10/3/2011
02/23/2012
Thursday, February 23, 2012
My Progress
After a discussion with my girlfriend (Kathy) this morning, about how I felt about not making the gains I had hoped for over last 5 months, and her telling me that she really notices the difference in me . I had remembered that I had taken pictures when I started, just for my own reference. I decided to take a picture this morning, and compare the 2. I will say that I am nowhere near where I want to be, but I have to admit, even to myself, that I have made some progress. Here is what that progress looked like. Again, I know that I have a long way to go, but I think that the hard work, countless hours at the gym, and support of so many friends, and all my family. I have started to get somewhere. Once again, this is only the beginning. We will do this again in a couple months and see where we are at. I am learning new things about my body every single day, and I believe every little bit helps.
Driven.....
Driven, when I first thought about that word, it seemed obvious to me, as to what it meant. As I progress through my current journey, the word continues to somewhat evolve. I honestly never considered myself a drive n person. I always reserved that word for people who I perceived as successful, and built, and wealthy. I figured i'd always be on the outside looking in, and that I'd never the "drive" that the successful people do. Then I sat back, and I looked at what I have accomplished since October of 2011, the month that I decided that I was going to do whatever it took to not just "play" semi-pro football, but do everything I possibly could to train so I could be a stand out player.
I am trying to be the overly humble person that is almost annoyingly modest about their accomplishments. Granted, I haven't cured cancer, and I haven't helped the homeless, but at the same time I haven't sat on my ass hoping things would happen for me. The workouts, supplements, and skills training all add up to a sense of accomplishment. I have really done something in the last 5 months, but at the same time, I have just begun. Which leads me to my next point. One thing I've found demoralizing, yet inspiring at the same time is the fact that you are never done. Meaning, sometimes you think, hey if I get to 200lbs, i'll be done, or if I get down to 5% body fat i'll be done, or maybe, if I catch every pass thrown to me, I'll be done. The truth of the matter is, you are never done. The harder I work, and the more goals I meet, the more I find new things to accomplish. I find more things I can be better at. You close one door behind you, and turn around, and there are 50 more doors in front of you. I am not complaining though, I actually find it motivating. What would this all be worth if it was easy? Everyone would be a professional athlete if you didn't have to work hard at it. I've really started down a life long path of health and wellness. What I have gained in these 5 months are a new foundation to my life. I am in great shape, and I am eating better than I ever have. I am also very realistic. I know that this is just the beginning, and I am not looking for an end. I'll just keep setting milestones, and I'll just keep moving forward, and getting better. Hopefully one day I can use what I have learned to inspire someone else to take a similar journey, and help them through it. That is all yet to be determined. I really wouldn't trade this for anything, I am honestly excited about the future, and where I am going.
I am trying to be the overly humble person that is almost annoyingly modest about their accomplishments. Granted, I haven't cured cancer, and I haven't helped the homeless, but at the same time I haven't sat on my ass hoping things would happen for me. The workouts, supplements, and skills training all add up to a sense of accomplishment. I have really done something in the last 5 months, but at the same time, I have just begun. Which leads me to my next point. One thing I've found demoralizing, yet inspiring at the same time is the fact that you are never done. Meaning, sometimes you think, hey if I get to 200lbs, i'll be done, or if I get down to 5% body fat i'll be done, or maybe, if I catch every pass thrown to me, I'll be done. The truth of the matter is, you are never done. The harder I work, and the more goals I meet, the more I find new things to accomplish. I find more things I can be better at. You close one door behind you, and turn around, and there are 50 more doors in front of you. I am not complaining though, I actually find it motivating. What would this all be worth if it was easy? Everyone would be a professional athlete if you didn't have to work hard at it. I've really started down a life long path of health and wellness. What I have gained in these 5 months are a new foundation to my life. I am in great shape, and I am eating better than I ever have. I am also very realistic. I know that this is just the beginning, and I am not looking for an end. I'll just keep setting milestones, and I'll just keep moving forward, and getting better. Hopefully one day I can use what I have learned to inspire someone else to take a similar journey, and help them through it. That is all yet to be determined. I really wouldn't trade this for anything, I am honestly excited about the future, and where I am going.
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Diet, Training, and progress
Lots has happened in the last couple of weeks. I have started tracking my diet with MyFitnessPal on my IPhone. My calories have been very strict, and I have not gone over my allotted calories for that particular day. I try and keep my fat very low, and my protein at about 1gm per pound of body weight, and my carbs around 40% of my diet. So far, so good. The only discouraging part of the whole thing is, my body fat hasn't dropped at all in the past 2 weeks. I'm not sure what to make of that, but i'll continue to monitor it, and see where it goes.
As for my training, I am still training regularly, but the times are sporadic, and therefore a little chaotic for my liking. I'm still getting all my workouts in for the week, but it is just all over the board. My gains have leveled off, and that wasn't unexpected. I will say that I am consistently sore though, and that worries me a little bit. I do not want to believe that I am over training, but I do have to make sure that I am closely monitoring it. I do not want my workouts to be counter productive.
My supplement intake has been very consistent. Protein Shake with creatine, first thing in the morning, along with my Armor-V vitamin. I then eat an orange, and have a cup of coffee. 10 am a bowl of Oatmeal, and then lunch time, I have usually have a good carb, protein, and some fruit. Again, I feel my diet is pretty good, not great, but a heck of a lot better than it was.
As for football, there are a lot of things I need to work harder on. I really need more receiving practice. I let too many balls bounce off my hands in warm-ups last night, and my confidence was a little shaken, which mentally is not acceptable. So, more work, and more concentration.
My goals are becoming more and more clear. I need to increase my speed, strength, endurance, and weight, and reduce my body fat. Once I see those things happening, I'll worry more about numbers, and actual milestones.
As for my training, I am still training regularly, but the times are sporadic, and therefore a little chaotic for my liking. I'm still getting all my workouts in for the week, but it is just all over the board. My gains have leveled off, and that wasn't unexpected. I will say that I am consistently sore though, and that worries me a little bit. I do not want to believe that I am over training, but I do have to make sure that I am closely monitoring it. I do not want my workouts to be counter productive.
My supplement intake has been very consistent. Protein Shake with creatine, first thing in the morning, along with my Armor-V vitamin. I then eat an orange, and have a cup of coffee. 10 am a bowl of Oatmeal, and then lunch time, I have usually have a good carb, protein, and some fruit. Again, I feel my diet is pretty good, not great, but a heck of a lot better than it was.
As for football, there are a lot of things I need to work harder on. I really need more receiving practice. I let too many balls bounce off my hands in warm-ups last night, and my confidence was a little shaken, which mentally is not acceptable. So, more work, and more concentration.
My goals are becoming more and more clear. I need to increase my speed, strength, endurance, and weight, and reduce my body fat. Once I see those things happening, I'll worry more about numbers, and actual milestones.
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