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Thats probably because it's hard to get a word in when she starts talking...lol...and you can tell her I said that. I like getting her all worked up as she gets even more passionate about trying to make her point.....the competitive juices start flowing but all in fun.Quote:
Originally Posted by Gaoshang Xiongshou
Great work again!!
No, I really am just a quiet and introverted person.Quote:
Originally Posted by razorsedge
April 15, 2012
Birthdays. We all have them. Some look forward to them, while others want to hide from them. Today is someone's birthday. If you are reading this, and it is yours, Happy Birthday to you. I have a real present for you... a revelation. Keep reading.
From time to time, as people celebrate theirs, it makes me think about mine. No, not that thing that comes around every year… that is nothing but a day to me, no different than the day before it, or the day after it.
No, when I think about my birthday, I think about something different: the day I first set foot in a gym, and began on the journey that has made me what I am now, and will make me what I will be later. That is just how my mind works. That was the day that something and someone truly unique was born. That is the day when a being began being forged from the fires of searing, deep muscle failure and the tears of my body as I moved weight, unrelenting and merciless in my endeavor, paying the price to be in the game. Oh yes indeed, the day I stepped into the gym, it was go time. I have never looked back, and I dare the challenges of the future to meet me head on, and get twisted in the process.
It was the day when this world was promised a force that would be unlike any other. It was a force that would make a statement here, there, and everywhere, with whoever came in contact with it. It was a force that would be known by many, but understood by few. It was the beginning of life. That day that comes around every year… that is for your significant others to enjoy. That day is for your family. It is for friend and foe alike. But the birthday… the REAL birthday… that is all for you.
Who remembers their birthday? I may not remember the exact day, but that does not even matter. All that does matter is that my birthday came when it was time, and I have been tearing it up in the gym ever since 1993. So now, I know some of you are thinking about your birthday… that glorious day when it seemed like the gates of a parallel universe opened up, swallowed what you were, and spit out what it knew you would need to be in order to make your moves, and become something beyond imagination and comprehension.
Every day that you take that cold iron in your hand, you celebrate your birthday. The bang of the plates as you load them, the rattle of the poundage as you press or pull… there is your birthday song. No birthday cake? So what? You get a birthday shake, and that is much better for you anyway. Your present is a masterpiece that people wish they had, and they will waste no time in telling you such. Now how is that for a birthday celebration?
So whoever you are, wherever you are, raise your protein shaker or water jug high, and toast that great moment in your life...
Happy Birthday, brothers and sisters. Now get in the gym and rip it up as only you can.
The IFBB Grand Prix Los Angeles was held yesterday. Men's Physique winner... Mark Anthony Wingson.
Attachment 29423
Let me ask you something.
If you ask someone for the exact recipe for a gourmet dish, and they give it to you with the list or everything that you will need to prepare it and the exact instructions on how to go about making it, and then you decide to omit, alter, or completely ignore any or all parts of the instruction, when it does not turn out right, who is to blame?
Would you say that person, because they gave you what you did not feel was right, and you felt you just HAD to change it, citing that what you did and what they gave you to work with was not a good combination? Would you say that they did not know what they were talking about to begin with, regardless of the success they have had with that recipe?
Well, you reading this, perhaps you would accept responsibility for not following the plan. But I can tell you this.,. there are scores of people who would not, and blame the bearer of the recipe.
And this happens more often than not with those who are looking to change their fitness levels, who hire personal trainers. They want to put their lack of success and improvement on EVERYTHING: they blame the trainer not knowing what they are doing or talking about (and to be fair, yes, there are a great number of people who should not even be training a dog, let alone a person... but that is not the issue at hand), they blame their circumstances (work, home life, outside interests, etc.), they blame the dog, the cat, the fish... anything and anyone that they can point the finger at, people do it. The problem is, is that they never look toward the truly responsible party. And we all know who that is.
Every day is a choice. Every day is an opportunity to make that choice. What you do with it is entirely up to you. If you have a trainer, rather than circumvent what you are being told for your own comfort, instead, try talking to them, voicing your concerns or problems with the current plan. There may be room for a little augmentation... or there may not be. But at least get it into the open. There is no reason for you to invest your time and money in someone who you want to show you the way to the you that you want, not do anything or very little of what they say, become upset with your lack of return of investment, bad mouth them, and then frustrate them through it all... when all that had to be done was to accept responsibility for your own actions, and realize that accountability would keep you on the straight and narrow path toward what you sought.
I cannot tell you how many times I have heard about someone switching (now talking about competitors, in which case most all of you are not or do not plan to be, but this holds a relevance here) trainers because they "didn't like the diet", or "they put me in the wrong class; if I had gone into XYZ, I would have placed or won", or "they won't bring me in with the look the judges are going for", and so on and so forth. Yet, you never hear them talk about how they cheat on the diet, eating protein bars or massive cinnamon buns, drinking wine, binging on chocolate, not doing the required cardio, missing meals, or anything else that they have full control over. Yet, they want to blame the trainer for their diet and training not working. Yes... something was not working, alright... them.
Think about if someone asked you to help them do something, and you told them how. You guided them through a good number of the steps, if not all. Someone, you might even have to hold their hand through every step, as if they were a baby first learning to walk. And then think about how frustrating it would be to have them return to you with what certainly should not be the results you intended, even though you know that you gave them everything that they needed to ensure success and completion. Would that not upset you? See that guy in that picture at the top of this blog entry? Yes... that would be you. You know it, and I know it.
Believe me when I tell you that that is somewhat the same way other trainers (myself included) feel more often than not. Would you like someone to make you feel that way? Then do not impose that punishment on anyone else.
