mrdead’s BodyBlog

Okay, I work in an Internal Medicine clinic. Now, you would think that people in the health care field would be a little less obese. But, I am surrounded by "oompa-loompas"! I have actually had a co-worker say to me, while she literally had a full dozen doughnuts in front of her that she was shoveling in, "I don’t know why I can’t seem to lose any weight!" Or the nurses that say, "Can you go get this patient for me I just can’t walk that far." 75 percent of the nurses in my clinic are as wide as they are tall. And, these people are giving out nutritional and exercise advice!!! I even had a patient say that they would rather talk to another nurse about their weight concerns, because they know what it’s like to not have anything work for them. WTF??? When I had a physical a couple of years back, this morbidly obese gentleman decided to counsel me on my dietary needs. Uhm, no wonder most people don’t follow their doctor’s advice, since their nurse doesn’t even follow a healthy diet and exercise.

Now, onto the good news. I have an evaluation appointment on the 8th of October to get my umbilical (belly-button) hernia repaired. Yay!!!

Okay, I work in an Internal Medicine clinic. Now, you would think that people in the health care field would be a little less obese. But, I am surrounded by "oompa-loompas"! I have actually had a co-worker say to me, while she literally had a full dozen doughnuts in front of her that she was shoveling in, "I don’t know why I can’t seem to lose any weight!" Or the nurses that say, "Can you go get this patient for me I just can’t walk that far." 75 percent of the nurses in my clinic are as wide as they are tall. And, these people are giving out nutritional and exercise advice!!! I even had a patient say that they would rather talk to another nurse about their weight concerns, because they know what it’s like to not have anything work for them. WTF??? When I had a physical a caouple of years back, this morbidly obese gentleman decided to counsel me on my dietary needs. Uhm, no wonder most people don’t follow their doctor’s advice, since their nurse doesn’t even follow a healthy diet and exercise.

Now, onto the good news. I have an evaluation appointment on the 8th of October to get my umbilical (belly-button) hernia repaired. Yay!!!

Well, last night was back and arms. I got a killer pump, but I really need to start bringing something with me to the gym to slam in some immediate protein afterwards. I do believe I’ll start bringing a dose of Anator p-70 with me to the gym for some immediate nutrition, as the 20-30 minute drive from the gym takes some time. I’m starting to get more and more keyed in to the nutritional aspect of things, as I really want to bring my best ever to my next two shows. This past show was my first endeavor, and my mass building was basically bulking/fattening. So I wound up having to drop 40 pounds before my show, and lost what I thought was size, but I guess was just fat. I’m also centering in on my supplements as well. Before, while I was working my days off at GNC, I was trying anything within the rules, but not anything consistantly. I’ve now settled into a core of supplements, and hope to make some great gains. My lats and pecs were severely missing last show, so they will be getting a LOT of "special" attention. (Torture *L*)

The workout went as follows:

Back:

Deadlifts: 5 sets of 10 with one set of 25 for warm-up

Close grip lat pull-downs to the front: 5 sets of 12

Wide grip lat pull-downs to the front: 5 sets of 12

Hammer Machine rows: 5 sets of 12

Triceps:

press-downs with the "V" handle: 5 sets of 12 with 1 set of 25 for warm-up

Extensions: 5 sets of 12

Biceps:

Barbell curls: 5 sets of 12

Incline dumbell curls: 5 sets of 12

High cable curls: 5 sets of 12

On a side note: Yesterday, my mom was diagnosed with "Fascio-scapulo-humeral muscular dystrophy", which affects the muscles of the upper arms, traps and back. It’s genetic/hereditary and is most evidenced by scapular winging, degeneration of the biceps, inability to raise one’s arms, inability to purse the lips (whistle/drink from a straw), and facial drooping. It’s a degenerative disease that comes about slowly or quickly, more common in males than females (I don’t exhibit any of the signs or symptoms, and am more than likely just a carrier), and can have a 50/50 chance of affecting one’s offspring. It’s not a "fatal" disease, but incurable. Treatment currently is just maintaining quality of life. As I find out more, I will post. As I said, though, I do not exhibit any of these symptoms, and more than likely am unaffected. If anyone has better knowledge of this and can shed a little more light on the subject for me and my family, it would be greatly appreciated.

