So there I was last night relaxing, lamenting over being a rest day from the gym, and my good lady wife came in waving a couple of sheets of paper at me...
'There you go...' as she proffered me the paperwork.
She had completed the entry form for the ukbff contest (http://www.ukbff.co.uk/events.html) for me. The competition was in October, giving me just over 3 months... Don't think so...
'Good motivation, to help you in the gym'
Thankfully she hadn't sent it. I've improved a lot from when I started bodybuilding again from earlier in the year, but I don't think I'm quite there yet.
Although next year ... Watch this space :)
Thursday, 26 July 2012
Wednesday, 25 July 2012
10 weeks on
So I've been about 10 weeks since I started the blog. After initial strong growth, I seem to plateau for a number of weeks making no growth.
At this point I looked again at everything I was doing. I felt that I was working hard in the gym, in fact I was exhausted after each workout.
But after doing some reading around, it looked like I was not eating enough. So I reviewed my diet and yes I was under eating for my size. So I upped my meals and protein intake.
Since this review of diet, I have found that I've got a lot more energy, even whilst pushing myself harder.
So I've just measured myself again and I'm pleased with the new growth. My current stats are:
Neck 18.5"
Chest 47"
Left bicep 17"
Right bicep 17"
(I am happy that I have evened out my arms, so I can look at growing my arms again)
Left forearm 12.5"
Right forearm 13"
Waist 39"
Left thigh 26.25"
Right thigh 26.25"
Left calf 16.25"
Right calf 16.75"
So where next?
My new goals are 19" neck, 18.5" arms, 50" chest, and 28" thighs... Onwards and upwards...
At this point I looked again at everything I was doing. I felt that I was working hard in the gym, in fact I was exhausted after each workout.
But after doing some reading around, it looked like I was not eating enough. So I reviewed my diet and yes I was under eating for my size. So I upped my meals and protein intake.
Since this review of diet, I have found that I've got a lot more energy, even whilst pushing myself harder.
So I've just measured myself again and I'm pleased with the new growth. My current stats are:
Neck 18.5"
Chest 47"
Left bicep 17"
Right bicep 17"
(I am happy that I have evened out my arms, so I can look at growing my arms again)
Left forearm 12.5"
Right forearm 13"
Waist 39"
Left thigh 26.25"
Right thigh 26.25"
Left calf 16.25"
Right calf 16.75"
So where next?
My new goals are 19" neck, 18.5" arms, 50" chest, and 28" thighs... Onwards and upwards...
Thursday, 19 July 2012
Week from hell...
It has been a hectic week this week. I have arranged for 7 customers meeting in 3 days... Which means I've not been able to stick to my regular workout schedule. I've had to fit my standard week into 4 days, without any time for my body to recover. Not a good thing when I'm trying to grow my body.
So towards the end of last week, rather than missed a week's worth of gym-time, I decided to worked out 4 days in a row.
Normally, that would kill me. However, to give me the energy to see me through I broke my rule over the use of performance drinks, which I took everyday 30 minutes before my workout.
To be honest I was shocked by the result.
Admittedly, I've done a lot of research on the best performance drink on the market, and I'm currently using Driven Sports CRAZE. But taking this on a daily basis to aid in working out is astonishing. I was able to max-out on every exercise. In fact beating my personal best lifts in a large number of exercises over the four days; best of all no crash in the evening. In my opinion the best performance drink out there at moment is CRAZE.
So after the hectic weekend, I have had a long week of driving to appointments, trying to sell to clients and then flying home to pick up the children.
Unfortunately, solicitors are slow moving beast, and are governed by a strict internal hierarchy, so we have pitched to the minions, and they have assured that they will discuss it up the chain. Although on the surface it looks highly unsuccessful and soul destroying after all the hard work, I'm hopeful that like all seeds, a little tender care and watering, we'll have the green shots of new growth for the business.
So towards the end of last week, rather than missed a week's worth of gym-time, I decided to worked out 4 days in a row.
Normally, that would kill me. However, to give me the energy to see me through I broke my rule over the use of performance drinks, which I took everyday 30 minutes before my workout.
To be honest I was shocked by the result.
Admittedly, I've done a lot of research on the best performance drink on the market, and I'm currently using Driven Sports CRAZE. But taking this on a daily basis to aid in working out is astonishing. I was able to max-out on every exercise. In fact beating my personal best lifts in a large number of exercises over the four days; best of all no crash in the evening. In my opinion the best performance drink out there at moment is CRAZE.
