Let me tell you today has been an odd day but I won't get into that because it involves just a tad bit of family drama and I'm sure you all don't want to hear about it either.

 I know, it's been a while since you've heard from me in the blog and believe me I haven't given up on the workouts.  I've kept steady and strong and I think I've gotten some great results... for me that is.

 I'm managed to gain 3 lbs AND keep them on and so that's a high point for me that my diet and exercise regimine is allowing me to gain versus lose weight. 

 I've also switched up my routine.  Instead of splitting my body in two days and working them twice a week I've decided in the last couple of weeks to work  it a bit differently.

 I was doing Chest/Shoulders/Abs/Quads on Monday and Thursday and Back/Bis/Tris/Hams/Calves/Abs on Tuesday and Friday.  I started feeling later on that I the later parts of my workout I tended to try to rush through and thus decided to go onto my next move.

I'm now working with focusing on two individual bodyparts a day a week.  Focusing more intensive movements and getting a great movement across.  Mon/Tues/Thurs I work a 3set/10rep regimine, while on the Friday I mix it up with a 4set/6rep decision.

Monday is Chest/Shoulders

Tuesday is Back/Arms (Bis/Tris)

Wednesday is my off day.

Thursday is Legs/Abs

Friday is a pickup day.  where I work areas that I felt lacked in their initial day or the areas I feel need more attention.  I'll usually end up touching everywhere with a focus on bodyweight movements versus machine/free weight. 

Last week was a great week and so last Friday I touched on a bit of everything with some very core exercises and really made myself feel the burn.

This coming Friday though...I may have to focus more on my Day 1 parts.  My Chest/Shoulders day on monday was ****ght but I didn't really FEEL it and I want to make that up.  I don't know what was going on in my head, whether it was the start of my two-week vacation or what.  But my head wasn't in the workout.  I did the movements, sure...but it wasn't with the same intensity sadly.  I recognized this later that day and addressed it on my Tuesday.

I do feel like i've had some great progress since the last month I've posted progress pics which was just over a month ago.  I hope you all will agree upon their posting.  I hope to get some together tomorrow because I really feel like my body is responding to this new setup more.  It feels like I'm focusing more on every part individually and with more of a pure focus I guess it is. 

Even if pictures may not show it exactly I've felt my chest back and legs responding to the new focus and I think that's a great thing. 

Wish me luck and I should have new pics up within the next few days.  Lucky Lifting!

I had a really great workout today.  I tried to amp up and improve everything today as I try to do everytime I walk in.  I really felt like I gave it the right power, form, and focus on every rep and I am definitely feeling it.

 I was having a conversation yesterday with an older friend and he was talking about how he used to be able to do certain things but age has taken a toll on some of them.  And then I said something about myself that I hadn't said...aloud I guess...making it much more real.  I said that my problem was that I come into a lot of things thinking I can't do it and that's my major obstacle.  Especially when it comes to fitness due to my size and weight.  Or what I believe is because of my size and weight. 

 I've made great progress since I've started to topple that thinking, and then after stating it last night I came in with a new vigor to prove myself wrong.  That I can hit every rep correctly, that I can get to that number of pushups, that I can use the bench to press and not appear weak.  And I had a phenomenal workout and came out feeling great about myself.  Confident even. 

 Thanks for reading!

Via a post on one of the forums, I've come upon a site where I can keep track of my calories intricately... so I've taken my quest to gain  some weight to another level by actually documenting my calories instead of guess-timating.  Hopefully this way I'll pick up the slack and actually meet my 2k.  I've found in just the 4 days I've done this that my guess-timations have been totally off.  What I would have felt was close to 2k has been anywhere than 500-1k off.  So this will definitely be a useful tool for me.  I've already put on a 1b and I'm still doing it healthily as I'm still keeping my fats and carbs in check. 

I'll provide the link if anyone's interested.  Right now I'm on the wrong computer for the link but I'll get back if anyone is interested.

Today I switched up my workout routine some. 

Have been doing 4 sets of 6 reps .  Today I decided to amp it up and go for 3 sets of 10 at the same weights and see if I could push myself.

I didn't think 4 extra reps a set was gonna be that much more difficult but believe me it kicked me.  I made it through my workout though with flying colors.  I pushed through every rep and made sure my form was still there.  I'm gonna continue on with this for about 4 weeks or so.  Keep them guessing. 

Felt really good and I brought myself to another level I didn't think I could achieve.  I'm surprising myself every workout now that I'm coming in with more confidence and at the very least, a confidence in my knowledge and workout.    I plan on taking measurements again this weekend.  *crosses fingers*

Been feeling really good these last few days.  I've been real good at keeping my workouts consistent and am still feeling it the next day.  I had to miss yesterday's back/arm workout due to weather.  As soon as I left work I headed straight home.  It was sleeting and icing the roads and I didn't want to take a chance at getting out of the gym after dark and heading into ice patches. 

