2nd Place!

News Flash! News Flash! News Flash!


I just got some great news only hours ago from Craig Ballantyne creator of his revolutionary workout program called Turbulence Training - that I had just won 2nd place for his 4th Turbulence Training Transformation Contest (male category)!!!

I honestly had no clue about this and just stumbled on the news at his dedicated forum site at ttmembers.com. I had logged online early this evening after being out of the house the entire day (well, I think you knew that already if you read my previous post.) =)

I would just like to take this opportunity in my blog to thank everybody who supported me throughout this great journey of mine since Day 1 which goes waaaaay back to September 5, 2006 when a very good friend of mine made me realize the joys of exercise once again at a weight of 225 lbs. To my family, close personal friends, the online fitness community (forums, email, blogs). My sincerest thank you's to each and every one of you...I really think winning in a contest like this only tells me one thing - that my own personal transformation has always been real and my motivations always genuinely sincere. So to everybody since Day 1 (that goes back to September 5, 2006) to now and beyond - my sincerest thanks to every single one of you. Although I always stress the motivation is always in the individual...throughout my own journey I also found that I continue to find that motivation from each and every one of you guys too....everyday.

And again - you all know who you are. =)

2nd place, man...it feels so great. I've always dreamed to be recognized to be up there with past TT Transformation winners - but I always knew at a personal level - I was always a winner no matter what. This is just a great way to close out a great run at an 84 day transformation right before Easter. But it doesn't stop there...and it shouldn't. I'll keep rocking it out as always. Guaranteed. No stops here.

Again...as long as I'm able to...this fitness journey will never come to an end and I will always try my best to use myself and my experiences as a means to inspire and motivate others if not myself. All it takes for me to find that motivation at a personal level is to look at that guy- on the right of this blog at 225 lbs in a pool with his shirt off. That's all it takes...and that's why I may never take that picture away from this blog.

The man in the mirror will never ever lie to you.

Very Special Thanks to Craig Ballantyne once again for the great programs...for more information on how to get started on your own personal journey's to fat loss and to find that motivation to get started...Turbulence Training should be your first stop. It's handsdown maybe the best investment you've ever made in your fitness journey. Give it a try and hope to see out on top in the next forthcoming Contest!

And when you do make the right decision to get started with Turbulence Training - remember: Lean with it, Rock with it!!!!!! And please tell Craig I sent you! =)

Thanks again...

Andy

Note:
For more information on Craig Ballantyne's Turbulence Training Programs...click HERE! (Trust me, you won't regret it! It truly works.)

a.

Busy Day Today

(Got a newsflash coming up here shortly)

Wow...it's been one busy day for me for the Apsay household. NO work today so I got up at about 6:30 am...managed to get my off day workout routine in and got the boy's ready for their 1st day of Tiny Tots School for the Spring (their 3rd enrollment in the past 12 months in preparation for Kindergarten) and it's off to Kinder for the twins in June...time has flown so fast for these boys - we as parents can't believe it. After that, it was busy ol Tuesdays once again for me personally as we had to get our car's checked in for regular scheduled maintenance work, do some groceries and still bring the boys to Pre Soccer Kicker School at the local rec at 5pm. LOOOOONG DAY. I was so impressed with how the boys were able to learn how to follow instructions other than from their parents...learning about exercise at such an early age (if they haven't already from their dad. LOL!). Again, it's good for them to start to learn these things at an early age of 4.

Next thing you know...here comes the 3rd intallment going through the same ordeals...

Life is just a wonderful cycle...

Soapbox over...now onto another blogpost here shortly...hey another Soap Box...a 2fer! Hahahaha!!!

It deserves a seperate blog post all on it's own....

I'm A Finalist!

Happy Easter to all! Hope you all had a blessed one with your family and friends...it was a truly a great weekend spent for the Apsay family... =)

News Flash!! News Flash!! News Flash!! News Flash!! News Flash!!

I made the final cut at the 4th Turbulence Training Transformation Contest! =)



And what a run it was...I got my abs back!!!

