PenteKing’s BodyBlog

The event that I’ve been dreading for months now has finally become official. My gym is closing, effective January 18, 2008. After Bruce’s passing, Ross feels as though it’s time for him to move on. The gym, which has been a mainstay of the San Diego landscape for twenty-one years, is shuttering its doors forever next Friday.

I can’t say that I’m surprised because I’ve been half-expecting this for a while now, and those of you who have occasionally followed my blogs know that I’ve alluded to this before. But even though the threat has been there for a while, the reality of it is still shocking. I’ve grown to love the gym itself and the community of people who have come together to pursue their fitness goals. The Athletic Center is one of the few true bodybuilding gyms in the area, and Bruce and Ross have been diligent in keeping the gym’s focus. I’ve got my eye on another gym in the area, but it won’t be the same. There is something about the Athletic Center that suits me. The ambience is conducive to my style and mindset and the surroundings are both comfortable and familiar. I will miss the Athletic Center very much.

The event that I’ve been dreading for months now has finally become official. My gym is closing, effective January 18, 2008. After Bruce’s passing, Ross feels as though it’s time for him to move on. The gym, which has been a mainstay of the San Diego landscape for twenty-one years, is shuttering its doors forever next Friday.

I can’t say that I’m surprised because I’ve been half-expecting this for a while now, and those of you who have occasionally followed my blogs know that I’ve alluded to this before. But even though the threat has been there for a while, the reality of it is still shocking. I’ve grown to love the gym itself and the community of people who have come together to pursue their fitness goals. The Athletic Center is one of the few true bodybuilding gyms in the area, and Bruce and Ross have been diligent in keeping the gym’s focus. I’ve got my eye on another gym in the area, but it won’t be the same. There is something about the Athletic Center that suits me. The ambience is conducive to my style and mindset and the surroundings are both comfortable and familiar. I will miss the Athletic Center very much.

Thanks for the great advice I’ve received in response to my posts about putting on muscle. I knew that I could count on the members of this community to come through for me. It’s that type of help, assistance, advice and plain old support that puts this site head and shoulders above the others.

I will take the suggestions I received and give each one a try, and then stick with the ones that my body reacts most favorably to. I think my main problem has been inconsistency. I’ve worked out hard and regularly, but haven’t kept to one routine long enough for it to make a difference. I’m going to try each suggestion for twelve weeks, take a two week break and then repeat the process. I’ll keep you updated on how I’m doing.

Wish me luck. And thanks again. The advice is really appreciated.

I’ve been doing four sets of 8 to 12 reps each for each body part. I’ve read that this is the way to the fastest growth, and seeing as how I’m loaded with slow-twitch muscle fibers, and I’m impatient to see some muscle growth, I thought I’d give it a try. So far, I haven’t seen any improvement, but then again, that’s nothing new. I’m beginning to think that my body is an anamoly - an alien artifact beamed here by extra-terristerials as part of some weird cosmic experiment.

I have noticed, however, that I’m sleeping longer and more soundly than I normally do. On most occasions, I’m a light sleeper who can be awakened by the sound of a baby’s sigh in the middle of a raging lightning storm. Since beginning this routine, however, you could parade a brass brand in full regalia through my bedroom, and I probably wouldn’t twitch a nose hair. What’s up with that? Is the workout consuming more of my energy, or am I simply turning into a wimp?

How long does it take for progress to be made? I know that everyone’s different and that many factors are involved (diet, amount and duration of exercise, etc., etc., etc.) but I’ve been at this for a while now, and while I’ve slimmed down and become much stronger, my body characteristics haven’t changed all that much. I’ve reconciled myself to the fact that I won’t be channeling the spirit of Steve Reeves any time soon, but I thought I would have at least developed a chest by now.

Does anyone out in the community have any thoughts on this? Any advice or feedback will be tremendously appreciated.

…than it is to be good. Take the Jacksonville/Pittsburgh game today. By all statistical categories, the Steelers should have won that game in a cakewalk. They were surpassed only in yards rushing, and that only because Garrad had the unexpected (and phenomenal) rush up the middle to convert when the Steelers were threatening to crush the Jaguars. I know there are Jacksonville fans who will claim that the Jags played a superior first half, but even the most die-hard adherent will have to concede that the 4th quarter belonged to the Black and Gold. Imagine outscoring your opponent by 19 - 3 and still losing the game. That is one heartbreaking loss.

Still, as they say, there’s always next year. Besides, they wouldn’t have made it past the Patriots.

Now that the holidays are officially behind us, I can once again get back to my former routine. I like the holidays (although not the stress that comes with it), but it does put a major kink in one’s life. If you have friends and family anywhere in the area, you are obliged to visit, and those visits usually result in your eating more than is good for you. This is especially hard when the folks you visit don’t understand your bodybuilding lifestyle. To keep the peace, you eat a little of this and a smidgen of that, and then discover, to your horror, that you’ve put on five or ten pounds of unhealthy fat. Thankfully, that is behind me.

I went to the gym today and had a great workout. I felt pumped and jazzed and ready to sling the weights around. I had the iPod going, and the tunes kept me energized and focused. Even the jerkweed on his cell phone wasn’t enough to distract me. I put in a good ninety minutes, and I feel great.

I can hope that this feeling lasts through the balance of the year.

…and I asked her for some happy news. She just smiled and turned away.

That’s about the way I’m feeling right now. I’m down in the mouth and as blue as Paul Bunyan’s ox, Babe. I could share the reasons why, but I feel guilty spreading my downer of a mood along to the rest of you. No workout today; it’s a day of rest and relaxation. I’ve gained a pound or two (really don’t know how), but am still excited about reducing my body fat levels. I know I should be in serious training for the upcoming bike ride in April, but can’t get motivated. I suppose we all, at one time or another in our lives, experience days like this. Instead of trying to jolly myself out of it, I’m going to let the despondency wash over me and have its way with me. If I don’t fight it, perhaps it’ll get tired of messing with me and simply go away.

Why is it, in this country, that we suspect those who have a lot of experience, especially if they’re politicians? We treasure experience in other professions. Doctors, for example. Ninety-nine people out of 100 would choose an older, seasoned doctor over someone fresh out of medical school. It only makes sense. The older person has been around the block; has seen some things; has a breadth of experience that the younger person cannot possibly hope to match. It’s the same way with airline pilots, accountants, and hundreds of other professions. So why the disconnect when it comes to our politicians?

Personally, I’d rather have someone in office who has been around the block - who has been in the trenches - who knows where the bodies are buried. I don’t want some callow youth who is still wet behind the ears. You may be the smartest guy in the room, but that doesn’t mean you know everything.  When it comes to politics, give me the person who has been there and done that. I’ll sleep more soundly at night knowing they are in charge.