8 week challenge-Days 3 and 4

Wednesday Day 3
Was feeling a little sore so decided to do a light workout today and went to LT fitness for a 2 mile run on the treadmill during lunch. It was at a moderate pace and did it right under 20 minutes.

Thursday Day 4
My original plan was to go swimming again but Sara came in town and invited me to go out for a run. I hadn't run town lake in a few months so I knew going into it that the slopes and the heat would be a factor. I ran 1.5 miles before my first break. After which I was walking for a little bit and started talking to a couple of guys that were in training for the airforce. One dude was really friendly and said he was tired as well but wanted to push himself further. He challenged me to some sprinting so I obliged and we sprinted on and off for a couple of more miles. It felt great to turn on the after burners lol. Overall it was a great workout. Looking forward to tomorrow's 20mile bike ride.

8 week challenge-Day 2

Today was all about swimming. Went to lifetime and after a long hiatus (did i spell that right?) decided to get back in the pool and work on my swimming form as I plan to integrate a heavy swimming routine into the next 8 weeks. Mostly focused on proper form and trying to stay below anaerobic HR. I didn't keep count but I guestimate I must have swam at least 300M. It felt great to get back in the water!! Can't wait to do it again soon...perhaps on thursday.

My official weigh in on the LT super accurate scale: 249.7 (Doh!)

Sunday July 5th

30 minute evening bike ride down congress....stopped at Ruta Maya to web surf and check facebook....rode back and stopped at Tigermart for a Cold Frap and some Bimbo mantecadas tasty treat : ) Tomorrow madness begins..the gauntlet has been thrown...the 8 week challenge has been proposed...how will the Machete respond? With fearless warrior mentality...or will he cave at the wrath of the mighty cobra that stands in front of him...ready to strike with its venomous fangs and grab victory from the jaws of the defeat.

I realistically think I can chisel off 16-20 lbs in 8 weeks...that would be a 6-8% loss in weight....

Day 3

Well in the the terrential downpour that was yesterday I did not end up riding the bike to work : ( (although I had prepared for the ride in the morning which in it of itself was an accomplishment). Today was a different story...beautiful morning with a slight overcast and about 80 degrees). Left the apartment at 8:36 and was at work by 8:54....perfect! My heartrate was up and I worked up a slight sweat...great way to kickstart my metabolism. My PM plan is to bike back home and then go for a 1 mile run to test my back...holla!

I'm 29. I feel fat and lathargic. My energy level seems at an all time low. Something needs to change. Today I came home at 6:30pm after having a couple of Mexican Martinis with my co-workers and boss and after another relatively easy day at work and my plan was to go ride my bike (yes I was sober!). I went upstairs to change and decided to lay down for a bit. Well 4.5 hrs later I woke up dissapointed that I had conked out for so long and didn't even work out. I was starving and decided to go to Walgreens for a Digiorno supreme pizza and some French Onion sun chips and a Arizona sweet tea. Like I said...something needs to change.

So my plan for tomorrow is to simply ride my bike to and from work. I want to start doing this daily. It is a 4 mile trek each way so my daily bike ride would be 8 miles. This accomplishes two things. It gets my metabolism going first thing in the morning and at minimum in the case that I don't work out one day at least I am doing the bike ride. As I get used to riding and as my back recovers I can then start getting some cardio weightlifting in there as well as some high intensity cardio like running, sprinting, etc.

Here are some stats on the current state of the Pedro Garza union:

Weight: 252 (6hr high)
Basal Metabolic Rate: 2403.96
Body Mass Index: 30.7 (the website that calculated this for me told me I was obese lol...doh!)

Other stats that are to come are:
Body fat%
waist to hip ratio

Need metrics too....more to come

2-aday workouts-day 2

Morning: 10 mins medium intensity stationary bike followed by 10 mins treadmill run (medium intensity as well). I'm ramping up slowly as I still have some minor discomfort on my ankle but i'm still trying to get my metabolism going first thing in the morning.

