My Insight on My Training

[bubba73]

I really didn't know what to call this thread but today was a good day for me so I wanted to have a place to be able to post. Although it may sound a little like "bragging", I can promise that is not my intent at all. We all have this portion of our brains that has made us actually enjoy our training sessions. We like the way we feel when we are doing it and we like the results after we are done. Whatever you want to call it, like what Panda Dave has so eloquently put it as the "You Ain't Right Club". Well, with that being said, let me give a quick bit of history to get to today.

13 months ago, I had my left knee scoped. Afterwards, I developed some minor complications. Even though before hand I was a gym rat, it was expected that I would never really run again. Due to these complications, I took 3 months where I didn't even step foot into a gym and took 6 months off away from doing any type of cardio. During this time, I gained about 30 pounds of ugly, depressing FAT. I also made the decision to change gyms as we had a new facility open up in my City that would be closer so I was hoping that I would frequent it more to get better results. Then, at the end of January, I had a dear friend, Twotoohappy (aka Liz) recruit me to be on her team in the competition and this got my motivation back up to a new high.

Fastforward to today: Today, I went in the gym and started talking with the GM before I started my workout. He proceeded to tell me the following: "Bro! Out of all of the clients that we have had come into this gym since we opened 1 year ago, you have made the biggest transformation of any of them. You can see it in your face, chest, abs. You carry yourself with a lot better posture. When you first started here, you had a tendency to slouch. Now, you are walking tall and proud. It is a HUGE difference. Way to go, bro! Keep it up!"

I was stunned and didn't really know what to say. About all I could say is thank you and then I went on with my workout. But with that being said, I have a new motivation that is stronger than ever before. I am setting goals and making them public so I can have all of you hold me accountable. I am going to keep with my strength training to cut better details and shape into my muscles (what little I do have). 2) While following my routine of cardio, diet and ab work, I am working for the closest thing that I can get to a 6 pack of abs. 3) I really just want to know that hopefully my story has inspired or motivated someone else to achieve a healthier lifestyle. (That is the trainer side in me.)

There it is for anyone and everyone that makes the choice to read my ramblings. I look forward to any critique, support and accountability that anyone may want to give.

Thanks everyone!
Bryan

 

[larry's girl]

Hi, Bryan. Welcome to the WISH boards!

Your story is extremely inspirational, and as someone who has been struggling for years with chronic health issues, I need all the help I can get. So thank you for posting your journey and your thoughts - it helps tremendously to read about how others have come back from very adverse circumstances and became leaner, fitter, more healthy individuals!

And feel free to brag all you want - there is no shame in that! You have a right to feel good about how far you have come and your future progress, and I for one look forward to reading about it.

Hope you have a great weekend!

Susan

 

[windwalker]

Bryan it is entirely acceptable to strut your stuff. That is what we are all about. People wanna read about real no poop success stories. The media is full of stupid stuff, like they show a guy/gal with a perfect body doing some sort of machine or popping this or that pill and make claims about how they went from Jaba the hut to Arnold in 10 minutes a day.

There is a secret but we have known it for years, hard work, sensible eating and paying attention to the details.

My details that are my edge to becoming world class:

Warm up
cool down
stretch
weight training
proper, low fat, eating
work on every body part

These are not negotiable. Always warm up and cool down. Stretch after every workout. Do something regularly for every body part, if you neglect a muscle group, guess which one will end up failing and or causing something else to fail.

Bruce Lee was a giant in the world of body awareness. He neglected to do a proper warm up one day and did some "good mornings" with a light barbell. He had lower back pain for the remainder of his short life. He was one of the overall fittest men on the planet. But one day of being in a hurry and he suffered a serious injury.

Sounds like you have a lot of good help, motivation and will power, you shouldget amazing results. It's ok to dream heck I'm 56 years old and believe I can be a world class athlete. Whether I accomplish that or not, doesn't matter, I'm going to enjoy every step of the journey.

YARC Panda

 

[bubba73]

Yesterday and today have been on the weird side for me. Yesterday, I went to the gym per usual to workout my arms, abs and cardio but I when I started on my arms, I had no strength. I went on and forced a workout that was more designed for a "pump" than strength but wasn't really satisfied. I did lots of stretching, abs and then the cardio. I had numbers in mind that I wanted to achieve but conisdering how the arm workout went, I didn't know what I was going to actually be able to accomplish. I got on the bike and started riding. Finally, I found a good movie on the tv so that made it easier but at the end of the first hour, I was grinding. I kept on telling myself that I could do one more mile but then also tried to rationalize that I could do more on Saturday before I turned in my time to my team. That's when I started thinking about Liz, Dave, Corrina, Debra and all of the others that I get so much motivation from and I pushed on. I ended up doing 27 miles on the bike and 5 miles on the elliptical. Whew! I was tired last night.