Well, I survived a rather painful weekend. It was saturated with in-laws. Now don’t get me wrong, normally we get along great. But… Sometimes, enough is enough, or too much! Friday, was at their house, with her grandparents and great-aunt and uncle. I had no clue as to their wonderful reminiscence of "old times". (Good thing Smackdown! was on.) I pretty much felt like the little kid who was stuck at the "kiddie table". Next day, was at her grandparents. The same people were there, with the addition of her aunt and uncle as well as their 2 boys. Again, it was the same thing, only the 2 boys (teenagers were wrapped up in texting on their cell-phones). Then came Sunday… I had the joy and pleasure of slaving over a grill for all 10 of these "wonderful" people, plus my "Dear Sweet Wife". And, of course, if you ask for any assistance it falls on deaf ears. So, I’m running back and forth like a madman, filling up the platter with chicken legs, thighs, and burgers. Finally, after everyone had eaten, and I was down to my food, I get asked, "Do you need any help?" If murder was legal, I’d have been very busy. So, as I’m sitting down to finally eat, I get asked, "Can you run and grab the cakes out of the fridge, for dessert?" I started to get a slight homicidal twitch. Then, as I’m drinking a Rockstar Juiced, I get grilled with, "How much alchohol is in that?" A. I’m over 21 B. It’s an energy drink, not like Rockstar 21 C. What I consume is none of their damned business! Then, as soon as the last bite of cake is devoured by our "wonderful" company, they’re gone, like the wind, and I’m left with the clean-up! (Somebody should’ve shot me, and put me out of my misery.) This will never happen, with my family, as they all live in the Midwest!!!

The other madness that has ended, is my orgy of carbs and "naughty" foods. I’m back to a bodybuilding diet, back at the gym, and "happy as a pig in slop!" I plan on greatly improving on my placing at my first show, and really making an impression next year!!!

Last night, was legs. I was still kind of sore, from hauling wood up from the front of the house uphill to the back. But, like a good boy, I went to the gym and had my first leg day on the "HUGE" program. I’m feeling it, today. I’m walking like Golum, from Lord of the Rings. But, it’s a good kind of sore. Oh, and if you have a spouse on this site, and only one computer between you, don’t forget to tell them that you logged them off. They wind up posting under your name, and get REALLY ticked off! And, then they go tattle to people about how much naughty stuff you’ve been eating since your contest. But, anyhow.

Abs:

Crunches: 2 sets of 20

Leg lifts: as above

Legs:

Leg extensions: 5 sets of 15

Squats: As above

Leg presses: as above

Hamstring curls: Same

Standing calf machine: Same

I figured out what happened in preparing for this past show. I started cutting at too low of a bodyweight. I need to gorge myself, and get into the 250-275 pound range. And, I started cutting too early. I think I’ll do it a couple of weeks before the show, this time around. And, I was eating things that were not conducive to growth. So this year, it will be cupcakes, twinkies, hotdogs and pizza! And, I’ll start cardio one week before the event. So, that will give me plenty of time to BULK!!!!

Just kidding. But the look on some people’s faces would’ve been priceless. Seriously, I do not plan to add too much fat, and will not be cutting down from 220 to 180. That was a bit much, and I was waaayyy too smooth, and small. So I will be working on bringing everything up, aside from my abs, which of course, will be brought down. I’ll try to be a LOT better about posting progress pics, but we use "old school" film cameras. I’ve also been reading "Huge" by Flex Magazine, and plan on trying some of the programs and techniques listed. So, starting monday it’s "game on".

My wife and I were having a conversation the other day. Just going over the things I needed for my show, and what I want to accomplish by my next one. And, I started thinking…

Let’s  see here… I’ve got my Venus razor, my Bikini Zone cream, my nail polish, my pumice stone for my feet, I’ve had to wear pantyhose to keep my thighs from rubbing together during long bouts of cardio. I’ve shaved all of my body, aside from head, eyebrows, and parts unknown… I want my chest to be bigger, I want this "pooch" in my tummy to go away… I’m retaining water… I’m  cramping… Holy Crap! Let’s just get me some feminine hygeine products, while we’re at it (Just in case I start having periods…)

During this treck, I have bought things for myself that I would never ever REMOTELY even thought I’d be buying for myself… (Aside from the nail polish, since I was in a band, and sometimes during faster songs, technique goes out the window, and you can wear a hole in your nail… But, anyhow) But it has been an extemely educational process. I now know what the other half goes through, to look her best. I’ve learned not to ask if I look fat, because I really don’t want to actually hear the answer. I’ve had envy of another person’s chest and waist. I’ve never really had a sweet tooth, but dammit, I want chocolate!!!!

