tryingto’s BodyBlog

I’ve seen a new and very exciting show going on right at my gym!  The shear talent is amazing and just as thrilling.  I’m talking about the new show called Dancing With The Weights!  Yes and I’m sure you’ve seen such a show at your gym.  If you haven’t you’re in for a thrill.  Here’s how it goes.  A guy at the gym puts way too much weight on the benching bar.  They sit, then lay and finally grip the bar.  They strain to lift the bar, lower it and without pausing, manage to press it back up.  Now, while all this is going on, notice the legs and feet being lifted off the ground, almost stomping in place.  And why?  Hmm; maybe WAY TO MUCH weight?  And, if you’re really lucky, you’ll catch it with dumbells too.  And not just the bench press, but shoulder press and even work the on pec deck too!  Once you’ve seen it, you’ll crave more.  One thing though, don’t laugh out loud.  It might upset the person and give them a lower score.

sometimes, I wonder why I do this?  workout hard, which I know I do and not just weights but cardio too.  ( I did choose to up my cardio 20 minutes before my workouts and two days of 30 minutes; my "off" days)  I look at where I was last year before I started and as the months went on, I dropped lots of weight–from 288 to 250.  And then, a few months ago, i was gaining weight and am now up to 273.  I know I still have fat to loose and sometimes I now get discusted that I’ve hit some platue and things aren’t moving forward anymore. Should I get sad?  I do.  Will I give up?  HELL NO!!  It’s war and it ain’t over till it’s over!! (and even then it’s not over!)

That’s how I see so many guys at my gym lift. I mean with great speed, high weights and with lots of momentum behind it all.  I’d like to see these same guys, with the same weight, take it slower and use strick form to do it with.  I’d bet dollars to doughnuts they wouldn’t be able to.  I mean, if they want to hurt themselves, that’s their business.  But that’s not for me and never will be.  I know I used to see these guys as being strong and making me feel like I was a weakling.  That was until I took a good look as to how they work out.  I don’t even know if there’s any benefit to lifting like that either?  I guess they feel like they must be doing something good for themselves? 

that’s what I decided I need to do.  I’ve been doing 30 minutes, three times a week.  I’m now switching things around and doing 20 minutes, four days a week, before training and my off days, Wed and Sat and doing 30 minutes those days.  My hope is that it’ll help lose more fat.  I’m keeping my fingers and toes crossed!!

….I’ve come to realize that it doesn’t matter what kind or type of workout you do; all that matters is you do something to get results you’re happy with. ( and to get out of it what you’ve put into it )  I’ve discovered as long as I have a program I follow; weights, cardio and eating program, that it will all work out for me in the end.  I’ve always been a "do it by the book" person; by that, I mean, buying someone’s workout book and reading what they say is the "right way" to work out.  There’s no wrong or right way; just be committted to work out and BAM; you’ll get results!!

that’s right!  when I get sick I hate it!!   not only do I feel bad and all but I have no get up and go to go to the gym!  and that’s what happened last week; just feeling run down and weak all week.  but, at least it’s over with and was able to hit it back yesterday!!

I have the book; Body For Life–it’s a good used copy.  I’ve been following the eating plan and have really found it works–five small meals a day.  But, I was very skepticle of the changes in three months that can happen to your body.  The before and after pics; I had a hard time really beliving it to be true!  So, I said to  myself, hey, try the workout program–what the heck do I have to loose? Basically, you do a week of upper body, cardio, leg, cardio, upper and cardio.  The following week, you do leg, cardio, upper, cardio, leg, cardio.  You follow the program for 12 weeks.  Well, this is the fourth week I’ve been doing it and can really say I’ve been seeing some changes–so, keeping my fingers crossed and waiting to see how it all goes!!

this is just about my stuff that erks me when I work out; you don’t have to like it or even care what I’m saying here, but I just want to vent about it–and what better place than here!!  Now, when I’m on the treadmill or eleptical, I bust my butt; headphones on, legs pumping good; really focused and sweating great!!  Then I see others causally on these machines; sipping coffee, reading a newspaper or book or magazine.  The most interesting are those who, the moment they get going, make several phone calls!!  I mean, you’re there to work out and give it all you got; right?!  So, what the hell????  Maybe there’s someone who REALLY wants to use that machine and put some good use to it–you don’t want to put in the work, then get off the machine!  Now, I know that person or persons are entitled to use the machines; I’m not saying they’re not–but please, layers of perfume and a coffee and a phone call–next time, go to Starbucks!!

Ok, so, I haven’t been to the gym for 12 days because of my sprainded back area (the doctor’s advice)  I did go today and it felt good. (back and bi day)  I was keeping track of my monthly workouts, which week I was on and  when it was 8 months, 9 months etc..(to track my progress. But now, I’m totally off track!  Some of this was to do when I was off two weeks in Sept for hernia surgery.  this past 12 days just seems to add on!  I feel like I’m so friggin’ behind in my goals now that is depressing me!  I  know this is a setback but I can’t make it up.  I think part of all of this is just letting it go, stay focused on where I am NOW and go on from there.  I mean, it’s not like it’s the end of the world! (although it seems I can see it from here! lol)

my sprainded back is feeling better.  Even though I did cardio on Saturday, I’ve decided the best thing to do is not take any risks and just rest it this week.  Am I sad about not working out for the week?  YES!  Is it the end of the world as I know it?  NO!  Can I start where I left off?  YES!  Should I risk anymore stupid injury to my lower back?  NO!  So, that’s it in a nutshell.  I can live with it, life will go on and I can go back to lifting next week!