Today, I had an event that I was supposed to go to with my volunteer program that I am apart of (I am a volunteer COP.) to help another town get one of these programs established. My understanding was that we were going to be under a pavillion. Well, we got there and there was no pavillion. For that matter, there wasn't much shade at all. Did I ever mentioned that I am a fair, red-head that burns easily? Yes, you can see where this is going. We were outside for almost 4 hours. My head and forearms are blistered right now. Then afterwards, we had some godd family friends having a BIG cookout today and we were invited so we had to go to that. Before the sunburn, I had it all planned out that I was going to do all of this and then head to the track for a 2 hour walk. Since I wasn't doing any other kind of workout for today, I figured I would be able to handle that easily. Well, I got home from the cookout (which I actually didn't eat while I was there ) and fell asleep for about 2 hours. When I woke up, my head was hurting worse than it did when I laid down so I am taking the day off from my workouts. I am still going to do some stretches and maybe some abs here at the house before I go to bed but that will be it. I have to constantly remind myself that tomorrow is another day. I don't have to kill myself everyday or be #1 in a competition or make the current national "Miss Hottie" think that I am the best looking guy (that one won't happen anyway). All I need to remember is that I have already won the battle. I am healthy. I am getting better and stronger everyday. I may never have the physique that I desire the most of having but I also know that I won't allow myself to go back to what I was. That's good enough for me.

Thanks everyone for listening (uh... reading) my ramblings. The encouragement and support that I have received is awesome!!!!


Bryan

 

[larry's girl]

Hi, Bryan. SO sorry for the sunburn! I have had a few nasty ones in my day, and they are NO FUN. Please allow yourself time to heal and don't overdo it.

I am at how many miles you did in one work-out routine. How do you do that? I would have been so far beyond tired, I would have been catatonic. Wow, I am SUPER impressed.

And as for worrying about looks? I say, don't. Worry about being healthy and happy and surround yourself with people who value and care about you for who you are, not what you look like. Believe me, if I was concerned about my looks (I weigh well over 300 pounds and am so out of shape, it's pathetic, but I'm still trying!!), I would never leave my house. And my DH still thinks I'm the most beautiful woman in the world (or at least he acts like he does!!) - that's one reason I'm still as best I can, 'cause I want to be around for him and our daughter for a long, long time.

Well, I seriously digressed in that paragraph - sorry, I have a tendency to do that sometimes. What I'm trying to say, in my usual long-winded fashion, is that you should be extremely proud of yourself for all you have already accomplished and what a wonderful future you have in store.

Hope you have a great day!

Susan

 

[bubba73]

This week is starting off real slow for me as far as my training goes. My sunburn is blistering and peeling already. I can't tell you how many people asked me about it today while I was at work. It turned almost comical. I would still love to be able to go to the gym but I am really scared of getting sweat into the burns. I will take tonight and tomorrow night off (I have a meeting tomorrow night with my volunteer group.) and then go back to it on Wednesday. I am hoping to be able to put a lot of miles in both on Wednesday and Thursday but I guess we will have to wait and see.

I really need to get back out and do some more walking but I am going to wait on that as well. I am planning on doing some ab work tonight as well as some stretches just to keep the body in motion.

Thanks everyone!

Bryan

 

[windwalker]

I don't have a sunburn but I have a real wicked bug bite. Don't have a clue when I got it. I hope it heals quickly.,

Walking Panda

 

[bubba73]

Today is one of those days where I don't know what I am going to do yet. I am still dealing with my sunburn and boy, is it irritating. My forehead is so dry right now that it feels like if you add some milk you would have Rice Krispies Cereal. I have put on some aloe vera to soothe it and I am about to put on some more. Otherwise, I just got home from work and I have a meeting to go to in about an hour. I want to go to the gym and at least do some cardio and abs but part of me is saying not too. I never listen to that part as often as I should. I am really leaning to going to at least get some time in since I haven't been yet this week. I have to get my miles in, I just have too!!!! So I guess I will be heading over there after my meeting. It might be a short workout but I feel like I have to get something in. I will, of course, report back later.

Healing Bubba (I'm not mad. That's just how hot my head is right now!)

 

[windwalker]

I like that "Healing Bubba".

You said you were in retail? What do you do? I'm an optician in the retail end of eyeglass sales and evening manager of a LensCrafters store.

