Transformer in training

Usually, when I work out, especially after lifting heavy weights, that body part is sore the next day or so.But today? It’s sore all in the same day. Today was a back day…lat pulls at 260….pull-ups,dumbell rows,seated rows,dumbell flyes,back extensions….man…I just got home from work and I am sore!!! No pain no gain right????Sure….

CLAP!! CLAP!!!! Maybe I should do this everyday…may I would fill a little bit better about myself. So, today…as I decide to take another sabbatical from the gym. I began to think about the many people who are out there struggling with achieving whatever look or health status they conceived in their minds before actually making a commitment to the gym. So, although looks can be deceiving and I think they are in this case, I really do struggle with this whole concept. Some of you may have read my interesting views on the over usage of supplements, people who are to much of them selves and various other things in relation to bodybuilding. People seem to struggle and cope with those struggles in different ways. Today, I have come to the partial conclusion that all of those things I write about maybe the motivating factors or coping mechanisms for people to succeed and that’s why they, in most but not all cases, are doing so well?!?!?!?!?!? It’s just a thought…

Enough about them…about me. So, sometimes people say what are you taking, what are you eating? The answer is protein and a mult-vitamin every once in a while I will try a new supplement, mostly if it’s free, but besides that…it’s just protein and a multi-vitamin. What am I eating? Not what you think I am!!! I try to eat as healthy as possible…but money and lifestyle doesn’t necessarily permit it. If this was a several years ago and I had less responsibilities than I do know? I probably would be much more ‘jacked’, as people would say than I am now. But, the book of life has prescribed something different for me.

Now, to the point of this blog. If I was to offer a discenting opinion on motivation for bodybuilding I would say something like this: ‘Healthy living is more of a lifestyle formation rather than a fad.It cannot and will not happen in a day or a week and for some even a month. Healthy living, like most things in life is all about keen knowledge and persistence. If you cannot afford all of the ‘hype’ supplements…think about the people who were lifting before these drugs and how well they did. You can do it too. Eat in moderation…try to eat more good foods than bad foods, treat yourself every once in a while. Exercise in moderation until your body and mind yearns for more. When all of the entities are in sync with one another you can increase your workouts and enjoy the results more.Finally, stop trying to be everybody else….they’ve acheived their goal…be yourself and achiev your personal goal….unless you want to continously live vicariously through the lives of others…which is not, necessarily, a good life to live.  So no matter who you are long,short,big or small…I believe that God created us all with the potential to live out our dreams…so, as Nike sorta says…go do it!’

Alright folks…Imma get lost from the gym for a few days….happy lifting and best of luck to everyone who has competitions,photo shoots or other things coming up.

You know, while in the gym some music can really get you going. There is a song, that recently came out, called my shirt off. I know this sounds  little pompous but it really does motivate me to hit it a little harder in the gym. So, what about you?

So, recently I have seen many profiles here on bodyspace that offer on-line ‘personal training’. As soon as I heard of this, I then took a look to see what type of qualifications these people had to administer such as service and then tried to find out how this is so much more better than  live personal training, because on-line training seems to be more than personal training from many of the gyms offered in our area. So, I would like to share my personal thoughts about these ’services’.

For most of the profiles, people have seemed to worked out pretty well over the years and now consider themselves to be experts and personal trainers. Some of the users, thank goodness, took enough time to get certified in the field. But, does that include being able to appropriately assess people through the internet? Additionally, I envision a personal trainer as someone who will be in the gym with me encouraging to hit that last rep when I feel I can’t go on anymore. I also expect them to do physical assessments of me and my progress and have lively conversation with me as I go on the journey of becoming more fit than I actually am. With all this being said, I find it a little difficult for such high quality interaction to occur through informal processes such as the internet,e-mail,excel sheets, and Voip.

Another point is that, and I know I am not just the best looking person and probably should be the last to speak. But some, not all, lack crucial features in total body developement. For instance, 90% of one persons pictures are all about abs and when they finally show other body parts that barely look as if they belong on the same body(This is meant in a negative way)!!!! This only contributes to my doubt about on-line personal training.

Lastly, I truly believe that for some people at the end of the day…it really is all about money….regardless of your progress. The internet is so informal…I can be on-line and not talk to you for as long as I want…you can send e-mails and I don’t have to respond…I can accidentaly forget to send you your workout plan  during a specified amount of time….your workout can be ‘customized’ just for you and I really wouldn’t know how it was developed just for me or anything else….with on-line training the trainer can only asses me through 2D photos and not in real life. What do I when I am in the gym doing a workout that was put on my workout sheet and I am tired…then what…how does the encouragement factor workout?

