Dave’s Blogs

Yes.. another one down.. Here I am!

I hate it! Honestly.. I enjoy the bulking stage to a certain degree.  I enjoy having the energy to get through my workouts.. but my fat % seems to all be centering around my midsection.. When I sit down I can feel new collection just above my waste.  My question is how comfortable are you with this collection.  I have 8 weeks left before I’ll start cutting, but crap.. that leaves another 8 weeks… how much more can my stomach take.. maybe it’s becaue it’s sunny out and I want to hit up the beach or run with my shirt off.. It’s not like anyone can notice unless I’m sitting, but I can.. Guess it’s just about waiting… waiting.. and training..

What I haven’t told you is my change in career.  I’ve moving to Washington to attend WSU for grad school.  My original BA is in Speech Comm.. really not that exciting.  SO… I’m changing it to Excersise physiology and Metabolism. Thats just so I can get into grad school.  SO, it’s like I’m starting all over again which isn’t that exciting.  At 29 years old.. surrounded by 21 year olds makes me.. yup!  THAT OLD GUY in class.. oh well.. Grad school needs the BS so here I go! I move Aug 20th.  Law enforcement for the most part is behind me now.. I never would have guessed that a year ago.  Crazy what a divorce can do for you, huh?!!

Another progress photo posted taken today.  I have to admit.  the process is slow and with as much work and discipline eating I’m doing I’d like to see faster results.  My body is slow to growth anyway thanks to my genetics.  I’m uncomfortable with the increase in fat % and excess around my midsection, but I’ll take care that once my goals are reached.  This picture shows a serious increase (at least to me) in my shoulders and arm area.  My upper chest is thickening out now that I’ve been concentrating on upper, but its hard to tell from the picture. My back is getting thicker, but my lats stay about the same which I’m satisfied with.  My goal is about a pound a week, but realistically with my body type is more of a half pound a week.  The next four weeks are about strength increase.  This week is my 8 rep max for 3 sets.. next week is my 6 rep max and so forth until week four when I accomplish my 2 rep max.

I’ve found that weighted lunges have an extreme cardio effect on me.  This week was week 4 of my phase one.  It was supposed to be the hardest workout of this phase and met all my expectations.  Yesterday I officially puked.  Dry heaving is always a ritual for me.. I’m prone to it regardless of the workout as long as I push myself.  Not a huge deal cause I’ve become pretty good at hiding it or covering it up with other noises.  Yesterday I knew there was something different and made it to the bathroom just in time.  UGH! Good work

This week consists of 5 sets of 6 to 10 reps for every body part I workout the 4 days this week.  Today was back and holy crap.  This whole week is going to rock my world! Next week I change it up by starting a heavy weight low rep workout for 4 weeks.  I’m tired of chicken and oatmeal by the way. 

Two days and my back was tight, but not sore.. today was legs.  I tested it with light squats.. and no pain.  Wow that was fast..  clean eating.. rest, muscle relaxer and lots of ice and hot pads must have done the number. Meals are going well.. Im 90% efficient for the most part.  I still get drawn to the micro brew from the nearby BJs pizza and brewery.  I do well though and stay with no more than two.. I eat before I go so I’m never tempted to the "hoppy hour" half price pizzas.  I watch my friends gobble down the chicken wings and follow it up with pizza.  For my girlfriend and I it was a common occurence every week in addition to gathers with friends.  That was months ago.  I still dabble, because the Jeremiah Red is my weakness.  However, no eating unless it’s a cheat meal.  So.. There is my confession.

I pulled a back muscle yesterday.  I was trying to find my soild 6 to 8 rep weight for deadlifts..  I just put to much weight with not enough warm up.  I know for sure my form was dead on. Whatever.. I knew it would happen eventually. A couple days of rest and I’ll jump right back on.

Is sushi not on a clean eating list?  I’m still bulking.. Anybody know the general calorie, protein, carbs, fat content?

Warm up

Leg Lifts 3×20

Leg  press 20 x 180

                15 x 230

                12 x 280

Dead lifts   12 x 135

                 10 x 185

                 8  x   135

I could barely walk. About 45 minute work out