I am a 46 year old Father who has many hobbies and am more like a Do It Yourself-er type of person. I am a decorated War Vet., and have been to nine different countries. I have two plus jobs and intend to blog about my many experiences in hopes that they can help others achieve more.
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Okay Charlie Brown, its Monday and I am off from work for the next two days. I have taken my morning drink and tablets and now I am getting ready for some home projects. Today’s workout will be started with weighted twists, sit ups, and leg raises. Followed by chest, shoulders, and triceps. All will be in the range of 3-4 sets and 12-15 reps.
By far, the hardest part is the actual diet itself. I presume if it wasn’t; America would not be one of the top over weight countries in the world. Oh well, see if I can be one less American in the over weight section. I have not written down what I eat or am keeping track of the calories. I might start doing that in the next phase of the the 24-Day Challenge.
Today is Saturday and I am closing at Lowe’s. This are my two days off from workouts so all I did this morning was to take my usual tablets that are recommended from the 24-Day Challenge program. I might change that next week depending on energy levels and depending on other duties. C-Ya next time!
This morning I took my recommended Catalyst and Probiotic Restore tablets. I also took an energy drink and meal replacement shake. Work was in the afternoon and evening (for the next couple of days), so my workout was in the morning.
THE WORKOUT
Today was leg workout day and consisted of squats, leg extensions, leg curls, and the usual ab workout. I did 3 sets of squats in the 12-15 rep range. I try not to overdue it here because since I am just starting out I do not want to break something. I am glad that the bench I traded has bar holders that reverse and extend a ways out for safety when doing squats. I did 3 sets with 12-15 rep range for leg extensions and curls as well.
For abs, I did the weighted twists for 15 minutes, did 3 sets of sit ups, and 3 sets of leg raises.
That’s all she wrote til next time. Gotta work on my barbecue blog. C-Ya!
The Meal Replacement Shake comes in four different flavors and come in a 14 serving box. Perfect for on the go meal replacement that gives you 24 grams of protein, 5-6 grams of fiber, and 26 vitamins and minerals. Best of all, it has only and 220 calories!
The flavors that are available are Chocolate Mocha, Chocolate, Vanilla and Berry. My choice of flavor was the Chocolate Mocha and I have to say, it tastes great!
DAY 4 MORNING.
I started my morning with my Advocare Spark and Probiotic Restore supplements which are part of the First Phase of the 24-Day Challenge.
The Probiotic Restore supplement is the one on the bottom left and come inside the Herbal Cleanse box. I ate two boiled eggs and a slice of toast. for breakfast.
My workout to started at 8 pm sharp and lasted for exactly 1 hour. As stated before, I started with the ab workout after 10 minutes of warm up exercises. My muscle workout areas included back, biceps, and calves.
For the back muscle group I did bent over pull-ups and cable pull-downs. 4 sets each at 8-10 reps. Plus I hanged around the pull-up bar for 10 seconds x 4 (I still can not do a pull-up) YET! I did 4 sets each in the range of 8-10 reps of dumb bell curls and barbell curls. I ended my workout with standing calve raises; also 4 sets at 8-10 reps. Was a good workout overall.
P.S. I had dinner around 5 pm which consisted of grilled chicken thighs and vegetables. Til next time; see you later and may you all have a pleasant evening.
Today is Day 3 of the 24-Day Challenge and I went ahead and posted the link to the 24-Day Challenge Guide , which can be downloaded as a pdf. and should answer any questions you might have about the program. The guide gives examples of what is recommended you eat and a schedule to fellow for best results. Should you want to challenge yourself or a special someone, you can order the 24-Day Challenge Bundle (my website and affiliate link) and join to better yourself or friend. I look forward to hearing your results first hand.
THE THIRD DAY.
Day three started the same as in the past two days. I took the recommended products, but what I am doing different today is that I am starting my working out program since I am off from work for the next two days. During the days that I work I will have to improvise; for example, working out before work or after wards. My workouts will start at 8-8:30 pm on the days I don’t work; it is the optimal biological time for someone at my age. The workout today will consist of weighted twists (10 minutes), 3 sets of sit-ups and 3 sets of leg raises with reps in the 15-20 range for now until I get better at it.
In one of my previous posts I mentioned the term “Aesthetically Pleasing”, which I described is a form that our Female counterparts enjoy seeing the most in the Males. That form involves having a V-SHAPE form, which can be accomplished by widening the shoulders and back. The best home exercises for that (I have read) are pull-ups (Unfortunately I can only do two), exercises involving the shoulders and back. There are many to choose from and I will over time do most of them as I pursue my dreams of having a body that pleases female eyes.