When I really don't feel like going I don't but the trade off is the next day I go hard. I'm having a day like that today I had to sit in the hospital for 4 hours while Erica was getting an upper and lower endoscopey so I'm drained. The tests were part of her annual physical.

Whipped Panda

 

[bubba73]

I like that "Healing Bubba".

You said you were in retail? What do you do? I'm an optician in the retail end of eyeglass sales and evening manager of a LensCrafters store.

Whipped Panda

LensCrafters: I am very familiar with them. there was a store right across the hall from me when I worked as a manager for Chick-fil-A at a mall. I remember asking the doctor there one time "Why do all eye doctors wear eye glasses?" I haven't met one yet that didn't. (I don't know but I thought it was funny.)

As for now, I run the print shop for a local OfficeMax. Next month will be my 5 year anniversary with that company. I like the fact that I make more per hour than I ever have. I work Monday - Friday 8 am-4:30 pm. Very few weekends and a lot less stress. Plus, I just enjoy talking with my customers. It's fun.

Well, I did it. After my meeting, I went to the gym. I did a quick bicep/shoulder workout with some abs and then 20 miles on the bike. I want to get the miles in as much as I can because I know I probably will miss Thursday. Actually, I can guarantee it. That is my wedding anniversary so I am spedning it with DW. Right now, we are planning on going to see King Fu Panda. About the only movie out right now that we both want to see so it won.

Oh well. More will come tomorrow. Hopefully a lot more.

Healthy Bubba

 

[windwalker]

Good morning "Healthy Bubba".

Today I'll be working for Midas, indirectly. I had to have my daughters car towed in to get repaired, it wouldn't start. With my luck it will be the most expensive part on the jeep. Sure glad I'm wealthy!

I'm sorta doing a triathon type training except instead on swim bike run I do walk weights calistetics, or walk calistetics swim. The common thread is to do one activity right after another without resting between. Same with the weight training, no break between exercises. All routines are followed by stretching. All the calf stretching has gotten my achillies feeling pretty good.

Car Repair Challanged Panda

 

[bubba73]

Good morning "Healthy Bubba".

Today I'll be working for Midas, indirectly. I had to have my daughters car towed in to get repaired, it wouldn't start. With my luck it will be the most expensive part on the jeep. Sure glad I'm wealthy!

I'm sorta doing a triathon type training except instead on swim bike run I do walk weights calistetics, or walk calistetics swim. The common thread is to do one activity right after another without resting between. Same with the weight training, no break between exercises. All routines are followed by stretching. All the calf stretching has gotten my achillies feeling pretty good.

Car Repair Challanged Panda

Panda: You are going to enjoy the circuit training. I use it a lot when I am in a time crunch or just want to be able spend more time on the bike or treadmill. It is a great way to build up your metabolism and stamina. I have some trainers that use it primarily as way to envoke optimum fat loss so I think you will see the improvements that you are looking for with that.

Right now, DW had to take DS(14) to the eye doctor. He had been complaining about the way they felt for the last day or two and they were very red. So he went in for a check up and they found a viral infection. She is at the pharmacy right now picking up the eye drops and then maybe we will be able to start our date for tonight. Weird situation though. Tonight, we celebrate our 15th anniversary and then tomorrow, she is leaving me. I just don't get it.


Talk more later!
Bryan

 

[windwalker]

Your wife is leaving you tomorrow? That's heavy news, I wish we were closer so we could do a beer or 6 and talk that out.

Concerned Panda

 

[bubba73]

Panda:

Thanks for the concern but there is no need really. She isn't leaving me in that sense. This weekend is her grandmother's birthday in Albany, GA and they are worried that it may be her last. With that, she is going to go there for the weekend with the kids. I just couldn't resist the obvious joke that went along with that statement. Having our anniversary today and then leave me for the weekend, that's funny.

Thanks again!
Bubba

PS: We saw King Fu Panda and that was a great movie. The closer I paid attention to it, the more I noticed some similiarities to Star Wars. If you pay attention to the words, you will see it. Plus, I saw a preview for a movie that will be coming soon. It is called "Fly me to the Moon". I can't wait to see this. It looks like it will be really good. I will talk more about that later. It's late and I have to be at work in the morning.

 

[windwalker]

Oh good news the wife is not leaving for good. Sorry for taking that the wrong way.

Anyway glad you liked Kyng Fu Panda, I liked that message, "There is no secret ingredient". Sounds like good sound Panda wisdom, remember my post "There is no magic pill"?

