Saint’s BodyBlog

My fellow bodybuilders,

I finally have a chance to sit down and write on the start of a whole new chapter in my life.  Actually I kind of think of it more as a whole new book, how my life has changed.  For those who don’t know, I recently moved to Ft. Myers, FL (southwestern Florida) to go through the year long internship at ECHO.  ECHO, Educational Concerns for Hunger Organization, is a Christian organization who’s primary focus is to fight world hunger.  We operate a 5 acre farm here that has many aspects to it.  The important centerpiece of the farm is the global village gardens, which has often been referred to a living classroom.  Each of the 6 areas each represents a different part of the world in which farmers have difficulty growing food.  As our focus is to the poor, we focus on tropical areas.  The 6 gardens are urban rooftop, rainforest, semi-arid, monsoonal, hillside or mountainous and humid lowlands.  In each area, farmers are faced with a particular problem when growing crops.  We demonstrate solutions that use appropriate technology, sustainable and meet the demands of the farmer.  Many of these solutions have in fact come from other people in another part of the world.  Our purpose is to network people and development workers world-wide to these solutions in fighting world hunger.  Yes, we do develop our own solutions here, but the focus is that the solution has already been discovered by someone.  For more information, you may go to our website (http://www.echonet.org).

My job here is to oversee the semi-arid garden (think the Sahels of Africa), the goats and the forage bank.  Yes, we are allowed and encouraged to use the food produced here on farm.  And yes, this will mean I get to slaughter and butcher a goat or two at some point for eating.  I am also looking forward to producing my own corn meal, black pepper and cassava.  But for the most part as an intern, I work with the other 7 interns to make sure the farm is functioning and things are moving along well.  My day starts before 6am to get to the 7:30am intern meeting. Then my day doesn’t end until 5pm, more or less.

So I finally put together my goals while I’m at ECHO.  As ECHO is a non-profit, my monthly paycheck will not be all that great.  Its not bad either though.  However, there will need to be a cutback on my food budget in order to keep my bank account in the black.  Plus as now a fighter against world hunger, I would like to find ways to make my bodybuilders diet more sustainable and not too mention cheaper.  My main idea at the moment is to reduce the amount of protein and increase the carb intake, which I think should be more sustainable.  At the moment, my mass goal will be to maintain my muscles while losing as much fat as possible.  As I figure out my diet, I’ll first focus on losing the blubber and getting more ripped.  Then I’ll switch gears and start piling on the muscle again, but adding as little fat as possible.  However, I may try doing both at the same time over the next year.  But I do want to see my abs by June 2009.  Just like my work at ECHO, an experiment.  So without further ado, here are the specific goals I’d like to work towards.

Size Goals:

Bodyweight: 195 to 205lbs (maintenance)

Bodyfat: 8 to 10% (or when I see my abs finally)

Chest: 48 to 50in

Waist: 31 to 32in

Arms: 17.5 to 18iin

Forearms: 14 to 14.5in

Thighs: 27 to 28in

Calves: 18 to 18.5in

Shoulders: 55 to 58in

Strength Goals (for 6RM amounts)

Flat Bench: 245 to 275lbs

Incline Bench: 245 to 275lbs

Dips: 290lbs (200lbs bodyweight + 90lbs in plates)

Shoulder Press: 225 to 245lbs

Bent-Over Rows: 245 to 275lbs

Stiff-Legged Deadlifts: 365lbs

Squats: 495lbs (with perfect form)

Mixed Grip Chins: 290lbs (200lbs bodyweight + 90lbs plates)

Shrugs: 405lbs

BB Curls: 135lbs

For my strength goals, I’m not too sure how much I’ll be able to increase my lifts as much as I have in the past.  As such, these lift amounts will not be a priority and I’ll accomplish as I’m able to.  However that being said, I’d really love to bring my bench up to 275lbs.  For the size goals, legs will not be a priority as my legs are pretty big as is.  My goal will be to bring up to par the lagging parts, mainly chest, arms and shoulders.  I’d like for the chest size increase to come mostly from increases in my pec size.  For arms, I’ll work towards getting my arms as big as they’ll go.  So, I may end up breaching 18in, but not sure what will be accomplish while at ECHO.  So at the end, I want to much more shredded, but also even bigger and stronger than ever.  Let the games begin.  I’ll really need everyone here on BB.com to help with keeping me on target and motivated.  I’ve already gotten the nickname, Arnold, here.  So I look forward to making that name fit

.

