Fencil83’s BodyBlog

Haven’t posted in forever, but that’s ok.  Work has been insane with College and NFL football since the first week of August with all of the NFL preseason games.  I was working out about 2-3 times a week, but now that I have my routine down, I’ll be there probably 4-5 times a week now.  I want to look amazing by summer 2010.  Been grilling a lot, as opposed to eating Lean Cuisine.  The Foreman has been used everyday.  This past weekend I made burgers, mixed some Frank’s Red Hot and Mrs Dash in to the meat, which was 92/8, so it was definitely tastier and healthier than something McDonald’s could every manufacture.  Topped off with spinach, tomato, mustard and a little mayo, oh man was it good.  Probably post a picture over the weekend, until next time.

Well I finally crossed my one goal, which was to bench more than 200 for 1-rep.  I actually did it in a pretty unorthodox way.  I warmed up with the bar x15, then put on 2 45 lbs plates.  First set I went for 12, second for 8, which was both to failure with not a whole lot of rest in between those sets.  Took a little longer rest, then put 2 25 pound plates on and went to failure, which was 20 reps.  Kinda strange, but dropping that much, it felt like I could throw the weight thru the roof.  I banged out 20 reps with good form.  Kinda unorthodox like I said, but it worked to cross that threshold.  I could probably lift more, but I work out by myself and usually don’t ask for a spot, I just stay a little lighter with the weight and get more reps.  I also increased by BB bicep curl max, only slightly, but an increase nonetheless.

Still having a hard time with consistency, this week it was going to the funeral home for 2 of my buddies (they’re cousins), their grandfather passed away over the weekend.  But I should get in workouts the rest of the week.  Going to go for a run tomorrow, weights on Friday, then another run on Saturday.  I will take Sunday off, then I should be able to start back up again.

Sorry, the Pens won tonight, had to get that outta my system.  Lifted on Monday and did Chest/Triceps, 3 sets to failure on abs, and 20 minutes of cardio.  Attempted running today, not so good.  Before I had ankle surgery last Feb., I was running 3 times a week, going about 5-5.5 miles in an hour.  I haven’t really tried to run since then.  I figure lift 3 times a week, run 3 times a week on non-lift days, and 1 day of rest should really help bring my fat down.  I’m a flabby, soggy mess right now and I need to kick it in gear big time.  The one thing I have done well on is not have fast-food in 10 days, I think I’ve had only 2 cans of pop (soda) in that amount of time.  I was doing about a can or so a day.  So far I’m not really missing those things like I thought I would, which is great.  I’ve been eating something small and healthy every 3 to 4 hours, or when I get hungry, and have been downing that gallon of water religiously.

After I get some sleep, it’s Leg/Shoulders, going to push myself on the Barbell Press and see if I can’t break my PR for 1 rep, those handy 1 rep calculators are awesome!

Well, after missing the gym for a few days due to a job interview, fighting my old apartment landlord’s over a ridiculous heat bill and then getting sick, I was back at it today.  Felt pretty good, need to find my rhythm.  Hopefully If I do land this new job, I’ll work M-F 10a-6p, which is awesome.  I can go for a short jog in the morning before work, then go to the gym directly after work, since I will pass it.  So here’s to hoping.  I’m not Catholic, but I decided to give up fast-food for lent.  If I want a cheat meal, it has to be at a sit-down restaurant.  I’m also making a conscience effort to cut down on my pop (soda) intake.  I figure the less I drink it, I’ll probably just stop, as opposed to quitting cold-turkey.  But yeah, no more Mickey D’s, Wendy’s, Burger King, Arby’s.  I will still go to Subway, and maybe even Taco Bell, because I can get things of the Fresco menu.

Also i have a real dumb question, does anyone actually read this?  So if you do, just let me know.  No point in blogging if no on reads it.  Until next time…

So I did my Wednesday workout today, I’ll do Friday’s on Saturday.  Got a really good workout in today.  I improved my 1-rep max on the Barbell Curl and Barbell Row, I also did a Barbell Shoulder Press and improved that 1-rep max as well.  Did three different kinds of calf raises, 3 sets each to failure.  Also did 3 sets of back-extensions to failure.  I think that might be my favorite back exercise, it definitely improves my posture.  Also did 3 sets on the torso rotation machine.  I really need to bring my obliques up if I’m going to be successful this soccer season.  A lot of the strength for making a save comes from your calves, hips, and obliques, the hips and obliques are a weakness on me.  Also shot hoops to cool down, and made 4 free throws in a row.  Now that may not sound like much of a feat to most, but I suck at basketball.  Watching me play is like watch a monkey hump a football, it’s hilarious, yet oddly disturbing.  I will go for 5 free throws next time.  Today’s flavor of Xtend is Watermelon, which might be my favorite, boy is it tasty.  Until next time, LET’S GO PENS!!!

