Huggy_Bear’s BodyBlog

Well, it’s been a long while since I jumped on the blog. Let me give you an update.

I got home around the end of spring. While training at this gym in the area, I ran across a guy who offered to train me for MMA. MMA being a passion of mine I took him up on his offer. After about two months of solid training, I noticed, I was slimming down. I felt my energy level rising, and I became hungry for more. I asked my trainer what it would take for me to fight in the CQCC (Close Quarters Cage Combat) League. He told me, I needed to drop to a weight that I felt comfortable at (What I am naturally). He gave me the tools need to achieve this and I set after it.

After a month and a half, my trainer was surprised to see where I was at. How many 165 fighters do you see standing at 6’3. He was also interested in my power level. We tested it and soon after, I had my first fight. I ended up winning that one by decision. Every two weeks after that, I had a fight. I was working into a groove and then BANG!!! I lost in spectacular fashion. I was pounded pretty good. Not good enough to call the fight, but the ref was on high alert to make sure nobody got hurt. So I took a month off to watch film and train on the weaker parts. I started noticing I was losing much of the day. Not because I was busy, but because I couldn’t remember it. At the guidance of my Wife, I went in to get a scan. It turned out that I have lost some of my memory function along with some control of my fast twitch muscle fibers (I have short spasms now). But with all that, the only thing I’ve truly lost is the ability to play sports that may require head impact.

So with that being said, it seems I’m back on the grind to get big again. Sorry for the limited log ins, but I was really busy. Now, I have a few less activities on my schedule. So I’ll be able to get back at all you guys who wrote me. Well,

!!LET’S GO GET IT!!    

Well, I was put on a color guard team for the past two weeks. For those of you who don’t know, Color Guard holds the Nations Colors at ceremonial events. Well, this job requiers early mornings, long days and late nights. Besides the time frame, since it’s summer here in Fort Bragg, We have been out in the sun for close to 12 hours a day.Not to mention, I haven’t been hitting the gyms due to the fact that ny day consist of a 16 to 18 hour and between that and the fam (which is rarely seen), I haven’t had the time nor the energy to get a good session in. It kinda sucks because I have lost A LOT of weight in the past two weeks due to a diet of what ever I can get my hands on. SO! That’s how the last couple have been going for me. But like all things I have conquered in life, I won’t let this gain a victory over me.

OK. I came home, and chilled with the fam for a week. Hung out, got drunk, and ate like a champ. Now starting Monday, It’s time to get back at it. I stepped on the scale to day, and it read 186. Nice. 186 and I was still looking pretty good in the mirror. So it’s time to get back to 2 bills and solid mass.

Well, I’m on a major downslope. In about three weeks, I’m heading back home. It’s been a hard one for me, but I made it. Most people in my position would be really stoked to get outta here, and I am, but one thing will always remain. This one thing is gonna be hard for me to part with. Our make shift gym.

Most cases, you hear or read about guys and Hardcore Gyms. I would say without a shadow of a dought, that this one is Hardcore. Here’s a few stats on it.

Dumbbells: 10 to 25-45 to 55 to 70-85 to 100-110
45’s: 3
100’s: 2
barbells: 2
Flatbench: 1/2 (We had to make one)

When you have to get creative, you tend to take pride in your session. You invent ways to get the job done. You share the knowledge with others, and they do the same. We use what we have to get what we want; Progress. I can’t really put into words what tis is going to be like when we leave. From the chalk dusted, windowless hole that we had to knock down walls to make space. A concrete floor that is cratered by heavy deads and overhead presses. A ricketty old smith machine that has turned many into jelly whe the supports give. And a few mirrors with chessy ass designs on them that serves as our judge and jury. Most people would love to get back to a smell good, A/C cooled, TV and music filled gym, with machines that are specifically designed to work singular muscle groups and limit injury. Well, we like the added risk, it keeps you honest. We love the fact that we can blast a major muscle and hit a few minor ones at the same time. We will miss the way Godsmack would drown out the sounds of the war, only to start a new one within the walls of our sanctuary. This gym requiered no membership fee. You payed your dues by busting your ass day in and day out. No personal trainers. No lunch time crew taking up our space. No rules and no games. Just plain old rock and iron. We’ve seen the best and worst of this place. What started off as a tent with rusty plates, turn into a four corner hole that was filled with piliage and oppertunity. This is Hardcore. This is our home. Now and forever. I only hope those replacing us see what treasures lay in weight[s]. I also would like to see what this place becomes in a few years. Well, all good things must come to an end. Eve those that were started in the thick of a bad situation. The FOB Shank Gym. Nickname? Na. There isn’t a name in the world that would due this place justice. Besides, Simple is easy. And this gym is as simple as they come. Peace

This is me. I’m not a pro or a guru. I do have a degree in muscle kinesiology, but that class was dry and I felt like it was a fruitless effort on my part. So to consider me an expert would be a vast over statement. Hell, I’ll say it. To consider 90% of the people who call themselves experts is an overstatement. Get mad.

