2008 Transformation Contest

Well my camera is shot, so I will not be able to take pictures or video at least until I find someone I can borrow it from. But I can share some of my thoughts with everyone willing to read this journal.

I have intentionally placed everyone in the category because this post is about everyone in this competition. I would like to share my opinion about the competitors and how I have seen them in short time I spent in this competition, and also, I would like to encourage others to write the same in some of the next blogs as we near the end of this game we play.

As I said this blog post is about everyone taking part in this competition, not only the competitors but the people made all this possible. I would like to avoid sounding like a miss pageant so I will skip "thank yous" to the sponsors and yada yada yada…I believe they know we are grateful for the opportunity.

Anyways I would like to say special thanks to the man Richard, our admin. Without his efforts we would be lost half way. Thank you Richard.

What can I say about Isaac? Well I learned he’s got great taste in music and I always enjoyed his videos he posted, and I enjoyed some of the great stories he told us, some were true adventures. I must admit I am a bit jealous of him, after all he is a great photographer, something that impresses me a lot. What ever happened to your shaping goals man, we are still backing you up!

And there is Josh. I still hate my self for entering this competition through his misfortune. Life is one big, well I guess you know what. If I understood correctly, SCT is almost fully recovered from his injury and already planning a new challenge by Muscletech, and I want to wish him all the best with his future goals.

Jason is another mystery for me. I have a feeling he is such an emotional person, in a good way of course, and the fact he found his happiness with his wife and daughter just makes me warm in the heart. I know you can’t see much progress but there is a great achievement behind you already. OK, maybe you didn’t lost much weight, or achieved the look you desire, but you made a positive change in life. Sometimes, no matter how hard we fight, sometimes life gets the better of us. I just wanted you to know you have my full support, and when this thing ends in a couple days, don’t think I will forget about you, you can count on me any time.

Dave is a big man, in more than one way. I found we have much more in common than it could be seen in the beginning. This man has a great sense of humor but he can be serious when needed and place a right word where needed. He has a long fight before him and I just know it will not be an easy one. That just makes him a biggest fighter of us all, I mean we have to loose 20 - 30lbs and we are there, but he has to loose a whole Maddie to get where he wants to be. Dave my man mark my words: If you ever decide to quit and give up on the battle you started and start listening to that demon from Narnia, just remember there is one crazy Serb out there waiting to kick your a$$, and we all know demons can’t compare to Serbs

Maddie, well Maddie is Maddie, right I mean she is the reason we others loose motivation with every new progress pictures upload. Couple more weeks and she is ready for a fitness competition. You came a long way and you showed us all how the fine finish is done. You showed great progress both physically and psychologically, and through some of your posts you gave us insight to your librarian soul and I have seen it’s a wast and beautiful place. Which ever the path you decide to take after this competition I wish you all the best.

Finally there is Steph. I am not sure if I can write anything else about this woman I haven’t said before. I remember when she left the first post on my BodySpace page, I was thinking she was a random visitor but than she came again and again and than every week she gave me encouragement and she still remains one of rare cyber-friends I gained over the time. Determination, strength, especially strength intensity, I mean I could go on forever with these epithets that go with her and I would still not do her justice. When I take a step back and take look at this group from the day you told me there is a competition going on at bb.com to this very day, I just know you are the one who deserves the gold and highest pedestal to stand on.

~malibuilder

Top of the World - That’s show I feel today! I still have a little bit of last week’s nastiness hanging around with a stuffed up nose and a cough when I laugh. This song is a Christian song and while I’m not big on preaching here I like the vibe of this song and it’s fitting for how I felt when I stepped on the scale today. BOOM BOOM 202 down from 219.5. That’s SEVENTEEN and A HALF POUNDS. I’ve got about 12 more pounds to go to be content with my physique. The abs are starting to show and life is good. I take off for Los Angeles tomorrow and will be covering the IRONMAN PRO for Bodybuilding.com. Fans can catch the live webcast here on bodybuilding.com and we’ll be posting videos and photos throughout the weekend. This is the first IFBB show of the year and I’m stoked to be heading to LA. I was wearing shorts today and it was fantastic Denver weather near record highs. A storm is rolling in tonight and when I leave in the morning it will be in the 20s and snowing. WTF? Great time to get to Cali.

BOOM BOOM BABY I AM DROPPIN DA FAT!

I’m on top of the world
Seeing for the first time
How beautiful You are
Here on top of the world

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

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.

