I wonder if anyone reads this or if I should go to wordpress...thoughts???
Anyways, I have now been doing C25K for a couple of months. I remember when I started, my fiancee was surprised and confused because I literally was laying on the couch all day drinking 8 cans of pop (coke for my southern friends), and one day I decide to go running on the C25K after Megan and Nathan MacDonald told me people were doing the program.
I am still on week 5...though I am running 6 mins 30 seconds per run instead of 5. I admit, it is hard, and I want to run harder, but I think it is important to just run for long intervals.
I look back at 2 months ago, when running 1 minute felt like running a marathon, that I would never be able to do it, and I see how far I have come when it comes to minutes I am able to run. This 5th week is going to kill me, because I will end up having to run 20 minutes straight.
As I look back at my freshman year in undergrad, weighing 250 pounds and being about 6'0 and last month I weighed 277 (but for some reason lost an inch and a half in height), despite all my poor eating choices the last 7 years, I realize the only thing that has kept weight off is my tuba playing. With as many cokes as I drank and eating out just about every meal in my master's, I have to say I could be way over 300 now.
During my master's degree, I started a C25K program...well, did 2 days with my best man (Alan) and another groomsman Dorian. I remember the day we ran it was 7 degrees with a negative degree wind chill....brrrrr. Later that year, my teacher encouraged me to go to the rec center and exercise. However, no matter how many times I tried to exercise, a vacation, a stressful week, the rec being closed, etc. I always couldn't keep up with the program. For those who know me, I am pretty meticulous about stuff, and if I miss a day, I have to start over from the beginning...I have overcome my personality in order to be more fit.
I went to the RPAC at Ohio State a couple times in the first year of my doctorate (last year). This year I have less classes, but more recitals and such. I thought running would mess up my tuba playing (well, after a run still isn't the best time to play), but it has been helping it. I feel 30-40 minutes of running a day is helping my vital capacity and my ability to phrase.
I have been leading 7am warm up sessions at OSU, and I live about 15 minutes north of campus, and I will say the exercise has helped me wake up in the mornings.
How has weight loss effected me in other ways. I wore a green button up shirt yesterday for a gig I had, and out of all honesty it was pretty tight. I had a couple of students say it appeared I was losing weight!!! I got my suit slacks dry cleaned over the summer, and put them on and they were too tight! Now, they are loose. I have noticed some of my clothes that shrunk/fit tight after washing them now fit differently!!! Also, I have more mental focus.
After reflecting through this blog, I have asked myself, why couldn't I have started this when I began my Master's Degree. My friend Nathan MacDonald who helped me start this keeps a blog, http://nathanalbert.wordpress.com, and I was looking at the runs he has done. He did his first 5K in April 2010! He is now training for a half marathon and has done a 10K race, now 2.5 years later, and has lost over 125 pounds. I have a non-tuba related life goal: I want to run a few marathons in my life!!! I have to start small, so running 20 minutes straight will have to do for now.
My recommendation: if you aren't exercising now, start now. The older you get, the more your body falls into a set routine and the harder it is to get out of that routine. If you need a support group, I know several guys and an online facebook group (SAWS) that would be very helpful and welcoming!
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Monday, September 24, 2012
Towards Better Health
I really need to get in the habit of updating my blog more!
Well school has started, and this upcoming week is going to be a very busy/stressful one. I have a Russian Unit due which I need to work more on, a wind symphony concert Thursday night, and lots of practicing to do.
Two weekends ago, Jillian and I went to Lake Erie for our "one year of knowing each other" celebration. We went to Sandusky, Port Clinton, and took a ferry to Put-In-Bay (island on Lake Erie). I had never been on a boat before, so it was quite an adventure. We went to Perry's Cave, saw a lot of world record stuff, and had a nice time on the island. I am attaching select pictures at the bottom for those of you haven't seen them.
