Don’t Have a Keg…

Based on my scale things are going back in the right direction this week if only slightly. My bodyfat is still much higher than a couple weeks ago, but consistent with last week though a percentage point or so lower. Overall weight is down, but only slightly so not enough to really call weight loss. However, on the bright side at least it isn’t going up again.

As I’ve always done I’ll be taking the week between Christmas and New Year’s off from work. In the past I’ve used this time to vegitate, destress and catch up on work around the house. This year I think I’m going to add to the list and spend more time working out and working on the diet. Without the distraction of the "job" I should have time to really try a few new workout routines and exercises and really work on developing a nutrition plan to carry me into the new year.

Of these two items (diet and workout) diet is the critical piece. It’s clear to me that I actually do pretty good on the lifting portion. I’m not super-strong but when I review the weights I’m using, see what other men are lifting by looking at their logs, etc. here at Bodyspace and just around the gym, I’m not only "competitive" within my own age group but keeping up with the young bucks as well (how’s that for an old-fashioned term). At least when you take out the top 10% or so who are actual competitive bodybuilders and powerlifters - most of us are, after all, recreational lifters. Even of those who actually build competition worthy physiques, most don’t step on stage and are lifting for other reasons to feel good, attract life/sex partners, build self-esteem, etc. and then there are those who geniunely just enjoy working their bodies and seeing the changes that regular lifting can provide, reviewing the results in the mirror and then changing their routine to improve their look and/or proportions.  In some ways, these lifters are the more "pure" bodybuilders. They are their only judge, and they are doing the work to become in their eyes more aesthetically pleasing. These people are the artists of the bodybuilding community, no dreams of glory or fame and an adoring public, they’ve just choosen their bodies as the canvas to create their art. But, I digress…

Today, is a rest day as will be tomorrow. I’m still mildly concerned about the feelings in my left arm and want to be fully up for the workout on Monday. Plus, as I mentioned in an earlier blog I’ve got shopping to do! Oh joy…I can hardly wait to get out there among the masses…pushing and shoving…waiting behind "those people" who seem to get to the cashier without any clue of why they are there and what method of payment they are going to use and who forgot that one item in the back of the store - please wait while they run back to get it - and so on, and so forth. And I haven’t even mentioned the drivers. We got some snow and that, of course, means that everyone has to re-learn how to drive in winter (hint: ice + brakes = bad).

Take care everyone, keep lifting, and may all your mass gains this season not come from Egg Nog (mmmmm, nog…). 

Okay, I guess I get another day of rest. It was supposed to be leg day, and I need the equipment at the gym for most of my leg workout - but since I worked late, among other excuses including parking issues at the university rec center because of a basketball game, I didn’t make it to the gym. So, I got some extra cardio in at home this evening and will hit my legs tomorrow. I won’t be doing upper body again until Friday.

I haven’t spoken of my eating habits, which haven’t been too good lately, ever since I discovered that my fat gain appears to be way behind my "solid" weight gain I’ve fallen into the "eat everything you can, because you’re bulking" trap. As all you experienced and successful bodybuilders know, eating whatever you want will eventually just catch up to you in the form of a fat gut, and worse, a fat butt!

Maybe I should do just a little more cardio before calling it a night…

Had another good workout today. Started back on my favorite bench routine (at the 270 1 time max level), did a full set of measurements, officially started my competition with my training partner to see who can be the "biggest loser," and took some progress pics - including one which was a comparision with my training partners arms, who I have been comparing myself against for literally decades!

The good news is, that I have been seriously underestimating how large my arms look  compared to my TP (training partner). And since I’ve always considered his arms to be anywhere from big to huge - that means I look the same to other folks.

The bad news is, the wicked peak he used to have to his biceps is gone and mine are still flat as well. I’m sure that as we drop the bodyfat the peaks will start to come in. The trick, of course, is to not lose too much muscle or actually gain, as the fat comes off. I just have to keep telling myself that I love cardio (I do love cardio, I do love cardio…).

I’m well back into the routine of using my supplements - using both Cell Mass and NO Xplode by BSN and picked up some new protein powder today as well. I’ll need to stay on top of my water consumption of course, be consistent with my nutrition - doughnuts are not a health food - and stay good with my workouts. I’ll be adding leg training at the Rec Center on days I’m not training upper body at home - this should also speed up the weight loss and increase my mass gains.

All in all, a busy and enjoyable afternoon (at least by my standards haha)!

By the way, for anyone who notices the sudden decrease in my arm size from the other day - I went back to the unflexed measurement to be consistent with so many others here.

No significant change in weight or bodyfat, etc. But that’s not surprising as I didn’t do a good job of hitting the gym this week and due to work issues it will be a struggle for the next three weeks or so. I think I’ll be concentrating on keeping my diet in check and cardio for a few weeks just to see if I can jump start my weight loss again. Though I’ve lost about 10 lbs over the course of the year, I really need to lose more. Of course, I’m really more interested in losing bodyfat than weight per se.

Okay - I didn’t pack lunch today like I should have, but managed to find a relatively healthy lunch anyway (no burgers, no fries) and didn’t get my cardio in - but there is still time tonight and the tempature outside is dropping.

On the plus side, I have a new routine (thanks to a personal trainer friend of mine and sometime competitive bodybuilder) and will be focusing on fat-burning the remainder of the summer.  

I wonder what my abs do look like? This is the year I finally find out!