Afternoon: Back and Biceps
1. Wide grip Lat pull downs, 3 sets of 10
2. Bicep lat pull downs (palms towards you narrow grip), 3 sets of 11
3. Dumbell rows, 3 sets of 13
4. Cable rows, 2 sets of 10
5. Preacher curls, 2 sets of 11

Post workout: Eucalyptus steam sauna for 10 mins.
Post workout meal: Ham and Swiss chesse sandwich and water

I also went to Randalls to buy some muscle milk and some aleve!! In addition I needed some french vanilla single serving creamers for my morning coffee and some almonds to snack on when i get the 10:30 am and 3pm munchies...

Midnight Torta

Howdy friends!  Welcome to Pedro's perspective.  A discourse on all things Pedro.  I have to thank my friend Gamez for the inspiration to start my blog.  After reading his Burger Blog I felt empowered to write about the itty bitty things that make my world go round....for example TORTA goodness!

So I had just finished playing two poker games on Full Tilt (those that know me know that I have to get my NL Texas Hold 'em fix at least twice a day).  Hey I know what you are thinking.... but it's not a problem when you are  a profitable player! (I have a 6% ROI...for the doubters feel free to sharkscope "la cobra").   Anywhooooooo....as I was saying...then my least favorite roomate (although a better poker player than I am) walks in and asks me "what should I have for dinner?" (mind you it's 11:45pm).  So I says to him...."you don't have very many options man...how about some mickie D's?" to which he responded, "are you flocking serious?, Why have McDonald's when you can have the best tortas in Austin."  Hmmm....I suddenly stopped checking out the features on Google's latest attempt to take over the world (chrome) and gave Lupe my undivided attention.  This was a very bold statement.   Too bold....it had to be tested.   Anyone that knows me know how much I love a tasty torta.   When I was in high school my parents ran a puestesito de tacos y lonches called "El Patio".  Oh my God those were the glory days. Everyday of my junior year after running sucides and wall to wall sprints under the regime of General Bodkin I could come home to the comfort of perfectly cooked carne deshebrada goodness!   So needless to say, I have high standards for my tortas.

The place: El Paisa taco/torta trailer (located on the parking lot of La Morelina meat market, 3600 S. Congress)

Lupe ordered: Torta de pierna (chicken torta)

Pete ordered: Torta de bistek

Well I must admit that this was a very tasty torta.  Pan Bolillo was nice and toasty, avocados were fresh, and the meat was well seasoned and tender, but calling it the best in Austin is a bit of a stretch.  Actually I would give La Moreliana tortas the upper hand because of the jalapeno and queso panela elements in their tortas.   Overall using the Gamez system of food ratings I would give it a B+ (although I love that it's open til 2am...and I'll take a torta over Roppolo's or Bestwurst any day!).

Panza llena....corazon contento : )

 

PS Tortas defined below (thank God for Wikipedia!) 

A torta is a Mexican sandwich, served on an oblong 6-8 inch firm, crusty white sandwich roll, called a bolillo, telera or birote. Tortas can be served hot or cold. Common ingredients may include, but are not limited to:

• Al pastor: (marinated pork)
• Alambre: (steak, bacon, onion, pepper and cheese)
• Carne asada: (marinated steak)
• Carne deshebrada: (shredded beef)
• Carnitas: (fried tender pork)
• Chile relleno: (white cheese-stuffed Anaheim or poblano green pepper fried in egg batter)
• Choriqueso: (Chorizo with cheese)
• Cochinita pibil: (pork loin in orange sauce)
• Camaron: shrimp
• Huevo con salchicha: (sausage and scrambled egg)
• Jamón: Ham
• Lengua: beef tongue
• Milanesa: (breaded steak)
• Pescado: fried fish
• Pechuga de pavo: turkey breast

Some styles include:

• Cubana: Inspired by the popular Cuban sandwich. Typically includes a wide variety of ingredients: ham, white cheese, scrambled eggs, sausage, milanesa and chipotle.
• Torta ahogada: a sandwich filled with carnitas and submerged in sauce. Very popular in Guadalajara, Jalisco.

Garnishes such as avocado, sour cream, lettuce, jalapeño, tomato, and cheese feature in various incarnations of the sandwich.