By the way, they are forming a new "Desperate Measures" class soon, just call the Norm Waitt Sr. YMCA... Be prepared to sweat. The staff there is top notch and never once referred to me as chubby.

Desperate Measures - Week one review

As many of you may know, our buddy Bruce Miller from the Sioux City Journal joins us in studio every Friday morning to educate us on all things cinema, tv and entertainment. Sometimes, we learn far more. He asked us if we were doing the media challenge at the Norm Waitt Senior YMCA. I asked around the station and sheepishly called the YMCA and queried "Are you guys having a chubby media people challenge and can I get involved?". Melissa on the other end of the phone was very gracious and told me I needed a "partner". I chose our afternoon guy Ronnie Lee and off we went to "orientation" that next Saturday.

I cheerfully checked in for Day one at the Y. After changing in the locker room, I opened the door to the studio where we were meeting...ready for a new "toned" me, I asked "Hey, is this where all the chubby media people meet?". A nice young lady responded, "No, this is Palates". I turned a deep shade of red, uttered "Crap" and ran out of the room.

Finally in the right spot, I meet our competition that included Tim Seaman and News Director Carla Kreeger from KCAU, Bruce and Amy Hynds from the Journal, and Monica from another radio station. We did push-ups, sit-ups, and a battery of tests. One of those tests on the treadmill measured our POV2 score. Lance Armstrong has a score of 70. I eeked out a 28. Our trainer Melissa said that wasn’t too good, but we’ll get it better. For the record, my partner Ronnie scored an 8. Just kidding. Read his blog for his take.

That night, I watched the Huskers on Pay-per-view. Hey, I spent $30 on it, I felt obligated to celebrate with El Fredos right?

Sunday - day of rest.

On Monday, I raced over to South Sioux City from work to meet at 11am and get our flash drives complete with our workouts. At this point in the blog, let me point out that the speed limit on that road to the Y is actually 25 mph and not 42 mph. I made a mental note to leave earlier next time after a nice conversation with a SSC cop. I start the cardio workout 15 minutes late. Then, do some relatively easy lifting.

I met with Angela on Tuesday night with Bruce and Ronnie. Holy torture! I’ve never been to boot camp, but this is the closest I’ve ever been. We marched around the Y with weights, did "suicides" in the gym, did what seemed like 3 hours lifting weights (it was probably 30 minutes) and then we all worked on our "cores". I don’t think my "core" has been worked in 20 years. Yikes.

Wednesday morning, my lovely wife left town and my youngest son had a fever. Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately) no workout today. Bummer.

On Thursday, I could not extend my arms because of pain. I walked around like "Hans" from the old SNL skits. It was this day, I learned the importance of stretching before, during, and after workouts.

On Friday, I was a bum. No good excuse here.

Saturday, I met with Bruce for a class called "Group Power" with Alfredo. 60 minutes of lifting weights to Euro - techno poppy music inspired to motivate us. They did throw in one Rascal Flatts song "Fast Cars & Freedom" during a contemplative moment when I felt like crawling into a fetal position and crying. The group was comprised of 15 very fit women, and 2 other men. They were all very welcoming. The instructor and several members all offered to help me and my buddy Bruce. I met with our instructor Alfredo afterwards and he told me that he does a 5:45am class on Mondays with about 15 - 20 very driven, dedicated people. Where do these people find the inspiration to work out that hard on a Monday Morning?

Afterwards, I was talked into doing a Power Kick Aerobics class with Carrie. I am not graceful at all. This class proved it. I did bounce around a lot and ducked out after 30 minutes. My highlight was shadow boxing to the song "Baby Got Back". My sweaty body gyrated and grooved in ways I haven’t seen my Senior Prom. That’s another blog.

On my way out, I saw a throng of people competing in the Tri-Sate Tri. I am nowhere near that athletic. I was hoping some of their inspiration would rub off on me by simply watching them go by....

Ok, here’s the Week One tally after taking a few days off to recover, El Fredos Pizza and Cheese Runzas from my adorable and enabling wife.... I lost 1.8 pounds and I feel a wee bit more energetic. I’m sure my POV2 score is up to a 29. Watch out Lance!