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.

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.

New Supplements

After giving MuscleFeast 3 months of my time, effort, and money, I have decided to switch supplement brands.  After doing some research I decided on going with Muscle Pharm (www.musclepharm.com).  Here are the supplements I will be taking.

Assault: Pre-workout.  I never used MuscleFeasts pre-workout supp.  I had been a religious Jack3d user, so switching brands was difficult, but I had to give Assault a shot.  The reviews were great, and I am looking forward to changing it up.

Combat Powder: I replaced MuscleFeasts 100% & Micelar Casein with this product.  They have a 5 protein blend.  For the price per serving, and again, the reviews from a lot of people I respect, I had to give it a shot for myself.

Armor-V: This is Muscle Pharm's multi-vitamin.  This product is pretty much what got the ball rolling for me to switch brands.  I had been looking for a multi-vitamin for some time, and through research, and some suggestions I was pushed towards this product.  The serving size is 6 pills, but the bottle has a month supply, so for the price, I am good with it.  This is the first multi-vitamin I have taken in over 10 years, so I am looking forward to the next 90 days with it.

Creatine: I hadn't been supplementing creatine directly since I started training hard again.  I have just gone with what was already in Jack3d, and in my Anabolic Recover from MuscleFeast.  I decided for the next 90 days, I will also supplement Creatine, and since I went with Muscle Pharm, it made sense to give their creatine a shot as well.  Assault also has Creatine in it, so I am getting 2 servings on workout days, and at least 1 serving daily.

Re-Con: This is Muscle Pharm's recovery drink.  I use it immediately after any strenuous workout.  After sprinting/agility training.  After hitting the iron, and after games.  The flavor is great, and again, only time will tell on how well it works, but with the reviews I am going to give it my 90 days.

As for an Intra-workout supplement I am sticking with Purple Wraath until that bottle is gone, and then i'm switching to AEN's Intrabolic product.  I haven't looked into Muscle Pharm for an intra-workout product, but will do that research in the very near future.  I am happy with Purple Wraath, and the reviews on that product are very good.  I had also tried Scivation's Xtend, but wasn't overly impressed with the results.

I will review this products as I notice any differences along the way.  It's just too soon to give them a fair review.

Training Equipment

Here are the supplements I am taking for my training.

Here is some of the equipment I have purchased for my training.