Push Up challenge - JILLIAN MICHAELS

Push, Pull, Push, Pull. Pushing Past My Mind.

Oh yeah.  That hurt so good.  As Jillian Michaels once said "Unless You Puke, Faint or Die, Keep Going!"  This was one of those swim practices that I had to get beyond my head and just do it.  Enough of the slogans…

The Workout:
500 Loosen.  Oh well I did a 550 since I messed up how much I wanted to pull.  So a 550 followed by a 200 kick with fins.

3x100's on 1:40 Swim/Kick/Pull/Build by 25 (300/1050)

1x800 Good Pace - Even Split.  Well I tried.  My first 100 I was still working out the kinks and aches.  Was a 1:25.  But picked it up for a 200 but fell back for the 4th 100.  Then I picked it up.  I came in at about 10:30 which is 10 seconds faster then the 1:20 pace I was shooting for.  So that was llke a 1:18:45 pace or average.

4x100's on 1:30 descending.  Shit.  No I can't remember what I did.  Umm…I think it was 14, 13, 12 and 10.  Or something close to that.

1 minute rest
4x100's Pace on 1:45 holding the time of the last 100 which for me was 1:10 if I recall.  I did the first one on 1:10 then 1:07, 1:07 and 1:08. 

1 minute rest
4x100's on 2 Minute.  Pace/Fast/Pace/Fast so 1:20's for my two pace.  I forget my first fast one but my last fast one was like a 1:05.  I was shooting for a 1:01 but meh.  I really had to dig deep for the last 4.  I was the only person in the pool and no coach around.  So I had to push myself on the honor system.   Never been really good with that.  Mind over matter and matter usually wins.

2,000 main set plus 50 easy makes it 3100 yard workout.  Not bad for a Thursday.  Oh and I gotta admit I'm hurting.  My lats were burning during those 100's.  Really had to dig deep, think about my stroke and push through it.  Good swim!

The Biggest Loser - Season 11 Week 3 The Unknowns Big Reveal

The episode begins with a montage going back to episode one when the contestants had top pick between Bob & Jillian or The Unknowns.  Then The Unknowns were revealed…

Golden Glove Champion Cara Castronova and Brett Hoebel.  Then we are shown last week's post weigh in chat with The Unknown Contestants.  Q is confronted by others to step it up this week. 

Back at The Ranch the contestants meet Ali on a rainy day when then two black vans pull up.  The Unknowns then step out of the vans just in time for a Challenge.  The winner of this week's Challenge from The Unknowns and from The Ranch will get to have dinner with Curtis Stone.  At this dinner the team who correctly guesses the caloric value of this meal will win a 2 pound advantage.  The Challenge was to hold an egg in a frying pan for a long as possible.  Last one standing wins.  The twist, the frying pan is to be held upside down.  The Unknowns working together as a team all toss their eggs over the wall towards The Ranch contestants.  All of The Unknowns but Denise who is left standing.  Over on The Ranch side each team fell one by one leaving Marci as the last one standing. 

After that Doctor H got to meet The Unknowns and talk about health with them all to shock them into motivation.  Then Brett and Cara work the contestants over a hard workout.  Meanwhile on The Ranch Bob puts the contestant on a mixed weight and cardio workout while Jillian takes Dan and Don on a hike to talk to them. 

Then it was time for Denise and Marci to head to The Four Seasons to have dinner with Curtis Stone.  Here is the meal they prepared -

 

Roasted Acorn Squash, Pomegranate and Arugula Salad

Ingredients
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
2 teaspoons sherry vinegar
1 shallot, cut into thin slices
1/2 large acorn squash (about 18 ounces), peeled, halved, seeds removed, cut into 1 inch wedges
2 cloves garlic
2 spring thyme
4 cups wild arugula
1 tablespoon pomegranate seeds
1 tablespoon toasted pine nuts

see full recipe on nbc.com

Pan-Seared Halibut with Quinoa and Parsley Vinaigrette

Ingredients
For the quinoa:
2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
1 shallot, finely diced
1 clove garlic, finely diced

1 cup uncooked quinoa 1 cup low (or no) sodium chicken or vegetable stock

For the vinaigrette:
3/4 tablespoon shallots, finely diced
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons fresh flat leaf parsley, roughly chopped