My lady works 3 nights 12 hour shifts. So when she is working I have to sleep alone and it's different. I'm pretty used to it now but still not as good as having a warm body next to ya.

Tired Panda

 

[larry's girl]

Don't feel bad, Dave, I read it the same way you did. Glad we misinterpreted, Bryan - that would really stink!

Congrats on your 15th anniversary. We just had our 24th, and each year gets better and better. I love married life - wouldn't be single again if you paid me!

Sounds like I may have to check out the Kung Fu Panda movie. I am looking forward to seeing Wall-E when it gets to the budget movies (trying to cut back everywhere we can, so we don't go to first-run movies anymore). I have read good reviews on it, so I hope we like it as much as we did Ratatouille.

Hope your DS's eye problem gets resolved quickly. Have dealt with a couple of eye infections myself in the past, and they are the pits!

Great job on your workouts! You are doing so well with them - helps those of us who are struggling to keep plugging away at it.

Hope you and your family have a great weekend!

Susan

 

[bubba73]

Susan & Dave: I am very sorry if I scared you with my little "quip". I got one of the ladies with the same thing tonight at the gym. She asked me how my wife was and I said she left me. Before I could finish the statement, she was all over me asking me questions. Then, I had the chance to finish the statement and she was relieved and mad at me at the same time. I am a practical joker and love to make people laugh so sometimes I guess I push the wrong buttons. Sorry.

My workout tonight was long and somewhat painful. I knew I had no one to come home to and since no one likes to be totally lonely, I stayed at the gym a lot longer than I should have. I started off with my stretching and biceps workout. Then, I threw in some abs and then a ton of cardio. When I say a ton, I mean it. I have missed 3 days this week due to my sunburn and then last night for my anniversary so I felt like I was letting myself and my team down. So, tonight I tried to make up the difference. I ended up staying on the bike for a total of 45 miles. I am planning on doing at least another 20 miles tomorrow, take a break and then do anywhere between a 5-10 mile walk. I am not going to overdo the walk. I know I haven't been out all week so I will not push it. I will stay within a comfortable limit on both speed and distance. I am not going out there to try to set new land records (for me anyway). I just want to get back out there and see what I can do.

Thanks everyone! I really enjoy coming on here to have a place to be able to talk. Have a great weekend.

Bryan

 

[bubba73]

Yesterday was weird day for me and my training. I am usually off on Saturday's but my employee had to fly out to Wisconsin for a funeral and I couldn't get one of the others to fill in for her so I did. Once I got off, I was toast! I had no energy whatsoever so I came home and got some rest and watched some tv. I had plans of going to the gym and doing 15-20 miles on the bike and then doing a 8-10 mile walk afterwards. Afterall, I am home alone this weekend so I have no ties to keep me at home right now so I figured why not. Well, that didn't happen. I did make it to the gym but not until after 9 pm so I knew something had to give so I went for pure distance. I got on the exercise bike after doing some stretches and went for 27 miles. It felt pretty good and took only 90 minutes. Man, I wish I could ride a real bike so I could get out and see the countryside! I always said as a kid I wouldn't care if I knew how or not because I could walk or drive whereever I wanted to go but I could save a lot of money now with a bike and I can't. I guess that is just one of the crosses that I have to bear! But I will not let it keep me down. I will get my exercises in, no matter what.

Thanks everyone!
Bryan

 

[bubba73]

Well, I finally did it. It has been 2 weeks since the last time I went out and today was the day. I was determined to get out and do some walking and I did. I walked from my house to my parent's, which is 4.5 miles. I did that in about 70 minutes. Not my best time but since I hadn't been out in 2 weeks, I wasn't trying to set any PRs. Then, after I got to their place, my mom and I went to the gym together so I could show her how to use some of the equipment again. No big deal. I like training people anyway so it was fun. But while I was there, I did a lot of ab work, stretching and did another .5 on the treadmill. On the treadmill, I started off at a 4.0 pace and ended at a 4.7 pace. That felt really fast so I don't know if I will get to the 5.0 pace or not but I have a goal to be able to reach that and I am comfortable with Panda's help that I can achieve such a goal.

Plus, I have more good news. DW is almost home. It has only been a couple of days but she has been missed. I have even almost started missing the kids. Just kidding. I have missed them too. Now, I just need to figure out what is going to be for dinner. Wish me luck and I will talk to you again soon.

Training Bubba

 

[windwalker]

Bet it feels good to have your squeeze back. I miss Erica when she works her 3 night shifts. Fortunately I'm so tired by bedtime that I'm asleep quickly.

Walking Panda