To my fellow C3′ers,

Here is my first draft of the goals I’d like to shot for Challenge 3 or C3.  The emphasis this time around will on my chest and delts.  This is primarily due to the fact that my shoulder seems to be doing well and I’m returning very fast back to benching over 200lbs at reps.  Comparing the results of C2 and C1, I can tell overall I did much better during the first Challenge.  The major difference between the two was I trained to increase my lifts or maximum strength.  As I have some strong mesomorphic characteristics, I think my body responds well to this type of training.  By increasing my lifting ability, I will be able to have higher volume during a hypertrophic style workout with will mean bigger muscles in the end.  I also know I need to take a couple of weeks at a lower intensity to let my tendons heal up and catch up to the bigger muscles I developed during C2.   So my time will be split as such.

Schedule:

April: 1st week completely off; 3 weeks at lower intensity and higher reps

May: 4 weeks of Maximum Strength Training (MST)–> 1-5reps, 4-6sets, 3-5min rest, 1-3 exercises per bodypart, each bodypart only once per week

May-June: 5 weeks of hypertrophic training–>8-12 reps, 3-5sets, 60-90s rest, 2-4 exercises per bodyparts, delts and traps twice per week, all other parts once per week

Here are my goals at the moment.

Size Goals:

Bodyweight: 200-205lbs

Bf%: 8-10%

Chest: 47-48in

Waist: 30-31in

Arms: 17.25-17.5in

Shoulders: 55-57in

Forearms: 13.5-14in

Thighs: 27-28in

Calves: 18in

Strength Goals: All are 6RM, unless stated otherwise
BB Bench: 225lbs for 10

Incline BB Bench: 185-225lbs for 10

BB Rows: 255-275lbs

BB Shoulder Press: 225lbs

BB Upright Rows: 135lbs

Weighted Chins : 75lbs+bodyweight

Lying Skullcrushers: 135lbs

BB Curls: 100-110lbs

Deadlifts: 365lbs

Shrugs: 365lbs

Squats: 405-450lbs for 10reps at full range (thighs parallel)

Dips: 45-90lbs (optional if shoulder behaves)

I have no idea how much my lifts are going to increase during the strength phase.   Please do let me know what you think. I always appreciate any constructive input and suggestions.

Greetings everyone,

I trust everyone is having a pleasent holiday season.  I for one am truly looking forward to the next challenge (aka C2).  I hope to begin bringing those parts up that I was unable to really touch on during the previous challenge due to shoulder problems.  Well suffice to say, my shoulder is doing lots better, but for pecs I still am a ways away for going full power.  However after this past month, I’m confident my arms are ready to start taking a heavier and more intense workout.  As a result far as size is concerned, my arms will be my focus during C2.  However, there was also other goals during C1 I didn’t achieve.  This is my quads.  I wasn’t able to break 27in, but got close at 26.5.

The schedule for workouts is divided into two phases.  The first month will "Strength Endurance" training.  This is where I’ll be supersetting a regular exercise with a stability one.  I’ll be working each bodypart at least twice a week.  This isn’t high volume, but will be using lower reps of 6-12 with shorter rest.  According to NASM, this builds the foundation necessary to advance to a hypertrophic workout.  I’m hoping during this phase to bring my arms back online to full power and intensity. For pecs and delts, I will continue to work to bring them up to intensity.  My progress on these parts will be dictated by how fast my shoulder heals.  My policy throughout C2 is to give my shoulder healing precedence over everything else.

The second phase is the part I’m most looking forward to.  This is where I’m hoping to make my arms explode with growth along with the rest of me.  I’ll be working out 5 times per week and working arms twice per week.  In order to induce hypertrophy, workouts will consist of moderate reps (6-12), high number of sets (3-5) and moderate rest (60-90sec).  There will also be more exercises per bodypart.  I’ll be choosing mostly compound, mass building exercises with a handful of shapers thrown in.  It is during this phase I will be deploying a secret weapon which you will have to wait for.

