The Journey

Treadmill run. 30 minutes.  First 5 minutes speed 5.5, 2nd 5 minutes speed 5.8, third 5 minutes 6.0 speed, 4th 5 minutes 6.2 speed, 5th 5 minutes 6.4 speed, then gradually back down to 5.5 speed over 1 minute intervals. Total calories burned=355.

31 Minute run on the treadmill at 5.5 speed to burn 355 calories.  2 hours of sleep really does hinder how much cardio you can do.  Definitely resting up tonight.

There are many crossroads in life.  So many choices to ponder and decisions to be made.  What we do in life defines our purpose.  Ultimately, the journey will always be more important than the destination.  How we get there and why are the real questions?  How did I come this far?  Should I look back upon my years?  What will I tell my kids about how I lived my life?

Even though the days just fly on past me as I move closer to my goals I am left to wonder how I will look back on my life.  Then, it hits me like a bolt of lightning.  Why am I looking back?  Why am I wondering?  What good is it to look back when what is before me is ten times more important.  That’s when change comes.  Change is good for me.  I am scientific and precise in my daily routine with eating, sleeping, and training, so any change is welcomed.  The change that I have recently undergone has been life altering.

A year ago I would have never pictured myself so devoted to lifting and fitness.  Where did this change come from?  I’m not entirely sure.  I mean I have lifted all my life, but I was never really so passionate about it as I am now.  I think there were a combination of different things.  I had done some soul searching last summer and tried the God thing, then I tried the music thing again.  Nothing seemed to fit.  Nothing seemed right.  Then, I started hitting the weight room again.  I took a long break from it because I was more concerned with my social life than anything else.  When I felt the seemingly cold iron in my palms I remembered so many things about my life.  Things fell into place again.  Life made sense again, simple as it may sound.

So at that point there was a crossroads.  I had found a place for myself in the iron.  The question then was, "how far do I want to take this?"  The answer came simple one day while I was doing some incline dumbbell bench presses.  I hit a landmark weight for myself that day.  I remember the feeling.  The feeling of being bigger and stronger.  The feeling that I finally had purpose in this world.  This was change.  This was change within.  This was the start of a new life.  The destination was on the map again.

Brothers, I tell you, nothing is certain in this life.  Once you find something that holds you together and gives you strength and courage, give it everything you have.  If it means a complete change within yourself, then make that change.  Don’t ask yourself what you will look back on in your life, ask yourself, "what do I have to look forward too in my life?"  Welcome change that creates purpose.  Always choose the higher path.  It may be the harder path, but trust me it will lead you to morality and character.  I’ll see ya at the next crossroads.

33 Minute run 5.3 speed.  Running after leg day is like self-mutilation.

After leg workouts cardio is a whore.  Stairmaster 15 minutes.  First 5 minutes level 10, second 5 minutes level 11, minute 5 back down to level 6, minute 3 back up to level 8, last 30 seconds level 12. Total calories burned=168

Just for my own benefit putting down some quick math so I can get my target bodyweight.

Start of cut 10.5% bodyfat 152 lbs.  Goal bodyfat 7%.  Losing .75-1 lbs. a week I am now at 150 lbs. and 9.5% bodyfat after 2.5 weeks.

This was right on target with the estimates that I had made before about losing about 3/4 of a lb each week.  In this case if I was to lose that amount for the next 6 weeks, I should reach my target bodyfat % 6.5.  This is assuming I adjust caloric intake down as my weight decreases, and I do everything right with cardio and such.  Let’s hope I do!

Treadmill run.  Total 30 minutes started at 5.5 speed, at minute 25 went up to 5.8 speed.  On minute 15 went up to 6.0 speed, on minute 8 went up to 6.2, 6 went up to 6.4, minute 3 went up to 6.6 speed.  Burned 353 calories.

Treadmill Run.  33 Minutes total to burn 403 calories.  Minutes 1-3 speed 5.5, minutes 3-6 speed 5.6, minutes 6-9 speed 5.7, minutes 9-12 speed 5.8, minutes 12-15 speed 5.9, minutes 15-18 speed 6.0, minutes 18-21 raised incline to .5 speed 6.0, minutes 21-24 raised incline to 1.0 speed 6.0, minutes 24-27 raised incline to 1.5 speed 6.0, minutes 27-33 raised incline to 2.0 speed 6.0.

BTW the bodyfat increase was because I was measuring my bodyfat wrong with the caliper.  It’s actually higher than I thought.  So I guess I started cutting at a higher percentage that I thought I was at.  Oh well, it will just take a little more time.  Nothing wrong with that.

Am I missing out on life?  Am I missing out on the numerous parties that my friends talk about where they got wasted and threw up on a construction cone while riding down the freeway?  Am I missing out on those dinners out with a special girl who catches my fancy?

You’re damn right I am.  That’s how devoted I am.  I was recently asked to go to a party in Charlotte, North Carolina where a really awesome DJ was spinning.  It was interesting that the first thought that came to my head was, "what am I going to do about food?"  I pride myself in adapting very well to situations, but the thought of being without my power foods and the sustenance that keeps my body from going catabolic is too much to bear.

I think I spoke out loud.  Oops.  I got angry looks.  "You *******.  If that’s the only reason that you’re not going that’s so STUPID!"  Yeah, it’s ****ing stupid.  Just as stupid as  spending nights and days researching the cure for cancer, or just as stupid as the musician who practices the same 4 measures of a song endlessly to get it right.  Yeah, it’s ****ing stupid.

Am I missing out on life?  Maybe.  Depends on what you look for in life.  If life to you is enjoying every second of everyday and creating a utopia of contentment around yourself.  Yes, I am missing out on life.  If life is working your freaking ass off too achieve a pinnacle within oneself, then I most definitely am not.  Some people that I come across respect and honor my passion.  Comments such as "I wish I was so passionate and devoted to one thing like you are."  I wish, I wish, I wish.  I feel sympathy for these lost souls.  I just want to console them for their troubles.  Go out and get it.  Find that thing that empowers you.  Makes you whole.  Easier said then done I guess…

The thing I wonder about the most is if I am missing out on other opportunities to enrich my life.  Maybe it’s a new girl, or a new career.  Am I missing out on these things by focusing all my energy on this lifestyle.  It’s quite possible, and that’s scary, but how hard would this journey be if there wasn’t fear involved.  Fear can drive us, push us to excel, or it can demolish us and frustrate us.

Am I missing out on all the parties?  Yes.  Am I missing out on eating chocolate ice cream with a pretty girl?  Yes.  Am I missing out on sleeping in all day?  Yes.  I am missing out on a lot of things.  No matter how much I miss out on, though, I will never miss out on being true to myself.  For me, that is what matters beyond all the parties, the booze, and the chocolate ice cream.  Never forgetting how hard I have worked and how honest of a man I have become.  I will never miss out on myself.

15 Minutes Stairmaster level 10 to burn 187 calories, then 10 minutes treadmill speed 5.5, then 10 more minutes on 5.8 speed to burn a total of 228 calories.  Total cardio workout=415 calories.