Bangin Barca
There's a lot of great architecture in Barcelona.
This hundred year project is immense.
Episode #21
Sunday September 10, 2017
Barcelona, Catalan (Spain)
Barcelona: It's a beautiful day in Barcelona today. I've been out, but there's not much to do. My time here is growing short and I'm ready to make the next move.
Today I am going to update another week (8 days, in fact) of Bajai Body Camp... we're in the 4.0 series now. On day 90 I was feeling as though I'd gotten fat from bread and wine, so I changed things up.
Every time I get close to catching up, something happens and I fall behind. I mention this every time. But I still do it. Maybe it will be different this time?? We'll see.
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Bajai Body Camp 4.0: Day 87Friday September 1, 2017
Hotel Dona Teresa
La Albreca, Spain
.476% rolling out of la albreca
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The alarm played early. It's the last day of the program. Check out of hotel but not before thirty (30) difficult pushups.... standard. More difficult than they should be. Need more.
This is day 23, I think, of the squats-pushups-plank challenge. It's been difficult keeping up during the program. I'm 40 squats down and I'm traveling on a rest day. I feel I need to catch up.
The ride back from La Alberca, we stopped to photo this castle.
I'm restarting my vagabond ways. Four days in Madrid and then off to Barcelona. And volunteer for another week of English teaching.
Estimated arrival time in Madrid is 19:00. Check in... relax... exercise a bit and sort things out... and make plans for Barcelona. It might be doable by bus. After all, if I can do four hours to La Alberca, I can do it to Barcelona.
Meanwhile, six more days of this challenge and we've flipped the calendar into September. It's Bajai Body Camp 4.0 now.
As far as increased body strength on the bars, I have nothing to show. I've had no bars to work, nor have I had much cardiovascular work. If I get to do another program, I like to think I'll be more disciplined in the evenings and the mornings.
I have a few evaluation pictures to share. Bathroom selfies. Kind of raw... but part of the continuing series.
Fitness and physique-wise I'm somewhat disappointed, however, as for the program I'm completely satisfied. I am happy to have had a regimented schedule, not to mention the spending respite. A few weeks of room and board will help my stay in Europe and I also want to stack those volunteer hours.
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Bajai's Camp 4.0: Day 88September 2, 2017
El Casar Train Station
Getafe, Spain
.482% back to bad habits
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Back to my old habit if sleeping in. I know it's just the first day after the program, but I feel the habit might be hard to break. I have to kick the discipline up... way up. I only have three more wake ups here. Today's was late.
Tomorrow is Sunday. It may be tough.
Nonetheless, so far today I walked to a massively paleo breakfast... too much to finish. I'm missing my tea. Fifty pushups... 30:20. I don't know which day of the challenge this is, but I think I'll get back at it proper tomorrow, or tonight.
Salad and wine with friends, second round in Madrid
Long walk... longer than it should have been, to the train station, but oh well... I'll take the exercise. My day in Madrid... til maybe 19:00 I'd say.
Getting into Madrid was not difficult, I may do it again tomorrow if something spectacular comes up. But I want some pool time too.
Good times with friends. Funny how it just seems to flow naturally.
Walks around Madrid, a salad a shot and a beer and back to Getafe and the walk back. Goodnight.
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Bajai Body Camp 4.0: Day 89Sunday September 3, 2017
El Casar Renfe Station
Getafe, Spain
.487% in the cut!!
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Discipline scored a win today as I pulled myself out if bed before 09:00 & got right in to day 25 of the challenge.
The high intensity interval training method; 50 squats, 30 pushups, 100 crunches, (but no planks...) Total 220 squats, 150 pushups, 300 crunches, & 50 straight leg pumps at the end. I was winded and sweating at the end, but as Tet mentioned in a post, it revs up his day, (paraphrasing). And he's right. I know he's right, and always knew it... but it's hard sometimes to overcome the comfort of the bed.
Challenging the diet in Madrid. Best churros... chocolate is good for me, right?
In other news... I think I've covered everything involved with Pueblo Ingles and volunteering for another round or two. The Woman has invited me to visit her in London.
I think my role in her life was escorting her from Singapore to London, figuratively. It seems that after she was secure in her decision, my interest... my relationship interest, dropped off. Oh well. She wanted a friend... I got one too... so let's see what else the Universe has in mind.
Yet another dietary challenge. Tex-Mex spot in Madrid
Walked to the train station. Cut off a lot of time because of better recon... live, in the field. Back to Madrid to hang with friends.
More later... I had tea. Time for food.
We ate churros con chocolate and apparently it's a thing here. Walked around Madrid some more, saw the Picasso exhibit at Museo Renair Sophia... and grabbed and tex-mex and a beer. Mine burrito with rice and Negra Modelo, beer. Yes!!! Then a walk up the hill. I have another 30-40 minute walk back once I get off the train.
