Sweet potato chips or should that be...sweet! potato chips that are yummy and healthy(ish!)

I am sitting here on my couch thinking about my class this evening and enjoying a few (er, more than the 17 chips per serving) potato chips. Am I worried at high fat, high calorie, high sodium? NO! These are TERRA Chips and they're TERRAFIC! Oh gosh, that was bad.

Honestly, these chips are fabulous! I encourage everyone who likes the munch munch of chips to get a bag. The nutritional information seems almost good to be true for chips:

Plain Sweet Potato Chips

Nutrition Facts Serving Size: 1 oz. (28g/about 17 chips) Servings Per Container: 6 Amount Per Serving Calories 160 Calories from Fat 90 % Daily Value* Total Fat 11g 16% Saturated Fat 1g 5% Trans Fat 0g Cholesterol 0mg 0% Sodium 10mg 0% Total Carb. 15g 5% Dietary Fiber 3g 11% Sugars 3g Protein 1g Vitamin A 50% • Vitamin C 10% Calcium 2% • Iron 4% * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Now, are these PERFECT ? No, of course not. They are still chips! You're getting 11g of fat in every serving, but these are far better than other chips out there.

Thus ends my unpaid endorsement of TERRA CHIPS!

"Why don't we give love give love give love one more chance?"

That is a line sung by Freddie Mercury in "Under Pressure," which was playing on my "running" playlist on my iPod.

I love, love, that line and Freddie's amazing voice.

So, my four mile run - or "mun" as a I just wrote - didn't work out. Instead of doing the big big block, I just did the big block, which is still about 3 miles. I sprinted the last bit as well. I had some runner's concerns.

Now I'm sitting here in my living room about to make myself a protein shake...POOF, I'm a protein shake.

There's nothing techno about technogym equipment

Today I started with 20 minutes on the elliptical machine; then it was on to a bit of an upper body workout:

• shoulder press
• 30 lbs, 15 reps
• 50 lbs, 2 sets of 15 reps
  
• chest press
• 20 lbs, 3 sets of 15 reps
  
• seated row
• 55 lbs, 15 reps
• 85 lbs, 15 reps
• 100 lbs, 8 reps
  
• lat pulldown
• 30 lbs, 3 sets of 15 (this is not true ) :)
  
• ez bar curls
• 30 lbs, 3 sets of 15

I tried using the technogym equipment for the first two exercises; the machines are not comfortable at all. I rather use free weights. Today was not a great workout, but it was acceptable. I also followed it with a visit to NATHAN'S! I love those hotdogs and fries. Yepee!

Twice the workout, half the time

Today I decided to do two sets of everything. It was a leg day.

Here's my routine:

• squats
• no weight, 15 reps
• 50 lbs on bar, 2 sets of 15 reps
  
• hack squat
• no weight, 2 sets of 15 reps
  
• leg press
• 90 lbs, 2 sets of 15 reps wide
  
• bend over thing
• just a bar, 2 sets of 15 reps
  
• leg curl
• 50 lbs, 2 sets of 15
  
• leg extension
• 50 lbs, 2 sets of 15
  
• seated calf raises
• 45 lbs, 2 sets of 15
  
• 10 minutes elliptical
• leg press
• no weight, 3 sets of 15 - 3 different foot positions (no rest between sets)
• 90 lbs, 3 sets of 15 - 3 different foot positions (no rest between sets) **** THIS ONE HURT!!!
  
• 8 minutes elliptical

Overall, I think it was a good workout. I really felt that I was working my legs, and I'm sure I'll feel it even more tomorrow. I think doing the leg press AFTER the ten minutes on the elliptical was a good thing as well. So, I tried to mix stuff up today and I did.

Gas is at $3.96 a gallon, so what do I do?

I drive to subUrban reActive.

No cardio.

Just an upper body workout...shame on me. I should have done some cardio, but I expected to do a bit of walking today on a trail. Alas, that didn't happen.

