The Best Shape of My Life!

New official measurements are in. And guess what? They’re mostly the same. After about three months of working to attempt to change some of my stats (body stats, that is), I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s just near impossible. I did end up gaining an inch on my chest (back to a 42 from a 41), but it’s not like I haven’t had a 42" chest before. Still working (kind of) for the 43.

Gained about .25" on my waist…not something I really wanted. But that measurement seems to yo-yo between 33 and 34. As long as it’s not more than 34, I’m ok. I refuse to buy 36" waist jeans/pants again.

Arms…don’t even ask. They’re horrible.

Thighs, calves, forearms, shoulders, bf%, pretty much everything stayed the same, or close to it. Yeah, I know, progress takes time, but I have not experienced any major body stat changes over the past three years. The only significant change I’ve made is with bf, which was from about 20% to now just under 10. (I started logging on bb.com when I had just over 15%.) But even losing all that extra flab, my measurements, for the most part, stayed relatively the same. Depressing at times.

I firmly believe with some research that has been published that suggests some people just cannot physically make huge changes. There are some who can grow, and others who cannot. There are some who can drop the fat like a snake sheds its skin, and there are those who have to fight to get a .25% drop! Unfortunately for me, the growing part I’ll never really see (unless I succomb to the supplement propaganda and injest all kinds of poisons and potions into my body).

So, here’s to being the same. I toast my cup of morning coffee to all you out there who are in the same position as I am. Together, we change, so that we can more or less stay the same.

Today was the day! My gym officially launched the new release for BodyPump, number 63. Awesome workout! The music is great, and there are some new movements that are very challenging, especially at a superslow pace. I like the squat track the best, but lunges are great, too. And the chest track is killer with the drop set technique.

Finished almost two hours ago and my muscles are still sore, fatigued, and my heart is still racing. Ok, not "racing," but I’m definitely feeling the effects of the workout.

Squat = 25 kg
Chest = 25 kg/20kg (drop set technique)
Back = 15 kg (lots of rowing, will use heavier weight next time)
Tricep = 15 kg
Bicep = 10 kg
Lunges = 5 kg plate (gym doesn’t have the 10 kg plates….trying to get them)
Shoulders = 2.5 kg plate/10 kg for bar
Abs = 10 kg bar rollout (other exercises are bodyweight)

Aaaagggggghhhhhhhhh, the stretch track. That’s my favorite.
Later.

My gym started a new cardio class for me to teach called Belly and Booty. Yeah, sounds like a "girl" class, right? WRONG. The focus is the core (hence, belly) and the glutes (booty), and it’s a very intense workout. Only 25 minutes, but you’ll leave in great shape.

I’m feeling it today. Of course, I’ve been practicing like crazy for the new BodyPump release this weekend, so that’s taking its toll, too. But definitely, the cardio is working its "magic." Now I’m hoping that it will help me shape my "belly" more. Six pack anyone?

Today, bodypump. Awesome. I’m worn out, as usual. Great strength, endurance, and cardio!

On Sept 29, my gym is launching BP 63! The music is awesome, and the choreography is amazing!!!! I can’t wait. If you belong to a gym that offers BodyPump (by Les Mills International), I strongly encourage you to take it. Even bodybuilders can get an awesome workout once in a while with BP! It doesn’t take much weight, either.

To fitness and health! And tomorrow, all cardio.   

I love trying new things, testing on me before I use them on clients. Well, I’ve been trying to figure out how to get the best out of my workouts (as I’m always doing). They’ve been getting stale using the typical 2 sets X 12 reps movement. So……..

I tried a split, which is very odd for me because I’m very much in opposition to splits. But, I gave it a try this week, and I think I like it.

Simple split…….Workout A = legs, back, tris, and Workout B = chest, shoulders, bis.
Core exercises are built into the routine, and I do core workouts separately through pilates, yoga, cardio, etc.

Seems to work pretty well. I like it b/c each workout is short (30 minutes max), I focus only on a few exercises and body parts, and I can then focus on more important things, like dropping the excess body fat I want to get rid of. And since size isn’t my top priority, I figured I can play around a little to find something that works better than what I’m using.

We’ll see how it goes next week.

Yesterday, I ended up staying at work a couple hours late to get some things done I needed to get done. Yeah, and that’s even on a FRIDAY. But, it’s the best day usually for me to get some lesson planning done so I don’t have to take a bunch of things home over the weekend.

Anyway, the point to this is…..I went to the gym afterwards to do a full body strength workout, and when I started, I quickly found out it was going to be one of "those" workouts. I had to drop the weight on every exercise, and it was like pulling teeth just to get through it. But I knew I had to, and so I did. I hate it when that happens!

So to make up for a pathetic strength workout, I played some more racquetball with another instructor at my gym. That made going to the gym yesterday worthwhile. And, I need to work on some more cardio to get some definition and lose some of the bodyfat I want to get rid of. I’m really enjoying racquetball, which is strange because I never thought I would. Being a recreational tennis player, I thought racquetball was for those not sutied for the "real" racquet sport. But I’m learning that tennis and racquetball, though somewhat similar, are VERY VERY VERY different. And I love both!

Everything works out, and there’s always another day (well, usually always). So I’ll just get it next time. And, as long as I have a game to play, I’m a happy man.