1 teaspoon olive oil
4 four-ounce halibut fillets (each about 1-1/2 inch thick)

see full recipe on nbc.com

Cider-Poached Pears with Yogurt and Toasted Almonds

Ingredients
1 cup apple cider
1 orange, juice (approx 1/2 cup) of and zest divided (1 teaspoon grated and peel)
1 vanilla pod, split lengthways
1 cinnamon stick
2 star anise
2 pears, peeled, halved and cores removed with Parisian scoop (melon baller)
1/2 cup nonfat Greek yogurt
1 teaspoon orange zest
1-1/2 tablespoons sliced and toasted almonds

see the full recipe on nbc.com

Then it was time for this weeks challenge for The Ranch Contestants.  The Challenge was to pump water by hand into a q-drum then pull the q-drum up a 1/2 mile path and empty it until a barrel.  They can fill any barrel they like but as the barrel of a team is filled that team is eliminated.  The Ranch Contestants come up with a plan to leave Irene standing.  Why?  Well the last team standing will be the only vote during this weeks elimination and Irene is the only one so far to face elimination.  So they gave it to her.  Afterwards Bob and Jillian met with the contestants and continue to talk to Dan and Don about being committed to being on The Ranch.  Then it was time for The Last Chance Workout.

 The Weigh In -

This week we had a montage video of The Unknowns weigh in.  This week Q lost a total of 19 pounds.  We also learned that Moses has lost 64 pounds in three weeks.  At The Ranch…

Marci weighed in at 211 -7 pounds this week
Courtney weighed in at 292 -6 pounds this week
So Team Aqua lost 13 pounds or -2.91%

Irene weighed in at 224 -8 pounds this week
So Team Orange lost 8 pounds or -3.44%

Jay weighed in at 350 -14 pounds this week
Jennifer weighed in at 242 -8 pounds this week
So Team Green lost 22 pounds or -3.58%

Jesse weighed in at 269 -9 pounds this week
Arthur weighed in at 459 -4 pounds this week
So Team Blue lost 13 pounds or -1.75%

Hanah weighed in at 220 -6 pounds this week
Olivia weighed in at 233 -6 pounds this week
So Team Purple lost 12 pounds or -2.58%

Are you sitting down?

Dan weighed in at 289 +9, yeah plus nine!
Don weighed in at 274 +9, yeah plus nine!
So Team Black GAINED 18 pounds or +3.31%

Both Dan and Don insisted that they didn't throw the weigh in but it was clear that Dan wanted to be home with his daughter so he was granted his wish and sent home. 

Next week is the last week that The Unknowns have immunity so it's going to be a fun week to see who remains standing at The Ranch.

Jillian Michaels Fitness Ultimatum 2011 Video Trailer

I'm in The Biggest Loser withdrawal!  So I watched the video for the 3rd edition or a.k.a. Jillian Michaels Fitness Ultimatum 2011...

 

The Biggest Loser - Season 10 Episode 12 The Marathon

 This weeks episode picks up with the final four contestants Ada, Patrick, Elizabeth and Frado in the elimination room being told they were going to home.   Since Frado won last week's weight loss weigh in his prize would be a visit from chef Curtis Stone to cook a healthy meal. 

We then see each of the contestants go home to meet family.  At home they watch a DVD with both Bob and Jillian.  The dvd is a montage of moments of each of the contestants showing how far they have come.  When you watch Frado watching with his family you can't help but be impressed by his change.  He looks like a different man.  As does Patrick and Ada.  Ada watches the video with her family and in another Ada tear jerker moment Ada's family tells her how much they love her.  I was so close to breaking down and crying.  Then they all found out that they will be running a marathon when the return to the ranch in six weeks!  Each of the contestants get a suprise visit from one of the trainers and hit the gym. Patrick was playing the new The Biggest Loser game on Wii with his kids which was cute.  I gotta dust off my copy of the game and play again. 

This week's Trainer Tip came from Bob and was about eating a healthy breakfast.  He suggested poached eggs and whole grain toast.  Then in another cooking spotlight Elizabeth and her new boyfriend made a breakfast pizza using Jennie-O Turkey Bacon. Elizabeth used Jennie-O Turkey Bacon, mushrooms, sauted onions, eggs and a little cheese.  But the recipe wasn't printed on the screen so I didn't get it.  But I did find a Four Seasons Bacon Breakfast Pizza at jennieo.com.

