A New Toy

Just finished making a sandbag to add to my repertoire of lifting odd objects to increase strength, burn fat, and build mental toughness. Just went to the hardware store and picked up 2, 50 pound bags of sand, contractor clean up bags, and duct tape for under $30. I made 4 bags of sand approximately 25 pds each and put them in a canvas duffle bag. The sandbag can then be adjusted according to strength levels by quickly removing or adding the 25 pd bags as needed. There's so many exercises that can be done with the sand bag that hits all the major muscle groups as well as the smaller stabilizer muscles too. Here's a few examples:Back squat
Overhead press
Grip work
Front/Zercher squat

Also, this is the end of my twelve week challenge with my friend Sue, to see who can get leaner. I believe this challenge (unlike the first one where, even at my fattest, I totally smoked her in the half marathon!! lol j/k) was a draw, since we both didn't get to our goal leaness or bodyfat % that we set out to do. But it wasn't for naught since I lost 16 pds and am now down to 177 pds and feel a lot healthier, have more energy, and actually stronger (my core lifts (squat, bench, deadlift) keep going up!). The main thing for me was to change my eating habits by simply making better food choices and controlling my portions. All in all, I'm pleased to have dropped some weight and still not lose much if any of my strength. My fears of becoming that skinny/weak bastard of my youth thankfully did not come to fruition. Right now my goals are to maintain this weight (maybe lose a couple more pds), but more importantly, keep getting stronger/more athletic and keep up the healthy eating. Here's the final pic of this challenge, but not the final one of my fitness journey!
Before( Feb. 3rd 2009)
After (April 30, 2009)