Carlito1980’s BodyBlog

Looking back at what i’ve done and put my body through makes me realize how lucky I am to be here.Years back when i decided to get serious again and this time stick to my plan i knew it wouldn’t be easy,but i had no idea what i was in for.Everything was going good for a while and i had made some solid progress when all of the sudden my world came crashing down.I had run into an old friend who was also into working out,he gave some advice on how to increase my bench press numbers.So the next day i got under the bar and repped it out,i was on my third set around rep six when suddenly i heard a strange sound.It was the sound of a piece of elastic bieng overstretched,only it wasn’t a piece of elastic it was my left pec that made that sound.Adrenaline kicked in and i was able to rack the weight(I’ve always trained alone with no spotters).It didn’t hurt at first but i could hardly use my left arm.I knew then that it was a pec tear i just didn’t know how severe it was.What caused it was the change in grip distance instead of using the standard shoulder width form i went wide as possible(advice given to me by a friend)I took a week off hoping it would "go away".Next week i was back in the gym but i couldn’t even do a push-up.I realized right there things would never be the same,I had two choices lose everything i had worked so hard to accomplish ,walk out and never look back,or find a way through this.Quitting seemed the logical thing to do,why not?I had quit and walked out from many things in my life before so this would be another easy way out.No one supported me anyway,everyone would try and get me to go back to drinking,partying,and go back to life i had swore to leave behind,but bad habits die hard.I went into a state of depression,but there was a fire still burning inside me.I bought every single Bodybuilding mag i could find and read each book front to back.My passion to build a better body was still there and as the days went by i knew i had to get my ass back into the gym.First i went to see a doctor who said it was a partial pec tear and told me bench pressing again would probably not be a good idea.A few days later i found the strength and courage to return to the gym.I vowed never to be a quitter again,that time had passed and i was tired of bieng one of those who sits back while those with ambition take eveything and leave nothing for those who hesitate.No longer would i be the guy who walks up to people and tells the story about how"i used to work out" Slowly but surely i regained my strength and even surpassed myself(although i don’t do bench presses anymore)That small fire that was kept alive in my time of darkness has now become a full blown fire and has kept me going through the years.I will never quit again,no matter what obstacles i may face, i know i can overcome anything.I can do anything through Him who gives me Strength.

Starting next week i will change my current routine and follow the routine outlined in Serge Nubret’s thread.It is a high volume workout so i look forward to the challenge.Although I won’t do as many sets for arms(32 sets is too much IMO)but i’ll see how it works out.

No rest for me just another hardcore leg day.Easier said than done.But when it is all said and done and that passing out feeling I get after training is gone,it is all worth it.Torture them and they have no choice but to respond.No excuses,no giving up,no nothing,just another day at the office.

After 12 hours of work I finally get to go home.But my day is just beggining.I have my pre-workout shake or a small meal.Then I’m off to the gym.No rest just pounding away ,grinding out those painful reps.After it is all said and done and the sound of the iron is no longer present,then I head for home.I then walk inside with a smile because my 3 year old daughter is there to greet me.So now I have to be a father,that is the best part of my life.I love to lift and to live this lifestyle,but my daughter is number one to me.Everything I do is for her and I won’t have it any other way.So once I put her to sleep and my mind is now at peace,that is where my day ends.

As the days go by and I continue to hit it hard,there are times when I feel that one else cares about about having productive workouts.Too many times have I witnessed guys go in there and do endless sets of curls.Other times they do about 5 minutes of cardio and call it quits.I know cardio isn’t very popular but it’s very neccassary if you want to lower your bodyfat.I guess it all depends on a person’s goals and how determined they are to meet those certain goals.The squat rack is used for doing curls,and the benches are used to sit down and "take 5" or more like 10.So it is true that here in the gym I train most people no longer want to bust ass and do those lifts that I consider a must.Where are the deadlifts?The squats?The heavy ass overhead presses?Machines are now in and free weights out.Nothing wrong with machines but I feel free weights are the best way to go for the serious lifter.Then again how serious are they?I remember the gym where my journey began. All we had was free weights and the only machine was the lat machine.Everyone in there was solid as a rock and could lift weight that at the time seemed impossible to me.No whiners,talkers,or slackers.It was hardcore and everyone was there to lift like it was thier job.No air conditioner or heater so we had to take it or hit the road.Not sure what ever became of those guys  but the gym eventually shutdown when the owner moved to another city.So as I enter the gym where i now train,I’m in a strange land.The only thing that is familiar is the iron I lift and my training partner the Ipod,where I listen to Megadeath,Twisted Sister,Black Sabbath,or Guns N Roses(what can I say I grew up in the 80’s)So yes I stand alone,alone but very proud.Will you stand with me?

Everything has fallen into place.Those nagging injuries that had plagued me seem to no longer exist.My strength is  up like never before.Just have to really fine tune my diet and what else can happen?Turn back right now or just give up?No way,too late for that I’m way too deep into this.I love the results I have achieved and look forward to better days.At times at the gym when I’m listening to music in my Ipod and grinding out those last reps,I feel invincible.Now where would I be had I given up lifting when I failed to get the results I wanted?Too many people would be satisfied at my failure.The High School coaches who didn’t want me on thier team,or the weight room because I was so skinny.The haters who laughed(even the coaches) at me for not bieng able to bench 135.I owe all this dedication and hard work I have put into bodybuilding to them.Thank all of you for making me who I am and who I will be.At this point in my life I have no worries.Thank all of you support me and those who didn’t.My how the tables have turned,He who laughs last laughs best!

I went to the gym earlier for leg day.All i could do was calves becuase the squat rack was taken and a long line of people were waiting to use it.Sure i could’ve gone for the leg press or leg extension but today I came in with the attitude to go all out on squats,so that is what i will do.No excuses just hard work and a positive attitude.

Too many times has this happened to me.I’ll be in the gym and some guy out of nowhere comes to me and asks a this question."Pssst,What are you taking?"I guess they wait till no one is around and sneak into my immediate are,thinking i’m going to tell them about a top secret supplement or better yet a list of anabolics.They have no clue about the difference between bodybuilding and going to the gym to workout.This is a lifestyle to me,I train hard,eat right,rest and let the rest follow.Most of them from what i’ve seen basically are lost in the gym.Bench press,lots of curls and lat pulldowns are what thier workouts revlove around.They care not about other body parts or nutrition.On any given day I can see them eating at thier fastfood joint munching on those greasy fries,burgers,pizza,and drinking soda to thier hearts content.it’s not about what your taking.It’s about intensity,years of experience,proper nutrition,listening to your body,and so many other factors,that is bodybuilding not just going through the motions.So from now on when I’m asked "what are you taking?",I send those guys to buy creatine at ***-Mart.I’d rather help someone who is really willing to listen and put time and effort into this lifestyle.

Go in the gym,train, and get out.Thats the best way to do it.Often too may times I notice people find the gym a place to socialize.Thats fine but don’t annoy others by taking up thier time,some people are actually serious about thier goals.Coversations are best held over dinner or a phone.

I haven’t posted anything lately because i’ve been busting my ass day and day out in the gym.I’ve been eating more meals and added more protein to my daily intake.Also I have cut down on the number of sets.This seems to have done it for me.I feel less tired throughout the day and my muscles are fuller.I have also added about 20-30lbs to my main lifts,not rep max but workout weight.Trail and error is what it has boiled down to.No magic formulas just listening to my body and feeling the muscle working.I love doing this,I never want to stop.i’m in this for life!