As you can see, as with most things that scientist do…I am little skeptical about the idea of on-line training and you should be too before you jump into the conveience notion of the concept.

For some reason, many people have this idea that it is perfectly fine to have cut abs maybe some arms,huge chest and that’s it. Sometimes, I have even been on the muscular development site to see pictures from shows and see people who are, at the top at least, physically sound in upper body but nothing to show for lower body.It’s like they go to the gym and do curls and benchpress all day everyday?!?!?

Then you have those who are on bodyspace who insist on showing off their abs and the one shot of their legs look as if they may belong on someone else’s body! Now, I can’t talk because I know that I am not physically proportioned so far as legs are concerned…but I really am working on it.

Sometimes, I get discouraged because I see these people who are apparently genetically gifted and have huge calves and are doing donkey raisese with something like 25lbs and are struggling with it! Are you serious?

I am over here killing my legs….barely able to walk and still have legs straight as an arrow. What gives? I need some motivation…I wanna see the person who has had some chicken legs…committed themselves to bringing their legs up to par and made some significant changes. I am almost convinced that I am will be stuck with some disproportionate legs…which makes me want to change up my workout plan; so that I want walk around like some of these misfits with a big body and little legs…

The floor is and e-mail is open for some feedback.

Well I changed my mind…I don’t really like the phrase ‘lavishing legs’ anyhow as you guessed it today was leg day

Squats

Front Squats

Dumbell Sqauts

Hamstring curls

Leg Extensions

Cardio: 4 mile back ride around Memphis.

Yea…I was bored…but Memphis scenery is awesome and it was a good time to kind of check out and get in some lightweight cardio.

So, today I hit the gym and perform some of the following exercises:

Chin-ups

Lat-pulls

One arm cable pulls

Dumbell pulls

Back rows

Deadlifts

Today, I switched up the workout performing heavy weight and attempted to perform high reps. Man…I was exhausted by the end of the workout. This week will end the high rep portion and I will go back to heavy poundage and low reps.

Tommorow? I may swim another mile or run.I’m not to big on the cardio right now because the weight is coming off quite nicely with just weights. I fear that cardio will have me under 200 and for me that’s not cool. So we will see how it goes.

Sorry people I am just taking a point of personal privilege on my blog. For years, people have talked about the disproportionate body. I livn my personal opinion, the media has created this craving for the awesome upper body.

The upper body has most of the ’show’ muscles that people see the most…the biceps,chest,shoulders and most imporantly the abs. I mean really who looks at your legs and are like wow he’s sexy…those thick legs and nice calves really turn me on!!! Probably no one. Hence the reason for the upper body and some body spacers upstage the concept of bodybuilding with the ultimate upper body show off.

If one is to peruse the site….you will find hundreds of profiles with people showing off their abs or just their necks or their chest and some pants or maybe no bottom shots what so ever. If you do have the chance to catch a lower body shot you, many times, will find pencil legs on top of this Hulk body. Now does this emphasize the goal of what is to be achieved here on bodyspace? I really can’t answer that questions; because that, inherently lies in the eye of the beholder (i.e. my goal may be totally different from yours).

As I continue this journey of ‘bodybuilding’ I learn more and more each day. Which supplements to sample, which to may be take more often, which to not take at all, different training styles, how hard to train, how often to train….well you get it.

If there is anything that I am certain about and my opinion to all of those out there who really want to achieve a healthy body and a good physique that you understand and implement the following:

When you feel good (Being healthy) you look good(The physical aspect). So, keeping true to this mantra, it is important to develop the total body. Stop feeding your bicpes and depriving your calves….you may not know it but most women laugh at ‘big body little leg people’ and that is definetly not cool!

So, peruse the site for a training system that incorporates a total body workout…for total health…not half health.

So, what measurements do you need to have to make you look ‘good’ at least in a weight perspective. There’s app for that! According to this application, my measurements should be

Calculated:
Chest: 43.5
Waist:32

Thighs:24

Calves:15

Biceps:16

Forearm:13

Neck:17

Actual

Chest:44
Waist: 34
Thighs: 25

Calves:15

Biceps:15 (Cold)
Forearm:13

Neck:16

So, these measurements may be good in helping people achieve some good looks. But of course I got to do some research to really see.