It's been a great 84 days for me and what a way to end it to be selected as a finalist in Craig Ballantyne's Turbulence Training Transformation Contest. Everybody's made great transformations and it's only a true testament that Turbulence Training does indeed work. Congrats and high praise not only to every contestant but to Craig Ballantyne himself for creating such an effective program that's definitely proven for Fat Loss. Every great guy and gal at the Turbulence Training Forum have all did an excellent job and my hats are off to each and every one of them for the strong support they've given me through this...again, your support has been tremendous and means so much to me at a personal level. Thanks again...you all know who you are! =)

Again, congrats to all the participants and also to all the finalists...and to everybody who is using TT for achieve their own personal fitness goals. Your decision to do Turbulence Training is probably one of the greatest fitness decisions you will ever make.

Keep rocking it...KEEP ON ROCKING IT.

So if you're reading this now, PLEASE cast your vote (for me hopefully!). Please note, there is a seperate category for 1st place which was split up into male and female, so if you want to vote (again, hope you vote for me!), go to these links:

For the men category (yes, I'm a male. I'm the fourth dude on the link): Click HERE!

For the female category: Click Here!

And send this out to friends and family...who knows, they might not only be inspired by these guys and gals but may even want to give TT an honest try at it and who knows..they may be the next TT Contest winners in the future!

I am a TT Forum constant...so hope to see you there!

Onto other things...it's been a great week off for me. Just to be able to relax and recover I feel has helped me heaps. Did some great Yoga today, shoulder strengthening exercises and some foam rolls this morning - keeping an even minded head on the programs I'm intending to use in the next coming months. I feel pretty good and the week off just made me even more focused with my next TT program on the horizon which starts tomorrow.

As far as goals...here they are:

1) continue to burn fat, maintain if not improve lean mass (it's all 90% nutrition)
2) improve overall conditioning
3) improve strength i.e squats, deadlifts (I think I may have dropped significantly with those 2 moves)
4) improve core strength regularly with direct ab work 3x/week
5) able to utilize different yet similar philosophies in hopes to continue metabolic resistance training methods (Turbulence Training and others)

Nothing different from my the last 3 months...or maybe the last 2 plus years - just always wanting to challenge myself every single day in this great new lifestyle I discovered. Been through alot of sweat, tears, injuries since I started back in 2006...it will always evolve for me no matter what. That's what keeps the drive going...

A good friend told me recently regarding workout programs...and I quote "if they bring you results, why not keep them rocking huh?" Makes a valid point here. Great advice which I will definitely take.

Don't want to make this sound too overdramatic like an acceptance speech - but this is the healthiest I've been in my life - the healthiest. And that is something I think I "won" here from all of this...a testament to Turbulence Training. So again, to the Man himself Craig Ballantyne - thanks for providing me the "tools" for my own success and achievements over the years...Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

To Chris Lopez of www.fitandbusydads.com (for the Flip Camera - I still owe you a video, Chris)...to Erik Ledin.....and to each and everyone of my TT friends - thanks for the undying support you've all given me...and of course high fivers to my fellow bloggers in crime (Mike Z and Fred) - you 2 guys are awesome.

And of course to my wife and kids...my wife knew what I was trying to accomplish these last 3 months (I was soooooo focused as ever) and I am so proud that she was able to allow me to "let loose" here inspite of our busy schedules with the kids (another reason why Turbulence Training works for a busy lifestyle)...and to my boys - although they may never quite understand yet as to why dad is hanging on some bars for dear life in the garage sometimes - they've been great supporters in their own right through this all.

Don't forget to vote! =)

Happy Easter!


~ Andy

Reset!

Was at my buddy's pad yesterday afternoon after work and we were hanging out like little teenagers watching some VHS tapes of some old late 1990's Mr. Olympia videos of Flex Wheeler, Sean Lee, Ronnie Coleman - and we were just in awe of how unnaturally huge these guys were sporting a 28 inch waistline. Totally unreal but one thing for sure here - there's no question these guys train like BEASTS! We were looking at their form and they all look so great doing them. Sean Lee...was very knowledgeable during his interview. He was talking about how easy it is to be distracted during training. From relationships, to nutrition...to even keeping his sweater on during workouts because he tends to lose concentration when he looks at the mirror as he looks at his muscles more and not his form (I guess the that's how the term mirror muscles comes to play here)...We also were laughing out loud after the Mr. Olympia contest, of Flex Wheeler's day after competition meal. He ate an entire box of pizza in one seating. An entire box!!!!! Their nutrition is so spot on for 3 full months I can really sympathize with that, man.