I had a gig yesterday, along with a brass band rehearsal, an orchestra concert last Friday (Brahms Symphony no 2 and Frank's Psyche et Eros), and I have just been extremely busy. A couple weeks before that I had an orchestral audition for the Springfield Symphony Orchestra. I applied for that audition 3 years ago and was declined, and apparently had a good audition because I was added to the sub list and was asked to play an extra excerpt than most. I wish my chops would have been less fatigued, but it was a great audition!
Now for the real good stuff!
Now, on to the title of the blog. When I got weighed at the doctor, I had gained some weight from when I weighed myself at home. Understandable, since the scales are different. But, as I mentioned, right now weight isn't important. On Saturday. I ran for a total of 15 minutes in 3 different 5 minute intervals. Physically, I am not running as fast or hard as I was before, but I am trying just to build up the long distance running, to eventually run a 5K. Today, I run for 8 minutes straight, and that just sounds painful...and I might have to go back and keep doing what I am doing now.
Anyways, I have reflected over the process of the C25K training program. I feel it could have been designed better, with smaller increments of time added on gradually. However, less than 2 months ago, I was on the couch having a hard time getting up and going up the stairs. I was dying running a minute (though I was running very hard and fast). I haven't been as sick, and I have been more energetic. I keep on looking at my phone to see how much longer I have to run (I need to stop this!) and I get down to a minute and a half and keep on going, sometimes not realizing 2 months ago one minute felt like running a marathon.
The c25K program (free version) is a good program...though I am not quite at the speed/distance to run a 5K, but to run the number of minutes. It works very well, and it is nice finding some time to exercise and stay fit. I am slowly cutting down pop (cokes for those of you in the south reading this) from 8 cans a day to 2 a day, plus adding gatorade and water to my diet.
Besides weight gain, I have noticed my clothes fit differently. I do not think I have lost any fat, but it is shifting and making my lower body look more normal. I will be sure to keep you guys updated as I progress on running.
ONE MORE THING BEFORE PICTURES!!!
I have to thank Nathan/Megan MacDonald for EVERYTHING regarding weight loss and being healthier. I have quite a ways to go to even be close to what they have done, but I am trying. Nathan has lost over 125 pounds since starting this a couple of years ago. I think EVERYONE should read and follow his blog!
http://nathanalbert.wordpress.com/
Pics from Put-In Bay Trip
Behold the Power of Cheese
Putt Putt!
The World's Smallest Margarita Bar!
The first boat I was ever on
Well school has started, and this upcoming week is going to be a very busy/stressful one. I have a Russian Unit due which I need to work more on, a wind symphony concert Thursday night, and lots of practicing to do.
Two weekends ago, Jillian and I went to Lake Erie for our "one year of knowing each other" celebration. We went to Sandusky, Port Clinton, and took a ferry to Put-In-Bay (island on Lake Erie). I had never been on a boat before, so it was quite an adventure. We went to Perry's Cave, saw a lot of world record stuff, and had a nice time on the island. I am attaching select pictures at the bottom for those of you haven't seen them.
I had a gig yesterday, along with a brass band rehearsal, an orchestra concert last Friday (Brahms Symphony no 2 and Frank's Psyche et Eros), and I have just been extremely busy. A couple weeks before that I had an orchestral audition for the Springfield Symphony Orchestra. I applied for that audition 3 years ago and was declined, and apparently had a good audition because I was added to the sub list and was asked to play an extra excerpt than most. I wish my chops would have been less fatigued, but it was a great audition!
Now for the real good stuff!
Now, on to the title of the blog. When I got weighed at the doctor, I had gained some weight from when I weighed myself at home. Understandable, since the scales are different. But, as I mentioned, right now weight isn't important. On Saturday. I ran for a total of 15 minutes in 3 different 5 minute intervals. Physically, I am not running as fast or hard as I was before, but I am trying just to build up the long distance running, to eventually run a 5K. Today, I run for 8 minutes straight, and that just sounds painful...and I might have to go back and keep doing what I am doing now.
