brent99’s BodyBlog

Ever notice how the more you work out, the better you eat, and the more you work out, etc etc?  I find the two halves of healthy living to go hand in hand.  Even if I’m eating out or eating junk, the effect of working out a lot tends to show up in making better choices, or curtailing the portions of the junk you are eating to a minimum.  

I also am finding my dedication is paying off in other ways.  My workouts are getting better and better, as my body is getting in condition from both good eating and working out.  I know I’m accomplishing more with each visit.  Its like a football team playing with a two TD lead and it just seems to get easier and easier as the opponent throws in the towel and descends into mass confusion.

So your score may be tied right now…but just know that all you need is a few more points on the scoreboard to really get the ball rolling and get the wind to your back!

3.5 hours of light cardio per week (30 minutes x 7)
2.5 hours in the gym per week (30 minutes x 5)
B+ clean eating, calories normal, protein emphasis, multiple meals per day, lots of water & tea

Results:

Gain of 4.5 pounds of muscle (some rebound was due because muscle was very low…point is its UP)
Loss of 1.5 pounds of fat (This number is the most reliable)
BF under 10% (154 mass, 16.7 fat)

Thoughts:
Even though I’ve had a bit more emphasis on cardio than lifting, its good to see that I’m gaining weight and mass.  Moreover, I’ve managed to trim fat at the same time.  My body has responded well to my renewed program, which was expected.  I’ve also fought a cold for most of the last two weeks, so overall I’m thrilled.  Now that this establishes a good baseline, I think the next test will be even more revealing as to the efficacy of my current program.

Well, I hope to get "big" again.  I got my mojo back and I’m hitting the fitness routine as hard as ever.  My effort to lean out led to a mini-self destruction.  I lost a lot of muscle and I physically seemed to fall apart for a few weeks.  So I want my muscle back and I’m hitting it hard, while eating frequently and cleanly, and eliminated alcohol (mostly).  I’m also mixing in a strong dose of cardio, although hopefully not enough to be counterproductive.  I’m jogging at least 15 miles a week at a snailish pace, as slow as 15 minutes per mile (this is partly by design).  Already, I’m feeling very healthy again and better than ever.  Its like I survived a Peg Bundy-like attack against the healthiest man in LA.

Of course, I still look like me, which is nice to be "in shape" when you are trying to get into even better shape, but technically my muscle mass is down and the fat cutting I did in December had been creeping higher to point where I was on the cusp of taking a major step backwards.