ShreddedOne’s Blog.

New personal best on the bench press today, though it’s nothing spectacular.  My new estimated one rep max is 231, calculated from doing 205 lbs for 5 reps.  I did 10 sets of flat bench today, going as low as 135 lbs.  When I was doing my last couple sets, I looked over at another bench and saw a guy doing about 300 lbs for multiple reps (i didn’t count how many).  I was like,  . . .   : |  . . .   wut? . . .    ??!?!???? d*mn it!

I’ll be benching 250 by the end of the year, no doubt.  300 sooner or later.

I went grocery shopping this evening.  Spent WAY too much time staring at the ice cream and the candy.  Did NOT buy any though. . . thank goodness.  Very tempted unfortunately, but I’m getting back my discipline.  I suppose if/when the desire is strong enough, then the discipline necessary to succeed comes naturally.   Seriously though, REALLY REALLY tempted.

Planning on more compound exercises such as squat (gotta bring that up!), bench, dead lift, and military press.  Still doing more leg work than I was for the last couple years, going to continue getting those legs caught up with the rest of me.  I have two years until I’ll consider a competition.  I will not enter a competition until I’m confident I have a very high chance of winning.  I will have three oportunities to compete while I’m in law school.   If I feel ready April of 2011, then I’ll enter.  If I’m not ready, then I’m not ready and I’ll wait another year. . . . .I think .. . I suppose I could enter anyway to get the experience and give myself a better chance the next year(s).

Rambling now .. . over.

I was looking at my old records and I saw that last year around this time, I was about 144 and 13-14% bodyfat. So, I was wondering where I am today.  Am I right where I was a year ago or am I making progress?  I got on the Tanita to see the bad news, but I was surprised.  Turns out I’m currently 154 with 10% bodyfat.  So, this means I’m ten pounds heavier but with 3 - 4% lower bodyfat than a year ago.  Thank God all the hard work is  .. . working.

I wonder if I could have made more progress bulking and cutting like some people do.  But I just can’t stand to gain 30 lbs and then try to lose it again . . .it’s just not me.  Slow and steady  . . . patience.

I need to clean up my diet.  I haven’t been as strict as I used to be.  I justify it by telling myself I need the extra calories to rebuild my broken down muscles. . . but I could be getting CLEANER calories.  I’m going to have to get fed up with the bad diet before I REALLY make a long term disciplined<style>!–  /* Style Definitions */  p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} –> </style> commitment to clean up my diet.  But I’m just about there.  I’m pretty fed up with myself right now.  I wonder if I could be at 5% bodyfat right now if I weren’t slacking off with my nutrition.

P zout.

I received my latest order today.  NO Shotgun, NO Synthesize, and MyoFusion.  Along with the order, I chose the free DVD covering the Back and the Chest.  Great DVD.  Better than I was expecting, and now I’m planning to get the other two (Arms and Legs).  As I was watching the DVD, I was really impressed by the host’s physique.  Dude was HUGE and very lean.  (I mean REALLY MASSIVE)  Looking at him was at the same time motivating, and humbling.  I looked at that BEAST on the DVD, and then saw myself in the mirror, and it was a freaking joke.  I had to hang my head in shame.  It was depressing because I could clearly see how pathetic I am compared to him.  It’s embarassing really.  Of course, I think the guy on the DVD has been doing this for at least 10 years; he mentioned something about doing this for 25 years.  I’ve only been at it for barely 2 years so I don’t beat myself up too much over it, but still, it’s humbling to realize how FAR I have to go and that I’m barely getting started.

Even though the DVD was sort of depressing, it was also motivating.  I got some GOOD advice and learned quite a bit.  I’m planning to make some changes that incorporate what I’ve learned from the DVD.  So, I’m excited to get into the gym and try some new things.  I’m talking about some significant changes basically reworking my whole program.  So, I’m stoked about that.  It’s going to be a big change.  That will produce more results.  I’ll be working out more efficiently and effectively.  That will produce even more results.  <—This is motivating.

So, I’m looking forward to the changes.  I’m looking forward to getting the other two DVD’s and learning a few more things.  Good things are coming.   Patience Patience Patience . .. . . .. .
2 more years, and we’ll see how I look.

Peace out.

I was looking at my records when I noticed my bicep curl is about where it was last August (9 months ago!).  This is discouraging and a little embarrassing too.  My lifts should have gone up in that time.  I’m going to aggressively work to curl the 70 pound dumbbells this July or at least get more consistent with the 65 lb dumbbells.  There have been some days when I can do several reps with the 65’s, other days when I can’t even complete one rep (but can do several with the 60’s).  I know how much I’ve slept, stress, how much I’ve had to eat, can affect my performance in the weight room.  Even though there have been times when I’ve failed to lift the 65’s, I don’t think I’ve gotten weaker.  In fact I’ve gained weight, muscle mass, and size on my arms.  I think I was just run ragged . . . lack of good sleep and not enough good nutrition . . . and the mind muscle connection just wasn’t there.

