Side shot
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Wheels
Note: Had to edit it because of unintentional man hangage during the picture taking process.
Yesterday I was sitting at work eating lunch and I got really excited. No, it wasn’t because I was eating some of my damn good cooking, or because a well proportioned lady happened to decide that right in front of me would be a great spot to tie her shoes, but because I was excited about pursuing my goals.
I know the goal that I set for myself at the beginning of this clinic is daunting to say the least, and I know that the odds of success aren’t stacked in my favor, but to hell with odds - this is something that I really want and I’d be doing myself a disservice if I didn’t go after it.
Even if I’m not chosen for this clinic, I think that this log is the best thing I could’ve done for myself. I’m learning so much about how my body reacts to the different things I do to it, and a goal I have for myself is to simply continue this learning process. I don’t care if I fail along the way; I even welcome failure because I know I’ll learn more during in times of failure than all of my successes.
Just like Rocky Balboa said, if you know what you’re worth go out and get what you’re worth - and thats what I’m here to do. Gus, Bartl, Nova, Crew, USCTrojan, Shay, Neya, LittleJo, Tropicalshoes, and anyone else out there who are actively chasing after what can be instead of crying about what currently is - you all serve as a source of inspiration for me, and I’m glad to be on this journey with you all.
Nice progress man, keep up the good work.
[quote]novagreg wrote:
Nice progress man, keep up the good work.[/quote]
Thanks for swinging by Nova. You pumped about D-Day on Monday?!
Saturday
Meal 1 - 4 pancakes, syrup
Meal 2 - 1 cup (measured dry) oatmeal
PeriWorkout - 1 scoop Whey, 1 1/2 Serving Surge, 30g BCAA
Meal 3 (PWO) - 2 serving white rice, 2 chicken thighs
Meal 4 - Going to an award ceremony tonight, but I’m sure I’ll be able to get some carbs there.
Meal 5 - 1 cinnabon
Meal 6 - 2-3 servings Pasta, 2tsp fish oil
Meal 7 - 1 serving low carb Metabolic Drive, 1 serving Superfood, 2tsp fish oil
I’ve decided that at the end of March, regardless of what my results are, its time to start putting on some mass and eating some serious calories. While hitting my original goal of 178 would be great, I’m not so hung up on the number that I’ll let it conflict with my overall goal of competing at the 200lb weight class.
I anticipate that I’ll have a match in August/September, so I need to start heavily focusing on getting my weight up since I don’t want to come in 15lb under the weight of my opponents.
Its not a matter of if I’ll hit 180 (maybe even the 178), but when: either next week or the one after that.
[quote]Sayjin wrote:
I’ve decided that at the end of March, regardless of what my results are, its time to start putting on some mass and eating some serious calories. While hitting my original goal of 178 would be great, I’m not so hung up on the number that I’ll let it conflict with my overall goal of competing at the 200lb weight class.
I anticipate that I’ll have a match in August/September, so I need to start heavily focusing on getting my weight up since I don’t want to come in 15lb under the weight of my opponents.
I have no doubt that I’ll at least hit 180 (maybe even the 178) in the 2 weeks.[/quote]
I know you’ll get that 180 too. You got too much heart to not get it!
It’s a good feeling knowing that you do have control over how you look and where you want your body to be. I know you’ll kick ass in the 200 lbs class Bro!
Workout
Squat - 280 (3x5)
Military Press - 120 (3x5)
Pendlay Row - 135 (3x5)
Everything went well today! On the last set of squats I got stuck at in the bottom on the 5th rep - lord jebus that was scary! I was stuck down there for a good 3 seconds and then I guess my emergency motor units went into ‘oh shit’ mode and kicked in because the weight flew up and I racked the bar.
I also have some videos so people can help critique my form if they’d be so kind.
Squat #1
Squat - Side view
Military Press - Note: This was my attempt at just moving my head back so the bar can pass and not just so I can use heavier weight.
Pendlay Row
And there you have it!
