BlueandBlackYJ’s BodyBlog

Ok so I had been having trouble with feeling sick during my workouts for about 3 consecutive workouts. I’d have my no-xplode 45 minutes before I worked out & my pre-workout shake (2 scoops of O.N. 100% Whey) 15-30 minutes before the workout. This caused so much liquid to be on my stomach that I was constantly burping and feeling as though I might throw up at any time. The workouts were miserable and so I changed it up.

Yesterday on my toughest workout of the week (leg day), I took my pre-workout shake 2.5 hours before the workout and my no-xplode 30 minutes before the workout. That timing was perfect as I felt energized, strong, and not too much on my stomach. I lifted heavier and more intense than I have in the 10 weeks I have been working out. As for now I will keep it that way because it is working best. It’ll be interesting to compare my next workout, shoulders-calves-abs, on Thursday and see if I get the same experience…Hopefully 2.5 hours isn’t too far away from the workout from my pre-workout meal to be as effective as it is supposed to be.

My previous 2-3 workouts had been a let down, feeling tired and weak. But today seemed to be back to normal as I was energized and lifting heavier. I did a new personal best on squats, and a new personal best on leg press, dumbbell lunges - a killer leg workout (see in the workout tracker). The total volume for the workout was about 56,000, which is more than any previous workout. Also it was more total reps than any previous workout.

I was 176 this morning, and 180.5 at the gym today. That is the heaviest I’ve been so far and I’m pretty excited about that. I’m up 16 lbs. since July 1st (using my morning weight), and I couldn’t be happier about that.

Only 3 more weeks after this one until the 2008 Rock hard challenge is complete.

So today was my 2nd workout using NO-Xplode. Leg day. It was the most intense workout of my life. I can only assume that is what made it so much different than my previous 7 leg days over the last 8 weeks. Earlier this week I used 1 scoop and today I tried 2 scoops. I felt energized, stamina, and my veins were really popping.

The best part is I did 4 of my 6 sets of squats 20 lbs heavier than last week. I thought that was amazing for a 1-week improvement. I did new personal best for squats, leg press, leg ext, leg curl, and weighted crunches.

The one thing that was weird was how I felt about halfway through the workout. I was pushing myself REALLY hard and after each set I felt like I might throw up at any minute, or maybe even pass out. But I never did and I am assuming that it was just because I was pushing myself so much. Hopefully it wasn’t the 2 scoops of NO-Xplode. I will confirm whether it was or not tomorrow when I do delts & shoulders.

So - I am completely sold on this NO-Xplode. It says once you use it you won’t workout without it and so far I agree!

A month ago my barbell bench max was 200 lbs. Today during the middle of my back/bi’s workout I decided to max on bench. I did 135 a few times, 185, 205, and 225. I thought I had just a little more so I put a 2.5 on each side - and threw up 230 with the spotter never touching the bar. I was so excited. I haven’t bench pressed that much weight since maybe 2004 or so. The most I ever did was 265 on bench so I am very happy with 230. I am making steady progress, getting much stronger, and happy with how everything is going.

I have struggled with cardio this week though. I got a sinus infection on Friday and haven’t been able to run since then. My plan was supposed to have me running 5 days for 45 minutes this week and I only ran twice. I can’t wait to get back to that because I feel like I am going to be able to burn off a good bit more fat on my abs and back of my hips and then the progress will really show.

Also I’m heading to GNC tomorrow to pick up my 3rd tub of ON 100% Whey, my 2nd bottle of multivitamin, my 1st bottle of omega 3 fish oil softgels, and my 1st tub of NO-Xplode (can’t wait to try this). So here is where I stood a week ago (pic on left is flexed, pic on right is relaxed - both at 173 lbs):

 Where I started nearly 8 weeks ago:

Over the last week or so the coolest thing has happened that has never happened ever that I can remember. During my workout I can see the big vein that goes over the top of the bicep in each arm. It’s not really a big deal, and it doesn’t really pop out that much compared to some people, but it does tell me that I am making great progress and that is really exciting to me. Also there are several that go over the front of my shoulders that are becoming much more noticeable. My body is changing…….slowly but surely…….and that is exciting to me! I can’t wait to see where I’ll be in 6 more weeks at the end of this RHC.

