Men's Physique: GX's road to the 2012 BC's (and beyond)

[Gaoshang Xiongshou]

April 7, 2012

My apologies, but I do not have update pictures for this week. I was not able to coordinate my regular picture time. I will be waiting until next week at the regular time to take them, so do know that 11 week out pictures will be here!

Earlier this week, the idea of me entering into the upcoming Emerald Cup was entertained. Ultimately, decided against, Dawn said that I was looking good enough at this point to take a stab at it (as it can only get better from here). So no detour for me, just keep pushing straight ahead to the BC's.

Part of the contest dieting process is the unfortunate and perhaps unavoidable diminishing of mental capacity and functioning due to the lowered food intake and lack of sleep (or very little) that can be experienced by some. I know I have not had a problem in that department, for sure. I remember another prep diet though, where my sleep was really erratic and definitely not solid throughout the night, and that was a result of the intensity of my training. It is still intense this time around, but sleeping is not an issue. I am sure with enough thought though, I can figure it out, and be able to pass it along with my other experience. ANYWAY... as I was saying, things happen when in this depleted state. It is either funny or tragic, depending on how you wish to look at it. Several weeks ago, for whatever reason that I cannot even begin to comprehend, I got out of the car, and went into the gym... left the keys in the door. About ten minutes later, one of the gym members came in, and asked my wife and I who he should give the keys to. We are really fortunate that no one took the car, because this is not exactly the best area for truthful people. Fortunately, he was one of them.

That was a pretty dark day for me. Never in my life had I done anything so stupid, and never in my life had I felt so dumb. That was the day that I decided that I was not going to let being tired get to me anymore. Something of a struggle, still, but I manage. I know it is normal for this to happen, but for me, I see it as a major weakness to succumb to this (I would not say this about anyone else; I speak only for myself). So, in an effort to stave off further diminishing mental function and capacity, I have taken some daily measures now. Probably about ten years ago, I read something somewhere that stated that keeping the brain busy with things like crossword puzzles or word searches would keep mental functioning high. Ever since reading that, I have done it. And after that incident, I returned to doing word search puzzles, and have added in Sudoku, for a warm up. I have also started solving mathematical equations of various branches (mostly Trigonometry). Finally, just for a little light reading to relax the brain gently, I am again reading Kierkegaard. It would be interesting too, to go back and reread Nietzsche's 'Beyond Good and Evil' again. I have not read that since I was nine-years-old. Actually, 'Thus Spoke Zarathustra' should be a good choice too. Maybe a trip to the bookstore or to find an online download somewhere is in order. In any case, I am not going down without a fight.

I got more work done on my left sock (lower leg tattoo) Thursday. It hurt like Hell. Still does. I am having to take Asprin right now to dull the pain, and it wakes me up sometimes at night. I know how it is though... another two or three days, and the pain should be gone completely. It was definitely hard on a guy who is single digit body fat!! And no matter what you have, when the tattoo has to cross the shin or the Achilles tendon, you are in for some pain. But, when I am healed, I just go back, get it finished, and move on from there.

Anyway, that is it for me this week in review!

[Gaoshang Xiongshou]

Sounds very,very good Brandon.My wife no longer trains in the martial arts due to her health,but she did many different styles including weapons.She originally got the bug from her father,who was a very experienced jump trained commando in WWII.We practiced many times,she would demonstrate techniques to stop a man,she was very flexible.

First and foremost, I am a martial artist. When everything else in this world has come and gone for me, I will still be that same martial artist that I started out as. That is something that will NEVER leave me.

[Delt King]

Hey GX, are you able to go straight to the BC provincials without a top placing at a regional show? In ontario the OPA says i have to start all the way at the bottom at a regional show before going to provincials and eventually the national show in bc (because my bodybuilding qualifications don t crossover to Physique class). So i m planning on doing all 3 shows, assuming success allows it. i was looking at the National show in New Westminster---it s about 35-40minutes away from the Vancouver airport (effing taxi costs are going to kill me) Too bad they didn t pick a location closer to the airport for all the athletes coming from all across the country. Anyway, keep crushing the prep GX.

