2008 Transformation Contest

Just a few signs of overtraining….or overworking.  I don’t know which.  

That darned cold Jeep isn’t helping matters much.  5 degrees fahrenheit this morning, the windshield a sheet of ice.  Rolled down the window and dumped my water bottle on it.  Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

Then, dropped a blender full of my LAST peanut butter chocolate protein shake all over my floorboard.

Got the kids to school, and started my day with 20 minutes weighted vest elliptical.  

5-10 minutes stretching.

21 sets abs, the good stuff, mostly weighted, hanging, or both. 

12 sets triceps.

Put the doggone vest back on for a 10 minute jog…on incline.

Ran home for lunch and a quick clean-up.  Straight to work.  6 hour shift.  Getting IMMENSE negative energy from a coworker who has weight to lose.  Another elderly coworker fell on the way in and busted her head.  Kind of a rough day.  My heart wasn’t there.

Straight from work back to the gym.  

10 minutes weighted vest stairmill.
10 minute weighted vest elliptical
10 minute  weighted vest incline jog.

40 reps bench dips, 50 reps cable and rope pushdowns

Came home, took a pic, here I am,…

I weighed in this morning at 137.

Down 2 more lbs.  A total of 20 lbs gone now.

(108 lbs total.)

See…I’m tired.  I can’t even get excited about it.

THERE HAS GOT TO BE AN EASIER WAY.

lol

So you say you don’t feel like working out?  It is just too hard to get in shape?

I figured you guys could find interesting to check out your biorhythm I was skeptical but we all have our ups and downs. You can calculate yours here:

http://biorhythms.perbang.dk/

Anyways I am at my lowest point right now, so I guess when I get on top you better be afraid LOL

Here are my weekly progress pictures:

Front relaxed

Side relaxed, (yeah right )

Front double biceps

Front lat spread:

Rear double biceps:

Rear lat spread:

The quality is awful I know, please forgive

It never ends for me, 4 steps in the right direction 10 backwards. Anyways had car issues, I know this isnt a car forum but a couple of video for proof of the car issue. And one Gaspari review.

Let’s talk about scale numbers and why they really don’t matter much to me.  A quick warning to all, I will get a bit crass below this line.  (more…)

The past week, I have been sick (flu).  It really sucked.  I pray that you all will not get it.  I was not only irritated that I wasn’t able to really train and felt like I would be setback but feeling like crap on top of it didn’t help.  As soon as I started to feel good, I would run out of steam by early afternoon.  I have gotten plenty of rest now and am ready to hit it hard again.  

I won’t be posting pictures and progress until tomorrow.  Sorry for the delay.  

I wanted to say how proud I am of each of my competitors.  

Alen has jumped in with both feet.  I knew he would.  He is such a positive inspiration for me.  Over the next few weeks, I know we are going to see some amazing things from him

Fusioncom is making steady positive moves forward.  I think it may take him a little longer but he will reach his goals as long as he stays focused.  I look forward to encouraging him every step of the way.  

Maddi is looking fabulous. She looked fabulous in the beginning but it’s nice to see the glow and the excitement that she has from reaching her goals.  I know she is excited with all the muscle definition that she is getting.  

Jumbo has by far blown me away with his progress.  He has not only lost the most weight of the group but his mental transformation and consistent effort is so inspiring for me.  It takes a lot of character and faith to know that it’s going to take a while to see a major change in pics and still stay positive and strong during the long road.  I am so very proud of him.

Well thats my two cents.  

Stef

My newest tune that is on repeat more than should be allowed is by da man Bruce Springsteen. This song simply rocks. I played it on repeat in the gym today as I busted out a back and shoulders workout with The Great Sara Hurrle. Sheet my back hurts already. I then went on to do 45 minutes on the gauntlet. I’m stoked to report my fat ass is becoming smaller every day. I’m currently tipping the scales at 202lbs - down from a beginning weight of 219.5lbs. I’ll post progress pics tomorrow but in the mean time enjoy a lil music from the boss.

I just wanna hear some rhythm

I just wanna hear some rhythm

I just wanna hear your rhythm

I just wanna hear your rhythm

“The only thing we have to fear, is fear itself.”

