edibart’s BodyBlog

Do you or someone you know take steroids?  I’ve known a lot of people over the years that have gone from 5′10 165-170 to 210-220 in a couple years and it’s because of ‘roids.  Can anyone really take credit for anything they accomplish while they are taking?  I had a buddy once bragg to me that his bench went from barely 185 to now he’s benching 315 for reps.  I simply looked him in the eyes and told him that it wasnt him benching all that weight but rather the drugs doing it for him….He didnt appreciate my response very much.  What’s your oppinion on this?  With all the talk lately about steroids in professional sports it’s really a hot topic right now.  I look at all the great physiques on this site and I can only hope that you are all doing it the right way…If not you’re just doing yourself an injustice.

Well I’ve been on the Zone Diet for about 7 months now, if you don’t know what it is go to Zonediet.com and read about it.  I dont really consider it a diet as much as a lifestyle. Anyway I usually allow myself one cheat day per month where I basically eat whatever I want.  That day was this past Monday, I made my own chocolate chip cookies, I had Hooters wings fries the whole nine yards.  Well tonight I was running short on time because I had to get home get my workout in then scoop up my daughter and bring back to base for a school dance, grab my other daughter from the BX and by that time I was freaken starving and just didnt have the drive to come back home and prepare a healthy meal.  So what did I do?  I took my daughter to Popeyes and got some fried chicken, mashed taters and a biscuit!  That shtuff was fantastically greasy!  I feal like crap now of course because I ate way too much but hey I guess I’ll just have to take away my scheduled rest day tomorrow and kick my arse a little bit.

Last night’s WOD was pretty brutal.  It name was "Mr. Joshua" after a Navy SEAL who died in Afghanistan.  The workout consisted of the following: 

5 Rounds for time of

Run 400m (1/4 mile)     30 GHD Sit ups     15 250lb Deadlift

This was only my second time doing it, the last time was Nov 26th when I finished in 29:47.  Last night I got it done in 26:10!  I’m pretty happy with showing, but next time I’m getting it done in under 25! 

I often hear people talk about getting in shape and being physically fit but what does that mean?  Does it mean having big muscles and and being able to bench 315 or squat 400+ or is it more than that?  I like to think there’s more to it than just going to the gym and putting in your time on the bench or squat rack. You might be ripped to the bone without an once of fat on you, but if you had to could you pick me up throw me over your shoulder and run 1/4 mile out of a hostile environment?  More often than not I think most people would run out of steam almost immediately.  I would challenge you to ask yourself what your "fitness" goals are?  Is it just to be able to see your abs again?  Do you want huge biceps?  Lats that you could use to glide to the ground if you ever fell off the Eifel tower?  Or do you want to be overall functionally fit? WTF is this guy talking about some of you might ask and that’s OK but my challenge to you is simply this:  think of the once excerise you fear the most be it burpees, squats, deadlifts, whatever and make it part of your next workout session.  Challenge your body and mind, don’t just settle for your comfort zone put yourself in an uncomfortable position and power through!  I promise you will be glad you did, I know I was!

For those of you who are familiar with CrossFit you’re going to understand completely what I’m talking about.  For those of you who don’t well trust me this is the reality of things.  Often enough a WOD (Workout Of the Day) comes around that makes you stop and ask yourself: "what the f**k….how am I going to get through this"?  If you’re like me, the first OK maybe the second website you check every morning is www.crossfit.com to see what they have in store for you that day.  Then I sit around for a bit thinking how I’m going to approach it.  Today is one of those days that I just can’t stop thinking about how much this WOD is going to kick my a** but the crazy thing is, I can’t wait to go and do it! That’s the beautiful thing about CrossFit and why I will never go back to the old way of working out (chest/tri’s, back/bi’s) again.  This program really throws the unknown at you, it just challenges you physically and mentally because not only do you have to get through the workout but oh yeah, it’s timed too so you’re competing with other CrossFitters around the world to see how your time ranks.  Here’s today’s WOD:

For time:
10 GHD Sit-ups
10 Hip & Back Extensions
95 pound Thrusters, 30 reps
50 Pull-ups

30 GHD Sit-ups
30 Hip & Back Extensions
95 pound Thrusters, 20 reps
35 Pull-ups

50 GHD Sit-ups
50 Hip & Back Extensions
95 pound Thrusters, 10 reps
20 Pull-ups

Is that enough to make anyone cringe or what??

For anyone out there that may be getting bored with the same ol crap everyday and not getting the results they were hoping for I suggest you try CrossFit because I’m willing to bet if you’re serious about fitness then you will be hooked from day one as I was.

Every year around this time gyms all across the country become flooded with newbies that have made a "New Years Resolution" to start eating right and working out.  For all of you regulars that don’t need a resolution and just do it everyday because you love it, you know what I’m talking about.  You see it every year, Jan rolls around and all of a sudden your gym is flooded with new faces.  By mid March all but maybe 1 or 2 are gone. Don’t get me wrong, I think it’s great for those people that are actually serious about it and to you I say STICK WITH IT!!  Yeah it’s gonna hurt for a couple days after your first good workout, you’re gonna be tired and your body is going to ask you WTF do you think your doing?!?  But I promise you if you can get through that first week you’re golden!  It’s the people that just flock to the gym like sheep because their resolution is to do so, that have no real plan of action and end up wandering all around the gym doing a couple reps/sets on each machine while stopping every so often to take a chug from their fancy new Bodybuilding.com protein shaker that make me shake my head (and smile).  It’s the guy you see trying to deadlift 315 because he could do it 10 years ago when he was on the HS wrestling team and his form looks like he’s going to blow his spine out of his ass that kills me.  Listen, if you’re new to the fitness world and want to begin a workout program or are looking to get back into it after a long layoff regardless of what program you choose ask yourself a couple questions:  What are my fitness goals, what do I already know about this program, and am I ready to commit myself to achieveing a new level of fitness?  Also, keep in mind that your diet is just as if not more important than your actual workout program.  If you’re busting your butt in the gym, then swinging by McDonalds on the way home you just waisted your time!  The bottom line here is that you need a plan of action.  Take the time to do a little research on your new program and hire a personal trainer if need be.  Just don’t be another statistic of the failed "New Years Resolutioners"

Well for the last two weeks I’ve lived a lazy man’s life.  My parents, brother and future sister-in-law were here in Germany for the holidays.  We went all over the place, touring castles, Christmas markets and went to Paris and Amsterdam.  During the break I ate whatever I wanted, and didnt workout but for one time. Well today I got back at it.  I went and did ptrob’s B-Day workout (if you want to know what it was go cheskout the Crossfitters bodygroup) and let me tell you, it totally wore me out.  I got it done but it took 27 minutes and there were a few times I almost quit, something I’ve never done.  So it got me thinking.  Sometimes when you are eating right and exercising everyday it may start to seem like you are not making progress or maybe you dont see how well you are actually doing.  Well I’m here to tell you that just two short weeks out of the "Zone" and not working out reminded me of how important a good diet and routine really are.  Anyway, I’m back in the "Zone" starting now and also back on the 3-1 schedule.  I’m considering myself "in training" for the CrossFit level 1 Cert in May.  I want to make sure I perfect my form and am in the best shape possible.