Gatorgym’s BodyBlog

I blasted off this morning.  My heart was thumping during my leg training while listening to one of those podcasts Dani was talking about yesterday.  Thanks Dani.

While doing squats, I want to die.  During lunges, I want to KILL someone!–Unk

That was so true for me this morning.  I worked it hard this morning doing my new workout regimen.  It hurts so good!  It definitely got the metabolism crankin’!

~JimfromtheGYM

Busy morning for me. I was up at 515 and at the gym by 5:30. I did my HIIT cardio and my AB boot camp. Man, I love that stuff! I don’t think I have ever done abs this consistently in my life! I have washboard abs in mind and I intend to look like that when all is said and done with!

I forgot my steamfresh veggies in the freezer…grrrr…..

Anyways, here is a quote that was shared in our Teams Forum this morning. It will help you understand the rest of my blog for the day. "It isn’t the mountain ahead that wears you out; it’s the grain of sand in your shoe." -Robert W. Service

I think the grain of sand in my shoe holding me back is sleep! I need to get to bed earlier. I need to overcome the obstacle in my head telling me to stay up for no good reason. Last night I was in bed by 9:55, but tonight my goal is 9:30! I have no reason to not be in bed at that time, so there you have it!

Sleep is supposed to be the best time for the muscles and body too to grow and rest ( of all things )! So if I get more sleep, I will grow more muscles; and therefore, have a higher metabolic rate to burn more fat!

So I will be in bed by 9:30 tonight! That is my daily goal if anything else.

I had a great chest and back workout this morning. I got a great sweat from my workout, so I’m happy! Doing that pre-contest workout gets my heart going real fast because there is only a 30-45 second workout between sets!

I just realized I ran out of my Protein Powder at work.  So it looks like Tuna and Plain Oats for me all day.  I always have those on hand!  Yum yum!

I know its too late now, but what does everyone mix with Tuna to add flavor.  I know Mayo won’t cut it in this game…no pun intended!!!

~Jim

Sleepy Sleeperton (me) slept in this morning and didn’t get up, but thats fine, I will be jumping rope and running tonight, so I will still get my HIIT in!  I do love doing it in the morning because I feel it is so much more effective, but they say something is always better than nothing right!

I think I am on track with my goals.  My two week goal I pronounced last week to get out of the 130’s is going to be a close one!  I am at 233 right now, so I’ve dropped 3lbs the past week, but I would need to lose over 3 this week which probably isn’t too realistic if I do not want to lose muscle.

I think my giving myself that stringent goal, I had the best week of my challenge last week.  And I am going to make this one even better eating wise!

I did my HIIT this evening by jumping rope then hitting a lap around the block.  Good stuff.  My legs are even more sore after doing that!

What is everyone’s take on Diet Sodas?  Do they affect diets?  Are they really that bad for you?  Would you drink one during a pre-contest diet?

 I used to have 1 a day with lunch.  But I heard they are just as bad as regular sodas, which I find hard to believe.  I am about to research this.  I understand there are studies out there that say that Diet Sodas can cause you to crave more sweet foods than just water consumption alone, but I am not concerned with that as I have really do not have a sweet tooth. 

Any and all advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks.

~Jim

I decided that with 8 weeks left in our competition, I really wanted to try a pre-contest(bodybuilding) workout regimen. So today I began with chest and back superset with less than a minute rest between sets. Man, my hear was pumping. I should definitely see some results with this.

In another 2-4 weeks, I am going to take it up another notch and tighten my diet even further by doing a pre-contest diet and using measured portions versus fist size portions as accustomed to in the Body for Life Program. I have always wanted to compete, but never could quite be disciplined enough to stick with the diet like I have the last 12 weeks. So, I guess this is the reason for my extremist ways right now. I think if I can stick it out now, then after my shoulder surgery in July, and I am rehabbed of course, I am going to look at entereing a competion.

In the meantime, I am going to book a session with a photographer at the end of our contest, so that I am held even more accountable for this contest

Good morning fellow Muscles!

I did HIIT this morning followed by some shrugs and more trap exercises, and yes, I chopped wood this morning on my favorite machine!  I figure I am going to start the week a bit differently.

Some of my accomplishments are:

1. Dropping pant sizes by losing inches on my waist!
2. Organized Workouts!

Some items to focus on:

1. Get that HIIT  in 3x a Week
2. Rest

Weaknesses Include:

1. As mentioned already, getting the cardio more than 3x a week.
2. Clean Eating

Another goal I set for myself to break up our long 12 week goal is a hefty one.  I will break the 230lb mark in 2 weeks.  Mark my words!  With that said, GAME ON!   and of course Let’s Kick Some AXE!

I think I just had a bit of Spring Fever Today. Between being busy at work and staring outside at the beautiful day! About 82 and clear…so nice! I did do my HIIT today. Definitely hit my 10 on that one! Good lord. Then I did a bit of abs followed by some STRETCHING! Good Times.

I did my LBWO this morning followed by some good stretching. I am trying to incorporate that more consciously into my routines. I actually stretched in between each exercise to. Felt great!