2XYS’s BodyBlog

Independence Day, commonly known as the Fourth of July, is an American federal holiday commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.  It is a day commonly associated with fireworks, parades, barbecues, family outings, concerts, and America’s favorite baseball and apple pie.  On this national day, let us give thanks to the members of our Armed Forces.  We cannot thank them enough for the sacrifices they have made to secure the liberty and freedom that we enjoy each day.  May God continue to watch over them and their families!

The past nine days have been awesome. Ireland is so cool. It is great for my condition. I feel so much better, and I am on point with eating. I think I have lost some weight which is great. I have met some awesome people. Football (to American: soccer) is one of the major sports played in the UK. I have had the opportunity to kick around the ball; I wouldn’t call it playing football (soccer). Let’s just say that I am soccer challenged. Although I have not had the opportunity to workout in a gym, I have had some physical demands. Physically, I’ve done some amazing things this past week. There were moments when I felt weak, but a little rest and I am/was up and running. I know that I do nothing of my own; it is God who sustains me, my strength and source of life. Continuing to build my faith and body, together.

I thought today was a good day to weigh-in, to face the scale and be real with myself.  It is said that the iron does not lie.  Hey, they does not either.  It is what it is.  Beside, it is not like I did not have an idea where I stood with the weight.  With doctor appointment every other week, I get the chance to see the weight go up and down, the last six months.  They say hey don’t worry that is expected due to the different types of medication you are taking.  What makes matters worst, I am taking five different hypertension medications.  Am I screwed?  No, I realize that it could be worst.  Inspite of everything that is going on, I consider myself blessed.  My diet: I am trying to consume more fruits and vegetables and healthier snacks. I am feeling better, but get tired easily.  Do I give up?  No, I am inspired and motivated by the progress of others.  Everytime I read someone’s profile, I am encouraged.  I see myself as being stronger, and I believe I will achieve a stronger and healthier body.  Someone once said, "inorder to make a change, you must be real with yourself."  I will admit that I am a little nervous about getting back into the gym.  Why?  I am noticeably weaker; I have tremors, sometimes uncontrollable.  But I know that once I get started, I will be fine.  It just taking that first leap of faith.  I will not return to the gym until after July 8, so I am doing push ups and situps to get me started.  I realize that my attitude will determine my altitude.

I had been a little discourage not being able to lift, run, or do tae kwon do.  Some friends invited me out to the Ronnie Coleman Classics; I was hesitant about going, and my wife was saying you need to take it easy.  HEY, I am glad that I went; I had a great time.  Shout out for the HOUSE OF PAIN, love their gear. Met Brian Dobson, awesome man of God, salt of the earth.  There were some great people at this event.  My spirit was rekindle.  I have to give a shout out for all those who participated.  You made hours and years of dedication, diligence, and hard work look easy.

Peace

Today, my official weigh-in revealed I gained 14.6 lbs [266] from my last posting on BB.com. Between my office visit with the doctor (12/05-Friday afternoon) and my admission into in the hospital  (12/08-Monday morning), I lost 12 pounds [233].  This is crazy, but my weight loss goal will be set from my official weigh-in.  What a setback, but what a challenge it is to overcome.  It is a challenge because the doctors want me to do 20 minutes of exercise every three days at the gym.  Ten minutes of cardio; followed by ten minutes of weight training.  Will I follow the doctor’s orders?  Yes, I will even though I know it takes at least 20 minutes to begin a good cardio work, and you need at least 30 minutes to tone the muscles.  Now, you see where the challenge comes in.  I will take it one step at a time.  On this journey, I have come up with an alternative solution; I will split my workout by doing 20 minutes of weight training in the morning; followed by 20 minutes of cardio training in the evening, until things return to normal.  I know that I am up to the challenge because when I think back to last year at this time; I weighed 297.  Between January and March (280), I had lost 17 lbs with the assistance of weight-loss supplements.  I started weight watcher because my doctors believed it was a better alternative to using weight-loss supplement. It was said that there were no clinical studies which illustrated how the wieght-loss supplements would work with my medications.

This is a new year; I really don’t have a resolution, but I have set some goals, and they are: to become a better, rounded-person, to work on strength and endurance, to have respect for all mankind, and never stop learning.  Learning is a life-long process.  I believe that I have an excellent trainer so I must give it my all, despite my shortcomings.  Someone once told a few things that I try to keep in mind, I hope you find them useful as well.

or guys that are relatively new to the gym, here are a few tips that I hope might be helpful:

• There will always be someone bigger (talking muscles here) and stronger at the gym.  You’re only competing with yourself.

• Watch people whose bodies you admire (I said watch, not cruise) to see what exercises they do and how they do them.

• Mix up your routines.  Vary the exercises, order, weight, number of sets and repetitions.  Keep you muscles “surprised” to avoid plateaus.

• Be aware of what primary and secondary muscles are being exercised to allow for both to have enough time to recover before working them out again.

• Better form gets you better results.

• Location, location, location.  Chose a gym close to home or work.  If you need to  file a flight plan to get there, you’ll be more likely to make up excuses not to go.

• What you read as the “ultimate” workout this month will be replaced by a new “ultimate” workout next month.

Veterans Day is intended to honor and thank all military personnel who served the United States in all wars, particularly living veterans. It is marked by parades and church services and in many places the American flag is hung at half mast. A period of silence lasting two minutes may be held at 11am. Some schools are closed on Veterans Day, while others do not close, but choose to mark the occasion with special assemblies or other activities.Veterans Day is officially observed on November 11. However, if it falls on a week day, many communities hold their celebrations on the weekend closest to this date. This is to enable more people to attend and participate in the events. Federal Government offices are closed on November 11. If Veterans Day falls on a Saturday, they are closed on Friday November 10. If Veterans Day falls on a Sunday, they are closed on Monday November 12. State and local governments, schools and non-governmental businesses are not required to close and may decide to remain open or closed. Public transit systems may follow a regular or holiday schedule.

If you know a veteran, please take a moment to thank them for their service. If you know a service men or women, thank them for their service, but continue to support them anyway you can.  Never forget those who have served.
Take care and have a great weekend!

Payton

For the last three or four weeks, I have been working diligently to lose more weight. However, it seems like my efforts have been fruitless. Weigh-in was this morning, and I gained .4 lbs. Last week, I lost .4 lbs.  Week before that I gained .4 lbs. Also, I found out today that one of the medicines that I used to help control a few MS symptoms cause you to gain weight. With that in mind, I must re-evaluate my workout and nutritional habits. Regardless of what is happening, I can’t give up! Hope everyone is having a great weekend!

Much peace to you,

P

Picked up a new book entitled "Toxic Relief: Restore Health and energy through fasting and detoxification." It is supposed to provide information regarding deep-cleansing your body right down to the cellular level to increase vitality and restore energy, shed toxic fat, etc… There is another book that I will pick up from GNC called Healing Through Nutritional Health.

Weigh-In was this morning. I was surprise that I did not gain. Although I had only one workout in the gym and one at TKD, they were great workouts. I have been apprehensive about weight training since my doctor said I light weight training is best. I truly understand their reasoning, especially when it comes to the upper torso. I am incorporating upper torso (with the exception of my back) free weight training, but not at the rate I am incorporating weight training for my lower extremity (no leg extension, trying to save my knees). Thanks to those who provided advice and guidance regarding quad training.