PenteKing’s BodyBlog

It’s such an arbitrary thing, isn’t it - this marking the end of one year and marking the start of another? Time, except for the context we humans give it, has no meaning. We live constantly in the present, although we continually talk about the past and hope for the future. We go from moment to moment, watching as time keeps slipping into the future. We think we have a handle on things, and don’t realize that we are specks, spinning around in the infinite cosmic dust cloud of the universe. Our lives, in and of themselves, have no meaning, other than that which we ascribe to it.

It is in that spirit that I wish everyone here on Bodybuilding.com a healthy and happy New Year. Give meaning to your own lives, but don’t neglect the lives of those who surround you. Be at peace with yourself, but don’t forget to extend an olive leaf to others. Feed your own soul, but stop to nuture the soul of another. It is required of every man that the spirit within him should walk abroad. Else, we are doomed to be solitary creatures, journeying from cradle to grave without rhyme or meaning.

Since re-entering the bodybuilding lifestyle, I’ve lately found myself doing a very curious thing. I look at people that I see on the street, or in the store, or at a restaurant, and I classify them as either being folks who work out, or those who don’t. I slipped into the habit without even realizing it, and it wasn’t until tonight (when I was at dinner) that my companion pointed out to me what I was doing.

My first inclination was to deny it, but I successfully resisted the urge and thought long and hard about what had been said to me. Reluctantly, I had to concede that the remark had been right on target. That was EXACTLY what I had been doing, and doing on a pretty regular basis. It made me realize what I snob I’ve become. Less than two years ago, I could be counted among the ranks of those who did not work out. I was horrible. I was drinking more than was good for me; my diet was adding needless and empty calories to my waistline; and I had no muscle tone or energy. True, I had the will power to change everything, but that doesn’t give me the right to judge others. I have no way of knowing what each particular person’s story is. I am in no position to assume ANYTHING about them at all. I have been a complete and total ass about this - smug and arrogant beyond words.

I wasn’t planning on making a New Year’s resolution this year, but I’ve changed my mind. My resolution is to stop being such an ******* and to rejoin the human race.

I was raised in a single parent household. I don’t know if that has anything to do with it (probably not), but my mother is the single most superstitious person on the face of the planet. No matter what happens, she reads some type of omen into it. If say, we’re talking about a common acquaintance, and one of us should happen to sneeze or cough in the middle of saying something, my mother will point and exclaim, “See; it’s true!” 

One of her more annoying (or endearing, if you want to look at it that way) are her beliefs surrounding New Year’s Eve. For example, Mom firmly believes that the person at your side when the clock strikes midnight is the person who will be with you for the rest of the year. The fact that I can point to innumerable examples exploding that myth does nothing to shake her belief. 

The reason I bring this up is because Mom telephoned me today to ask what my New Year’s resolution is going to be. When I informed her that I wasn’t going to make any, she was appalled. 

What, she asked, would I do with the entire year if I had no goal to accomplish? What would be my reason for staying alive if I had no plans to achieve anything? Hadn’t she raised me better than that? 

I calmed her down and explained that my resolutions were on-going. My commitment to a healthy, fit lifestyle was one. Endeavoring to treat everyone with a modicum of dignity and respect was another. Continuing to improve myself as a human being was a third. Those were, in my opinion, worthy resolutions, and ones I didn’t have to re-commit to each and every year. 

There was a pause, and then Mom asked, “Don’t you have resolutions about making money?” 

You gotta love that.

Today was my last official day with Coach (until I break down and hire her again), and as was our usual routine, she took my body measurements. Those of you who have assidiously followed my entries (all 2 of you), you know that my lack of progress has been a major stick in my craw. Even though I’m doing everything "right", i don’t seem to either gain muscle or lose fat. After today’s measuring, though, I can no longer make that claim.

My body fat percentage, which started at 25% in June of 2006 now stands at 13.5%. That is an amazing 46% drop! Can I get a WHOO-HOO? Man, I am stoked, pumped, thrilled and elated beyond all description. I don’t need a lot of motivation to keep my energized, but I do need some. During the past month, I’ve been obssessing about my lack of progress, which has led to less than stellar performances in the gym. It’s hard to stay focused when you’ve plateaued. But with this little stat under my belt, I am once again engaged, energized and raring to go.

I repeat, can I get a witness?

Since giving myself the gift of an iPod Nano, I’ve used the device almost every day. I absolutely love the fact that I can walk around with an entire library of music in a device that I can easily fit into my shirt pocket. It’s an amazing feat of technological wizardy and I marvel at the minds that conceived and built the thing.

Now that I have praised the device, let me offer suggestions to make it better. MAKE IT WIRELESS. My God, I hate the wire that connects my earplugs to the Nano. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve caught it on something and ripped the plugs from my ears or the jack from the device itself. They can do this. I know they can. They have the tools; they have the talent.

Make it easier to remove songs from the iPod without having to jump through hoops. I accidentally loaded Norah Jones on my Nano, and now, I can’t figure out how to get her off without deleting her from my library. I don’t want to eliminate Norah Jones; I just don’t want her on the Nano. I use the Nano when I’m working out, and on those occasions, I want hard core rock and roll and (blush) disco music. Tunes to get my blood boiling and get me motivated. Norah is reserved for intimate moments with the woman of my dreams. She most certainly doesn’t belong in the gym. How to get her off the Nano is the work of a lifetime. I’ll figure it out, but I shouldn’t have to work this hard.