As if it is not hard enough to do focus exercises while lifting weights…you should also try this:

Lat Pulls

Warmup: 25 - 70lbs

15 - 160lbs

20 - 180lbs

8 - 200lbs

Dumbell Pull

12 - 100lb

12 - 100lb

12 - 100lb

Pullups

15 - BW

12 - BW

12 - BW

7 - BW

7 - BW

10 - BW

10 - BW

High end cable pull

20 - 40lb

20 - 40lb

20 - 40lb

Single arm high cable pull

10 - 35lb

15 - 35lb

15 - 35lb

Dumbell Rows

12 - 20lb

12 - 20lb

12 - 20lb

So what you see here is my attempt to recall every exercise I did in the gym and the reps. I do this every once in a while as a mental exercise. If you get a chance, try to do the same..also log your time in the gym too. When you get home or in the car or the changing room…write down your info for tracking purposes. Plus, this allows you to move faster through the gym and keep mental focus instead of stopping and writing all the time.

Peace out folks!

So…school is officially out (At least for me) Thank the lord!!!! Now that summer time is around the corner…those who didn’t obtain that spring break body are on quest #2 the summer time sizzle. I am just speculating but I bet the sells of supplements, especially fat burners, are sky rocketing around about this time. Anything wrong with that? NO!!!! Everybody has to experience life in their own way….you live it and you learn from it.

Speaking of things that I have learned. Since I have went from making nickels to pennies..I have cut back a lot on my supplement purchases. Yea…I tried them…Superpump, NO Explode, Lipo,Hydroxycut…man the list goes on and on. Did they work? Uggghhh yeeeeaaa!!!! Was it worth the money? At the time it was…but now…I really don’t think so.

Today, I am using what I called the ‘bare minimums’ 1.BCAA’s,2.Protein and maybe some creatine every once in a while and a multivitamin. I am a little uncomfortable with the creatine because of the long term effects I read that it has on your body.

Anyhow, with these basic things…I am much stronger than I have been in the past. Of course I had to change my lifting plan and especially eating habits.But, after a while…all of these things become part of your ordinary lifestyle. So, for those of you who have time…give it a try…for those that want faster results give some other supplements a try.

Now, I would like to try SOME and definetly not ALL of the supplements that promise exponential energy,muscle growth and other things in a matter of days.But so far as using them on a monthly basis?  I don’t think so.But, more power to those who can afford it…I’m not knocking ya’.

Just wanted to pass on some advice for those who may be new to the bodybuilding cyberspace. I hope this helps you on your journey. Peace out folks! Now…go lift!!!

So, this morning I took off work to prepare for Behavorial Sciences Statistics II. Yea, sounds like fun right? NOT!!! So, instead of hitting the books this morning I hit the gym to hopefully get the brain and body cranked up…that’s was the physical workout…tonight comes the mental one.

Tangent Note - I constantly wavering the line of no supplements and maybe one every once in a while. Truly, my quest is to use the basic essentials not all of the fluff. Someone was telling me the other day that an ECA stack would be useful….Please send me your comments about this…I think I will look for myslef after the break today. Thanks folks….wish me luck and have a good workout!

So, across the country gas is becoming more and more eligible as a category on the loan list at banks. With this in mind, I am thinking of hitting the gym less and spending more time. What’s the conflict? I have been reading that no more than 45min to an hour should be spent in the gym. Should I keep that same time frame? or is it ok to do about 1.5 hours since I will be going only 3 times a week now? Help me out folks.

So, my goal is to get to a "medium" size weight and be defined in my physique. Currently, at 205 at 6′0. I am not exactly where I want to be.

I was reading this article that said something to the effect that you won’t really get big unless your body is proportioned. The article was saying that you need to have a big base (legs) in order for your top to grow.

But then I thought about those people who are big on top and small at the bottom. So, how does this happen?

I need some help bodybuilders…what’s your opinon this? Thanks in advance!

So, over the last few days, I have taken a look at the sites of bodyspace members who are 1.Massive in size and 2. Those that have a very nice physique minus the size. My ultimate goal is to always stay within the 200lb + range with a very nice physique. I don’t really plan on getting to be massive like Ronnie Coleman…but more along a symetrical look like Serge Nubret.

Anyhow, perused the forum,PM’ed and even left message on boards of bodyspace members asking several questions. Here is what I kind of found out:

1. Some people are using a process called "cycling".

- The problem, to me, is that when asked about "cycling" people are pretty vague in giving me information about it. However, "it" has seemed to work for them very well.

