Splattered Angst

I have always thought that, in most instances, downing a protein drink has always been a chunky, chalky, less than pleasant experience. So I decided to try something different. I no longer mix the protein powder with water or milk, I throw it over a scoop [maybe a 1/2 cup] of non-fat yogurt and stir. It makes like pudding - very cool. I have taken this concoction one step further and actually made protein powder ice cream. I generally take a whole container of non-fat yogurt [16 oz], dump it in to a mixing bowl, a whole container of cottage cheese [16 oz], throw that in and then add about 8 scoops of protein powder and about 8 grams of glutamine and  set the electric mixer on a very low setting. Pour the stuff into containers and freeze. It makes a great meal for right after the workout. I’ll throw a handful of walnuts into chocolate mixes, and a handful of frozen berries into other flavors. Give it a try.

Moving this week into a bit more of a "traditional" workout set — which given the constant change that I have been making sure was planned, doing what might be considered a normal routine of back and bis, chest and tris, legs, etc., will be yet another change. It is the essence of making your body grow. Challenging it; keeping it guessing so that it never has a chance to get used to anything. Constant shock. A note about my workout partner … I have got a really good one. The guy is punctual and motivated. It makes a huge difference if you are actually "meeting" someone at the gym. I know if I am left to my own devices, I’ll slack, show up late, be rushed and not get everything done. If you are in the gym regularly and seem to be bumping into the same person[s] doing some of the same sorts of things, chat with them you might be surprised. Think big and train hard! [as Skip La Cour would say]

Walls and the City
Alcaeus of Mytilene
c. 575 B.C.

Not homes with beautiful roofs,
nor walls of permanent stone,
not canals and piers for ships make the city -
but men of strength.

Not stone and timber, nor skill
of carpenter - but men brave
who handle sword and spear.

With these you have: city and walls.

My take: There is a whole lot going on here than a muscle show. The Spartans certainly thought so!
Train Hard and let that discipline seep into other areas of your life.

Just linked an "extra" from a movie I had to see twice: "300" … great flick! It is about the training those guys had to go through to get bodies that look Spartan… mighty good stuff. It is under my profile section - favorite workout videos.

One thing I have learned the last few months is that changing things constantly in your workouts is critical. There is no excuse for doing the same workout week after week. Wonder why it is not working? … that is probably it. There is so much information here on BB.com and at another site I frequent, animalpak.com [their training section is killer] where you can get all kinds of ideas about different exercises and workout patterns to switch things around there is no excuse. I am doing a circuit this week where you only rest at the end of each circuit/loop- just go from one exercise to the next. No brakes until you get to the end of the circuit. Did legs in 4 circuits and then tris in 4 circuits today and even though my workout partner and I were feeling more than challenged, we hung in there and it was impressive. I set up about 4-5 exercises for each particular body part. I have to scare off folks that are hanging out on the equipment I want [the 50 something crowd and soccer moms think might think me a bully I guess], but the gym I go to is smaller and there are not too many people there in the early AM. I do occasionally do a familiar exercise once in a while to gage strength gains - and they are there. Very cool.
Even just a different hand hold or angle could be all that you need to confuse the muscle and spur it to go. So get at it, eh?!

It is a bit odd … I feel better now than I did when I was in my mid 30s. Call it denial, or call it delusion, but there is a great deal more strength in me than even when I was working out with the crew as a firefighter.

This morning I did regular dips — three sets of 8. About a year ago that would have been unheard of. I was always using the "woos" machine for dips before. The one that props you up with a counter balance of weight so that you can do more than a couple of reps. I was doing some other exercises too where the usual was lighter than I remember it being before. I have been sensing this too when I lift the tool cases when I am out doing what I do for work: Things seem lighter.

The lesson here: KEEP AT IT. It will certainly not happen over night. If you are consistent about your diet, your supplements and your workouts, strength will come and it will surprise you when it arrives.