Took my day off today to get through with some chores and catch up on some things. 

 Tomorrow I'll pick it all back up and hit it hard!  

Let me tell you, after changing up my workout and adding in those extra compound exercises in place of machines... I definitely feel it today.  I was feeling it yesterday during my back workout but pulled through it.  Today my back/chest/arms and legs are feeling it. 

Definitely a good sign and I just need to keep the intensity coming to work my body as hard as I can without overtraining.  I've stepped up on the eating respect too and have gained a pound!  Hopefully that's also a sign of good things to come ...either that or it's through muscle gain, which I'll take either way. 

I'm sounding kinda pumped and that's because I am.  I get really excited when I see or notice a change.  I'm always checking every angle of the mirror making sure I didn't miss something or wondering if there's something I could do better. 

That's a consistent.  Living up in the weight room is going to be my biggest thing and I feel I've got the motivation and determination to do it.

Thanks for listening!

Today's workout went real great.  Chest/Shoulders with Ab and Quads worked in.

 Despite feeling a bit hungry going into the workout, I pulled through it in fine form.  I changed up my normal chest routine today and only used one machine.  Instead of using the dip assist I went full out for the regular dip bar.  After fulling realizing that I can add full chin-ups to my back routine I knew I could do full dips and I did it!  I know, most of you are like...wow, dude was using the assist machine.  But it's an accomplishment for me and a triumph in finding a confidence boost that my strength training is panning out for me. 

 I also added in standard pushups and a standard dumbbell bench press.  Let me tell, I can definitely feel the difference and I don't think I will go back.  I read over and over free weights is the way to go but being as small as I am, the free weights were intimidating around all those bigger guys lifting so much more.  Well, I said F*** to that and I feel better about it. 

I definitely think I'm going to be sore tomorrow due to the switchup, which I would take as a very good sign that the change is a positive one. 

 Back/ Bis and Tris tomorrow with Abs and Hams/Calves worked in. 

Today's workout went really well.  Chest/Shoulders/Abs/Quads 

I felt I pushed myself and even have added a couple of new movements to my chest and abs routine.  I've been really feeling the training in my chest shoulders and abs so hopefully my efforts will pay off. 

Since I had to take Monday off due to not wanting to waste gas during this low income week (house payment, insurance, car payment all at once, yippee!), I'm gonna be going Tuesday through tomorrow without my usual Wednesday off. 

I've finally updated my progress pics and measurements.  Kinda disappointing to the say the least but I am a small guy to begin with, so I can't expect too much change....should I?  I'm really concerned about my weight and so I've changed to a weight gainer protein whey mix versus my regular whey protein mix.  Hopefully the extra calories will help me start gaining.  Eating has been rough this week due to finances and having to just deal with what we have around the house already.  But it'll pick up this Friday with the next check and all the big bills out of the way. 

Happy new year all!

 My last two workouts have gone pretty well.  Yesterday was Chest/Shoulders, and today was Back/Bis/Tris with Abs and Legs worked into both days.

 My shoulder training has gotten a lot better and I can definitely see a positive change.  Still working to see changes in my chest in back though.  They're small but definitely on the right track.  I just really need to be eating, eating and more eating.  I'm doing all I can to improve on increasing the weights but I definitely need to gain some poundage to push more and see more benefit.

 The last two days have been hard and consistent and my body hasn't given up on me.  I go in thinking I might tire myself out, but I get a good solid workout and feeling it the next day.  I also feel so much better after the workouts.  Good times.

Workouts have been going great for me. Even through the holidays I've managed to keep the workouts constant and strong.  I've kept the same daily/bodypart workout but have tweaked it to a more strength based combination.  4sets of 6 reps at the highest weight I can manage for the full 4 sets.

I've been consistantly challenging myself to try to increase the weight every cycle and I've made considerable progress.  Many of my excercises I've increased by 5-15lbs in the last couple of weeks. 

 The only thing that hasn't been on my side has been on my weight gain.  Even through the holidays with 4 dinners and 2 helpings per dinner I still managed to lose a pound.  I lost a pound, unbelievable!  I'm tighter and leaner than my last pics and will update soon.  I know, I've been saying that for a while now.  I really need to get it done. ^^

Not that I noted this in a former post but during the last part of November and into the early and middle parts of December we were packing, moving and unpacking into a new home.  Much larger and so much better for my comfort and peace of mind.  So my blogging has suffered.  I hope you all still remember me ^^

 The last two weeks of workouts have been great.  I'm at a slower gym and am able to get good quality time with all the equipment.  Been doing 4 sets of 6 reps with heavier weights and making sure to get good movement.  Everytime I go in I try to go a little heavier. 

 I feel like I've been getting great results.  I already see a vast difference in my arms, shoulders and chest.    I'm still having issues with gaining weight, my metabolism is just a b****.    I need to get some new shots in.  I may do that in the next couple of days.

