mrdead’s BodyBlog

Last night was a bit unusual for me, as my "Coach/Torture Master/Dear Sweet Wife" was unable to workout with me, due to having to go retrieve her computer from the "Geek Squad". However, I dug into the trenches, and practiced the fine art of self-torture. I’ve been using the flex-solate straps since mid-April, for my back workouts, and they have really allowed me to hit and isolate my lats and traps! For those, that don’t know, I had an injury a while back "16 years ago" and had severely damaged both my hands, and on my left hand, the muscle wasn’t re-attatched properly, so I don’t have full use. But enough about that, I’m not here to whine or garner sympathy if I want that, I can look in the dictionary. *L* Anyhow.

Close grip pull-downs (Using the straps not the bar)

Wide grip pull downs (Using the straps attatched to the bar)

Hammer-Strenth "Machine" rows

Machine rows

Seated "Low" rows

Bi’s:

Barbell curls

Incline dumbell curls

Preacher curls

"Spider" curls

"High" cable curls

Rear Delts:

Reverse dumbell flyes

Cable reverse flyes

Traps: (I know I said I wouldn’t train them for a bit, but I can’t help it! *L*)

High cable rows

Calf-machine shrugs (Start @ 235, and keep skipping 2 plates, until you’re doing the stack)

This is a two day post. Monday, was leg day, and my 2nd workout on Nano-Vapor. I got a killer pump, and had one of those workouts, where your legs buckle, and you squelch the urge to puke. I went high-volume, as usual and packed on some more plates, as well. That was followed by 10×10’s (Kevin and Denise, if you are reading this, "I hate 10×10’s on leg day!" *L*), then practiced my poses, and then 30 min on the treadmill (level 9 and 4.2 speed).

Tuesday night, my "Dear Sweet Wife/ Coach/ Torturer", known as DD2INXS on here,  decided "we" needed to kick my cardio up a few notches, and take advantage of one of the rare nice evenings we have. This "Dear Sweet Evil Person" decided we were going to go on a hike. 7 miles later, we finished said hike. When your thighs have gotten to the point where they rub together when you walk, chaffing occurs. When a lot of chaffing occurs, blood occurs. So, now I’m stuck walking funny for a few days, and my legs are sore as hell! *G* What a great workout!  

Yesterday I had my first workout, taking the nano-vapor by muscletech. So far, just by estimation from that one workout, it’s as good as it’s claims. It’s a bit nasty going down, but I’ve had worse. But I noticed an increase in focus and drive. All I could think about on the way to the gym, was getting into my workout. I didn’t increase any lifts, but I was able to zero in on the muscle contraction. I did chest, tri’s and delts, yesterday. I did notice myself being a bit more impatient than usual, when waiting for equipment. But other than that, no real side effects.

Let’s all say it together… "Chris is a big dummy!" one more time, with feeling… *L* Wednesday, I spent 10 hours out doing yardwork. Mowing lawn, spraying trees and shrubs for bugs. I have an acre on a hillside, so I get great cardio, doing yardwork. However, during those 10 hours, I was stupid, and forgot to put sunscreen on. It was the first hot day we’ve had in a loooong time. Today is leg day, but I do not foresee myself doing hack squats or squats, or the standing calf machine for a few days. Let’s just say that I’m a "crispy critter". So I will be emphasizing extensions and seated calf raises. As well as my usual "ham" work.

Well, I have finally settled into my diet, with acceptance. The cravings have gone, as well as the urge to say screw it, and binge. The only difficult time I have, is when my co-workers go out of their way to make sure I smell and see the things I cannot have. But, that too, I have overcome. And, since then, those same people are coming to me, and asking advice. At first, most did not believe my sincerity. Some of the people on here doubted my intent, as well. I’ve come too far to turn back now. I’m FULLY comitted to finishing what I started. This has been an educational past year, and an experience I will repeat, with even more knowledge than before. Many of you were instrumental in helping me get to this point, whether you know it or not! Some of you helped for good reasons, some helped, just by ticking me off. Either way, it still motivated. To you all, I say thank you.

I’m less that 8 weeks out, and my top row of abs are coming in, nicely. The rest, well, not so nicely. I almost feel that the flab in my lower abs will never go away. Of course, I have never seen my lower abs, at least not since I was a kid. *L* I know I’m on the right track, but it still gets frustrating.

