I asked for it, I got it!!

[sooner_ed]

Alrighty, a blog!!

Just got home from work. I swear things at work. If people would just do things right the first time, I wouldn't have to fix them on the back end!!

Anyway, today is weightlifting day.

I'm a runner by nature and the way things are going now, I would rather lift, then run. But I found that I was sacrificing a good lifting session by trying to do both at the same time.

I've been doing the same thing for the last five weeks so I guess it's time to change it up. Got my book with me. Hopefully the change will spark some more gains.

I'm working on the protein shake afterwards. I've never been about "optimizing" my shakes but I'm doing really well on nutritional timing so I'm thinking about a more optimal shake since I'm choosing not to eat anything at night.

Anyone have any good ideas for an optimal shake?

We have lift off lol a blogger is in the room

Congrats on being the first to start a blog, ed!

Sorry, I'm not a big shake drinker, so I'll have to let someone else answer your question.

Ed on the shake question, The body will only use 25g prot at one time so anymore is not assimulated, But my shakes was for bulk if you want to try one ?
1 Banana, 10 strawberries, half pint semi skimmed milk, Add powdered mlk to the blend for more protien (i used to add enought for another half pint) 2 raw eggs blend and chuck it down yr neck.
This is about 40g prot so its a good shake and it will deliver energy as a pre workout drink

[sooner_ed]

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Last night was a pretty good lifting session. Did new exercises so I used some lighter weights.

Today was supposed to be running day but it's raining outside. Normally not a big deal, but with the thunder and lightening, my wife thinks I should stay inside...lol

New options now...pull out the treadmill or work lower body and abs and jump on the stationary bike. I'll figure it out in a bit.

Now...to the shake issue...bodyshop, I hear ya on the bulk shake. I think I need a definition for bulk.

When you drink a shake like that, does it add muscle to the areas you work? I want to get lean and add size and definition to my upper body without any fat gain.

My ultimate goal is to look like Frank Zane. Some of you may remember my saying that a few years back. The man was so muscular and was still under 200 pounds.

I'm trying to get my v back. And no, not v the person...lol

I had a decent v going at one time. Will need to add chin-ups to get that back.

I weigh myself ever day. I know most don't do that. Helps keep me motivated. I'm still at 188; down from 210. I need to bust through this and get down to 185. Then set my next five pound weight loss goal.

Alright then...I'm off.

Let's hope we can get some more blogs going and get some life back to DF!!

Frank zane now theres an old but legendary name, you certainly set the bar high on that one.
That shake is a bulker as in muscle growth but you will gain fat also.
To gain big mass its a very very fine line to grow muscle and not gain fat, But with the shakes i used i gain mass very fast but i am a fast gainer when i needed it, today i just maintain.
I suggest trying the shakes even if you modify it to contain less fats but fat never worried me, as fat burns fat with the correct diet.

[sooner_ed]

bodyshop, I'm thinking about throwing a half cup of oats in the shake for the carbs.

I know it would be ideal for me to have a chicken breast and baked potato about an hour after I lift (after the protein shake), but not eating at night is working well for me. Not to mention the fact that I'm just not hungry after my protein shake anyway.

There's a very fine line where you can maximize muscle gains without gaining fat through a protein shake.

Waiting for V to chime in.

[ajarvis]

I am a runner at heart. I love it. I have to stop myself every weight day from running and force myself to lift lol. I enjoy that as well, but would rather run. So now I am running after every lifting session. That way I get the lifting in first and have all my energy and time for it then throw in a 1 km run at the end. I will be increasing the distance of the runs as much as I can, but find I'm pretty done in after my weight sessions - you could always give that a try!

[sooner_ed]

ajarvis, I was doing that but because of time restrictions, I was not getting a good weight session in before running.

Things are working much better lifting 2 or 3 times a week without running. That way my focus on those days is a good lifting session.

Today was a 5K run, no lifting. Humid as heck here too. But that was good.

I like being able to focus on only one thing a day. I get a better session that way.

