18 Aug 2014

Fitness Goals | Six Month Update

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Some of you may remember my Fitness Goals post from a a few months back, well it's been just under six months so I thought it would be the perfect time to do a short progress update - checking in to see if I've reached my targets.  Here's a simple breakdown my previous goals and if I've achieved them:

- Gain 1-stone in healthy weight | I did but I ended up putting fat on too
- Build upper-body strength + muscle | Making progress each month
- Increase flexibility/relieve stress with yoga | Every day for six months, but slipped recently
- Improve cardio with running + cycling | Yes Yes Yes, been cycling 20ish miles a week
- Eat healthier + more varied foods/drinks | Still in progress. Enjoying more salads

nike lunarglide 6 2014 white, mens running trainers, nike new release 2014, nike lunarglide review, menswear blog, albam athletic sweatshirt Wearing - Albam Sweatshirt | H&M Sport Shorts | Timex Weekender Watch | Nike Socks | Nike Lunarglide 6 c/o Nike

When we last checked in I was tipping the scales at 12.8 stone, after aiming to put on healthy weight and gain a bit of size. Well a couple of months down the road I realised that even though I was gaining muscle I was starting to feel pretty porky around the middle. You know, favourite shirts were getting tighter.....I knew I needed to step up my cardio game if I was going to burn off all the beer, burgers + cakes. Damn Hollie being such a keen baker!

I discussed my issues with the trainer at the gym and they set me up with a more cardio-heavy routine, aiming for 25 minutes each session plus an extra session (making it up to five sessions per week if I can make it), which concentrates on cardio and arms only. I've been on this for about two months now and I've dropped down to around 12 stone, loosing a bit of fat around the "problem areas" without loosing too much muscle. For the past few weeks I've been running in the new Nike Lunarglide 6, but still, I'm not enjoying running as much as cycling! Which leads me on nicely to some new goals:

- Cycle 20 miles per week + 25 minutes cardio each workout
- Carry on with daily yoga to help with flexibility + well being
- Continue to build upper-body strength + muscle
- Tone up stomach, sides + legs
- Be more adventurous + varied with food

Sports Nutrition

I've been trying out various brands and products for a while and it's a majorly confusing subject. Here's a few products I've been trying over the past 6 months:

I stumbled across GoNutrition on a recommendation via Twitter, but I can't for the life of me remember who suggested it. They have a decent looking website and get good reviews so I thought it was worth a shot. I've been using a their Whey Protien 80 for a couple of months now and I've been impressed. It tastes great and mixes like no other and definitely helps recovery after my workouts. Tastes great in smooties or just with water (as recommended).

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Since March I've also been trying out few products c/o the people at MaxiNutrition (formality MaxiMuscle). First  I gave Cyclone a bash, which is designed to increase muscle Size + Strength. This stuff worked pretty quickly, within two weeks I was seeing results in both size but mostly strength. Ultimately, it did make me put weight on both my muscles and stomach so I slowed my intake down and gradually increased my cardio. 

Following on the team suggested I try their Promax Lean, to help me drop a few pounds and tone up. Again I saw results within two weeks, which if I'm honest I was slightly alarmed at the rate I was loosing weight; so again I decreased my intake to try balance things out once again. In terms of how both GoNutrition + MaxiNutrition mixed and tasted I'd say GoNutrition has the edge for me, and being more affordable I'm more inclined to stick with them in the future.

I'm really keen to keep up with my new cardio routine and weekly cycling, as well as bringing a new indoor rock climbing or yoga class into the mix - and continuing on with core strength, building muscle and toning up. I'd love to find out how your current fitness goals have been progressing this year and how you've found things over the Summer months?

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16 comments:

  1. Good job buddy! I haven't had a workout in weeks, with finals and the move, but now I'm all settled in, and looking forward to getting back at it.

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  2. Nice sneakers, I bet you could see them from a mile away haha! Good to hear you're still on track for your fitness goals. My main goal is to actually do exercise and winter has actually been conducive to that (easier to run on cooler days, fewer people at the pool).

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  3. I need to keep up with my cycling routine too but the weather here is still so hot! Greek summer, you know? I've working out with my husband lately at our place (not that! kind of workout) and I saw results finally! One day weight-lifting (maximum 10 reps) and one day squats, push-ups and abs exercises. And for the 1st time ever, I went to the hotel gym while in London. I thought it would be tiring but it actually boosted my energy (and confidence!)
    Keep up the good work!!!

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  4. Mat you are so commited! I don't think I could stick to a plan as regimented (v envious) as yours but I do try and run 5-7km a couple of times a week. I think being healthy in the summer is relatively easy - I never want to eat much in the heat! Good luck, continue the good work! :)

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  5. Love those nikes, they look like they are actually quite supportive torun in?
    I'd definitely recommend rock climbing, with ropes up the wall and some off the ropes bouldering. It is so good for all over muscle work, but is great for shoulders/arms/back and I think it would complement the yoga well as you do have to be agile to stretch and move around the wall.

    Keep up the good work Matt! x

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  6. LOVE the shoes.

    http:/amenageatrois.blogspot.com

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  7. Good work! Cool trainers. I signed up back in the gym on May, wanting to practise with my running and to be fit. I did very well, going to the gym 3-4 times a week (apart from two weeks when I was sick) and eating lot of salad but I don't see the real result yet, maybe just a slightly bit fitter.

    Katrina Sophia

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  8. Having set goals seems to be a sure fire way to ensure satisfaction! How've you found the yoga for flexibility? And people seem to fall definitely in either the running or cycling camp and don't often change. Each to their own!
    Lily Kate
    www.jolihouse.com

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  9. Anonymous21:03

    Have you tried HIIT (high intensity interval training)? Top way to burn fat and maintain muscle due to the explosiveness of it. Try 10-12 sets of 80m sprints for starter

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  10. smart choice in sneakers...i know because i got the pegasus 6 as well. :)

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  11. that's great mat! i had a rigorous running regime but i stopped a couple of months ago but i plan to go back to some sort of cardio exercise again. I have lost 5 pounds without going on a crazy diet but i did incorporate more healthy eating. i've been feeling great and can't wait to get back on that routine!

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  12. You have done so well, I am super impressed with your commitment too! My fitness stuff has just stopped recently, I really need to get back out there, I was doing quite well at one point!

    Maria xxx

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  13. I'm not with you on the Whey thing (hey-o, Vegan here) but oh man... the cycling! YES. I'm proud of you. I love that you're sharing your goals and success with us. Keep up the good work.

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  14. Thanks for your comment Kate. I have bought Vegan protien products before, by this brand here - http://www.pulsin.co.uk/ - They were really good actually but I just went for something a little more powerful. I wanted to be quite open without showing off my flabby bits!

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  15. I think you walked that line well. =]

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