urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:mdelaney Michael Delaney Michael Delaney 2009-08-05T22:58:59Z urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:mdelaney:39842 2009-08-05T22:58:59Z 2009-08-05T22:58:59Z I haven't been in LiveJournal for a while. I was dragged kicking and screaming into Facebook and I haven't left since.<br />However, I did restart (big surprise) P90X over two weeks ago and I am halfway into week three. I needed to lose the weight and get back into my size 32 pants. I swore I wasn't going back to size 36 again and I meant it. I have been extreme. I have missed workouts, but when I do, I do extra workouts to make up the difference.<br />I am at 218 pounds and I need to get to 195-200 to get back to comfortable in my body again.<br />I am going to get to size 30 and 175 before Halloween if it kills me, which considering what I put myself through today, might not be too far from the truth.<br />Yeah, I did an hour of Shoulders and Arms, 15 minutes of Ab, 30 minutes jogging and will bike 2 miles to work and 2 miles back in the morning.<br />Tomorrow is Yoga, which I have been putting off for a while. I can't keep putting it off. I know it's what my body needs. urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:mdelaney:39466 2009-07-13T21:55:53Z 2009-07-13T21:55:53Z I intend to go to a Halloween party dressed as a Gladiator. I REALLY needed to pick up with P90X again.<br />I haven't been here at LiveJournal for a while since I got roped into Facebook. I never intended to be there, but a friend of mine invited me and I am sort of glad I did. I found over 15 of my friends that I haven't heard from in a very long time. I even found an old friend from when I was much younger. He had moved several years ago and I hadn't heard from him since.<br /><br />Anyway, I am back to P90X with a vengeance! Gods I hope it doesn't kill me. urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:mdelaney:39338 2009-06-18T22:10:59Z 2009-06-18T22:10:59Z What a workout! I needed to catch up (remember, our worst enemy is our own mindset) and so I did the Ab-Ripper first (to make sure I actually do it) then the Back and Biceps (A killer workout on its own) and then, after a brief rest, I went right into Kenpo!<br />Tomorrow I will do the Yoga workout in the morning (to take up time before all the stores open up)<br />That leaves Saturday which will be a stretch of Ab-Ripper, Chest and Triceps and Plyo. That will completely catch me up for week six. Only seven more weeks to go.<br /><br />I have been terrible about my workouts and I realized that I am destined to forever do hour long workouts five to six days a week. When I stop, my weight goes back up. Genetics was fair with my health, but abysmal with my metabolism and weight.<br /><br />Later! urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:mdelaney:38982 2009-06-11T19:00:29Z 2009-06-11T19:00:29Z I had forgotten just how tough the second string "Back and Shoulder" workout can be! I can barely lift my arms, but what a wonderful burn it is.<br />Summerland festival is coming and I want a Beach Body for the occasion.<br /><br />Just remember, the only competition you have is yourself! urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:mdelaney:38687 2009-06-08T21:51:37Z 2009-06-08T21:51:37Z It's been a while since I posted anything. The calendar shoot is past (though I wish I would have given more thought to what I was wearing.) Summerland festival is just around the corner (August 20th) and I am hoping to lose a lot more of the weight that I managed to find in the past year.<br />The P90X is helping, though I would be far better off if I could do this a little more regularly. I saw a poster that truly spoke to me. There was an athlete sweating with determination in their eyes. The caption said, "You vs. You!" The only individual I have to contend with and compete against is me.<br />If I can remember that, I can do this thing!<br /><br />Bring It! urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:mdelaney:38550 2009-05-29T11:42:00Z 2009-05-29T11:42:00Z Last weekend was a great time. The photo shoot went better than I expected. I wasn't physically where I wanted to be, but I was a lot closer than I was over five weeks ago. I wore my sarong and now I wish I would have worn the Great Kilt. It would have hidden some of the imperfections that will inevitably show up in the photos.<br />THe Bardic Competition was a lot of fun and I am glad that I stuck with it. I already have several ideas for next year. urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:mdelaney:38144 2009-05-26T11:49:45Z 2009-05-26T11:49:45Z Oh my what a weekend this was! I stepped well out of my comfortable boundaries for some fun in the sun. First I posed for a beefcake calendar shoot. The nice photographer lady took many... many... many pictures in various poses and various scenarios. I was wearing a purple sarong and wished I would have thought to wear my kilt instead. Oh well, hindsight is 20/20.