><p>80 seconds battle ropes</p><p>Not a bad workout, to be frank. Nothing exciting, but real steps towards the limitless cardio I crave for a return to rugby. </p>Mr Chesserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06225240500320621190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32667181451087540.post-72684327991147896582024-01-14T12:07:00.002-05:002024-01-14T12:07:18.588-05:00Jan 8 - 14<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBAKRAdIcY9WSbpp6_yQvkc1IGL2d3KNyu4fXvDqcEZC74ApPeoXjXK1E8Y6bN6818ENKcdC7fj0eOV5A0cfLX01T6RylPeTasL-1y5u0RdWOaeuAx26eFy51zGmBHyg_OyIkZJI5t_Nj5pMJ5d8_Yukklr9stIwL6IQhh6mHsErZGotzwglt5z2e5OEw/s455/Screen%20Shot%202024-01-14%20at%2011.58.44%20AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="374" data-original-width="455" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBAKRAdIcY9WSbpp6_yQvkc1IGL2d3KNyu4fXvDqcEZC74ApPeoXjXK1E8Y6bN6818ENKcdC7fj0eOV5A0cfLX01T6RylPeTasL-1y5u0RdWOaeuAx26eFy51zGmBHyg_OyIkZJI5t_Nj5pMJ5d8_Yukklr9stIwL6IQhh6mHsErZGotzwglt5z2e5OEw/s320/Screen%20Shot%202024-01-14%20at%2011.58.44%20AM.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>I'll be honest - not a good week. I got through it and had a few things go seriously just wrong, but I didn't react as I should have until much later.</p><p> Monday and Tuesday were wonderfully perfect: morning routine and evening in the pools. Then the pool called and told me that it would be closed for a few days.</p><p>What should I have done? Gone to the gym and done HIIT workouts. I should have gone into my own gym and done HIIT workouts. What DID I do? Took a zero-day. Then another. Friday at least I got two out of my three rings closed, but not the Move ring. Meh, whatever. At least Saturday I got things back in gear and got a HIIT done and THEN a swim. </p><p>Sunday is going well so far - I'm doing this post early so there is a lot of time I can mess things up. </p><p><br /></p>Mr Chesserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06225240500320621190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32667181451087540.post-47648096053531085062024-01-07T22:03:00.003-05:002024-01-07T22:03:55.461-05:00Jan 1-7<p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6RDJupizsrZEBw-ZBFr0BsLks7Pc1e0nI64vSepFUmuhZx89M7DrD409OW1CDOSZcFHQui39KvIAP-hvLGTkI2SCRuzsRXWRpS-aSEApiEOZjArTi7P9MZ5eNA1Ljb93URHDIs5hETok3kp_31yyFHVDe78Jo-6GDVEi4WD9NWC2XQeesqOPmKhFUwFk/s934/Screen%20Shot%202024-01-07%20at%209.55.50%20PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="488" data-original-width="934" height="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6RDJupizsrZEBw-ZBFr0BsLks7Pc1e0nI64vSepFUmuhZx89M7DrD409OW1CDOSZcFHQui39KvIAP-hvLGTkI2SCRuzsRXWRpS-aSEApiEOZjArTi7P9MZ5eNA1Ljb93URHDIs5hETok3kp_31yyFHVDe78Jo-6GDVEi4WD9NWC2XQeesqOPmKhFUwFk/s320/Screen%20Shot%202024-01-07%20at%209.55.50%20PM.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Got it on the first try.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><p>Woot! Welcome to 2024</p><p>...and so we start off this year with a bit of a bang - closed the rings ... almost all of the rings, every day this week. I missed one day of standing. Standing. Shrug. I wasn't annoyed until I saw the "Ring in the New Year" challenge on my Fitness app. </p><p>Seven days in a row with all three rings completed. Need to have stood up for twelve minutes on Friday. </p><p>Shrug</p><p>I'll get that done. It was chilling at home, getting to the pool at the end of the day kind of week. Pleasantly boring. I did a couple of HIIT workouts - and my body just bounced right back the next day.</p><p>Drove the eldest back to school in Ottawa today - back and forth ... about a twelve-hour drive there and back. I still have today's rings closed. Machine.</p><p>Here was tonight's swim:</p><p>100 m Breaststroke</p><p>300 m Freestyle</p><p>100 m kickboard</p><p>250 m freestyle - I miscounted... sadly. </p><p>50 m breaststroke.</p><p>950 m in 32 minutes. Sniffle. At least I got the rings closed. </p><p><br /></p>Mr Chesserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06225240500320621190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32667181451087540.post-18397300423482666202023-12-31T21:26:00.000-05:002023-12-31T21:26:58.913-05:00Dec 25-31<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcrzcLSMW3RsTLO3wbr8WBSBU-g7BWRmLqFZRJ4cvDZSdfROpnaayqiyVdeOaxOfp8GMT5NI3a0gbOw_tyXl_knFFKnltHc3V1dIRJVBBxBef4PqhJhculSTqLNA8DvOnlu1QH9LR3ssuDGc6kXZXHnE04FPc-j7Ec9jelgFXpTf7CkJKQZWyKQCdw2To/s1913/Screen%20Shot%202023-12-31%20at%208.56.09%20PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="945" data-original-width="1913" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcrzcLSMW3RsTLO3wbr8WBSBU-g7BWRmLqFZRJ4cvDZSdfROpnaayqiyVdeOaxOfp8GMT5NI3a0gbOw_tyXl_knFFKnltHc3V1dIRJVBBxBef4PqhJhculSTqLNA8DvOnlu1QH9LR3ssuDGc6kXZXHnE04FPc-j7Ec9jelgFXpTf7CkJKQZWyKQCdw2To/w437-h216/Screen%20Shot%202023-12-31%20at%208.56.09%20PM.png" width="437" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>I'm doing this post at about 9pm. What a piece of work ... I'm gladly wearing shorts and a T-shirt to be cozy at home on NYE. Man, what a lame New Year's Eve party. </p><p>But not really. </p><p>Significantly less chance of stupid whizzing straight into my forehead and knocking me out. </p><p>This week was another odd one - finished four of the rings and the other three days were non-starters. Yeah, I wanted to finish off 2023 with a bang, but I'm just chilling man. </p><p>There have been some tender spots in my shoulders, but at least cardio is doing well at the moment. I enjoyed the days off, as it allowed a bit of healing in there. I do need to start to get some help with my training - help with recovery and with expanding my sessions. I know I need to get this done, but January is the stupid time of the year for reaching out to people in the fitness industry. This is their unreal season and I just don't want that. </p><p>I will get some help with recovery without any difficulty I'm sure. We can start there. </p><p>I did notice that my usual spots of grinding pain have turned themselves down to a 2 this week. Very grateful for that - seems using bands