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I really needed a superhero crossover today. Winnipeg is a civilized -6° today.

Mutant Diet Phase 2 Day 46
Literally I am sore all over. I am considering skipping the gym or doing a drastically reduced homework session. The problem with the working out process is when your trainer suggests another set or something there’s a tendency to say sure, what the heck. You don’t know you’ve gone past a boundary later. It’s like driving without a speedometer; you don’t know you’re going to be given a ticket until you hear the sirens.

Sufficient rest is a problem. Lots of little cheats and desire for food just to keep me moving.

And all the responsibilities can’t just be dropped just because you are tired.

In honour of anti-bullying day I give you Metaphorpho. I checked the Regina page today and it’s not bad at -1°.

Mutant Diet Phase 2 Day 45
Yesterday’s trainer session was interesting. Weight up. Body Fat down. There’s another measurement their magic scale takes which is how much water is in my body. Historically when I ate foods that I’m allergic/sensitive to I retained water. Now there’s a way to measure this. Once I get the water numbers, I’m going to chart them.

The good news is that mentally it did not bug me much. My theory of how my body works with respect to food and weight retention is becoming clearer.

The upgraded kettle bell workout was hard. She upped the weights I was swinging around and I felt the effects into today. I’m glad I plan yoga after a personal trainer.

Oh, and for the person who stole my towel at the gym from the personal trainer area, I hope the towel takes on a life of its own and throttles you.

After seeing the very silly Lego Batman yesterday, I offer this image of Batman villains. I’m feeling nostalgic today for Sandbanks Provincial Park.

Mutant Diet Phase 2 Day 43
There is definitely a correlation between situational stress and food & drink. When I look at my food log over the past couple of days, I see a few carbs sneaking in and my wife and I saw fit to buy and consume wine.

We did a yoga class last night and this particular Hatha instructor is what you would call a bit more fire-y. They say go at your own pace etc, etc, but seriously you go to the class to do the class not follow a different routine. Nevertheless, when the knees were being put on the shoulders, I opted for a butter fly pose.

I read in an article that will power is a scarce resource and in high demand. And is not utilized only for maintaining a diet/fitness program.

Now to go to the dentist for a checkup.

This image is in honour of taking my son and a couple of friends in Vancouver to Lego Batman.

Mutant Diet Phase 2 Day 42
Give the stress surrounding some aspects of my life right now (privacy and decorum prevent me from going into detail) I suspect that we’ll see the effects of cortisol levels on my weight coming Tuesday.

This weekend I need to prepare food for next week and I haven’t had enough time.

And it’s raining.

At least I’m taking four grade 3 kids to Lego Batman.

In continuation with the cat theme, this is Black Cat a complicated villain/love interest for Spider-man. Halifax maybe snowy now but wait until summer.

Mutant Diet Phase 2 Day 41
So, the alcohol showing on the food diary is strictly therapeutic. I failed a safety tip. Don’t go to Costco hungry. I had bad food there, but I don’t think it was too egregious. However, I was so hungry I was a public safety risk.

My son thinks my stomach is less round. I guess that’s a good sign. As a birthday present for my wife I sent her and my daughter to my personal trainer for a “fun” bootcamp session. They haven’t come home yet and I’m wondering if I should worry.

I have so many things going on I feel like my brain is a frog on a hot plate.

Enjoy the weekend.

I was looking for an image of an obscure character called Hellcat and I found this ensemble picture. Time to start planning summer vacation. Parksville anyone?

Mutant Diet Phase 2 Day 40
Oh crap, I’m way past the halfway mark. Day 40 of 77!

Despite my weakness with homemade vegetarian nachos, I’m feeling more on track that any time prior in this Phase 2 of the never ending Mutant Diet.

I was sore after a self-inflicted Bulgarian bag workout but am feeling today not as sore. It’s good to have some recovery speed for a change.

The personal trainer said she was going to mix up bag and kettle bell work so today I had better review my kettle bell homework.

I was looking for Nightwing, the grown up Robin and I found this cool picture. I wonder if the US Virgin Islands are paying attention to what’s going on at the mothership?