If you cannot accept responsibility for eating what you should not eat, not doing what you know you should be doing, and otherwise, just ignoring their expertise and yourself, then no one ever needs to hear about blame, unless it is you and it is the internal monologue in your head. Will not follow directions (because that is all it is... there is no such thing as 'cannot')? Would you ask a strongman to build you up to compete in their events, and not listen to anything they tell you? That is a sure way to get hurt, given what is required in that arena. Would you go to flight school, and not listen to what the instructors tell you? If so, enjoy your crash and burn; never invite me along for a flight.
This is no different. Listen to those whom you have entrusted to help you, and get your rightful return of investment.
April 21, 2012
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Ten weeks out from the 2012 BC’s. The time is speeding by. The two things I use to define my week (Friday’s wushu training… which unfortunately, I missed (but it probably is just as well, as I need the rest)… and Saturday’s blogging of the progress updates) are the things I most look forward to right now. And this is due fully in part because during the week, I blog my thoughts on the various aspects of the physically fit lifestyle, and do what I can to motivate. But Saturday, these have become my personal days, the day when I truly talk back to the world and let you in; this is the day (at least I think so anyway) when you learn the most about me. And as you have come to see, I am not a person who is short on words. I say what I have to say, be it in 10 words, or 1,000 words (or more). I think entries that have a little meat on them are appreciated, and allows for a greater insight to the person or the material presented, if not both.
Day in and day out, my mind is fixed on those moments when the stage is mine. Regardless of who else is out there with me, to me, there is only myself on that stage. Please do not misunderstand… I do not disregard anyone or their presence onstage with me. But having turned inward to put everything into this show, and the one following it six weeks later, it is all I can do at this time. I think anyone who gets on that stage with me is going to look awesome, and deserving of any accolades that he may get. Of course, when it is all said and done, there can only be one. That has to be me.
Okay, so seemingly obsessive rambling aside, this past week was pretty interesting. I have another location to teach my women’s self defense class at, this one being a private personal training studio with female clientele only, called Studio 64. I run a demo class on Saturday, April 28, and classes begin on the 3oth. The demo and grand reopening for WKX should be the following weekend, and I will be there for that also. It is looking really good on that front. While personal training more than likely will not take off for me at WKX, I am expecting it to overwhelm me at Studio 64. I am very open and receptive to that idea.
The next day, I had the photo shoot at the gym (Ultimate Fitness, Port Moody BC). I have not received any of the images yet, but we shot for about an hour and thirty minutes, give or take a few here and there. I am sure we got some good ones. The lighting was a little off in there, and the photographer does more studio work than location work with interior lighting (which she cannot control to suit her purposes), so it makes for a somewhat different experience. Still, we both had fun. She is contest dieting too, also for the BC’s (Master’s Bikini division), so after a while, it started to wear on her. We called it a day, and I hope to see some of the images sometime next week. I really hope she was able to do something with the rope climb pictures. I climbed a rope for the first time in… 15-16 years… and did it effortlessly. Good ol’ fashioned hand-over-hand, just straight pulling with upper body strength, no use of the legs at all. Completely blew her mind that I climbed up so fast and about twenty feet up, dropped back down about five feet, and then just let go of the rope and dropped down to the floor. And then I did it for her again. She was monitoring the display, and from the looks of it, she was saying that those shots did not come out good at all. We shall see. They will go up on my Facebook page, and some here also. The next shoot is set for May 27, at the WKX Gym, in which I have invited my Team Fit Body teammate to get in on. Should be an interesting time! And the next is set for the following weekend, in Redmond, WA, at my shifu’s Hung Gar kwoon. This, I am most certainly looking forward to, as I have not seen my Hung Gar shifu since 1997.
That was Monday and Tuesday. Wednesday, tragedy almost struck, as I started dozing off at the wheel while driving to pick up liquid egg whites. At the speed I was going, I would have hit the guard rail and probably flipped over it. Fortunately, as I started veering to the right, someone pulled alongside me and blew their horn, which woke me up and started the adrenaline flowing. I was up then, of course. It could have been ugly though. To say that fatigue is an issue is an understatement. Still, it is good some days (tolerable, and able to be dealt with) and bad others. This was one of those bad days. I deal with it as best as I can; there is no sense in complaining. If that is the case, I would just stop doing this. No one is forcing me.
Thursday and Friday were fairly uneventful. Nothing too special, except I did find myself flanked by two of her Jr. Female Bodybuilders at one point yesterday.
It is a hard life that I live, I tell you.
Thursday, I decided that I wanted and needed to delve into the world of addiction, and uncover what and why these things happen to people. I am off to an Overeater’s Anonymous meeting tomorrow afternoon. While I do not need the program for myself, what I do need is an understanding of the difficulty that people face with food issues and some insight into that addictive mindset that I do not comprehend. As I will no doubt face this problem with some clients down the line, rather than me just taking the hard line stance that there is no will power and no commitment to a change in lifestyle diet, it would really be in my best interest to connect and learn about this problem. Plus, it will help me be able to determine who actually suffers from these issues, and who is just using that as an excuse to not buckle down and take responsibility for what they put in their mouths. And I know there is so much to learn, so I am really excited about this prospect.It really will be an eye opening experience, and extremely helpful. In order for me to fully connect and empathize (because as of right now, unfortunately, I am unable to; my black-and-white world of traditional martial arts discipline sees only weakness that one fails to overcome as a result of lack of will… but I know that this is not the case, and that is the wrong in my thinking which needs to be corrected), I need to be on that side of this, without actually being on that side, if you know what I mean. Beyond this, I am going to attend a few other meetings, just to fully grasp the full cross section of addiction and the way it plagues people... NA, AA, SA (Sexaholics Anonymous), etc, and speak with an addictions counselor, and take whatever path necessary to become a qualified addictions counselor with credentials. This certainly can be useful in my helping people get a better handle on their physical life. That is what I am here for... to help people.