and swimming as cardio agrees with my joints. I just know that I have to crank up the cardio and the recovery work in the next few months. </p><p>That and diet. Oh, man do I need to watch what I stuff into my mouth. </p><p>Swim sessions are looking like this:</p><p>100 m breaststroke</p><p>400 m freestyle</p><p>50 m kickboard</p><p>400 m freestyle</p><p>50 m breaststroke</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Mr Chesserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06225240500320621190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32667181451087540.post-38963157772673228092023-12-26T10:06:00.002-05:002023-12-26T10:06:57.026-05:00Dec 18-25<p> Yeah, that was a weird week ... but I was glad to see the end of it, quite frankly. I keep using the phrase I stole from Lincoln "the last full measure" when thinking about this time of the year; it isn't far off from how I feel. Just too much crap too much coming my way on the professional and personal fronts. Then ... it's like a post-apocalyptic week of grey nuclear winter afterwards. </p><p>I got through the end of the week and got into the holidays. I am alive and got my workouts mostly done. I got the rings closed four times this week - the rest of the days I missed the red ring - the one for activity. I was usually busy being a dad, but sometimes I was just being tired. This was a long grinding few months and it is over. January is an easier month for me professionally, but usually not personally. </p><p>Morning routines held on for the most part, but not always done by 7 am. I've been able to sleep in and then go to bed early a few nights. This nagging cough is fighting my serenity. </p><p>Man, I love the swimming workouts - quiet and late enough that usually, no one else is there to mess with my serenity. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEYZLmEEkF_PqifiQ3RMsmt1jN1QY-hldZSn3Vvf-XQ9lodWYfeOMhxewJxX0AGbg9mY0JqImkBDvu-r1f9IbpkXatEu37-1T3L499a_HU1SgJxqakNVq6vaZS6wBTeLYE2kDHIREo1R8b8fJgAHgg07LebqcGxh8yS1gLM0Q-gNd9dXkO7XHM0xLNxwI/s462/Screen%20Shot%202023-12-26%20at%2010.05.51%20AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="462" data-original-width="420" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEYZLmEEkF_PqifiQ3RMsmt1jN1QY-hldZSn3Vvf-XQ9lodWYfeOMhxewJxX0AGbg9mY0JqImkBDvu-r1f9IbpkXatEu37-1T3L499a_HU1SgJxqakNVq6vaZS6wBTeLYE2kDHIREo1R8b8fJgAHgg07LebqcGxh8yS1gLM0Q-gNd9dXkO7XHM0xLNxwI/s320/Screen%20Shot%202023-12-26%20at%2010.05.51%20AM.png" width="291" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ew. Earlier on in the day - which is why I go much later</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Mr Chesserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06225240500320621190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32667181451087540.post-15945576911965115032023-12-17T12:49:00.001-05:002023-12-17T22:30:20.638-05:00Dec 11- 17<p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJxyH-GLjll-wl_qH7-4ni4sSmapJBP7ibOp9J4_RFsKpLjVlrGDb5BP_doh3ssHpVY3PqgNK8VB1qO9IQB0O3DTd9L1OPrjyzh03X7mbFgSVTh0i_IeLO3ffemt39fB54tTbCM9ZPlqIf6o-RkxV9H9mRxAMzS2Uv5rmp_cJ3OWcvKUzfkb1xQepnMT8/s404/Screen%20Shot%202023-12-17%20at%2012.44.12%20PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="264" data-original-width="404" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJxyH-GLjll-wl_qH7-4ni4sSmapJBP7ibOp9J4_RFsKpLjVlrGDb5BP_doh3ssHpVY3PqgNK8VB1qO9IQB0O3DTd9L1OPrjyzh03X7mbFgSVTh0i_IeLO3ffemt39fB54tTbCM9ZPlqIf6o-RkxV9H9mRxAMzS2Uv5rmp_cJ3OWcvKUzfkb1xQepnMT8/s320/Screen%20Shot%202023-12-17%20at%2012.44.12%20PM.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Exit sign is just for show</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p>I'm doing this post early on Sunday afternoon as I have other stuff to get done. I guess I'll start off with the fact that I was reading a book this week and I just ... I just didn't want to finish it so I took some self-care advice and moved on to another book. </p><p>Shrug. I'm still reading, just not something I didn't want to read. </p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwrfSgFrojCP740OMwU-9UBcGP_4Nhdo4oXgmcB7pHoLuRk4LBlcDR3pFgkdE-_LF7EqYfrEf5wwt0PbJcdmQQjBBrGmcCL-_YXdsjJDzuId_3lQVJtsmBkDz5H6TdwwxMkxpLxC85dip5916v7OWMNTEGVpl831xRPLbBePRRueMoGON-Kj2YhAzqQEM/s375/Screen%20Shot%202023-12-17%20at%2012.46.43%20PM.png" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="375" data-original-width="287" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwrfSgFrojCP740OMwU-9UBcGP_4Nhdo4oXgmcB7pHoLuRk4LBlcDR3pFgkdE-_LF7EqYfrEf5wwt0PbJcdmQQjBBrGmcCL-_YXdsjJDzuId_3lQVJtsmBkDz5H6TdwwxMkxpLxC85dip5916v7OWMNTEGVpl831xRPLbBePRRueMoGON-Kj2YhAzqQEM/w209-h273/Screen%20Shot%202023-12-17%20at%2012.46.43%20PM.png" width="209" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not a bad swim, just long</td></tr></tbody></table>The Apple Watch fitness rings got done every day but Wednesday this week. I was being a dad and had to go and pick someone up instead of doing my evening workout. It happens. I did a record-breaking swim on Saturday, after skipping my morning routine and having to sit the exam for ASL 102, then work online. Something ridiculous like a 45-minute swim. It was nice to have the fitness to do that, but I'd rather have done a morning and evening session instead.