Needless to say, I have both a cable weight machine and free weights plus a bench, which I bartered for my MiG Welder. Here are some photos of my set up to give you ideas should you wish to workout from home instead of the gym.
I just finished my hour long workout. Here are the photos I mentioned earlier (I just took them).
Pull-up-bar
My homemade pull-up bar made from 1 1/4 black metal pipe which I had Lowe’s Home Improvement Center cut and retread. Works great, but I could only do half a pull-up today. Chucks! So much for doing two. I already had the 4 x 6 and 4 x 4 posts, which I had set up many years ago for my “then” little girl’s swing which she out grew.
Free-weightsHome-workout-space
So, I have the tools to succeed to my quest to become a better shapely man. We will see how that rolls out as the days and weeks go by.
I will continue to do my two pull-ups (zero, I was only able to pull my big butt half way up) and will toughen up doing cable pull-downs, which are recommended to strengthen the muscles necessary for pull-ups. This week I’m concentrating on cable workouts and next week I’l add free weights to those exercises I am already doing. So today’s workout will be for the chest, shoulders, triceps, and abs, which are for everyday.
I did 4 sets of bench presses on the cable machine in the 8-14 range (for reps), dumbbell shoulder shrugs and inverted flies (4 sets apiece 8-14 reps), triceps pull-downs in the same ranges. I feel pretty good and the muscles tight. My resting periods were as much time needed to change the weights to a lower one to keep the reps the same (30-40 seconds).
That’s it for today! Maybe next time I will add more photos of the actual workouts, but how knows…there are plenty of them on-line already. See next time…in “One Man’s Lifelong Quest to pursue that eluding perfect form!” Or something like that! “OKAY-okay!!!” I had to come back and add something else because the total word count fell unto 666…YIKES!
Started this am by taking Spark’s Energy Drink Mix (affiliate link)in Mango/Strawberry flavor. Available in Watermelon, Cherry, Mango Strawberry, Pink Lemonade, Mandarin Orange, Grape, Citrus and Fruit Punch. Can be ordered in pouches (14 serving) or canisters. According to Advocare, “this drink sharpens mental focus, is a fast acting and long-lasting energy drink, which contains 21 vitamins, minerals and nutrients designed to synergistically provide a healthy, balanced source of energy with only 45 calories per serving.”
THE VERDICT
When I first became a distributor for Advocare, my goals were to just get the products I would be using a lot cheaper and not to sell anything. As a Distributor I get 20% off and 20% from commissions, but Advisors get 40% off their purchases plus can get up to 40% commissions from other persons purchases. Regardless, when I joined I received a sample kit for my own personal use or as maybe to pass them out to get people interested. One of the items was Sparks Energy Drink mix, which I have been taking for over a week now. “This stuff WORKS!” I have had no side effects like jitterness or a fast heartbeat. You can mix this with water or your favorite drink. I started mixing mine with the Fiber Drink in the morning to start my day. Remember there are eight different flavor to choose from. “Give them a try!”
Available in Citrus and Peaches & Cream, Advocare states “Herbal Cleanse supports improved digestion thorough internal cleansing. Helps rid the body of toxins and waste
providing 10 grams of fiber per day. Helps remove impurities from the body and supports healthy weight loss.” On my second day using the Fiber Drink (for days 1,2,3,8,9,&10)I have to say that it does work. With that many fiber going into you…you know what that means. To the Gentleman’s Room I go! I did feel lighter but not empty; kinda of a wellness type of empty if you know what I mean.
I have taken 1 dosage of Advocare’s Herbal Cleanse Tablets. Advocare states “the Herbal Cleanse tablet provides herbal extracts that help rid your body of the impurities that may be obstacles to achieving better health. One ingredient, senna leaf extract, is known for its use to relieve occasional constipation, as well as to encourage the movement of waste through the intestinal tract. Beet root powder and wheat grass juice are included to aid in the reduction of metabolic by-products in the blood and liver. Cranberry juice powder helps cleanse impurities from the kidneys and aid in excretion through the bladder. The Herbal Cleanse tablet also contains milk thistle extract, which has the active component silymarin. Silymarin has been traditionally used to aid in eliminating toxins from the liver and is also an excellent hepaprotectant and antioxidant. Echinacea, astragalus, garlic, zinc and vitamin C help support the immune system. Herbal Cleanse tablets also contain a wide range of B-vitamins to help maintain energy levels during the detoxification period. Take on days one through seven. This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.” The Herbal Cleanse tablets are for days 1-7 of the program.
