Right now I'm laying on the couch just awaken from a much needed nap writing this weeks' sentry. Of course it will be a few hours when I finally hit "publish" but today I wanted to set the stage a little bit more. This week I received an email from a dear friend "just because" encouraging me to keep going and not let fear or doubt stop me from pursuing what I set out to do. At the time I read the email I didn't "need" the message; however, I tucked it away like you do one of those good sermons on Sunday for a rainy day.
Although I can use the message, it triggered a series of thoughts that led me to want to say this: this journey has not been easy, and when I looked back there are A LOT of failures in my life that have prepared me for it. There are some good days and some not so good days, but the fire still burns within. And it's "the fire" that burns directing a purpose that we all have inside us. That purpose is unique from person to person: however, the sum of those purposes are a great work in which none of us can phathom the outcome. In order for the purpose to be lived and the journey to be successful you have to wake up each and every day with the belief that "you can do it" because there will be struggles, there will be disappointments, there will be frustrations and there will be tears; however, there will be even more smiles, more confidence, more validation, more joy and more love. If you can wake up every morning with the belief in yourself powered by the strength of God (or the universe, or whatever higher power you believe in) you have already won the prize. Now all that's left is to finish the race.
Today I am 26 days out from my first show - I am tired, my energy levels are low, my physical strength levels are declining and coffee is my best friend; however, I am so much stronger in many other ways and that strength gives me the extra power needed to takeon whatever is left to come the last few weeks.
Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. (2 Corinthians 12:9 NLT)
Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. (2 Corinthians 12:9 NLT)
Diet
I can't tell you how many Jesus's I prayed to last week that the second diet adjustments would result
in some kind of movement. I am happy to say that they did. This past week I had to travel for work on Thursday to Hannover, Germany to the Internation Truck Auto Show. It is about a 5 hour train ride from where I live and only a day trip. Trips and contest prep can be like oil and water if you are not prepared. I made sure I had all my leaks packed for the day. The last time I was home I invested in a meal management bag from the company FitMark Bags. I can carry up to 6 meals in it plus my wallet, iPad, phone chargers and other small things. It has been a great investment and a good way to stay on track anywhere I go.
Checked-in with The Boss today and have the agenda for the week. I have been rotating my carbs so 50g rice one day and 100g rice cakes (plain, lightly salted) the next (I love rice cake days). The Boss says we won't go to absolutely no carbs as we want the body to use the carbs (not the protein) for energy. I go the next couple of days on the same level, and if nothing changes by Tuesday, then I have my directive of how much turkey to reduce in my diet. Now it's a closer look on a day-to-day basis for the development to keep the weight trending down.
Checked-in with The Boss today and have the agenda for the week. I have been rotating my carbs so 50g rice one day and 100g rice cakes (plain, lightly salted) the next (I love rice cake days). The Boss says we won't go to absolutely no carbs as we want the body to use the carbs (not the protein) for energy. I go the next couple of days on the same level, and if nothing changes by Tuesday, then I have my directive of how much turkey to reduce in my diet. Now it's a closer look on a day-to-day basis for the development to keep the weight trending down.
Mood wise I find myself being more and more introverted and trying to maximize my personal time to just rest. Naps are a bigger element in my life right now especially on the weekends due to the lower energy levels.
Training
Training is much more of a mental battle as it is a physical one. My strength is not where it once was. I'm still pushing heavy weights for my main movements - decline bench, shoulder press, barbell rows, squats - and still hitting legs 2x a week - one day squats the other only day leg extensions and leg curls. I have a couple more weeks of leg training before The Boss removes that element. I'm doing cardio daily for at least 30 minutes the past few days I've been doing 40 minute sessions just to get in the extra movement. My Jawbone UP keeps me on track with gauging my movement levels and if I need to pick it up a bit.
Weight
As I wrote on the diet section I finally saw some improvement in the weight department. This morning I clocked in at 72.8kg/160.5lbs (the lowest so far being 72.7kg. So that is approximately 1kg/2.2lbs since we last came together. Again, when I started this cut I was 85kg/187.4lbs. I'm down 12.2kg/26.9lbs. I've done this over 5 months. Not over night, slow and steady. The goal for next week is in the 71kg region. I know I have more diet changes on the horizon.
Important note: if you DO NOT have a scale at home to weigh yourself everyday you are not serious about wanting to improve your Physique. The scale and the mirror are your two tools for progress and I will throw in a third - pictures!!! Get a scale and weigh yourself naked each and every morning and keep records of it. No excuses!
Important note: if you DO NOT have a scale at home to weigh yourself everyday you are not serious about wanting to improve your Physique. The scale and the mirror are your two tools for progress and I will throw in a third - pictures!!! Get a scale and weigh yourself naked each and every morning and keep records of it. No excuses!
Progress Photos
This week I had to take the progress photos back to the house and do them myself. I'm started to see more veins in the shoulders and chest region and my legs are starting to lean out more and more. I'm looking forward to leaning out week a little more week by week until the show. 
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