The fifth in a 12-part article series documenting the progress of this year’s five contestants is now available on Bodybuilding.com.

As we head into February, let’s take a moment and get the viewpoint of a transformation expert on how our 5 competitors are doing! 

http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/2008transformblogguide5.htm

Enjoy!

I’ve been absent for a few days. That’s cause BLAWWWWOOO I got knocked the F’ out with a cold/flu.

My last posted I was in Rapid City, South Dakota. I enjoyed a nice trip on Friday and Saturday it was perfect weather. I was able to escape from the madness of work and a very busy upcoming schedule. I joined 5 college friends for a day of snowmobiling, all out for 7 hours, at speeds around 60mph all day. You want to talk about a workout! That was a total body workout and shook things I didn’t know existed. We rode close to a 100 miles through the Black Hills and over into Wyoming. I had packed water, some protein bars, jerky and nuts for the day. The most disturbing thing was when we rode to Wyoming and had a meal at "the Buckhorn". I asked for a plain chicken breast and a bowl of chili. You’d swear I asked for them to make me lobster and a chocolate cake. I never understand why it is so difficult that providing less equates to more work in the wait staff’s mind. PLAIN CHICKEN BREAST. The toothless man behind the counter repeats, "so you just want chicken". Yup - just the chicken sir and a cup a coffee. As I’m enjoying my coffee a portly little fellow yells out my number. I wave him over to the table to which he delivers my bowl of chili and what they consider a chicken breast. I have never seen anything more disturbing in my life. It was as thick as a piece of paper and greasier than a stack of fries.

The Buckhorn Saloon from the outside.

The Buckhorn from the inside.

My “grilled chicken breast”. Never before have you seen a more disturbing substance passed off as meat.

Long story short. I ended up spending too much time in a smoky Deadwood establishment combined with a walk in frigid temps and a trip to a nasty ass buffet. I had chicken, real chicken, and crab legs but this buffet place was bizarro world. Any whoo, all those things combined I got hit with a nasty flu bug or some type of whack South Dakota crippling bug. I’ve been hacking up a lung, sleeping and eating nothing but chicken noodle soup since Sunday. Yes, I’m drinking plenty of water, taking extra vitamin-c and glutamine. Fortunately, I’ve been able to sleep and slowly feeling better but this is the worst I’ve felt in years. The trip back took me eight hours between weather delay, icy road conditions, snowstorm, blah blah blah. I’m glad I went and enjoyed a nice day of being outdoors and in a cabin with great friends. Once I kick this cold I’ll be back in da gym busting it out.

Hence my song MOMMA SAID KNOCK YOU OUT. That’s what happened to me but don’t count this old goat out yet, despite being out of the gym for a few days I’m down to 206. I’m aiming to get back in the gym tomorrow and find myself at the 203 mark next Friday.

I’m in the Rapid City airport. I had to make a shake I had in my bag and settle for a pack of peanuts and water. I was running like made before I went to the airport and didn’t make breakfast. I managed to find place to give me a chicken breast with mushrooms. MMMMM. Gotta get creative in airports and plan accordingly. It will be a good challenge this year to travel and continue to eat healthy. I’ll check in more latah gang.

I’ve been in a Mary J Blige mode the past couple days. This woman has been through some shit in her life and it comes through in her music. She’s another signer I enjoy listening to because of the passion in her voice. This song has a great vibe to it and one I enjoy cranking up while I work. Yesterday was a stressful day of work and this song’s title reminds me to shut up and stop crying.

"It’s time to say bye bye bye it’s time to do something for me"

I’m saying bye bye for now and doing something for me this weekend. I’m heading back to the plains of South Dakota to go snowmobiling with a crew of college friends. We’ll be staying at a large cabin in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Tomorrow night we’ll watch the UFC fight and Sunday is the Super Bowl. I’ll be back in Denver on Monday afternoon. I already know I won’t be eating 100% healthy and that’s okay. I’ve gone weeks with eating chicken, rice, eggwhites and protein shakes. I’ll still watch my nutrition and I’ll plan accordingly. Like a squirrel I’ll pack some nuts and drink plenty of water. Sunday I will enjoy a beer or three because I need a break from work and from the diet. I’ll come back recharged and ready to rock. This month is very, very busy for me and I am on the road more than I am home. It will be a great challenge to eating healthy while traveling. Have a great weekend everyone and DO SOMETHING FOR YOURSELF this weekend.

