Lex29’s Body Forum

What up Fam!!

Hows this for sabatoge. 

I order from this resturant by my job damn near every day.  Its to the point that they know my voice when i call.  No need to ask for address and phone number, because its almost like i’m part of the family.

In the begining I used to have to explain tooth and nail how i wanted something prepared, and then why i wanted it like that.  So to make it easier to understand my madness, I started going in for breakfast.  I explained what I was trying to do, why I needed certain things such a way, and to my surprise, the owner didn’t have a problem with it. 

However, lately i’ve been having a problem.  The manager (Think its the owners brother)has been running the spot because the owner is out of town.  This guy always has some smart ass comment whenever I come in or call.  He swears I’m on steriods because as he puts it, "I work out and I dont look anythnig like that"  (Dont you love comments like those?)  Anyway, ever since then my stuff has been coming back all jacked up.  For example, today after my training I ordered two all beef patties, with some let, tom, & avacado on the side.  "No I dont want the bun, no I dont want cheese, no i dont want ketchup……yes I’m sure".

So what do you think this dude sends over……a God damn double cheeseburger dlx, with french fries!!!  In my mind I’m saying, I’m dealing with a sabatore!!  What the hell did he write down?  How do you go from no bun, to Keiser roll?  From no cheese to 2 slices of american?  From no Ketchup, to Mayo AND ketchup.  So i call this hater on the phone, and he’s like, oh, i got the order wrong….if you want you can keep that and I’ll send over another order!!  LOL!

I sent that 3 hour cardio workout back with the delivery guy, and told him to please bring me back what i ordered. 

Beware family…..haters are everywhere!!

Peace!!

Whats up Fam!

I’ve always wondered if there was a greater benefit in having a workout partner vs working out alone.  I’ve been the star of my show now for a number of years, not necessarily by choice, it just worked out that way.  However, I’ve often wondered if my progress would be a little further along if I had a partner. 

Problem is, I dont exactly have a good track record with partners.  In a nutshell, they never last.  In the past I went through partners like beer at an open bar.  My own brother wont work out with me….lol.  Please understand that I dont push people into doing things that they cant do, however, if you work out with me, then thats what we are going to do.  My only conversations are going to revolve around, how much do you want on this set, do you need help with the lift, etc. 

I think workout partners serve critical roles for both parties.  However, if you cant find someone that shares your same mindset, then, like me its best you go at it alone.  When I work out, I block everything else out thats going on around me.  So much so the other day I found out I have a nickname in the gym.  They call me Big Business. Apparently because I’m all business when I come in. (I had to laugh at that one)  But I’m like that mainly because I have a goal i want to achieve.  Its not just going to happen one morning when I wake up.  When i go in the gym, I’m inspired by thoughts of all the other competitors that are working as hard as I am.  So that means i need to work 2x, sometimes 3x’s as hard.  Some see it as being antisocial, but my gym, in my mind is not a social hang out.  And this is partly the reason i believe I’ve worked out alone so many years. 

Truth be told, I’d like to have a workout partner.  There are days when I struggle mentally just to strap on my gloves.  But you know what they say; if it aint broke, dont fix it.  If something transpires in the future, great, otherwise, "Big Business" will remain a solo venture.

Peace!

What up fam!!

Alright so by now we all know that Jay Cutler has regained his crown for the Mr. Olympia, defeating defending champ Dexter Jackson.  As a matter of fact, if I’m not mistaken "The Blade" came in third behind Branch Warren.  Now everyone that knows me knows that I’m a Dexter Jackson fan.  However, I can look at a contest objectively and say if he won or lost. 

I cant see it.  I can’t see how Dexter loses this contest, or for that matter comes in THIRD!!!  I think this is what drives most competitors crazy.  Its that they dont know what the judges are looking for.  Last yeat when he won the Mr. O, he stated that he didn’t think he would ever win simply because it seemed like it was a "freak" contest, more than a bodybuilding contest.  It seemed like the judges were only looking to see who could pack on the most muscle rather than who is more symetrical or astheticaly pleasing (Hope i spelt that right) 

But when he won it seemed like there was a change of gaurd.  It seemed like it wasn’t about just how big you were, but also if you were symetrical, conditioned, and balanced.  To me Jay still looked thick in the midsection, which gave him a boxy appearance.  I think the package that Branch bought to this olympia was his best ever, so I have no problem with him taking second.  However, I dont see Jay beating Dex for the title.  I think Dex still had the best conditioning, and overall balance of size. 

