It has been a while since my last post. I will say that I am working just as hard as I did when I started training to play semi-pro ball. I've joined endomondo.com, to enter more contests for training. For work, we are doing a biking competition, May 1st through August 31st. I'm tracking all my workouts now on the website, and all updates on my progress will be posted to both my Facebook, and Twitter accounts. It is just one more source of motivation for me, as if I really needed any more.
Tryouts/Mini-camp was this past Sunday. I have to say that I was very happy with how I performed. There are still things I need to work on, but all in all, it went really well. I need to study the playbook a little harder as well. I'm going to try and take at least an hour each night and do playbook study. I not only want to learn the B receiver plays, but I also want to learn the A, X, and Z. I know I had planned on trying out for B, and that's where I lined up during mini-camp, but I am thinking I would like to try A as well, just because in certain formations, there are more running plays. Also, my hands, still have a lot of work to do there. I just need more and more reps. I need to keep working on my hand strength. Things are progressing, but it never seems like it is fast enough for me.
In closing, I will say I have learned so much about myself since October. I've learned about my limits, and how I really do not have any. Everything I've put in front of myself, I've been able to conquer, and surpass. I really never take the time to step back and see what I have accomplish. I just keep pushing harder, and working towards perfection. I need more video time, more cardio time, more plyo time, and bottom line, more training time. Again, I don't want to play for the Outlaws just to tell people I play semi-pro football. I want to play to make the team better. If I am not making a difference out there, then I am wasting my time, my family's time, and the Outlaws' time. I have come a long way, as I stated before. I've dropped about 25 lbs since I started training. I am not sure how much body fat, but I am noticing a difference. I've consumed TONS of supplements, lifted countless amounts of weight, biked, and sprinted hundreds (if not a thousand) miles. If I don't play at a high level, I can say it is not for a lack of trying. I don't know where I stand compared to other athletes, pro, semi-pro, college, or high school. I do know what I have put in to succeeding, and all I can do is hope that it is enough.
Showing posts with label diet. Show all posts
Showing posts with label diet. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Thursday, February 23, 2012
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.
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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