So after the hectic weekend, I have had a long week of driving to appointments, trying to sell to clients and then flying home to pick up the children.
Unfortunately, solicitors are slow moving beast, and are governed by a strict internal hierarchy, so we have pitched to the minions, and they have assured that they will discuss it up the chain. Although on the surface it looks highly unsuccessful and soul destroying after all the hard work, I'm hopeful that like all seeds, a little tender care and watering, we'll have the green shots of new growth for the business.
Thursday, 12 July 2012
Taking my own medicine
I was a bit low at the being of the week.
The reason?
The sad fact is I took my measurement again, and I plateaued. I was gutted, having pushed myself hard in the gym over the previous few weeks, I expected a slight shift. So I've been doing some thinking. Running over the different factors that may have meant that I made no gains over this period.
I have come in with a number of possibilities, so I've changed things up.
The first is my diet. I have been eating well, but on closer examination, probably not enough to support my growth. I probably consumed enough protein and calories to maintain my current gains, but not to add to them do with the support of my loving wife I've redeveloped my daily menu to increase the level of protein and carbs I consume.
The second is the vary the workout. I normally do a single set of 20 reps pre-exhaustion exercise on each new body part. I read somewhere the other day to try 2 set of 20 pre-exhaustion exercises prior to going heavy.
The result: it is a little early to hang out the flags, but with my improved diet, I seem to have more energy, and not having the rundown feeling. I've managed the gym, and a full day of work as well!
As for the workout. All I can say about today workout is amazing. I don't think I have ever felt so in the zone. I used the 2 set pre-exhaust exercise before each new body part. Even though at the end of the 2 set I can feel the muscles starting to get tried. I followed these with heavy, strict and slow sets. I could really feel the muscle working.
The reason?
The sad fact is I took my measurement again, and I plateaued. I was gutted, having pushed myself hard in the gym over the previous few weeks, I expected a slight shift. So I've been doing some thinking. Running over the different factors that may have meant that I made no gains over this period.
I have come in with a number of possibilities, so I've changed things up.
The first is my diet. I have been eating well, but on closer examination, probably not enough to support my growth. I probably consumed enough protein and calories to maintain my current gains, but not to add to them do with the support of my loving wife I've redeveloped my daily menu to increase the level of protein and carbs I consume.
The second is the vary the workout. I normally do a single set of 20 reps pre-exhaustion exercise on each new body part. I read somewhere the other day to try 2 set of 20 pre-exhaustion exercises prior to going heavy.
The result: it is a little early to hang out the flags, but with my improved diet, I seem to have more energy, and not having the rundown feeling. I've managed the gym, and a full day of work as well!
As for the workout. All I can say about today workout is amazing. I don't think I have ever felt so in the zone. I used the 2 set pre-exhaust exercise before each new body part. Even though at the end of the 2 set I can feel the muscles starting to get tried. I followed these with heavy, strict and slow sets. I could really feel the muscle working.
Sunday, 8 July 2012
Gym etiquette
It amazes me how many people don't understand the basics of gym etiquette. There aren't many hard and fast rules in the gym environment besides, don't lift what you can't handle.
But there are a few things that, especially frequent gym goers need to be mindful of.
1. You were small once, be considerate and help the newbies if you can.
2. If you sweat a lot, take a towel. It ain't nice sitting in someone else puddle of sweat.
3. Use a deodorant, it won't hurt.
4. Don't spend your time in the gym on your phone. You're there to workout.
5. If you have women at your gym, treat them respect and don't stare.
6. If you need to shout whilst workout, make sure it is a decent weight!
7. Put your weights away after you've used them, after all you put them there.
8. Respect your fellow gym member. Unless you own the gym, you both have equal rights to be there!
But there are a few things that, especially frequent gym goers need to be mindful of.
1. You were small once, be considerate and help the newbies if you can.
2. If you sweat a lot, take a towel. It ain't nice sitting in someone else puddle of sweat.
3. Use a deodorant, it won't hurt.
4. Don't spend your time in the gym on your phone. You're there to workout.
5. If you have women at your gym, treat them respect and don't stare.
6. If you need to shout whilst workout, make sure it is a decent weight!
7. Put your weights away after you've used them, after all you put them there.
8. Respect your fellow gym member. Unless you own the gym, you both have equal rights to be there!
Friday, 6 July 2012
Variety is the spice of life ...
As the saying goes 'variety is the spice of life'. This is holds true for building muscle as well.
