So Much Change....

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.

Monthly progress report

I have decided to keep monthly progress photos, so here is my latest photo.  From the photo, there isn't much change, but I have dropped about 7 pounds, about 1% body fat, and added strength.  So things are moving in the right direction.

10/3/2011

2/23/2012

3/28/2012

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.

10/3/2011

02/23/2012