ROCKLOCKRIDGE’S BLOG

I have already been on one two mile walk today and I am about to go on my second.  Doing all this cardio is getting old, but there is one constant thought that goes through my mind.  With each step, I am getting better.  I am leaner with every step I take.  I just gotta take it one step at a time.  With every step that I walk, I am better.  With every step I am able to run, I am better yet.  This is going to happen.  It has to happen.  Every step I take impacts my future on this sport.  If I don’t take it that seriously, I am wasting my time.

Hell, I will say it myself.  I know I don’t look like the embodiment of bodybuilding.com.  I am fully aware of this and am not trying to be something I am not.  I messed up in 2008 and let myself go.  I regret it.  believe me.  It is many times harder to get it back once you lose it.  The fact is however that I have lost almost 50 pounds of fat in 2009.  I have much more work to do but I swear that I am giving all that I have to give and doing EVERYTHING necessary to live up to bodybuilding.com’s standards.

If nothing else, I hope that this journey being made in front of the world will inspire that one person that doesn’t think it can happen to realize that it is possible and it is time to do it.  I understand those of you that feel that I shouldn’t be on here because I am not ripped and jacked up.  Please give me a chance to prove myself worthy.  I am doing this and once I get back in shape, I WILL NEVER LET MYSELF GO AGAIN!

GO TO youtube.com/rocklockridge or check the video out on my profile.  I train arms and I use FST-7.  Check it out now and let me know what you think.

Sunday was probably one of the worst days of my life, but now it is time to move forward and get back to it.  It does not what the adversity is, it does not matter how long or how hard the adversity is to overcome, with God looking over me, I can and WILL overcome anything.  I am still going to meet all of my goals by the end of the year.  I am going to get back to work.  The iron may have thought it is now safe, but if anything, I am now more dangerous, I am more determined, I am more ambitious to meet my goals and to help anyone else I can meet their goals.  Bring it, bring it, bring it.  My time is now.  Your time is now.  Go train and when you are done, have no regrets.  Give all you have to give because you deserve nothing less.

Rock

I am heading back to the gym in the morning after making arrangements for Hallie’s funeral.  This has been the most draining 48 hour period of my life.  It is one thing to have to help plan a funeral.  It is a whole other ball of wax to have to organize a funeral for a seven week old baby with having no experience doing it before.  I am glad that part is over and dreading the actual event this Sunday.

Thanks for all the support and prayers the past couple of days.  The Lord answered by comforting me as often as possible during this time.  I am asking for his strength to now be physical as I return to my home, doctor, therapist, friend, and hobby.  I go back to the gym.

I hope to get back to the 12 week series next week.  I apologize for the lack of updates.

Keep the Reddens in your thoughts and I promise you that I am going to be the Master Motivator, Real-World Champion, and the best possible form of inspiration that I can be.  God Bless You All!

Roger

A new article debuted on bodybuilding.com

 http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/training_day_motivation.htm

Let me know your thoughts.  Also, thank you to everyone for their thoughts and prayers after the passing of my niece.  Arrangements are made so it will be back to business tomorrow.

Roger

Due to the death of my fiancees seven week old niece, I will be taking personal time to support her and the family during this tragic time.  Please keep the Redden family in your thoughts and prayers.  Thank you.

Roger

I mentioned on Thursday that I have an elbow injury and will have to take 7-10 days off from the iron.  After only three days, I had more time than usual to think about the past few months and more importantly, think about my future.  How bad do I want my goals?  What am I willing to do to get what I want?  What will I sacrifice and what price will I pay?

I got to realizing that this isn’t about just getting in shape.  If I want to realize my goals, then I have to train and live like I already have it.  I must basically conduct myself as if I am a professional athlete.  I must overcome the pain, injuries, and mental anguish and go do what the other guy is not willing to do.

I also got to thinking about all of those people that read my writing.  I thought about all of those folks that believe in me.  I also had another thought.  Someone who writes an article about being a real world champion better act like a champion.  You better have the goods.
So with all of that in mind, I sucked it up, reevaluated my elbow, consulted with my therapist again and said that ten days out of the gym doesn’t cut it.  We came up with a solution, and I went back into the gym this morning and destroyed any obstacle that in my path.  My shoulder workout today was unreal.  I was jacked from beginning to end.

After this morning, after seeing all those BodySpace people like King losing 75 pounds and Jen being better than ever, I am back and better than ever.  Watch my climb up that ladder, rung by rung by rung.  I am going to do bodybuilding.com proud and prove why I am who I am and I will be who I knew all along that I can be.

Game on.

Unfortunately, I am dealing with what is believed to be a bicep brachii strain or possible partial tear.  Under the advisement of both my doctor and the great physical therapists at my gym, I am taking 7-10 days off from weight training.  I will still do cardio and abs.  I will also be changing up the 12 Week Series.  After the shoulder workout comes out later today or tomorrow, I will be doing Q & A videos until I get back in the gym.  My target date to resume with the weights is August 24.  If you have any questions you want answered, leave a comment or email me at rock23@bodybuilders.com.  Thanks for all of your support.

Rock

This is a twofold blog, because although I got a cool gift today, I would have never wanted to see it.  I got my hands on an original unplayed copy of Body of Work.  It even had the letter from Bill and the Make a Wish pamphlet in it and everything.

I would rather not have it because I got it at a yard sale.  It turns out that the person got it from her daughter who got the tape from me 10 years ago.  I was hoping she would watch the tape with me and we get involved together with the program. We would have entered the couples division.

Unfortunately, she broke up with me (on my 18th birthday) and never watched it.  Once the lady knew it was from me originally, she gave it to me.  That girl would go on to a future that I would rather not talk about here because it isn’t all that positive.

As for me, I did watch that tape religiously and as the late great Paul Harvey would say, "Now you know…The Rest of the Story."