Here's today's workout:

• pullups
• 3 sets of 8
  
• knee lifts
• 3 sets of 25 (I switched between pullups and knee lifts for each set)
• decline bench flys
• 10 lbs, 15 reps
• 12.5 lbs, 15 reps
• 15 lbs, 15 reps
  
• overhead press
• 15 lbs, 3 sets of 15
  
• side and front lat raises
• 5 lbs, 15 reps
• 7.5 lbs, 15 reps
• 10 lbs, 15 reps
  
• kickbacks
• 20 lbs, 1 set of 15
  
• behind head tricep exercise
• 20 lbs, 3 sets of 15
  
• a bunch of abwork that I don't really know how to describe
  
  

Overall, the workout felt pretty good. I should have done cardio, but I just did not feel like it. Plus, I really did expect to walk on the trails today. Oh well. I'll make up for it tomorrow...perhaps.

When 4 miles don't bother me... I know

something is wrong. Today I ran the four mile loop, and as I was saying to someone tonight, I could have kept running. I hate running. And this was road running - the worst sort of running. Trail running doesn't really count as running, because it involves so much more than pavement pounding; heck, there's no pavement to pound.

Anyway, I want to reassure my friends and workout fans that I am NOT turning into a runner, and I want to tell one particular person, there's NO WAY he will EVER get me to run the Pig... not even HALF a PIG.

Tomorrow I'm going to have to purge my body of this running and do some lifting or leg work at the gym. I've noticed looking back at the upperbody workouts that I am tending to do the same things over and over again. Any suggestions for varying my routine would be welcome. Remember, I'm not interested in bulk. Bulk doesn't appeal to me. Being lean and cut does...to an extent. But even THAT bothers me a bit. I need some new shots of me postworkout, because the one on this page doesn't do my abs justice. Maybe I can get a professional photographer to volunteer his services in exchange for workout advice. Know anyone like that?

Today's workout:

• four miles with the iPod
  

The babies are here!!!! Mama Robin is a MAMA!

Just returned from my first "big" run in a long time, but that's unimportant, because ...

Mama Robin and Mr. Robin are parents! The nest above my backdoor is now home to at least one baby Robin. I only saw one head pop up to be fed, but I'm guessing there are more there - maybe 2-3? We'll see.

Seeing this absolutely MADE my day...just a beautiful thing to behold. I'm a big mush and dork about such things.

The first year I lived here, robins nested in that same place - that same nest, actually. I was sad to not have any robins return. I contemplated taking down the nest, but kept it there just as a reminder of the first houseguests I ever hosted - other than my folks when I moved in. I'm happy to see that little home get some use.

Happy birthday little robins!!!!

non-workout post: Eddie Izzard wanted a picture with Mike

So, I saw Eddie perform his "Stripped" show. I really enjoyed it; didn't seem as good as some of the stuff I've seen on video for other tours, but his tour is really just beginning, and since it's unscripted, well, I'm sure he has better and fantastic nights. Still, seeing him live was amazing.

No James Mason in this one, but Moses and Noah make appearances as do giraffes who must communicate through coughs about a very stupid tiger. A favorite line - "So Charlie Darwin wrote this book, Monkey, Monkey, Monkey, Monkey, You.... Very controversial in the monkey community." I also liked the Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome reference... "two enter, one leaves."

Post ovation bit about landing on the moon - not very good Eddie...very good for someone else, but not Eddie.

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We waited outside the stage door for about 40 minutes before Mr. Izzard made his appearance and requested us all to form a nice, somewhat orderly line. We did. I had a program. Mike had a cellphone camera. I forgot mine. Shame on me. The one time I FORGET that silly thing is the time I wish I had it.

I really had nothing of note to say to Izzard just because there were about 150 people behind me, and I thought that he probably rather be having a drink in a hotel bar or something. I gave him the program, and he said, "You'd like me to sign this?" I think I grunted. Seriously, I'm not sure I formulated any real words until I said," Thank you for taking the time to do this." He said "You're welcome" or some polite variation. Here's my chance with Eddie and I say nothing.

Mike snaps his cell pic, and I'm off, but....

Eddie calls, "Don't you want a picture too?"

Mike turns, "Um, no thank you. That's ok."