A lot people going to gym work hard to devise a routine that works all the muscle groups and allows for good recovery. Initially, they will make great gains; but over time, they become accustomed to their workout, they get to know their way between the the different bits of equipment, become comfortable with going to the gym, and even do their routine on autopilot, and could even tell you to the minute how long their workout will last.
The problem is that the body becomes use to a static, unchanging, routines. The good gains they make early on slowly dry up, and they can become disillusioned and stale because the workouts become boring and they plateau out. This is when a lot of people stop exercising.
To ensure that you maintain the gains and keep the spice in your workout, you need to vary your routine. This will keep the body from becoming accustomed to any static routine.
This don't mean you have devise a new routine every time you intend to workout. All you need to do is change your workout.
So rather than starting with say shoulders, begin with your chest, or even rather than doing shoulder presses followed by lateral raise, swap the order. It could also be as simple a changing the number of reps/sets you perform. This will change the way your muscles are stressed and should allow you to maintain the gains and hold off when your body plateaus.
It also means you can stay engaged with your exercise routines, and hopefully stay interested in going to the gym.
A lot people going to gym work hard to devise a routine that works all the muscle groups and allows for good recovery. Initially, they will make great gains; but over time, they become accustomed to their workout, they get to know their way between the the different bits of equipment, become comfortable with going to the gym, and even do their routine on autopilot, and could even tell you to the minute how long their workout will last.
The problem is that the body becomes use to a static, unchanging, routines. The good gains they make early on slowly dry up, and they can become disillusioned and stale because the workouts become boring and they plateau out. This is when a lot of people stop exercising.
To ensure that you maintain the gains and keep the spice in your workout, you need to vary your routine. This will keep the body from becoming accustomed to any static routine.
This don't mean you have devise a new routine every time you intend to workout. All you need to do is change your workout.
So rather than starting with say shoulders, begin with your chest, or even rather than doing shoulder presses followed by lateral raise, swap the order. It could also be as simple a changing the number of reps/sets you perform. This will change the way your muscles are stressed and should allow you to maintain the gains and hold off when your body plateaus.
It also means you can stay engaged with your exercise routines, and hopefully stay interested in going to the gym.
Tuesday, 3 July 2012
Fun of being a father
Well I thought I had a few more years before I would need to be waking up at ungodly hours to ferry my daughters around to their different outings. But alas no.
This morning, my eldest had a school day trip to France, so I was up at 4:30am to get my eldest out of bed to get her ready to leave the house at 5:30.
Why so early?
I know my daughter and it takes her time to get kicked started in the morning. Once she's up it's not to bad, but getting her out of bed can be interesting.
So I'll be out tonight at 11pm picking her up from the school when she gets back. All to allow her to go in to a French patessire to buy a croissant!
Having said that, it is a wonderful opportunity for her to try out he french on the locals, something that I did have the option to do, although I don't think I would have come away with anything from the shop as my French has a lot to be desired.
This morning, my eldest had a school day trip to France, so I was up at 4:30am to get my eldest out of bed to get her ready to leave the house at 5:30.
Why so early?
I know my daughter and it takes her time to get kicked started in the morning. Once she's up it's not to bad, but getting her out of bed can be interesting.
So I'll be out tonight at 11pm picking her up from the school when she gets back. All to allow her to go in to a French patessire to buy a croissant!
Having said that, it is a wonderful opportunity for her to try out he french on the locals, something that I did have the option to do, although I don't think I would have come away with anything from the shop as my French has a lot to be desired.
Monday, 2 July 2012
Energy drinks whilst training
I am sure you've seen it to, people in the gym regularly guzzling energy drinks throughout their workouts. A lot of these are based on high levels of caffeine to give a short energy boost that will help them through their session. It can get to a point that some claim that they cannot get the same level of pump from their exercises without using them.
The problem is, if these people consistently use energy drinks to aid in their workout, the body becomes reliant on these chemical aids, and without them their workouts will suffer.
The best way to use these energy boost products is sparingly. Ideally not more than once a week, this ensures that your body does not become reliant on their chemical induced boost to get through your workout. It also means that when you do use the energy drinks, you feel the effects without having to increase the level of dosage.
So find a good product that works for you, as everybody physiology is different, and use sparingly.
The problem is, if these people consistently use energy drinks to aid in their workout, the body becomes reliant on these chemical aids, and without them their workouts will suffer.
The best way to use these energy boost products is sparingly. Ideally not more than once a week, this ensures that your body does not become reliant on their chemical induced boost to get through your workout. It also means that when you do use the energy drinks, you feel the effects without having to increase the level of dosage.
So find a good product that works for you, as everybody physiology is different, and use sparingly.
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