So I had an interesting weekend...
As opposed to doing one of my usual Saturday workouts of flipping assorted-sized tires in the parking lot, I decided to spice it up a bit. So I decided to do one of the most extreme events available to civilians: I signed up for the SEAL Adventure Challenge. The Challenge is probably the closest event one could get to actual SEAL training (called BUD/S). The Challenge is 24hrs of physical, but mostly mental torture.
The Challenge began at 6am on Saturday morning. I knew this was for real when our breakfast consisted of a raw egg broken on our bottom teeth, a can of beans and a banana (right about now, the 5-star breakfast from IHOP is sounding awesome!!). From here, we proceeded to do a good amount of push-ups, leg raises and low crawls (mind you, we started on a basketball court and crawled through rocks and dirt...yay!!).
After the morning PT, we all drove to the Greenwich YMCA for pool drills. This is where I knew my weak/breaking point would be. After learning some drills for about an hour, that's when the fun really started. The instructor had us all treading water in about a 10x10 area in the pool. Keep in mind that there were 26 of us, so chances are, you were smacking someone with your hands and/or kicking someone with your legs...not the best environment for someone deathly afraid of the water. So after quitting twice, the instructors had me work with one of the other Marines (more on him in a later posting) for some basic PT: lots of pull-ups, push-ups, sit-ups, bear crawls, etc. During my bear crawls, I peeked into the pool a few times and saw the rest of the SEAL candidates treading water while holding a brick, going under and touching the pool bottom with their hands tied behind their backs, only coming up for air when needed and other assorted drills. I wasn't happy that I quit but I was sure glad I wasn't out there (at least for my physical safety and the safety of others).
After the pool drills, we drove back to camp and did PLENTY push ups, leg raises, low crawls, push ups, running...did I mention push ups!? Then came some more drills in the lake. I didn't even attempt it this time. I walked over to the instructor and told him I didn't feel comfortable swimming across the lake. One of the other SEAL instructors decided to work with me and tried to make a dent in my fear of water/swimming. He was extremely patient with me, more patient that I would've expected and I thanked him for that once we graduated.
After a few more hours of PT came Log PT. Log PT is essentially carrying around a log 3/4 the size of a telephone pole between 5 to 6 people: shoulder presses, bicep curls, back extensions, squats, lunges, and sit ups. Oh, did I mention running through the woods with the log on our backs. It was at this point that one of our team members quit outright. We tried to get him to stick it out for another hour but he just couldn't physically handle it...he just quit. What he didn't know was that the hard part was almost over. The Log PT only lasted another 10 min or so and the fun part of the Challenge was about to begin: the Recon Mission.
We were broken down into 2 groups of 11 ppl and each given an objective. We were acting as our own individual SEAL teams and were given checkpoints to recon and draw maps of, then make our way back to a simulated extraction point. Because we were dropped off in the middle of the forest, it was dark...so dark that we actually walked right by 3 "enemies", all of whom proceed to "assassinate" the entire squad in a matter of 10 seconds. However, we were able to proceed with our mission as planned. We broke up into smaller groups of 3-4 and made our way to the extraction point. By the time my group was at our hiding place, it was 3:15am. So we hid under a shed, along with who knows what other animals and took a small nap until 3:45am (this was the only sleep any of us have gotten in the last 22 hrs. They blew the whistle at 4am where we had a debriefing session to see what worked and what didn't work.
By the time we got back to PT, it was almost 5am...another hour or so to go. This is when all the mind games come into play. After some more push ups and crawling around, we made our way to the lake. As we were doing push ups, the head instructor seperated us into groups of 4 and having mini-conferences. I was part of the last group that happened to be 5 strong. The instructor started his "speech" like this (keep in mind the air temp. is between 30-40 degrees and the water temp. isn't too far behind):
"3 of your classmates have just quit. You have to swim across the lake. For those of you that quit, the rest of the members have to pick up your slack and swim across twice."
The instructor knows my weakness so he's essentially looking at me the entire time. I say I can't do it. The oldest guy (48 yrs old) in the entire group of 25 also says he couldn't do it but changes his mind immediately. So I now have 4 guys encouraging me to do it, saying they would help me across. I grudgingly say I would do it. The instructor has us line up again and says, "Congratulations boys, you have passed the test!" Turns out it was a HUGE mind game and we never had to swim in the first place...next to the actual completion of the challenge, that was the biggest relief of the day!!
