Here’s 2 Firsts!
I started working out earlier this month. I started simple with a decent beginner workout. After 2 weeks I moved to a more advanced workout which I mentioned in my last blog. That lasted for about a week. Tell you the truth it kicked my butt! So I backed down for a couple days and added some of the exercises to my old workout. The thing is when I left the gym I didn’t feel as if I got the most out of my time. I tried it for a week tweaking and tuning stuff here and there but only felt like I was working parts and missing a lot in between. So I went back to the advance work out, one major muscle group a day from every angle. When I do legs my legs are exhausted, arms, shoulders, chest are completely spent on the way back to my room. I feel like I accomplished something with my time. For a majority of the first month I looked forward to Friday. Friday is my off day. I wake up at 4:30am to work out and on Friday I get to sleep in. Tomorrow is hamstrings and I’m looking forward to it but not as much as Thursday.
Thursday brings me to my other first. One of my reasons for wanting to workout is my upper arms are pretty small. I work with a lot of big (muscular) guys so I actually feel a bit self conscious if my short sleeve shirt doesn’t cover my upper arm. The other day I looked in the mirror while I was brushing my teeth and noticed something. I’m getting arms. I would have to say my bicep area has increased almost X2 and my triceps just as much. It’s nothing to really make me impressive but it’s a big step and a change I can see. Thursday is arm day and I can’t wait to work them out again. Seeing results is the biggest motivator. It’s pretty exciting. I don’t get the muscle "burn" that most people do but man is it hard to move those muscles that I’ve worked. Today was shoulders and when I walked out of the gym lifting my arms took a considerable amount of effort. My last exercise was one arm cable laterals and for the final set I needed to use one arm to help the other start the movement. I’m looking forward to going home the end of next month. The wife only sees me on the webcam and while she knows I’ve been working out she has no idea how my appearance has changed. I’m excited about it. For the very first time in my life I’m actually looking forward to going to the gym and my physique!
This is pretty big for me. When I was growing up I had acne very badly. Even at 40 I have a continuing issue with it and my back and butt are covered with the scars. Add to that fact that when I was 18 I was 6′4" tall and weighed 160lbs. I was bone thin. I didn’t really put on any weight until my 20’s but even at 195 (Sophomore year of college) or 220 (graduation weight) I was never really in great shape. I’ve never really been happy with my body’s appearance so I ignored doing anything about it. It was just easier to do. So this is a pretty big step for me.
Unfortunately I left my camera at home when I flew back from my last leave so I don’t have a decent before picture. In the one I attached you can see that my arms aren’t really that much to show off. The only thing I ever really worked to avoid was a beer gut so instead of a spare tire I have a spare inner tube. A half hour on the treadmill 6 nights a week is helping with that too. Feeling better on top of it is an even bigger plus.
October 30, 2007 at 1:14 am
good stuff man. its stuff like that moment of realization that i love to see in other people. I’m glad you found something that works for you. Make sure you’re getting plenty of rest…4:30 am…ouch. anyway, keep it up! with an attitude like that, you’ll smash your goals!
October 30, 2007 at 4:24 am
Congrats on your success thus far.