<br />Then I gave in and competed in the Bardic Competition for the first ever Wellspring Bardic Chair. I gave it my best but I didn't quite have the necessary oomph to win. My storytelling skills are a bit lacking, but I was strong in the songcraft. We decided that the competition needs a score for popular vote. The judges have their opinion, but I think the people should have as much say in the judging as they do in the Mead competition.<br />It was a lot of fun and I intend to try again next year. I believe, as long as I am the Grove's Chief Bard, it is my duty to keep defending the Grove's honor!<br /><br />So, I am continuing the P90X as I am really liking the results I am still getting. I would love to be losing more weight, but my jeans fit nicely and I am getting closer and closer to the size 30 jean that wins me my suede pants!<br /><br />Later! urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:mdelaney:37952 2009-05-18T23:36:52Z 2009-05-18T23:36:52Z Only five more days until the photo shoot. No, I'm not where I would like to be, but I feel a lot better about where I am. This is a recovery week in P90X. Don't let the name fool you, the recovery week just stops using the weights as resistance and the whole body becomes the object of focus.<br /><br />I think there are possibly a few poses that accentuate the positive and eliminate the negative.<br />Let's hope for the best!<br /><br />Either way, this will be a wonderful week. Thursday Mom and I will be taking our annual trip to Cedar Point Amusement Park. We have been doing this for over 30 years. I was actually only 6 the first time we went. Of course, I couldn't ride most of the rides, but we had a really good time. We have watched rides come and go and seen the evolution of the park.<br /><br />After we get back, I will have packed for Wellspring. I will be there from Friday to Sunday. The photo shoot, I understand is on Saturday.<br /><br />Later! urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:mdelaney:37790 2009-05-16T02:35:58Z 2009-05-16T02:35:58Z OK, I know this wasn't my body when I woke up. (OK, I know, it's Friday and I've been up since Thursday afternoon.) I am about to take my shower after the second workout of the day. I did Plyometrics this morning and just finished Shoulders and Arms. I looked in the mirror and noticed my arms. Whose arms are these? I realize they are pumped with blood after the workout, but this is ridiculous!<br />Another week of doubles and I might just be ready for the photo shoot in 8 days. Or I am going to drop dead from exhaustion and I can be in the Dead Pagans of the Community calendar.<br />I'm out of here! urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:mdelaney:37393 2009-05-13T01:43:23Z 2009-05-13T01:43:23Z I wasn't sure I was going to be able to get a workout in today. Yesterday I spent the day mowing the lawn and figured my arms and back had more than enough for the day.<br />I had a busy schedule for today, but a meeting was cancelled, so I had more time than I thought and I managed to get the Chest and Back routine finished. So, I am still on schedule.<br />The photo shoot is less than two weeks away. I'm nowhere near where I want to be, but I know I am a lot better than I would be if I hadn't!<br /><br />I still have to finish my Assistant Senior Druid and Bardic report for the Council of Elders meeting and the May business meeting. I have to work on my submissions for the Bardic competition at Wellspring, and hopefully get my material for the Bardic submission for Clergy. No pressure.<br /><br />Later! urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:mdelaney:37192 2009-05-10T22:02:45Z 2009-05-10T22:02:45Z Yesterday was Raven's birthday party. Three of her classmates came to the celebration (each bringing a sibling) and they had a great time. Raven fell asleep, but she has been sick.<br />The family came to be with us which was a lot of fun. When we finally got home I was ready to drop down dead from exhaustion. I still haven't quite recovered and I still have to go to work tonight.<br />Anyway, I finally got my review for my Clergy Training Indo-European Studies. With only a few changes I believe it will pass. I need to find the source for a couple of statements. I also need the source from Bardic Studies to finish that one, too. urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:mdelaney:36888 2009-05-09T22:12:27Z 2009-05-09T22:12:27Z There are workouts... and then there are Oh-My-God workouts. I stayed up from 2:00pm Thursday and finally managed to get to bed Saturday at 12:30am. Then I got up again 5:00am Saturday for my workout (Legs and Chest) only to run down to the Dance Hall (2.5 miles) to finish setting up for my daughter's birthday party.