crazy4health’s BodyBlog

This week has been a rollercoaster ride of emotion. Last weekend was great, I set up a new gym in my garage. I was filled with enthusiasm for the upcoming workout week. Unfortunately, my work was crazy this week. working long hours, having some ruff patients, and some personal issues. After everything I was exhausted and depressed.

I hate to say it but, I let my workouts fall by the wayside during all this. Finaly by Thursday I started lifting again, I should have done this on Monday. I forgot how lifting helps with stress relief. I have felt much better the last few day since lifting.

I am happy to say I am back on track and starting a new lifting routine using weights, functional movements, and plyometrics. this program should pump up the intensity and start melting the fat off.

Well after several days of inactivity due to health problems I was able to workout last night. Ahh so much better! It is amazing how much I have come to love workingout and how bad I felt being inactive for 4 days. I am so happy that workingout and fitness are becoming a big part of my life once again.

There has been many times over the last few years that I have tried to get back into the flow, usually after attending the Arnold Classic every year. This usually lasts for a month or so then it’s back to old unhealthy ways. There are several things that are different this time around: I want to be healthy and around a long time for my young son, I have had a few health scares over the past year (including severe chest pains a week after my 50 year old uncle died of a heart attack), and having the support of the bodybuilding.com community (it’s amazing how great everyone has been).

This morning I was looking in the mirror after my shower and noticed improvements. It could be my mind playing tricks on me, but I believe that my fat is starting to decrease. I am noticing improved definition and increasing muscle mass. Though I still have a long way to go, I am happy with starting to notice change taking place. I will post updated pics this weekend.

Why does it seem like when you try to change your life for the better, there always seems to be a lot of obsticles that jump in your way?

I have never listed all of the motivating factors that have promted me to start working out again. The last few days have reminded me of one of the major problems/motivators in my life. I want to be around for a long time to enjoy my family and be in good enough health to play with my son as he grows up.

My family, like most has some health problems that are common. My family has heart issues and diabetes to name a few. One other problems that runs in the family is gout. Gout can effect you once or can be a recurring problem. Well I came down with it last Thursday. It is the most pain I have experienced. It feels like a broken toe, even the slightest touch will bring you to your knees. At the moment I can’t even wear a shoe.

So needless to say I am very frustrated. I feel like crap since I have not been able to work out for several days and just lay around with my foot propped up. I have considered just working my upperbody some how, but gout is an inability of the body to get rid of the waste products. so this would just make my symptoms worse. This sucks since I was just really getting into my workouts. But I promise I will get back into working out soon and still kick butt in the contest! The symptoms usually last a week, so I hope to get going soon.

What a difference a week makes! Last weekend at this time I was ranting about how I slipped with my nutrition. This weekend has been better, even though some friends and I got together again Friday we ate better this time. It helps that most of the friends that were there, were trying to eat better as well. So we made sure to have mostly healthy food to eat, chicken and lots of fruits and veggies.

Know this is not to say I have been perfect with my diet. I have slipped a few times during the week/weekend. But I have definitely done better. My goal is to continue to improve my eating and workouts each week. As I have been reminded while reading some other blogs, true success takes time. We can’t expect to get what we want without struggle and effort. There is no magic pill!

Speaking of work and effort, it’s time to go hit some cardio! Talk to you all soon!