Don’t Have a Keg…

Here’s an appropriate topic for Halloween…

I’ve been cruising through a few bodyspace profiles while resting this afternoon, and noticed that there seem to be a lot more guys who are choosing to cover their faces in their profile pics with either a mask or a "blur." Now I’m not criticizing - in fact I’m friends with a couple of these folks - but I’m wondering about the motivation of doing this. It seems to me that if you want to remain anonymous you just don’t post a profile picture. I presume part of this is because they do want some legitimate feedback on their physiques - but how can anyone be sure it’s them without a face? Is the concern about not showing their face because they are afraid of what people they know will say when and if they find them on Bodyspace? It’s obvious to me that in most of these cases it’s already obvious that these guys (and some gals) workout.

Oddly enough, it’s actually some of the folks with the best bodies who hide their faces. Apparently those of us in the, er, heavier weight classes, have already come to grips with our body images. Though I’ll admit it took quite a bit before I posted my first picture too!

So, I don’t really know what I’m saying here except maybe to urge our hidden brethren to come out of the bodybuilding closet (so to speak) and proudly show your face with those biceps! There’s nothing to be ashamed of…though I’m not going so far as to say you should post your last names or addresses. It’s still the internet you know (darn identity theives)!

Big surprise this Halloween! My weight is down about 6 lbs. I wish I could say this was because of my hard work and dedication but I’m afraid it’s a side effect of my Crohn’s being mildly active all week. Plus starting last weekend -during my show no less - I developed a cold (no fever, just congestion and coughing -not the flu thank goodness). But that’s on the wane now so I’m doing better with my breathing at least. Stomach really bothered me last night so much so that I had to cancel my plans to attend a friends show, but I’m feeling pretty chipper today.

So now that things have calmed down for me it’s time to re-evaluate my workout. Granted in less than a week I’ll be off to sunny Hawaii (can’t wait) with a stop on the way back to sunny southern California (mecca of the bodybuilding world among other things). I anticipate staying active while on vacation. I’ve been to the hotels I’ll be staying at so I know that they have relatively good gyms. Of course hiking, swiming and maybe even surfing will be the order of the day when my conference is over. So I plan to come back no worse for the so-called layoff.

But, what should I do for the winter? I’m hearing good things about this 5×5 training…maybe I should actually continue with the weight loss and bodyfat reduction. But the urge to finally build arms that stretch the tape past 18" is still there. What to do, what to do?

Suggestions anyone?

Big surprise this Halloween! My weight is down about 6 lbs. I wish I could say this was because of my hard work and dedication but I’m afraid it’s a side effect of my Crohn’s being mildly active all week. Plus starting last weekend -during my show no less - I developed a cold (no fever, just congestion and coughing -not the flu thank goodness). But that’s on the wane now so I’m doing better with my breathing at least. Stomach really bothered me last night so much so that I had to cancel my plans to attend a friends show, but I’m feeling pretty chipper today.

So now that things have calmed down for me it’s time to re-evaluate my workout. Granted in less than a week I’ll be off to sunny Hawaii (can’t wait) with a stop on the way back to sunny southern California (mecca of the bodybuilding world among other things). I anticipate staying active while on vacation. I’ve been to the hotels I’ll be staying at so I know that they have relatively good gyms. Of course hiking, swiming and maybe even surfing will be the order of the day when my conference is over. So I plan to come back no worse for the so-called layoff.

But, what should I do for the winter? I’m hearing good things about this 5×5 training…maybe I should actually continue with the weight loss and bodyfat reduction. But the urge to finally build arms that stretch the tape past 18" is still there. What to do, what to do?

Suggestions anyone?

No significant change in either weight or bodyfat this week (okay, bf down slightly though) which is not unexpected given my schedule during "show week." Basically, I wake up get to work, leave work and go to rehearsal, then back to bed. My show opened last night though (a good audience and things went well btw). So back to a more normal schedule on Monday. Can’t wait!

I’m posting a day late but I did get my weigh in done yesterday. Oddly enough no change this week. In fact the actual numbers were almost excactly the same as last week (within a 10th of a percent). That’s the first time I ever recall that happening.

I only had one really bad day last week in terms of the Crohn’s (Sunday night) so that was good. In fact I felt downright energetic most of the week which is always a plus. This week is my play so the workouts will suffer - but after we close on Sunday it’s back full steam ahead! Especially since I only have about two weeks from that point until I head out to Hawaii. Granted I can’t do too much in two weeks, but I’ll try anyway. My "wind" is better than last time I was out there (thanks to the dreaded cardio) so I may give surfing one more try.

I’ll be stopping in LA on the way back, to ease the transition of the time change mostly, and I think I’ll have to make a trip to the fabled "Muscle Beach" and maybe even the original Gold’s just to say I’ve been there. I’ll also be visiting with an actor friend who also happens to be a bodybuilder in his own right (though he keeps his physique more at the fitness model level). He’s a great guy and I’m sure I can get a tip or two from him on training while there.

Have a great week everybody!

Good news to finish the week! My weight loss is still on track with another two pounds down while my bodyfat shows no significant change. I needed this little pick-me up as it’s been quite a busy week between work, workout, and play rehearsal.

Not much else to report - I hope everyone else’s week went well.

And not because of fun either - sure there was a little bit of fun on Saturday, but that was spoiled when my alma mater lost to our cross state rivals for the second year in a row (ugh…) and I enjoyed a trip to the movies with my niece ("Capitalisim: A Love Story" - yeah I’m a liberal for the most part, plus I know the uncle of the woman who edited the film). But things fell apart on Sunday when my Crohn’s acted up again. I’ve noticed over the years that when the weather starts to change my gut starts to react. I guess there could be a benefit to being a human barometer but I think I’d rather have my bunions ache than spend an afternoon bowing before the porcelain altar as we used to say in college. 

Oh well…I just keep on keeping on. Maybe my next blog will be cheerier - but maybe not. Only time will tell….

Oh,and I don’t really have bunions!

Well, another week gone and what a week. If anyone’s noticed that I’ve been unusually quiet this week it’s because my computer died on Monday and with my schedule it took a while to get a new one and back up and running. So, I’ve only been able to check my usual web haunts quickly after work. I like the new computer though - I finally made the move to a laptop with a docking station so while I’m home I can use it as a desktop.

But enough about my computer woes - the weigh in went well again this week. Since I’m back to Saturday morning the bodyfat was back up, but not as high it was a few weeks ago and my weight is still on the decline. Overall I still feel good, though my Crohn’s has been mildly active, and play rehearsal is on track as well.

I’m planning to be in Hawaii in early November, so there’s some extra incentive for me to stay on the path of leaning out and not worry about bulk too much. Though I would be happier if I could start adding some mass to my beach muscles…but then wouldn’t we all?