The Marathon!  This years marathon keeps with the Play It Forward theme by awarding each contestant that finishes a check for $10,000 to be donated to a charity of thier choice.  Ada has been training really hard trying to break Tara Costa's Biggest Loser Marathon record time.  Once the marathon started Ada was strong and took the early lead.  Patrick and Frado stuck together a bit behind and Elizabeth was last.  More montages of this past season in between various mile markers.  Elizabeth comments that she doesn't care if it takes her till tomorrow but she will finish.  At mile 14 Bob meets up with Ada and runs with her for a bit.  Ada needed a potty break and lost 6 minutes of time.  Frado was joined by one of his daughters at mile 16.  Ada kept her lead and was joined by friends at mile 20.  Patrick pulled a bit ahead of Frado to keep strong in second and was joined by some family members.  Frado was joined by his other kids at mile 20.  Elizabeth had her sister to push her to the end.  Ada finished first with a new Biggest Loser Marathon record time of 4:38.46.  Then Patrick pulled in second with a time of 5:45ish.  Frado finished third with 5:51.13.  While Elizabeth finished strong with a time of 7:27ish.  The ish'es are cuz' I was watching it on a non-dvr equiped tv tonight. 

The weigh in...

The last weigh in on the ranch before next week's live finale!  The two contestants with the highest % of weight loss will be quaranteed a spot in the final three.  The two contestants with the lowest % of weight loss will face elimination by at home voters on nbc.com.

Elizabeth: originally she weighed 244 pounds and 6 weeks ago weighed in at 192.  This week she weighed in at 177 pounds.  That is -17 pounds or 7.81%.  She has lost 67 pounds so far.

Frado: originally he weighed 367 pounds and 6 weeks ago weighed in at 248.  This week he weighed in at 221 pounds.  That is -27 pounds or 10.89%.  Frado has lost 146 pounds so far.

Ada:  originally she weighed 258 pounds and 6 weeks ago weighed in at 167.  This week she weighed in at 167 pounds.  That is -12 pounds or 6.7%.  Ada has lost 91 pounds so far.

Patrick:  originally he weighed 400 pounds and 6 weeks ago weighed in at 244.  This week he weighed in at 244 pounds.  That is -35 pounds or 12.54%.  Patrick has lost 156 pounds so far.

Patrick and Frado are going on to next week's final 3 finale!  While Ada and Elizabeth face elimination from at home viewers.  So go home and vote to send Elizabeth home!  Yup, GO ADA!  Let Ada go on to the final three!  She can win this!

Jillian Michaels smoking hot "No Sweat" GoDaddy.com commercial

This Week's The Biggest Loser News Round Up

Normally when I do my sorta-daily swimming news roundup I add a weekly Tuesday review of The Biggest Loser news.  But starting today I'm giving the show it's only little post.  Mostly cuz' I love the show and making it my mission to make everyone as addicted to the show as I am.  Hell I tivo'ed the one hour QVC Biggest Loser show selling overpriced food steamers.  So here are this weeks The Biggest Loser links -

1.  After last weeks season opener of The Biggest Loser in which 5 contestants puked after a workout the That's Fit blog asks: "Does Vomiting Equal a Better Workout?" LINK.  Personally I've puked many times over the years when working out and have seen people puking at swim meets, 5Ks, 10Ks, 1/2 Marathons and even at my local gym.  So when the article says that puking doesn't happen very often in the real world you gotta take it with a pound of salt. 

2.  That's Fit recaps Episode 1 of Season 9 of The Biggest Loser in case you missed last weeks' episode LINK.  The other week Bravo replayed the season of The Biggest Loser without Jillian and I got to admit I missed her so much.  So glad she's back once again for Season 9!

3.  Former Biggest Loser contestant Erik Chopin gained his weight back and talks to That's Fit about his new show on Discovery Health LINK.  You might have seen Erik on Oprah discussing YoYo dieting last year.

4. Jillian, Jillian, Jillian!  I've never been a fan of all those detox diet plans so it was interesting to read FitSugar post about "JumpStart 14 Day Cleanse and Burn, a detox system endorsed by trainer Jillian Michaels" LINK.  Still not a fan of these products but if it works for you then fine otherwise just eat healthier and drink more water.

5.  Jillian Michael's is a mini-excercise empire with video games workout dvd's and website.  That's Fit reviews her latest DVD "30 Day Shred" LINK.  I've tried to watch workout videotapes and the on-demand workouts but just never stick to it.  To me nothing beats going to an organized workout class at a gym or studio.