I want to take timeout to thank everyone that has been behind me, on this surprisingly long journey. Thanks for the motivation, the advice, in some cases "brutal honesty", and those that have just listened to me whine. There are several of you out there, that are very near and dear to me, one even lives with me. And, there are those that don’t know me from "Adam", but continue to support me. So, a verrrrrry huuuuugggeeee THANK YOU, to you all!

I’ve started trying to be a lot more conscious about my attitude and irritability as of late. So, hopefully there will be some changes in that regard.

But on to less sappy things *L*. I’m getting extremely excited/nervous as the days pass. I’m taking more time to work on my posing, and trying to bring up my lagging areas (Lats, bis, abs, pecs, tris, quads, hams, delts, calves) The only thing I feel is where it should be is my traps. (I do so love to train them. Especially using the entire stack on the calf machine for shrugs, for reps) I’m kind of concerned about being able to cover up my tank top tan. I really hope the protan can hide it.

I’m still not sure how to best take advantage of the "pump-up room" before the show. Nor, do I know the exact itinerary of the contest, but I sure am looking forward to it.

I’ve got plans of goodies, that I’m going to have in my bag, for after the show, and what I am going to eat the day after. But the time leading up to the show from here on out, I am clueless. But, everyone has to start somewhere, right?

Anyhow, tonight is a night of strictly posing and cardio. So, I hope you all have an awesome day!

Well, last night I spent an hour and a half doing nothing but posing. Hitting every pose, holding it, repeating it. Then the "Coach/Torture Master/Dear Sweet Wife" would call out poses, and I would hit them. I would have to continue to do said poses until I got them right, and could hold them for "X" amount of time. Let’s just say that my muscles are feeling it. Posing is also helping me see what muscles need some more, or a TON of work. I also did abs and 10×10’s afterwards. I woke up whimpering like "A little Girly Man" *L*.  I figure I will do this at least 2-3 times per week, from here on out. And holding them for longer and longer. On regular gym days, I will still run through my mandatory poses as normal. As I’ve mentioned in an earlier post, I will be posing to Guns-n-Roses’ "Welcome to the Jungle". Choreography for that is a work in progress, and I won’t be doing anything fancy. Ed Corney, Darrem Charles, Melvin Anthony, and Kai Greene’s jobs are VERY safe. *L*

The question about nutrition has popped up a few times. It’s not anything real fancy. Different variations of packaged chicken breasts, tuna, Iso-pure Zero Carb protein RTDs, Nitro-tech, and if I’m a good boy, a bowl of oatmeal. No carbs after 6 PM, and I make sure to get some protein in me before going to bed, and when I wake up. I take in between 100-150 grams of protein in a day. (Occasionally I will get in 200 grams) Carbs have been between 30 and 50 grams, and fat has been very low, with a limit of 40 grams, that I rarely even get close to.

Supplements have pretty much been whittled down to the protein shakes mentioned above. NaNo-Vapor for a pre-workout jolt. I love that stuff, because it has most everything I need, in one cocktail. And a multi-vitamin, to top things off.

Tonight is legs, happy happy joy joy!  

Did legs, last night. My usual high volume approach. However, I was able to go up on all my lifts. (Gotta love that NaNo-Vapor! *L*) But, finally a day, where everything was clicking. Well, almost. But, I’ll get to that. Got an incredible pump, and was feeling great! Did my 10×10’s, hit 40 min on the treadmill, hit my poses. Got some post-workout nutrition. All was right in the world. Except…

Since last friday, I’ve only been able to sleep a maximum of 4 hours a night. I go to bed tired, at 10:00, and then (After multiple trips to the bathroom, in the night.) I get up at 5:00 to do my cardio, shower, and get ready for work. Well, when I got home last night. I plopped down for a moment, and when I went to stand I got light headed. This happened multiple times. So, I did what every little good boy and girl should do, and drank some more water, and ate some tuna. MUCH better. Drank a casein shake, just before 10:00. Tired as heck, and proceeded to toss and turn, until 1:00 am. I wonder if this is a natural progression with the metabolism being jacked, or what.

Tomorrow, I won’t be around, because I’m going to Ozzfest, and actually will get to meet Ozzy. His bass player (Rob Zombie’s former bassist) is a cousin of a very good friend of my wife, so they set up a meet and greet. Should be a blast. But, tonight it will be back, biceps, and fore arms. And, yes Kevin and Denise, the cardio will not be forgotten tomorrow.