Challenge Completed

On Saturday, I finished the 30 Day Challenge on the Wii Active. It consisted of 20 days of exercise with a day of rest every third day. Overall, I am very pleased with it. For a home exercise program, I thought it was fairly effective for something that doesn't require thousands of dollars worth of exercise equipment. Now, I know you are wondering one question so I will get it out of the way. I did NOT lose a bunch of weight. I think I lost a few pounds which isn't really that bad for a 30 day period. I actually think I might have even lost even more, but there were some days I feel I could have been a lot smarter with my food, the biggest culprit being an eat-fest between the Thursday and Sunday that surrounded 4th of July. Additionally, this is not really a cardio program. This is more a strength training/muscle workout type program. I probably could have lost more weight by simply going running every day, but that would have just shed weight, and I think, given me an easier chance of gaining the weight back.

It really did kick my butt the first half of the program and at the halfway point, the trainer said they would start stepping up the intensity of the program, but I feel it actually got easier. That could have been my body finally adjusting to the exercises or perhaps they actually were easier, I am not sure. I do know that the exercises that focused on arms were considerably easier than the exercises that focused on the lower half of my body. Arm workouts were mainly done using handles attached tension straps. Not really the same as using a dumbbell, but good for the layman. Leg works focused a lot on lunges, jumps, and squats, and there were many times my legs tried quitting on me. The only thing I felt the program was lacking in was exercises which focused on my stomach. Some crunches or something similar should probably be added in.

In the end though, I was very happy with it and I felt it was a big step up from the Wii Fit. It is nice to have a whole workout routine planned out with only a couple seconds in between each activity rather than the couple of minutes it almost took between activity on the Wii Fit. It was also nice to have a guided workout rather than taking a guess and doing random exercises on my own. A guided workout gives you a start and finish point where the Wii Fit almost seemed like a, "I'll just keep going until I'm bored." Today I started a new 30 day challenge and I stepped up the intensity by switching my exercises to high intensity. I did the first 30 days at medium intensity and I must say, today absolutely kicked my butt. If it was any harder today, the ability to finish the exercise might have come into question. Here is to 30 more days.

July 13, 2009 - Day 46

July 13, 2009 - Day 46
Originally uploaded by pokermanuel

This is a sign that I have in my poker room. I thought that the shadows hitting it along with the sepia tone really give it that old saloon-style feel.

July 12, 2009 - Day 45

July 12, 2009 - Day 45
Originally uploaded by pokermanuel

Pomegranate tree in my dad's backyard. I truthfully had no idea what this was until I asked Jessica. I thought a pear had something explode from its belly Alien style.



Today was my dad's birthday so we spent the day visiting. We had some awesome carnitas soft tacos with fresh rice, beans, salsa and man, was it all so yummy. I am sitting here still feeling it, and yet, it was all worth it. One of the things I did today was have my dad give me a tour of his backyard plants so I could take a photo of everything. I know he is proud of all the stuff he has and I thought it would be nice if all the photos were online that way he could just give people a link if they ever wanted to see all his plants. Or rather, he could have my mom give them the link so they could find them as I am not sure my dad even knows what a link is! So, the link is below if you are interested. For some of you, it just might look like plant after plant. Maybe for others who have gardens like Alien, this could be something of interest. Enjoy!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/pokermanuel/sets/72157621230204205/detail/

July 11th, 2009 - Day 44

July 11th, 2009 - Day 44
Originally uploaded by pokermanuel

The first decent clouds I have seen since I started this photography project. Was starting to hate clear blue skies.

July 10th, 2009 - Day 43

July 10th, 2009 - Day 43
Originally uploaded by pokermanuel

Sorry, I didn't get this up last night. I knew my friends Brandon and Yvette were coming over to play some games so I figured I'd wait on my daily picture until the night so I could get a picture of a game. As they didn't leave until after 1am, I didn't feel like putting it up right away. We played Clue and it ended up being Ms. Peacock with the Bat in the Patio. I think the B&W gives it that old school feel that an old game like this deserves.

July 9th, 2009 - Day 42

July 9th, 2009 - Day 42
Originally uploaded by pokermanuel

Myself in a gazing ball

July 8th, 2009 - Day 41

July 8th, 2009 - Day 41
Originally uploaded by pokermanuel

I took Jess to the park and did a shoot of her. Truthfully, photography is easy when your subject is so stunning.


Be sure to check out the link below for the rest of the set. There are some great ones if I may say so myself...





http://www.flickr.com/photos/pokermanuel/sets/72157621158314976/

July 7th, 2009 - Day 40

July 7th, 2009 - Day 40
Originally uploaded by pokermanuel

My weapon of choice. Some use their fists. Some use a gun. When I go into battle, all I need is my Playstation 3 controller and I am set for war.

July 6, 2009 - Day 39

July 6, 2009 - Day 39
Originally uploaded by pokermanuel

First, let me get this out of the way, there is NO photoshop here. This is all photography. Now, don't get jealous because I can shoot laser beams out of my eyes and you can't! This was actually really hard and would have been more in focus if I wasn't doing it on my own. But still, for doing this one myself without any help, I am pretty happy with it, that and the fact I have superhuman powers.



By the way, make sure to check out my 4th of July pics a few posts below. Some came out great if I may say so myself..