Going back to one of the greatest bands of all-time. U2 teams up with Mary J. Blige for this version of the classic "One". I listened to this song while I was busting out a shoulder workout at the asscrack of dawn. I’m a fan of passionate singers. Mary J has the energy and passion in her voice that evokes an emotion. I dig it.

Is it getting better?
Or do you feel the same?
Will it make it easier on you now?
You got someone to blame

I know what you’re thinking but no. Today is a busy day for me and I didn’t feel like cooking so I whipped what I call my Poo Bowl. Disturbed yet?

Poo Bowl Ingredients:
• 1 Large Bowl
• 1 cup of plain oatmeal
• 2 packets of splenda
• 1 teaspoon of cinnamon
• 2 scoops of MuscleTech Nitro-Tech Hard Core Chocolate Protein Powder

• Mix it all up in the bowl dry.

• Add water. I like my consistency a little thicker but if you like a soupy bowl go for more water.

• Microwave it for about a minute.

• Mix it around and let cool.

Yes it may look like a bowl of poo but damn does it taste good. I’ve told a few friends about it and they we’re like WTF are you talking about? Until they tried it. Now, they are hooked.

ENJOY!

HARDCORE - that’s how I’d describe Beth Hart. Raw. Powerful Energy. I love her voice and the passion it has. The lyrics to this once are a little dark but the vibe is awesome. I say she’s "one bad bitch" in a positive light. Inspiration can be found in random places. I am inspired by Beth Hart’s hardcore, raspy voice combined with her ability to play the piano mixed in with deep personal lyrics.

Today is a feel good kinda day. I feel good and one of my favorite songs to listen to keep me in a good mood is "Rodeo Clowns". This version features three of my favorite artists; Jack Johnson, Donavon Frankenreiter and G-Love. They are all folky type of feel good musicians. This is a song I crank up to just mellow out and feel good about what I have going on in my life. The next two songs are "Heading Home" and "Rainbow" which have a similar vibe and worth a listen. All three musicians have their own voice but in the end each reminds me to smile and enjoy my day.

Move on down the road my friends and enjoy your Tuesday.

Another classic from my music collection. This entire CD is good for getting in the zone while working out. Some of the lines to this song I think represent what myself and others here are feeling. Listen to the lyrics on this song and I think you’ll agree.

But I feel that a change is
A change is gonna come
I said I feel so alive now
And you know I feel that a change is
A change is gonna come

This morning I woke up feeling great. I’ve noticed that if I have a shake before bed I have a ton of energy in the morning. I’ve implemented SciFit Chocolate protein - 2 scoops of chocolate. This protein mixes better for me in a simple shaker and no nasty after-taste. I also use MuscleTech Nitro-Tech Hardcode Chocolate Protein which also mixes well.

I normally head to the gym on an empty stomach and have been taking MuscleTech Gakic an hour before my workout as well as MuscleTech Nano Vapor about 15-20 minutes before my workouts. I will write more on these two products later but this morning I decided to mix things up a bit. I used to take Yoga 3-4x a week but I haven’t done it in about 2.5 years. I decided to take a yoga class this morning at Greenwood Athletic and Tennis Club. The room was heated and after getting used to the temp it was so relaxing. You’ve heard me babble about my friend Sara before and usually it is her kicking my ass in the weight room, but today it was in yoga. It was the first time I’d taken her class and certainly won’t be the last. It was humbling being in class and realizing I’m not quite as flexible and limber as I once was. So I’ve added a new goal within the next 6-8 weeks I will get more flexible and I will be able to do the yoga poses I did with ease a couple years ago.

Implementing yoga into my routines is not only physically beneficial but mentally as well. It teaches me to focus on me and block out distractions. It was an awesome class and I sweated my arse off. I probably lost a good 3lbs in water just from the class.

After class I downed some water and hammered out legs with Hurrle. We did a new, well new for me, excerscise at the end. Find a flight of stairs and do calf raises. Each stair you do the number you are on. So one calf raise for the first stair, two for the second and so on. It seemed pretty easy until about stair number 15 when you’re doing 15 reps and your calves are bellowing out STOOOOOOP MO FRO STOPPPP. It was good.

I’m off to check out a Sportsman’s Expo and Outdoor show which is fun to see the hunting crew and sea of camo. I attend these to check out the new spices and rubs along with jerky or various wild game meat. I’ll let ya know how it goes later tonight.

ohhhhhhhhhhhhhmmmmmmmmmmmmm OUT!