Mutant Diet Phase 2 Day 39
Yesterday I think yoga saved my day. I was really becoming more Quasimodo than Baryshnikov in terms of posture due to the Tuesday personal trainer session. As I limped into the yoga class I warned the instructor that I was going to be struggling more than normal. She asked what was up and the hips, IT band and shoulders were the problem areas. She said she had a few poses that could help.

During the class I could feel things opening up. Some serious side stretches really worked. By the end I was tired, but hugely more aligned.

Today I think I can do my Bulgarian bag workout. Carefully.

I needed a lot of superheroes today. I really want Turks and Caicos Islands to be a Canadian province.

Mutant Diet Phase 2 Day 38
If lard falls off and no one hears it are you still fat?

Surprisingly I lost 1.2 pounds between Feb 7 and Feb 14. Of course that night I ate chocolate and drank wine with my wife. I also screamed at my children and am in agony from my personal trainer workout.

Whine and wine.

So, if you don’t like either of my types of whining, try this workout and let me know.

Bulgarian Bag Routine
Lots of hip movement!

1. Pendulums – With Blue Kettle bell, support yourself on the ledge with your opposite hand and lean over the weight. Keep knees slightly bent but most of the bend is from the hips. Keep your back straight and allow your shoulder to be pulled down. Make 5 circles in each direction before switching hands.
2. Halo with Kettle Bell – hold kettle bell upside down in front of face. Keep close to your head while having the kettle bell circle it. Use pink and complete 8 circles in each direction. 2 times
3. bag Sway – the first exercise we learned together. Use the red bag and have it moving towards the straight leg. Wide leg stance. Complete 20 sways total, take a break and complete 3 more sets.
4. bag chop – the second exercise we learned together. Feet closer together, bring the bag horizontal to the ground and pivot on your back foot. Complete 10 reps in each direction, rest and then 2 more sets
5. Squat and press – create a ‘necklace’ in front holding onto the handles of the bag. Squat with the bag and as you are standing up press it overhead. Red bag, 10 reps. Rest, 3 sets.
6. Power snatch -the one where you’re almost hitting the back of your head. Careful with your back – do not bend at the top, core tight! Swing the bag through your legs and then pull it overhead and flip it at the top, straightening your arms. Green bag, 10 reps. Rest then 2 more sets.
7. Bag Clean – swing the bag through your legs then catch the bag when it is in front of your shoulders, keep your arms straight. Red bag
8. Half a swing – swing the bag up to one side and rest it on your shoulder/elbow.
9. Squat with the bag resting on your back. Red bag, 10 reps and 3 sets.
10. Lunges – With the red bag on your back lunge forward and then step back into a standing position. Alternate legs and do 12 at a time before taking a break. 3 sets.
11. Lateral Lunges – Still using the red bag on your back. Lunge to the side keeping your butt back. 10 on one side and then switch to the other side. Land with a bent knee keeping your other leg straight. 2 sets per side.
12. Shoulder Press – Red bag in front, standing tall with core engaged. 10-15 shoulder presses before taking a break. 3 Sets.

I found this group picture when looking for something else. I wonder if Trinidad and Tobago would be good for Valentine’s Day?

Mutant Diet Phase 2 Day 37
Happy Valentine’s Day. I had a nightmare last night that some mechanic had modified my Smart Car to have two steering wheels. I drove off with a stranger in the other seat.

Let me know when that one makes any sense.

Yesterday we saw Rogue One. Spoiler alert: Princess Leia gets the stolen data disk. Although I wonder if using the Death Star on your own data archive is such a great way of cleaning up your hard drive.

We went to White Spot afterwards only to be seated beside good friends and neighbours. The dad is a regular follower of this blog and said, “There’s nothing you can eat here.” At face value it’s true, but in the menu, White Spot said I could get a lettuce wrap bun and have a salad instead. That’s what I did and only mooched a couple of fries off my daughter’s plate.

Today I’m supposed to see the Trainer but the step count has been so low due to the weather and my cold that I figure I’m in for limited results and lecture on carbs.

I’ve done slow projects before but this one takes the cake, if you’ll pardon the expression.