Don’t Have a Keg…

Even better news this week - both bodyweight and bodyfat are down! Not much movement but the second week in a row of lower bodyfat is always a good sign.

In other news, last night I was cast in the role of "Lennie" in my community theatre’s production of "Of Mice and Men." A classic role and if you are familiar with the story you’ll know that Lennie is a big ox of a man capable of hoisting a 400 pound bale of hay. The role itself will be somewhat challenging for me as comedic roles are actually my forte and the trick with playing Lennie is that he can come off as funny if not done properly (Gee, George…you think so?).

The big compliment to me though in getting this role isn’t because of the acting, it’s because the director must have thought I had the sheer size and physique to pull off playing this "big" guy! The show isn’t until the end of October - so I’ve got more than two months now to see how much size I can pack on until then to really get the look down. I’ll be focusing on back and shoulders I think as those muscle groups will lend to the wide strong look I’m going for - but I won’t be negelecting my arms or legs either.

I just want to be sure I don’t pack on size at all costs though - especially since it’s so difficult for me to lose fat. I want to keep reducing my weight to emphasize the "V" after all.

But then again…the idea of an all out "balls to the wall" bulk is appealing…

Thoughts?

Okay, maybe Tuesday isn’t really mid-week, but I felt like blogging and whining (again). Ever have a stretch of time when you just felt you couldn’t get any energy? That’s what I seem to be going through. In addition to minor flare ups of my Crohn’s (sporadic, but annoying) I seem to be…I don’t real know how to describe it…just listless. Could be a side-effect of the flare-up (among other things Crohn’s can make you anemic) or maybe something more basic like I need to re-work my diet (more carbs?) or frankly, just get a new mattress! Mine’s a bit old and there are so many better ones out there now. And as you all know a good night’s sleep does wonders for not only the body but for the attitude. Especially as I go into a more stressful time of year. Though to be honest, I actually enjoy the "drama" of work sometimes. When things go too smoothly you have to wonder if you’re making any impact at all (if you know what I mean).

Well - off to bed to energize for a better tomorrow!

Not a good way to start August (where has the summer gone, btw?). My weight was down to just under 240, which is good, but my bodyfat is nearly 27% the highest I think it’s ever been.

Crohn’s has been mildly active all week which explains the weight drop and perhaps the high bf %. I’m convinced my bodyfat % reads higher when I’m dehydrated and a side effect of not eating is that I’m not drinking enough either. So I’m probably dehydrated. I’m feeling better as of yesterday and today so we’ll see what next week brings.

I’m entering into my busy period at work this week and will be for the next 3-4 weeks. Many late and early hours including a couple weekends so it will be tough to get any type of workout in but I’ll do my best. Diet will suffer as I won’t be getting my meals in on the regular schedule - even if I take food to work, I won’t have time - but I’ll do my best.

Yardwork today - I have yet to try out my new hedge trimmer! Have a great week everyone.

Yeah, I missed my weigh in last week but I’m back this week. I’m always a little surprised that my weight doesn’t go down more after a bout with my Crohn’s given that I don’t each much but I think that’s because when calories are drastically reduced the body goes into "starvation mode" and the metabolism lowers to conserve as much mass as possible. That’s my theory at least - I don’t know if it’s true but it might also explain why I get so lethargic during these times as well.

Bodyfat is creeping up again. Not sure why as I’ve been keeping up with my cardio as best I could. Oh well, no major changes in any event I suppose (i.e. within potential daily fluctuation).

Strength seems to be doing well overall. My only minor concern now is that my right ankle has started to ache. Almost like something is not aligned properly with my foot (does anyone know what I mean?) but clearly nothings broken or sprained. Could be the start of arthritis? I don’t know…I’ve been wearing sandals a lot in the evenings so I’ll go back to athletic shoes for a while and see if the extra support helps.

Looks like a nice weekend on tap - I’ll be spending it at meetings for the state community theatre association. It’s not a bad way to spend the weekend, we’ll have some meetings, get dinner as a group, see a show, and go to a cast party with the local theatre group of the town we are at.  Always fun!

Take care everyone!

Warning: this post may be filled with whining, self-pity, excuses, and a general sense of despair. So don’t read any further if you don’t like that kind of thing….

Okay, I was really happy today. For the first time in about two weeks I didn’t suffer from gut wrenching pain in my…well….gut about three hours after a given meal. Once again my Crohn’s has been active and though I keep reminding myself my case is extremely well controlled and I’m fortunate as many who suffer from the same disorder have actually had sections of their bowels removed, can’t ever gain weight, etc. I find that when I suffer through a relatively long "attack" that my mood shifts from hopeful to despair. I lose energy - which is actually one of the symptoms of the "attack" as I literally become anemic - and it’s all I can do to get through the work day let alone a workout. Plus, when food causes pain it’s tough to keep the diet consistent. The only good side is that I don’t over eat.

