Tuesday, February 28, 2006

2/28/06

Woooo Hooooo! I ran last Thursday, Friday, Saturday AND Sunday. I definately think it was a little over the top. But, there are weeks like this one where that's almost impossible because of scheduling.

I had a good workout on Friday. Yesterday I had a great chest workout. I had a spotter for my bench so I went heavier than I have been going. My homegirl is great. Definately helped. We also got to talk some. She's still going through tons of stress.

Actually I'm going through tons of stress and frustration also. I've made a mental decision to see it as an opportunity to grow instead of the "why does this always happen to me?" mentality. By the end of this year I should have grown tons personally as well as physically.

The kids seem to be doing great. I've been so busy lately I haven't spent as much time as I wanted. But Saturday I got to go eat, just me and the kids and we got to talk about stuff. They are slowly getting my life story out of me. I have usually not talked much about it.

We all went to see Walk The Line last night. It was good to have everyone go. It was me, my wife, two kids, my nephew, a friend, my sister and brother-in-law. It's a great movie. This morning my said it made her remember when we were better friends. I told her maybe its time to work on that some more.

We'll see how life works out. Right now I'm in a broke state, still having stress around the kids fight, I have nieces and nephews away from their home, and lots of other little things that COULD make me feel overwhelmed. So I'll try to keep things in focus as best I can.

I challenged a group of young guys to "act" happy for a whole day and report back. I'm working on it everyday, and it seems to help some.

KEEP LIFTING!!!

Friday, February 24, 2006

2/24/06

Went for a jog yesterday. I'm planning to do my back workout today. My shoulder is a little tender, so I may change things around depending on how things feel after I start.

I may just take a week off of lifting and do extra running for awhile while I try get some bodyfat down.

I'll be running for sure over the weekend!!!

KEEP LIFTING!!!

Thursday, February 23, 2006

2/23/06

Did a good leg workout yesterday. I'm feeling it already! Man, my legs were wobbly and I got lightheaded. I even worked up a sweat in the cold garage!

Hopefully that continues to provide results. I also went and had my bodyfat checked today. For today my weight was 172.5 (up from 167.2), my fat was up 42.74 (up from 40.02) and my fat-free weight was 129.76 (also up! from 127.18). So the good news is that my muscle mass may be increasing. I think the tons of beer I drank during January and the beginning of February are kicking my butt fat-wise. I'll schedule another appointment for May and see how we're doing. The one thing is that people say I look better, and I have to go with that. Also my pants feel a little looser.

The guy said with the closeness of my body fat measurements, it could just be normal error - other than the total weight. My 3 scores were 23.6, 23.9, and 24.8 with a +/-3.5% error possibility. The best thing for me now is shoot for a 5% body fat loss for May! Caray! I think that's 10 pounds of FAT!!! Without losing muscle!!!

* * *
Oh, by the way Americans Work More and Get Less Done!

Wednesday, February 22, 2006

RealAge Tip - Laugh Your *ss Off!!! 2/22/06

From RealAge.com

Laugh for Better Blood Vessels

Laugh your way to better blood vessel function by watching a funny flick.
Laughter relaxes blood vessels and increases blood flow -- the exact opposite of what your blood vessels do when you are stressed. In a small study of healthy men and women with normal blood pressure, watching a funny movie increased blood flow by about 22 percent. If funny movies aren't your style, spend time with the people who tickle your funny bone.

RealAge Benefit: Laughing often can make your RealAge up to 8 years younger.

2/22/06

Hey There!

Things seem to be going well. My kids went back to school without any problem. My son hung out at the park last night without issues.

Tonight I have a gig in the early evening and then I plan to do my leg workout. My upper chest and traps are sore. Not hurt, but sore. That's alright, I'm liking that kind of soreness for right now.

I'm really appreciating the extra contact I've been having with people. It's been really good, even with people I have never met other than through bloggin. So Smacking, Eileen, MM, MR, and Becky, a big shout out to all of you! And to my sister and sister-in-law, we've really figured out something about connecting better.

Last night, the sax player for the group I was doing some recording with said I was the happiest guy he knew. (Boy did I think that was funny!)

I'm feeling really good about the possibility of changing my mental habits. Emotionally its gonna be tough. Because I have tended to do this thing were I would get really happy, and then crash really hard. Thus I tried to keep at an even keel to keep from dealing with it. Now, I'm just gonna have to go for it and take the risks and keep pushing against the negativity in my brain. WISH ME LUCK!!!

KEEP LIFTING!!!

Tuesday, February 21, 2006

2/21/06

Today is the birthday of one of my nephews. I'll call him later on in the morning. He's a bit of a stoner and I'm sure he's not up yet.

I had a good chest workout yesterday. I got to use my anger and frustrations to help with my tricep extensions. If rehearsal is cancelled tonight, I'll go jogging this evening. Otherwise just abs. I was a little sore yesterday from the ab workout I did on Sunday.

* * *
So my family is scared to visit my neighborhood. But I also realized that its not like I get called to check in or for me just come visit, so what's the difference. I'm terrible with reaching out also, so I gotta own that.

Whenever I find another 4 bedroom house with a garage and a nice backyard for $600 a month, I guess I'll consider moving. Until then, I'll be happy with where I'm at. I figure I could run, but I have family that have moved to keep kids out of trouble, and it hasn't helped. Usually it just broke up the family more.

Well, that's it. Still working on breaking some of my negative mental habits.

KEEP LIFTING!!!

Monday, February 20, 2006

2/20/06 Emerson Quote y Mas

Thanks to Eileen and Becky for their supportive posts on the blog. I appreciate that a lot!!!!