- Because I don’t know a lot about "cycling" I am a little hesitant to try it.

2. Pro-Hormones

- Several people on the site have used this in one form or another during their career as a bodybuilder. However, some good people on this site, even ones who may have potentially used this, gave the general consensus of it’s not necessary for good developement or for me to reach my goal.

So, as of today I’ll be sticking with the items that I can buy of this website or GNC for now which is mainly Protein and now Tribulus???? I think that’s what I bought!?!?!?!

Maybe after some more years of keeping up the good fight at the gym, I’ll be able to get to there status. Peace out folks!

(5:29AM) This morning, for some reason, I had an amazing pump while doing my arm routine [Biceps and Triceps]. It was pretty good, so good in fact I saw veins from my wrist all the way through my shoulders! I am pretty sure these are good signs! Hmm..nothing else to really say here. Good luck everyone and as always thanks for the encouragement and the advice.

(5:30AM) After doing a couple sets of squats of 205 weight…that’s what was running through my mind!!!!!

This morning…I boldly made my way back into the gym after acting like I was lost for a couple of days. This morning, I did my usual Monday routine…LEGS!!!!!!! I think that I have a slick fascination with legs because 1. They seem like the hardest muscles to train and 2. Women seem to really love muscular legs and especially calve muscles!!! So, if women like, especially my wife, then I am loving it!!!!

So, training to obtain those oak trees was the motto for this morning. Right now, as I sit at my desk, typing this blog, I can feel my legs saying "Thank you!!!" LOL!!!! No, really I can tell that I did a good workout this morning.
Tommorow? I will be off to some chest and ab workout…I think that’s what I am lacking chest…at least that’s what my mean, or maybe their jealous, fraternity brothers hounded me about a few weeks ago.

If you don’t know…my fraternity brothers are the reason I started this whole ordeal…they were always fit and I wasn’t.
If you have any critiques…they would be appreciated as well. Peace out folks!

Until I write again…remember that one great power everyone has is the resilience of the human spirit(i.e. will power)!

(5:25AM) Over the past few days I have been hitting the gym on a regular schedule, although I have not been blogging as much. For those who frequent my blog, you know that I have been desperately trying to add some size to my stature. Some suggested that I do to much swimming others said that I don’t eat enough. I think it was a combination of both. Over the past weeks I have slowed down the cardio tremendously (Although my addiction to swimming will not allow me to completly stop) and have picked up on eating.

I must say that being married helps in this particular instance, because food is already prepared for you! I love it. My main problem at first was being to tired to prepare all of my meals for myself. Yea, I love my wife for this and of course many other things.

Anyhow, the end result? The day before my wedding Sep 28, I was at or about 196 to 197. For the last few days I have been hovering between 205 and 208.

But, here’s my problem now. I am tired of eating all of this freaking food!!!!!! I just can’t win for lose. Maybe I need to stop complaining and just suck it up?!?!?!?!? I dunno….for now I am just happy that I have acheived some results.

Question for bodyspace members:

How long should I do this bulking thing? My only goal is to look nice by March 1. Help me out….please!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So, I have been missing in action for a minute. No no no…I haven’t been slacking on the workouts, just have a few complications on getting here to blog. Today, I decided to peruse the site to check out people blog’s who were not my friends. Hmmm….interesting material. I read the profile of a young lady named Ms.Fitness, who I must say (In a kind way) looks awesome!!! She so vividly described how I feel about going to the gym in the afternoons….it’s like unexpected guest being in your living room when you get home!!!! Ms,Fitness? A treat!!Another blog of interest was a gentlemen who talked about how people are fat and unhealthy and how he noticed them in the park and maybe some other places. Then there was a piece about having sex with people who overweight. Now, maybe this was all in fun and I interpeted incorrectly. But, man…. I think it’s just  bad to bash people like that on a site that is suppose to be a little more uplifting…especially if you are not just the perfect role model of what you claim to represent "A healthy, in shape person"…hmmmm he is a trick!!!!

 That’s about all I have for now…this morning my weight was up to 207. Workouts have been coming along well and I am continuing to keep those in order through these colder months…. Peace out people…..stay safe, have fun and stay encouraging!

So, today I woke up…went to the scale and read 209 on the digital…

Excuse me??? What is really going on…yesterday…or maybe it was the day before I was like 204.

