Ironman, Bodybuilding, or CrossFit

2011 Thoughts

As I approach 2012, my mind reflects back on what I did in 2011.  I set a half marathon and 5k PR, ran a sub 6:30 mile, hit 315 on bench, 455 on deads, and 315x5 on squats.  I did all this at about 15lbs lighter than my PR's.  

I ate Paleo at times, dabbled with counting Macros for Bodybuilding a few times, picked up a bunch of gym equipment for my house.

Ideas for 2012

Triathlon/Ironman: I can't swim.  I've tried lessons on a couple of occasions in the past and made little progress.  Issue with tri is swimming and the unknown of when it will "click" from lessons, masters swimming, and practice.  Main question is how much will it cost to learn and when will it finally click.  

Bodybuilding: Diet never ends....off season, contest season, traveling, holidays....the darn healthy eating never ends.  I enjoy eating healthy, but I shy away from saying no more to cookies, cake, beer, fatty steaks and sausages.  The diet stresses my out traveling for work, going to work dinners, and even eating my wife's cooking at home (dictating her diet/kids diet).  I love the workouts and the detailed nature fits my "Type A" side.  Good is the challenge and it's easy in the sense that I've been on stage before, know and understand how to Bodybuild, no stretching my limits to learn something new.

Strength and Conditioning, CrossFit, 5/3/1: Easy and Fun, issue is that I am so laid back with my diet when training this style.  No competition to get ready for, no compelling reason to pass on the sweets or beer....it's very go with the flow lifestyle.  This is great for family, friends, and work functions.  The diet is what can be frustrating, after eating junk I get disappointed with my lack of discipline.  The main issue with this style is I feel lost without an end goal to push me and just feel I spin my wheels.  I lack the self-discipline to eat healthy and push my training without an external motivator.  Overall this training fits the lifestyle best and provides much day to day satisfaction

This has been a day to day battle for 2-3 weeks now....really most of 2011.  I want to push myself and chase something, but enjoy the CrossFit style training lifestyle. At this point, I know I'm running a half Marathon in March 2012, but have no idea what else will come in 2012.

Thanksgiving Feast

Today is Thanksgiving and I have so much to be thankful for.  I have a great family, thriving career, and a solid relationship with my Lord, and Savior Jesus Christ.

Today, I ate my oats, whey for breakfast.  Then rice and canned chicken for meal 2, then ate thanksgiving food of turkey and noodles, with some fruit salad for lunch.  I then had 2 small slices of pie.  Oh yes, and 2 drinks...some sort of whiskey concoction.  Later on, I did turkey with raw veggies, then a slice of pumpkin pie. Before bed had egg whites and 1/2 a MyoPlex.  I did 30 min of jogging pre-feast and net/net I feel that I didn't have a caloric surplus today.

Tomorrow I should be back on track with my diet and training.  Will hit legs at Physical Edge in the morning and diet should be on track all day.  Then Saturday morning we'll hit the road back to Fort Worth....can't wait to be home.

New Viewpoint

Training
I'm still training hard, but adding more volume and getting more of a pump in my training.  The garage gym one day, the YMCA the next, then the Corporate gym at my work.  It's been fun changing things up.  


Diet
I continue to clean up my eating.  I have a renewed focused on eating clean, healthy foods, but eating with my family and making them the priority.  


Paradigm shift....Eating and training support my life, not the other way around. I train because it's fun, but also to be more useful and capable of enjoying my kids and wife.  I can eat clean, healthy foods and still be part of meal time.

Healthy Eating

Today is day 4 counting Macros, measuring, weighing food, and even tracking daily.  

Day 1 59f/297c/302p

Day 2 83/303/303

Day 3 89/288/296

Weight is 217, feel good.  No wine, beer, or any alcohol since the weekend.  Love feeling healthy again.

Needs and Wants

It’s human nature to desire, to crave things. We crave money, sex, fame, power, attention… the list goes on and on. And with this craving we create our own misery. If only we had such and such, then we would be happy and content. Right now can’t be that great, because we don’t have (fill in the blank). But once we get it (if we even do), we quickly realize it isn’t so great after all, and we’re soon chasing after the next shiny thing. The obvious problem here is that we never get it. We never get there. We end up spending our entire life striving, rather than arriving. As I mentioned though, it’s human nature. It’s hard to escape. In fact in some respects, trying to escape can just become another desire. Perhaps it’s best to realize the situation for what it is, and not let yourself get too wrapped up in it. Yes you’re going to want stuff in your life – some tangible, some not, but don’t let it define you. Like they say, “Pursue your dream but don’t let your life become one”. Realize that the game of pursuit is one which can’t be won. Quieting your mind down and appreciating what you already have is just as commendable as chasing after your dreams and constantly improving. Sometimes NOT getting what we want is actually what we need.

Success

How do you define success?  Google says: The accomplishment of an aim or purpose

I've been lifting for over 15 years.  Two and a half years ago I did a Natural Bodybuilding show, then a Powerlifting meet a few months later.  Since that time, I've trained and ran 5k and 1/2 marathon races.  I feel I'm at the crossroads now and need to decide which way to go next.

Option 1: Natural Bodybuilding Competition
Option 2: Train for strength and speed and eat a Paleo diet

I've read Robb Wolf and Mark Sisson on the Paleo diet and believe it's healthy and supportive to strength and speed goals.  However, wouldn't work for competitive bodybuilding unless I just ate tons of sweet potatoes.

I've been struggling lately with what's important in life and how I want to invest my time and energy.  Option 2 certainly allows much flexibility and energy for family, work, community involvement.

I'm a driven Type A person...I had a girl screw me over good in my early 20's - since this, I've been on a tear accomplishing things and success has come in everything.  I have a great job, awesome family, and great health.

So what's left?  I've wanted to race a full Ironman triathlon for years and I set out 3 years ago (almost to the day) to turn professional in Natural Bodybuilding.  I feel I have nothing to prove to anyone, including myself.  I just always like to chase something and put another notch on my belt.

REVIEW: Orlando Barbell Home Glute Ham Raise GHR

4 weeks ago I received my GHR from Brian Schwab owner of Orlando Barbell.

Overall: 9/10   I love this thing.  Well worth the money once you have a solid rack, bar, and plates.  I purchased to strengthen weak points in my legs to improve my strength in deadlift and squat.  Also to reduce the chances of injury from improving strength imbalances.

The Good:

• Small footprint (doesn't take up much space in my garage gym)
• Easy to move (can take indoors in the cold or could put it in back of truck to take to local track)
• Solid - seems extremely well made.  Fully welded, no bolts.  I'm 6'4" 220lbs and it doesn't budge
• Made is USA - designed and made in FL
• Cost is cheap relative to the larger GHR's on the market (EliteFTS, Rogue Abram, Legend Fitness)
• The floor design allows you to use a push up at the bottom once fatigued - like partials and working past failure

The Bad:

• It's hard
• Exposes my weak hamstrings

Be prepared to be humbled if you've never used a GHD or GHR, when I first got on I couldn't really do one.  Now I'm up to 8, well onto my goal of 10 by year end.