<br />I am exhausted and will likely crash tonight when I do finally get to bed.<br />However, it was a really good workout, and a smashing party for my daughter. It's all worth it in the end.<br /><br />By the way, we are getting a kitten! Yes, we are finally breaking down and taking a kitten from a friend of ours. I am pushing for the tiny manx kitty that looks like her mother, but we won't know until we meet them for the first time in a few days. My daughter will be so pleased!<br /><br />Later! urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:mdelaney:36659 2009-05-07T23:24:07Z 2009-05-07T23:24:07Z I know they say that the body is 70-90% water. Which means I must be at least 10 pounds lighter just from the sweat I lose. I can't decide if it's better that it's hot out, which makes more sweat or if I like the winter workouts better when I can cool off outside.<br />Of course... I always have a nice little, private swimming hole... hmmm... skinny dipping sounds like fun!<br /><br />Later! urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:mdelaney:36372 2009-05-07T01:35:22Z 2009-05-07T01:35:22Z I can't life my arms. I went hard and heavy with today's workout and went way beyond my normal numbers. I finished the workout, but I half the muscles I can't feel and the others won't work.<br />It is actually difficult to type, my fingers, being attached somewhat to my forearms aren't really aware of where they are right now.<br /><br />However, I do love the feeling of hard worked muscle. I may not be ready for the photo shoot, but I can say I gave it my best!<br /><br />Later! urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:mdelaney:36148 2009-05-04T19:30:41Z 2009-05-04T19:30:41Z We are in the second week of intense workouts! I'm not where I want to be, but I keep Bringing It! Every day I just remind myself that if I slack at all I am wasting a precious day and my shot in the calendar is going to scare the rats from the basement and no one is going to buy one of these horrid things.<br /><br />By the way, anyone who is paying any attention to this... the "Pagan Men of the Community" calendars will be on sale at the Erie Area Fifth Annual Pagan Pride Day which will be held Saturday, September 12th at St. Nick's Grove.<br /><br />Hey, I have to make a plug, even if no one is going to read it.<br /><br />Later! urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:mdelaney:35886 2009-05-01T19:53:32Z 2009-05-01T19:53:32Z Every two weeks I have a glorious adventure into chiropractic therapy. My doc knows me and knows how to make al the aches and pains go away. Although, I probably shouldn't go when I haven't had any sleep. I think he gets a bit upset when I fall asleep on his table.<br />Of course, when he was done and we had the "Final Crack" I had more cracks than a nudist colony!<br /><br />And... BY THE KINDRED!!!! Wolverine is SOOOOO cool! I stayed awake for that deliciousness. There was almost enough Hugh Jackman half (or completely) naked to make fuzzies in your no-no places. It is a must see... again and again and again...<br /><br />Later! urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:mdelaney:35602 2009-04-29T21:03:27Z 2009-04-29T21:03:27Z I realized putting the day of the workout was ridiculous, especially if I wasn't consistent. However, I have been going strong and Bringing It for the past three days. I could have skipped and mowed the lawn, but I didn't stray. Any time I think about skipping, I just remind myself that the photoshoot is in 25 days and it makes it a lot easier. I did skip the ab work today because I simply didn't have the full hour and fifteen minutes I needed. I had to skip the cool down and the abs to get her off the bus and get supper started.<br />Now I need to get some sleep or I will never make it through work tonight. Instead of going to sleep, I went on a field trip with my daughter to the Warner Theater to watch a play for kids. A house filled with kids ranging from 3 1/2 to 8. I was subtley reminded of a turkey farm.<br /><br />Later! urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:mdelaney:35363 2009-04-29T00:10:12Z 2009-04-29T00:10:12Z Oh my... I've lost ten pounds in the last two weeks. No, I don't really care where they went. If they never find me again, that would be alright with me. I swear I must lose a pound or two just in sweat after a good run of Plyo.<br />Well, I have a walk to take with my lovely wife (who is also losing the weight. With luck our pounds will fall in love and move away to some far off skinny person.)