That is all for now. See you back here in a week for whatever else may happen with me on this road to the BC’s!
Have to watch it with fatigue at the wheel,nearly fell asleep myself when I was almost home after a long night of snow.Just thinking about something can turn into dreaming.I sometimes use a technique when very tired,take a breath and increase intrabdominal pressure for about two seconds and repeat.
Looking fantastic GX! :welldone
Following along on your journey.
Interesting. I will have to start using this one then. Any and all help is appreciated! Thank you :)Quote:
Originally Posted by cog
Thank you so much for following along and keeping up with this! I am sure you are looking excellent as well. Yes, you especially, being a National level competitor already, and having been to this dance at least once before, even if it was for a different division. You know what it is all about through experience, where as I just know through having kept up with it through other's experiences. It will be great to meet you and hang out while you are here (provided time permits it). Like Arnold and Lou and Franco, and the rest of the bunch. I do not think that type of connection happens with competitors anymore. It is always me, me, me. So I look forward to it.Quote:
Originally Posted by Delt King
And unlike Arnold to Franco, I am not going to try to give you the wrong "advices" :rofl
Oh, check this thing out. I thought it was a riot!!
Attachment 29460
April 22, 2012
On September 1, 2004, Detroit Police Officer Kenneth Daniels Jr. was shot while moonlighting at a strip club in a rougher area of Detroit. He died 12 hours later from the wound. It was a great loss to the city, a great loss to his family... a great loss to me.
Ken was my training partner at the time.
Training at the original Powerhouse Gym in Highland Park, MI, I was a new fixture there. This was the place that many of bodybuilding's greats had been through in the years that it had been there, most notably, eight time Ms. Olympia, Lenda Murray, who had spent a number of years there crafting her championship physique. It was the gym that dreams were made of (I say was, because it is no longer the place that it was when I was there). I trained myself and many people out of that place, and while people were very impressed with what I was able to do with my clients, and wasted no time in asking for my advice, the general consensus was that what I was trying to achieve for myself was not possible. Oh sure, a few guys (and girls, because there were some die-hard female lifters there too) saw something in me, and knew that it was only a matter of time. But Ken was the one who knew, without a shadow of doubt, that I had what it took to make good on my commitment to myself and my goals, and he was the most vocal about it, and supportive of them all. I guess that is how our bond came to be. Ken was an Aikidoka and power lifter, transitioning into strong man. He asked me one day about improving his conditioning for the move into the new sport, which eventually lead to him wanting to revealing that he wanted to take a shot at doing a bodybuilding show. We talked for a while, and then of course, me fully aware of the benefit of power lifting in maximizing muscle gain (as Ronnie Coleman had demonstrated), I began to pick his brain on power lifting. The rest, as the saying goes, is history. It started from there. We both needed something, and clearly saw what the other could do and be able to accomplish, and it was a perfect fit. We both saw ourselves make some good strides in our respective goals.
It was through him that I happened to get in good with the other power lifters there, and they all came to eventually look to help my progression. It was an interesting schedule that I kept (it helped that I was self-employed), as I trained with them, with Ken, trained my clients, and trained in Muay Chaiya there... and that is a story all unto itself. I practically lived there, I kid you not. Anyway, they group wanted to bring me up slowly and without injury, as I was still fairly lean and nowhere near as strong as any of them. It was hard work, really rough stuff... but you should know me by now... that is how I like it. And it helped a great deal. To this day, I still think about that group of guys from time to time.
Ken though, he never leaves my mind.
As mentioned, everything I was doing, and everything that I knew, it all came to a screeching halt on September 1, 2004. And following that, it was about a year before I stepped foot in the gym again. The drive, the desire, the passion... it was all gone. I left the gym, stopped training people, found work, and got on with life. Was it me though? Was I happy? Not in the least.
I have a lot of reasons for wanting what I want, and doing what I do. And I mean A LOT. But none of them I can articulate as clearly as this one: A big part of my drive is Ken. He knew where I was going, and wanted to be. And he was the only one who believed that I was going to get there, without needing some proof or convincing, while everyone else refused to. He pushed me hard. He knew I had the potential… and this was someone that I knew less than a year. I took my approach and workout ethic back to formula with him, and I have what I have today, which has made people duck and dodge me in the gym before, and training partners quit, leave the gym, and never ever come back. Sure, I still have the desire to be bigger and harder as my drive in the gym. But Ken added to it because he is no longer here to see this. His goals… unfulfilled, are now mine… at least one of them. And it has to be done...
In 2008, I went to the Arnold Expo, and attempted to close the #3 Captain of Crush... a high tension gripper that requires 280lbs. of crushing grip power to close. I got to within 1/4 inch of the close, so it was a no go. Unlike the bodybuilding community of late that jeers and heckles you for your failures or shortcomings, the strength community is entirely different. Getting that close was to be congratulated, and the feel with those guys is entirely different. I really like that, and would like to see it return to bodybuilding. As I was saying, I did not complete the close. But I am not done yet. I have set my goal for January 2013. Ken and I are going to get together for one more good time, where I WILL close. In doing so, I get my name entered into a strength journal. I wanted to do it for him, in his name, but the rules prohibit that. However, I can dedicate the close to him, and that will be listed in the journal indefinitely. So, he still gets in. That was the one goal of his that I knew I would be able to take on, and so I have. I have been working at it all through this dieting.
