A.Wright

Wherever you go, someone is watching your actions. How does this fit into working out? Let me explain.  I was at the gym earlier today hitting my back and biceps. During one of my rest periods between barbell curls, I started talking to this guy. We’re talking and he asks if I am in the military. I was like no, why? He says, "Well, my friend (describes "friend") commented on how disciplined you are. He also, noted that when you do squats you go all the way down to the ground." I was like, yeah most people don’t go A2G. I laugh when I see people "squatting" 400+ but they can’t even go parallel. He was like, "totally agree."

The moral of the story is, that actions speak louder than words, and people are watching those actions. You can inspire or disgust somoene without even saying anything. It’s not about lifting heavy weight. It’s about keeping your ego at the door and following good form. Working out is process that takes years and I am in it for the long haul.

The very few who visit my page, may I have noticed that I changed my profile picture. That picture was taken when in was in Florida, during the summer of 2007. I can remember that vacation like it was yesterday. Size 44 jeans and 4x to 3x shirts, made me feel real toasty inside. I basically thought I was the ****. As I look back, I just laugh. Now, what’s the point of the story? Well let me explain.

There are plenty of pro and cons with working out. We all get sold on looking good and feeling better. However, there is a darker side to working out. I have noticed that people think they’re are better than others just because they work out. I have caught myself acting like this from time to time and it disgusts me. I often wonder, what I am injured to the point of not being able to lift a weight again. What would I do? How would I feel?

That’s when I came to realise that confidence is not something that you can build in the gym. Confidence… *ahem* swag is something that you’re born with. Jay-Z, was qouted as saying "you are, what you are, before you even got here." For the most part I believe that. So, the next time you start thinking about how you’re better than (insert person here). Look in the mirror and ask yourself, what would happen if?

I am tired of the excuses. I am tired of the "enablers", that sugarcoat reality and make more excuses. Look buddy boy and or girl, this sh*t isn’t easy. If it was easy, everyone and their pet would be ripped to shreds. You have two choices:

1. Do something about your current situation.

2. Accept what you are and keep living life.

I started posting pictures everyday to show that it can be done. I was fat (still think I am fat), I was lazy and most importantly I MADE EXCUSES! Look, in this game, the excuses have to go. No one is going to sugar coat your path to greatness. It’s just you and that iron, you and that treadmill. Hell, on the real it’s just YOU. That’s right YOU! You’re the only person that has total control.

I am done. Good night.

Better yet, I have two tips!

1. Stop comparing your progress to others - You don’t know what the other person does, you don’t know what they eat. You also don’t have the same chemical make-up as them, so stop comparing.

2. If you see someone and they look "fit", don’t assume that they were always like that - I was doing cardio this morning. Some, guy came up to me and asked about my diet. I told him and he was like "you are swole, so what do you know about being fat?"  Now, this guy clearly didn’t know that I was tipping the scales at 300 pounds. Well, one picture changed his mind.

Okay, I lied. Here is another tip. I have been seeing a number of comments about cleanse "diets" and the like - These "diets" are epic failures. You’re not losing any weight, you’re just losing water.

Every holiday, I hear the same thing over and over again. However, before I get into that. I need to update you all. I tried upping my carbohydrates for one day and I didn’t like it. My weight loss stalled due to my reduction in calories, so I upped my calories to 2900. Now, I am feeling much better.

Alright, as we all know the 4th of July is tomorrow. I am already hearing people talk and messages being posted about "eating clean". Food is neither clean nor dirty. It serves a purpose of your providing your body with energy in which you burn. Human perception has shaped food into either "clean" or "dirty". I bowl of "clean" almonds or "clean" apples, can make you fat just like a "dirty" steak can.

At the end of the day, we’re all here on this planet to LIVE life. Let me say that again, LIVE life. You being a fitness prune while everyone else is enjoying themselves, is going to leave you isolated in the corner. Holiday’s are great because they are just that Holiday’s. A  time for you to relax and enjoy yourself with friends and family. Now, before I go to the gym for a second time today. It’s time to recap.

One day of eating whatever you want, will not hurt your progress. Well if you just started the Anabolic diet or any low carb diet that requires an induction phase… well you choose the wrong week to start. Sorry homey. If you’re overweight and thank one day is going to hurt your progress, well you need to chill. Did it take only ONE DAY to be where you are now? I think not. Now, go out and enjoy life, because you only have one.

Oh, and don’t buy the book "Eat Clean Diet for Men". The book clearly mentions not to eat after 6pm. I returned the book the next day.