Now back in the day, I was able to lift in the mornings and run in the evenings. That was ideal. I don't have that luxury any more.

[freespirituk]

Post workout I would go with whey protein/dextrose shake.

Any other time a blend protein is best because pure whey breaks down too quickly.

These are just some tips I picked up from reading some things that Dorian Yates wrote.

[sooner_ed]

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Almost got lazy today. Had a little business to take care of when I got home today. One of my mom's caregivers quit yesterday. Good thing I had two hired. Fortunately, I was able to have her replaced within 30 minutes of her quitting. So, had to take care of some of that business when I got home.

Got to bed late last night because of the situation and 5:00 came WAY too early this morning. It would have been so easy to have just laid down and went to sleep very early tonight but there is just something in my brain going on right now that says YOU HAVE TO RUN!!! So I just laced up the ole shoes and took off.

I wore a watch for the first time in a long time while running yesterday. I took it very easy and even walked some for the first 6/10 of a mile down to the stop sign. Then I timed myself for the next mile.

9:31

Couldn't complain.

Today - 9:07.

Even better.

So here's the deal. I've now lost 23 pounds in 39 days. I am in much much better shape now than I was five weeks ago.

But, given our current life of taking care of my mom, it is time for a much needed getaway for me and my wife. Here is a link of where we will be spending the next two days: http://www.morefield.cc/. When you go to the link, click on the pictures on the left side and see the entire cabin.

My wife will still have to do some studying while we're there so I'm still going to get a workout in. Will do some bodyweight exercises and go for a run. Fortunately, this little place is about an hour from home.

I'm thinking in light of my current success, this will be a much needed break from everything, even though I'll still be working out. But...this means three meals a day instead of my customary two. Have to have dinner with my wife. I'll just have to hit it really hard when I get back.

But no worries, this one has been earned and I'm going to enjoy every minute of it.

There are many keys to successful weight loss. You have to take care of yourself physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. You have to release your stress.

In that spirit, I see even greater success in the following weeks.

Life is good.

Enjoy your break. You deserve it!

[sooner_ed]

Sunday, July 17, 2011

Got back from our little weekend getaway today. It was very relaxing.

Friday night, my wife and I went to eat at The Old Plantation. Very good food. I had a nice dinner salad, blackened catfish, and grilled squash and zucchini. That was the biggest meal I've had in weeks. It was good though.

Was going to run Saturday evening, but my wife and I went paddle boating for an hour Saturday afternoon so that was good enough for me.

Since I took two days off from running, I ran five miles tonight. My longest run in I don't know how long. Almost got hit by a car!! Some girl wasn't even paying attention and was driving at least 45 miles an hour. She obviously was looking in the rear view mirror because I sure was giving her the business! I had no clue that she had turned around. She came back to apologize. That was very classy on her part. She didn't have to do that.

Can't say that I lost any weight this week. Probably just as well. We'll hit it really hard tomorrow.

Still highly motivated. Getting in better shape every day. I'm seeing definition but not much muscle growth. No one said it would happen overnight though.

So, it was a really good weekend. Great break.

Glad you had fun on your trip ed! It sounds like a great time.

[beefcurry1]

Originally Posted by sooner_ed

I'm working on the protein shake afterwards. I've never been about "optimizing" my shakes but I'm doing really well on nutritional timing so I'm thinking about a more optimal shake since I'm choosing not to eat anything at night.

Anyone have any good ideas for an optimal shake?

1 scoop whey post workout is about as good as it gets for optimizing. it also digests quickly, so you're not stuck with a full stomach for 2 hours waiting to eat a real meal.

as for high cal MPRs (meal replacement shakes) i like truemass, but, since it's cheaper(cals/dollar)and has good reviews i'm going to be switching over to universal real gains.

also, nothing wrong with throwing oats in a shake. i wouldnt do that post workout, but for any other time it's good. i do that for quick breakfast shakes:

2 cups milk
1/2 cup oats
1 scoop whey
1 banana
1 tbls honey