Wearing my weighted vest, I look a little insane, and quite honestly, sometimes I feel it.  

When I am working out in my vest, the music I am often inspired to listen to is Ministry.  The sounds of battle.  I visualize myself going to war.

My real battle being not against FLESH AND BLOOD, but with SPIRIT.

My own.

OK, I have some great news: I lost another two pounds I know you are all happy about it, because now you know how serious I am about this and there is all more reason for you to start working harder

Anyways, I start with some serious supplementation this week. So far I was taking only my amino supplement and this week I start with fat burners and less calories in my diet. Practically I walk around with my backpack full of rice and vegetables

I get up 05:30 take my fat burners, do my morning workout for 20 min.

Breakfast at 06:00, usually it is eggs, tuna, or oat meal, milk an a piece of fruit. I also take my whey amino after breakfast.

08:30 is time for my next meal, rice with vegetables.

10:30 another meal, some proteins, usually lean steak or chicken breasts.

13:00 another rice meal and again my amino supplements

15:30 another high protein meal

18:00 some green salad to get my nitro up and running

My gym workout (or another 20 min cardio on my off days) starts at 19:15 an it takes about an hour. Immediately after workout I take whey amino again.

My next meal is somewhere from 20:30 - 21:00 depending on the time when my workout starts. I usually eat eggs, fish or chicken breasts or some other low fat meat.

I never go too low on carbohydrates, hate when something messes with my brain. I eat yolks, I eat peanut butter and honey through out the day, in small doses of course. I eat fruits (3-4 pieces/day), almond nuts, pumpkin seeds and I supplement with omega and multivitamins to keep myself healthy. Also I drink about a gallon of watter dally.

And now I wish to show you my latest workout video, I hope you will enjoy it

I don’t have anything in particular I want to write about tonight.  I will probably cover a variety of subjects as I am feeling rather bloggy, and in need of a good journal.
I am doing well so far.  I know this.  And yet, I am very disappointed in myself.  Why?  Because I am only putting forth half the effort so far that I am capable of.  I have only done double workouts 3-4 times since this whole thing began.  I have lately been so very lax with writing things down, preplanning any sort of menu, or cutting off calories at any set point during the day.  Quite honestly, I am ashamed of myself.  Have I made huge improvements?  Sure I have.  Yet I have been half assing along, lacking discipline, lacking focus.  I have to ask myself…WHY?  At this important juncture of my life, perhaps the first real opportunity I have ever been given, AM I NOT GIVING IT MY ALL?  This shocks me!  And thinking about it further, I think I know in my heart why.  You have heard it before, and yes, I will say it again.  It is that whole "allowance and acceptance" thing.  I once had a friend, a rather low achiever like myself, who would find a decent job, begin to do well at it, and then screw everything up, in an unconscious effort of self sabotage.  WHY DO WE DO THESE THINGS?  DO WE BELIEVE WE ARE NOT DESERVING OF HAPPINESS?  AND WHERE IN THE WORLD DID WE PICK UP SUCH MESSAGES?  All I know, is that this is the message that I hear repeatedly.  I dreamed last night of all sorts of chaos.  Children dying, me with cancer, getting screws put in the back of my head.  It is like I FEAR HAPPINESS..because I feel deep down somehow…that once one begins to be HAPPY…that the other shoe is about to drop….and hard!  I know I was taught this.  And YES!  I am going to blame it on MY MOTHER!  lol, lol, lol, lol.  Isn’t that what mothers are ultimately good for?  To blame all of our problems upon despite their extreme self sacrifice in our name?    SO I was looking at JENNY LYNN last night.  My INTUITION has been telling me to.  It is interesting to me.  One of our sponsors for this contest is BODY BEATS.  And their motto is, "you wanna look like a pro, you gotta train like a pro".  THESE ARE THE VERY WORDS THAT MY HUSBAND ONCE SPOKE TO ME.  Then, I went to Jenny Lynn’s web-site last night, and the very same words were there.  "YOU WANT TO LOOK LIKE A PRO, YOU MUST TRAIN LIKE A PRO."  Holey-Moley, the synchronicity!  I am listening Oh Universe!  Lend me your ears!    I want to go far with this.  I WANT TO FOR ONCE IN MY LIFE SAY,…"I GAVE IT MY ALL"..and know that these words ring true.  Now, I did give it my all towards parenting once upon a time.  Oh, if you could have seen me!  I have to throw myself 110% into SOMETHING…and that is about as noble a cause as one can get!  But at some point, I figured something out!  By being a MARTYR MOMMY…I was teaching my daughters by example…to ONE DAY GROW UP AND DO THE SAME!  …And I so wanted BETTER FOR THEM THAN THAT.  Mothering is a beautiful gift….but it is one that we work ourselves out of.  I am entering the season of release with my daughters.  (At least the older two.)  If I were to be too involved right now…I would drive myself mad.  One must let the teenagers spread their wings, take their chances, make their mistakes, and just hope and pray that they are not fatal ones.  After all, as has been so well expressed before, "that which does not kill us makes us stronger".  Sometimes I wonder, what sort of effect all this BODYBUILDING and SELF-ESTEEMING I am up to,…how will it affect the kids? Will it make them HEALTHIER?  Will it make them obsessed with their appearance and bodies? (As if the world won’t do that already.)  Or, will it do the opposite?  By looking at me for example, will they find the whole thing vain and fruitless?  Only time will tell.  One thing I know…is I must follow this.  I must follow my passion out, and I must follow it FULLY and with ENTHUSIASM.  It is my authentic self.  THIS…is who I am.

