Adam’s BodyBlog

It’s safe to say last year my level of commitment was pretty low.  Well, maybe not my level of commitment but by drive and ambition, ok… my level of commitment.  Things have taken an unexpected turn in the beginning of 09 with my father’s second heart attack at the age of 52.  He’s always been pretty active throughout his whole life and he, unlike me, is NOT in the 3 digit overweight catagory.  Scary huh?  I have heart attacks on one side of my family and strokes on the other.  I have a lovely wife and a 19 mo. old little boy.  I can’t be living like I’m living and expect to live to a ripe old age, it’s a pipe-dream.  

SO…I’ve been going to a lot of different places to find inspiration and drive, I’ve developing new, exciting and ambitious goals, developing interests in new hobbies, all with the eventual goal of a complete life-style change.  I’m a little nervous, a little excited but completely looking forward to a new life.  Saying that my level of commitment is higher is an understatement, it’s a whole different type of commitment, or maybe it isn’t a commitment at all.  It’s a complete resignation from my life the way it is now, I don’t want it anymore, I quit, and I’m walking away.  

Well, a lot of stuff has happened since last March.  We said screw it all, left Cedar Falls and I got a good job in Des Moines that keeps me more than a little busy.  We’re really happy in our new place and I really like my job and are officially "settled."

The bad new is, guess what’s fallen by the wayside, you guessed it, my physical transformation.  Perhaps taking the necessary steps to make us happy is a part of that in some way.

Well, the good news wrapped up in the bad new is that I’ve only gained back 2 pounds, and that’s after breakfast, two cups of coffee and a lot of water.  So for having missed so much, I didn’t set myself back a whole lot, just time.  

So I’m geared up, ready to go, I’m in a position where I’m happy with everything else in my life except my body so I’m feeling like this is really IT!  I’m gonna do it, I have no excuses, the best part is, my wife is going to do it with me, she wants to lose the weight she gained during pregnancy and as far as I’m concerned, I can have no better partner.  She’s also been through the experience of losing 50 pounds and she’ll be a great motivator!

I do want to apologize to everyone who was keeping track of my progress and encouraging me.  Your words meant a lot and still do, I promise I won’t let you down!  Take care and keep coming back to my site.

Adam

Well, I started getting under the weather last week so I took a few days off. I figured a good 3 days would be good for my health, then, I got really sick. It’s been over a week now since I’ve been in the gym and I’ve just been sitting on the couch pounding fluids and watching my wife’s soaps. I feel so terrible about my lack of exercize but will deffinitely make it up when I feel better. What started out as a sore throat and cough turned into bronchitis. So now my core workout consists of hacking up green mucus. Ick! I’m on z-pac and a script cough medicine and may just be beginning to feel better. Now that I’m behind, I have to work harder to catch up! As soon as I’m better, it’s gonna be two-a-days for a week!

I’m getting so pumped up for this contest.  I hit the weights really hard last Monday and Tuesday so Wednesday and Thursday were off days for lifting this week.  The workouts themselves are posted in my "workout tracker" on my BodySpace so I won’t re-iterate everything here. 
     But let me tell you, Things went really well, I started with a weight I was confident I could handle, then I just went up and up from there.  My chest is a little weaker so I only went up to 50 on the incline and decline dumbell bench, but I could really feel it.  I’m also nursing an old football injury at the same time.  My shoulders aren’t strong, I’ve dislocated my right shoulder twice and it’s a little weaker, I run into the problem of trying to strengthen my chest while not over-working my shoulders at the same time, which is not an easy task.  There are some exercizes that are easier then others to do but right now I’m going to take it easy on the chest for a few weeks with lighter weights until my shoulders have strengthened up enough to handle the weight. 
     In the meantime, my legs, which are still one of my greatest assets are getting a great workout.  I’ve been doing the hip-sled/leg press, which I LOVE and then doing leg curls and ext’s.  After that, I kick my ass with HIIT’s on the eliptical machine for 40 mins.  After I leave, I feel like I could outrun a donky!  Then as soon as I get home and sit down, by body just wants to stop. 
     My legs aren’t sore at all, but my chest and shoulders are… They aren’t as sore as I expected though and I’m really contributing that to the Supplements I’m taking.
     I’m currently taking all ProLab products, (I didn’t know where to start so I started at GNC, will be the last time.)  I’m using their Wheybolic Extreme protein, their L-Gleutamine, and a BCAA mix.  I’m also drinking plenty of fluids, I’ve since found a supplement store in the area so I plan to check that out today. 
     CARDIO - I forgot to mention, I love to hate cardio, but when I’m finished, I always feel so good.  Part of my problem was a proper music mix, and now the machines I use are right behind the other elipticals and the treadmills the girls always run on   
    Well, this is long enough, hope you enjoy.  I’m enjoying working out again and posting to this blog, Oh, I’VE LOST THREE POUNDS!

Today was an awesome upper body day.  I got a really good workout in my pecs and shoulders.  I wasn’t able to hit the Bi’s as hard as I’d like because my left shoulder was getting tight but that’s ok, I have a small dumbell set at home and can work with them later.  Also had a chance to sneak in 25 mins of cardio on the bike; 95rpms level 6! 

 Way to go me!

I’ve had a cardio routine I’ve been doing with ab exercises for the past week and although I’ve written up a weight lifting plan, I haven’t really started to implement it.  Not because I’ve been putting it off, just because…well, I guess I’ve been putting it off.  Bad me. 

Here’s why.  I’m intimidated.  I don’t know why, but I am.  I’m no stranger to lifting and I know what I’m doing, I just really hate that beginning awkward period where you’re starting the first new routine in a long time and you don’t quite have it down yet and you’re still figuring the right weight out and such. 

Well, tonight is the night and I’m really looking forward to getting into the weight room.  I’ve got a buddy who is a trainer and he’s going to walk me through my routine and help me get the proper weight established so I don’t have to feel so intimidated.  We’ll probably go around 7 or so and I think some-time this afternoon I’ll do 8 min abs to get me going and give my abs their daily workout.

Well I joined the Recomposition competition bere at BB.com and I’m really excited.  I think it will really help provide me with extra motivation!  Yesterday I went to GNC and picked up some much needed Whey and BCAA’s. 

I’ve been putting this off for waaaayyy too long.  I used to look good, was in great shape and really enjoyed working out, but somewhere along the line, I just fell off the wagon and tumbled into the ditch. 

I’ve gained around 100 pounds in the last…7 years or so and I’m tired of being tired, being out of shape, not having energy or strength, and tired of looking at my fat body in the mirror.  So here I am, taking the first steps and making my commitment to myself.  HERE I come 225!

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