For my second experiment, I’ve decided to get into top physical shape by exercising. I haven’t been to the gym since the middle of May and I’ve put on some weight. Apparently I’m not the only one. If you don’t already know, our nation has one of the highest obesity rates in the world and each year we’re getting fatter. Fast food, SUVs, and TVs have all played their part in shaping our bodies. Although I am not obese, I’m not as physically fit as I’d like to be – that’s why I’ve decided to get into shape. I’m not only doing this for myself, I’m doing it to inspire you to start your own fitness program. 
Now I know that you may think exercising takes up too much time. Time that you can’t take out of your busy schedule. Well I’m here to tell you that I intend to lose as much fat and gain as much muscle as possible by only working out 20 minutes a week (only 10 minutes for the first week of July), for a grand total of 1 hour and 30 minutes this whole month. That’s right, a grand total of 1 HOUR and 30 MINUTES of exercise the WHOLE month.
The exercise program I will be experimenting with this month is called High Intensity Training (HIT) and it packs a whole workout into just 10 minutes. This form of strength training was first popularized by Arthur Jones (founder of the Nautilus machines) and the premise behind it is that exercise should be brief, infrequent, and intense.
This may sound like your typical infomercial, but there’s nothing easy about this workout! The exercises may be packed into a short time span, but they are unimaginably brutal. Each one involves using multiple muscle groups at once. I will be doing 6 different exercises per workout, one set of each, until I reach complete muscle failure. While doing the exercises, I will do each rep slowly (10 seconds from start to finish). After completing as many reps as possible on one exercise, I will move on to the next exercise with only a very brief rest period inbetween (15-30 seconds).
Aside from whey protein, I will NOT be using any suplements during this experiment. I’ve decided to use whey protein because in order to gain muscle and lose fat I need to increase my overall protein intake. Since I don’t want to constantly be stuffing myself with food throughout the day, I figured whey protein was the best way to go. Whey protein is easily absorbed by the body, it can be prepared in seconds, and it tastes great.
Having given you the premise behind the experiment, I’ve decided to post the pictures I took of myself on July 1, 2009. These were taken before my first workout. After finishing the experiment, I will post the results and also go over the lessons I’ve learned. For now, I’ll let the pictures speak for themselves – and yes, I’m in my boxers.
I also took measurements of various muscle groups before I started my first workout and I’ve posted those below. I will be taking my measurements again on August 2. I’m waiting until August 2, because I want my body to recover from the workout I’ll be doing on July 29.
Measurements
These measurements were taken on July 1, 2009 before my first workout.
Neck: 14 5/8 inches
Chest: 38 1/4 inches
R Bicep: 14 3/8 inches
L Bicep: 14 5/8 inches
Waist: 34 3/4 inches
R Thigh: 21 1/2 inches
L Thigh: 22 inches
R Calf: 14 5/8 inches
L Calf: 14 3/8 inches
I also weighed myself in the morning before eating breakfast.
Weight: 175.2 lbs.