[fitbody]

Hey GX, are you able to go straight to the BC provincials without a top placing at a regional show? In ontario the OPA says i have to start all the way at the bottom at a regional show before going to provincials and eventually the national show in bc (because my bodybuilding qualifications don t crossover to Physique class). So i m planning on doing all 3 shows, assuming success allows it. i was looking at the National show in New Westminster---it s about 35-40minutes away from the Vancouver airport (effing taxi costs are going to kill me) Too bad they didn t pick a location closer to the airport for all the athletes coming from all across the country. Anyway, keep crushing the prep GX.

hi ya
ya here in BC we are allowing both mens and womens physique to go straight to the BC Championships without qualifying
we will be having classes available at both Kelowna (drug tested) in May and Fort St John show in June
but they don't have to do those shows
and because Nationals is here in our province this yr top 5 from BC's will go to Nationals this yr instead of top 3

as for getting to your hotel
we will pick you up from the airport if you like
and if you want to know where a hotel is with a kitchenette instead of contest hotel let us know
we are about 15 mins from the venue
theres a hotel darn near across the street from us with kitchenettes
and we can drive you to and from the athletes mtg, show if you like

[Delt King]

hi ya
ya here in BC we are allowing both mens and womens physique to go straight to the BC Championships without qualifying
we will be having classes available at both Kelowna (drug tested) in May and Fort St John show in June
but they don't have to do those shows
and because Nationals is here in our province this yr top 5 from BC's will go to Nationals this yr instead of top 3

as for getting to your hotel
we will pick you up from the airport if you like
and if you want to know where a hotel is with a kitchenette instead of contest hotel let us know
we are about 15 mins from the venue
theres a hotel darn near across the street from us with kitchenettes
and we can drive you to and from the athletes mtg, show if you like

Wow that's so nice of you guys. i ll definitly get hold of you when i get through the first 2 shows and make my arrangements for Nationals. You guys are the best...cheers!

[fitbody]

Wow that's so nice of you guys. i ll definitly get hold of you when i get through the first 2 shows and make my arrangements for Nationals. You guys are the best...cheers!

whatever we can do to help you just holler

[Gaoshang Xiongshou]

Well, she definitely answered your question more succinctly than I could. But after all, this is coming straight from the VP of the BCABBA!

It will be fun! Just like the camaraderie that Arnold and the guys had back in the day. Bodybuilding, and any division associated under that umbrella, needs more of that anyway.

[Gaoshang Xiongshou]

April 8, 2012

Life is about choices, and the choices we make define who we are. This is not a good or bad thing… this is just how it is.

So, if the choice you make is for material possessions over your fitness, health, and well being, then you make it pretty apparent to the world where your priorities lie.

Why not make the investment in yourself instead of the good time you will have, moments which will come and go in an instant? Sure, memories will be made, had, digitally saved, and never forgotten… but your body is the only one you get, and you will have it forever.

Therefore, you cannot say that you cannot afford personal training or the healthier lifestyle, if in the same breath, you make mention of just buying a new H2 Hummer, a BMW motorcycle, a second home somewhere, or are taking off for three weeks to some remote island. It is not that you cannot do what you must for your body and health, because clearly you can. You just want something different, is all. And that is fine. Just do not lie to others, or more importantly, to yourself about it.

If the things in your life are more important than the quality of your life, see how far that gets you. Yes, Life is to be enjoyed, but I would think that one would want to be able to enjoy life in as grand a fashion as possible through optimum health and performance. At least that is how I want to go through life.

Eating cleanly and properly is expensive? It can be, but does not have to be. Smarter shopping is the answer, meaning a little work and some time invested on your part is in order. OR… you can just blow it all on quick, supposedly inexpensive food, and really shrink the holdings of your wallet, while increasing the size of your waist at the same time!!! It is the gift that keeps on giving!

Life is about choices, and it is the choices that we make that define who we are. Comfort, just like anything else in life, has its price. If you are willing to pay, have at it. A better payment plan would be into yourself, which will repay you dividends. But… I am just an outsider looking in on your life. But I will tell you this like I tell the competitors… suffer now, but smile later.