I wish I had gotten the picture of us together from his last strong man competition, because there is only one out there on the web, and it is very small. It would not even make any sense to post that here. That is how small it is. Instead, I opted for his family, whom I have not seen since earlier that year in 2004.
I do this for a lot of reasons… suffer through the monotony of the diet, deal with the blinding pain of rebuilding and binding muscles, sacrifice a great part of my better years so that tomorrow, I can be more than I am today… yes, I do it for me, but in his memory, I do it for him as well. This is my drive.
There are going to be days when it seems like this world, your world… it moves in slow motion. What do we do? REMEMBER. Whatever it is that drives you, find it and hold on to it. Coming to a standstill is only an option when you are in gridlocked rush hour traffic on the way home from work. Any other time, it is full speed ahead.
I will continue to push, to see that he is honored properly and fittingly with everything that I do. I have no idea what it is that drives any of you, but I hope you find it, and I hope it does everything for you that mine does for me.
Rest In Peace, Kenneth Daniels Jr. You did well. You are a part of this spark that propels me to propel others to their own greatness. Even in your absence, your presence is still felt. I have made, and always will make sure of that.
Quite a shake up to keep you out for a year...
I tried one of those number 3's a week ago.I have an adjustable Ivanko but haven't been using it much.You definitely have a crushing grip.
April 24, 2012
You know what? It happens. Life intervenes, and most times, in a very big way. It can be a little more challenging than we are able to deal with, or something that leaves us no choice, bringing us to a complete standstill.
I am talking about restarting. Everyone has had to at some point, for whatever reason. Me myself, I was sidelined by an injury that would not heal properly because I continued to train with it, trying to work around the issue (and pain) with it. In the end, better judgement prevailed, and I lost three and a half months in the gym. When I returned, strength wise, I had to rebuild.
And this is something that you need to remember: just because you have to start over again does not mean that you are going to stay there forever. In fact, if you are one of those dedicated and well trained individuals, you are going to bounce back much faster (generally speaking, in most cases; some are not as easy to recover from) that the casual lifter. After my three and a half month hiatus from the gym, my strength had taken a little bit of a dip, and in one area in particular, it truly was gone, and I had to start from square one, and come back to where I was. To this day, that process is still going on. But I am so much father along than if I had just sat back and not done anything about it.
In cases like this... starting over... the fact that you have to is the last thing you want to focus on and beat yourself up over. Save that for if you just say "forget it all", give up, and accept whatever has happened and whatever has become of you. If that is not you though, then instead, focus on how much you are going to regain and the point that you are going to surpass in doing so, because when I speak of regain, I am hardly talking about strength and body composition alone. Going back to square one plays heavily on the mind. But as you are strong in body and strong in will and spirit, you also are strong in mind. If you have let the unfortunate circumstances and effects of your situation permeate your thoughts and being, then it is only because you have refused to realize the uniqueness of the moment. It is not the end unless you say it is. You can even look at it as a new beginning, instead of starting over. There is no time for "woe is me"; the time you spend saying that is the time that you could be dedicating to refocusing and regrouping your efforts to present yourself to friends, family, and onlookers stronger and better than before. But mostly, it is your chance to show the most important person to you what you can accomplish, and how you are no longer unfettered or imbalanced by anything that is happening or has happened. And you see them daily in the mirror.
Setbacks are difficult. But there is no such thing as a perfect life. It is these trials, and the way that you deal with them, and with yourself that illustrate the character of a person. You should be more concerned with that than what complete strangers and false friends may think. They do not provide you with your worth. You do. The road back to where you left off may or may not be a long one. But take it anyway, and take it with intention. In this, know that you will get there.
Be smart about it, however. I speak from experience. We all know what we can handle, and sometimes, what really is going on is more than we anticipated, so if it means that you have to slow down or back off (imagine trying to bench press 500lbs., when you clearly can only handle 315 semi-comfortably with average form; you would be insane to go for 500 in this case), then do it and realize that today is today, but tomorrow is tomorrow. You will get there. But you want to get there in full capacity, firing on all cylinders, and not set yourself back again (or even worse than before).
Going back to square one is not as bad as you would think, nor does it have to be. It is all a matter of how you look at it. If you think it leaves you behind in the game, trust me, you are never left behind unless you just stop trying. Otherwise, you will catch the rest of the pack in due time.
It was pretty bad. I was able to handle his death, but the zeal for the gym, that drive, that determination... it was just gone. It had to rebuild on it's own, and that was how long it took.Quote:
Originally Posted by cog
The number 3's are rough for sure!! Because of dieting, I am nowhere near being able to get a full close right now. I can still manage the number 2 (195 lbs.) for a few reps, although that is down from where it was before prep, and the number 2.5 (237.5 lbs), well, that is just hit or miss some days. It will all be back though. Coincidentally, today's blog post relates to this. The injury that sidelined me for three and a half months was a wrist injury that I acquired from lifting the stones incorrectly. My wrist looked like it was broken at first. The first three days, I could not even move my hand, because it was that bent and twisted. When mobility started to increase, I wrapped it with a boxing hand wrap, and would train with it tightly compressed. I kept this up for a while, moving on to a wrist brace too. But I eventually just had to let it go, and let it heal. This injury forced me to have to rebuild my grip strength from the ground up. It is not where it was prior to the injury, but it is still pretty good. The number 3 presents a bit of a challenge, but I refuse to let this be the end of it. I set out to close it, and damn it, I will. That one is for Ken. Closing the number 4 (365 lbs.) will be for me. No one has closed that one since 2004. It might not happen anytime soon. But it will happen. And I intend to do it.Quote:
Originally Posted by cog
IIRC,that guy that closed the number 4 weighed around 165-170 lbs.Do you train pinch strength as well?
