6:00 AM Stretch with Cameron.  I only stayed for half of the class because I had to take a test that gave me my Resting Metabolic Rate. 

The testing of the RMR is a simple process.  A breathing tube is connected to a machine that looks like a deli scale with a laptop on top of it, in order to make sure all the air I breathe circulates through this machine I had to place a foam pincher over my nose.  The breathing tube was inserted into my mouth, while in a seated relaxed position I took big deep breathes.  After 10 minutes the machine beeped and the test was finished.

The result of the test gave me a great deal of hope.  In doing my caloric calculations last week I was disheartened that in order to lose 5 lbs a week I would have to sustain myself on 1000 calories a day.  1200 calories a day here is tough, and that’s in a controlled environment, back home it would be virtually impossible.  The RMR test today gave me a huge sense of relief. 

My present RMR is 3557 calories a day.  If I round that to 3500 calories it gives me an additional 1000 calories a day to live (RMR number of calories needed to lie in bed).  I know I can survive on a daily intake of 2000 calories a day, my RMR allows for an additional 500 calories.  It will still be very tough but I know the present number of 2000 feasible.   This realization made the rest of my day more pleasant.

My caloric math:

3500 RMR @ 7 Days a Week = 24,500

500 Calories a day for daily activities @ 7 = 3500

5 lbs a week @ 3500 (3500 calories per pound) = 17,500

1000 Calories @ 5 workouts a week = 5000 Calories burned a week

33,000 calories a week expelled – 17,500 calories need to lose 5 lbs a week = 15,500 Calories leftover for food.

15,500/7 days = 2214 calories consumed a day.  If I eat 2000 calories a day, workout 5 days a week for an hour I will lose 5 lbs a week.

8:00 AM Hike, back to Castro’s Way.  This is the hike that I didn’t know the name of which starts at the top of a ridge, and works its way down to a valley, and then up a ridge and back down another valley (and then you get to turn around and return to the van the same way).  I did pretty well on this hike, I only stopped once. 

The pace was set very fast today by two sisters who just arrived.  They jogged a good portion of the hike, I did my best to keep up but I still finished behind them by 15 minutes.  I am getting stronger both in strength and endurance.  I am even jogging sections of my hikes. 

It was the first that I spent an extended period of time on my own during a hike.  My mind wondered between reveling in the moment, and contemplating my future.  I tried really hard to jog most of the downhill portions.

11:15 AM Free Weights Lecture.  This lecture was lame.  Conducted by my favorite trainer I used the time to sleep with my eyes open.

12:00 PM VO2 testing, along with the RMR test the VO2 test is part of the stay.  The VO2 tests your oxygen levels in relation to heart rate.  It is testing to find your anaerobic level of exercise.   The same machine that they used for the RMR was used for the VO2.  The difference with the test is that I had to put on a mask that covered my mouth and nose.  I was then put on a treadmill, where the incline and speed was controlled by the person giving the test.  About 10 minutes into the test I wanted to rip the mask off, I’m not claustrophobic, but the harder I started to breathe the more I wanted to rip off the mask.  There is no time limit to this test, it runs until he machine detects your anaerobic level. 

The rest of the VO2 information sounds like this blah, blah, blah, blah.   I am using the test results as a baseline marker in the future. 

My anaerobic level is reached at 150 bpm and above.  Essentially at this level I am burning the highest level of calories.  I am not concerned about fat burning zones (lower caloric burn); I just need to burn calories.  All the test did was reinforce the principle that I am going to go balls out every time I workout.

12:45 PM PT session with Michael, as a result of schedule conflicts with Michael, and my VO2 test we only had 30 minutes.   Of the 30 minutes scheduled I had breaks that totaled about 5 minutes.  We continued to work on variations of the kettlebell swing, and shored up my technique on the regular Kettlebell Swing.  At the end I was covered in sweat, and my ass has never felt tighter. ..(Skinny jean time…No…really…No…)

2:30 PM Cardio Intervals with Sam, I did not feel very up to this class.   Sam is a great motivator, and every time he teaches a cardio class I think I get a better workout.  Again I sweat through another shirt.

3:30 PM Total toning with Carol, this class was comprised of 10 different exercises in a circuit.  We worked in groups of 3 and 4, spending 2 minutes at each station.  I was impressed how well I performed in this class.  I did not sweat that much, but I am impressed at my ability to perform all of the exercises in the circuit without assistance.  Example one of the stations had a series of 4 Reebok steps.  We chose to jump up the steps; I was impressed with myself that I could jump and down all 4 steps in consecutive order and without pausing. 

I did have a quick scare in this class, performing a plank was one of the stations in the circuit.  Angela who was in my group yelled at me for resting before time was finished.  As soon as she told me to get up  I popped back up with the fear of god instilled in me, and during the second set my fright over her bark kept me up for most of the 60 seconds that we had to hold the plank.

4:30 PM Pool Intervals with Ursula, first pool class since I got here that I didn’t slack at any point.   

The second day of the second week is over.  I am thoroughly impressed with how fit I am becoming.  I wrote yesterday that I feel like a skinny person with a layer of fat on the outside, I am marveling at the constant progress I am making.  In my head I’m becoming an elite athlete, the reality of it is I am just a fit fat guy. 

Tomorrow is a big day; I have a session with Sam, Cardio Kickboxing, and Mountain.  Knowing my luck tomorrow morning we will end up hiking Zuma Ridge. 

By for now…