Something strange is going on.

So, my name may be Boo boo the fool when it comes to bodybuilding things online. If anyone is to take a look at my blog, you will see a significant decrease in my squatting weight. Why? Because I started doing real squats!!!!

I have seen that there are some profiles on-line where people enter these very high numbers for the squatting stats and are proportionally very small in other areas! Something sounds a little fishy…..

Today, I was reading a thread http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=5129863 , where a lot of people say that they don’t squat or are afraid to….hmmmmm….

Then I wonder how could someone have legs like this guy (Beware he’s just a little preening) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63YW8QNOnK4 get legs by doing squats where you only go down about 3 inches and come back up??!?!??!!?

Hmm…. something else to perplex the mind. Question to members? Do you squat? Is it a full squat? Half a squat? Part of squat? Why do you do that type? If you do it at all? I am geniunely interested, so all comments will help.
See ya when I see ya

So, my name may be Boo boo the fool when it comes to bodybuilding things online. If anyone is to take a look at my blog, you will see a significant decrease in my squatting weight. Why? Because I started doing real squats!!!!

I have seen that there are some profiles on-line where people enter these very high numbers for the squatting stats and are proportionally very small in other areas! Something sounds a little fishy…..

Today, I was reading a thread http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=5129863 , where a lot of people say that they don’t squat or are afraid to….hmmmmm….

Then I wonder how could someone have legs like this guy (Beware he’s just a little preening) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63YW8QNOnK4 get legs by doing squats where you only go down about 3 inches and come back up??!?!??!!?

Hmm…. something else to perplex the mind. Question to members? Do you squat? Is it a full squat? Half a squat? Part of squat? Why do you do that type? If you do it at all? I am geniunely interested, so all comments will help.
See ya when I see ya

Just a few months ago I would wake up in the morning….take a look at the mirror and see good definition and seperation in my abs and thought to myself man…I’m lovin this!!!

Hmm….now??? now so much.

The profile pic that you see was taken about three days ago flexed. Now, I wake up in the morning and my stomach is just out…no definition….no seperation…no nothing. Did I also mention that I am at 206 in weight now?

Eureka! I’m pregnant!!!

Then too maybe not.

(5:32AM) So, last night after I got off work I did some chest workouts. My wife was telling me she liked big chest…and I was like "Mental note, work on chest". Although I should have been earlier, this just gave me some more motivation. Then this morning, I thought about these oak tree seeds I have been planting. So, I gave them some nourishment this morning by doing some squats,leg curls and hamstring curls, angle leg raises, donkey calfs and some other calf exercises.

So…in contrast to my earlier thoughts, I am thinking about taking creatine?????!?!?!? I am not a being fan of taking a lot of supplements. So, I want something that’s simple and will be a benefit to my current protein supplement. With all that being said,I need some advice folks…if you don’t mind leave me some comments about:

1. Should I take it or should I pass?

2. Is there something else I should be looking to take for increased power?

3.What’s a good brand or form of creatine to take?

4. What kind of experience have you had with it?

 You don’t have to answer all the questions, but hopefully they will give some guidance to what I am looking for.

Peace!

(5:32AM) So, last night after I got off work I did some chest workouts. My wife was telling me she liked big chest…and I was like "Mental note, work on chest". Although I should have been earlier, this just gave me some more motivation. Then this morning, I thought about these oak tree seeds I have been planting. So, I gave them some nourishment this morning by doing some squats,leg curls and hamstring curls, angle leg raises, donkey calfs and some other calf exercises.

So…in contrast to my earlier thoughts, I am thinking about taking creatine?????!?!?!? I am not a being fan of taking a lot of supplements. So, I want something that’s simple and will be a benefit to my current protein supplement. With all that being said,I need some advice folks…if you don’t mind leave me some comments about:

1. Should I take it or should I pass?

2. Is there something else I should be looking to take for increased power?

3.What’s a good brand or form of creatine to take?

4. What kind of experience have you had with it?

 You don’t have to answer all the questions, but hopefully they will give some guidance to what I am looking for.

Peace!

(5:00AM) This morning I got up and happily shot off to the gym for the last work of the week. I am a little sore from a day or two ago from doing a back workout and my triceps are just a little sore from yesterdays arm blasting routine.