Anyways, I have reflected over the process of the C25K training program. I feel it could have been designed better, with smaller increments of time added on gradually. However, less than 2 months ago, I was on the couch having a hard time getting up and going up the stairs. I was dying running a minute (though I was running very hard and fast). I haven't been as sick, and I have been more energetic. I keep on looking at my phone to see how much longer I have to run (I need to stop this!) and I get down to a minute and a half and keep on going, sometimes not realizing 2 months ago one minute felt like running a marathon.
The c25K program (free version) is a good program...though I am not quite at the speed/distance to run a 5K, but to run the number of minutes. It works very well, and it is nice finding some time to exercise and stay fit. I am slowly cutting down pop (cokes for those of you in the south reading this) from 8 cans a day to 2 a day, plus adding gatorade and water to my diet.
Besides weight gain, I have noticed my clothes fit differently. I do not think I have lost any fat, but it is shifting and making my lower body look more normal. I will be sure to keep you guys updated as I progress on running.
ONE MORE THING BEFORE PICTURES!!!
I have to thank Nathan/Megan MacDonald for EVERYTHING regarding weight loss and being healthier. I have quite a ways to go to even be close to what they have done, but I am trying. Nathan has lost over 125 pounds since starting this a couple of years ago. I think EVERYONE should read and follow his blog!
http://nathanalbert.wordpress.com/
Pics from Put-In Bay Trip
Behold the Power of Cheese
Jillian and I infront of Lake Erie on the Boat
World's Largest Celestite Crystals. Didn't go here but went by it :)
Perry's Cave
Didn't go here, but went by Ohio's oldest family owned Winery
The World's Longest Bar!
Butterfly House
Putt Putt!
My Favorite Cave Saying
Jillian and I in Sandusky
The World's Smallest Margarita Bar!
Mining for Gems
Friday, August 24, 2012
Settling in...and tired of being myself!
The school year has started, and the Russian class looks to be very hard. I have to just be able to read it, but I kind of want to speak it too. As I wait for it all to print off 300 pages for the Russian independent study course, I was reflecting about how far I have come and that I am starting to settle in to a routine.
Yesterday, after ensemble auditions, I decided to come home early and relax a little, and get a haircut. It was so relaxing not staying at school till 6:30 and actually beating my fiancee home.
For those of you who don't know, I am doing a couch to 5K running program. Yesterday, I completed week 3 day 1 of the training. I ran for 3 minutes straight!!! Though my body felt like it was going to give out, I somehow made it to the end. I do not know if I have lost any weight, but I am starting to feel muscles grow.
I have to personally thank great friends Nathan and Megan MacDonald in Tallahassee Florida and all the people on the SAWS facebook group for helping get me off the couch. I have read (actually in the brass gym) that the body starts to go in a routine by the age of 26, which I will be in less than a month. I have been feeling low on energy (still do after running), and my body just getting larger and fatter. I wish I would have been able to do a C25K program at Miami (started one with Dorian and Alan, 2 of my groomsmen, but it didn't last. Nathan has lost 125 pounds in about 2 years time, and he looks like a totally different person.
When I look at myself in the mirror, I am tired of seeing my current self. I have always felt this way. I used to be normal sized, but somewhere around 4th grade, a summer where my dad would bring home donuts several days a week, I started to get very fat. I was picked on for being fat, never had friends because of this, and people said I would never amount to anything, and that I am just a tuba dork/band nerd, and got picked on for being serious about that. The majority of the people who picked on me never went to college or dropped out, dead end jobs, etc., while I am happy, minus the weight.
So I am going to change something. Instead of carrying about pounds lost, I am going to focus on the way my body looks and muscle gain, instead of poundage. Here is to a new me!
Yesterday, after ensemble auditions, I decided to come home early and relax a little, and get a haircut. It was so relaxing not staying at school till 6:30 and actually beating my fiancee home.
For those of you who don't know, I am doing a couch to 5K running program. Yesterday, I completed week 3 day 1 of the training. I ran for 3 minutes straight!!! Though my body felt like it was going to give out, I somehow made it to the end. I do not know if I have lost any weight, but I am starting to feel muscles grow.