Keep shungite in mind. Black stone... jewelry.
Tired after the long walk back... but made it. Dinner?
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Bajai Body Camp 4.0: Day 90Monday September 4, 2017
Los Olivos Hotel
Outside of Madrid, Spain
.492% on the road again.
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It's Labor day in America. Another holiday I'm not attending. It's not as if I'd be attending any events if I was there anyway. I don't miss the US, but maybe I do and don't realize it.
Renfe high speed train to Barcelona... 300 kph!! Maybe faster
Anyway... let's get on with day #90.
Out of bed @ 07:00-ish and after a warm up that included 10 burpees, went right to the squats-pushups-plank challenge. At this point the exercises are just a guide, we're really doing two challenges concurrently.
Today I went 1:1 squats and pushups, doing 9 sets of 25 (225), & 500 crunches. I feel pretty good now, but was beat down while I was at it.
Then breakfast at the hotel cafeteria. There are a lot if flies in here and it's loud. I have a particular feeling about this hotel and I think it was based on my first encounter with the desk guy. He looked kind if bummy. Or it might be because I choose this place based on a pool I never used instead of location, closer to central and my friends. But I'm of two minds as well. It's less crowded down here which makes for better discipline. I walk almost 40 minutes each way to the train station and back... (great exercise), and I have a cheap and spacious room... (great for exercise).
Sleeping place in Barcelona. Room for two, but...
Since I can't change or undo the experience I might as well put the most positive spin on it.
Travel day today. Carrying bags, packing and waiting... but a few days in Barcelona. I think I'll investigate the following strategy; hotels during the week, hostels on weekends... maybe. Or maybe I can get better hotel rates.
These cheap hostels are dormitories, 8 - 12 beds for €40-60... no thanks, my budget isn't that tight.
I feel stronger carrying my bags today. Could it be that a few days of walking, getting up early, pushups and squats could do that? Or maybe I was building up to it the whole time. Or maybe I never lost it... I just needed to give the body a rest.
I'm this far into this day and I haven't acknowledged that this is a milestone day. This is the day the 90 day fitness fanatic is supposed to reach hes [sic] goals, or at least note some significant improvement.
I did a set or two of handstand pushups last night and felt stable doing them. However, my main goal was working the bars which I haven't been able to work on. I think I may need to work on some crawling and balance until I can get into some bar work... at least it will make me stronger.
This quote is from Day 1, started 6 June 2017.
"I really, REALLY want to get stronger and leaner and get as close as I can to mastering bar and body work."
I may have gotten stronger, but I don't think I've gotten leaner... but I don't know my weight. My clothes fit but there's too much fat and loose skin on my body. I'm going to have to follow a HIIT routine and trust that twenty minutes, three times a week and fat-protein-carb combo will do the trick.
So I end the first 90 days today in Madrid and start the next 90 tomorrow in Barcelona.
Walked around my area of Barcelona got some meat and cheese. That was dinner.
Finished up with planks and stretches.
Up a little late... but I slept on the train.
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Bajai Body Camp 4.0: Day 91Tuesday September 5, 2017
Catalonia hotel Park Guell
Barcelona, Spain
.498% almost to half percent
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Coughing and bringing up the invader that slipped through. Very sensitive to the train exhaust in the station yesterday. There's a tickle in the throat that triggers the cough. There's a Farmacia close by... vitamin C time. I'm late to this and will be chasing the problem.
Great architecture in Barcelona
Speaking of yesterday, I'm sore in the core, from yesterday... the squats-pushups-plank continues today.
Been keeping P90X videos playing for ideas and inspiration.
Here's the morning work:
Day 27
Warm ups
46 squats
10 Spider-Man into 10 normal pushups
50 crunches feet up on wall
10 bridge press elevated
23 lunge squats each.. 46
20 declines pushups
23 jump turn squats... (surfers)
100 crunches
30 sec Asia squat
23 jump turn squats... 46 tot.
10 scorpions
46 wide squats
100crunches
20 high bridge
1 ea. Mermaid twist ten sec.
46 squats
20 elevated wide pushups
Stretches
Barcelona "attack" pop-up memorial
Rather detailed today. Breakfast was ham, cheese, avocado. Got a little pool action in and some sunning. I expect to walk a great deal today. I'm aiming to get benefits from a higher fat diet, but no necessarily live in ketosis.
Day 91, is the first day if the next 90... looking to drop 10-20 lbs, of fat... and if not get to the bars, get more crawling and balances accomplished. Get strong from the ground up.
I took before pictures today... all around. Not really liking the look. It's a lack of discipline look.
Aim... 72.5 kilos... 160 lbs. Super lean and energetic... focus on food and movement.
A lot of walking today. Burger, no bun, but potatoes, tea w/ Guinness beer... one and chorizo and Swiss cheese for a late dinner and 2x chocolate. Maybe stretch this eve, but I'm beat!
