The Shredder lifestyle–eating right, working hard in the gym, doing alot of cardio, building muscle and burning fat–it works.  If it didn't work none of us would be doing it.

I've read a few of the newer blogs lately and the authors get so frustrated that they are not seeing instant results.  I think they need to go back and read up on patience.  Patience is the answer.  Consistency is the key.  If these people have patience and are consistent with their programs they will see the results they desire.  Results come from hard work and it wouldn't be hard work if it happened overnight.  This is important to remember.

As much as we want to see a change immediately, it just isn't going to happen that way.  Alot of sweat and hard work goes into a physique transformation.  I've said it before and I will say it again, I don't believe that most of the 12 week transformations came from people who had just started out.  I believe most of them are like Adam: RTP Blog 2–they've had periods where they've tried and failed.  At some point, something clicks and they succeed at what they are doing.  This point is lost on most people.

Overall the workout was great.  I left the gym around 5 a.m. and I was pumped. 

As we got into the car I started to ask some very pointed questions. 

“How come you don't seem to have the ability to compete against yourself?”

“Why do you seem to want to take the easy way out?”

“What is it that stops you from pushing yourself harder?”

The answers I got really upset me on the inside (though I didn't let him know this).  He doesn't have the ability to compete, takes the easy way out and won't push harder because he “gets very tired.”  What the hell kind of answer is that?  So I look him in the eye (yes, we were stopped at a light) and I asked him “Why do you think they call it working out?”  He didn't get it so I emphasized again the word “working” and the light bulb came on.  “It isn't supposed to be easy” was his response.  This lead me to another point.

“If you go to the gym, have me train you, but don't push yourself, don't attempt to do better each time and always take the easy way out, you are not going to progress at all.  If you are not going to progress at all, why do you waste your time going to the gym?” I asked.

“I want to get into shape.” he replied.

This got me on a tirade. I  explained that the only way you “get into shape” is to push yourself a little further each time.  You don't let the weight psych you out, you don't let the length of the cardio session psych you out.  You push harder and harder. 

A little background.  This guy is doing a basic powerlifting workout.  One workout I have him do Squats, Bench Press and Bent Over Rows.  The next workout I have him do Squats, Overhead Press and Deadlifts.  He really got into the deadlifts from the start, but got to about 150 lbs. and stalled out.  No matter what I tried he would not get 155 off the ground (which, to me, is ridiculous since he was able to get in 10 reps at 150 lbs, so 155 lbs should come off the ground at least once).  After thinking about it, I noticed that he was using a 45 lb. plate on both sides and a 10 lb. plate on both sides to hit the 155 lb. number.  I changed things up.  I let him warm up (as always) with the empty bar.  I then added a 25 lb. plate on both sides (95 lbs. total).  He managed 10 reps with that.  I then added 10 lb. plates to both sides (115 lbs. total). He managed 10 reps with that.  I then added another 10 lbs. on both sides (135 lbs. total).  He managed 10 reps with that.  I then added 5 lbs. on both sides (145 lbs).  He managed 10 reps with that.  I then added 10 lbs. to each side (165 lbs).  He managed 8 reps with that!  That's right, he managed to not only get 10 more pounds off the ground, but hit 8 full nice reps with it.  Back to my discussion with him.

I took the time to explain that he was able to get the 165 lbs. off the floor because he didn't think the weight plates were too huge.  His brain was telling him the weight was lighter than it was.  It was 100% mental. 

We finished off the conversation with me telling him that if I'm going to train him I expect him to push.  I expect him to leave it all on the weight room floor.  I don't want him holding back. I want to see effort. I want competition from workout to workout.  I want him to set goals and then make an effort to smash them. 

After that long commentary, I am finally at my point.

Dr. Brown proceeded to give me some Active Release Therapy.  Her stated objective is to get my range of motion back.  She does this through a series of soft tissue movement based massage techniques.  It was a very odd thing.   For instance, she explained that my glutes are keeping me from maxing out on my squats.  Basically, I am doing the form correctly (she checked) but because my glutes are way too tight they are not allowing my hamstrings to engage during the exercise.  She had me lay on my side and found a very tender spot on my glutes.  She had me do a very specific movement with my leg while pressing and manipulating the tender spot on my glutes.  She slowly changed the location where she pressed and manipulated, having me repeat the leg motion over and over again.  She had me do this on both sides.  She then worked on my hamstrings, having me lay on my back and drape my leg over her arm and relax it.  She then began pressing very hard into the hamstrings. They were so tight that it hurt alot, but as she continued the therapy I could feel my hammies loosening up. 

When the entire session was over I actually felt physically strange.  I definitely noticed that my hips felt less stress in them.  It was pretty amazing overall.  I am going back for a few more sessions to restore my range of motion.  She wants me to do some squats tomorrow to see if I am stronger, weaker or even more loose and relaxed.  I will report back on that when the time comes.

Bad News:

The bad news is I am not allowed to run right now.  She says I definitely tore my calf muscle and is going to tape it up for me (I have to shave my hairy leg first).  She says I should walk for now and concentrate on how I put down my foot.  She also mentioned that I will definitely be able to run again in the future, but for now, my Nike+ miles will consist of walking miles only.  I'm also not allowed to do any calf raises at all right now.  I hate that because I was actually seeing some progress in that area of my body.  Like I said yesterday, I have to just do my thing.

Some affirmations for me:

I have packed on pounds of muscle and feel great about myself.

I have become a lean fat burning machine and continue to build muscle daily.