dieselmanaz’s BodyBlog

Where am I now? I’ve learned alot in the last month. The question: why am I losing bodyfat but not changing weight? I’ve been between 213 and 218 for three months but lost a pant size and several percent. I’ve tracked my bodyfat using the BodPod and proven that yes- I’ve successfully increased muscle mass at the same rate as my fat loss. For the first time, certain body measurements are increasing while my BF is dropping. Skin Caliper and BodPod readings were way different, with BodPod being incredibly accurate. Total Bodyfat loss is closer to 130.

Between now and April I intend to change things up alot. I’m turning the afterburner back on. My personal challenge includes the same level of intense training as before but a mandatory, non-cumulative 1200 calorie per day deficit. I’ve done more for longer before so I know it’s possible. I’m on week three and while it’s hard, I’ve proven to myself that I’m not overreaching. I took some progress pictures today and would actually post a couple- that says alot!

Now what? I’ll stick with the 1200 cal/day deficit, keep my nutrition in immaculate condition, work out like a horse, and finish this 15-month journey off with a bang. My friends on Bodyspace are my inspiration and goal-standard. I’ll post a pic in April with me looking lean and strong and worth posting. Every bit of encouragement helps- I’ll see you below 10%

Yeah, I know I’ve been on a "cut" for nearly a year and been successful, but I’m beginning my final "cut" tomorrow. I’ll track my intake completely and not much else. I already train at 100% capacity, eat clean, and am working towards a definite goal. I’m really just setting a final goal for being done in 12 more weeks. (Done means sub 10%bf) I’ll figure out what’s next then. Residual love handles are all that’s left and I’ll take a picture with no shirt when they’re history. I started off wearing a 3XL and fit nicely in a M shirt yesterday. (Didn’t get it, Stupid love handles.) I do not wear clothes that don’t fit well.  I’ve Zero skin looseness and feel like an animal in the gym (and some other places to). I feel weird being the guy lifting the heavy stuff and having guys look at me like I used to look at other guys that could out-lift me (still plenty of ‘em). I’ll update my stats soon to set my starting point. I should meet my goal right about the time that summer ENDS. Timing’s lousy but whatcha gonna do? This is it guys, get ready to see the real me after about 650 gym hours, 420,000 less calories, and 120 less pounds. Can’t wait to do a few more.

100+ pounds. I can run 10 miles at a time, bench near 300, press well over 700, and I’m looking as though I’ve never seen myself before. I still have too much extra visile fat (concentrated on my lower back and sides), am down to where I thought my final goal would be, and am watching the summer "take your shirt off" season burn by. I’m large framed and just plain bigger than almost all other men but where is my goal? I know I’m close and I’ve set my goal for 10% BF for June 24th. Now the question that plagues me, will I see a 6pack? I can’t find anyone else with my body type so I’m hoping that someone like me will find me and let me know if I’ll be there soon or at the end of the summer. Either way, I WILL get it done, I’ve come WAY too far to stop now, and I love it. Please let me know your ideas….

Tomorrow is my first physical competition as an adult. I’m running a 10K tomorrow AM, something I couldn’t have dreamed of six months ago. My legs are very strong and well developed but I still feel a strong ache in my lower legs, seemingly around the bone, whenever I run 10K. I’ve focused heavily on stride and form and that has helped. I’m still relegated to 1 or 2 runs per week in order to let the lower legs recover. On other’s advice, I’ve lowered my cardio for a few days before the run but I can’t bring myself to stop lifting and I’ll go high on carbs tonight. I’m using this as a barometer for my chances of completing a triathlon in June, the Battle at Midway. If I can condition myself enough and get down to 12% BF than I’ll be able to pull it off with some serious hard work and training. I want to do more than finish so this is my chance to test out my wheels under fire. Any suggestions from people who know what I’m talking about would be great.

I’ve experienced another case of Carpal Tunnel syndrome, or CTS. I’ve been feeling mild pain in my forearms but not necessarily in my wrists. It really went wild after doing a set of “over the bench forearm curls.” I’ve been experiencing pain (not the good kind) in my shoulders and upper arm too. It’s hard to stop after not taking a break in seven months, doubling every weight, and really liking every minute of it. Oh well. I’ll take the last five days of the week on cardio, lower body, core, and who knows what. My wife thinks I should try a Yoga or step class. She’s probably right but I can’t help feeling like I’ll leave the class with less than two testicles. Treadmill sounds good to me.

I’m making awesome progress on my journey back to strength. I have a question though that I can’t answer to my satisfaction. If I keep cutting calories I’ll enter catabolism but what is the right balance to sustain muscle synthesis????