I have dabbled some, but not extensively. I do plan to get into that after Nationals. Pinch gripping is really tough! That is going to be a slower progression that crushing grip. But I have plenty of time, and even more patience.Quote:
Originally Posted by cog
Dawn usually gets me to open the really tightly sealed jars, and then gets upset when I close them back extremely tight again. It is habit!! I got into doing that so that I would constantly have to engage my grip and grip mechanics. It has served me well. :)
Today's blog entry is another one of those long and involved kinds... :)
http://absolutebesttraining.com/?p=764
April 28, 2012
Normally, this day is the update day. Today, I am nine weeks out. No pictures today though. Dawn is out of town, and she normally takes my pictures. I like to maintain consistency, so I will have them for next week. Keeping in the theme with how my posts run though, today is still my so-called “personal day”.
This week, I had the opportunity to work with a 2012 Miss Universe Canada hopeful (pictured above). Mina Khtaria is one of Dawn’s clients. While gone for the few days this week, I filled in for her. I did not exactly know what to expect in training a pageant queen (as I called her; she thought it was funny). You think of those women, and you all sorts of stereotypical images and ideas enter the mind, based on what has been seen or portrayed in modern media (and for some, it really is not an act). You would look at her, and expect nothing less or more. However, behind that million gigawatt smile, bubbly disposition, and obvious cover girl look, something deep and real emanates and resonates through that young girl’s spirit and well manicured hands.
In doing a set of dumbbell presses, I saw something that needed to be corrected. After this, I saw that she needed to use more weight, so we increased it. A bit more of a challenge, she completed her sets, and then we moved on. I was not expecting her to take the ball and run with it on that. Since she went up in weight and felt good in doing that, with each movement, she wanted to increase weight. I am very sure that Dawn has her reasons for sticking with what she does with Mina. I know how she operates, and everything is for a specific reason. I am not questioning anything at all. But Mina saw that she was capable, and apparently stronger than she realized, and wanted more. It was not a matter of me trying to convince her; I did not even have to. She truly WANTED it. Now, of course, the look on the pageant circuit is not one of great musculature, or even any real noticeable developed musculature… so she would not do anything to jeopardize that, I know. We could go up in weight; she likes to move it… but it is not going to be so much that a dedicated building process starts. And that is okay. Everyone has their needs and goals. I am not even sure what hers are. But I saw what her goal was yesterday: Increase the weight. And increase, she did, on all but one movement. I found this phenomenal. At one point, she would get to a weight stack before me (we had some cable work yesterday), and I thought that was just outstanding. The weight itself might not be a lot to some (most is more like it), but again, this is also okay. Strength is relative to the individual. An improvement is an improvement in my book. And I was so thoroughly pleased with her determination, focus, and drive yesterday, that I had to send her a text message telling her what I thought of her performance, and how much I enjoyed working with her.
You never know who are those who are going to rise to the occasion, and those who will fold. Usually, the ones that you do not think will rise up (and I am not saying that I thought this of Mina. I just did not envision what happened yesterday to actually happen) are the ones who surprise you the most. I do not know how long she intends to be on the pageant trail… but I can foresee her getting a bit more serious in the gym with herself after that part of her life comes to a close. And I really hope I am around to see that.
I saw one of my own clients later that day.This is another one who has surprised me. When she came to me, she was in a fairly weakened state from dealing with Multiple Sclerosis for a good number of years. Although she has it subdued with medication, it still left her feeling a little frail and in pain at times. When we started working together, she was doing it purely for cosmetic reasons. Me, I had other goals in mind for her. Well, here we are five months later, and my goals for her have been met and far exceeded. For her, while we still have a little ways to go until we reach her desired body image, she is extremely pleased with the results she has had up to this point. She recently visited her sister in San Diego, and was told that this is the thinnest she has ever been. And at her last doctor’s visit, the staff was blown away by how she looked, and how much she had changed since last seeing her. She has built a little muscle, and her entire body composition is so vastly different than from when we first started. And she does not give me a problem or complain… well, not all that much anyway. And I am okay with that, because I can usually talk her around that looming doubt of herself or mind, and get her through the training with no problem. This is a really good thing for her, because in her own words, she “does not commit to anything”. She can be here today, gone tomorrow, with whatever she is doing. But not this. She has stuck with it, and you have no idea how happy and proud I am of her for it.
It is young women like these… people who seem to have the odds against them (Mina with the stereotypical “pageant girl” shadow hanging over her head, or Rajbir, my client, with the debilitating disease), that make me wonder why more women, women with no real issues or anything to hold them back do not get active in the gym, and want and become more than where they are presently at. And this is not to make anyone feel bad… it is just an observation.
It is days like this that I really, REALLY love what I do.
Gx can you share your contest diet at this point (9 weeks out)? and how much cardio youre doing?
hey GX, i know Dawn is working with Greg now and with some heavy duty coaches in the past. How about you? self coached or do you have someone giving you direction?Quote:
Originally Posted by ubcpower
Diet wise, not a lot of carbs!! LOL I get them as instructed. Cardio, 70 minutes a day, daily. With my martial arts training, that results in an extra 2-3 hours a week, and that is more along the lines of interval training.Quote:
Originally Posted by ubcpower
Dawn is handling this. In the past, in attempting to make it to the stage, I had done it myself, with good success. But where I am now far surpasses what I was able to do on my own.Quote:
Originally Posted by Delt King
April 30, 2012
Everywhere you go, everyone you see… today, everything is all about reciprocity. No one can do anything for anyone today, just out of the goodness of their own heart. It is always about “give to get”. That is selfish. It should not be that way.
