Return to the Iron.

Yesterday I had a great arm workout! It was intense! I got a huge pump doing my "Arnold" weight stripping technique. I haven’t used that in quite a while.

When I got home, and ready to jump in the shower I checked myself in the mirror. My arms were ridiculously big in comparison to the rest of my body. My arms have always been just a bit ahead, but damn! Oh welp, it’s not like I am going for my pro card any time soon. So to hell with symmetry. I just wanna scare all the little kids at the July 4th backyard bash next year! lol

Anyway, for some reason I could not effing sleep last nite. I had a 5am start which meant I had to be up by 3am, out the door by 4am, to start by 5am.  Dammit. I got a grand total of 3 hours sleep (if that) Then I worked till 4:00 PM By the time I hit the gym, I was DOA.  I considered not going. Was a bitch, but I went! (leg day no less) Workout wasn’t as intense as yesterday, but I still managed to add some poundages to my hack squat.

I just kept thinking of how those kids were gonna drop their hot dogs, and run screaming next year, once they catch a glimpse of my massiveness!

Now for some protien, and to bed for me!

Yesterday was Christmas and boy did I feast. During the feast I was nursing a few Sam Adams’ "Winter Lagers"  and afterwards, I had a fat slice of pumpkin pie with Reddi Whip. I have zero resistance for pumpkin pie. I allowed myself to indulge a bit yesterday, and today it’s back to business. (although the remaining pie is just looking at me in the fridge)

Back in the gym today after a day from hell. Seems one of the senior drivers wanted an extra day off so he called out. They changed my route completely so the route I had directions for on Friday meant nothing, and today I searched for stops in Philadelphia all day.

What ya gonna do when shit goes wrong? Rise to the occasion! Not having a P.A. map, I used my Jersey map because it showed some of Pennsylvania to the west. Some stops had phone numbers and I was able to get directions. I finished my day right by the new stadium near the Walt Whitman bridge. Go Phillies/Eagles and all that.

After a stressfull day dragging a 48 foot trailer though streets that were way too tight, I was still able to get a half decent chest/shoulder workout in tonight.

Time to go defrost.

Done with work at 1:30pm and at the gym by 2:00. I couldn’t believe it but I was among the only 3-4 people even there. We had the place to ourselves. I never truly pay attention to people at the gym unless they are being loud.. or they want to talk to me. I generally go about my business and try not to notice the —-mirrors…… Soo many mirrors… (I think I caught myself staring at me, and almost kicked my own ass. lols)

 However, there was this older guy with a big gut running from room to room doing a sort of 3 rep screaming set, and back out of the room flailing his arms about as if he were trying to warm his joints or something. I’ve just never seen someone train like that. Of course most of my training has been done in my garage… I can say it’s not easy training to failure, whilst you are trying to suppress laughter.

Still in all I had a great workout tonight, or today I should say. And as I sit here typing this, downing my whey.. I realize I finally found a way to train, that I can stick with. I truly thought I would loathe going to a public gym again, but this place is pretty cool. Colorful at least.. 

From the most shallow, to the most complex, and admirable, the things that motivate people to train are varied by tons. Guys wanna look hot for the babes. Ladies wanna look good for the guys. People train for thier respective sports and or bodybuilding competitions.

These are the things that get them in the gym time, and time again. It’s become part of their schedule and daily routine. They have a goal, and set about acheiving it through careful planning.

The real world sucks though. Anything can come along and destroy your plan.. Your diet/nutrition could be in jeopardy, your gym time, you could have an injury, anything can happen. The strong find a way to get up… dust off… and git er done.

In my particular case it’s my job. My start time is varied. Sometimes I start at 5am.. other times at 1am and so on. This messes with my sleep/ recovery time like crazy and sometimes I just want to drive right by the gym on the way home… Did I mention its on the way home? On nights like that, I just cut the wheel into the gym parking lot and drag my ass out of the truck. I will train around these obstacles or I will engineer my plan accordingly. My plan is set to give myself the best chance for success.

After failing again and again, I can say I am an expert about what not to do, and I have learned about myself with every failure.

I use what I have learned to engineer success on all levels in my life and if that ever fails… I just turn the wheel into the gym!

Yesss!!!

Its not much.. just a little light I can see and feel but…

YESSSSS!

I am actually building up some strength.  I figure in a few months I should be close to where I was when I stopped lifting. I haven’t felt this good since my wedding night.

Tomorrow I do bis and tris my favorite.

I am getting used to the gym and actually getting to know some of the regulars. I think the owners are trying to kill some of us older guys cause the heat is on way too high. It may be a business plan to get lifters in and  out really quick. Who knows.. I’ll get used to it.

Beating the bulge will take some time. However, I can feel some progress in the way my pants are fitting.