<br /><br />Later! urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:mdelaney:35209 2009-04-27T21:44:21Z 2009-04-27T21:44:21Z I know, two postings in a day... what am I thinking. I just needed to make note of the fact that not only did I do my workout, work in the garden, mow the yard and maintain the Nemeton, I also managed to take a long walk carrying my daughter so we could go to the field to fly kites.<br />I am SOOO tired. I see a nap before work tonight!<br /><br />Later! urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:mdelaney:34975 2009-04-27T16:26:46Z 2009-04-27T16:26:46Z I wasn't sure that the calendar I spoke of last year was still in the works. I found out last night that the calendar is in fact still planned for production and should be available for Erie's Fifth Annual Pagan Pride Day sponsored by U-N-C-L-E (United Neopagan Council of Lake Erie)<br />That gives me 27 days to literally work my ass off. So today was Chest and Back, Ab-Ripper, a two-mile walk with Samantha and I did the 10-minute trainer with Samantha.<br /><br />I am so going to need a lot of will power to get through this without dying.<br /><br />Later! urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:mdelaney:34648 2009-04-22T19:55:04Z 2009-04-22T19:55:04Z Man I have felt like someone ran me over with a truck. Extremely tired and all muscles from head to toe are giving me fits.<br />P90X was defintely extreme today!<br /><br />The weekend is coming up fast and this should prove to be a most interesting stretch. Friday Sam and I are taking Little Bit for her Kindergarten registration and she is absolutely pumped about it. For a week she has been trying to convince us that it's Friday and we need to go to the school.<br />After the event, we are going to have lunch somewhere she likes and then off to the movies to see Monsters vs. Aliens.<br />I have to stop by the craft store to get some ribbon for the WreathCatcher I am making for next weeks Beltaine event at Brushwood.<br /><br />Yeah, we have several rites coming up. There's a Beltaine rite in Erie this Sunday, a Druid Moon Friday the 1st, another Beltaine rite at Brushwood the next Saturday. The UU would like us to be there for a Maypole Dance on Sunday. If I was really ambitious I would go to Brigidshaven's Beltaine rite on Wednesday, but their rites start so late I could never stay for the whole event. I would have to take another day off.<br /><br />Oh well, I have some soup to make for supper.<br /><br />Later! urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:mdelaney:34369 2009-04-15T19:54:01Z 2009-04-15T19:54:01Z We are six weeks into this thing and I'm still loving the plyometrics. I do feel it in my knees and I'm not liking it, butI let myself go for a while there and this is the results. If I want to look good for Wellspring, this is the price we must pay! urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:mdelaney:34113 2009-04-14T21:46:25Z 2009-04-14T21:46:25Z Chest, Shoulders & Triceps... arms like noodles, chest on fire. To add to the fun, went running beforehand, just because I like the pain...<br /><br />Later! urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:mdelaney:34027 2009-04-13T20:58:29Z 2009-04-13T20:58:29Z Between the workouts, the landscaping, the work and the playing with the almost five-year-old girl child I am feeling the burn!<br />Mind you, the weight is coming off, the Nemeton is absolutely beautiful, and the little one is happy, and so I suppose it is well worth the aching muscles.<br /><br />Later! urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:mdelaney:33587 2009-04-08T20:48:38Z 2009-04-08T20:48:38Z I haven't done the Back and Biceps workout in a long time. I forgot just how intense this one was. My arms are screaming, but in a good way. The kind of good that only comes from truly working the muscles hard without going so far as to tear something important.<br />I didn't do the normal Plyometrics yesterday, even though this is one of my favorite workouts. Why, you ask? Because my daughter and I took advantage of the snow yesterday. Instead of bemoaning the return of winter (we actually just figured Mother Nature hit the snooze button on Spring) we went outside for a couple of hours running up and down the hill sled riding. I would like to see Tony Horton follow a five-year-old child with a need for uphill speed! After two hours I felt like I had done the Plyo workout and a leg workout all in one!<br />But, such excuses only come along on a rare occasion. I know I had been slack (OK... really slack) but I keep looking in the mirror and looking at the digital scale and they don't lie.<br />Remember... 175 pounds equals my tattoo... size 30 equals my new pants... and 15 wide grip pull-ups equals a new mountain bike.<br /><br />Later!