Eddie implores, "Really, take a picture."

Mike says, "Um, ..."

Eddie again says, "Oh, c'mon take a picture."

So we do. That's the pic above. So, basically, Eddie Izzard begged Mike to take a photo with him. Lucky guy.

Four Sets

I am blogging from my somewhat secret location - the Panera at Union Centre - which has very cool people working the counter. There are two people in particular who are always superfriendly. It always makes me feel better when people are pleasant to me - there's really nothing in it for them. I'm here for my toasted sesame seed bagel and coffee after a workout. I'd come here even if they just gave me my order without being so chipper. Still, I'm sure some corporate-type has said that friendlier cashiers lead to more sales. I prefer to think these two folks are just kind people who happen to work at Panera.

Now, on to the workout, which felt great! I am always happy to have a decent leg workout:

• squats
• no weight, 15 reps
• 50 lbs on bar, 4 sets of 15
  
• hack squat
• no weight, 4 sets of 15
  
• leg press machine
• 90 lbs on bar, 4 sets of 15 (wide)
  
• the other leg press machine
• 90 lbs on bar, 4 sets of 15 (close)
  
• seated calf raises
• 45 lbs, 4 sets of 15
  
• abductor
• 50 lbs, 15 reps
• 60 lbs, 15 reps
• 70 lbs, 12 reps
• 80 lbs, 10 reps
  
• butt buster
  
• 30 lbs?, 4 sets of 15 (I isolated each leg first)
  
• leg extensions
  
• 50 lbs, 2 sets of 15
• 60 lbs, 2 sets of 15
• I'm not REALLy sure about the weights on this one, but I know I did 4 sets of 15 reps and I believe I increased the weight - I may have gone up to 70 lbs
  
• elliptical
• 8 minutes
  

Overall, the workout felt very good. I did four sets of each exercise because I have not done a leg workout in some time. Plus, with cycling starting soonish - as soonish as I can get the bike in! - I want to work on endurance and strength rather than pure power. Pure power is good, but high reps are better right now for me. I probably should have done more cardio at the end, but I was getting hungry and seeing that it was getting later. Oh well! Maybe next time!

Tonight it's EDDIE IZZARD!!! WOO HOO!

"See You Again"

Um, I can't believe I'm admitting this, but I've been digging Miley Cyrus' song - and I just learned that she sings it. Eek.

But more importantly, here's the workout:

• bench press
• no weight on bar, 15 reps
• 55 lbs, 15 reps
• 65 lbs, 15 reps
• 75 lbs, 12 reps?
  
• overhead press
• 10 lbs, 15 reps
• 15 lbs, 15 reps
• 20 lbs, 15 reps
  
• seated flys
• 40 lbs, 3 sets of 15?
  
• side lat raises / front lat raises
• 10 lbs, 15 reps
• 10 lbs, 15 reps
• 15 lbs, 8 reps
  
• gorilla lifts
• 40 lbs, 3 sets of 15 reps
  
• curls
• 40 lb bar, 15 reps
• 15 lb bb, 2 sets of 15 reps
• 20 lb bb, 8 reps
  
• behind head tricep stuff
• 15 lbs, 15 reps
• 20 lbs, 2 sets of 15 reps
  
• 10 minutes on elliptical
  

a quickie

15 minutes on the elliptical - just enough to get the heart rate going... more tomorrow!

Beautiful weather...

I hope folks are enjoying it. I wish I could go for a long walk on the beach today or go for a run around the block. I promise to be back working out and eating properly in a day.
Until then...will someone burn some calories for me??

Being lazy....

I've decided to be lazy for a few days; I've written before about the importance of rest. I'm allowing myself a few days of not exercising and also allowing myself to eat whatever I choose. In a day or so, I'll be more strict with my diet and exercise. And I'll write about it here, so stay tuned.

Feeling slightly under the weather

What is the origin of the phrase "slightly under the weather"? I need to google that. Whatever it means, I am it, so I'm going to forego any sort of exercise today. Perhaps that sounds like an excuse. Perhaps it is.