Romantic1983's BodyBlog

Blog Entry

Romantic1983 — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 00:56:56 +0000

I was recently talking to someone and they commented how they noticed ‘maintaining femininity’ seemed to be important to me and I do mention it here (not that is bad, just that I do it). Ill admit- its true. Anyone who has talked to me or has read previous blogs understands that it is crucial to maintain femininity while bodybuilding. Often people will send me a good youtube video and i will look at it. I probably shouldnt because too many immature people post comments on there. Its actually kinda laughable. See any video where there is ’some’ muscle on the female and you will understand. They are often called a man. And they always want to attribute it to steriods. As if every female who bodybuilds uses steriods? Heck, I just saw a video on Lorena Cozza (I added one video of hers to my profile) and many guys posted comments thinking she was a man! OMG, youre kidding right? Shes definitely got some tone and muscle, but NOT EVEN CLOSE to looking like a man. You look at any muscle video of a female on youtube, and most comments are disgusting!

I have to say: the more muscle I have gained (leading to a decrease in body fat), the more I feel my body was supposed to be this way. I just am now starting to post glute pics because its taken this long (since April 07) for real progress to show. Its important to recognize the soul of a person, but humans were not meant to be overweight/obese. I LOOK better now. I think over time, with technology and the internet etc, we have become less active. Consequently, somehow as a society we have attributed muscle=masculine, and curvy and toned=feminine. Unfortuantly, thats not the way it should be. I could gain 20 more pounds of muscle, and I would still feel 100% like a female. Thats just the way it is.

Now, thats not to say the majority of people dont find "thin" people attractive (though thin is different than being muscular). I have met FEW people in my life where a person has said "theyre just too thin" for me. Its rare. Most people just dont feel that way. It doesnt mean you wouldnt date someone who isnt thin, its just that I think its natural to find thin people attractive. Its sort of like glutes too. Ex) Go watch Lorenas video or Alessandra Tantari. Firm ripped glutes Look good. Its hard to deny.

Im starting now to increase my cardio. Trying to go back to the 3 miles (every day) before I head to the gym. I cant do that much consistently. There is one woman at my gym that does a lot. I admire her a lot and others that can do it. I just cant. 43 minutes is enough for me. Im trying to really pump it up so i can look good when i head to the beach.

Im not here very much. Just been busy trying to finish up grad stuff. Im trying,however, to get on here more so I can get to email more often and what not. Hope you all have a great day!

Cell volume

Romantic1983 — Fri, 23 May 2008 05:35:12 +0000

Recently, with my added gains, I have been thinking a lot about cell volumization. I use size on-creatine (can be used post workout as well) during my workout for this reason, and people definitly notice a difference. I came across two recent articles here that are very interesting.

I think my reps and sets have kept me from compromising the structure of sarcolemma. The intense training to increase muscle cell volume aticle explains this as the cell membrane of the muscle cell and if compromised contents can get out and there will be a drecease in size and muscle volume. I think a controlled movement is the key to preventing this. If one is going so heavy they are struggling by the 4-5 rep, youre going too heavy and not following a very controllable rhymatic form of lifting. If i find myself getting to that point. I decrease my weight so that I can effectively lift 10-15 times. I feel more blood flow and able to do what that article said and hold during the eccentric portion of the rep.

I am also curious about Creatinol-O-Phosphate (COP). This molecule has supposedly a high rate of absorption in the muscle tissue (performance enhancing compound). What I am wondering is how much creatine is generally lost through the process of Cyclization. That muscle tech article noted that: "During the process of cyclization, the muscle-building potency of creatine is lost when it is routinely converted to an ineffective by-product known as creatinine,which is completely useless for muscle-building." Do some recent products contain superior creatine thus making it easier to withstand this process? And is Aplodan, the new breakthrough? I have seen amazing growth with size on (go gaspari),just wondering how efficient this new product is, based on its chemical makeup

1 year update

Romantic1983 — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 07:31:04 +0000

So, here is a new progress blog and a one year update. Its this time-April- last year i really started weightlifting-particularly having a desire to bring out the abs. I got the flu last year and that was the push into bodybuilding. I went from 94 pds to 119 (as of today). The change is CRAZY (good) for one year!!!!!!! Its pure muscle! So many changes since then! I am tighter, my clothes fit better, I get noticed more, I am used to eating at least 6 times a day, I eat chicken (pretty much) every night and am not sick of it (I am so blessed to have food on my table!), and I make it to the gym 6 days a week among other stuff. At first, I didnt make it to the gym 6 times a week. Maybe 3-4 until July or August. I didnt really start doing shoulders/chest till August! I am, now, getting into modeling. Did something related to that at the end of 2007! I am having some upcoming shoots. I am doing one in less than 2 weeks and hope they come out well! I did reach my squats goal, and should reach the weight goal soon. Im just trying to finish up the thesis before I actually take the personal training test.

