I’m onto week 2 of my Re-organization of Life and so far its been going pretty good. I had a little set back with my food-changes this weekend because my old roommate Mark flew down from Jersey to hang out for the weekend. I didnt eat THAT bad but drank way more than my 2 beers a day but I am back on track. I was able to make some adjustments this weekend so I could still eat with Mark and the guys but not lose any ground. Some of the adjustments were: eating smaller portions, eating chicken cheese steak, making meatballs with lean meat and turkey, using whole wheat buns, drinking lots of water, still eating my fruit, and working out if I went out of my food spectrum (1 time).

The good news is that I was down 2lbs in week 1 and down 1lb halfway through week 2. I’ve also been able to keep up my workout routine, so overall I’m feeling pretty good.

My Workout Reorganization

Working out consistently has always been a problem of mine. I never enjoyed weightlifting, don’t know enough about it, and hated having to drive to the gym. Well, thankfully that last one got taken care of last spring when I traded a former softball teammate of mine for a Smith Machine and weights for a case of beer. Pretty good deal if you ask me. Until recently its been used sparingly for lifting weights and more for piling things on it.

I’ve cleared all the junk off of it, and have started using it for what I got it for: to get my ass in shape. I read something from one of the MensHealth’s editor’s blog, that linked to a university study saying that lifting heavy weights increases your metabolism and helps you burn fat faster than any cardio exercise. That was one key component to getting me into a routine, the next was finding a routine that I could consistently do and not get bored with. Enter the Three and Out Workout.

Don’t waste another minute in the weight room. Instead, build muscle fast with this “three-and-out” routine from Bill Hartman, C.S.C.S., a strength coach in Indianapolis. It works your entire body with just three exercises to help you achieve the best possible results in the least amount of time.

The Three-and-Out Workout

This workout uses only what Hartman calls “big” exercises — those that work multiple muscle groups. There are exercises for your lower body, and pushing and pulling movements for your upper body. Choose one workout (A, B, C, or D) from this menu of total-body routines. Then perform the exercises as a circuit, doing one set of each exercise in succession, resting as prescribed. Complete a total of four or five circuits, 3 days a week, resting at least a day between sessions. After 4 weeks, select a new workout.

This appealed to me for a few reasons. First, I’ve done other circuit workouts and really like how you feel after. To me, after a circuit workout I can really feel your heart pumping and your blood flowing, much more than a regular workout. Secondly, I loved the simplicity. I don’t want to spend an hour in my hot garage, doing reverse-seated-tricep-extensions or any other small muscle group workout because its boring and I don’t feel the same affect after I’m done. The Three-and-Out Workout lets me do 3 big muscle exercises that are simple, fairly quick and really make you feel like I’ve worked out when I’m done. Currently, I’m doing 1 set of Squats (6), Lat Pull downs (6), Bench Press (6) to equal 1 circuit and doing 4 circuits total. Next week I’m going to up the weight a little and do 7 reps of each, then go up again in weight and reps for week 4.

I feel better, I feel stronger and I look better already (to me at least). I’m excited to see where I’ll be at the end of week 4.

In addition to the Three-and-Out Workout. I’ve also been doing a daily Abs workout (5 times a week, more on this later), 1hr+ plus of basketball 2-3 times per week, 2 softball games per week, and starting this Saturday I’ll be back to playing our weekend flag football games (2hrs). Pretty balanced workout, but most importantly to me, its fun so I won’t get bored with it.

Stay tuned for more…..