And unlike anything material in this world, that is not going anywhere.

[Gaoshang Xiongshou]

April 9, 2012

Today's blog entry is really long and involved. So rather than copy and paste it here, I will just leave the link:

http://absolutebesttraining.com/?p=640

This is certainly worth the time it takes to read. Pass it on as you see fit!

[Gaoshang Xiongshou]

April 10, 2012

For any man or woman in this lifestyle, what draws a person into this, makes them stay… you already get it. For those not though, there seems to be a bit of confusion, and hopefully, I can clear that up today.

I recall seeing shows like ‘The Jenny Jones Show’ or ‘Donahue’, and on the rare occasion that they had a female bodybuilder on the panel, or an entire show focused on female bodybuilders (Jenny Jones’ producers made it seem like more of a freak show than anything else), the response from the audience in attendance was always one of shock, disgust, and even outrage. There were questions such as “Why would you do that to yourself?!”, “Why did you get into doing this?”, and “Are you trying to be a man?!” You know… really ignorant questions (and not ignorant as in the textbook definition of the word, but just plain out mean and stupid). And most times, the women were not top level competitors. Some were not even competitors at all, just women who loved to lift. It did not matter to the audience. No matter what they said, the audience booed them as if they had done something horribly wrong. Of course, it did not help that they were put on the defensive, most likely from having to deal with negative backlash personally. But the whole thing really was a recipe for disaster. And the intolerance and judgment surrounding those women’s (or any women’s) involvement in the fitness lifestyle, to whatever degree they chose, was stifling and unbearable almost all times.

What it is that calls women to lifting weights, and developing muscle (which WILL happen if she trains and eats correctly, and puts forth the requisite efforts)? People would be really surprised. To this day, men and women alike still pose the same questions mentioned above, plus other not-so-tasteful or tactful inquiries. Perhaps even you have often wondered what that reason is.

The answer is this: There is no definite answer. Everyone is different. Everyone is on their own journey, in their own time, for their own reason. One should not be so quick to judge another, as you have no idea what that person’s story is. Because whether you know it or not, everyone… even you… has one.

There are women who get into the fitness lifestyle because they see it as a means to use the discipline required for all components to gain control over an eating disorder. Some women may use it as a way to feel empowered, and in control of something, stemming from an unfortunate sexual or physically abusive relationship or childhood. There are women who enter into the lifestyle in order to maintain a recovered status from injury, or to better manage a disease (one of my clients came to me to gain strength to deal with the Multiple Sclerosis that has ravaged her body). Some women, having had an athletic background in earlier days, move onto weight training to keep in touch with their athletic side; their wish is to not be inactive, and the discipline and intensity of weight training is the draw for them that they can relate to from their earlier athletic endeavors. And then there are some women who just like to get physical and move heavy weight.

You ask why? I ask you why not? If anyone knows what the problem is with a woman wanting to do what she feels is better for herself mentally and physically (maybe even emotionally), improving upon what she has been given in life, or in worst case scenarios, what she has allowed her life to become… please, share it with the rest of us.

The reasons are endless. But each reason is valid. For those who question and belittle those who would do so, would you want someone telling you that what you are doing is wrong, or makes no sense, or anything negative in an attempt to dissuade you from pursuing something that you are passionate about? For instance, let us use scrapbooking as an example. Someone out there reading this loves it. It does not hurt anyone, does not endanger anyone, has a positive focus, is productive in its own right, and brings the participant happiness and contentment. And there are many out there who may see your hobby as a waste of time, money, energy, and all around boring, and would not hesitate to tell you such at any given chance. Do you really think you would want to hear that? Or would you rather be able to make your case for your involvement, expressing your joy, sincere earnestness, and devotion to your craft and what it does for you? In the end, perhaps you still will not change their opinion of your activity, but maybe they can at least stop asking “Why?”

And that is all that I am saying to you… you never know what or why a woman has chosen to transform her body through weight training. But I can guarantee you that she is not intent on challenging the status quo. But, even if she is… that is her prerogative! There is a reason for everything.

Understand this.