So after an hour or so more of push ups and crawling around, we're done, finished, finito...WOO HOO!!!! Its 6am, and after 24hrs of being beaten, battered and bruised, we are receiving our certificate of completion and tshirts. Turns out the instructors are actually nice guys and not complete (insert expletive here).
I do have to say, this is probably the most physical work I've ever done. However, by far, this is the hardest mental challenge I have or ever will encounter. Those 24hrs tested every single weakness of not only myself, but of every single person in the group. Granted, my weakness was the most exploited but everyone had a weakness that they overcame. I still have a little bit of work to overcome mine but I think I took a HUGE step in the last hour.
I am still bruised and torn, however, today, I stand a little bit taller not only for the men and women in uniform, but BECAUSE of them...thank you!!!
I'm hoping to get pictures within the next few days but check out this link for pictures from previous Challenges. And for all of you Team guys....HOOYAH!!!
Monday, September 21, 2009
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Freshman 15
Its that time of year again: Samuel Adams Summer ale is no longer available, back-to-school shopping and the Freshman 15.
The Freshman 15 is a wonderful phenomenon (and I use that term loosely) where students, usually freshman, end up packing on the pounds, thanks to all-nighters, drinking and eating. We've all been there: you're studying for the stats exam tomorrow and you're barely awake. So you reach for that frozen pizza or call for take-out. Next thing you know, you've polished off a large pizza pie and 5 beers into a 6-pack. Come May, you wonder where the extra pounds came from...
The following tips can not only help those in their freshman year of college, but it could also help those of us trying to control our eating habits and lose a few pounds:
Better Nutritional Choices – With class schedules that can vary from day to day and unhealthy food choices often readily available, unstructured eating is almost inevitable. Remember the importance of moderation and refer to www.mypyramid.gov for a guide to balanced eating.
Three Meals Per Day – Studies show that weight gain is more common among those who skip breakfast. Be sure to make time for the most important meal of the day and don’t allow too much time to pass between meals. Individuals who consume fewer than three meals per day may find themselves feeling famished, which can lead them to overeat.
Snacking – Avoid late-night snacking while cramming for exams or finishing a paper. Stock the dorm room with healthy snacks (e.g., fresh fruit and veggies) that are easily transportable.
Reality of Alcohol – Drinking is a big part of college life, but it can also pack on the pounds. Five or six beers at 150 calories each equals an additional intake of 600-900 calories, and 3,500 calories equals one pound of fat. Additionally, alcohol consumption can trigger late-night eating, which can yield even greater weight gain.
Sleep Patterns – It’s easy to get caught up in those late nights, but regulated, good-quality sleep is essential in avoiding weight gain. Try to get at least six hours of sleep per night.
Stress Management – Between moving away from home, juggling classes and coursework, and adapting to new surroundings, there are many stressors associated with freshman year that can negatively affect health. Seek creative ways to cope such as yoga and meditation. The health services department is also a great resource.
Active Living – Whenever possible, instead of driving, walk or bike to class, the post office, the library, etc. to burn off extra calories.
Campus Resources – Use what you’re paying for! Check out the campus recreation center, participate in group fitness classes and intramural sports, and organize activities such as a pick-up game of basketball or volleyball, or go on a group hike with friends and neighbors.
Workout Groups – Exercising with a partner or group is more than just a workout—it’s a social experience. Recruiting roommates and classmates to workout is a great way to meet people and make new friends.
Health and Fitness for Credit – Enroll in an activity or a lifestyle and/or nutrition class for college credit. This is a great way to get motivated and adhere to a healthy lifestyle.
A few additional notes:
Late-night snacking is not inherently bad. Its quite ok to have a light snack before bedtime. However, a frozen pizza or an Italian combo sandwich is NOT a light snack. Some good ideas: a small bowl of oatmeal, yogurt, fresh fruit.
For those with more time, you should definitely break up your meals into at least 5 smaller meals. At the very least, breakfast SHOULD NEVER be skipped. I can tell you from personal experience, if breakfast is skipped, you could find yourself at Dunkin Donuts, ordering a bacon/egg on a plain bagel and wash it down with a Double Chocolate donut.
Its that time of year again: Samuel Adams Summer ale is no longer available, back-to-school shopping and the Freshman 15.
The Freshman 15 is a wonderful phenomenon (and I use that term loosely) where students, usually freshman, end up packing on the pounds, thanks to all-nighters, drinking and eating. We've all been there: you're studying for the stats exam tomorrow and you're barely awake. So you reach for that frozen pizza or call for take-out. Next thing you know, you've polished off a large pizza pie and 5 beers into a 6-pack. Come May, you wonder where the extra pounds came from...
