Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Finally Got My Life Back on Track!



Wow...I can't believe I played my very 1st volleyball game in 16 years - may have felt some rustiness but after 15 minutes in - I felt it all coming back for me. Here's a picture taken last Monday evening a good friend took on our way home that night around 9pm. Sorry for the sweat. Volleyball is right there with the sport of football and basketball..but Volleyball is my passion which I've enjoyed growing up until this day. My only problem was my weight and my inability to get really motivated to get back in shape. Now at 34 years of age, I feel I'm back to my "playing weight" once again and feel really good to be reliving my yesteryears as a teenager and young adult.

Thanks to Craig Ballantyne's Turbulence Training and Ross' Strength and Conditioning routines...I finally got my life back. These guys are the pinnacle of what Fat Loss and Athletic Training is all about. To Craig and Ross - thank you so much! This probably the fittest summer I've ever had in years.

Sorry for the sweat.

12 comments:

Craig Ballantyne, CTT, Certified Turbulence Trainer said...

great work sir!

its important for guys and gals to understand that they aren't "Washed up" at age 25 when they get a full time job, as so many people believe.

You still have another 60 years of staying fit!

Stay strong!

Andy said...

Thank you Craig...man, you've got one helluva a program and I can't tell you how much I've appreciated all you've done...and I mean EVERYTHING from the tips (from the great audios, interview transcripts, to THE best, safe programs, to blogs..the whole nine. Not to kiss up here either, Craig...but it's the honest truth from someone who actually DID your programs to a tee). The amazing support, the knowledge you provide to your members...man I'm speechless.

I honestly don't think I'd be "hanging" for a volleyball match with guys 10 years my younger if I didn't use your programs.

I mean, not just for myself but for many others at your website have really seen the difference.

Keep up the great work and thanks once again for giving me that "motivation" and inspiration to carry this on til my 60's....yup, till my 60's.

Thank again!

Sincerely,
Andy

Andy said...

Thank you Craig...man, you've got one helluva a program and I can't tell you how much I've appreciated all you've done...and I mean EVERYTHING from the tips (from the great audios, interview transcripts, to THE best, safe programs, to blogs..the whole nine. Not to kiss up here either, Craig...but it's the honest truth from someone who actually DID your programs to a tee). The amazing support, the knowledge you provide to your members...man I'm speechless.

I honestly don't think I'd be "hanging" for a volleyball match with guys 10 years my younger if I didn't use your programs.

I mean, not just for myself but for many others at your website have really seen the difference.

Keep up the great work and thanks once again for giving me that "motivation" and inspiration to carry this on til my 60's....yup, till my 60's.

Thank again!

Sincerely,
Andy

Anonymous said...

Andy...

brilliant results, power to you man! How often did you work out to achieve your results? Did you take any supplements along the way?

Cheers,
Len

Anonymous said...

Awesome with the volleyball!!! I'll have to make sure and tell my daughter about that! We are heading to Dallas next week for the Jr. Volleyball Nationals!! Yea!!
So...what position did you play? Outside? You can jump really high now?!

Anonymous said...

It's the summer of Andy!!!

It's amazing how great it is to get back in shape. I'm a living testament to this too, thanks in part to your constant motivation and pushing me when I don't feel like working out.

Keep lifting strong and enjoy the volleyball

Laura said...

Hey Andy! No apologies necessary; I've come to appreciate a good sweat these days! : ) You look amazing my friend. As always, you're a true inspiration and definite role model for me in my own journey!!!

Have fun hitting the volleyball courts!
~Laura

Andy said...

Hi Len! Nice for you to drop by here. Answering your questions as best I can here. I made a pact (that we've kept til this day) with a friend back in the Summer of 2006 (Sept 5, 2006 to be exact). It’s ironic it's the start of Summer already here 2 years later as I type this. Initially I had no exact goals in mind. I was almost like a sponge for almost a year…poking and prodding on things like BMI, BF%, Lean Mass, push pulls, one body part a day, long steady cardio, working out 5 times a week..2 hour sessions, etc…

Then I decided to read up on things and try to educate myself. Read all sorts of books: Absolutions by Shawn Phillips …heard of that book? That’s where I first discovered HIIT. The internet was another source for me, too...I’m a long time subscriber to Men’s Health and Men’s Fitness (still am) and got a lot of tips there where I did come across Craig Ballantyne from the Men’s Health mag specifically and ultimately came across TT and it all came full circle for me.

Supplements…yes, I’ve tried diet pills in the past that just weren’t really making my body feel right. I just knew that there had to be a natural means to get there and there is as a matter of fact! :)

I still take whey…but even I don’t take that regularly. I realized how easy it is just to get it from natural food sources in food and it’s just as filling. I take multivitamins and vit c daily as well as Glucosamine. I don’t take fish oils much because I am Asian…so fish is pretty much in there 2-3x/week.

Thanks Len!

Andy
~~~
Connie! You finally posted in here’s…
High school/College: outside and also played setter. I know 5’71/2 is deceiving aint it? Hahah!
Say hi to your daughter and looks like a lot of traveling here for the summer…Volleyball Nationals! Yeeea! Hope the coach has gotten better now.

Andy
~~~
Thanks Darryl…
You’re just the motivator for me as well. And really…that’s just me. I will always keep pushing people much as how my good friend kept pushing me because I know how hard it is when the support isn’t there for some. I’ve been that road. Everybody needs that support. I know I do…everyday.

Andy
~~~~
Hi Laura! How are you?
Hey, that means a lot to me! You’re words of encouragement are always gold to me too. Thanks so much! Keep it going for me too!!
Andy

Mark said...

Andy - it's amazing to see your current picture compared to where you started. Honestly, amazing. You seem to just keep going and going...consistent progress.

Outstanding!

Andy said...

Thanks Jumpow! Means alot to me!

Andy

Anonymous said...

Andy, what routine worked the best to loose your gut ? I'm finding it easy to build my upper body, but im still having a hard time loosing the gut, any advice ?

Andy said...

As far as what programs worked the best to lose my gut with TT...all of them worked to my goals but it was working out consistently really and doing my HIIT right after my workouts. Nutrition is always number 1. I love to eat. I just don't like the feeling of deprivation that a diet does. If you make your nutrition more of a lifestyle than a "diet"...you can sustain it long term. Nothing too extreme for me. Just know what and when to eat at certain times of the day really. My diet is never 100% compliant but the goal is always try to be close to it but I've developed better eating habits for the most part. I don't count calories, I don't record them much either. But I know what I eat and know what it does to my body if you will.

And a tidbit, when during work outs, I always have the mindset of intensity over anything else (but with safety and good form of course) and that's the key! That keeps me at a calorie deficit or at least gives me just enough "umph" for lean muscle mass.