Curious about what everyone thinks.  Get at me!!

Peace!!

Calories - 3000; Fat - 122; Sodium - 1200; Carbs - 75; Protein - 375 

Hey Fam!!

Since I decided to shoot for my first competition sometime in 2010, I’ve had a new focus that I can honestly say i never had before.  My workouts have been more intense, utilizing shorter time frames.  Years back I would be in the gym for at least 1:30.  Today I’m in and out in under an hour.  I used to think that I knew it all, and that was my downfall.  The second you think you know everything is when you stop making gains.

Now with a new focus, and a goal in mind, i tear it up in the gym.  I love the progress that i am making.  But most importantly I love the knowledge I have received from others.  When you look at things from different angles you pick up on information that you otherwise would have missed.  My work ehtic has been noticed by other gym members, as they continously approach me with questions.  Its flattering, and as I believe i have lots to learn I will never dismiss anyone looking to attain some of what I might know. 

Bodybuilding is the greatest sport I have ever involved myself in.  I love the feeling of waking up in the morning sore, and hurting.  I actually look forward to it.  If one side hurts less than the other, then i gotta equal it up next time out.  I love the fact that its a 24/7 lifestyle.  Exercise, diet, rest, repeat.  You leave one phase out and you can pretty much kiss progress goodbye.  But when you see a body part growing, or you see veins in places you never saw before, or when you add an extra plate onto your exercise movement, that feeling of success is so moving, you cant wait to get it again. 

To those that may be struggling, I emplore you not to give up.  This is not a perfect science.  its a challenge.  You just have to step up to the plate and take you best swing.  The best part about this is that you have unlimited at bats.   

Peace!!

What up fam!!

Now most of ya’ll know me by now.  I’m as laid back as they come.  But when it comes to my workout, I’m all business.  When I’m in the gym, I am in my realm, my zone, my inner sanctom.  However, if I know you, or I see you on the regular, and you (for whatever reason) come over to give me a pound, say hi, or just whats up, I’m not an ass. . . so i will acknowledge you.

HOWEVER. . . If you come over and you have not seen the inside of a stick of deodarant, or have not touched soup since the election, do not be offended if I look at you side eyed!!

(Dam Lex whats up with that)  Well I’ll tell you.  I’m about 30 minutes deep into whats shaping up to be a great arm workout.  Shirts already wet, arms pumped, and I’m preparing for my last set of close grip bench presses.  This guy who I dont know,  and never saw before shouts out to me from about 15 feet away, "Whats good big man?"  I acknowledge him, "Everything is everything bruh."  Take a few more sips of my Xtend (shamless plug….scivation holla at me!!) and then set up under ther bar. . . and then the smell hits me.   My face went to instant WTF mode.  Got up from under the bar and looked up and there he was.  Holding his hand out for a pound but his aroma got to me about 15 seconds before he did. 

I was like damn how the hell you JUST got in here and you reaking like gym socks already.  I gave him his pound so he would be gone. . . thats when I hear "You need a spot"  HELL NO!!  Dont get me wrong fam, we all get a little musky every now and then, myself included, but this was just rediculous.  And dude was setting up for squats…lol.

Anyway, moral of this rant is. . . be courtious to your fellow gym mates.  Or if you dont give a F about the guys be nice to the ladies of the gym.  Otherwise you might just notice you have certain parts of the gym all to yourself. . .

Peace!

Calories - 2784g; Carbs - 78g; Fat - 53g; Sodium - 1116mg; Protein - 384g

Slowly but surely inching the calories back up above 2800.  Since i’ve been taking an account of what i eat, I’ve been able to calculate what calorie range I am most comfortable with.  Being that we are entering the cold weather months, I’m going to try and keep my calorie range in the mid 3000’s (3200-3500). 

I’m one that doesn’t believe in the traditional "bulking" process.  I believe that in order to gain quality muslce you need to get stronger.  And the way you get stronger is by getting back to the basics and lifting heavier.  (Deadlifts, Squats, Bench)  Eating a bunch of burgers or pizza, or pounding down 4 servings of protein in one shot isn’t the trick. 

