What's on my mind today?
It has been a long time since I've done a body part split, but I'm truly enjoying the freedom to work one body part each day.  I don't know if I am necessarily able to work harder, but at least I am extremely focused.  When the DOMs sets in I can tell specifically if I had correct form based on where the soreness hits me.

I used to exclusively do body part splits when I started working out.  I gradually shifted over the The New Rules of Lifting methodology of nothing but compound lifts.  I really enjoyed that methodology alot.  I found the workouts to be difficult.  I was able to put out some extreme intensity with those workouts.

Now I am back to the body part split.  It is too soon to say whether I like it or not, but at least, as I say, I am enjoying the focus.  When I first read that during week 1 I'd only be doing 2 exercises per session I thought it was a joke.  Now I get why.  The intensity is high and the volume is just right.  Any extra exercises would be a complete and total waste because by the time you get to the 12th set you can only crank out between 3 and 6 reps.

Mission 1, Day 93: Finish strong, plan big!

Until tomorrow…GET BACK TO LIFTING!

What's on my mind today?
Today was a busy work day for me.  I had alot of fires to extinguish and spent most of the day doing that. 

I started to think alot about DOMs today as my shoulders are on fire from yesterday's workout.  It is really a great feeling when you are really into lifting.  You know when you change up a routine that your body is responding a bit when you hit a nice set of DOMs after the workout.  The feeling is something I actually relish.  I know to some it sounds strange, but I like the feeling alot.  It lets me know that I've worked hard in the gym.

I was talking to a friend who had a personal training session today.  He recently lost his job and was telling me that he has no real motivation right now to workout.  I was explaining to him that it is understandable, but this is the time to challenge himself.  I explained that he needs to push through the mental blocks because if he is successful with this he will be consistent the majority of the time with ease.  It is only when we are challenged with difficult times and respond appropriately that we can be proud of ourselves.

Mission 1, Day 92: What a day!

Until tomorrow…GET BACK TO LIFTING!

What's on my mind today?
Today I started a great new program and the first week involves

I've been guilty in the past of getting distracted by personal issues.  However, the last two times I've had personal issues I've turned them into energy enhancers.  I've used the bad energy that I would have expended worrying about the problem and turned it into a new motivational force for myself.  Anyone can do it if they put their mind to it.  Alot of what “happens” to us is a choice we make. In fact, I'd venture to say that most of what happens to us is either a choice we make or a reaction to a choice someone else makes. Either way, we have the ultimate choice in how the outcome will be shaped.  It is how we react that determines our future course.  Make the right choice and the rest of it never mattered.

When I left the gym I had a hard time lifting my arm up enough to start my  car.  My shoulders are already burning with DOMs.  It was an incredible pump during the workout. 

Mission 1, Day 91: Reflecting on Mission 2

Until tomorrow…GET BACK TO LIFTING!

What's on my mind today?
Today was just a down day for me.  It was a rest day so that's what I did.  I spent time talking to a friend about some issues and find that it is always so frustrating talking to this person.  No matter how hard you try, this person doesn't completely listen.  That is how it seems to me.  I can't explain it and I'm sure they would disagree, but it really feels like I give them an explanation, I am told they get it, but in the end they don't really get it.  If they weren't so important to me I'd just give up and call it a day, but that isn't happening any time soon.

I spent about 2 hours today discussing why I said this or that and what the real meaning behind what I said was.  There were alot of perceptions this person had that were so far off that it wasn't even humorous.  In fact, they were not right even once when they tried placing a negative connotation on something I said.  All the negative connotations came from a misperception on their part that I then duly explained.  The explanations seemed to be accepted and things calmed down alot.  At the same time, it was frustrating and has me feeling the way I did in late June/early July.

At the same time, I learned alot about myself during that late June/early July time period, things that got me totally fired up.  I am about to embark on week one of Advanced Mass Building by Jeff Anderson.  Being pumped right about now is a great thing.  I will take the negative energy from today and focus it on my training.  I have work to do and I am going to do it.

Mission 1, Day 90: 10 to go!

Until tomorrow…GET BACK TO LIFTING!

What's on my mind today?
I got in a rather heated discussion today with someone close to me regarding this blog and my daily accountability pictures.  I was told that by doing this I am being selfish and everything is about me.  I was told that anyone who takes pictures of themself and worries about how they look is selfish.  I was really hurt by the comments, more than the person realizes, that is for sure.

I wonder how it is selfish to take daily progress photos?  I wonder why it is selfish to be living a healthy lifestyle?  I wonder what it is about wanting to get in good physical shape that is selfish?

I can hear alot of you already saying “They just don't understand what we do” but I am not willing to just accept that as an answer.  Whether you understand what we do or not, it is pretty harsh to call someone selfish for taking daily pictures.  The daily pictures I take involve nobody but myself. I have a tripod and I use it for the purpose of taking my pictures.  I don't interfere with anyone else's plans to take my pictures.  I don't insist that anyone else get involved with my picture taking.  I do my pictures when it is the most convenient.  I do them to track my progress and to be accountable.  By posting the pictures, I am not proclaiming how great I look or anything vain like that, I am merely saying “Here I am, hold me accountable for my actions.” 

The pictures tell the real story.  Anyone can sit behind a blog and claim to be doing great things and claim to be sticking to their plans, but the pictures won't allow you to hide.  If you are not doing the work you claim to be doing the pictures reveal that to the world.  The pictures are part of the checks and balances that go along with getting into good shape. 

When listening to how selfish I am, it brought me back to M340 Powerful Reasons Why and that got me thinking about each of those reasons.  Are they selfish reasons?  Yes, some of my PRWs are selfish, but alot are not.  I am reprinting them along with some commentary:

1. I want to win a bodybuilding competition in my age division (selfish)
2. I want to reshape my body (selfish)
3. I want to be healthier overall (not seslfish)
4. I want to lower my chances of heart attack, diabetes and stroke–all things that run in my family. (not selfish)
5. I want to prove every naysayer wrong–all the people who told me after my back surgery that I would never be able to lift again. (selfish)
6. I want my family to be proud of me. (not selfish)
7. I want to feel good about myself (selfish)
8. I want to be in the best shape of my life (selfish)
9. I want to be able to look at myself in the mirror and smile (selfish)
10. I want muscles (selfish)
11. I want to be around for many years to come (not selfish)
12. I want to be strong (selfish)
13. I want people to take notice when I take my shirt off (selfish)
14. I want to be appealing to those that matter (not selfish)

    
So alot of my reasons are definitely selfish, but alot are not.  9 out of 14 are selfish reasons, but is there anything wrong with finding motivation from selfish reasons?  Is the act of taking daily photos selfish?  Is wanting to be in the best shape I've ever been in such a bad thing?

Why do people feel the need to disregard an accountability blog like this?  Why don't they take the time to understand the reasons behind it before they bash it?

Selfish?  Not selfish?  I don't know, but I do know my feelings are deeply hurt by the comments that were made in that regard.

Mission 1, Day 89: Ratcheting up the accountability!

Until tomorrow…GET BACK TO LIFTING!