Deadlifts and Nike Free's!

Yes!!!!!!!!!!!

Got me some new pairs of Nike Frees I ordered at the Nike Store which is just a few minutes away from Qualcomm Stadium (btw, the Chargers are going to the Playoffs!! The Chargers are going to the Playoffs!!! Whoooooooohoooo!!!)...

Sorry...back to the shoes. =)

Unfortunately they were out of stock at the store but was able to order them online at the store site and got them for dirt cheap with free delivery to boot! They're called Nike Free Dynamic SL Tr Men’s Training Shoe. It's black with all synthetic leather. Alot different from the one I have currently as it has a meshed front so the feet are more free to move around. With the synthetic leather, it may take some time to get them broken in...but they are flat as hell. Online and store prices would be $85.00, but I got them at a discounted price of $50!!!! Can't beat that and I know they are great shoes. Should be arriving in less than a week. Whoooo!!!!!


After a little my time at the Nike Store, it was off to the gym to do some strength work on the Deadlifts and some shrug work. Was not intending to lift anything the next 2 weeks...but I couldn't resist. Hit another personal best at this exercise deadlifting 325 lbs at 1 rep. Finished it off with some rowing intervals and a 1 mile run to end it out.

Less than 48 hours to the New Year! Time flew by pretty fast! Whew!

Keep finding the motivation in you,

Andy

Week in Review: Looking back at 2008..looking forward to 2009 and Beyond!

Can definitely feel the holiday fever slowly fading and the anticipation of the new year that lies ahead. Been off the blog for a good number of days...but with good reason: you have to give things a break and really take this time to look back at the year that "was" and the year that "will be".

Hope that made sense...

So I took some time to work on a retrospective essay of my entire year as well as some goals I've made for myself (as general as the goals were). Again, looking back at things good and things bad...things I've done and things I could have done better. Be it a better parent, husband, person, coworker, friend...whatever it was - I looked back at everything at all possible angles as best I could and wrote it down on paper. Reading it several times, I decided to see what I could have done to correct the wrongs or improve on the rights...

So in the process, I established my own personal goals that I also wrote down on paper, printed it out and put in my wallet for easy referrance.

Nurture the things you hold dear and close to your heart. Bottomline. Whether you have to do some sacrifices to do so: do it. Be it a workout, your health, your kids, your family, your friends - do the best you can to take care of those things and people you hold dear. Maintain that balance in your life and everything should fall into place.

Figure that out and that's what should drive you to do better everytime - in anything you do.

Finished another great TT program and did a challenge today to finish out the program. Man, what a great year of awesome workouts for 2008 - with a very good time I might add. Again, very proud of the time indeed. My whole focus this entire month was to get it done in 10 minutes. The challenge was completed in 7 minutes and 14 seconds. 7 minutes and 14 seconds....can I say the feeling was orgasmic again in here? =)

I love to exercise...I love to workout...I nurture it the best way I can inspite of the hecticness of "REAL LIFE"...but always with the mindset to "nurture" it the best way I can.


Nurture those things you hold dear and you'll even surprise yourself with the end results.

And what a way to end the year for sure.

Here's to 2009!!!!

Week In Review...take 3?

Week in Review

This may in fact be my 3rd "Week In Review" I believe since I started blogging...boy, I haven’t been doing a lot of week in reviews as consistently as I would have wanted starting it a few weeks back. Missed a few weeks with the holidays, gatherings/get togethers and all... but its time for another one of those Week In Reviews here once again:

#1 The “just get er done” attitude:

Although it’s been pretty consistent throughout the week as far as getting them done regardless of hecticness of life these days, the “just get er done” attitude has really helped me through some crunched times as of late. Home workouts and Work gyms have been the norm...But I want to re-establish a common time once again with my workouts as best as possible, come the new year that lies ahead. All this changing of times has been really tough. I want to go back to the commercial gym more often starting next year...so my schedules may still continue to change up here and there...oh well.

Just get er done!!! =)

#2 Strength work:

Would be nice to incorporate a strength exercise once a week. Squats or Deadlifts primarily. Squatted for 300 lbs last week which I’m very proud of. Just get that bad boy up there Baby!!! Whooooooo!!!!!

“Light weeeeeeeeeiggght, babyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!!!!”

WHAT A FEELING!!!