<p></p><p>I did say I was going to re-evaluate my fitness routine in December after I'd finished the ASL course. I have a few options and a few thoughts which are not appropriate for here. I'm hoping to get January to June just as productive and helpful towards my next career, but am going to be limited by money and time, as always. </p><p>Meh, at least I know what time I have available for the next 30 Tuesday evenings. I love having a schedule like that. I can do so much with an ocean of time like that. </p><p>Morning routines are getting more kettlebell in them:</p><p>30 two-handed swings</p><p>10 db snatches each side</p><p>I get this done for three rounds before finishing the morning routine. Got my HR up to 140 the other day, too. A nice sprint session to start the day. </p><p><br /></p><p> </p>Mr Chesserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06225240500320621190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32667181451087540.post-90911705380094246692023-12-10T17:16:00.002-05:002023-12-10T17:17:24.696-05:00Dec 4 to 10<p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPXi3KA5tOvuF8GPTEgpwpWDg-8L-qyBgZIKDfv15S7zBjRthu0mDz-Wa3iGRSdU6saekJIFIAegSkwvz6NbcDGxTWCqk27rIeT1G6-F9o6EPMATG42ZziNRLefJd59AU25UvGW97j9F2Y-xmfpHgYKLZOHRGpPiNrc-SSQTrj6FtgBUQOUWvy2QTIf8Q/s855/Screen%20Shot%202023-12-10%20at%205.06.02%20PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="548" data-original-width="855" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPXi3KA5tOvuF8GPTEgpwpWDg-8L-qyBgZIKDfv15S7zBjRthu0mDz-Wa3iGRSdU6saekJIFIAegSkwvz6NbcDGxTWCqk27rIeT1G6-F9o6EPMATG42ZziNRLefJd59AU25UvGW97j9F2Y-xmfpHgYKLZOHRGpPiNrc-SSQTrj6FtgBUQOUWvy2QTIf8Q/w446-h286/Screen%20Shot%202023-12-10%20at%205.06.02%20PM.png" width="446" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/45090/sonnet-29-when-in-disgrace-with-fortune-and-mens-eyes">Here... look and listen here</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p>A challenging week. Closed my rings on my Apple Watch only twice, thanks to this stupid cough I got somewhere. </p><p><<cough cough>> homelife, work with children who don't wash their hands <<cough cough>></p><p>So yeah, I had to drop the swims in the evenings to take some Advil and get to bed early.</p><p>Like ridiculously early. </p><p>In any case, all mornings I finished the morning routine by 7am and got on with the day. I found out I did not do so well on an ASL quiz just after I got my final project in for marking. Meh, I think I will do okay in this course, but I will point out I will prefer in-person ASL classes to these online ones. </p><p>While I write this on Sunday afternoon, I'm hopeful things can go back to a bit quicker. Not a fan of this slowing down. Too much time to brood and intrusive thoughts just wreck my vibe.</p><p>I am going to start a list of stuff to do on my winter break. Going away somewhere is a thing now. </p><p>I did get to the beach this weekend, but it was cloudy and chilly. Meh, I got there and saw this</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhItyxNS4yilwtdwo2UHvcCjdx2ZNXfatoQ_RZfZ7A1JL4arLceHI0hjzvMi8QRvlDLYvsV9zFTtDHSIlqZLABbCsxaZzZ2fM87kbd4tJ6TXl7yJIBaUXPVcAbPcHqL89glHM8aJhm9euufk82vc5995vvW_7Oad70OM95czvcGZDnO4KHKtaXmsYxid30/s766/Screen%20Shot%202023-12-10%20at%205.14.36%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="531" data-original-width="766" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhItyxNS4yilwtdwo2UHvcCjdx2ZNXfatoQ_RZfZ7A1JL4arLceHI0hjzvMi8QRvlDLYvsV9zFTtDHSIlqZLABbCsxaZzZ2fM87kbd4tJ6TXl7yJIBaUXPVcAbPcHqL89glHM8aJhm9euufk82vc5995vvW_7Oad70OM95czvcGZDnO4KHKtaXmsYxid30/w426-h295/Screen%20Shot%202023-12-10%20at%205.14.36%20PM.png" width="426" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Mr Chesserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06225240500320621190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32667181451087540.post-79251239918492405562023-12-04T20:26:00.004-05:002023-12-04T20:26:46.607-05:00Nov 27-Dec 3<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-T2Xj8H7sTyDGcmDAK16V9ZIcYyoLnHyfghPdOsOvjwA5aNaeDdzA0xpTuusZI3dbC6BwF5et2dDgUmkgr18Tq3vkMidjlT-CieAwcgKJr7OdsQgD9wCORFFBfAPiIwSTyKcLVOeBNzVXknIsTSM6hwliK4a819BiST1Z2KyE4m_T9m6YiSxn62fUktM/s681/Screen%20Shot%202023-12-04%20at%208.25.13%20PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="681" data-original-width="668" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-T2Xj8H7sTyDGcmDAK16V9ZIcYyoLnHyfghPdOsOvjwA5aNaeDdzA0xpTuusZI3dbC6BwF5et2dDgUmkgr18Tq3vkMidjlT-CieAwcgKJr7OdsQgD9wCORFFBfAPiIwSTyKcLVOeBNzVXknIsTSM6hwliK4a819BiST1Z2KyE4m_T9m6YiSxn62fUktM/w200-h204/Screen%20Shot%202023-12-04%20at%208.25.13%20PM.png" width="200" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>This was a cool week - I finished the Apple Fitness app November challenge and got on to the December monthly challenge ... but I took Tuesday and Thursday off. My shoulders and body needed a rest. That being said Sunday was hilarious.</p><p>I slept in until noon, so no "morning" routine. I got that done that afternoon. I then did some stuff for the week and got a HIIT done in my garage for 30 minutes. I showered, played some StarCraft and then went for a 20-minute swim session. Crazy.</p><p>At least I'm working a little on the backstroke and the butterfly during my swim sessions of late.</p><p>But Monday morning my shoulders felt a wee stressed, yaknowwhatimsaying? </p><p>Morning sessions were like this:</p><p>90/90 hip stretches, baby pose to downward dog, to plank to cobra pose. Just getting things moving and the heart pumping. Mobility and just some movement.</p><p>Side-lying leg lifts, ab work to follow on the weighted ball and the 65 cm stability ball. Crunches, dead bugs, leg lifts, swimming kicks, ab holds, ab rollouts. Lots of focus on the abs. Abs, abs, abs.</p><p>Then the last ten or so minutes are usually two or three circuits, starting with 50 kb swings, using a 20 lb dumbbell. 10 dumbbell lateral raises, then banded lat pulls and the banded bicep curls. I finished with banded overhead presses. </p><p>Honestly, it's a nice piece of work and I'm getting it done every day. Just, you know ... some days it is done before 6:30 am, and other days after 2 pm. It's all about balance. </p>Mr Chesserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06225240500320621190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32667181451087540.post-58743265806299267772023-11-26T21:41:00.005-05:002023-12-04T20:12:58.006-05:00Nov 20 to 26<p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwmq0dWzzm7zL9NihK4s-llSyNR0l0We4o6GvwQl_PHpFtqJnB0PeE6e8h6dEaiRYB7vqYRm7iMiyAIzZdruwns4iFnxH859b1RRwXNNY6lpzI40LCiHOSGWju4nfZBVMrx-M96Q056bQvqnyZyc1fafqRKhyc8zfGX7WxpPe6MZD4_F_jT-RhQjfKDLc/s665/Screen%20Shot%202023-11-25%20at%2012.13.45%20PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="665" data-original-width="411" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwmq0dWzzm7zL9NihK4s-llSyNR0l0We4o6GvwQl_PHpFtqJnB0PeE6e8h6dEaiRYB7vqYRm7iMiyAIzZdruwns4iFnxH859b1RRwXNNY6lpzI40LCiHOSGWju4nfZBVMrx-M96Q056bQvqnyZyc1fafqRKhyc8zfGX7WxpPe6MZD4_F_jT-RhQjfKDLc/s320/Screen%20Shot%202023-11-25%20at%2012.13.45%20PM.png" width="198" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sage advice. Don't know who the guy is though. