Thank god tomorrow is Friday.  Writing my mid-year reports are really taking a toll on me.  I am exhausted.  I hope I wake up for my 5am shoulder workout.  

Two Days in One

Yesterday and today were two very intriguing days.  Yesterday was my first back workout post-op and today I trained legs for the first time.  At school we had Dr. Marguerite A. Wright author of I'm Chocolate, You're Vanilla.  This books is a guide for teachers and parents that teaches parents and educators how to reduce racism's impact on a child's development.  As educators we speak often about, "an achievement gap," which continues to grow between the affluent and those of lesser means.  Dr. Wright brought to our attention today that the "environmental gap" would be a better name due to the role socio-ecominic status  and how it effects where we live and what parents are able to provide for their child in terms of additional academic resources (tutors), technology, and travel to name a few.  She also left our head of school with a message that we should actually write a book as a staff, discussing how we educate the whole world on how our school works to educate the whole child.  This term refers educating the child academically, socially, and emotionally...and create well-rounded citizens who can go into the world and make an impact. 

Now to my workouts.  Yesterday my back workout was awesome.  Very basic and simple with moderate weights, but to be able to squeeze and contract those muscles for the first time in weeks was a great feeling.  Prior to the workout I downed a serving of Superpump 250 by Gasapari (thanks to Adam) and I enjoyed it immensely.  Today I did a high rep leg workout that consisted of one giant circuit three times through with a rep range of 15 to 30.  The exercises were leg extension, lying leg curl, 50 rep leg press, seated leg curl, and alternating lunges.  I felt like I was going to puke afterwards, but it was well worth it.  Time to go eat dinner now.

Where was the Noreaster?

Last night I listened to news reporters back track as I stayed up late anticipating a possible cancellation of school today.  By the time I finally went to bed, I realized that the storm was going to pass over us  and I settled on the fact that we were only getting a 90 minute delay.

Today was my first day back since I left early on Thursday when my stomach bug hit.  It was good to see that my students behaved properly despite the fact that I was not there.  I received a ton of hugs and high fives from students as they welcomed me back.  

I led morning meeting for the first time today.  My co-teacher usually does it and I decided to give it a shot today.  It went well.  We played a game called "What's the News?" where the children greet each other and tell one thing they did over the weekend.  Of course one student asked if he could say two and I agreed due to the fact that one of them was going to be about the new addition to his family.

The day flew by as we worked on summarizing the story of Romulus and Remus and discussed scalene, isosceles, and equilateral triangles.  The students were all very receptive and engaged.  I look forward to the follow-up tomorrow.

My personal training schedule today was a joke!  I had four clients slated and two cancelled earlier in the day so I moved my 8pm to 6pm and my 5pm was a no-show.  I was out the gym by 7 and headed to Lord and Taylor where I did a little shopping for work clothes.  Felt good to get out early.  Worked for one hour...got paid for four.  Can't complain about that.

I will be training back in the morning with Deirdre.  We'll see if she can keep up.

Peace and blessings until the next time,

Jamel

First Workout Post-Op

Today was a extremely elated as I was able to step in the gym for the first time I train since I had my two hernia's repaired on December 20th.  I had planned to workout on Thursday which would have been exactly three weeks post-op, but I had 72 hour stomach virus that knocked me out big time.  When it was all said and done with I was down 8 additonal pounds and extremely dehydrated.  I stepped on the scale morning on the gym and weighed in at only 204 fully dressed in sweats.  Prior to my surgery I had re-bounded up to 218.  Part of my weight loss was due to a drop in calories while I wasn't training because I didn't want to hoard away body fat.

My workout was actually quite productive.  I decided to train chest and just kept my weights extremely moderate and focused on form and actually getting my first pump.  I worked my way up to 225 in the bench for 6 clean reps.  Followed by some DB Fly's, incline DB presses, and machine Fly's.  I could have done much more, but decided to quit while I was ahead and not push it to hard.  These next few weeks will just consist of moderate weights getting my body back in the grove and eating more calories.  I will continue to keep you posted throughout the week.  Tonight we are supposed to get with some snow and their may be possibility they will call school.   If so I will be off to train legs in the am.

Low Key Weekend

Weekend was extremely low and pretty uneventful.  I jumped ahead with school work and had an opportunity to see my niece.  She is getting so big and her vocabulary continues to increase daily.  She gets so excited to see me because I throw her up in the air and catch her repeatedly.  It was so cute when I was recovering from my surgery she said to me...."We can't go high because you have a boo-boo."

Back to the Giants game....if they don't pick up they suffer yet another first round play-off exit.

On another one week and four days until I can train again.  I am so eager to get back.  The plan is in place and I can't wait to get it done.  Nov. will be here before you know it.

Warmest regards,

Jamel

First Day of School in 08

Coming back from X-mas break is always exciting for most teachers because your children seem to grow up so much during the break.  I received so many hugs from students telling how much they missed school and couldn't wait to get back.  Either they are bored out of their minds at home, or they actually do enjoy being in school and working hard :) As I saw the pictures on my wall from the first day of school less than 5 months ago it's amazing to look back and see how much they have changed.  They are all becoming much more independent and eager and willing to take a new task with minimal resistance and hesitation.  I am also pleased to announce that everyone brought back their vacation packets completed.  On a different note one of my students become a big brother over break.  He was so excited to come in and share the news of his brother Kenneth who born weighing in at 8lbs5ounces.  

Today also marked the two week anniversary of my double hernia repair.  Today while working with a client I actually did the ab dolly forward then back without any pain.  I immediately contemplated working out tomorrow but decided to give it at least another week before I begin to get back into it gradually.  I have noticed that my energy levels have gone down significantly, I am up to three cups of a black coffee a day.  It can either be due to the drastic cut in calories or the lack of exercise.  I will continue to keep you posted on my progress and my children.  

Warmest regards,

Jamel

Happy New Year

Wanted to start the year off wishing everyone a Happy New Year.  This year Deirdre and I brought in the New Year by making a home cooked meal together topped off with a chocolate mousse cheesecake and a champagne toast at midnight (pics will be posted on my myspace very soon.

With that all said and done....I want to apologize for not updating in timely manner.  On Dec. 17th I went to a specialist to get my hernia checked out.  He pointed out that I had two....one above the hernia and another right on the belly button.  I then scheduled an appointment to get it taken care off on the 20th.  The surgery went well and the recovery was very fast.  Thanks to the arnica, antibiotics, and pain killers I was up and moving in by Christmas Eve.  Due to this procedure I had some quality down time that allowed me to sit down and reflect on the year and set goals for myself to accomplish in 08.  I consider myself to be very driven and the downtime due to the surgery gave me time to recharge my battery and get ready for 08.

With that all said it done I wanted to share a functional circuit with you that I put my final clients of 07 through.  Any questions please feel free to comment.

Circuit One (2 times through)

Stepmill 2 minutes (moderate pace)

UBE 2 minutes (1 minute forward, 1 minute back)

P-ups with toes of Exercise Ball 15 reps

1 minute Plank Hold

Reebok Core Stepover with Band Trunk Twist 15 reps each way

 

Circuit two (2 times times through)

AB Dolly Cone Touches super set with Plank Walks

Arc  Trainer 5 minutes

Circuit three (2 times through)

Push Press 15 reps

Kettlebell Swings 15 reps

P -ups of Ab Dolly 15 reps

Tucks on Ab Dolly 15 reps

Barbell Curls 15 reps

Peace and blessings in 08.  It won't be 2 weeks before I update again.

Regards,

Jamel