Far as diet, I will be using a scheme given to me by upcoming natural bodybuilder Josh (jcon40).  It is through this diet plan I hope to shock my system and really bring down my bodyfat while maintaining the muscle I’ve gained.  Due levels of intensity of my workouts, this will be done only during the first phase.  During the second phase, I’m thinking of returning to a more normal diet.  Through both phases, I hope to finally achieve something I’ve only dreamed of, but never truly thought possible.  I’m going to try and break the 200lbs barrier, but drop my bodyfat to 10% or less.  So without futher ado here are my goals.

Size Goals:

Weight: 200lbs

Bodyfat: 10%

Chest: 47in

Waist: 32in

Arms: 17in

Thighs: 28-28.5in

Calves: 17.75in

Forearms: 13.5in

Shoulders: 53in

Strength Goals (6RM unless stated different)

BB Bench: 155lbs

BB Rows: 245lbs

BB Shoulder Press: 185lbs

Lying Skulls: 135lbs

BB Curls: 110lbs

Deadlifts: 345lbs

BB Squats: 495lbs (for 10 reps)

BB Shrugs: 385lbs

These goals are still in the work and I could use your input.  Too much or too little.  Tips are also welcomed too.

Thanks,

St. Tim

To all,

This is to inform all my supporters and friends here that my grandfather, Robert Wills, passed away yesterday at 10:30am (PDT).  He was 86 years old and had a very full life.  He was an avid baseball fan who always routed for the SF Giants and got my dad and uncle into baseball.  He also was a submariner aboard the SS-381 Sand Lance during World War II in the Pacific as a torpedo man.  How on earth a guy 6ft4in ever got selected to aboard a submarine is beyond me.  I remember a story he told of when a Japanese plane stumbled upon them at the surface.  For those unaware, planes are one of the top killers of subs.  Well after some research on Wikipedia, I got more of the story.  According to the story on Wikipedia, they submerged and put the periscope to find they were in the middle of a Japanese convoy.  With 6 torpedos, they had to make sure they counted.  They fired 4 aft and 2 fore.  They managed to hit 6 ships targeted and sink 2 of them.  As a result though, they had to endure a 16hr punishing depth charge bout.  Obviously they did make it out and back to Pearl.  There are much more stories on Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Sand_Lance_(SS-381))
Another thing which I came to realize was his importance to my interest in and pursuit of bodybuilding.  One Christmas back in about 1998, he got me "Gold’s Gym Encyclopedia of Bodybuilding".  While not my first book, it was the book that launched me to getting more serious about lifting weights and bodybuilding.  Later on I got some cash to spend from him from Christmas.  I spent this on "Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Encyclopedia of Bodybuilding", which also has played a big role in my bodybuilding pursuit.  My grandfather also was an encourager of my pursuit and was proud of when I finally broke 225lbs for 6 on bench press.  So I realized he played an important part into me building the beefy Tim you see today.  To honor this, I have decided to dedicate this next year of bodybuilding to him.  I plan to be getting close to me ultimate goals for bodybuilding and can not think of any better way to honor him.

I was able yesterday with my dad, step-mom and uncle to see him one last time and say goodbye.  As it will be a closed casket, it was a privilege to be one of the last family members to see him one last time.  His health had been failing over the past 9 months with him getting progressively weaker.  Although over the past 5-10 years, he has been cheating death.  While we will miss him greatly, it was his time and he is suffering no more.  I know he was a Christian, so one day I hope to see him again.  When I do see him again, he will no longer be the frail and weak man I known him as these past years.  It is on this I want to charge to my fellow bodybuilders.  Strength, size and vigor are mere vapor.  Here today and gone tomorrow.  Life is short.  Remember that when it is all stripped away, only family, friends and the relationships is what truly matters.  Bodybuilding and fitness are nothing compared to this and to knowing Christ as Savior.  And for those who don’t yet know Christ as Savior, I invite you ask Him into your life.  Life and death is truly hopeless without Him. Remember to live each day to the fullest, making the most of every opportunity.   Go now therefore into the world and live life and enjoy your time here on earth.  Now unto Him who can do more than we can ask or imagine, who payed the price so we may have fellowship with Him.  Glory to God.  Amen.

In Christ,

Tim/Saint

I wanted to post my 2008 goals to one put them in writing so I actually have to do them and two allow you my fellow bodybuilders to keep on target during this next year.  By doing this, I’m hoping all of these goals will be met beyond what I could have ever dreamed of.

