Today was my first time walking with a weight vest. I decided to go out with all 14lbs of weight. I wore my sweat vest, a t-shirt, a sweat shirt, the weight vest, and my winter coat.
I was happy to see that my data is the same as when I’m not walking with weight. Tomorrow and Sunday I do a 12 mile, 3 hour walk. I’ll decide in the morning, based on how my body feels, if I’m going to walk with the full weight or remove one of the 5.75lb plates.
Today my weight vest arrived. I ordered it Monday from Wolf Tactical direct and it was delivered via Amazon shipping on Thursday.
There’s 2 5.75lbs curved weight plates and a 2.5lbs vest. This will be 14lbs to carry. For the past several days I’ve been walking with a total of 10lbs via some wrist weights that I’ve used often.
This was a bit of an awkward set-up so I’m looking forward to using a vest that was designed to carry weight.
I was able to insert the plates and size the belts with no problem. Tomorrow I’ll take it out for a test walk and report back on the results.
Today I ordered a weight vest from Wolf Tactical. I’ve been researching for awhile and I believe that I’ve picked a good brand. I was happy their website https://www.wolftacticalusa.com/ had a bundle deal. I chose a pair of 5.75lb curved weight vest plates to go with the weighted vest plate carrier. Somehow I also ended up with a free sling bag.
I’ve been using 2.5lb wrist weights for a couple of years and sometimes will wear a second set for a total additional walking weight of 10lbs. The weight vest weighs 2.5lb and plus plates will be a total of 14lbs. For the first couple of walks I will load only one of the 5.75lb plates as a test. That will be a total walking weight of 8.25lbs. I walk 6 miles a day during the week and 12 miles a day on the weekends. I’m hoping to be able to walk with both plates without any injury but with an improvement in cardio.
Lately I feel like my weight loss progress is slowing down. I’m hoping this new purchase will help.
Below is my walk that I use on Saturdays and Sundays. It’s almost 12 miles and I walk the route in just over 3 hours.
Below is a photo from 2020 and from 2024 demonstrating the difference in weight. My weight records start with 301.6lb on June 56th 2021. August 18th I weighted 237.2lb
This is the door in the garage where I hand my walking equipment. The vest on the hanger is polyester/neoprene and designed to help you sweat in your torso. I’ve gone from a 3xl on 3/27/24 to a 2xl on 6/13/24 to a xl on 9/6/24. Below the vest is two sets of walking wrist weights that I wear during the week for my 1 hour and 1/5 hour walks. Below is a hat and a upper arm band that I sometimes wear to hold my phone when walking.
These are the 2.5lb Nike wrist weights that I wear on my walks. Here I’ve taken a second set and wore them on my forearms for a total of 5lb when walking.
In this picture I used my 2.5.lb wrist weights plus a heavier set of weights on my arms. I’ve since discarded the larger weights as the bulk plus the additional weights caused stress injuries to my calves.
This is my Google Pixel Watch which I have been wearing since October 2023. I use the Fitbit app to review all my data.
These are my Goggle Pixel Buds Pro. Coupled with Spotify on my Google Watch has made the perfect companions for walking. The watch has LTE so no need to carry a phone.
I drink 3 16.9 oz water bottles with a package of electrolyte powder split amongst them after ever walk.
This is an Amphipod Hydraform Ergo-Lite Handheld 10.5 oz Water Bottle that I carry for my 3 hour 11.8 mile walks on Saturday and Sunday. It’s very comfortable and very easy to use.
This is a protein bar that I sometimes choose to eat after my afternoon walks.
Pictures of walking shoes. I tend to prefer New Balance
To extend my shoes I use this patch. I use it for both the heals and for the toe box. My toe lifts up as I walk and tends to wear a hole thru the toe box if I don’t add a patch. I usually get 3 to 4 months to a set of shoes.
An inexpensive poncho is a great solution to not missing any days walking.
These are screen shots from the scale app that records via Bluetooth my weight when I step on the scale. My first measurement was 301.6 on 6/5/2021
While you can see that I dropped to 251.4 in a matter of months I also gained back the weight over time.
By May of 2023 I was back up to 285.4lb
Thankfully in 2023 I made some adjustments that have contributed to some weight loss
In 2024 my progress has continued and this spring and summer I’ve made some significant progress.
in the below series of captures from my Fitbit app I have been consistent with no missed days from the last week in March to currently August. I feel this consistency is what is contributing to my current weight loss progress.