Yeah, you read the title right, I decided to start over.  I wasn’t "bringing it" like I should’ve.  Today I know I pushed myself, as evidenced by my new 1- rep Barbell Bench Press Max and I really pushed myself to failure with the crunches.  Plus I realized I need to watch my diet like a hawk.  My parents came to visit and brought some home-cooking and didn’t drink my gallon of Xtend.  Check my weight and fat percent today…they both went up.  I have to keep my carbs low, if I overdo it on carbs, even just a little, I’m blowing up.  I’m sensitive with carbs, just have to keep that in mind.

I am going to switch up my routine this week and work legs on Wednesday, then push biceps/back to Friday and do abs then as well.  If the weather cooperates, I’m taking a friend of mine snowboarding on Sunday, I don’t want my legs to be too sore, considering the fact I will be in a half-squat position all day.

In the mean time, I need to figure out a way to curb my cravings for shitty (health wise) foods.  I know this is supposed to be a lifestyle change, but shaking fast food is going to be tougher than I thought.

Didn’t have time to post yesterday, so I’m doing it today.  Had a real nice workout, so far I really like the workouts that Kris has planned.  They’re simple and I’m in and out in 1 hour, sweaty and shaking.  Still trying to eat well, Friday night I splurged and went to Cici’s Pizza, but I did have a big salad before I had a few slices of pizza…and only one glass of Root Beer, the rest was water.  This whole diet thing is gonna be the thing that derails me.  I know I shouldn’t call it a diet, everyone is technically on a diet.  I just really need to keep the cravings for a Big Mac or Junior Bacon Cheeseburger at bay.  But last week, I didn’t go out for dinner during work, I work 4p-12a…so it’s a start.

If anyone has any pointers on taking good pictures if yourself, let me know.  I will try to post a pic or two every week.  Until next time…

Well, I started my 12 week transformation this week.  I wanted to start it on 1/26 and I went that Monday, but we ended up getting a lot of snow and I had a hard time getting to the gym.  So anyways, I started it for real on 2/2.  So far I’ve actually gained weight, but lost .7% body fat in 3 days time.  I hope the actual weight starts dropping along with the body fat.  The workout went real well, my biceps are definitely pumped right now.  What frustrates me the most is how I’ve let myself go so badly.  I’m a fat, sloppy, sorry excuse for a guy.  I just gotta keep pushing myself harder and harder.  I’m actually looking forward to leg day on Friday.  I like working legs because it’s definitely my strongest muscle group.  Even though I’m a little soggy around the midsection, I do have nice legs, hahaha.  I will post about that on Friday, until next time…

Well I started my 12 week transformation today, felt really good to hit it hard.  Decline Barbell Press was by far the hardest exercise for me, I was shaking thru all 3 sets.  Definitely going to feel it after I wake up tomorrow.  Sorry to keep it so short, it’s been a long day, I will be back on here to post my run time tomorrow.

UPDATE-So I woke up this morning and can barely move my upper body, I’m more of a fat mess than I realized.  So I didn’t do any cardio today, I took today to cook the rest of my food for the week and just trying to take it easy before  I hit my back/biceps tomorrow.

Well, I’ve been hitting the gym every day this week since this past Saturday.  Well 4 days in a row may not sound like much, but it’s the most since before labor day.  Saturday played soccer, outside in 20 degrees and snow for 2 hours, then later on played racquetball with a buddy of mine for another 2 hours.  Sunday, lifted, played volleyball for 2.5 hours and was on the elliptical for another 30 minutes.  Monday, 1.5 hours of cardio, 30 on the elliptical, 30 on the recumbent bike, and another 30 on a different style elliptical.  Tuesday, lifted and 45 minutes on the elliptical.  Wednesday, probably just an hour of cardio split up over 2 machines.  I’m taking Thursday off because I’m going out with some buddies to watch the Pens go for 2 wins in a row, LET’S GO PENS!!!  Friday and Saturday is back to the gym to lift and play racquetball.  Then Sunday is the Steelers game, WOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!  Then starting Monday I need to start packing because I’m moving to a new place on Saturday, I wanna be settled by the 19th.  The place is only a few miles away.  After that, I have no more distractions, no more weird work schedules, no more roomate convincing me to go out when I shouldn’t, just me, myself, and I…and the gym.  Until next time…