CATALYST
ADVOCARE-CATALYST
One of the products not included in the 24-Day Challenge was the Catalyst, which “helps maintain muscle mass during exercise & weight management, aids in preserving muscle and energy levels during times of calorie restriction, plus helps repair & protect muscle tissue.” Since I am trying to grow some MUSCLE I felt this product would be a great addition to my program, especially since I am also trying to get fit enough to get a SIX-PACK. The Catalyst will help prevent muscle loss while I am losing body fat from dieting.
BYE-BYE
Gotta go now to work. See you next time where I will include some workouts that I am going to try and some more feedback on the products I have chosen to use to help me get AESTHETICALLY PLEASING.
Today I received my 24 Day Challenge package from Advocare.com, a place where I am also a distributor. I figured that since I am going to promote those products that I should give them a try first hand. The 24-Day Challenge (affiliate link) is a package deal to help you get fit and involves two phases. The first one is the Cleanse Phase which take ten days to complete. This phase helps remove waste and prepares your body for optimal nutrient absorption during the Max Phase (11-24 day period).
24- Day Challenge Cleanse-Phase-Products
I have already started taking the products recommended by Advocare and will keep a close track and there performance. This next photo is a recent one in which I weigh in at 199.6 pounds. I am at 26 percent body fat.
May-18-2014-199.6-lbs
I will post one photo every week to see the differences as the days go by. I have shifted my goals from trying to lose weight to being in shape. There is a difference which I will explain my thoughts next time, so I might not post my weigh ins. Till next time! See Ya!
It was August 27, 2012 and I just cut my hair completely off. This was no big deal; I always chop it off every three months or so. But, this time it was different. Before I would cut it off because I was too hot or because I hated combing it. Today I am cutting it off to represent a changing in my life. “I am letting it grow.” Possibly forever until I die. Who knows? I had weighted in at 253 lbs in that picture.
THE CHANGE
Something is changing in me. My other half calls it menopause or an old mans weird wiring’s (she does that offenly); but I know it is something else. Something with a meaning to my life that I just can’t grasp as of yet. Perhaps I am simply tried of her calling me names like “the Buddha” or “fatso”? Who knows, but maybe it is or maybe I have other unexplained plans.
At-220-lbs
The picture above was taken in January 27, 2013. I have lost 33 pounds with out trying or doing exercises. I tend to walk through the course of my work day for three miles easily. I have cut down on eating too much empty calories like sweets and tortillas.
As of August 12, 2013 my stats were:
212.4 pounds
body fat mass = 60.91 pounds or 21.7 % body fat
5’7″ height
46 years
38″ waist circumference
TIME
Today’s date is May 7, 2014 and time has flown by. I know the things I want to accomplish before I die. I want to get trim and in shape. I want to have a V shape with a six pack to show for my hard work, but I do not want to lose any muscle, if I have any. LOL.
I want to remove my debt, see the seven wonders of the world, save money for my little girl to go to college, and I want to visit my little brother in Japan, and I want to climb Mount Everest. Okay-okay…maybe not climb Mount Everest!
Today I am sitting in at 202 pounds and I have been pumping a little iron. I haven’t gotten serious yet; I am just beginning to wake up. I am still been called the Buddha, but that does not bother me anymore.
Time to speed up ahead of my game! Hope to hear words of encouragement, I always hear them from my little girl. There is a charge in the air and its positivo! Despite the latest in happenings from getting a new job, losing my Mother in Law, and other things; I feel the winds of change and the heavy clouds opening to reveal rays of light. Thanks in advance!
On May 2, 2014 I lost my Mother in Law and my daughter lost her second Mother. You see my Mother in Law was like a mother to her raising her while I and her biological mother worked full time jobs. My Mother in Law was 87 years old. She was born on February 2, 1927 in Mexico and she had plenty of stories to tell. She was an outgoing Catholic woman and never had anything bad to say about others. She will be deeply missed in the world of the living.
MEETING THE MAKER
My Mother in Law had been in and out of the hospital for the past two weeks. Once she got admitted to a nursing home, but she did not like it; so they moved her home. On her last trip to the hospital she said that she was tried of this and insisted we let her go to join her husband and son in the heavens. People from around the state and Mexico came to say their goodbyes. That was May 1, 2014. The following day at 430 pm she passed to the other side.
A HAPPY WOMAN SHE IS
Throughout her life, the moments that I saw her. she was a happy woman and tried to make the best of things. Even on her death bed, she jokingly laughed with us. She had made a decision, and she was happy with it; she was ready to move on. I will deeply miss her as I know her family will too. God Bless Her Soul and her remaining family.
MDRM
Been the go to person I am; I have to be strong for them. I cannot crouch down, but remain the pillar of strength; a pillar of comfort to those who need it. It is who I am; it is what I do. Putting others before my needs…MDRM.
