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2006/05/24, 07:50 PM
i always love when people post progress journals. it always motivated me to workout harder, and keep pushing myself when i see that other people are succeeding, so here's my story thus far (and hopefully just the beginning).
I started working out in January. I was around 180 pounds, big spare tire, very weak and extremely out of shape. i've mentioned before that my job requires me to travel about 10 months out of the year, and it's honestly the best thing that's happened to me, because it's put me in a situation of living in a hotel, and most hotels have gyms. that was half the battle right there... convenience. i started working out because there was nothing else to do, and there was a free gym an elevator ride away.
like i said, i was extremely weak from being inactive for so long. 20 pounds curls, 90 pound bench, 120 pounds squats. sad right? not only that, but i was SO incredibly sore for the first few weeks, mostly in my joints, but i got through it.
it's 4 months (and a nice tan) later, and i feel like a brand new person. when i came home, people didn't even recognize me. i'm down to 160 pounds now. i'm still fairly weak, but my curls have doubled, i'm close to benching my own bodyweight, and i squat and deadlift well over 200 pounds now. not much for most people, but they're all PRs for me, and that's all i care about.
i couldn't do a single (proper form) chin up when i started, and now i'm doing 3 sets of 8. i nearly cried when i attempted my first dip (ended up just doing negatives), and now i'm looking to buy a dip belt so i can add more weight since 3x12 of just my own weight isn't doing it any more. one of the most important changes for me has been my diet. people are amazed at how my eating habits have changed. i do very little cardio whatsoever, so all my weight loss and muscle gain has come just from eating well and lifting weights. i do plan on focusing on some HIIT cardio to get rid of the last of my love handles and stomach fat.
anyhow, what good is a progress journal without some pictures? i wish i would have taken some more pics when i first started, but i was honestly too embarrassed to take pictures of myself without my shirt on. you can still see the difference though.
january 2006:
only pic i took - http://www.midgetsandmonkeys.com/pics/recent2.jpg
today:
arms - http://www.midgetsandmonkeys.com/pics/DSC01717.JPG
chest/triceps - http://www.midgetsandmonkeys.com/pics/DSC01717.JPG
legs - http://www.midgetsandmonkeys.com/pics/legs.JPG
i'm leaving for alaska this saturday and will be there for 4+ months. i've already looked into their gyms, and i plan on coming home even bigger and stronger than i've ever been. thanks to all the help you guys have provided me with answering my newb questions and teaching me a lot thus far (mutt, wrestler, menace, bbfit, gatormade, etc)
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2006/05/24, 08:03 PM
Looking great! Nice writeup bro. Very impressive turnaround. You are proof, yes, it can be done, even with constant travel...just knocks out another excuse folks love to use.
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Maximus from Gladiator....Strength and Honor!
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2006/05/24, 09:53 PM
Good on ya! Feels good, doesn't it?
t
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I am training for birthdays.
Be here. Live. Love. Hope. Now. Faith. Believe. You. - Keith Urban
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2006/05/24, 09:58 PM
Oh... wanna add, the arms picture is the same pic as the chest/tris...
t
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I am training for birthdays.
Be here. Live. Love. Hope. Now. Faith. Believe. You. - Keith Urban
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2006/05/24, 09:59 PM
whoops. my kingdom for an edit button! it was supposed to be this:
chest/triceps - http://www.midgetsandmonkeys.com/pics/DSC01718.JPG
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2006/05/25, 02:40 AM
Way to go man.....keep up the great work!:dumbbell:
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Days go by and life drags on.....
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2006/05/25, 05:12 AM
congratulations....this should be very inspirational to others in your situation....
good luck with future progress.....stay focused/consistant and u'll achieve anything u set your mind on....
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2006/05/25, 09:14 AM
Congratulations...that's awesome progress in 4 months! Lookin Good:big_smile:
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