I also have been seeing GREAT results from four products. MHP probolic-sr (its a 12 hr muscle feeder), MHP Glutamine (should have taken that way before i did), Gaspari nutrition Superpump, and Gaspari nutrition Size on. All i have to say about these products (at least with my body chemistry): Awesome! I am going to come up with some good stuff for abs, but i will say this: There are two ab killers (many others, but these are ones people have a hard time with) 1) Too many carbs 2) Not following a clean diet. So many people ask me for ab advice. You can do crunches (among other exercises) all day, every day, but if you are not eating perfectly clean the majority of the time, you wont see them (means no 6 pack). I generally, still, do the once a week cheat. Ok, all for now. Hope you all have a great afternoon! God bless:)

Gotta love this

Romantic1983 — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 01:41:37 +0000

Cracked Up Glossary Of Common Gym Terms

Written by Nick Nilsson

If you’ve ever had occasion to visit a gym, you’ve no doubt heard people talking about “feeling the burn” and “pumping up.” But did you ever wonder what people were really saying? Here are some common terms and phrases that will help you to learn what is really going on in the gym.

In The Zone - Tired and incoherent during a workout. Commonly described out of the gym as “spaced out.”
Extended Warm-Up - 20 minutes at low tension on the stationary bike then 20 minutes of casual stretching then a shower.
“Just One More Rep” - Said to a spotter during a set. Really means: “Lift the weight for me.”
Forced Reps - For the reluctant exerciser, every single rep of a workout is a forced rep. This is especially true when they have a mean trainer.
Hack Squat - The position a cat gets into when he’s coughing up a hairball, commonly mistaken as a leg exercise.
“Can I work in with you?” - Translation: “Can I remove all your weights and sweat all over your bench?”
Drop Sets - What sometimes happens after doing a hard set of dumbell bench presses. A triple drop set occurs when you drop two dumbells and yourself to the floor.
Bulking Up - Name for the phase during which an otherwise healthy trainer will try to get bigger and fatter on purpose.
“I’m maxing out” - Translation: “I was going for 6 reps but I put too much weight on the bar and only got 1.”
Cool-down - Sit on a bench and drink from a water bottle while talking about how much more you’ll lift next time.
Olympic Bar - Athlete’s nightclub.
E-Z Bar - “How dare you! I’m not that type of bar.”
Squat rack - The lonliest piece of equipment in the gym.
“It’s all you!” - Said by spotter during the last few reps of a set. Translatation: “It’s mostly me.”
Pro-hormones - Hormones that have lost their amateur status.
Meal Replacement Supplement - Cold pizza and warm beer.
Clean and Press - Surprisingly enough, it’s a shoulder exercise, not laundry instructions. A variation of it is even known as the Hang Clean and Press.
High Intensity Interval Training - Occurs when there are two or more flights of stairs leading up to the gym.
Skullcrushers - An exercise where you make like you’re going to bash your own head in with a barbell, a.k.a. lying tricep extensions.
“Hold the contraction at the top and squeeze for 10 seconds” - Said by a personal trainer when he or she wants to punish the client for missing a session.

Now that you’ve got an idea of what is being said at the gym, you’ll be able to converse comfortably with the natives. You will be completely understood in any gym in the world when you walk in and say “I just did two sets of high intensity intervals and now I’m ready for some forced reps” or “I’m taking a lot of meal replacement supplements because I’m bulking up.”

Resolution list

Romantic1983 — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 08:06:23 +0000

So, a couple years ago, thanks to a friend, I have started writing down a new years manifestation list. I suppose its very similiar to a resolutions list. I prefer a new years ‘manifestation’ list because it implies the use of visualization. I believe visualization is necessary to reaching personal goals. So, here are mine. Note for my list, and for your own if you choose to do one, that I am not just throwing things out there; or wishes. I am trying to manifest them, BUT everything is probably going to happen… Its mostly the ones (that you see here) that I strongly ‘feel’ will happen. Also, its not just fitness stuff. Happy new year and be safe!!

-Weigh at least 125

-Squat 200

-Graduate with my masters

-Take and pass my personal training certification

-Have a part time job.

-Get less sleep

-Go to my first UCF football game

God bless~:)

muscle and femininity

Romantic1983 — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 23:31:43 +0000

So, what am I going for? Well. Just for clarification purposes: I would like to have the natural bodybuilder look. That means I need to be about 125-130. So, a long way to go. I know that disappoints a lot of people who want me to stay muscular and lean. I really admire Gina davis. The phrase on her page is: “I am a walking contradiction…very muscular, yet very girly at the same time.” I am the SAME way. Go to her blog and see some of her pictures (http://www.ginadavis.us/blog/blogger.html). Totally ripped and totally FEMININE in her pics. Im serious. She looks great. It’s hard to pull off, but it can be done. I will say that I have not gotten any negative comments bodybuilding wise. I have gotten, however, many guys say something like this: You are in great shape. Now you just need to maintain or else you could get really big. When you see things that way, you really are not seeing the soul of a female. As far as updates go: I need to weigh myself again, I could be over 112. I would like to leg press 500 by the next few workouts. I really do lift heavy in the gym. My motto is the good old one: go heavy or go home. Hope you all have a great Christmas!!