I think (for my body at least) that by doing that you add more fat than actual muscle, and subsequently making it harder to diet down when you need to.  I am going to try and remain as lean as possible while putting on mass aka quality muscle.  We’ll see how it goes.

Peace!

Just looky looky what i found being served at a restauran in ATL, Georgia called The Vortex Bar & Grill.  Its called (and correctly so) the  “Double Coronary Burger”.  What’s inside you ask, well here’s your answer:

What’s inside: Not for the faint of stomach, this flame-broiled half-pound patty of premium ground sirloin is topped with Two fried eggs, four slices of American cheese, and 5 strips of crispy bacon, with two grilled American cheese sandwiches replacing the traditional buns and a big ole side of mayo.

Now I don’t know who exactly comes up with these type of menu options, but its clear that someone is running out of ideas.  At this point i have no words.  I just wanted to share.

Peace!!

Whats up Fam!

I haven’t written anything in a while mainly becuase I’ve been having so much fun responding to everyone elses blogs.  However while working shoulders yesterday, something clicked (literally) and helped me see clear to writing this today.

Now I’ve been an "active" member here since about March 2009, and I’ve seen many blogs and articles regarding protein supps, fat buring supps, N.O. supps, etc.  But how many of us are actually taking joint supplements?  I’ve been researching this for a little while, as to its validity.  Its validity met me head on yesterday while doing Shoulder presses.  A lot of us put our bodies through some serious torture with the expectation that what you tear down will build itself back up, better than before.  But that theory is only valid if you take care of it on both ends. 

Supplementing in order to help your muscles grow is important, but if we dont take care of the aligning joints, then sooner or later we may not be able to lift a thing in order to build that muscle.  Think about the amount or weight you lift in a week.  The typical work out for shoulders, just an example, is about 12 sets, with each set averaging about 10 reps.  Thats over a hundred reps with varied weight.  You do that over the course of a few months, and you kinda get the idea of what kind of stress the shoulder joints endure. 

We all are in search of a healthier physique, but in order to achieve that we need to adhere to all aspects of the body, not just the muscle fibers themselves.  Take a look into joint supplementation.  I think its an important aspect that should be, at the very least, considered. 

Peace!

What up fam!!

So this weekend while enjoying the warm weather strutting my choclatey self up and down the beach with my 4 year old bodyguard, I picked up the latest issue of FLEX magaizne.  Inside I found an interesting article on whether or not Leg Extensions were beneficial, or Dangerous?!  (Say it aint so)

Now I’m pretty much old school to a certain degree.  So Leg Extensions have long been a part of my leg routine.  However after reading the article some things did kinda make sense as to how this exercise could be harmful.  According to the article, the leg extension ". . .is mostly unnecessary for those who desire maximum muscular size and strength." (Pg28) 

The article goes on to say that "although some bodybuilders use this movement to warm up on leg day, unless you perform it very strictly there’s potential for damaging your knees by doing even moderate weight reps."  This is me 100%.  I use Leg Extensions to warm up for as long as I can remember.  And I can’t say I was always as strict as I should have been.

I found the article interesting becuase lately I have been suffering from knee soreness.  I thought it was becuase of the one leg presses I’ve been doing, but i didn’t even stop to think about the leg extensions.  In a way it makes sense.  Since my goal in the leg department is mass, technically, I dont really need to incorporate leg extensions right now. 

If you happen to see the edition of FLEX, check it out.  The article is on pg 28.  Just a little FYI for you guys & gals.

Peace!

What up Fam!!

So its been a minute since I wrote a new blog, mainly becuase you guys keep me busy with responses to your own blogs.  But Lex (thats me) actually has a question thats kinda been bugging him for a little while.

Now I like the pace my arm development has been on.  I’ve got descent size, and they are shaping up at a nice pace.  However, what i’ve noticed is that while I have been able to attain that "Hoseshoe" development with my right arm, when it comes to my left arm you can barely see it.  Its almost non-existent.  So ofcourse my first mental course of action was to isolate the muscle with one arm tricep exercises, but I wanted to know if anyone else experienced this.  I mean to me its just odd that one arm would show this kind of development and the other arm nothing.  Holla at me and let me hear some of your thoughts.

Peace!!