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p>This was a stupid week. Just ... one day after another and every moment was scripted and planned. </p><p>Except today.</p><p>Workouts were all the same - Stretch/yoga/kettlebells morning routine and swims in the evening. Lots of side hustle time and ASL learning, too.</p><p>Every evening had something to do until everyone except me got sick and started coughing and barfing. Was gross. Do not recommend it. I did take note of the business of the last month, I'm grateful that it passed quickly but holey Hanna Batman, that was a busy month. I know it isn't quite over yet, but I'm glad I got to this point without getting hurt.</p><p>The swims in the evening were all about 30 minutes and the morning sessions are about the same. I did work on my Butterfly and my backstroke at least twice a week this week. So I have that going for me.</p><p>The nice thing about Monday to Friday is that I'm on my feet for most of that and getting my rings closed is that much easier as a result. My job makes fitness a breeze. Yeah.</p><p>Anyway, I got to sleep in today, do my morning routine at 3pm and just generally be inert. Was cool, do recommend it for short bursts only. Tomorrow we are back on the train.</p><p><br /></p>Mr Chesserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06225240500320621190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32667181451087540.post-6260864674975060522023-11-19T10:08:00.002-05:002023-11-19T10:08:53.462-05:00Nov 12 to 19<p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqj6bkn-HYnEKtbGb1_5XWyE-qo7b4apq8um8qjpYhnpYx2SDjkz9o43Xr7kEYhyIR_zNDGYyjORQPLgpd_Ru7RYr43R8pp7TZ9ELpTC83fZ0YTGBLRJPwNnZ_mHbSBxArP52K9V7i90efWjOLlpPRlV3vWtBGovACj6xnmHft9X_QJsqEuGAn17G-ss8/s470/Screen%20Shot%202023-11-19%20at%2010.05.27%20AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="294" data-original-width="470" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqj6bkn-HYnEKtbGb1_5XWyE-qo7b4apq8um8qjpYhnpYx2SDjkz9o43Xr7kEYhyIR_zNDGYyjORQPLgpd_Ru7RYr43R8pp7TZ9ELpTC83fZ0YTGBLRJPwNnZ_mHbSBxArP52K9V7i90efWjOLlpPRlV3vWtBGovACj6xnmHft9X_QJsqEuGAn17G-ss8/s320/Screen%20Shot%202023-11-19%20at%2010.05.27%20AM.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clearly a reenactment of the end of the HIIT session. Except I wore a shirt</td></tr></tbody></table></p><p><br /></p><p>Life here has been an off week - workouts not done, staying home as a result of puking, swims and HITT sessions with kettlebell swings all making an appearance. I closed my rings and I moved forward as I was able to. Lots of reading this week - got to re-read Frankl's Man's Search for Meaning.</p><p>The puking continues on Sunday, just not mine at this time. </p><p>It is a sick house this last week or so. Wonderful, wonderful.</p><p>Meh, at least February is coming in hot. </p><p>HIIT was this for several rounds:</p><p>5 min warm up on a treadmill at the gym</p><p>2-minute kettlebell swings - a 25 lb bell.</p><p>then back on the treadmill for 3 minutes.</p><p>At the end, got onto a Jacob's Ladder for a few minutes. Got to 50 minutes all told. Yeah, the next day I was a hurting unit. </p><p>Kettlebell swings in the morning routine are a nice touch - help to get the heart pumping for sure. </p><p><br /></p>Mr Chesserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06225240500320621190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32667181451087540.post-85092101108808333542023-11-12T13:00:00.001-05:002023-11-12T13:00:14.624-05:00Oct 30 to Nov 11<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIp0tFZSYhdpdDeAjDocJlmuOx0mlsDhafIbzfIdgeIMKx5DHVH9HwcWvITcTqqnLfC04Cr8mYEIKIWAaLnTamGw5p6ZTSV43mIvzJEI1TZnhlDRcy9yhYdRJtenr8No-gd-JdO1ku6v2r9pt1YJRiu0XR2DsF0V7mg72sYEQl4BKyp5TYZHUqyClmZsU/s555/Screen%20Shot%202023-11-12%20at%2012.49.55%20PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="391" data-original-width="555" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIp0tFZSYhdpdDeAjDocJlmuOx0mlsDhafIbzfIdgeIMKx5DHVH9HwcWvITcTqqnLfC04Cr8mYEIKIWAaLnTamGw5p6ZTSV43mIvzJEI1TZnhlDRcy9yhYdRJtenr8No-gd-JdO1ku6v2r9pt1YJRiu0XR2DsF0V7mg72sYEQl4BKyp5TYZHUqyClmZsU/s320/Screen%20Shot%202023-11-12%20at%2012.49.55%20PM.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p>Whoa, I guess I missed a week. Sorry about that, anyone who's reading. My bad.</p><p>I'm glad to report that I closed my rings, hit my workouts and stayed on course for those two weeks. I mean I added the kettlebell to the morning session and kept up my ASL studies and my side hustle.</p><p>All of it, all of it at the same time.</p><p>So, yeah I've been a little busy.</p><p>But I think that was my point - I'm always so stressed out at this time of the year ... this year's solution? Keep busy let it all sprint by and get to February as quickly as possible.</p><p>So far, so good.</p><p>Here is the current morning session, lasting about 30-35 minutes:</p><p>10 minutes of hip and shoulder stretching - downward dogs to planks to pigeon pose to ... world's greatest stretch. Nice way to warm up and start the day.</p><p>10 minutes of ab work - ball twists, ball squats, hip thrusters, ab extensions, seated leg extensions, prone leg kicks, prone side leg lifts ... etc, etc etc. </p><p>10 minutes of shoulder and arms. Kettlebell swings with a 20 lb dumbbell(s). Deltoid shoulder raises, and several other shoulder exercises. Curls and overhead presses with a band. All good.</p><p>Swimming and yoga sessions in the evening. </p><p>I'd still like to be able to hit a hiking trail or a treadmill soon. Meh, at least the swimming is happening and my family comes along at times as well. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Mr Chesserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06225240500320621190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32667181451087540.post-16783374626445615172023-10-29T12:17:00.008-04:002023-11-12T12:42:41.284-05:00Oct 23 to 29<div class="tenor-gif-embed" data-aspect-ratio="1.33333" data-postid="11300771" data-share-method="host" data-width="80%"><a href="https://tenor.com/view/one-foot-in-front-of-the-other-santa-christmas-gif-11300771">One Foot In Front Of The Other Santa GIF</a>from <a href="https://tenor.com/search/one+foot+in+front+of+the+other-gifs">One Foot In Front Of The Other GIFs</a></div> <script async="" src="https://tenor.com/embed.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