Below is a video review of the CIVIVI Elementum and Altus folding knives. I purchased these at Knife Center for $47.81 and $57.38. The both have Guibourtia wood handles and blade lenghts of 2.96 and 2.97 inches.
Below is a video review of the CJRB Pyrite. I purchased this at Knife Center for $40.99. It has a 3.11 in Black Wharncliffe Blade with black stainless steel handles.
Below is a video review of the Kershaw Nylon Zipper Knife Storage Bag. I purchased this at Knife Center for $25.16. It has 5 pockets on either side of the bag. A center section that has 4 pockets on either side. Great way to organize knives.
Below is a video review of the Kershaw Ken Onion Leek Assisted Flipper Knife with a 3″ Black Plain Blade with Black Stainless Steel Handle. I purchased it from https://knifecenter.com for $74.95. I wish it had the angled thumb studs that the Kershaw Blur has. The pocket clip came mounted tip down. I’ve changed the pocket clip to tip up as I prefer on all of my knives. The Leek has a tip lock to prevent accidental deployment. Assisted opening makes using the flipper a breeze. Can’t recommend the thumb studs to deploy. Beautiful knife.
When getting lost in the world of learning about pocket knives on YouTube, I also ran across mentions of lanyards, fobs, and beads.
I found this video https://youtu.be/lieokazTROE by Taylor Martin of Best Damn EDC very informative. There’s plenty of other videos out there also if you want to hear the argument of lanyards versus fobs, paracord versus leather, and beads, beads, beads.
In this picture I’ve chosen two different styles with some latigo lace leather and 100% retro brass beads. Using snake knots I’m using two different looks.
I’m pleased with how both of these knives turned out.
Three years ago in February 28, 2020 I published this blog on some of the routines I use to play Age of Z.
https://timhitchings.wordpress.com/2020/02/28/age-of-z-routines-tips-techniques/
A lot has changed in that time and I continue to survive and enjoy playing this social war game.
I now have a level 35 city and 4 level 30 or 31 farms. I used to have 8 farms but have reduced the amount over the years to 4.
I’ve been through 2 or 3 world merges. Sorry, I didn’t keep track of the worlds or the alliances that I’ve been in. Currently I’m on one of the most powerful worlds in the AOZ universe. My main level 35 city is fortunate to be part of one the top 6 alliances on this powerful world. I manage a farm alliance that has 40 members including my 4 farms. In this world having a level 35 city is barely enough to be invited to a top alliance. Some of the more important statistics needed to be a top player are battle power, army units, melee HP, Mid-Range HP, Long Range HP, and especially Long Range Attack.
One mistake I’ve made over the years of playing and that I’m still trying to correct is working on my Long Range Attack number. Long Range Attack is located by using the My Info, and then the Stats item to access. Increasing the Tifa officer as often as possible is very important to improving Long Range Attack. The second area to increase Long Range Attack is spending time in the ridiculously complex Elite Equipment Facility. First tip is to set up the Tower Defense Post Infinite Zombies. Every week challenge the zombies once and then use the Auto every day for the rest of the week to collect TD coin. Use TD coin in the Exchange Store to buy Blueprint Chest S and Power Ore. Over time you will collect enough Blueprint S fragments to fuse. Over time you will be able to use these to add a yellow comprehensive extension to every piece of equipment in the Elite Equipment Facility. This will help your Long Range Attack number.
On a world with higher level cities all activity is focused around Frenzy and Void events where one of these events occurs every two weeks. My farms all have to have T3 or less armies and no zombies. The reasoning is that if your farm cities are attacked during these events because you don’t shield you won’t give points to the enemy world. Competition and winning these two events is of critical importance in higher level worlds.
As I higher level city in a major alliance your time for gather is limited as you often have assignments to police the world and insure that lower level cities are obeying the rules. Any time you are not working for the betterment of the world I spend my time gather gold. Gold is spent often during Frenzy and Void events if your alliance is permitted to join.
Higher level cities rarely are in need of resources. I’m constantly spending time on gathering Uranium. You need Uranium to upgrade many parts of your cities once you are a level 30. The three methods to collect Uranium is the Core Mining Station where you can either mine or attack someone who is mining. You have two times to collect between system resets. It is best if you set your city to mine and then collect as it hits 300 and then continuing for the second collection. The reason to collect if other players are looking for opportunities to attack and often will look to attack cities with higher amounts of Uranium that have not been collected. The second method is the use of collecting Tracker fragments. Once you have enough fragments you can release a Uranium Gobbler that when killed rewards you with 1000 Uranium. The third method is to buy a monthly card which provides 800 Uranium for 30 days.
Tim Hitchings 