The primary overarching goal this year is hypertrophy or increase in muscle size.  Any strength gains will be to allow for continued hypertrophy.  However, there are a handful of strength gains on a handful of exercises I would like to see accomplished.  These are from this past year that I was unable to complete.  In addition to increased muscle size, I want to be completely healed of my tendinitis and able perform any exercise, especially chest, without any pain in my tendons.

As I have been studying to become a personal trainer through NASM, I’m going to employ concepts and schemes recommended by NASM.  Apart from improved set and rep schemes, I will be cycling through different types of training (Stabilization/Strength Endurance, Hypertrophy, Maximal Strength).  The endurance type of training will be used allow for my body to rest before the next cycle of hypertrophy and strength.  Hopefully, this should keep my body well and avoid any further injuries.  This will be augmented through inputs and advice from people such as Josh and Hulkinout.  By using these improved concepts, advice and improved nutrition, I hope to create a perfect storm this next year and end up with a body that is significantly bigger and stronger.  I hope to be getting close to many of my ultimate goals.  Please keep in mind these goals are not set in stone.  Things can and will be adjusted as necessary.  So without further ado, here they are.

Size Goals:

Weight: 210-220lbs

Bodyfat: less than 10%

Chest: 48-50in

Arms: 18-19in

Forearms: 14.5-15in

Thighs: 30in

Calves: 18-19in (will be doing this with Josh)

Waist: 31-32in

Shoulders: 55in

Strength Goals: (for 6 reps)
Barbell Flat Bench: 275-315lbs

Barbell Bent-Over Rows: 275lbs

Barbell Shoulder Press: 275lbs

Weighted Chins: 90lbs

Weighted Dips: 90lbs

Barbell Lying Skullcrushers: 155lbs

Barbell Curls: 135lbs

Deadlifts: 405lbs

Squats: 585lbs (for 10 reps)

Barbell Shrugs: 405lbs

Shape Goals:

Chest: More fully developed, upper and lower filled in, clearer separation between front delts and lower edge of pecs

Back: More definition, width and thickness

Abs: Can actually see the abs, look like bricks

Quads: More definition from top to bottom (especially top), better outer sweep

Hams: Fuller development, balanced with quads, more definition\

Overall: Improved vascularity (bring out current veins more clearly

Cardiorespirtory: Get heart rate to drop from 80-85% HRM to 65-75% HRM in under a minute.  Begin to use Stage 3 training (85-90%).

So here you have it.  So let it be written, so let it be done.  If you have any inputs or suggestions on the goals directly, I would be appreciative.  If you have any advice or tips in helping my to reach these goals, I would be even more grateful.

Until next time,

Saint Tclipse

To my fellow bodybuilders,

Over the past three months, I have been participating in a Challenge with a bunch of other people here.  The purpose was to set a goal or goals for us to achieve over these three months.  The idea was to help keep each other accountable, to encourage each other and to challenge ourselves to what is possible.  So for me here is my goals and what was achieved.

1.) Increase weight to 190 to 195lbs, but drop bodyfat down to 13%–> Currently at 195lbs at 13%

Running the numbers, I went from 184lbs at 15% bf to 195lbs at 13% bf.  This means a 2lbs decrease in fat, but a 13.5lbs increase in muscle.  Not bad.

2.) Size Goals

Quads: 27in–> currently 26.5in (knee pain held me back)

Calves: 17.5in–> currently 17.25in (calves are stubborn what can I say)

Forearms: 13.5–>currently 13.25in (another stubborn bodypart)

Chest: 45in–> currently 45in (most happy about this measurement–>mostly due to lat increase)

3.) Strength Goals:

Deadlift 350lbs for 6 reps: Currently at 315lbs for 9 reps (Not achieved)
Barbell Row 225lbs for 6 reps: Doing 225lbs for 7 reps
MG Chins 45lbs for 6 reps:  Doing 55lbs for 9 reps
Squat 405lbs for 10 reps: Doing 425lbs for 10 reps

Leg Press 1000lbs for 10 reps: Doing 900lbs for 10 reps (knee issues)