I’ve finally decided on a song to pose to. Drum roll, please…. *L* "Welcome to the Jungle" By Guns-n-Roses. Now that that’s over with… *L*

I’m changing my routine up a little, this week. I’m going to try and hit chest and back twice this week, since I feel that they need some tweaking. One workout will be high weight, low volume, and the other will be low weight, and insane volume. I hope that will shake things up, and keep moving in the right direction. Now, if I can just get rid of that ab fat, I’d be a "happy camper".

Getting support from others in this choice of lifestyle can be hard enough, as it is. Sometimes even our supporters have lapses, as well. Last night on our way home, in separate vehicles. My wife calls and tells me, she saw that the Spooner Farms strawberry stand was open. She then announces that she is turning around, and getting a flat of strawberries. After making her purchase she announces that she is not going to the gym with me. This is followed by the reason, that she is making strawberry shortcake. I get ready to go to the gym, I have my little pre-workout snack (no strawberries). I go to the gym, ALONE. I do my workout (legs), my 10×10’s, my posing, and my cardio. Now, by this time of night, carbs are not even an option.  As I come through the door at home, she is putting a huge mound of whipped cream on her homemade strawberry shortcake. The aroma of berries and shortcake filling the air. Now, strawberry shortcake isn’t anywhere near on my menu, this person that is my wife, then eats this strawberry shortcake in front of me!!! This is as I’m downing a protein shake that tastes like crap, since I don’t get to put milk in it. And, to top it all off, she did the whole sugar topping mix with ALL of the strawberries!!! The moral of this story is, make sure you can depend on yourself, and don’t count on total support from anyone.

And, I won’t even begin to talk about the wonderful people at work, that intentionally eat right in front of me, and try to tell me how wonderful and delicious their junk food is. Or, tell me about the pizza they’re going to eat that night!!!

13 JUN 07

45 min of cardio in the am.

Chest:

Decline Bench: 1 set of 20, 1 set of 15, and 2 sets of 10 (Increased weight on every set)

Incline Bench: 3 sets of 10

Bench: Same as Declines

Pec Deck: Same

Cable Cross-overs: Same

Triceps:

"V" Bar Press-downs: Same

Rope  Pull-downs: Same

Single Arm Pull-downs: Same

Triceps Extensions: Same, but with one added "burn-out" set

Delts:

Seated millitary press: Same

Lateral Raise Machine: Same

Standing side laterals: Same

10×10’s for biceps/triceps and chest/back

Posing

30 min on treadmill.

I’ve started not eating carbs after 6 in the evening, and seem to notice a difference, and weight is dropping, again.

As I posted yesterday, I was getting concerned about the scale and fat not moving. Well, the culprit has been found. ME. It seems that I WAS overlooking something. Something, as in the 34 grams of carbs in my creatine, and the carbs before sleep. So, I’ll be taking those out. Taking plain creatine with water, and a cold glass of water before bed, to fill my tummy. Let’s all say it together… "Chris is a big dummy…" One more time, with emphasis… "Chris is a big dummy…". (Thanks, Kevin) I’m also going to add another 15 min to my cardio.

Training was good, last night. My "Coach" was not feeling well, and stayed home due to her having a "tummy-ache". But I strove on, and perservered. I decided to hit my back, again, to shock my system, and try and stimulate a bit of growth. My lats are lacking a bit. But, anyhow.

Until next time,

Chris

I’m less than 9 weeks out, now. And last week I got to thinking about how it would be a lot better for me, if I got some things straight, ahead of time. I started asking questions about hair removal, "color", posing suits, and posing music. Then I got to thinking about diet, for my last week. I realize, that on the diet thing, I was definitely "jumping the gun". However, the rest I feel is better to have in order, ahead of time, instead of rushing around at the last minute, and come in with those items obscuring everything I’ve worked hard for. I’ve narrowed my choices of posing music to possibly be: "Weird Science" or "Deadman’s Party", by Oingo Boingo, or "More Human Than Human" or "Super Beast" by Rob Zombie. Suit color will be black, and I will start getting my body used to shaving, this week.

But, back to the present, my weight and bodyfat are at a standstill. I’ve been watching my diet, and hitting cardio twice a day. And, it’s getting frustrating. I know Rome wasn’t built in a day, but even a little change would be nice. I just feel that I’m overlooking something, or even being overly anal. I don’t know, but something has to change!

No lifting yesterday, but did the 45 min. fast hill walk. And, for the evening 30 min on the eliptical. Any hints or suggestions are always welcome.

Until next time,

Chris