Give us users the ability to easily share our music libraries across multiple computers as well as the iPod. I know. They don’t want people ripping off the music, but there must be a way to flag a song to an authorized device. Once I’ve paid for a song, I should have the right to listen to it, regardless of whether I’m using my desktop computer, my laptop or my iPod. The song is mine. Let me listen to it without the added hassle of being a librarian. There are entire forums on the Internet devoted to ways around this dilemma. For Heaven’s sake, it doesn’t have to be this hard.

Okay, I’ve got the venom out of my system. All in all, I love my iPod. Really. I no longer have to listen to Neanderthals yakking on their cell phones while they pretend to work out. For that reason alone, I think the device should be awarded the title of "Device of the Century".

Winning both on points and on style, Isopure crushed Muscle Milk in my not-so-scientific poll. Overall, Isopure won by having superior taste, better carb-to-protein ratio, and overall asthetics. The clerk at the Nutrimart where I shop claims that Muscle Milk flies off the shelf here in San Diego, but out there in the real world (if my poll is to be believed) Isopure is kicking a** and taking names.

Thanks to everyone who responded to my impromptu poll. Your feedback tipped the scales in Isopure’s favor. Your honorarium was put into the mail today. (Just kidding!)

It is always at this time of the season that one takes a moment to reflect on the successes and failures of the past twelve months.  And so, although this may not mean much to many of you, there are some who will understand perfectly the spirit in which this entry is written.

To Wanda - don’t be afraid of new experiences. These are the events that shape our character.

To ChickenTuna - thank you for being an inspiration to me. When my resolve flags, it is to her body space that I go to bolster my spirit.

To Katnap - a woman who is a truly beautiful human being, both inside and out. I only wish there were more people like her in this world.

To Trey - a great friend and another person with a beautiful, generous spirit. I hope you and Jessica can make your thing work, because never were there two people more suited to one another than you two.

To Russ - my friend - now and forever. We’ve shared a lot of laughs, a lot of confidences, and a lot of sorrow. It’s been great living in the world with you.

To my sons - I love and cherish you both, and only wish you lived closer so that we could see each other more frequently.

To Vince - hang in there, my brother. Life has dealt you some harsh body blows, but you’re getting your second wind and will be victorious in the end.

To Michele - who has been a rock and a comfort and a joy to me for twenty-one years. I couldn’t have made this journey without you.

It is my sincere hope that my presence in this plane of existence is a worthwhile one. I hope that my spirit positively influences everyone with whom I come in contact. In the spirit of this holiday spirit - for Christians and non-Christians alike…

…Peace, love and understanding.

So far, Isopure has taken the lead in this contest. The respondents have universally united behind Isopure not only for the superiority of its protein isolate, but also because of its great taste. It mixes well with both water and milk (and, I’m sure, although I’ve never tried it, with fruit juices). One person likened it to Gatorade in its ability to dissolve completely in liquid, leaving a potion that is potable and delicious.

I’ve already gone on record as an Isopure adherent. I use the powder every day. It is the cornerstone of my daily diet (along with my oatmeal). I also have a bottle of the Zero Carb liquid immediately after a workout and find that it refreshes and revitalizes my body. Because I like it so much, I’m also considering purchasing their meal supplement product to use as a mid-morning or late afternoon meal.

I think Isopure has made a difference in my body. I will post progress pictures soon so that you all can judge for yourself. In the meantime, I’ll continue to track responses to this post and update one and all on what I receive.

I trade dietary observations with a fellow gym-goer. Recently, we had this intense argument over whether Isopure or Muscle Milk was the superior protein drink. I favor Isopure; Bill favors Muscle Milk. I like Isopure not only for the taste, but also because it has less calories and contains zero carbs and zero fat. Muscle Milk, as I understand it, (I’ve never had it) has about double the calories, and contains 19% fat, and has fewer grams of protein than Isopure. My numbers may be a little off here because I’m quoting from memory, but I’m pretty certain that I’m close if not dead on accurate. I contend that the better protein supplement should not only increase muscle mass, but also work to reduce bodyfat. Isopure does this because it forces the body to feed on its internal fat stores. I believe Muscle Milk adds to one’s fat woes, especially if one is trying like the dickens to lose weight.

I’m sure both products had vociferous adherents. I’d like to hear opinions, pro and cons, for both products. Which one do you prefer - Isopure or Muscle Milk?

…is better than none, my dear old Mom is fond of saying. In the case of workout equipment, that old adage may not be on the mark. For various reasons, I was forced to use the gym in my downtown condo today. The HOA has hired a new manager, and he’s taken it into his head to rigorously enforce all condo rules. One of these, unfortunately, is that no resident can bring his or her own equipment into the gym. A fellow resident was accustomed to leaving her exercise ball in the gym for all to use. She didn’t expect anything from doing it; she was merely being altruistic. That, however, is a thing of the past. The new manager had the exercise ball and the BOSU removed, leaving only the original equipment the HOA purchased. As a result, my leg workout today was less than sterling. I shall have to compensate for this on my next training day.

Do you suppose it would do any good if I complained?