BUT… reciprocity IS the code of the gym. It should be YOUR personal code. You should expect the iron to reward you for your dedication and attention to the task at hand. You should expect the weight to bring it to you, and give no quarter during your meeting. You should expect for the weight to ask for more than you want to give… and you better give it without hesitation.
That is right… reciprocity out there… in the world… yes, you can look past it, and be a different person, apart from the norm. In the gym… that is the time to be selfish. When you lay down on that bench, looking up at the bar with fractions of a ton on it, and it is daring you to not be a bitch, that is its gift to you… giving you what you need to man up and kill it. Give it right back in the form of unadulterated aggression, determination, and ownership. However the weight comes at you, give it your list of demands, and mean it. Fair and equal exchange is soon headed your way.
Be hungry. No… scratch that… be ravenous. Want it all. Take, and take, and take, and take… but you better give. This is not one of those “Tis better to give than receive” moments. Oh no… this is the time when it is better to receive. But remember the code, because you will get nothing unless you give, and give plenty.
So when you hear those guys over on the wall, huddled tightly, looking like they are all about to break out into a game of close quarters grab ass, complaining about how they come in and work and work, but have nothing to show for it, you can smile, knowing that those are the stingy ones, and that they are completely clueless. When they look your way, thinking that your muscle came from a syringe (because they will), you will more than likely just laugh and shake your head, because your act of committed selfishness is the biting, crippling, emasculating truth for them… they just do not have what it takes. And they will know it. However, if they pay attention, they will come to know of, and learn this unspoken code of reciprocity as well.
And all will be right with the world… at least until the next person starts to whine about their lack of return. Then, the cycle starts all over again.
SHOW THEM HOW IT IS DONE.
This weekend saw Canada's first real pro in the Men's Physique Division (even though Mark Anthony Wingson is touted as the first Canadian Pro)...
At the 2012 IFBB Europa Show of Champions, Mark Anthony Wingson wins again. Meanwhile, here in Canada, at the IFBB 2012 World Qualifier, the new MPD pro is... well, I do not have his name. But here is the picture:
Attachment 29490
And at the NPC Europa Show of Champions, the winner was Chino Peng.
Attachment 29489
May 3, 2012
You have put so much time and effort, diligence, sacrifice, dedication, and focus into what you have done with yourself in the gym and in the kitchen... all of your friends and family have noticed the difference and reacted in kind (some good, some bad, as that is the way it is), and everyone has noticed everywhere that you normally go... you have even seen it for yourself in the mirror, in your clothes, and perhaps even in the shocked and astonished eyes of a lover... you have done all of this, so why take the opportunity to erase all of that with bad food choices?
Okay, so it may just be the one time. Maybe. One becomes two, two becomes four, four becomes an entire month of counterproductive behavior. And ask yourself... is it really worth it?
Granted, there is a use for an indulgence every so often, especially planned ones. The hardest part of living the fitness lifestyle to whatever degree you aspire, is without a doubt, committing to a proper diet...
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As an aside...
NOTE: The word 'diet' has come to be known as an action that is required for weight loss; there is a technical definition though, which people overlook. And for those of you reading right now who misunderstand the word 'diet' as easily as most people misunderstand the word 'supplement', let me clear this up for you right now. Taken from Merriam-Webster's dictionary:
1
a : food and drink regularly provided or consumed b : habitual nourishment c : the kind and amount of food prescribed for a person or animal for a special reason d : a regimen of eating and drinking sparingly so as to reduce one's weight <going on a diet>
For those new to this (relatively speaking, as in this day and age, there is no such thing as actually being new to this), most always, when 'diet' is referred to, definition 1a (specifically, 1c in some cases) is what is being spoken of; a barrier for a lot of people moving into this lifestyle is, upon hearing the word 'diet', they go straight to definition 1d, settling on the thought that they will have to starve themselves in order to lose weight, which is not the case.
__________________________________________________ ________________________________
... and it can be a daunting task in the beginning. But you want the results (or you have enjoyed the results that you have already had. Now, this entry does not target everyone. There is a segment of the population that have legitimate issues with food, and for them, it is not as easy as "do it; have some willpower". This is an entirely different subject, one which I will address in due time here. But right now, I am talking about the ones who CAN help it, but choose not to.
To be fair, I am not saying that you just should not EVER treat yourself, or indulge in the things that you like. On the contrary, you should. What I am talking about is not giving in to those urges just for the sake of it. When you think back on how far you have come, all that you have done, and where you can continue to go with your body's health and appearance, why would you want to bring bad food into your body, on a whim? Even if it is just for that one time, is it really worth it?
Cheat meals DO NOT have to be junk. A cheat meal can simply be more of what you are normally supposed to eat. For instance, if you are supposed to be eating 5 1/2 ounces of chicken, and you decide to cheat and eat upwards of 7 ounces (or not even keep track of how much you eat at that meal), congratulations: cheat meal. Granted, that may not sound like a worthwhile cheat... but worthwhile to who? Some outsider looking in? Why should that matter to you? Of course, when a scheduled cheat meal comes around, most, if not all people (yes, even me... although my wife will tell you, I actually fight her pretty hard on this one) go for the things that they miss the most and crave in the worst way. And that means trips to fast food chains, nine times out of ten. Or convenience stores. Or maybe childhood favorites that have no place in your diet any longer. Whatever the case may be, that is how it goes down when the cheat meal comes around. And again, with a planned cheat meal, actually no, there is nothing wrong with that (not exactly my preference most times, but that is just me). But I am not talking about scheduled cheats right now... I am talking about those moments of weakness, when dedication and discipline get tossed aside, giving way to supposed rationalization. Well, you can do it, and probably not have a setback of any sort. But, if nothing else, it is going to play with your mind. If you have done so good with and for yourself for such a long time, and you are liking what you see, then why did I just do that to myself?? Never had that dialogue with yourself? Just wait until you do. It is going to prove to be an interesting experience for you.