But again...we both know what and how they got big to begin with. It isn't all workout and nutrition. We're both nurses...we know how juiced up these guys are.

But how in the world do these guys move around in real life. Nice for stage poses...but where's the function from all this? I don't think any of them wouldn't last a full quarter in a basketball game.

Annnnyyyway...was a pretty cool week that passed. Very good time to recover and simply relax. I feel like my mind is yearning exercising again but my body just isn't quite at that point yet. I'll give it a few more days. I'm sure after this weekend - everything goes back to "normal" again. Exercise: I find it the best way to relieve stress, stay alert and most of all feel good overall to get my days started. Can't wait to get back at it again full on starting Monday after Easter.

Andy

Sharpening my talons

This might take a little longer than it seems...

Goal setting...man, it was so easy the last 3 months, I'm honestly having a hard time figuring out what I want to set for the next 3 months coming. Spring, Summer and Fall once again...really want to create a definitive plan of action here.

I like Metabolic Resistance Training - ie Circuits, Supersetting, Intervals (BW, KB), Complexes, athletic training (I guess you can put power training in there too) and things of that sort. Not much of a meathead fan - so I may not try to tap into that. Just got done finishing quite a few great Turbulence Training programs the past few months and am trying to find another perfect combination of other programs I'm interested in (TT in combination with others that would compliment it) to use the next 3 months, so we'll see.

Anyway, this whole week has been such a revelation. I think the week off really helps alot here. Have done some volleyball drills Monday, took the day off yesterday and some Yoga and Core strengthening this morning. Body needs to get re-adapted I think and it only took a few days to realize that it seems I've been off from training for ages!

Very weird feeling.

Anyway, this may take longer than a week to figure this all out. I was hoping I'd have a solid plan by now...but I'm getting there.

Andy

Ahhh...the GOOD life!

Yep...that's me! =)


Rest and recovery week....yahoo! =)

Been on full throttle since the end of last year. Finally after a quarter of the year in the books...I'm finally taking a week's off from any specific type of program.

Did a 12 week Turbulence Training Transformation contest and here's some pics to show for how dedicated I was to really shoot for some personal goals (FYI - I never formally mentioned that in my blog since I took the dip to participate in here back in January 9, 2009. My 12 weeks ended yesterday.). Really happy with the results too at a personal level...and best part of it all? I never missed a single workout.

It was really fun and enjoyed every minute of it...but it sure IS NOT over for me - not by a longshot! Are you kidding??? I'm intending to keep this going for as long as I can. =)

So I'm off...walking happy and content and into the sunset! Hahaha! Will post some good stuff here shortly. But this next week is all about finding new goals and refining some old ones. I think I really worked my butt off with my nutrition, my workouts and I hope the results you're seeing here show that. But again - it goes back to a lifestyle change. Ran out of the gates like gangbusters with a clear set of goals in mind and I honestly believe I accomplished everything I was set out to accomplish within a 3 month time to achieve them.

Now it's time to rest, recover and re-evaluate!


I won't be totally off from workouts though. Still would like to do some Yoga, Volleyball and Core Work this whole time. Just stay active even on an off week.

Enjoy the pics!

Andy

Just less than 48 hours....

...and I should be back to blogging more soon. Been really busy with everything LIFE and just really taking things in stride here. One thing I found pretty interesting is the benefits of meditation. Been doing alot of that these past few weeks and it has such a therapeutic effect in so many ways.

Workouts and nutrition have been great as well - and that I can be very proud of to this date.

Nothing much else to post here, but rest assured - I'll be posting more good stuff soon!

Very soon!

In the meantime - find your motivation - everyday.

Andy