#3 Fat loss and Nutrition:

For most of us it is very easy to get in some workout clothes and start exercising our butts off...but it’s always going to bottom down to nutrition no matter what. Do as much crazy stuff as we want, but if you’re not going to eat right...it sure ain’t gonna “look right” either!!!

#4 Introducing new approaches:

I believe in learning new things and trying new things out. Some exercises just don’t feel right so I sub them. Some things maybe essentially nutbag stuff..but I learn from those, too just the same.

Damn...Yoga...what a great find! I’ve seen it, I’ve read up on it and I’ve finally really gave it a try even for just a warm up. As sissy some may think of it: it’s not that easy!!! And it’s indeed great for body flexibility or simply to correct some tight muscles that may need more attention than we think. Not easy at is seems this Yoga stuff! I thought foam rolls were it...but Yoga: whew! From Sun Salutations, Moon Salutations...to all the different possible poses...this is just another great one to incorporate in my weekly fitness routines....

#5 The “Comments” at the workplace:

Again...people still can’t believe how much weight I’ve lost in 2 years time. I’ve been told some weird things like:
“You already look great, but how much more do you need to lose?”
“Andy...why’d you want to lose all that weight?”
“Cmon, Andy...it’s just a burrito. Is that going to kill you?”
“Andy..it’s time to bulk up!!” (Heard that a few times in the past!)
The list goes on and on...while some “positive” with some subltety (like those above), most are just purely supportive which is cool. But I don’t let those subtle ones affect me one bit. I don’t know what it is that make people ask questions like that....and I honestly don’t think I’ve lost that much weight in the last month or so but I think a lot of people have noticed the physique change is all...and in the long run...I think I know very well as to the what’s and why’s now as to why I continue on with this journey....it’s for me and my own health PERIOD. My body has given me the opportunity to provide for my family, hang out with friends more with some sense of confidence, given me an opportunity to come in terms with some realities with a different perspective and it’s been nothing but positive vibes all around...but it all starts from within.

In closing....

It’s been a great year...and even a better year coming. Entering the last week of my last TT program for 2k8...and I'm going to enjoy these holidays with family and friends with some good eats (will be careful not to over indulge for sure) and all the other festive times shared around this time of the year and then will definitely be taking a break from the weights with some BW stuff (and some KB’s!) which I intend on doing the weeks after...and re-focus for the new year coming. Can't wait!

300 lbs on the Parallel Squat!

Can I say "orgasmic" was the feeling this morning?

I thought I'd never get to 300 lbs this year...ever. I don't work for strength much but when I do...like Jason Ferrugia would say go ahead man, have a "Strong Man Day"...

He's right...we got to have em...man, and this was one of those days for me.

I was running late for my TT workout...early morning...there was rain...there were car slides all over the place...plus a walk to work in the rain and all...so I was thinking: what am I going to do now?! So I said what the heck...with the time I had on my hands I decided to work on some strength on the squats and boy I sure surprised myself this morning.

Very, very gratifying indeed.

A very climactic moment for me ending this year. 300 freakin' lbs!!! 2 good hard reps to boot! I've never done that ever. I'm so glad I even attempted it...looking back, I may have regretted not doing it if I were to look back at this workout. Un- freakin'-believable.

I racked that bad boy back on the squat rack and I was literally ecstatic!

One for my own personal record books!!!

YES!

300 seems like a lucky number as I am doing a 300 challenge at the end of this TT program...hope I can finish that challenge with a bang as well...so we'll see!

a.

LL COOL J!!!

Who cannot remember LL Cool J...this guy is a rapping icon. For him to be in the rapping business for this long and still look even more ripped at his age (40 years young) and still look like he's in his early 20's...whew! Talk about keeping it consistent for so long...

I like songs of all genres...rap included. I remember this old school rap song that to this day is probably one of the best workout songs ever played on my ipod! Momma said knock you out!!! Hahahaha!!! Check it out!



Great video! Brings back big time memories!!!

On the fitness side...time on my hands today, I went and did a good 10 minutes of yoga this afternoon on top of my TT workout this morning (I know...from rap to yoga...what's with this nutbag!). Anyway, this was only a warm up part of the program and I was pretty impressed. I already got sweaty just going through the motions of a Yoga CD I got a few weeks ago. Breathing technique and flexibility is a requirement...even if you don't have that good flexibility - YOGA will at least get you some considerable flexibility at least.