With the detail to food being the biggest problem for people getting into or settling into this lifestyle, you should know that there is hope. Like anything else that is good and worthy of sustaining in life, this also requires work. But it is work that does not go unappreciated. Because you would be spending so much time in the kitchen for meal prep anyway, rather than look at the difficulty in it, or seeing it as a punishment to yourself, why not look at it as an expansion to yourself... and learn something new about cooking in the process. I have heard from people that "the food" is the hardest part of all of this... the monotony of chicken, green beans, yams, or what have you, is boring, and they do not know how I or anyone can stick to it. That is because that is not all that there is. In this big, wide world of food, the only time we limit ourselves to the strictest of dietary confines is by choice (unless certain restrictions must be imposed, for health reasons of any sort). There are all sorts of ways to eat for the lifestyle and for general health without having to be bored, and having to bust your diet because the cravings have gotten out of hand. Look into it... there are many ways you can substitute one thing for another. Might that change the taste or consistency? Probably so. But would it be better for your body and more conducive to your goals? PROBABLY SO. Look around. Do some research. Take what free time you have, and experiment. Some of the best recipes were discovered completely by accident. There will be some trial and error involved, I will not lie. But you do not have to be bored with food, or have cravings go unsatisfied and unchecked. And even in the midst of your culinary exploration, please still remember to exercise some control.
Iif you are a competitor, you know how important the diet is for what you need to do. In the off season, yes, enjoy a few things here and there. But your off season... and it does not matter what your sport/endeavor is... should not be based around junk foods. Very, VERY few people can get away with that. And even if you can, just... why do it? Even if it is not affecting what is happening outside, can you say the same for what is going on inside? Think about it. Of course, I am not going to tell anyone what to do. Just remember though, the more you junk it up in the off season, the more cardio you will more than likely have to do for contest prep. Not to mention, the abrupt 180 degree turn you are going to take diet wise, which might send you into a spiral of cheating on the diet in the beginning, or possibly all the way throughout. Think about it.
All I am saying is that you should not want to place yourself in the mindset that you are undoing any progress in any kind of way, not even for one mishap. I have seen that actually demotivate people, and they fall to the wayside, returning to where they started at.
Do not let it be you.
May 5, 2012
I am running on three hours of sleep, so I am just being lazy today...
http://absolutebesttraining.com/?p=814
pic from Brandon's shoot with Vicky Lee just over 10 wks out
i'm so excited one of my 1st Mens Physique competitors
and one i have more to do with than anyone lol
so excited to see him onstage
May 7, 2012
Today's blog entry - http://absolutebesttraining.com/?p=821
May 9, 2012
Today's blog entry - http://absolutebesttraining.com/?p=839
May 10, 2012
If you are going to do this thing, then you have got to do it correctly.
Although the desire never dies, we know there comes a time when we hit a low point in this thing that we do, and every so often, even we need a little something to push us through the mud. True, we make our gains; we get the love from our friends and families… that does not matter because we are not in it for that. It helps though… but it is not enough.
Then, we head out to a show to see other brothers and sisters throw it down under the lights to make a name for themselves, and you know as well as I do what it took for them to get there. You can identify with it. When that front double biceps is shot out at the hysterical crowd, you know what that pose REALLY represents, and what every step of the journey meant to him, because you feel it day in and day out; you feel it in every forced red; you taste it with each bite of chicken breast; you feel the calm from the job well done when the water in your shower cascades over the impregnable fortress that is the armor that you have fashioned. You understand just how important the job at hand was with those weapons of mass construction. Like that man… like that woman on stage… you know that the months of fun were just as much of a Hell as the months of torture to bring something to the stage that will make people question if you are merely human, or a freak of nature. The gym is your playground, and the stage is your killing grounds… those on the stage know that, and you know it. You get it. While there are those in the audience looking and leering and wanting and cheering, you share their adulation. But unlike them, yours is different. While they respond to the display, you respond to their triumph, and what their triumph gives you: if you lost the way, they helped you find it again. If the path seemed dark, they showed you the light. If you found yourself starting to get burned out, being there in that crowd, in that chaos, with that energy, in that moment, living, loving, and knowing all in this… they lit that fire under your ass. Why are you so happy? Because in your heart, you know you are ready to go again… one foot in front of the other, step by step, making your way down that road with your eye on the target… and you better believe that we are coming… sneaking up on you… creeping up on you.
It might not be the same for everyone. It could be watching someone get their face kicked in during the current UFC fights. It could be watching bygone World’s Strongest Man events. It could be watching the Super Bowl… it could be anything for anyone in any endeavor… the point is this: this has to mean something to you, and it does. It means more than anyone will ever know, and more than you can ever put into words.
If you are anything like me, something like this is not just any old fire… it is fire fueled by napalm. And when it ignites, it and you will blow everything away.
May 14, 2012
Often I hear people remark about someone else, stating how they work just as hard as them, yet they do not look anywhere near like them. This in turn demotivates some people, and can set off any number of events, from depression to fatal over training, and anything and everything in between.
The human body was not created equal. We are all very much different for us being very much the same. While the physical makeup is the same, the difference in each of us is the genetics. Some respond to and can handle a certain stimulus than others. But that does not mean that your efforts are worthless or that someone else is superior; that just means that they are different from you, just as you are from someone else who may not have attained the success and goals that you have. It is not for lack of trying (in some cases, anyway).
