leefain78’s BodyBlog

So I finally got confirmation that I am free the weekend of the Arnold Expo.  I will be in the Expo hall, cheering on fellow West Virginian Phil Phister in the Strongest Man competition.  Hope to see some of ya’ll there… 

I have been off of my goals for a while.  I am the one to blame, but someone else was the reason.  Breakups are hard, especially when you have invested so much of yourself into the other person.  So…

Now I am finally moved into my own place, and single… 

I start the Body For Life challenge on Monday the 11th.  I had attempted the Challenge twice before.  I always make it 2 - 3 weeks, before I give into temptation.  Cooking healthy is difficult when the other person wants Outback Cheese Fries…  I love the damn things too, so it was all too easy to get sucked back in.  

My weight started to fly up again, and in the span of 2 months, I went from 360 to 395.  That is ALMOST 400lbs.  I am back down to 385, and my life is getting ready to begin anew. 

I hope that by being alone, I can find it easier to focus on me for once.  I know that I can do this.  I appreciate all of the comments and support that everyone has given me, keep it coming!  Now it is my turn to start fresh… 

It looks like I found the combination to my lb drop…  I have been eating superclean and lifting heavy for a long time, and that was seeing results in dropping inches and BF.  Well, new routine time…  I do 5 - 6 "sets" of Rowing/Kettlebells.  I start off with Rowing for 500M as fast as possible (usually 2 min 15 sec).  Then I jump up and immediately do 15 Kettle Clean N’ Press with a 60lb Bell.  Rest 30 sec, and then do it again.  I have already noticed a difference in muscular hardness, and now my scale is moving too…  We should all know by now that the old ways are still good ways…

I know that you aren’t supposed to watch the scale all the time…  That it isn’t a accurate indicator of change…  But my weight hasn’t dropped in a while, but I am down 8 inches at my waist.  Shouldn’t my weight be dropping a little more?

Signed,

Last hole in the belt 

If you have been watching my lifting stats, you will have noticed a drop in my poundage lifted.  That is due to switching to freeweights vs. machine.  I have been using machines for a while, and have racked up quite a bit on them, but I had stopped seeing results…  I spoke with a trainer, and they told me "Go to the barbell my son."  So I am on a new quest now…  To find my way in the land of control and form.  Wish me luck…

I realize that I just wrote one post, but this is on a completely different subject.  Yesterday, I decided to do some Clean N Press.  You know, just to change things up…  Normally I train by myself and use machines.  So I don’t get the “multi-joint” action going too often.  So… CLEAN N PRESS…  This should be on the all time best exercise list.  Now, I consider myself fairly strong…  That being said, 150lbs feels like a ton once you’ve hit the 20^th rep or so…  I started strong, 10reps.  2 min break.  Then I wanted more, so I squatted, grabbed the bar, and heaved…  5 reps later, I was breathing heavy and I could hear my pulse in my ears.  Another 2 min break, and then 5 more reps…  2 min break, 5 reps, and once more…  2 min break and then 5 more reps.  I completed 30 reps, with 150lbs.  Legs and back were and are fine… But DEAR GOD my shoulders…  Guess I found my weak spot.  I was hurting sumpthin awful, and could barely wash my hair afterwards.  Today is better, just a mild burn.  If you want the ultimate test of overall strength…  Clean N Press.

As I sit here, eating my oats and listening to Evanescence, I start to think about all the things that have been WRONG for so long.  I got a hard wake up call yesterday; I’m not eating enough…  By a lot!  I am (according to the calculators) supposed to be taking in 3048cal a day to maintain…  OK…  Here is the rub; I can’t eat that many healthy foods.  I have been averaging 1800cal a day…  4 out of 6 meals are protein shakes with skim milk.  Help!!!  I may be one of the very few malnourished fat people…  No wonder my weight hasn’t dropped.  No wonder my energy is rock bottom.  My body is eating itself for sustenance…  Damn cannibal…  I went to Taco Bell after I realized this and had a Grilled Stuft Steak Burrito.  Got my caloric intake for yesterday up to 2350.

My life is changing.  I think it is for better, but I don’t know yet.  I go to the gym, and workout daily, and I fight a constant battle with my weight.  My girlfriend and I are now "just roommates".  I am finalizing my divorce after 3 years of separation.  I want to share my successes, and need support with my failures…  I feel completely alone in a crowded room.  And the only place I feel good is in the gym.  I have to stay focused, motivated, and fired-up.  "They Say" that being self-centered is bad…  "I Say" I can be no other way now…