But, today there was no pain. The worst of this latest attack is over, I can feel my energy return and my diet can get back to normal levels. Plus, I know that I’ll do better during my workouts again too. So, back to building muscle, losing fat, etc.

Also, I’ve just finished ready "Huge in a Hurry" by Chad Waterbury (Men’s Health Books is the publisher). I’m a sucker for the latest workout book and this one had a title I just couldn’t resist. I was pleased that the workouts and the thinking behind them made a lot of sense. So, I’m going to give it a try. Instead of keeping with my light/high rep workouts I’m moving to a full-body workout utilizing big compound movements as opposed to a lot of specialization work. I’ll be sure to let you all know how the workouts go!

Onward!

Yeah, I’m late posting this weekly entry concerning my weight and bf% - but since the power outage I experienced Thursday, which lasted until Saturday, and fried my computer despite the surge protector, I’ve been borrowing computers and sneaking in a few messages on the computer at work. So I’m now using a laptop (on loan for a few days) to catch up on all my online activities!

I did weigh in on Saturday as usual, but later in the day than usual. About noon as opposed to just waking up, which might explain my excellent results! My bodyfat was only 19.3% - fat by the standards of many here on Bodyspace but low by my standards. Bodyweight was still in the usual range - hopefully a sign of growing leanness and increasing massiveness.

Workouts have been going pretty well this week - a t-shirt I haven’t worn in a little while felt tight in the sleeves tonight and I think I’m noticing some new shape to my upper arms. My pecs feel more solid as well to me. And no, I don’t go around feeling myself up all day - okay, maybe once in a while. I think all you guys "holding" on to your biceps during business meetings know what I’m talking about!

I’ll be out of town on Saturday morning - going to spend a couple days with my brother and visit Kings Island to ride their new coaster (Diamondback). Not a bad way to spend a long holiday weekend in my opinion.

Onward! 

Okay, the power has been out at my house since about 7:00 last night, so I’m borrowing a computer because I’m a little stoked and had to jot down my thoughts.

I went to buy a new sport jacket last night - I haven’t been wearing them at work lately because I don’t have a good summer weight one and tried on a few of the 46R jackets - my usual size. But found they were tight. A quick consult with the sales man and sure enough, I need a 48 now to get around my chest and shoulders. Hmmm, interesting as I thought I’d been slacking some on my workouts…couldn’t be fat gain because I’ve had to literally tighten my belt. Didn’t think to much about it. Went to work out with my brother-in-law after returning home. 

 I was lifting with my brother-in-law last night and putting up some good weights, focusing some on shoulders because I decided that they are lacking and I need some better shoulders before I audition in late August (see a couple of blogs ago). Added 20 pounds to the light benching we’ve been doing since I’m tired of little weights and wanted to get into bigger weights again. Put up 205 for four sets…not bad…not my old lifts, but not bad and will probably go up again next week.  While lifting though I couldn’t help but notice how tight the sleeves on my bro-in-laws shirt seemed to be. I looked at my arms…thought back to the suit incident and wondered…could it be?

So, took the old tape out and before too much of a pump set in checked out the old pipes. I’ll be darned, I’m over 17 inches - not much but over and moving close to 17.5 (but I put down 17.25 to account for any pump). Chest is clearly at 48 and maybe I should have bought a larger coat…I got a feeling I’ll be outgrowing this one pretty quickly. Not bad - checked the stats from our last measurements in November. "Hey, I’m as big as my brother-in-law, training partner, rival was then…have I finally caught up?" I ask myself. Unfortunately for me…no. My training partner has also beefed up and his arms are now at the 18.5 mark - biggest he’s ever been!

So, I guess the light weight high-rep is proving to be good for really adding some size to the frame. Now I just got to keep pumping up while slimming down. So far it’s been a great summer!

Keep lifting everyone!

I know I blog a lot about motivation and how we all seem to have different motivators, but I guess the subject fascinates me. So, on a related tangent, who do you think is happier? The guy who doesn’t work out and seems not to be at all concerned about how his body looks or his health in general, or the guy who spends hours in the gym each week trying to gain that extra inch, lose that next pound, see his muscles show through his skin? On the surface I think most would say that the first guy is happier as he isn’t a slave to his workout and does what he pleases while the second guy seems to be trapped in a body he doesn’t like and will do anything to change it.