Well, things are going pretty good so far. I am halfway through the ‘08 Rock Hard Challenge and I am very please with my results so far. Yesterday I was up to about 172 and this morning I am down to about 170.5. I’ve been hovering around this weight for several weeks now, but I have gotten much stronger and I am beginning to see more definition and size in some places, so I am not as concerned with the weight. The cardio is much more intense now and in the coming weeks so I am expecting to drop some fat. I still have a lot on the back of my hips and over my lower abs. I have ran approximately 8 miles this week so far and will run another 12 before I finish this week’s cardio. Within the next two weeks I am really expecting my abs to come out a lot and I hope my progress pics show that.
Yesterday was leg day and I was blown away by how much heavier I was able to lift. My first three sets of squats were 50 lbs heavier than last week. I know part of that was I could’ve went a little heavier last week, but I didn’t feel like I could at the time.  My last set on squats was still 10 lbs heavier than last week so that is definitely good as well. I also decided to start using the smith machine for my squats because I can’t push through my heels standing freely, I end up on the balls of my feet. With the smith machine I can force myself to put the pressure in the right place and work my legs better.

I was able to lift 15 lbs heavier on my first two sets of leg press, and my last set was 40 lbs heavier than last week. That is awesome!

On Straight-leg dead lifts I went 50 lbs heavier than last week and my last set was 20 lbs heavier than last week. That is awesome too!

I have still only had 2 or 3 meals in 6 weeks so I feel like I am doing well with my diet.

I guess that is all for now. I’ll post some pics below to show my current progress. The picture on the left is July 17, 2008 @ 165 lbs. The pic on the right is about a month later (6 weeks into program) at 171 lbs.
 

Here is a flex picture comparison at the same weights and dates as above.

More to come……..stay tuned for more progress.

Well month 1 is complete (started the ‘08 RHC on 7/14/08). Since the beginning of July I have went from 160 to 171 lbs - an increase of about 7%. I got much stronger this month. Below are the statistics for the first set of each exercise, comparing the beginning of the program to through the end of the first month.
Incline BB Bench Press - improved 26%

BB Bench Press           - improved 21%

Squat                         - improved 42%

Body Weight               - increased   7%

Overall I am really pleased with my progress for this month. Of course I wish it could’ve been more, but I’m sure that’ll come next month. Hopefully I will continue to build lean muscle, reduce my bodyfat, and get stronger (and healthier). I have only had 1 cheat day since the start of the program, but will incorporate 1 every other week for the remainder of month 2 of the program, which I started today.

Well tonight I went to a get together where there was tons of pizza being served. I ate before I went and planned to eat again when I got home. As the pizza was being served it did cross my mind about how good it would’ve been, but I just thought about the 3 hard weeks I’ve put in and the goal I am trying to achieve at the end of this program. I poured myself a glass of water and watched everyone else gobble it down. Man it felt good to resist and I was so proud of myself afterwards.

I am starting week 4 tomorrow. I expect to be about 171 in the morning when I wake up, which will be 11 pounds up. I am making good progress and can’t wait to see where I end up after week 12. Stay tuned for the results….

By the way, my legs are still sore from last Wednesday’s killer leg workout. Hopefully by this Wednesday (3 more days) they will be ready for another killer leg day.

These pictures didn’t come out good at all (small & poor quality), but here is a side by side comparison from 7/17 165 lbs to 7/30 167 lbs. I’m not sure if there is really a noticeable difference or not. The picture on the left is the new picture. The one on the right was from 7/17 @ 165 lbs.

I have definitely gotten much stronger, as well as gained 7 lbs from the beginning, and I’m excited about finishing the ‘08 Rock Hard Challenge from Muscle & Fitness.

Don’t have a picture update yet, but check out how much better this week’s workout was compared to last week.

On BB Squat, I was able to start with 135 instead of 45, On Leg Press I was able to start with 140 instead of 90.

On Calf Raises I was able to start with 90 instead of 50.
Total workout volume for last week was 10,360 lbs. Total volume for this week was 18,450 lbs. Awesome, right!?

I am most excited because I truly believe the path to achieving my weight goals is going to be primarily through my legs. I am truly committed to completing this 90 day Rock Hard Challenge and having completed almost the first month, I can’t wait until the next month gets underway and I ramp up the cardio a bit and add in a few more exercises. Right now I am 167 lbs and hope to gain a few more by the end of next week. I am also going to take measurements tonight. Stay tuned for progress!