The following tips can not only help those in their freshman year of college, but it could also help those of us trying to control our eating habits and lose a few pounds:
Better Nutritional Choices – With class schedules that can vary from day to day and unhealthy food choices often readily available, unstructured eating is almost inevitable. Remember the importance of moderation and refer to www.mypyramid.gov for a guide to balanced eating.
Three Meals Per Day – Studies show that weight gain is more common among those who skip breakfast. Be sure to make time for the most important meal of the day and don’t allow too much time to pass between meals. Individuals who consume fewer than three meals per day may find themselves feeling famished, which can lead them to overeat.
Snacking – Avoid late-night snacking while cramming for exams or finishing a paper. Stock the dorm room with healthy snacks (e.g., fresh fruit and veggies) that are easily transportable.
Reality of Alcohol – Drinking is a big part of college life, but it can also pack on the pounds. Five or six beers at 150 calories each equals an additional intake of 600-900 calories, and 3,500 calories equals one pound of fat. Additionally, alcohol consumption can trigger late-night eating, which can yield even greater weight gain.
Sleep Patterns – It’s easy to get caught up in those late nights, but regulated, good-quality sleep is essential in avoiding weight gain. Try to get at least six hours of sleep per night.
Stress Management – Between moving away from home, juggling classes and coursework, and adapting to new surroundings, there are many stressors associated with freshman year that can negatively affect health. Seek creative ways to cope such as yoga and meditation. The health services department is also a great resource.
Active Living – Whenever possible, instead of driving, walk or bike to class, the post office, the library, etc. to burn off extra calories.
Campus Resources – Use what you’re paying for! Check out the campus recreation center, participate in group fitness classes and intramural sports, and organize activities such as a pick-up game of basketball or volleyball, or go on a group hike with friends and neighbors.
Workout Groups – Exercising with a partner or group is more than just a workout—it’s a social experience. Recruiting roommates and classmates to workout is a great way to meet people and make new friends.
Health and Fitness for Credit – Enroll in an activity or a lifestyle and/or nutrition class for college credit. This is a great way to get motivated and adhere to a healthy lifestyle.
A few additional notes:
Late-night snacking is not inherently bad. Its quite ok to have a light snack before bedtime. However, a frozen pizza or an Italian combo sandwich is NOT a light snack. Some good ideas: a small bowl of oatmeal, yogurt, fresh fruit.
For those with more time, you should definitely break up your meals into at least 5 smaller meals. At the very least, breakfast SHOULD NEVER be skipped. I can tell you from personal experience, if breakfast is skipped, you could find yourself at Dunkin Donuts, ordering a bacon/egg on a plain bagel and wash it down with a Double Chocolate donut.
Friday, September 4, 2009
Don't forget the real reason for this weekend...
As some of us are scrambling to get out of work and try to beat traffic only to sit in the inevitable parking lot, please don't forget those that can't enjoy a day off...
The Wounded Warrior Project
Operation Phoenix
Any Solider Inc.
Happy Labor Day!! And if you're part of any uniformed personnel, THANK YOU!!
The Wounded Warrior Project
Operation Phoenix
Any Solider Inc.
Happy Labor Day!! And if you're part of any uniformed personnel, THANK YOU!!
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Yesterday's workout
Deadlift: 275lbs x 10 reps
Bench Chest: 135lbs + 30lbs chains x 10 reps
Lat Pulldown: 165lbs x 10 reps
Shoulder Press: 45lbs x 8; 40lbs x 8; 35lbs x 6; 30lbs x 4
Unilateral Leg Press: 230lbs x 20 reps
Farmer's Walk: 100lb plates in each hand x 200ft round trip
This is probably one of the tougher workouts I've ever done. The worst part about this is/was the Farmer's Walk. Although this is an extreme version, the exercise is still the same.
Deadlift: 275lbs x 10 reps
Bench Chest: 135lbs + 30lbs chains x 10 reps
Lat Pulldown: 165lbs x 10 reps
Shoulder Press: 45lbs x 8; 40lbs x 8; 35lbs x 6; 30lbs x 4
Unilateral Leg Press: 230lbs x 20 reps
Farmer's Walk: 100lb plates in each hand x 200ft round trip
This is probably one of the tougher workouts I've ever done. The worst part about this is/was the Farmer's Walk. Although this is an extreme version, the exercise is still the same.
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