<p> </p><p><br /></p><p>I'm running a little slow today - I was up early to drop my eldest off at the train station downtown at 6 a.m. I finished almost all the rings this week - missed Tuesday for some reason. </p><p>Shrug. Feeling good otherwise. I have some tender spots, but when do people not have things that ache or are stiff?</p><p>Started to include kettlebell swings in the morning routine. I mean I'm using a dumbbell for the moment, but I like how the heart rate rises when I'm using them. It's been an odd week at work but at least I got my rings closed. </p><p>ASL continues as well. Nice and boring progress is being made. </p>Mr Chesserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06225240500320621190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32667181451087540.post-13445313606757481692023-10-22T22:19:00.001-04:002023-11-22T18:40:10.449-05:00Oct 16 to 22<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEUqnEzQXWKBwpq0T9CxwM84IMDwO3CRZfSXCVeW8PAZKb5CAdhB_o3Quz16C5MjhwnN0485NWjL6VM9KMpsRI6Mir87l41cspqWFtuOupdRh5xOqNgzPgRrczO3L2psyK1UjaotWNADFOHJ1-PqpDB3_8Mr6BAlitEKm3myOnyFhxVgFfAi30HfMhrHc/s868/Screen%20Shot%202023-10-22%20at%209.51.17%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="868" data-original-width="619" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEUqnEzQXWKBwpq0T9CxwM84IMDwO3CRZfSXCVeW8PAZKb5CAdhB_o3Quz16C5MjhwnN0485NWjL6VM9KMpsRI6Mir87l41cspqWFtuOupdRh5xOqNgzPgRrczO3L2psyK1UjaotWNADFOHJ1-PqpDB3_8Mr6BAlitEKm3myOnyFhxVgFfAi30HfMhrHc/s320/Screen%20Shot%202023-10-22%20at%209.51.17%20PM.png" width="228" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>It is just good advice ... and something of a mantra these days. That one and "If the octopus can recover after a tragedy, so can you".</p><p>Yeah, that second one might be why I'm still using a late-night swim most days to complete my rings. Morning sessions continue much the same. I did pick up a thicker band this week for the rows. I will pick up another one for the curls and overhead presses. Need to continue my progress.</p><p>I keep thinking about a return to contact sports. I do like them, but am enjoying the solitude of the pool at the moment. Usually, I show up at the pool and it is just me. </p><p>I love the idea of solitude. Just myself and my thoughts - some are the intrusive kind that are drawn out and are confronted. My thoughts and ideas about what I could be doing with my life and how much further along I will be if I just keep showing up. </p><p>So I just keep showing up. By myself. With my family. For my family. I just keep showing up. </p><p>And so the idea of my family - my wife and my children keeps me from feeling lonely. I'm by myself. I'm enjoying the solitude, but I'm not lonely. </p><p>What's that line from ee cummings? Oh yeah ... "i carry your heart(i carry it in my heart)"</p><p>But the morning sessions and the swimming continue. The learning ASL continues as well. I keep making progress. All is good. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Mr Chesserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06225240500320621190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32667181451087540.post-58959373113029557592023-10-15T09:41:00.003-04:002023-11-27T13:32:09.293-05:00Oct 10. to 15<p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigC4CmKc9Ubcz5BGFD4o3COKYdAn51z5IXb6PFaWWGyOI6_gn_FCFUVXBcACFZdoN_do2Wm9Q1pAlAkcEk_F9pN0bqQ0mrjEtVT2Bik2Y1_i6QkbuvYtBABrPpup2aC_a2RuoUqtSfzTXIZtuA05vI4IrFe9cRmzO2vGWdUyRYS2fX_RPpimixxlxujlU/s339/Screen%20Shot%202023-10-15%20at%209.35.09%20AM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="339" data-original-width="282" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigC4CmKc9Ubcz5BGFD4o3COKYdAn51z5IXb6PFaWWGyOI6_gn_FCFUVXBcACFZdoN_do2Wm9Q1pAlAkcEk_F9pN0bqQ0mrjEtVT2Bik2Y1_i6QkbuvYtBABrPpup2aC_a2RuoUqtSfzTXIZtuA05vI4IrFe9cRmzO2vGWdUyRYS2fX_RPpimixxlxujlU/s320/Screen%20Shot%202023-10-15%20at%209.35.09%20AM.png" width="266" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Walk the rice paper soft as you can. Try not to tear it."</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p>Getting back on my habits and getting this post done on Sunday. Yesterday was a full day, despite it being a Saturday. A full day of learning and tutoring would lead you to think that I wouldn't get my rings closed, but I got them done. </p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq0CWhYd0jlH6aXcd8cB_AimmtjmNlR10MSySDt20uk15x6KaQgHZR-SXCAUqTNxySz0KRi6dWsjnSJe3yjJ-xncmIhR8dcZNsn5pxe2DYbVhHzTy5dzIDX-Lun_MWpUk_ElsZJUADpuvPnS0as02u5k06QBFguxkh-kDao7RA9d-_4VDCvIyO5IHhPko/s464/Screen%20Shot%202023-10-15%20at%209.34.59%20AM.png" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="458" data-original-width="464" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq0CWhYd0jlH6aXcd8cB_AimmtjmNlR10MSySDt20uk15x6KaQgHZR-SXCAUqTNxySz0KRi6dWsjnSJe3yjJ-xncmIhR8dcZNsn5pxe2DYbVhHzTy5dzIDX-Lun_MWpUk_ElsZJUADpuvPnS0as02u5k06QBFguxkh-kDao7RA9d-_4VDCvIyO5IHhPko/w312-h308/Screen%20Shot%202023-10-15%20at%209.34.59%20AM.png" width="312" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The right number of people here</td></tr></tbody></table>In fact, all of the rings were completed all of the days, thank you. <p></p><p>I'm trying to make each of the Swimming sessions be at least 30 minutes - which is more of a mental game than anything else.