RichValentine’s BodyBlog

Read an interesting quote yesterday which made me rethink my attitude to weight training. Paraphrased it is roughly "the difference between doing everything right and not growing and someone who doesn’t yet grows is EFFORT" and it made me realise that although I am seeing some gains, for me to really make the progress I want I need to up the intensity and workout to my best effort each time I enter the gym. Tried it for the first time today and think I’m beginning to understand… chest is tight, triceps are sore, more painful than ever before. The extra rep, the added set, made a world of difference, fighting through the pain will help me break my barriers, physical and mental. TIME TO TRAIN HARD!!

Got more inspiration to work on my jump. Was playing in another volleyball match last night (my 3rd in 4 days with another tomorrow) and apparently was consistantly hitting with my chest above the net, 4 days into my new jump training and can’t wait for the effects to start kicking in.

Now volleyball season is almost at an end am going to really work on my vertical. Can see a long summer of heavy squats and plyometrics ahead of me mixed in with some upper body work. Aiming to become semi-pro and with some hard work break into our national squad, I think it is a realistic goal and I figure I work hard enough there no reason why I can’t achieve it.

Back is developing nicely, a few chin ups every time I enter my bed room has done more for my back than recent weight training, really noticeable in just a few weeks of chin ups.

Have decided to switch my workouts to kettlebells for a few months to try something new, and work on increasing strength and power. Absolutely love it so far, although forearms are a little sore from the pressure of the bells against them in the Military Presses.

After a week and a bit already noticing some improvement in strength and forearms seem to have developed a little as well as noticing veins popping out my arms now when working out.

If anyone has access to them would definitely recommend them to anyone looking for a bit of a change in their routine.

Having not being doing serious weight training for a few months I have decided to get back into training and to stick with it. I’ve learned the lessons from the past about overtraining where I have gone full out for a month or so and then got ill due to lack of moderation. Have been eating fairly healthily so in reasonable shape and doing a fair bit of cardio but want to bulk up and get into better shape.

I want to gain 10kg in total but working towards 2kg a month in lean muscle. Have to really stick with it though as my metabolism is so fast if I stop training/eating properly I lose weight quite quickly.

Bring on 2009!

Got food poisoning on Friday and can safely say that wasn’t the most enjoyable weekend I’ve ever had, currently 3kg lighter which isn’t great but I’m assuming most of that is lost fluid, although was unable to eat anything for almost 48 hours. On the plus side, ordered myself a chin up bar for my room and my reaction ball, so have been playing with those although haven’t been able to workout since Friday and getting withdrawal symptoms.
Heading back tomorrow though so not all bad, learnt my lesson about ordering food from the works food service, pre-prepared by me in future.

After a long battle with fitness and health I am finally back training again. Left the Rippetoe’s program I was doing and back on my 3on1off bodybuilding split as it gave me great success last time around. My shoulder is feeling fine and I don’t have a cold.
Will update pictures on profile fairly soon for a new starting point. Time to bulk!

Feels great to be able to workout properly again now everything has healed and recovered, however the downside(upside depending on how you view things) is the aches and pains of DOMS after not having done so for a while. Reliving the joys of squatting, have to say I prefer the pain, always the sign of a good workout.

Will be walking a bit funny for the next few days though

Started my workouts properly again, had pretty bad luck physically over last few months with a bad cold stopping me training and then fracturing my finger playing volleyball. Am finally healthy and healed enough to start training and have decided to go onto a basic Rippetoes program with one accessory lift each session.

Been managing to do workouts one or twice a week so still in pretty good shape but nothing regimented and diet was shot over xmas.

Started my training again today. had my selection centre last week which I think went really well, absolutely aced the aptitude tests and was encouraged to add Pilot to my application. However, left the centre with a stinking cold which I have only just recovered from today. Went for a 6mile rune this morning and decided to start hitting the weights again this evening. Felt great to be back but had a monster headache and still feeling a bit blocked up. Much better now though so will be doing Back/Bicep tomorrow.

Will find out results of the selection in 2 weeks then will hopefully be invited back for final medical and fitness test which hopefully I should nail.