3. Tendinitis: Still present, although I think it is heading in the right direction even if slowly.

So all in all, I think this Challenge went quite well for me.  Although I had major set-backs, such as not being able to do chest, arms and delts for all of October, I was able to continue to improve those areas I could.  I also have better learned how to listen to my body and then respond appropriately.  Above all goals, it is vital to my well-being, and all those on the challenge, to put our health first.  Another very important item for me was showing me what is possible and giving me an incentive to see it through.  I have put on a whooping 13lbs of muscle in these three months.  If anyone a year ago said I’d be over 190lbs and leaner than ever, I would say they were crazy.  All of you on the Challenge were instrumental at to helping me push on.  I also greatly enjoyed friendships that have developed.  So many thanks.

Thanks first to Josh, if you’re reading this.  You put me on this path, gave me the knowledge diet wise what to do and believed in my ability to achieve my goals even when I didn’t.  You’re an awesome man and friend.  Keep pumping.

Thanks to my dear friends Jeff, Jim, Brian, Looch, Andre, Sam, Jay, Dan, Dave, Justin, A.C., Industrial Freak, TimmyTr and pga003 (sorry if I forgot to mention anyone).  You all have been swell buds.  You encouraged me, you kept me honest and you challenged me to do my best.  It has been a blast getting to know you and seeing how you all so much improved as well.

Well everyone it is over.  I’m going to take it a little more easy this month and allow everything to heal up before the next cycle.  I will continue to stay in touch and will be working more to get this tendinitis fully licked.  I would also like to invite all of you to join me for Challenge 2 to start either January or Feb.  I’ve enjoyed this so much, I think we would all benefit from doing this again.  Dream big guys.  This is Tim signing off from Challenge 1.

Laters,

Saint

My fellow bodybuilders,

I have something I need to get off my chest that happened to me yesterday.  A couple of weeks ago I watched for the first time, "Pumping Iron".  Actually, I watched the making of the movie first then the movie.  It is quite interesting to see how pretty much the whole fitness industry came out of bodybuilding and this movie.  Or more accurately, getting fit and bodybuilding became more acceptable and mainstream.  Before Pumping Iron, bodybuilders as a whole were thought of a freaks or side shows.  Society thought we were nothing more than people trying to overcome inferiority complexes.  While I think society has accepted us bodybuilders more, I think there is still prejudice against us.  This was made evident yesterday.

After lunch, he commented he was cold.  I said I was not due to my girth, although I can still be effected.  He made a comment how I always talk about my muscles and such.  The thing is bodybuilding is now much more center stage in my life.  I merely want to share with my friends what I’m doing in the gym, just as they would share what they’re doing in their lives.  Lately, I have been noticing much more how people make fun of me and my bodybuilding.  Quite frankly, I am disgusted by it and hurt.  So no longer able to keep quite, I told my friend how insulting it was.  He said that all my talk of what I’m doing in the gym is a put-down of others.  We proceeded to have a very lengthy conversation of what he thinks bodybuilding is and how I seem to be mis-understood and unsupported by those who should, my fellow church goers.  I do think he now as a much better understanding of what bodybuilding is and why I do it.  In the end, he wants me to keep my bodybuilding to myself.  In other words, I am not allowed to express who I am and who God made me to be.

I find this statement and idea from him repulsive.  This year is the first time I actually have started calling myself a bodybuilder, for that is what I do. The whole reason why I never called myself this is because those around me didn’t understand.  I was fearful of what others would think, which no doubt translated into poorer performance in the gym.  There have been people, I must say, who have been incredibly supportive.  These friends of mine have been the ones who have encouraged me to come out of my shell and show to the world that I am a bodybuilder.  These handful of friends and family have acted as a proper support group should.  They support me, I support them.  Yes, those of you here on BB.com have been one of my best support and pushed me beyond.  Where I am going to go with this or what actions need to be taken, I do not know.  I know I need to listen to those who do support me and not to those who don’t.  Also, I know I need to listen to the one small voice, God.  It is He who created and formed me this way.  It is His opinion that matters above all.  Is it not dishonoring to Him to not use the gifts and talents He gave me?  Thank you to all who have supported me and will no doubt continue to.  You have been and will always be a breath of fresh air.  For I am no longer going to keep silent.  For I know that, I AM A BODYBUILDER!

