Monday, August 29, 2011

Role Models




I have never been one to play the race card... I think that each unique race brings its own unique benefits to the table. I've always tried to be the type of person that would study all ethnicity's and pick the best from each and bring them to the table.

So... the question is... why am I bringing this up today?

I was looking for a picture of a black  couple and was surprised to see how sexually suggestive most of them were. Then I decided to look and see how other races were depicted around the internet. 

So... my question to you today is this... how do you view other races? Do you have any stereotypes?

Thursday, August 04, 2011

Live and learn...

So... I decided to try a pre-work out supplement - Jack3d. Under ordinary circumstances, I eat very healthy. I'm 92% vegetarian, I don't ingest caffeine, and I track calories, sodium, sugar, potassium and fat in my diet on nearly a daily basis.

I went to GNC and they suggested that I add a few things to my diet - a multivitamin and a pre-work out supplement.

The multivitamin has turned my urine bright yellow. A side effect of the Vitamin B...

The Jack3d has caffeine. I like the energy that I get from it, but the caffeine dependency - even after 4 days is driving me crazy. 4 days in...and work out is good.

Wednesday, August 03, 2011

Caffeine

Apparently, most supplements have caffeine. I generally have a caffeine intake of 0mg/day. That's right. I live my life in a caffeine free way. Because I fuel my body in an *ahem* clean way - never taking in anything that is (too) bad, when I start adding things to my regimen I pay attention.

What I'm feeling right now is the caffeine drop off... the drain. I hate this part...

A familiar feeling...

My leg muscles hurt. Primarily my calves and hamstrings. I did day #2 of the insanity work out yesterday. There was a lot of squatting and jumping. Usually, when I head to the gym and work out on the machines (Cybex, treadmill, elliptical, the new fangled stepper thing) - I can work out hard, not bother to stretch and do it again the next day with no issues.

With Insanity... I feel it. my body feels like it had a work out.

This is the 4th or 5th time that I've started Insanity. Generally, my body gives out before I do. I end up suffering from muscle fatigue and I can't make it through the work out by the end of the 2nd week. I see improvements, I just can't sustain the work out.

I eat very cleanly when I do something like this. There's no need to defeat yourself by eating poorly and working out this hard. Although I'm 92% vegetarian, I consume an adequate amount of protein and I supplement with protein bars in between my major meals.

I'm doing something different this time, I'm actually using real supplements!

Here's my eating day:

8am   - Oatmeal
10am - Zone Perfect Bar
12am - Lunch (Usually a chicken, vegetable, pasta medley)
2pm   - Zone Perfect Bar
4pm   - Dinner (Tempeh or Tofu)

I'm using the following supplements:
Jack3d - pre-workout
MDrive - breakfast/lunch
GNC Mega Men Sport - breakfast

We'll see how this works out...

Day 2 of working out...

As much as I complain about working out, there are interesting benefits that I do like, For example, after only working out for 2 days I actually stand taller. It's almost like the muscles have awakened and they're sayiung "yes! we're being used again!!!"

The hardest part is going ot the gym... alone. Starting a high intensity work out... alone... And pushing myself as hard as I can because if I don't do it, no-one will. It's the ultimate test of self-discipline. The thing that I need to really grasp is that "if I can excel in this... I can excel in anything." SO I need to carry this drive over into other aspects of my life. Right?

There are so many areas that I rely on raw talent, that if I added discipline, I would be a super star.

Anyway... those are my motivational thoughts for the day.

Get-r-done!

Tuesday, August 02, 2011

Day 1... finished...

It truly is amazing how quickly you can get out of shape. 

I completed Day 1 of Insanity... again, and it completely kicked my but. Not too long ago, I was in the gym 5 days/week. I would do an intensive cardio work out, a little strength training... it felt good. I made the mistake of going roller skating and tweaking my knee. I took a couple weeks off... ate really poorly... the scale didn't say that I gained weight, but I could kind of feel it in the way that fat weighs less than muscle.

Anyway... I went to the gym... did the fit test... and WOW... what? It kicked my butt. The numbers were around the same as they were when I started Insanity the 1st time over 1 1/2 years ago. It was like all the progress that I made... had been stifled.

No worries tho... I'm back on track.

This time? No stopping until I'm under 200 pounds!

Monday, August 01, 2011

The First Day...

After a few false starts, I'm starting the Insanity work out... again. I plan on eating cleanly. Doing all 6 days of the work out... I will... I WILL get this done...