This morning I hit some squats 230 X 5 was the max. I tried to do more but the following routine told my legs that I would fall on the ground If I tried something else after this circuit:

(No rest in between these exercises, entire set performed 4 times)

Squats

Leg presses

Single leg extensions

Hanging Leg Raises

Weighted crunches

2nd Set

Calf Raises

Seated Calf raises

Side bends

leg raises

 That’s it for now folks! Be safe in the gym and happy workouts to ya! Update pictures will be coming soon. I hope that I don’t dissapoint some…because I have gained some weight….IT WAS ALL THAT WEDDING CAKE!!!!! LOL!!!!!

(5:15AM) Hitting the gym early is great because I tend to have the entire gym to myself! This morning, I tried to convince the wife to go with me but she was not really feeling that. So, off I went to do some upper and lower chest workout moves. I figured that I have done an alright job with other developments so I really need to work on those areas which I have not really paid attention to(e.g. chest).

So, until I write again folks…keeping my laughing, keep me informed, keep me motivated I will do the same for you. Holla!

Yesterday I did a shoulder and upper chest workout that was…..decent. I promise bodyspace friends I will be back in the gym soon. Exactly when? That is a little questionable. Peace out folks and every be safe in the gym.

(5:30AM) Soooo I have been on a fairly long sabbatical doing some leadership training in Knoxville and hanging out in Memphis …prepaaarrring for the wedding. Yesterday I got home and took a good look at myself. So 2 bachelor parties and a week of eating out took a nice little toll on my body!!

This morning, to try to combat that I went to the  gym and pounded out a back workout. A few pull-ups, deadlifts, lat pulls,T-bar rows, and dumbell rows.

 I hope everyone is doing well on their goals. I don’t know when I will  be back on the site so, wish me luck.

Until I write again….

(4:25AM) So…I am figuring out that body is becoming very used to getting up in the morning…since I am automatically waking up about this time every morning. So, after a pre-workout shake it is off to the gym I go!!! No running, no jogging, not even walking but yes….driving!!!!!

I started off with some  crunches, followed by some leg-raises. After about three sets of that I moved on to the arms doing the following superset

 Incline dumbell curls 50-45-35 directly two tricep extensions. (3 sets)

Then

Bicep curl(70-60-40-20) and one arm cable tricep pull(80-60-40-20).

 Yea, I know…wuss workout but ugghhhh I was tired!

Does anybody know what sodium depletion is? How would I do that? Be good folks! Holla!

Man….it’s kind of like the Mazda commercial….the days until the wedding are Zoom Zoom Zoom Zoom!!!!

Any comments or positive advice are all welcomed.

(5:30AM) So….progress does come from diligence. Again, I took a look at my pictures over the years and so that I am truly making some good progress. Now, much of this has to be attributed to some good coaches A.K.A. bodyspace members. Stay focused and train hard folks.

Workout for the day

Squats

Deadlifts

Hamstring curls

One legged presses

seated calf raises

angled calf raises

(5:30AM) Worked on the biceps and triceps today.Even got to the point of sweating! I am so glad it’s Friday a weekend of fun at the Southern Heritage Classic!!!

Peace out folks!

(5:15AM) Today I was feeling somewhat sluggish in the gym but persisted anyway….unfortunately with no IPOD!!!! Speaking of IPOD’s have you seen the new ones??? Yea, the small one is worth but the touch ipod(HTTP://WWW.IPOD.COM)??? Probably not!

Workout for the Day

Wide-grip pull ups

Back Flys

Dumbell Rows

T-bar rows

Lat Pulls

Peace.

(5:15AM) Yea, it’s me again…once again I somehow got lost from the gym for the past couple of days. This time, I really do have a good reason…..24 days until wedding time. I would be absolutely out of my mind to say that I am not the least bit nervous about this whole thing! Recently, I have been doing so many things that it feels as if my thoughts are running at 100mph and my actions are being clocked at 200mph.

Everyday it’s like go to the full-time job…meeting, reports, talking with students, meetings, reports, did you remember to eat?,talk with some more students time to go home.

Then it’s…get something to eat, change clothes, go to the part-time job, did you remember to take care of the wedding stuff? did you pay the bills? are there any other cost you forgot about? did you remember to prepare for your meeting tomorrow? Are you focused on the job at hand? It’s time to go home.

Once I am at home, it’s time to go to sleep, but did you call your girl?, holla at your mentees?

At 4:30, man you gotta wake up, gotta go the gym. Go and workout…and at this point…all I think about is the music playing on my IPOD and lifting some massive weight.