Check the recent news on my blog for complete details of my newest venture - MUSCLE PHONE.

http://blog.bodybuilding.com/liftstudios

You’ll be hearing and seeing a lot more out of MUSCLE PHONE this year. It’s been two years in the planning and prepping and the day has finally arrived. I’m beyond stoked to see this project come to life. It’s a reminder to everyone that anything you put your mind to you can and will accomplish.

I’m BACK YO! Last week was rough. I hadn’t been that sick in years. The flu straight knocked me the F’ out. That said it is a busy week in Liftland. I was scheduled to fly to Omaha, see family, attend an event for art students, give a talk at my old art college but I had to cancel. I was looking forward to the trip but I gots to be 100% for this week’s IRONMAN Pro. I fly out to LA on Thursday and will be there until the following Monday. It’s the kick off to the 2008 bodybuilding year and always one of my favorite events.

Last night I chilled out and watched the Grammys. There were a number of awesome performances and this was one of the top. The song "stronger" is one that has grown on me and ya can’t help but get into it. I think Kayne West is a whiny bitch when it comes to the whole scene and there is always something to complain about with this cat when it comes to award ceremonies. Despite my dislike for his constant complaining, I am a fan of his creativity and continual evolution. As you can see his performance last night was certainly something different and creative.

I’ll be announcing a little project that shows my creativity in a different way, later today. It’s been two years in the works and it will change the bodybuilding world. I’ve also become a bit more creative in my workouts and eating. Creativity can be shown in many ways… we all have it and express it differently. Are you stuck in a rut? Do something different, GET LOST TONIGHT.

This weekend was very uneventful.  I was sick and in bed the entire time.  Good news is that I feel great today.  I did get a few minutes to put together this weeks video-Ab inspiritation.  A few of the pics didnt turn out as clear as I would like but you can still get a good idea from them.  

Heya,

I just woke up. Last night I went bowling with my friends, quite a fun. Relaxing too. This was my firs night out in the town, for…well last six months. Nothing but work, work and more work.

Anyways, some big time mobster was shot in my building last night. The police was all over the place and got us residents all locked down in our apartments. Yeah, talking about some stress. I mean who are the to stop me from going out after six months.

Nevertheless, this morning I woke up, took the measuring tape and I saw progress. I lost two pounds. and lowered my body fat percent down 23% and I feel great.

And another thing. I got me self a kick box instructor! Well, actually it’s an old friend who asked me if I would like to punch some bags with him, so I guess it will accelerate my progress a bit. This means I have a workout every day in the week, no rest for me

Next week I plan to up the intensity for a notch so I suggest you people do the same. Don’t go thinking I will go easy on you

malibuilder