unimoose’s BodyBlog

So why is it that deadlifts scare me so?  I started out on the Max-OT workout and was pretty sore when it came to back day.  I had pushed myself on squats and two days later getting from a seated to a standing position (or back again) still caused aching in my legs.  So the first squats I did were just the 7′ Olympic bar.  I needed to work on my form anyway so it was probably best.  This past week I did them again but only with a pair of 25lb plates on the same bar.  I injured my lower back a few years ago and felt it there as I was doing them.  I think for now I’ll slowly add weight each week, it’s not for another 2 days but it’s already on my mind…

Today my mail arrived (first in 3.5 weeks) and my body fat calipers are here.  Time to figure out how embarrassingly high my BF% is and figure out a reasonable goal for the next 6 months.  The good thing is the other box I got today contains 12 cans of tuna,15lbs of brown rice and 4 boxes of protein bars.   I’ve been using fitday.com to track my protein/calorie intake so I’m definitely expecting to see results in muscle growth.  On top of that I’ve been doing 1 hour of cardio (warm up and another 45 min in the afternoon) to make sure I burn some calories.

Other than that, my copy of "Death to Smoochy" and my Patriots jersey came in so I have entertainment through Monday morning! LOL

So I went home on vacation for December.  It was great to be home over the Holidays and see family and friends.  The downside to it all was I didn’t workout once while I was home.  At first I tried to eat right but considering the selection of food I normally have in Afghanistan I wasn’t about to pass by too much good home cooking.  My wife made home made lasagna and I had far too much.

I’m back in Afghanistan now and it’s much easier to stick to my diet and work out.  I guess I will have to figure out a way to continue my healthier lifestyle when I get home.  You really have to wonder how  many of those people from the TV show "The Biggest Loser" do 6 months after the cameras stop rolling and are home surrounded by temptation again.  I’ve been back for about 2 weeks, a cold and jet lag kept me out of the gym the first week I was here.  I knew for a fact I just wouldn’t be able to give it my all.  Yesterday I started with the Max-OT 6 month workout.  The first workout was legs and I really made sure I pushed myself.  My legs are sore today from squats but man was it worth it.  Tomorrow my pecs will hurt because today was chest day!  Trust me, I’m still not lifting enough weight to brag about but I’m back on it and I have a goal.

If you’ve read my previous blogs you know that I’ve never been a fan of my physical appearance.  I’ve always been tall and never carried much muscle.  June will be my first trip home, my son graduates from high school, and I want to have a body I can be proud of.  I’m using fitday.com to track my foods, taking in more then my body weight in protein and starting cardio next week.  Somewhere in our wonderful mail system is a pair of body fat calipers, when I get them I will know what I want for a percentage and I WILL HIT IT!  Now to take some before pictures…