<br /></p><p>150 m Brest </p><p>200 m arms only Freestyle. - which I sometimes do with my legs as I get bored</p><p>150 m breast</p><p>100 m legs only</p><p>200 m freestyle - with flippers and paddles, just to keep it interesting</p><p>150 m arms only freestyle</p><p>Then, if I need to get to 30 minutes of some breaststroke and or some walking. Something kinda cool, just working on getting my heart rate back down and stretching out. Again the focus is on doing some training and not risking any injury. </p><p>Yes, I need to work on my butterfly and the backstroke. Duly noted and I will get them into the mix here. I have done some work on the dolphin kick for the butterfly, but felt something go "twang" in my knee and thought better of that. Backstroke is just boring. Shrug, ok fine I'll do some backstroke for you next time.</p><p>Morning sessions are the same - although I am adding and subtracting day to day. Lately, I've been adding pushups - have been thinking of making a shena board for some work on that. They look cool, man. Anyway, still showing up and still getting the work done. </p><p>As has been said, "The work is the gift."</p>Mr Chesserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06225240500320621190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32667181451087540.post-89999535507069243022023-10-11T13:13:00.006-04:002023-11-27T13:34:38.177-05:00October 1 to 10<p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikhmi1rIesUgHza-ge5aiuha1xYiLPj4O1wbTTA6-ZUIKG0Su9XSHiZH-h9OJbKL9RqzaqmSYR_7idHXSpR-DREUjaCW9Ni5Et1z6K3-1VCIjbAVh9ZH7CJZIidTtGYmGfGUdTpox7HEhhwJWtIMaWsvOj7hAQZh-ZVXugGb1Pk7E-k1my9erRT9gNG0I/s4032/IMG_5026.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikhmi1rIesUgHza-ge5aiuha1xYiLPj4O1wbTTA6-ZUIKG0Su9XSHiZH-h9OJbKL9RqzaqmSYR_7idHXSpR-DREUjaCW9Ni5Et1z6K3-1VCIjbAVh9ZH7CJZIidTtGYmGfGUdTpox7HEhhwJWtIMaWsvOj7hAQZh-ZVXugGb1Pk7E-k1my9erRT9gNG0I/s320/IMG_5026.HEIC" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Was awesome and cool. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p>Had a little brain flatulence over the weekend - I was away in the RV. It was chilly and the drive was a bit windy for me. I did close the rings on most of the days - Wednesday and Sunday were write-offs. I wasn't in the right frame of mind and I was also on vacation, respectively. </p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBUUo3lgtjf-rAGltHpTQpm_u-f-ueRQD9MXJ08Wfr4jo1Kpm5njZQTmvvQy_-jj1mMBpAbzx6LdPKIT_CMFl4w3jiVWOp_5o3OW7WtaS3giSBBw4Ohnj1PRH8pXkSjpZ0OLlBIPS0IhRbnzM7FpI3GC_b_LsP-Re5lgtE_hJa-li4pF-MME-oZTmMFnY/s1792/IMG_5043.PNG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1792" data-original-width="828" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBUUo3lgtjf-rAGltHpTQpm_u-f-ueRQD9MXJ08Wfr4jo1Kpm5njZQTmvvQy_-jj1mMBpAbzx6LdPKIT_CMFl4w3jiVWOp_5o3OW7WtaS3giSBBw4Ohnj1PRH8pXkSjpZ0OLlBIPS0IhRbnzM7FpI3GC_b_LsP-Re5lgtE_hJa-li4pF-MME-oZTmMFnY/s320/IMG_5043.PNG" width="148" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My cardio outfit for this winter</td></tr></tbody></table>Saturday the 7th was hilarious - we were in the RV but the sunset was incredible. I had three or four walks around the park to make sure I got some pretty cool shots of the sunset over the lake. It was nice to be able to get the walking in, it was nice to be able to stretch out after and finish my rings, too.<p></p><p>When we got back, the first thing I did was go for a record-setting swim to finish off the rings and get myself set up for the week at work. All was awesome. <br /></p><p>Sleep has been pretty good, and eating has been flexible - got right back on the focus on the proper diet after I got back from the trip. It's not a bad routine for diet either. I'm happy and my butt is getting smaller and smaller as we go through the days.</p><p>Still, I need to add some walking running or hiking to the mix; need to get my cardio and VO2 max up. They will be the deciding factor for a return to sports in the spring. </p>Mr Chesserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06225240500320621190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32667181451087540.post-62264222859034154212023-10-01T15:31:00.001-04:002023-10-14T22:55:36.312-04:00Sept 25 to Sept 30<p> <br /></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicn7GcDXHnhgbOgzt2oXkHQ5nreQrFXy0pq4k-eZgxv_EpV9Lv9Nzwp3SAtUQC4nKhyphenhyphenvuwVB3RpX44GTFjJ7V4zFieDAMWwNio8zDUkOjlB87mIVzmpw8X3oXLDzV5JjSK2NVxY1wyTSGBTOUSLgRmwXi5A704gnoqHeS2Hg5wV-Ekp64cKp5og79TBBE/s677/Screen%20Shot%202023-10-01%20at%203.21.52%20PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="677" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicn7GcDXHnhgbOgzt2oXkHQ5nreQrFXy0pq4k-eZgxv_EpV9Lv9Nzwp3SAtUQC4nKhyphenhyphenvuwVB3RpX44GTFjJ7V4zFieDAMWwNio8zDUkOjlB87mIVzmpw8X3oXLDzV5JjSK2NVxY1wyTSGBTOUSLgRmwXi5A704gnoqHeS2Hg5wV-Ekp64cKp5og79TBBE/w325-h229/Screen%20Shot%202023-10-01%20at%203.21.52%20PM.png" width="325" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The right number of swimmers in the pool. Always</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>This was a good week - a little increase in the side hustle, I paid for the ASL 102 that will start in a few days and mostly finished the rings. </p><p></p><p>Rather boringly, my morning routine is moving me forward. A nice start to all my days with a 30-35 minute session that I haven't really changed. I know I'll need to work on my whole body, so I am starting to get to a yoga class once a week. Except this week, I just couldn't get that done. </p><p>The evening swims are usually done in solitude. I must say that is awesome. Not sure how this business is staying in business with just me coming in that late, but I appreciate that I don't really share the pool with anyone. Very Zen. I'm grateful for the silence. </p><p>I also know I need to get a bit of running in if only to toughen up the legs and lungs for any sort of return to combat / outdoor sports next summer. I'm not sure I will want to change anything in the next eight weeks, as I've now got a full plate of everything I can handle. </p><p>I'll check in/reflect back on this at Christmas time to see what I was thinking. </p><p><br /></p>Mr Chesserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06225240500320621190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32667181451087540.post-25866689665683647282023-09-24T22:52:00.002-04:002023-09-24T22:52:18.279-04:00Sept 18 to 24<p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWLZMdNnRtFqZZZe42MkFITinvR6OoHutMBp_9O0VMZUlKGTUaG6KeRud_SiAL-AuP9YAWJnRC3nLEkgHdfr584ZnUfLhSXO-ZCMIHFPOnH203NPH4VCrEHsECjYfiproLJtnSL_zBuoSF17U-kSjJaNMOlFlDJulBxPo24RP558K0pw7ViqzE0LHeu5E/s376/Screen%20Shot%202023-09-24%20at%2010.51.25%20PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="376" data-original-width="286" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWLZMdNnRtFqZZZe42MkFITinvR6OoHutMBp_9O0VMZUlKGTUaG6KeRud_SiAL-AuP9YAWJnRC3nLEkgHdfr584ZnUfLhSXO-ZCMIHFPOnH203NPH4VCrEHsECjYfiproLJtnSL_zBuoSF17U-kSjJaNMOlFlDJulBxPo24RP558K0pw7ViqzE0LHeu5E/s320/Screen%20Shot%202023-09-24%20at%2010.51.25%20PM.png" width="243" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thing of beauty</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Yeah, man ... I'm doing nothing different, just lots of it.