Well, I’d argue that in the long run the second guy is the happier one. Sure, those of us who work out may have issues with our bodies - let’s face it no one really "needs" 18 inch arms for example, it’s more of a desire despite the fact that freaky strength comes in handy on occasion - but the guy who works out stays healthier throughout his life. He also knows what it is like to set a goal and to reach it. He understands dedication and plain old stick-to-it-ness! Mentally, he has an advantage that carries over to other aspects of his life and physically, well, he has abs!

I’d be curious as to what everyone else thinks!

Gosh, "The Biggest Loser" is just so inspiring! I watched an episode again tonight, the first chance I’ve had in a couple months, and I was struck by what an improvement the entire group has made. And what’s more amazing is that the men are just now getting down to my current weight! And I feel fat but they feel thin. I guess it’s all about perspective.

On a related note though, I used to wonder how someone could allow themselves to get so heavy (in a non-muscular way of course). I mean I used to think that it’s not like 300 pounds can just sneak up on you. But, nowadays I seem to understand how it could happen. You get into the habit of eating whatever you want, you spend too much time sitting around watching television, on the computer, reading, whatever and the next thing you know you can’t tie your shoes or see your feet.

Good for those people who do change themselves and their lives - of course I’m preaching to the choir around here aren’t I?

Take care everyone!

A few random bits of wisdom for all the young guys (and maybe gals too) out there trying to build up and/or slim down from an old guy who has been around the buffet table a few times (feel free to add your own):

1. The best way to lose unwanted fat is to not put it on in the first place. Watch your diet now and you’ll thank yourself much later.

2. Good nutrition is easier said than done. Convince yourself that a plain chicken breast tastes better than filet mignon (which is over rated anyway) and you’ll be far ahead.

3. Everyone, guys at least, wants to be big. That’s not bad in and of itself, I want to be bigger too, but if you are going for mass pay attention to my first item of advice. The tortoise and the hare is more than a fable.

4. Someone will always outlift you, outsize you, and just plain outperform you in something. Don’t worry about them - worry about whether you have outlifted, outsized, and outperformed yourself as compared to the last workout.

5. Did I mention that it’s easier to keep fat off than to take it off? I did? Good!

6. Someday, when you look around and discover that all your friends are fatter, seem older, can’t move as a well as you can, and so on you’ll be glad you learned to like chicken breasts so much.

7. Tuna’s okay, too.

8. So’s Turkey…

9. And beef on occasion - along with pork. Moderation is your friend.

10. Don’t show off and you’ll stay injury free for a lifetime and able to make bigger lifts later.

11. Big biceps are good and impressive. A big bicep not covered in fat is even more so.

12. No one really has an arm that measures 20 inches in diameter - and those that do are naturally big people or have artificial assistance. Okay, some guys do - and those that do did it by paying attention to their tricep workout.

13. You either have bicep peaks or you don’t.

14. Pecs come in a variety of shapes - you can’t change the shape of yours but you can make the most of them.

15. T-shirt weather should be welcomed - but nobody likes a show off. Keep the "guns" covered except when outside exercising or at the beach, pool, eh - I’ll allow the amusement park and fairs, too. But only if it’s over 70 degrees Farenheit!

16. It’s okay to blush a little on the outside but to be jumping up and down with excitment inside when someone asks you to flex for them or make a muscle (especially if that someone is attractive to you).

17. Be supportive of other people’s fitness goals. They may not have the determination or aptitude you have for bodybuilding. That doesn’t mean that they don’t have dreams, too.

18. Look back up at #1.

19. Car 54 where are you?

20. Surround yourself with people who are supportive of your goals (bodybuilding or otherwise). Things will go a lot easier for you in the long run.

21. "If you reach for the stars, you’ll never come up with a handful of mud." I can’t remember who said that - but he started a giant ad agency - I think it’s good advice though.

22. "Miracles I can do immediately, the impossible takes a little longer." I first heard this from Endora (Sam’s mother on "Bewitched") I’m sure it was taken from someone else. I think this is also good advice, especially when you are feeling a little down about things.

23. Until you’ve established a good base don’t spend a lot of money on supplements beyond a good protein powder and some creatine.

24. Good diet is the most important supplement of all - muscles don’t come in the form of a pill or powder (at least not without hard work!).

25. Legs are the foundation of the body. It won’t kill you to work them out on occasion - at least once a week.

26. Okay, how about once a month?

27. Walk, it will do you some good both mentally and physically.

27. Wait, I already did #27…

28. And for goodness sake, turn off the lights when you leave the room. What, you think we’re made of money?

Okay, I’m done for now. Extra points to anyone who can tell me where I stole the title for this blog entry from (and from who).