I have to personally thank great friends Nathan and Megan MacDonald in Tallahassee Florida and all the people on the SAWS facebook group for helping get me off the couch. I have read (actually in the brass gym) that the body starts to go in a routine by the age of 26, which I will be in less than a month. I have been feeling low on energy (still do after running), and my body just getting larger and fatter. I wish I would have been able to do a C25K program at Miami (started one with Dorian and Alan, 2 of my groomsmen, but it didn't last. Nathan has lost 125 pounds in about 2 years time, and he looks like a totally different person.
When I look at myself in the mirror, I am tired of seeing my current self. I have always felt this way. I used to be normal sized, but somewhere around 4th grade, a summer where my dad would bring home donuts several days a week, I started to get very fat. I was picked on for being fat, never had friends because of this, and people said I would never amount to anything, and that I am just a tuba dork/band nerd, and got picked on for being serious about that. The majority of the people who picked on me never went to college or dropped out, dead end jobs, etc., while I am happy, minus the weight.
So I am going to change something. Instead of carrying about pounds lost, I am going to focus on the way my body looks and muscle gain, instead of poundage. Here is to a new me!
Monday, August 20, 2012
Here begins the 2nd year of DMA....some updates and goals for the school year.
I honestly need to blog on here more. I know I should probably find more time to practice, especially since I have my first principal tuba audition for an orchestra this weekend, but I think a break is always good to reflect on things that don't have to do specifically with playing. I am hoping this blog can also serve as guidance to younger musicians.
I look back over the last 7 years in college and see how much I could have done that I didn't. Practice more in undergrad with a greater focus, work more on basics then, perfected aural skills, etc, or to have asked teachers to focus on this more. I listen to my recordings and I am never happy, but apparently this happens to everybody. However, I remember while at ACU I was often down in the dumps, single, never happy, etc. Over the last 3 years, I have basically reversed everything, because I am happy, at one of my dream schools to study tuba, working on my doctorate, etc.
Stemming from the last paragraph, I had a hard time being single, because I had never had a girlfriend. The single status often made me feel like I was an outcast, etc. Since the last time I posted on here, I have become engaged to the beautiful Jillian Mummey. Our wedding is June 22, 2013 in Chillicothe, OH. I will have a tuba ensemble playing at the wedding (because that is cool). We have moved in together already to help the transition and everything, and we are enjoying our new town house in Dublin, OH. I struggled through a lot, but I am glad to have found the woman I will spend the rest of my life with!
Anyways, I was reading my goals from last year, and before reading them, I just said, I probably have done NONE of these, much less to where I want them.
Better Financial Health--I have actually mastered this one (minus student loans), as I should be out of all personal credit card debt in a year, and as a married couple, we should be fine by time I finish this degree. I have learned to budget better, and make wise decisions with my money. I get an A+ on this one.
Better Health--This one I didn't do as much on last year. However, in the last couple of weeks, I have started a Couch to 5K training exercise. This last summer I drank a lot of pop (coke for my southern friends, really Dr. Pepper, but y'all know what I mean :) ), but I am trying to cut my consumption in half. We have also been eating in a lot more. I was eating out a lot but still budgeting my money, but I feel I can lose a lot of weight by eating in (occasionally eating out) and exercising. I started this, and time for me to continue it.
Less Driving--I guess I put this one because I had a 1992 Toyota Camry with 240000 miles that was falling apart...and I drove 30000 miles in the first half of 2011. So I did very well with this, even though I had to drive to Chillicothe to see my fiancee, I didn't put many miles on my car at all. I now have a new car, a 2009 Hyundai Elantra, low mileage. I purchased a west campus pass, so I am driving to school now. However, this will help me get home sooner and not have to worry about being stranded by the bus or waiting in cold areas.
More Personal Time--I actually did well on this one. I don't drink alcohol much anymore, but I have cable TV now...so I get to watch plenty of that! I tend to spend too much time on campus and waste time, but I am getting better.