</p><p>Morning sessions are all between 25 and 35 minutes and swimming sessions are about the same. One or two days there was also an afternoon yoga/bodyweight training session for good measure. </p><p>Nice and boring - I'm mastering the art of showing up, as the man says. Everything is just heading forward and I'm good with that. </p>Mr Chesserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06225240500320621190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32667181451087540.post-50550983472124682332023-09-17T21:28:00.005-04:002023-09-17T21:30:05.700-04:00Sept 11 to 17<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBSd_GhRH4DKLTLWmId58kZ1LODII4xV225z6pBELXSljpCiFj7lW0dr0Fz3TvhavgNQ3p453pUDWPURq3QntzhvNa4yacnWdoSNbgFr6pheUN-h0IELkyEmH41apdq3dVa7LzigCC3zza2KcBq_NLv_eprpOCcyuzwiNuaHMquGxv-mVkicVlLDSPXSA/s621/Screen%20Shot%202023-09-17%20at%209.26.40%20PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="621" data-original-width="446" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBSd_GhRH4DKLTLWmId58kZ1LODII4xV225z6pBELXSljpCiFj7lW0dr0Fz3TvhavgNQ3p453pUDWPURq3QntzhvNa4yacnWdoSNbgFr6pheUN-h0IELkyEmH41apdq3dVa7LzigCC3zza2KcBq_NLv_eprpOCcyuzwiNuaHMquGxv-mVkicVlLDSPXSA/s320/Screen%20Shot%202023-09-17%20at%209.26.40%20PM.png" width="230" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I got up early this morning, too</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p>Another week of things settling in - I got a chance to live the week that I am going to be reliving over and over again until Christmas. To some, that sounds like an incredible drag but at least I know what I will be doing three Tuesdays from now. That sounds like something I can exploit to my own advantage.</p><p>Speaking of exploiting something to my own advantage, my gym offers Wednesday night yoga classes and I finally made one this week. 60 minutes of basic flow and gentle stretch. My hamstrings were okay with the session, too. I found it a nice and welcome way to interrupt the negative crap going on the rest of the week. Bringing my wife along was a nice bonus. She enjoyed it as well.</p><p>Otherwise, this was the day, every day of this week:</p><p>Up early doing the morning session - see last week for details on that. </p><p>Afternoons was a 20-minute session some days on a yoga mat. Just stretching and mobility. Nothing at all to this session, so far.</p><p>Evenings were swimming or that one night of yoga at my club. </p><p>Nice and busy; my head, body heart and lungs really do like this stuff. I did close all my rings all seven days, too.</p>Mr Chesserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06225240500320621190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32667181451087540.post-58628435721572633552023-09-10T22:21:00.005-04:002023-09-10T22:26:41.408-04:00Sept 5 to 10<p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp4-D9v2kFHVF0hR3uT0_6t2HTcHUV7imFFKJzgJnnpX6LeWDosQRHQbpNC9-4v_DyH3x5ND3S0spTI8WntDSkUObC-wXBfg3d4_cS7n-ZOIFdrOu0Mnkzm5oQwcSgFTx0JR40KgexNx2Ng0gpl55fU437MAI45hImURcEyBaL5n1jyE1n661jA2hGNGk/s615/Screen%20Shot%202023-09-10%20at%2010.01.15%20PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="615" data-original-width="460" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp4-D9v2kFHVF0hR3uT0_6t2HTcHUV7imFFKJzgJnnpX6LeWDosQRHQbpNC9-4v_DyH3x5ND3S0spTI8WntDSkUObC-wXBfg3d4_cS7n-ZOIFdrOu0Mnkzm5oQwcSgFTx0JR40KgexNx2Ng0gpl55fU437MAI45hImURcEyBaL5n1jyE1n661jA2hGNGk/s320/Screen%20Shot%202023-09-10%20at%2010.01.15%20PM.png" width="239" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This young one was watching me this week.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p>A good week - closed my rings every day ... all the rings, all the days. A good return to work and lots of fitness and lots of things moving forward.</p><p>Need to work on the diet next, but at least I can use the schedule that I have to keep to my advantage. </p><p>Bought a pair of 20 lb dumbbells for the morning routine I'm keeping at the moment. Got the afternoon session planned and ready to go. Almost. Need a few things to clear up - not the least of which is the weather to stop being so muggy and let the regular adult weather come back and run the room. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRvxXhqT78-LTJB3J6DxpFRBg03W6JhM1PJr-0b46d-DcdMnL9-Cmvlp8DzHoHLBwLG-klNP60PHmtrJnZXxJYjZwwKWvmKSWvTe2kNZuiHrGXUOD6Qc_rQJTGqzLy-SiLTacdAGd9IyrdwzinE-cPTSp3nAzHTW1R_siyBXmst0NSjm-gPmDrgdNMO0g/s565/Screen%20Shot%202023-09-10%20at%2010.20.35%20PM.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="565" data-original-width="441" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRvxXhqT78-LTJB3J6DxpFRBg03W6JhM1PJr-0b46d-DcdMnL9-Cmvlp8DzHoHLBwLG-klNP60PHmtrJnZXxJYjZwwKWvmKSWvTe2kNZuiHrGXUOD6Qc_rQJTGqzLy-SiLTacdAGd9IyrdwzinE-cPTSp3nAzHTW1R_siyBXmst0NSjm-gPmDrgdNMO0g/s320/Screen%20Shot%202023-09-10%20at%2010.20.35%20PM.png" width="250" /></a></div><p>Morning sessions continue to evolve and look like this:</p><p>10 minutes mobility - 90/90 stretches, downward dogs to planks, to low planks, to high planks to downward dogs to one leg up, lots of stretching and mobility</p><p>10 minutes of ab work - rounds of swimmers leg kicking, BJJ leg pummeling, hollow holds, dead bugs, ab flares and big ball rollouts with 20 lb standing rows and flys.