tryingto’s BodyBlog

That’s how I get when I work out.  I find this spot, focus on it and lift or push.  My mind stays right in that spot and doesn’t faulter or fray from it.  I literally hear no sound, no music or anyone else talking in the gym.  I know this sounds selfish, but I’m there to work hard and not chit-chat.  I’ve found finding my "zone" has been a big help in concentrating not only at the gym but other things in general.  I suggest you find your  own personal "zone."

ok, so for a long time, I guess I’ve been making excuses as to why I’m overweight; I love food, I love to eat–we all do right?  Especially all that emotional eating we do; we feel sad, we eat–we feel happy, we eat.  And, don’t forget how culutral eating can be too.  But in all honesty, no one was to blame for my horrible eating but myself.  No one forced me to put that greasy burger in my mouth.  No one held a gun to my head and said, "You better eat this or I’ll shot!"  I DID IT ALL TO MYSELF!  I blame me and no one else.  It’s taken a hard look at myself to realize that, but it’s true.  I think some of it too was when I was growing up and was told, "finish everything on your plate."   And we keep those bad habits with us too.  It’s never too late to change bad habits.  After all, they’re just LEARNED behavior.  You have to UNLEARN them.  It can be done but it takes WORK.  You have to make it want to happen.  Believe in yourself that you can do this and you will.  I know; I’ve done it.

Yes my friends, I’ve found the BIG SECRET to losing weight and gaining muscle!  I don’t know I’ve never thought of this before.  So, being the nice guy that I am, I’ve decided to share it here and not ask for any monies to be sent to me for sharing. Ready?  Here it is……

THERE IS NO SECRET!!

Spellbinding and surprising,  huh?  But really, I think we’ve all come to find that.  I know I have after these past eight months!  There’s nothing "special" or "magical" or "unique" that will help you.  You help you; simple as that!  I know I’m repeating myself when I say this, but it’s all about the foods, the weights and cardio.  I don’t think too many would tell you something different.  And, you’ve got to work at it and do it and not just talk about it!!  And, you have to stick with it.  Sure, you’ll run into walls; I have along the  way.  But, you’ll find ways over or around that wall.  Don’t give up and don’t get discouraged; YOU CAN DO THIS!

At the gym today, Kathy (the manager) and myself, were talking about taking time off from working out.  It came up because of the two weeks I had to take off because of my hernia surgery.  At first, I thought that time would hurt me; put me back and make it harder to get back into my routine–it didn’t.  I actually came to realize that it helped me.  I realized that working out is that; work.  You can see it just like our jobs. And, like our jobs, we take vacations to feel better and take a break.  And, I think the same is true of working out; every now and then, maybe every six months, you need a break from it.  Because, just like our jobs, too much of it and you can get burned out too.  So, take that break if you need it.  And enjoy your vacation!

…are two weeks late.  That’s because of my hernia surgery.  I didn’t want to take any pics while I was off from lifting.  But, I have to say, I’m extremely pleased with my progress.  Sometimes when I see my results, I have a hard time really believing  it’s me I’m seeing.  I’m so used to seeing myself as overweight.  Don’t get me wrong, I know I still have a ways to go yet but it’s getting there slowly but surely!  Phsyced!!

I see lots of people on here who take lots of different supplements to make them bigger and it seems, as fast as possible.  I’m not saying that’s wrong; if that’s what you want to do, that’s fine.  Me; I like to "do it my own."  Just me and the cardio and the weights.  I think sometimes we rely too much on something else to help us along.  It’s like giving ourselves a crutch to hold on to.  Maybe we think we can’t do it on our own?  It’s almost like we become co-depent on product.  I think sometimes we get so caught up in phrases like, "grow muscles fast"  or "guarantee to grow muscles."  What about making a commitment to ourselves?  To our own bodies? 

Has this happened to you? You go about your business; home stuff, work stuff and gym stuff not really paying much attention to your physical body and suddenly you notice something’s different?  That happened to me this week.  The other day, I’m at work and look down at something and I notice my chest is really sticking out from my shirt!  I’m thinking, "Is this the Twilight Zone?"  and also thinking, "Am I just imagining this?"  Well, I’m happy and pleased to say a big "NO."  I think all my hard work is really starting to pay off now.  My fat seems to be shrinking more and more and the muscle is coming through loud and clear!  It’s very exciting.  I can’t wait to see what’s in store the next several months!!

I heard this term when I was in elementary school; it’s used to describe words to make you buy something–like saying chicken is "extra crispy."  I mean, how much more crispy can something fried be?  Anyway, what I’m talking about is all those words used in Info-mercials that sell fitness products.  I’ve heard some like:  seems to, feels like.  What do they really mean?  Nothing if you ask me.  They’re so vague that your mind passes right past them and hears: works, feels great.  One thing you have to watch for too, is the really tiny fine white print at the bottom of the screen.  they always say something like; "results not typical–yours may vary."  And, don’t forget, they all include the meal plan to follow. (well, some do and some don’t!)  I say take those weasle words and trap them and don’t listen to these sideshow ads and do what you have to do to get results.  What’s that?  An eating plan, weights and cardio: three days a week for both.  Work hard, commit to yourself and soon that weasel will be running for cover baby!

Ok, I admit it, I’m a "by the book" kind of guy.  I figure, if it’s written down somewhere, by some person who knows what they’re talking about, how wrong can it be?  That’s how I’ve always viewed any workout book.  I know there’s so many out there and I’ve always tried to figure out what works best?  Here’s what I’ve learned; not any of those books can tell you their’s is the right on for you.  why?  Because all of our bodie’s are not the same; genetics and all.  You can’t put all of us into a mold and say, "ok, you all do this and you’ll all look like this at the same time!"  It doesn’t work that way.  A friend of mine on here told me it’s best to "listen" to your body when you train; that’s what I’ve learned this past seven months.  Don’t get me wrong, I think these books are great when you’re starting out and don’t know how to go about training.  But the bottom line is, you can’t keep using them as a crutch–you have to learn how to walk on your own sometimes.  And I say,  why not start now?  Listen to your body–what’s it telling you? Hm?