You see, some of you may know this. All humans were not crated equal. If we were, then we would all have great calves and forearms, Flex and Kevin would have a Sandow and there would be no need for diets due to the fact that we would all be in perfect physical shape. It’s the inequality that make us who we are. Guy 1 bust his ass twice a week trying to build a great set of wheels while Guy 2 demolishes his shoulders to get that wide look. Everybody is different. You won’t see it in a group of people who go to the gym for recreation. All laughs and jokes. Smiles and power lunches. Those are the people who do it because a TV ad said so.

Than there’s the demons who go for mega poundage. Weight that will crush the normal guy. Weight that makes you spit and cus, scream and grunt. Do you think that Mr. Recreation could handle his split? … Thought so. This is his life style. Everything around him screams “The next big lift” “More definition”. This guy is in it for a totally different reason.

Now take the two guys, Mr. Recreation and (oh lets call him) Mr. Animal (pun intended). The go see a supposed fitness guru. If the dude is a real guru, he’ automatically see that these two guys need two different appointment days. But, more often than not, you see him trying to handle them at the same time. Like everybody on the planet, they are too different. Like your goals and aspirations may not be the same as mine.

Listen, know one knows your body more than you. In my occupation, you have a lot of guys who call you weak or sand bagger because your limit is not up to there standard. I say F*** those dudes and keep doing your thing. You stick with a pace and you’ll get there. Some just take a little longer than others. Now I’m not saying outlaw the fitness gurus, but before you fork over your hard earned cheddar, try to stand on your own two first. If you fall, get up and try again. There’s way to may people who feel they are the alpha and omega when it comes to this fitness game. When in reality, it starts and ends with you. You know where you are, you know where you wanna be, the in between is trial and error. This is a marathon, not a sprint. Peace

OK. Due to a Pneumonia bug going around, I seem to have lost close to 15 pounds. That really sucks. I had it for a few days and that few days really hurt me. I still ent to the gym, but my power output wasn’t there, and it seemed after every set, I was outside trying to clear me lungs. I guess I can go ahead and chalk that up to the fact that 2 guys that sleep in the same hut, had it before me. Now, I’m back on a high calorie high protein diet. It’s kinda hard to not eat junk and trash out here because we don’t have much of a choice as to what we can eat. But I’ll see where it goes. In about a week and a half, I’m moving up to a pretty good spot with great equipment and excellent food. I’m hoping that te couple weeks I spend up there will help me regain the mass I once had. We’ll see.

Well, the kid’s got about a month left and it’s back to the house. When I started this adventure, I was a 165 pound middle wieght boxer, who was all about the thin. Due to massive blows to the head, boxing had to take a back seat. But that didn’t stop the prophet. So I just picked up some heavy stuff and couldn’t put it down. Now, i’m a 210 pound Maniak (That’s what my guys call me). Along the beginning of this, I found bodyspace. At first, I was all like, man this is a myspace for fitness. I was surprised to find that I recieved excellent training tips, priceless words of insperation and motivation, and I met some of the greatest people i’ve come across. I would like to thank all of you who have been able to offer your insight on my training and fitness transformation. You guys are some of the most cherished to me, and I don’t have many of those. Also, being able to watch you guys as you acheive your goals, set new ones and shatter your personal best, is what keeps me on the path. With all that goes on in your day to day, it amazes me how you are able to keep up with this life style. A life style that many chose not to follow or falter during the hard days. You are all super heros in my eyes. If it were a perfect world, we could all meet up and have one hell of a shindig. But alas this world is not perfect. But it’s the imperfections we face that force me to marvel at your dedication. If your everyday lives are filled with the same passion you have for fitness, I foresee this world on the verge of positive change. From the novice to the elite, I salute you with honor. And I stand proud to be in the company some of humanities past, present and future greatness.

 Thanks,
Will