The 10 Points--Did most of them decently. Some (like scheduling practice time and concerts) are not as practical, but I did hear some great professional orchestras, and since my schedule deviated week to week, scheduling practice time was hard.
GOALS FOR 2012-2013 School Year
Most people tend to make New Years Resolutions on January 1st. Being in academia, my year starts in August. This will be the 21st first day of classes for me, and the last real year of classes...however when I teach, it will still be the same.
Better Focus--I feel I need to be better focused overall. I might have ADD or something, like most people my age, but just better focus and goals. I am also learning Russian, a very hard language, so I need the focus. This will be needed, because the longer I am in school, it seems the harder it gets. I have other friends who agree with this, so I am not the only one! Also, keeping a practice journal.
Playing--My recordings will never be what I want them to be. I need to be more consistent with a couple things, but I need to just be me...get the sound I want, and of course (something that should be the #1 thing on all player's list from beginner to professional) more musical. EVERYONE can be more musical...in recordings, the ones I tend to like are musical. I have been bold and said I didn't like a few popular CDs because I thought it was just notes. I want to record a CD one day, and I know editing will occur. A couple cracks, a couple out of tune notes, etc can be easily written over...but musicality can't be created or added to a track (though over editing can surely take it away). Also, if I decide to do a recorded competition, that I need to have my accuracy at 110%, because that means when recording, it will be 100% and musical, so in case a competitor edits in any way, I will still stick out of the pack!
Teaching--like playing, teaching is an art, and one of the best ways to get better is time. This is one of my newer fields, but I really enjoy it and have always wanted to do it. Essentially, a good teacher and bad teacher can have the same knowledge, but it is in finding the simplest way of explaining things and such, and realize every time I teach something, I am still learning it as well.
The 12 Hour Rule--for my sanity, I refuse to do school more than 12 hours a day. This includes studying, practicing, etc. Last year, I had this issue. Opera week, concerts, etc. are exclusions to this. Now, with that being said, I will be on campus from 730am-630pm. This will help me keep school at school, enjoy everything, etc. Weekends will be determined by home football games (as I will not show up on those days). Also, practicing less but getting more done.
Better Health--Actually do more to lose weight and drop a pants size. Running a 5K will be a goal in here as well. Exercising more, eating in instead of all those greasy foods at restaurants. Also, finding a way for my lips to not be so swollen on F tuba and not destroying my lips.
Wardrobe Change--While I still may wear a tee-shirt here and there...polos/jeans, polos/shorts, etc will be the new dress. Makes me look older.
Plan a Wedding--well I will let Jillian do this.
Keeping an Open Mind--Okay, we can all do that too, especially in music. The ability to learn new things and grow as a person comes with an open mind.
Having Fun--Cant forget to enjoy life, whether it is playing, teaching, learning Russian, or writing dissertations, have fun doing everything
I look back over the last 7 years in college and see how much I could have done that I didn't. Practice more in undergrad with a greater focus, work more on basics then, perfected aural skills, etc, or to have asked teachers to focus on this more. I listen to my recordings and I am never happy, but apparently this happens to everybody. However, I remember while at ACU I was often down in the dumps, single, never happy, etc. Over the last 3 years, I have basically reversed everything, because I am happy, at one of my dream schools to study tuba, working on my doctorate, etc.
Stemming from the last paragraph, I had a hard time being single, because I had never had a girlfriend. The single status often made me feel like I was an outcast, etc. Since the last time I posted on here, I have become engaged to the beautiful Jillian Mummey. Our wedding is June 22, 2013 in Chillicothe, OH. I will have a tuba ensemble playing at the wedding (because that is cool). We have moved in together already to help the transition and everything, and we are enjoying our new town house in Dublin, OH. I struggled through a lot, but I am glad to have found the woman I will spend the rest of my life with!
Anyways, I was reading my goals from last year, and before reading them, I just said, I probably have done NONE of these, much less to where I want them.
Better Financial Health--I have actually mastered this one (minus student loans), as I should be out of all personal credit card debt in a year, and as a married couple, we should be fine by time I finish this degree. I have learned to budget better, and make wise decisions with my money. I get an A+ on this one.