Speaking of muscle… since it was really warm in Jersey today, after the gym, I took the beast out for a romp!

Yes.. it still hauls ass. Momma yelled at me once we got sideways at about 7000 rpms. I have historic plates for it, but I really shoudn’t drive it on the street. I just cant stay out of the gas..That lil ol 350 really screams.

All in all, I am making progress both mentally, and physically. I just wish I could have awakened earlier. Who knew I could have it all?

My dryer was making some noise and eating some of the delicates that the females of the household like to load in there. Turns out there is a bushing type strip in there that is held in with adhesive. When it wears out the drum shifts leaving a gap that clothes can get caught in.

Me being semi mechanically inclined, fixed it this weekend to the delight of all the females of the house. I am now a god among men. lol I managed to do this as well as hitting the gym on both days, and taking everyone Christmas shopping.

I think its possible to make it stick this time. I mean if I can do all these things simply by budgeting the time, there is no excuse for not being in top shape. Come to think of it… there never was.

Had a good workout tonight (Monday) did chest and shoulders managed to add 20 lbs to my flat press and increased some of the shoulder work. Slowly but surely.

After a nice 12 hour run delivering meat to a few local cold storage facilities, I hit the gym on the way home. TGIF and all that. I hit the gym at about 6:45pm and surprisingly, there was hardly anyone there.

Trying to create some energy, I tear into my warmup sets. My plan is to hit chest, and shoulders, but it is evident from the start that I dont have the strength I once had. I load a couple of 45’s on the flat press bench, and settle for my 7-8 reps per set. Depressing as that is, I notice this dude in the corner humming to himself some sort of Jamaican song between sets.

This guy looks exactly like Albert Beckles (smaller version) and is going off on his shoulders.  http://www.bodybuilders.com/albert.htm

Just observing the way he was hitting his sets like a "machine" was energizing. I forgot my limitations and started adding weight to the bar, almost having to use the machine safety spotters. In the time it took me to do my warmup sets, 10 sets for chest, and 5 sets into my rear shoulders, he was still wailing on his shoulders.

The guy looked awesome and was truly inspirational. I like to push my last few sets to failure. On my last set  using a "behind the neck" press machine, "Albert " came over and helped me grind out a few more reps. I wanted to finish with some flies and the dumbells are in a separate room. I told him his shoulders looked huge, (and they did) bid him have a good weekend, and went off to hit my finishing sets in the next room.

When I left the gym last nite "Albert" was still slamming his shoulders. I should have asked for an autograph! I could get used to this public gym thing.

Today (in about 30 mins) is ARM day! When I am done today, I will not be able to hold a cup of coffee! Bring it on baby!

Job is trying to kill me. Driving an 18 wheeler for a cold storage distributor is death this time of year. Everyone needs their Turkeys and stuff.

I set Weds and Thurs to be off cause I knew I’d be sore as hell.

Weds nite I get a call to be in for 2AM on Thurs. Sooo with about 4 hours sleep I made the run into Schenectady NY to deliver to a Price Chopper Dist Center. I got back at about 3PM, did some Cardio, and some ab bench work.

My gut feels like someone is standing on it now. Tomarrow night its back into the gym. I think I am going to do chest and shoulders since they were hit last on Sunday, and are not quite as sore as the rest of me. I’ll be tired but I do not have to work Sat, and Sunday, and can make up for any crappy workouts then..

(confession) forgive me Kromm for I have sinned..

last nite I had a bowl of Trix. they just called to me, and I was weak.

I think I already burned them off. Therefore, I forgive myself.

I made it. After a 13 hour day on Monday, and a 14 hour day today, I still managed to get into the gym before I went home on both days. I am taking the next two days off for some recovery, and will be back in the gym for Friday nite.

On Weds and Thurs , I will do some cardio and some ab work. (I say that like I have abs…)  lols That’s funny… I have  nothing that shows past a keg, let alone six pack. Diet… Cardio… Diet… Cardio… Diet, Diet, Diet, and more Cardio…yuck… Friday I will jump back into the swing hitting the Bis and Tris.

I have learned that after a 14 hr day, using a bit of deodarant before tearing into your first set, goes a long way towards getting a spot when you need one.  

Went this morning for the first time on my 4 month membership. Place was a bit crowded but there is a ton of equipment.

Did chest and shoulders. Although my poundages are way down from where they were a year ago I feel I did pretty well. Actually, I think I may have overdone it. Time will tell if I get a visit from the "overtraining" god of death! lols

Tomarrow is when the real test will be for me. The only way I can train during the week is after work. And I am usually dead to the world on the way home.

Still a crappy work out is better than none. And I know I’ll get in there and get it done. I aint dead yet!