Thanks for listening,

Saint

Greetings again my fellow bodybuilders,

This month has had its ups and its downs for sure.  I hit many of my goals, but are lagging on some which I thought I could easily do.  I also had a major let-down in at the beginning of the month.  I came to the realization that I needed to take off completely from chest, delts and arms.  For chest and delts, I wasn’t too concerned as I already know I working to get these back up.  The big one was arms.  As you may know, my original goal for the challenge was to get my arms up to 17in.  With not doing arms for a month and taking it easy for the next two months or so, this made obtaining 17in completely out of the realm of possibilities.  While a let down, it has helped me learn to listen to my body and not push it to the point of injury.  This lesson seems to be a repeating lesson throughout this challenge.

The area which I thought I could do better was legs.  While 26in is nothing to balk at, I was hoping for something bigger.  Over the past couple of weeks, my knees have not been feeling well.  Thus I’ve had to back off on legs a bit, which translates into me no longer being within the zone for the most growth.  However as I’m re-cleaning up the form (going lower), I know this will put me in a better position to not only maintain optimal health, but push these quads to truly freaky proportions.  As such, I may only be able to hit 26.5in by the end of the challenge, but would love to hit 27in.  I will have to listen to my body to determine where and what I should do.

However, there was some major triumphs this past month in my goals.  Here is where I stand so far on my goals

1.) Rehabilitate Shoulder: Finally heading in the right direction.  A ways to go before I’m back up to 200lbs+ bench and 90lbs curls, but this is one goal I’m happy with where its going.

2.) Get up to 190-195 at 12-13%bf: I am currently 193lbs and at 13% bf.  I’m going to try to strip more fat off and will only add a couple more pounds.

4.)  BB Row 225 for 6, Chin 45lbs for 6 and Squat 405lbs for 10: I am at 225 for 7 on BB rows, 50lbs for 10 on chins and 415lbs for 10 on squats

Many of the goals achieved were the goals I most was looking forward to, particularly being over 190lbs at 13%bf.  However, there are some goals still I need to hit before the end.  I still need to get my quads up to 26.5 to 27in, calves up to 17.5in, forearms to 13.5in and chest to 45in.  I also still need to break 1000lbs for 10 on leg press and deadlift 350lbs for 6.  I think these are easily within my powers and abilities.  Its time to make sure my intensity in the gym is to full and that I’m taking at least one set of every exercise to failure.  I will appreciate any and all encouragement from you who are apart of the challenge.  I will of course encourage you and help you achieve your goals.

Ok, I’ve said enough.  Its time to get serious and get big.  Enough talk, more work.  Time to fly.

Until next time,

Saint Tclipse

P.S. For those on the Challenge, I will not be doing any stats updates or pics until the end of the month.  Until then, I will be in silent mode.  You will just have to ponder what terror I have in store.

Greetings all,

I didn’t get around to posting my 30th post until now.  I wanted to share how my workout on the day celebrating my 30th birthday, last Friday.  Yes, that is right I am now….deep breath…..30!  There I said it.  Man I’m getting old.  Anyways, there was two options for celebrating my birthday.  My original idea was to request ERT on X at Six Flags Magic Mountain.  However, I would like the new trains to be online before doing so.  As great as X is at the moment, it will be that much better once the new trains are on.  Plus, no one for some reason or another wanted to share such an experience with me.  My second option which was probably more inline with where my focus has been the past couple of months.   That was to have a workout with some of my best friends.  A workout on an epic scale.  An workout to eclipse all others.  So I set myself up and put my main back workout on.  I was going to add a couple more surprises for my buddies to help spice things up.  My goal was to pump up my back to super huge proportions. Ecliptic proportions.  My buddies who came were Dominic and Matt.  We used to workout together a while back, so it was good to have the three amigos together again.  I let them slide a little as they hadn’t been in a regularly as me.  So without further ado, here is the workout.
BB Rows: 225-2×5, 7; 205-2×4, 8

Med Grip Chins: 45-3×10, 8, 9

Wide Grip Cable Rows: 170-1×10; 180-2×8, 10

T-Bar Rows: 80-3×10, 10, 12

MG Pulldowns: 110-1×10; 50-1×30; 60-1×30 (Going for pump)
CG Cable Rows: 110-1×10;  60-1×30; 70-1×30 (Going for pump)