Better Health--This one I didn't do as much on last year. However, in the last couple of weeks, I have started a Couch to 5K training exercise. This last summer I drank a lot of pop (coke for my southern friends, really Dr. Pepper, but y'all know what I mean :) ), but I am trying to cut my consumption in half. We have also been eating in a lot more. I was eating out a lot but still budgeting my money, but I feel I can lose a lot of weight by eating in (occasionally eating out) and exercising. I started this, and time for me to continue it.
Less Driving--I guess I put this one because I had a 1992 Toyota Camry with 240000 miles that was falling apart...and I drove 30000 miles in the first half of 2011. So I did very well with this, even though I had to drive to Chillicothe to see my fiancee, I didn't put many miles on my car at all. I now have a new car, a 2009 Hyundai Elantra, low mileage. I purchased a west campus pass, so I am driving to school now. However, this will help me get home sooner and not have to worry about being stranded by the bus or waiting in cold areas.
More Personal Time--I actually did well on this one. I don't drink alcohol much anymore, but I have cable TV now...so I get to watch plenty of that! I tend to spend too much time on campus and waste time, but I am getting better.
The 10 Points--Did most of them decently. Some (like scheduling practice time and concerts) are not as practical, but I did hear some great professional orchestras, and since my schedule deviated week to week, scheduling practice time was hard.
GOALS FOR 2012-2013 School Year
Most people tend to make New Years Resolutions on January 1st. Being in academia, my year starts in August. This will be the 21st first day of classes for me, and the last real year of classes...however when I teach, it will still be the same.
Better Focus--I feel I need to be better focused overall. I might have ADD or something, like most people my age, but just better focus and goals. I am also learning Russian, a very hard language, so I need the focus. This will be needed, because the longer I am in school, it seems the harder it gets. I have other friends who agree with this, so I am not the only one! Also, keeping a practice journal.
Playing--My recordings will never be what I want them to be. I need to be more consistent with a couple things, but I need to just be me...get the sound I want, and of course (something that should be the #1 thing on all player's list from beginner to professional) more musical. EVERYONE can be more musical...in recordings, the ones I tend to like are musical. I have been bold and said I didn't like a few popular CDs because I thought it was just notes. I want to record a CD one day, and I know editing will occur. A couple cracks, a couple out of tune notes, etc can be easily written over...but musicality can't be created or added to a track (though over editing can surely take it away). Also, if I decide to do a recorded competition, that I need to have my accuracy at 110%, because that means when recording, it will be 100% and musical, so in case a competitor edits in any way, I will still stick out of the pack!
Teaching--like playing, teaching is an art, and one of the best ways to get better is time. This is one of my newer fields, but I really enjoy it and have always wanted to do it. Essentially, a good teacher and bad teacher can have the same knowledge, but it is in finding the simplest way of explaining things and such, and realize every time I teach something, I am still learning it as well.
The 12 Hour Rule--for my sanity, I refuse to do school more than 12 hours a day. This includes studying, practicing, etc. Last year, I had this issue. Opera week, concerts, etc. are exclusions to this. Now, with that being said, I will be on campus from 730am-630pm. This will help me keep school at school, enjoy everything, etc. Weekends will be determined by home football games (as I will not show up on those days). Also, practicing less but getting more done.
Better Health--Actually do more to lose weight and drop a pants size. Running a 5K will be a goal in here as well. Exercising more, eating in instead of all those greasy foods at restaurants. Also, finding a way for my lips to not be so swollen on F tuba and not destroying my lips.
Wardrobe Change--While I still may wear a tee-shirt here and there...polos/jeans, polos/shorts, etc will be the new dress. Makes me look older.
Plan a Wedding--well I will let Jillian do this.
Keeping an Open Mind--Okay, we can all do that too, especially in music. The ability to learn new things and grow as a person comes with an open mind.
Having Fun--Cant forget to enjoy life, whether it is playing, teaching, learning Russian, or writing dissertations, have fun doing everything
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