 Hope you all are having a great holiday!  I know I've put away a few plates (four dinners worth, most with second helpings *bad Ste*), but 7lb average weight gain for the holiday season may actually help me out.  But I doubt I'll see any weight fluctuation.

Hope you all rack up and then hit the weight racks and achieving whatever New Years goal you set for yourselves!

Went in today and did Chest/Shoulders/Abs.  It felt really good I have to say.  I took the weights down a notch just to reintroduce myself to the movements and make sure I'm getting the full movements.  My muscles will thank me for this in the morning. ^^ 

I really felt it by the end of the sequence of exercises for each muscle and it renewed a magic in me.  It's so funny how easily one can stray off the path of whatever it is they are wanting to do on a consistent basis. 

I'm realigning my eating habits back to the former diet as well as I have gradually strayed from it, and will adding my supplements back in as well.

Whether I like it or not, tomorrow is going to be the day I start back on my lifting.  I went into a slump after I hurt my foot during my vacation and, like usual, I've found it hard to get back into the routine.  But once I start again I will be back full force. 

I had to bring my workout bag inside to change out my workout clothes as this is the first I've been to the gym when It's been legitimately cold and had to switch from shorts to sweatpants of some kind.  I purposefully planted my car keys in the side pouch of my gym bag so I don't forget it in my haste. 

I always find a great inspiration when friends or coworkers notice my efforts in the gym and I recently talked with an online friend who enjoys the fact that I work out and it's prompted me that much further to work.  My partner is great but they could care less whether I work out or not.  I do enjoy the eventual comment that the work I'm doing is worthwhile and this person just made me want to work that much more. 

 I don't think I've lost all that much of my definition.  I know my chest has softened some as that is one of the hardest spots for me to gain considering how small I am.  I will put some extra focus on it, my back and shoulders as they are my hard-gainers.  I can't wait actually.

 I've added other focuses in my life as well since coming back from vacation so it will be interesting how I incorporate them as well as my workout regimine.  Wish me luck out there, you've all been great and supportive.  I appreciate that!

So yeah, it's been a while.  It's actually been because of particular parts of my personality.  When I came back from my vacation trip to Nashville, I hard hurt my foot pretty bad during a sight-seeing walk we had taking and I had been wearing the wrong type of shoes.  So upon my arrival back my regular workouts had to be halted because I could barely stand on my foot after dealing with being on it at work. 

At this point at work I had also accepted a temporary position at work.  During the holidays I am to be acting as the sole merchandiser for our $8million a year store and that's alot of hard work, stress, and pressure.  When my foot wasn't hurting, I was emotionally spent from work.  Since that time I think I've been to the gym about 3 times.  And thus I fell back into the spiral of making excuses for not going to the gym, and even worse taken back on my bad eating habits. 

 Well, I'm ready to give myself a quick kick in the ass and continue up where I've left off.  I hope that you all will welcome me back as I take up the reigns again.  I'll post my starting measurements here in a few.  I'm kinda scared to take a look considering what I had put in before. 

I also think alot of the stress and emotional weight I've been experiencing here at home and at work has been because of my lack of not being at the gym to relieve all that.  I've been an emotional wreck... especially in the last 3 weeks or so. 

So, I'm sticking to my guns, my word and my future self. 

I know I haven't updated in quite a while.  I've had some rough spots with workouts here lately.  Especially with headaches becoming frequent as I start to lift closer to my bodyweight.  At times I'd have to cut my workouts short because of it but I always made it up on my short days.

 I've been changing up my routines about every 4 weeks hoping to keep my system shocked.  I'm currently on working 2 body parts a day on a 3 week plan, and working abs all 3 days.

Mon - Chest / Shoulders / Abs

Tues - Back / Legs / Abs

Thursday - Bis / Tris / Calves / Abs (short day as arms get a good workout on the back/chest days as well)

I'm getting good isolation and am experiencing soreness on a regular basis which I take as a good sign.  By Monday I'll update with my newest measurements and some new progress pics as I haven't updated those in a while.

I'm not sure if the weightgainer is helping any or if I just need to amp it up.  I've been rather irregular in my consuming it mainly because I've been keeping my eating pretty regular and up there, only using it when I wasn't eating.  I probably just need to start downing it with my meals as my weight still hasn't budged.  The closer I get to lifting my bodyweight, the more urgent I feel to gain more weight to help me out.  I'm still 109lbs but by gosh I think those scales are lying because I don't think I look 109.  I feel like I should be close to 120.  I keep thinking I'm doing something wrong with those shifty weight scales. 

Other than my weight and my recent bouts with headaches I've been doing well.  I've been lifting heavier and feeling real good about my body and how it's turning out. 

Apologies for not updating in a while.  I promise posting will be more frequent again.  Good luck all in your goals!