Now, if you are a competitor in the fitness industry in any of the several divisions, then yes, it may be a bit more difficult to avoid comparing yourself to others who you know will be sharing the stage with you. That could just be a part of the game; I do not know. I do not compare myself to others. I will leave that for the panel of judges. But there is absolutely no faster way to cloud your own perspective and perception of all that you have done and achieved than comparing yourself to others. Friendly competition, maybe a lighthearted rivalry... that is fine. Make this the basis for what you do, why you train, or your worth... you are going about this all the wrong way.
Rather than look at someone else, or maybe a picture, and think about how you do not look like them despite all of the hard work that you have done and how you have obeyed the rules, so to speak, look at yourself, and... well, that is is: just look at yourself. Look at yourself and remember. Were you always where you are at now? Do you think you will stay where you are at now? Can you envision better? You want to compare yourself with something? Then compare yourself with your ultimate goals. Not quite there yet, are you? But you want to be, right? Then this is what you do:
QUIT THINKING ABOUT IT, AND SET OUT TO MAKE IT THERE.
I really cannot make that any simpler. But that is all it takes. If you want to drive to somewhere 500 miles from your house, are you going to just sit on the couch and wish and wish all day that you were at this destination, or are you going to get in the car (or catch a flight or whatever) to get there? Exactly, you are going to do what it takes to get there. Likewise, if you are motivated by what someone else has done with themselves, and you want to look like them, do you stand and stare and wait for it to happen to you, or do you do something about it?
Of course, if you just want to stand and stare, that is fine... it just means that myself and others get into the squat rack that much sooner. However, if this does not apply to you... if you will not just stand and stare and hope and pray for the miracle of aesthetic appeal without the required work, then get a move on, and make it happen.
"But Brandon... you said that the human body was not created equal. The difference is genetics. I am never going to look like so-and-so".
Okay. And?
Is this supposed to be reason to stop, or not even try? Should that stop you from being the best that you can be? Do you have any idea what you will look like? Do you have any idea what you CAN look like? The human body is a wondrous work of art, and ultimately, you are the artist. Do what you will with the materials provided. And you know what? It will be good. Chances are, it is going to be good enough to evoke the same feelings in someone who is watching you. And that person who you want to look like (of course, not EXACTLY alike, unless there is some sort of 'Single White Female' thing happening, in which case, there is a HUGE problem), you may wind up looking just as good as them, or even surpassing them.
Be happy with your progress. Know that this is not the end of the line for you; you only come to the end when you decide that it is time. You are better today than you were yesterday, one year ago, five years ago. That is the important thing. That is what you need not forget. And that should truly be what keeps you going day in and day out.
Now, I would be remiss if I did not say this... this IS NOT a reason to slack off in the gym, and with your diet. You have gotten to where you have for that exact opposite reason: You did not slack off. I just want you to realize that if you do not see yourself at an Olympia level physique or other top fitness athlete or mainstream sports star (or even just the guy or girl next door if that is the look you aspire to), it is okay; you are going to be you, and as long as you put in the work and have the dedication, you are going to actually be far beyond anything that you look at. Think about it. And as far as the role played by what you see, use that as your motivation to excel, not your hindrance.
That said, go forward today, and show the weights and yourself no mercy.
AMEN to that, and excellent thread GX thx!Quote:
Originally Posted by Gaoshang Xiongshou
5 weeks out pic
I am glad you like the thread! Hopefully, I can tend to it a little more consistently in the months ahead. For now... well...Quote:
Originally Posted by GYMBRAT
Please, I know me. I will work something out.
May 27, 2012
As you can see, it has been close to two full weeks since I last posted anything here. I sincerely apologize for this. To say that time is limited now is an understatement. Even at this moment, I need to make this quick. Yesterday was five weeks out. The time is drawing nearer, and I feel ready. Pictures definitely do not do me justice at this point. As you can see, I am finally in board shorts. The good thing is, the ones in the picture are not the final pair. I just recently got new shorts, which now need to be altered for proper fit, and that will be happening within the week. Both of those work much better for me.
In the short span of two weeks, a few things have either happened or been decided upon, all with an eye toward future endeavors. It has all been good. No complaints here, as it is what I have wanted. There have been blog ideas that have come and gone, as I honestly cannot remember them anymore. I know my creative process though, and how it works, and unless I get it out right then and there, unfortunately, I usually lose it. If I regain it, it is never as good as it originally would have been, and therefore not worth writing. As an artist, that just is how I am about what I produce... it has to meet my standards, and seeing as how I set them for myself with what I do and have done, I set them extremely high. I would like to say that beyond contest prep, I will have the chance to return to regular blogging, but as of now, I do not see it. Time will tell that tale though. The near future holds a lot for me, and I am going to want to share it. Fortunately, there is Facebook and Twitter, which I can access easily from my phone. My updates appear there regularly. Have not found me on either yet? You should! Trust me, I am easy to find.
For now though, I keep plugging away, moving toward June 30th, and again, I do apologize for not writing as regularly as I had been. Heading out to a photo shoot in a little while, which I am really excited about. Pictures will surface as I receive them. Later, all!
Hey GX nice seeing u here. Best of luck.
Team Fit Body's Incomparable Brandon Best
caught by Photographer God Paul Paul Patrick Hammill
pic 1 wk out
TEAM Fit Body's Bobby Gill
Gunning for BC's Mens Physique
June 27, 2012
pt of the day
“The only thing that will stop you from
fulfilling your dreams is you.”
“Don't be pushed by your problems. Be led by your dreams.”
TEAM Fit Body's Bobby Gill
preparing for BC's this wkend in Mens Physique