Sunday
Pre carb up weight: 183
Post carb up weight: 188
Meal 1 - 4oz steak, broccoli
Meal 2 - 4oz steak, broccoli
Meal 3 - 3oz chicken breast, 1oz almonds
Meal 4 - 2 eggs, 1tbsp EVOO, broccoli
Meal 5 - 1 scoop low carb Metabolic Drive, 1 serving Superfood, 1tsp fish oil
Note: I’ve noticed that I’m not getting enough fish oil, and that I dont even include it in my diet unless its in a Metabolic Drive shake. From now on I’m going to just put it in my glasses of water to give it a little kick since its lemon flavored anyway to make sure that I get enough of the goods. Also, I’ve been having too many shakes throughout the day, so from now on I’ll limit them to pre-bed so I can get more whole food in and increase the thermogenic effect by getting in actual lean protein.
Good enough for me, as I’m sure at least 3lbs of that weight will be gone by Wednesday morning if not more. I think as long as I keep 5lbs as my cap for carb weight gained after my carb up then I’ll be just fine, but in order to make sure I hit my goal by the end of these 2 weeks, I’m going to experiment with a max of 75g carbs next Saturday: 1/2 serving Surge during my HIIT workout, and 1 full serving after.
So far, from a muscle loss standpoint, I think I’m managing to hold onto most of my lean mass. I’m getting stronger in my lifts despite my calories which is a good sign, but I ran out of BCAAs after my last workout, so I’m ordering some more this week ASAP to make sure it stays that way.
I read Shug’s blog entry about the Physique Clinic, and came away with the feeling that watching people gain mass in the clinic is about as exciting as watching cows get it on…maybe even less exciting, depending on your thing. I admit its a bit disheartening knowing that gaining mass may be working against in my favor here, but I certainly understand it from a viewers perspective. Gaining mass is a slow process, but I think I’d add a twist to things as a participant as I don’t need to be big ang strong, but also well conditioned and explosive.
While it may not be exciting to watch me squat or bench, I imagine it would be more exciting to watch my sprint times improve or something fun like car pushing and sledgehammer trainning. If chosen, videos are something I would rely on heavily to make it a more exciting viewing experience.
This is the home stretch for many of of the participants, so in the spirit of things I think its time for me to really try and kick it up a notch, as if this was my final stretch as well, and see what I’m really capable of achieving.
Monday
Weight: 186
Meal 1 - 8oz steak, broccoli
Meal 2 - 8oz steak, broccoli
Meal 3 - 4oz chicken breast, 1tsp fish oil,
1oz almonds
Periworkout - 2 scoop Grow! (Ran out of BCAAs)
Meal 4 - 4oz chicken breast, 1tsp fish oil, 1oz almonds
Meal 5 - 3 eggs, broccoli, 2tbsp EVOO
Meal 6 - 1 scooop low carb Metabolic Drive, 1 serving Superfood, 1tsp fish oil.
I think this is the week that I’ll hit 181-182, and then 180 for sure the next week - HOORAH!
Workout for today
Squat - 285 (3x5)
Bench Press - 195 (3x5)
Deadlift - 225 (1x5)
Getting ready to head to the gym in about 20min, so I’ll post how it went once I get back.
[quote]Sayjin wrote:
Monday
Weight: 186
Meal 1 - 8oz steak, broccoli
Meal 2 - 8oz steak, broccoli
Meal 3 - 4oz chicken breast, 1tsp fish oil,
1oz almonds
Periworkout - 2 scoop Grow! (Ran out of BCAAs)
Meal 4 - 4oz chicken breast, 1tsp fish oil, 1oz almonds
Meal 5 - 3 eggs, broccoli, 2tbsp EVOO
Meal 6 - 1 scooop low carb Metabolic Drive, 1 serving Superfood, 1tsp fish oil.
I think this is the week that I’ll hit 181-182, and then 180 for sure the next week - HOORAH![/quote]
mmmmmmmmmm look at all the meat you’re eating. Tasty!!!
Finally got to try Superfood, very tasty, nice berry flavor to it.
Tmoneyyyyyyy! Whats up chief?! Glad you like the taste of the Superfood. You know what makes me sad though? I know one day my supply will run out, and I still have my unfinished bottle of Greens to go through, since I’m not one to waste money. Its like going from eating a steak to eating a turd =(
How’s your break going, 1 more week, right?