Get home... pass out. End if story. Oh, meat and cheese for dinner. But will have to flesh out this eating strategy along the way. Not drinking as much tea, because it's not easily available. I miss my room kettles!!!
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Bajai Body Camp 4.0: Day 92Wednesday September 6, 2017
Hotel Catalonia Park Guell
Barcelona, Spain
.503% closer
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OMG... yesterday was devastating, but in a good way. I woke up sore in the lower obliques. They are tight but waking up. Vitamin C 3 grams. Morning exercise, stretches. Double break day on the squats-pushups-plank challenge... I am still recovering.
I realized I was scheduled to check out tomorrow, so I extended til Tuesday. Diverbo is considering me for the next program.
The ordeal of finding a laundromat in Barcelona. OY!
The big story is laundry day. The original place I had in mind was closed, so I walked 20 minutes further, which took me 30 minutes cause I don't know my way around. I finally find it and I'm drained. There's a diner next door... so eggs and "lomo" for breakfast... but I'm sure the meat isn't lion. (I think it means "loin" and I misread it.)
It's a Chinese spot, I'm speaking Spanish but they speak English as well... and of course some screaming child shows up to challenge the calm, and the ever-present flies... I'm in the Barcelona hood I think. Not complaining.. except about the child and the flies.
It's getting hectic in this diner. As usual I stroll in and no one's here... then... chaos... what's behind this chaos? Kids!!!
The exercise today was a ruck walk... not army style, but vagabond style... 10 kilos of dirty clothes and 10 kilos of clean clothes back.... I was feeling it and had to psyche myself into by chanting... "every step I take makes me stronger."
Then I chilled when I got back in.
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Bajai Body Camp 4.0: Day 93Thursday September 7, 2017
Barcelona, Spain
.509% back on mission
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Up early this morning and... eventually into day 29 of the... squats-pushups-plank challenge...
Day 29
Warm ups
50 deep asst knee snapping squats.
20 pike pushups
20 cat cow, still sore lower rear obliques. Feel it!!!
50 front kicks
20 jax
50 tot lunge squats
100 front punches
50 lateral lunge squats - 150
20 pike pushups
59-50-50 crunches and sides
20 cat cow
90 pliate squats 240
25 normal pushups
25 sec mermaids twists each
10 cat cows
Breaking sweat....
Then there was that long-ass walk down town and walking around downtown and then back. And in between a few meals... mostly vegge, fat and meat... and tea.
These Spaniards love their pork!!!
I'm in la casa now and can catch up on some posts... maybe. I am very far behind, but I expected it. Steemit.com isn't really rockin' these days anyway, but I still want my stuff up on their blockchain and I'm only falling further behind the longer I delay.
Still sore in the lower obliques, rear, so maybe I should stretch before bed. Sides need training.
I can touch my toes again without much soreness in the low-back obliques. I did a couple mermaid twists. Must keep the obliques work in the mind.
Goodnight. Late again.
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Bajai Body Camp 4.0: Day 94Friday September 8, 2017
Catalonia Hotel Park Guell
Barcelona, Spain
.514% renovating
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I'm in the cut; the space between what was and what will come next. At this point I don't know what's next. Diverbo hasn't committed to signing me up for the next session yet. The nod might come today. The next program starts in a week. I will make my plan this weekend... maybe today. Back to Madrid... then maybe to Paris if I don't do Diverbo, then London... see what's up with the Woman... then look into booking the cruise... or at least look to get back to the US.
However, the Florida coast might be "different" after the storm... Irma.
Aquequi Cafe, a great little spot near my gaff.
Universe provides and It will lead my to where I'm supposed to be.
Rounds have been tight. There's a rough patch in my mouth, upper right... felt it for the first time yesterday.
Day 30
50 slow deep squats
16 decline chair pushups
100 crunches
30 plank from chair
10 jump squats... 15:
12 elevated-pushups
15 jump squats
50/50 crunches/reaches... do what you can function over reps...
I'm not feeling this. Being lazy today has made me feel lazy. At least get up and train. Yet, I think I should have a break today.
I'll get out today at some point. Got to eat. I'll stay in this area today maybe find some nice cafes, or a place to do pull ups, or just explore. During the exploring I managed a few more squats and lunge squats and some other demo work I was able to record.
Ended up watching a sunset and making a clip of the day. Up too late again. (What I didn't mention is I did a rather intense workout, a Minimum Wage Fitness</i? workout and made a film of it. Important to add this.
We're out!
Apotheosis
Gave up a lot of pictures in this episode, hope it doesn't bog down your system. Not much to say... except; On day 90 I started taking morning selfies to remind me to my shyt together... and maybe there will be some improvements... maybe not. I am a strong believer in monitoring progress. I think that monitoring progress will keep me from regressing. But if I do, I can catch it early.
Photos by Noxsoma follow at https://www.instagram.com/noxsoma/