March Madness

When the hell is spring going to arrive? Real spring, not some bullshit spring determined by a date on a calendar. My wife is going crazy, the kids are suffering a full blown case of cabin fever, and all I want to do is chill out and watch the NCAA tournament. I hate television more than just about anything, but I am eerily drawn to the competition that unfolds during the first 4 days of the tourney. UW-Milwaukee is in the Sweet Sixteen!! Who the hell saw that coming? And the Badgers have a chance to move on this evening, not having to play Kansas in the second round. Go Badgers!
One more week until I can pick up my new Kayak. I purchased a new Current Designs Sirocco, sight unseen. I'll post more about the boat once the friggin ice melts and I can actually paddle the beast. That should be sometime in mid-April..... Next year I'm taking up ice fishing so we have something to do as a family during winter or I'm afraid we'll all go down in a hail of bullets from my wife. Winter can suck my balls.

I am an ass man. This is a fine example of an ass. 

Weightlifting: A running commentary.

On January 17 I began to lift weights again. I say again because it has been over 5 years since I pumped iron of any sort. An old friend, and cousin of my wife, and I decided to dust off the gear, consolidate our equipment, and get serious. We had been lifting hard, but with no real direction until last week. We are now finishing up our second week of a 6 week program that is pretty strict, at least for us.
Here is how it breaks down:

Monday - Chest

• Incline bench
• Flat bench
• Flat bench negatives
• dumbbell press (flat, incline, or decline)
• dumbbell flys.

Tuesday - Back and Shoulders

• Bent over rows (barbell)
• One-arm rows (dumbbell)
• Lat pull downs
• Rack dead-lifts
• Military press
• Side raises (dumbbell)
• 45 degree raises
• Front raises
• Shrugs

Wednesday - Off

Thursday - Biceps and Triceps

• E-Z bar curls (heavy)
• Dumbbell curls
• Preacher curls
• Skull crushers
• behind the head presses
• Triceps kickbacks
• Triceps push-downs

Friday - Legs

• Deep squats
• Leg extensions
• Leg curls
• Lunges
• Calf raises

Saturday, Sunday - Off

Sets and Reps differ depending on weight. Usually we try to do 4 sets of 8 reps on each exercise, but we mostly rely on how the muscles feel. Also, abs are worked every night we lift.

I am already seeing fantastic results, especially from the Incline BP. I was never fat, but my desk job and driving 3 hours a day sure didn't keep me in shape. I have visible pectoral muscles now, and my shoulders and arms are showing considerable results. I try to drink and eat enough protein each day (1 gram per pound of body weight).

My goal is to either lose 15 lbs, or 3 inches off my waist by mid-June, my 31st birthday. I am currently 195 lbs, and wear a 33 inch waist.

First post.

Here it is, my first attempt at blogging. Is that even a verb? I'm not sure. Anyway, I'll try to post here once a week and more if possible. I'll be updating my attempts at camping, canoeing, kayaking, other outdoor activities this year. I'll also try to keep a weekly update of my weightlifting progress. Any new tidbits of info with my family life will also be shared, and maybe a few rambling essays on my view of the world.
So if for some reason you stumbled upon my blog, enjoy my little tales and ideas.

Nick