Leave the gym, most likely running to the house to take a shower and change clothes, fix breakfast, call my mom(If I remember), and began the thought process all over again.
Hmmm…..those who have been on the site with me for a while now have probably heard this before. Out of all of this, the paramount thought is that this is all part of a process, just for now, and soon two individual lives will become one. When that happens, most of this stress may disappear. Then my thoughts and actions can both be reduced to legal limits!
Workout for the day
Leg Extensions

Squats

Leg Presses

Deadlifts

Calf Raises

Yesterday I had the opportunity to hit the gym for an afternoon workout.It was one of the days the I love to hate….LEGS!!!!!! So, after coming from the gym I thought about some of the people on bodyspace asking if I ever thought about competiting. The answer just might be changing next year. Usually, I would say no…for several reasons 1) Don’t really think I have enought confidence to perform such a show, 2) It’s not really in my character to do something like this, 3) I have absolutely no clue about show techniques,requirements and many other things.

 After perusing the net today, I saw several classes like Likeweight, middleweight,heavyweight,bantamweight and masters. So, my question is looking at my stats what category would I fit into? Thanks for the input and continue to have good workouts.

(5:30AM) Although Rascall Flatts did an awesome job with this song, I think that had the focal point of the song twisted…it should have been directed to bodybuilding!!! Just kidding. But in all honesty…my traps are what hurts the most after this mornings shoulder workout. Fortunately, today is only half a day and I will commence my weekend activities a little early!

This afternoon, I will do a moderate leg workout. Then tommorow you’ll hear me saying my legs are what hurt the most. But that’s what bodybuilding is about right?

Pain? Weakness leaving the body.

(4:30AM) Why do I hear myself breathing and why is it so dark? Am I awake or asleep…look at the clock….the clock says 4:30AM. Mario, you are awake….quick go back to sleep and get about 30 more minutes!.

These were the the thoughts and saying going through my head this morning as I realized that I had awaken at 4:30 in the morning with no alarm or nothing!!! Although I was a little upset about missing out on a few minutes of beauty rest…I quickly got over it.

So off to the gym at 5:00AM, I jogged of course, once getthing there I did a chest and back routine that included:

Bench Press 5 sets, Pull-ups 5 sets, back rows 5 sets, pec fly 5 sets, lat pull down 5 sets and dumbell press 5 sets, I also did some leg ups with 35 lbs weights,crunches, and some other ab exercise that I don’t know the name of.

 All in the all the workout was great! So great that I sleepy right now….

If you don’t believe in magic, it’s for real and will be happening in Memphis,TN in 38 days!

Until I write again…be true to yourself and everything else will follow!

(4:30AM) Why do I hear myself breathing and why is it so dark? Am I awake or asleep…look at the clock….the clock says 4:30AM. Mario, you are awake….quick go back to sleep and get about 30 more minutes!.

These were the the thoughts and saying going through my head this morning as I realized that I had awaken at 4:30 in the morning with no alarm or nothing!!! Although I was a little upset about missing out on a few minutes of beauty rest…I quickly got over it.

So off to the gym at 5:00AM, I jogged of course, once getthing there I did a chest and back routine that included:

Bench Press 5 sets, Pull-ups 5 sets, back rows 5 sets, pec fly 5 sets, lat pull down 5 sets and dumbell press 5 sets, I also did some leg ups with 35 lbs weights,crunches, and some other ab exercise that I don’t know the name of.

 All in the all the workout was great! So great that I sleepy right now….

If you don’t believe in magic, it’s for real and will be happening in Memphis,TN in 38 days!

Until I write again…be true to yourself and everything else will follow!

Tonight I will mix up the workout playlist…any suggestions for some songs I should add to get me going during my workout?

Oh my gosh…"Why don’t they just have a Mr.Chemical contest?" When I read this in an article yesterday on the front page of bodybuilding.com…I almost fell out of my chair laughing!

(5:23AM) I think I missed a day or so on my blog…I did a bicep / tricep workout yesterday before I went to the second job and made my own MRP shake..which was pretty good. I used a recipe that I found here on www.bodybuilding.com. I used a banana,protein,peanut butter, skim milk, oatmel and some honey….and ohh some apple juice.

This morning, instead of jogging, I did a full sprint (x=total distance from house, x>=.5 miles). At the gym I did shoulders and traps…which I am still feeling now as I sit here typing this post!