</p><p>10 minutes of shoulders and back - rounds of 20 lb standing lateral raises, then into 10 meels and then reverse meels, then to banded lat pulls and lat chest pulls, tricep extensions, banded bicep curls and overhead presses. </p><p>Swimming sessions in the afternoons/evenings have been awesome - some were short ones, just to finish off the rings, and some were longer on days I was lazy. I look forward to my afternoon HIIT sessions to make the evening swimming sessions just for fun and extra cardio.</p><p>Got my side hustle set up until Christmas and things are settling down nicely after the transitional nature of last week. Should be awesome. </p><p><br /></p>Mr Chesserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06225240500320621190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32667181451087540.post-5444273325056791772023-09-04T18:45:00.003-04:002023-09-04T18:45:53.432-04:00Aug 28 to Sept 4<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Lbv_bxDScuvufMuR61clM9vCHzEpDtz9-YAjFrB7oFHsnBldTji3AS2A3veX4YyIMx2rsqbdFDOSmul6qdwIf583u2k_cYZ-h84gzZGaHSje5TvcbZ6lytsXuu_-_ztxcHFertp4RaQzrznmoqjh9ge6WiG0rRsGeMAVML43GSqtSnADrZlOlWWny5E/s740/Screen%20Shot%202023-09-04%20at%206.44.40%20PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="398" data-original-width="740" height="172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Lbv_bxDScuvufMuR61clM9vCHzEpDtz9-YAjFrB7oFHsnBldTji3AS2A3veX4YyIMx2rsqbdFDOSmul6qdwIf583u2k_cYZ-h84gzZGaHSje5TvcbZ6lytsXuu_-_ztxcHFertp4RaQzrznmoqjh9ge6WiG0rRsGeMAVML43GSqtSnADrZlOlWWny5E/s320/Screen%20Shot%202023-09-04%20at%206.44.40%20PM.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>This was ... this is an odd week ... always. a cross between holiday and work. A cross between the country and the city. At least I completed my rings most days and everyone is "ready" for next week.<br /></p><p>Morning sessions continue, as do afternoon swims with one or two hikes/walks to complete the circles on my Apple watch. I am really trying to get myself set up for success next week by waking up early, but today, after getting up at 5:50 a.m., I ended up sleeping for four hours after finishing my am session by 7 a.m.</p><p>Four hours. Unreal.</p><p>But there's of the week was nice and boring. Getting my family to come along for the pool workouts is also awesome. </p><p><br /></p>Mr Chesserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06225240500320621190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32667181451087540.post-64520345605398260482023-08-27T22:09:00.006-04:002023-08-27T22:10:20.627-04:00Aug 20 to 27<p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ7xMQAOD2m1q0LsorfCcR3iNs5jnogzDln3j5sG2rlKu27uIP2b039G1vob2E75h1z4cyXra_I0QsvAxCBUjfiTDYupH8_NniOEUQyDQvv6Fj9czTg4-FyOaEHZVxndyGgfsR3yIC3QQ0571KS5Qm2iCANTvuqnR_1Lt0Ilt4JHlsE6DbjtUxkMIYcyM/s425/Screen%20Shot%202023-08-27%20at%2010.08.15%20PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="425" data-original-width="303" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ7xMQAOD2m1q0LsorfCcR3iNs5jnogzDln3j5sG2rlKu27uIP2b039G1vob2E75h1z4cyXra_I0QsvAxCBUjfiTDYupH8_NniOEUQyDQvv6Fj9czTg4-FyOaEHZVxndyGgfsR3yIC3QQ0571KS5Qm2iCANTvuqnR_1Lt0Ilt4JHlsE6DbjtUxkMIYcyM/s320/Screen%20Shot%202023-08-27%20at%2010.08.15%20PM.png" width="228" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I think I see what Emily Dickenson thought about trees</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p>So I was at my house for most of this time, making it relatively easy to get things like my morning yoga/mobility training done daily. It was also not a huge thing to close my rings most days - swims in the evenings are going nicely. I'm starting to get back to a regular Sept - June routine again, so I'm back to getting up before 6 a.m.</p><p>No, that was not a typo. </p><p>The nice thing today, for example, I got up at 6 a.m., did my 35-minute session and then got to take my middle child out for breakfast. After breakfast, I went back and had a nap. Yeah, the holidays are awesome. </p><p>The morning sessions are always evolving, so this is what my morning session is looking like today:</p><p>First ten minutes - yoga poses, hip mobility focus. Downward dog, to one leg up pose. dolphin pose, pigeon pose, world's greatest stretch, one-leg standing, etc etc etc. Lots of hip mobility.</p><p>Next ten minutes - abs and core. Dead bugs, swimming legs on the back, BJJ leg pummeling, seated leg extensions, hip thrusters, squats, triangle pose. Ab rollouts from the knee, back on the ball, rotations, standing dumbbell ITY poses. </p><p>Last ten or so minutes - arms and back. Dumbbell lateral raises, dumbbell meels, standing banded pullovers and pulldowns, tricep extensions, Bicep curls, overhead presses.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIWKLvKO1Iu3Xj9eurKry4QZwGbeTTCk7tO4le-3tXENI3tY2SgO7MgB-USv4eWE_MoIwK6YFu2ZItXwB5FjnxcHSU40gzhr5YfOAuHQ1uWmAN2xgr0BT2Nbmrkd44sAOhVnAtM-CZdbhD6Zm78x7TeB9UcECjidpcLL1DSFQMInrG3GV7JGBbeDADXCg/s413/Screen%20Shot%202023-08-27%20at%2010.08.05%20PM.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="301" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIWKLvKO1Iu3Xj9eurKry4QZwGbeTTCk7tO4le-3tXENI3tY2SgO7MgB-USv4eWE_MoIwK6YFu2ZItXwB5FjnxcHSU40gzhr5YfOAuHQ1uWmAN2xgr0BT2Nbmrkd44sAOhVnAtM-CZdbhD6Zm78x7TeB9UcECjidpcLL1DSFQMInrG3GV7JGBbeDADXCg/s320/Screen%20Shot%202023-08-27%20at%2010.08.05%20PM.png" width="233" /></a></div><p>By the end of that, I'm sweaty and my heart rate is decent. I do like the look of my shoulders and abs - just need to carve the fat off of them to really show them off. I am teasing, of course. I'm not really interested in cutting down to 68 kilos anymore. I'm happy to be in smaller pants, don't get me wrong, but I'm really more focused on mobility rather than powerlifting or bodybuilding. </p><p>Today was a good day in that I'm away in the woods, but I was able to get my morning session done and then got an afternoon session done as well to close my rings. I just made sure I was ready to go with my equipment in one bag and just kept going and going. </p><p><br /></p>Mr Chesserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06225240500320621190noreply@blogger.com0