6.  Getting motivated to work out is hard for everyone.  Fit Sugar points out that "Even Jillian Michaels Has a Hard Time Motivating to Work Out" LINK.  Although Jillian is payed millions of dollars to workout and keep in shape.  For the rest of us we spend millions to get in shape and look good.  So it's a little bit different. 

Next week I'll try to find some more news feature Bob.  Hey gotta get some eyecandy in these posts!  Be sure to tune into NBC tonight to watch The Biggest Loser.  And once Jay Leno moved out of 10pm you can watch the show 5 nights a week.  Kidding.  But I wouldn't be suprised to see 3 hours on Tuesdays!  Oh and don't forget the new show "Law & Order: Biggest Loser Unit"!

but wait there's more...

7.  These all sound like common sense but one more news bit "Biggest Loser Ali’s Skinny Tricks" LINK

Jillian Michaels told Ladies' Home Journal she would be glad to be in a healthy relationship with anyone, male or female.

From the advocate.com:

Jillian Michaels Open to Men or Women

By Michelle Garcia

Notoriously tough Biggest Loser coach Jillian Michaels told Ladies' Home Journal she would be glad to be in a healthy relationship with anyone, male or female.

“Let’s just say I believe in healthy love,” Michaels told writer Judith Newman. “If I fall in love with a woman, that’s awesome. If I fall in love with a man, that’s awesome. As long as you fall in love ... It’s like organic food. I only eat healthy food, and I only want healthy love!”

The Biggest Loser - Danny Cahill

Tonight was the finale of The Biggest Loser and I gotta admit I was torn from deciding which contestant would become The Biggest Loser.  Watching these people struggle week after week really inspires me to get out of bed and workout.  Yes, I'm fit but the stories and inspiration that each of the contestants really is inspiring.  Here are a few news bits about tonight's finale:

MSNBC - "In the end, it came down to two dads — Rudy Paul and Danny Charles — fighting for the $250,000 grand prize.  Danny dropped a jaw-dropping 239 pounds, 55.58 percent of his original body weight, to finish on top.   Rudy lost 234 pounds (52.9 percent)." LINK

Baltimore Sun - "Then Alison announces that there is a surprise. She calls Shay forward to tell her that Subway wants to invite her to the season nine finale to see what progress she makes between now and then. Bob says, "We want to push her a little bit farther." Jillian tells her that for every pound she loses between now and the next finale (in May 2010), she will win $1,000. Wow! (And, since this show is nothing without product placement, she gets unlimited Subway sandwiches.) Shay declares that she will be down to 204."  LINK

EW Interviews Danny Cahill - "I did nothing unhealthy. I ate right and I worked my tail off. I did nothing unhealthy. It was a natural weight loss and you can’t get any healthier than that. I was a couch potato about to have a heart attack seven months ago." LINK

The good news is a whole new season of The Biggest Loser starts Jan 5th!  So after eating all those Holiday treats it'll be time to be inspired by a whole new crew of The Biggest Loser.

Update:  I've embeded Danny Cahill's appearance on this mornings Today show but as always MSNBC doesn't keep video feed up for long so watch it before it's gone:

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Thursday's Swim Report / Things I May Have Missed

1.  I'm still waiting for the Food Network to call me about my idea for a Cook Off Show between GWG and Eamon Sullivan.  But till then Eamon still in the running in the semi-final in Masterchef LINK. 

2.  When Phelps heads to the World Cup in Berlin he may not get the rematch with Paul Biedermann the world expects.  Why?  a.  Phelps rival Biedermann has thigh injury LINK and b. Injured Biedermann's showdown with Phelps in doubt LINK

3.  Go Swim asks:  If you didn't swim, what would you fill your time with? LINK I answer: cheap wine and pillsbury cookies!

4.  Another question but this time from the USMS Forum: Have you considered investing money in a suit manufacturer? LINK.  My personal favorite reply "no, but I drink enough whisky that I invested in one particular distillery. "  

5.  Wanna Be On A Reality Show / Webisode?  Two casting notices from those trainers from The Biggest Loser.  First off is Bob Harper, he's back on MSN and teaming up with Planters NUT-rition with a webseries that will have Bob giving smart-snacking tips to mini-exercises LINK.  And on the other little screen Jillian Michael's new show "Losing It With Jillian Michaels" is having an Open Casting Call in Los Angeles (Culver City actually) this weekend and two days next week LINK.

6.  CrazySwimDad talks about Aging Up in Age Group Swimming LINK.  

7.  Size Queen?  Check out Go Swim's Picture Of The Week LINK.