Man I checked out the site yesterday and found that some people are having some of the same problems as me. The main problem is that of developing those oak trees for legs. I guess the only thing to do is continue to work hard at push those quadriceps to the limit!

Until I write again….stay motivated and so you can help me stay motivated.If you need some motivation….just think about all the things that God brings.

(1:00PM) Unfortuantely, it is hard for me to resist the urge of hitting the crystal blue heavenly like pool that I see everyday outside of my office. So, I went with my co-worker and speed up my heart rate a couple of times.

In grad school, swimming was the first thing I became good at…so far as a sport is concerned. I never played sports in school and so this was a nice accomplishment for me. While getting better at swimming I also decided to lift weights more often

(FAST FORWARD 3 YRS)

Today, I am totally addicted and have learn several ways of making swimming beneficial for me as I get healthier. Today I did, what I call progressive moves. It is sorta like when people may jog slowly for a quarter of mile and increase their speed each quarter until they are at a full sprint by the end of the mile….then stop…..and start over. This seems to trick my system and does not allow for it to get accustomed to the set pace. Instead, my system calms down and then is reactivated into high gear.

Yea…I did this so well today that I had to jump out of the pool and sit on the side for a second because I felt as if I was about to pass out!!!!

Passing out in the pool, especially, is not goooodddd!!! Whatever the case, it was a good workout. 

Good luck

(5:10AM) This morning, as usual, I jogged over to the gym while listening to "Buy you a drank" by T-Pain. Once I got to the gym….it wasn’t open yet!!! So, I came  to my office and wrote a quick blog line…so that it would jogged my thought later on today. On the subject of reject body and mediocre genetics…..

My body seems to reject everything dealing with weightlifting…especially any kind of weight gainer combinations. I made my own weightgainer using oatmel,honey,peanut butter,skim milk and protein (1000 calories a piece). All day long I felt as if eaten to much fiber!!!! Not a good feeling to have lurking around your stomach all day while working two jobs….

On the subject of genetics…. I probably should really discern the context of what this actually means a little more. But, as of today I assume it to mean that I have a natural tendency for developing a nice physique. Maybe I am in denial because, although some people have told me that, I don’t believe it!!!! I say this mainly because it seems to take me a lot longer than others to get any definition or size anywhere….and let’s not talk about the legs.

****The end of my complaint session******

WORKOUT

 Upon getting to the gym I pushed and pulled my way through the 50 minute workout.

Incline barbell press followed by Pull-ups

Decline barbell press followed by back rows

Pec Fly followed by lat pulls

Leg raises

Crunches

and whatever the exercise is called when you sit at the edge of the bench and do a crunch variotion off the edge.

 Then I walked to the house…. this afternoon I will be swimming. Currently, I am being a good co-worker and going to the pool with my friend who is taking a water aerobics class. I go with her to help her stay motivated.Plus, I get the opportunity to sneak in one of my favorite passtimes!!!

Again, thanks everyone for your good words of advice, compliments and encouragement; they have all helped me to work further towards my goals.

Until I write again….

Before I hit the gym…let me just say that body has some high reject tendencies….more to come later.

More to come…today I just figured out that I have never added the weight of the bar to my total weight lifting….soooo bring on the jokes people! I am officially bodybuilding stupid!

(5:25AM) Ran to the gym, blasted out a 45 minute shoulder workout and jogged home.

 Peruse the net today to find info on Robby Robber? I think that’s his name…"The Black Prince". My only issue was that he was said to have used steroids on his blog. Can anyone validate this?

Hmmm…I need to do some more researching to discern the context on this steroids thing..

(5:15AM) Man…I got up…ran over to the gym and then…doors locked and lights off! Obviously, the gym wasn’t ready for me to come in and stress out the equipment during my grueling workout. So, I waited awhile went back to the gym and saw that people were in their running. So, I commenced with the oh so awesome leg workout. Today, I hit some squats,leg presses,leg curls,ham curls, standing and seated calf raises. I finished the workout with some weighted leg raises,situps, and ugghhh I forgot what the other ab exercise is called.During the workout, I almost fell on the floor because my legs seemed to just give out after a while. I am hoping that this is a good sign?!?!?!?!? On the way home, I wanted to run…but my legs were killing me! About halfway to the house, I jogged the rest of the way. 

Until I write again…

Just wanted to give a tangible example of how I don’t notice improvements until I see pictures. Today I was looking through older pictures and notice the followiing:

November 14, 2006                    
                             June 18,2007