Hey, if I want to aspire to be like LL one day...why not put a little Yoga in my routines! Seriously! It's very beneficial for longevity in this fitness journey as I'm finding out more and more what yoga is all about.

Ok time to be LL and take out the garbage...

Andy

A Nutbag? Probably...but this guy is simply amazing.

Yep...I'm a youtuber. I love youtube. Im constantly on that site trying to find that edge to get myself going on a day to day basis when I can't just find it in me to do so. And believe me...finding motivation is the toughest challenge to take head on on a personal fitness standpoint.

I just had a kick out of watching a guy named Frank Wall and his great videos just now. Although the video was posted more than a year ago, it seemed like he just got a pretty good Christmas gift in the form of a video camera and made the most of it so that he can share that great "gift" of his to the world. =)

Not many would do something nutbaggy like that and put some of that stuff on video...yet, he did with the best of intentions. Cool dude.

His videos may appear like he's a Nutbag himself...but they are utterly inspiring and very motivating to watch and witness. If you watch him and listen to what he wants to put across to his viewers you'll believe every word I just said about the guy. The guy is from Atlanta, Ga...so he does have a very warm Southern heart and means well with his words. Very humble but highly motivating and he's just a normal guy like most of us which makes it even more easier to connect with the guy.

Watch and listen! He will motivate you...

He also has one helluva sense of humor about it all...He obviously loves life and lives it to the fullest. I wouldn't mind working out with this guy everyday...that's for sure!

"Commitment, Persistance, Dedication, Motivation...the power's within you." Listen to his introduction video about his thoughts about fitness, health and a little bit of his own personal background. Man just his plain DESIRE to want to help anybody who wants to make a change is so admirable. Sounds alot like my workout buddy not too long ago...

Listen and of course watch his video below. It's very candid but great stuff! Pssst...and he loves BW workouts at the park! YES!!!!!

And yes, they can be done at the beach too.



Here's another video of him with a 20 lb vest on doing a playground circuit...sprinting to a park with a video camera in one hand! He squats a bench believe it or not. He even curls it for bicep work...nutbag!!! Phew!!! hahahahahah!!!! Hey, at least he doesn't limit himself at all...he's very imaginative. And you have to be to want to keep pushing along here...never set yourself in your ways or get comfortable with anything in exercise! Push it to the limits baby!! Get creative with it!

This guys has sooooo MUCH ENERGY...you'll feel it with this video:



I hope he realizes how he's motivated me just by watching his videos alone...awesome stuff Frank!

Leave Your Old Self Behind.....

"No more mind blocks, no more shame... freedom from the body... it's a great achievement!"

Wow...very nicely said.

A quote from a very close friend of mine I came in contact with yesterday had mentioned this to me that it made sooooo much sense, it inspired me to make a blogpost about it. Those words hit it right on the head for me in terms of how I look at things at a different light nowadays. Words ever so true looking back at my year and my own personal journey closing out this 2K8 and looking at others much like I who have gone through hell and back and really outdid themselves on a fitness standpoint regardless of how hectic life can be. Those guys and gals are my inspiration...

But the motivation is still and always will be found in me.

I looked up a great video on youtube...and it was another great Nike Ad commercial, about my favorite training shoes: the Nike Free's. I have a pair of my own, but plan on investing in some new pairs shortly.

If this video doesn't motivate you to keep going on: I don't know what will honestly.

It's about a guy, running a trail in the middle of nowhere and then stops to take a breather and was about to say: "Screw this...I've had enough! I'm done." At first glance, I was thinking...who the hell is he talking to?! Hahah! But listen closely to the dialogue...it's him talking to him. You want motivation: find it in yourself to carry on every damn day of your life.

No outside influences or motivators should make you want to make a change for the better...allow this to happen then you're doing it for all the wrong reasons...do if for a better you...a healthier lifestyle....a healthier life...but it should always start with yourself, coming into terms with your "inner you" and making that decision to keep it going....


Again, we owe that much to our bodies...think about that for just one second.


Leave Your Old Self Behind...... Don't let your old self hold you down. Ever.

Here's the video:



We're "done"????

NO...

"I am DONE with you."