Anyway, this July I’m going to make a push to significantly increase my dumbbell curls.

Well sure enough, it looks like I may have overdone it.  I did too much and didn’t give my body time to recover.  I’m tired . . I WAS sore but it’s not bad today.  Did way too much shoulder and chest work and my shoulders were snapping and popping really badly the last couple workouts.  It was kinda scary but oh well.  I don’t give a sh*t.  Anyway, because of work and the limited Easter holiday hours at my gym, I won’t be working out for 3 days in a row.  I think that will give my body time to recover.  I’m expecting to be back in the gym on Monday.  We’ll see how it goes.

Went looking around at Academy today just to kill a little time and see what they had there.  Messed around with the dumbbells.  Did a few curls . ..  .figured I’d give her a little thrill . . hahaha.  Did some reps with the 65’s  . .then tried the 70’s but just couldn’t do it.  I WONDER if I hadn’t done the 65’s first, maybe I would have been able to manage a rep with the 70’s.  I dunno.  I’ve been waiting for the 70’s for a LONG time now.  Kinda wondering if I’ll ever get there.  It seems I’ve hit a plateau.  I’ll just keep at it . .. strengthen other parts of my body, lats, delts, pecs, tris, erectors, abs . .. .. maybe delts, back, tris, and chest need to catch up before the bi’s will make more progress.  Eh, I’m not really too worried, just a little discouraged that it’s turning out to be so hard to get to the 70’s . .. I have to do 5 reps with the 70’s by the end of the year (one of my goals) . . .I think I’ll do it. . .

Over.

I worked out Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday (TWICE) and Today.  I’ll be working out tomorrow too.  That’ll be eight days in a row, 9 workouts, without a rest day.  I don’t know what happened.  I just NEVER took a recovery day.  I didn’t NEED one.  I didn’t WANT one.  I just want to be in the weight room.  I just want to work out. I feel terrific.

My fiance has started coming to the weight room with me.  She FORCED me to try the elliptical machine with her.  Normally I HATE cardio, but that elliptical is bad*ss.  It’s EASY for ME.  I could just go forever.  It gets me sweating, gets my heart pumping (around 170 bpm), burns a lot of extra calories I wasn’t burning before, doesn’t hurt my joints.  I think adding the elliptical to my routine could be the little extra I need to REALLY lean up.

We’ve also been going out to the pool and tanning after the workouts.  We’re ALREADY so relaxed and calm after the workout, but lying in the sunlight listening to the sound of the water, is even better.  It makes me think of what it must have been like for the early bodybuilders like arnold and franco who would tan on the beach after their workouts or even workout in the sun (muscle beach).  I’m telling ya, this is the life.

Let’s just see what kind of results I get.

I accidentally did 53 sets tonight.  And I absolutely freakin’ LOVED it!  Man, I LOVE my time in the weight room.

that’s right

I’m pretty happy with my progress.  I’m seeing more separation and definition in my muscles, having some pretty good workouts. . .but I think I could be doing better.  Awhile back I started working out every other day instead of everyday.  While this gives my body plenty of time to recover, it may be TOO MUCH time off, and I’ve decided to go back to working out EVERY day.  I’ll rotate body parts so I don’t workout the same muscle group day after day after day without a rest.  But, I gotta go back to working out every day.  I have too much down time since I’m out of school and have yet to find a full time job.  I could use the extra exercise to help lower my body fat and firm up my midsection (this is why I haven’t posted new pics in awhile . .midsection not good enough)  So, working out everyday again.  Extra calories burned each week, help keep my metabolism up, hopefully get better gains and lean up some more.

Getting better control over sleep and diet as well.  I lost my focus for awhile around October - December.  It’s coming back now.   That’s all.

I had finals, the LSAT, graduation, increased hours at work, and the weight room was closed for about 9 days.  I went for about two weeks without a GOOD workout.  Tried to do a little at home and at work, but I just wasn’t feeling it / didn’t have the energy / got a headache / felt nauseous.  Finally got back in the weight room yesterday.  Good solid workout.  Didn’t have the kind of muscle endurance I normally would have, but I didn’t totally atrophy during my time away.

Glad to be back in the weight room.  Glad to find I still have the motivation and don’t have to FORCE myself to workout.  It was a little difficult to get myself to go there, but once I got there, I remembered why I like lifting so much. . .

IN 2009 I WILL:
1)  5 reps; 70 lb dumbbell curls

2)  25 consecutive pullups

3)  250 lb benchpress

4)  Max out the Lat Pulldown Machine, 2 reps
5)  Max out the Chest Fly Machine, 2 reps
6)  Max out Crunch Machine, 2 reps
7)  Max out Back Extension Machine, 2 reps

8)  60 consecutive dips

9)  Bodyfat; Lower to and maintain at 10%

Think about goals for 2010 . . . .