So in the end the workout was every bit of fun and blood pumping as I expected.  I felt like a monster next to my buddies.  I easily was the strongest person amongst the three-some.  Dom said I looked like King Kong doing chins.  The scary thing on those was I cranked out reps a little too easy.  Time to go up next week.  A sample pack of VassiveNO and VassiveCE had come in a recent protein purchase.  So I had VassiveNO coursing through my muscles while punishing my muscles.  I could feel my muscles swelling bigger and bigger.  Arnold was right.  A truly awesome feeling.  The chance to hang with some of my best friends was great.  For me working out with my buddies is more than just needing a spot.  It is the friendships which I cherish above it all.  For in the end, it is those friendship which will remain.  My strength and size is but vapor.   For now though, I am quickly turning into a mass monster.

Of course, there are a number of individuals which helped me along this road.  First to my Lord and Savior, Jesus, you gave me this ability to pack on muscle and be strong.  May You be honored as I continue to mold and sculpt this physique You gave me.  To Your glory.  To  my parents who love me and believe in me no matter where I go or do.  To Dominic, you walked alongside me these many years helping me transform myself from a skinny weakling into a hulking bodybuilder.  We still have many more miles to go.  To Josh (if you’re reading this), you gave me wings to my dream and allowed me to take my physique to the next level and beyond.  To Josh, Jim, Jeff, Loochi, Dan, Andre, Brian and everyone else on bodyspace, you’ve encouraged me to continue to strive for my dreams.  You have helped me conquer my fears, doubts and disbeliefs.  You have helped free my mind.  Thank you for your friendships.  I look forward to continuing to get to know you.

So, I hope you all enjoyed this blog.  It was a very special day for my birthday.  I got be the mass monster, lift crazy amounts of weight and hangout with some really cool guys.  I also put on a couple extra pounds.  How big am I going to get?  Well, sit back and enjoy your ride.  Please remember to keep all hands and feet inside the vehicle at all times.  Dispatch.  Here we go.

Until next time,

Saint/Eclipse

Greetings my fellow bodybuilders.  Today was my 400 day.  Today was the day I was going to tackle doing 405lbs on squats for 10 reps.  Well unfortunately, I did not do 405lbs for 10 reps on squats.  I decided to do 415lbs instead.  I knew I probably had 405 last week, but choose not to do it.  You have to remember that the mental factor is a fairly big component to bodybuilding.  But anyways, I did it.  Although my legs have been feeling it all day, I am happy I finally did it.  When I mean by feeling it, I initially have difficultly walking and in particular going up stairs.  However, I know that by Thursday my legs will be just fine, only they will be a little bit stronger and bigger.  My goal for the month on legs is to blow away last months progress and see how many jaws I can make hit the floor.  Please keep in mind, I have now hit two of my Challenge goals (BB rows and Squats).  It has only been a month and a week since the beginning of the Challenge.  For the fellows on the Challenge, it looks like my size and strength will far exceed my expectations.  Here’s the workout.

Squats: 315-1×10; 365-1×10;  405-1×10; 415-1×10

Stiff Deadlifts: 295-2×8, 7; 275-2×9, 7

Leg Press: 900-3×8, 10, 10 (little harder than last time, can’t think of why

L. Press Calves: 720-4×15, 14, 10, 10

Sq Calves: 630-2×9, 7; 590-2×12, 10

Lying Leg Curls: 140-3×10, 10, 9

Behind Wrist Curls: 80-4×15, 10, 12, 12

Wrist Curls: 100-3×8, 9, 8

Post squats, my energy was drained a little for everything else.  All other exercises seemed a little harder than usual.  I’m almost positive the short rest from last time (Thursday) and doing so much on squats depleted my energy reserves a little.  On calves, you’ll be happy to know they got worked nicely.   The workout was going long so I didn’t include all the usuals.  I figure with doing legs twice a week I can try and include it elsewhere.  Even if I can’t, I know my legs will be receiving adequate stimulation to grow and get stronger.  I really want to turn my legs loose over the next month or so.  I want to have the biggest and strongest legs at the ARC.  Here’s to at least 27.5in on quads and an eventual 30in.

Until next time,

Saint/Thunder Thighs