Update/pics

Romantic1983 — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 06:47:48 +0000

Ok, made 375 leg press. I am loving it! If I see my friend at the gym, I will ask if he will take cam of one set. I am still in the bulking phase. Still trying to gain more mass. Tonight I get a cheat meal (well, not too bad) for celebrating a b day (not mine). It will be yummy and I prepared myself. Here are some pics as well. Its the best I could do for the moment! I hope you all are having a great day! God bless.

Blog Entry

Romantic1983 — Sat, 27 Oct 2007 01:14:25 +0000

Wednesday, I made 320 leg press. My goal is to make 400 by end of Dec. I am not even struggling with the 320. I surprise myself with my strength. I really have strong quads. For someone 5′2, I think thats pretty good. I am doing smith machine squats to the floor now, lol. So, I am trying to rip those glutes! Might start doing arms twice a week (for a couple weeks) to gain more muscle there. Ill decide before next Tues. Weighed myself yesterday and I am over 109. 15 pds since beg of april! My other goal is to be 115 before the end of the year. Something tells me, though, that will be reached without a problem. I really dont have any "near" competition plans. I just want to be in tremendous shape. I am always seeking to improve my physique: More muscle, lower body fat. 5 people within the last 7 days noticed my physique at the gym, came up to me, and said something. SHEESH. What a week. Not one word was taken for granted! It just totally makes it all worth it. I think the updated nutrition plan is working. Cardio is still only on cheat days/ or Sat. Sat is usually my cheat day as I have a breakfast sandwhich (Though i do use fat free cheese, wheat bread and turkey bacon). I think you should continue to see great gains in upcoming pics. Ok, off to make shake, gym, and then thesis work. Sounds like an exciting Friday huh? God Bless

Nitrogen balance

Romantic1983 — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 06:46:06 +0000

I am adding a few changes to my nutrition program. Post workout is very important to building lean muscle and making the most out of your workout. Unfortunately, I would do the cellmass/celltech (since May) after a workout, but then wait hours to have my shake. Last two months ive been doing the celltech right after and shake 20 30 min after that. Now, I am adding liquid aminos to my post workout. I want to increase protein synthesis and prevent the breakdown of protein (proteolysis). I need carbohydrates (like maltodextrin) to promote glyocogen synthesis. Here is the thing, insulin is not only anabolic, but also a vasodilator. Of course, after a workout, insulin is anti-catabolic. Research shows that high insulin levels-post workout- decrease protein breakdown, without inhibiting protein synthesis. Also, higher levels of insulin are present when a person eats both carbs and protein, rather than just carbs alone. I am looking for the this synergistic insulin release. Amino acids (which I am finally adding in) can increase protein synthesis by 200% compared to just normal blood amino acids. I haven’t quite been this exact before. Ive been close, which is why you see gains in muscle. I think, however, I should see great gains in my physique. Also, I am switching up the other shake I had post workout for later in the day. The protein I am using to help with gains (after I take the liquid amino and celltech) is cytogainer. I am not too worried about the calories in the serving (almost 600), as my body/cells are more likely to absorb the nutrients post workout, compared to the rest of the day. Today is the first day on the gainer. Lets see how it goes!

Also, going with soy milk right now. So, thats another change.

Deep fried..

Romantic1983 — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 02:11:42 +0000

Ok, deep fried twinkies….had them? Deep friend delights? What have you had then? Just taking a mental detour to unhealthy lane after seeing an AOL article. Ya know, treats and unhealthy food are GREAT as cheat meals. Cheat meals should not be a frequent thing. One has to have self-control. Trust me, I want to cheat every meal of every day. Big macs/whoppers, pizza, speghetti, tacos, FETTACHINI, etc. I cant. I cant just put whatever i want in my body and expect to be healthy or look good/ have the physique I desire. For me, all the benefits of looking good outweigh the joy of constantly eating unhealthy. Plus, the food and shakes I eat right now are HELLA good. The protein shakes are like pure chocolate whey. How often should one cheat? Well, i guess that depends. Ive gone two weeks without a cheat meal or I have 2 cheat meals in a week. Right now, it doesnt go much beyond that. If I cheat, I do an hr cardio session. Its a must on cheat days. I am finishing my workout at the gym-heart beating fast- fatigued, and the guys at my gym are eating burger king~!!!!!! Im passing by them as they throw down a few fries!!! So not cool. Its not that they are doing it. Its that they are doing it at a GYM. Talk about hard to watch. Its actually happened a couple times recently. Gained two more pds. Now at 107. Must be doing something right.