Here's a great quote;

To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty, to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.


Ralph Waldo Emerson


So even though it took 10 years for some of my family to say that they didn't come visit because of my neighborhood instead of a messy house or something like that, it is good to know that. I wish they understood that by visiting, they would be helping me with my goal of making it a better place to live. The more healthy modeling happens there the better place it would be. But such is life. My challenge is to not disappear from my neighborhood but to still stay connected to my family.

2/20/06

Hey There!!!!

Things seem to be going great! I ran both Saturday and Sunday. Still did my back workout on Friday, and my shoulder seems OK. I'm having sciatica (sp?) issues, but they are getting better too.

A sister and brother took us out to eat last night and we had a good time. Talked about doing a challenge. So my deadline is November (since I've been consistent for so long) and my sister and sister-in-laws' deadline will be April 1, 06. Our goal, I think is a "six-pack." Mine is a six-pack by 11/22/06 and to bench 200 lbs. Then bench 250 by April 1, 06.

I think this should be doable. Recuperating my shoulder and doing this will be a good challenge. I also hope to be able to deadlift or squat at least 1.25 times my bench by then. I think long-term I'll be deadlifting or squatting 1.5, but it will depend on my shoulder. The way it was pulled seems to affect deadlifting and squatting more than benching.

* * *
On a personal note. Things are better. Sounds like my nephew won't be coming over to my house for a long time. That's too bad. I'm trying not to give my sister crap about it. Its her decision. She'll have to deal with it.

I have the challenge of getting the band back together. The time off has kinda derailed us. But this will be a great challenge!

Also, listening to Tony Robbins talk about relationships and body energy. This would be great to figure these things done.

KEEP LIFTING!!!

Thursday, February 16, 2006

2/16/06

Got my leg workout in yesterday!

Things are REALLY hectic right now, but I'm working hard at making staying positive a habit. I think that somewhere I developed lots of unhelpful mental habits. They probably were useful at the time, but not anymore.

One being my stuff around violence. My kids had to talk me out of going down the street after they got jumped. There's a trap in my mind about backing down and these situations that I'm trying to deconstruct.

Overall, things are good. Got some people angry at me but its alright. I think my sister is pissed because the kids have permission to hang out on the block without calling. It may be good to change that policy, but I'm trying to not hold on to her anger and let it slide by. I'm also trying to figure out the stuff with my adopted family - there's stuff going on about "it's different when it's your kid" and I'm trying to take it as a challenge more than an insult. Being the one who is most regularly not the "real" brother/uncle, etc... it hurts me to think I'm treating someone else as less than real family.

KEEP LIFTING!!!

Wednesday, February 15, 2006

2/15/06

What a day!

I had the good points of delivering flowers and gifts. Then my kids were jumped after school and my Tia passed away. My sister is pissed at me because I let the kids hang outside after-school. I'm just not into letting

So I'll see if I get a workout in today. One band cancelled rehearsal and another one called it.

KEEP LIFTING!!!!

Tuesday, February 14, 2006

2/14/06 Happy Valentine's Day

Hope you are having a great Valentine's Day. I'm currently listening to Ugly Kid Joe's "Everything About You" - talk about not the appropriate song for today! LOL!

Had a fairly good workout yesterday. I cut it short to go to the hospital. My Dad's sister is passing away. They thought she would pass yesterday. But she's holding on.

So I stayed up late. But doing OK overall. Gonna take a couple of my sister's their presents today. I got my wife a massage, a coffee mug with bear in it, and X-Men comic (yes she likes that), and I'm going to take her a red rose and a card to work. My sisters will get lotion and a white rose.

Wish I could get to all of my sisters, and sister-in-laws, but I'm already going broke. Got a letter yesterday saying my credit limit on my card is going down becaus I'm behind! Crap, but I'll figure it out I hope.

KEEP LIFTING!!!

Monday, February 13, 2006

Moving Makes You Young!

Vigorous physical activity could help people with osteoarthritis stay active for many years to come.

In a study of older people with arthritis, those who didn't regularly engage in vigorous activities had twice the risk of functional decline over time compared to the people who frequently exercised vigorously. But if your health makes vigorous activity impossible, don't despair. Even a moderate increase in activity levels can help fend off disability down the road.

RealAge Benefit: Exercising regularly can make your RealAge as much as 9 years younger.

RealAge.com

1/13/06

I ran both days this weekend! Feeling really good about it.

I'm still going to try and take it easy with the shoulder. Its still not 100%. So tonight I'll do another light bench workout.

* * *
Got to clean up some of my garage yesterday with help of my wife and kiddos. That felt good. Also still working on my relationships and getting my mind to focus on the positive.

Overall, its good to notice that my life looks in pretty good shape.

We went to a friend's birthday party this weekend and I got to play with a good buddy. I've missed that and missed hanging with him. Also got to play a couple of songs where my daughter, wife, and/or sister joined in with me, that was very cool!

Like I said, overall, things are looking good.

KEEP LIFTING!!!

Friday, February 10, 2006

2/10/06

Had a good back workout this morning. Don't think my shoulder is gonna freak out. I'll still keep it light for awhile, but feels like its getting better.

* * *
As for me, overall things are busy but good. Started getting the random crying spells this morning, but we'll see how that goes.

KEEP LIFTING!!!!

Thursday, February 09, 2006

2/9/06

Had a great leg workout yesterday. Expecting to be sore, which may be a problem since I'm going dancing tomorrow night.

I hope to get a run in this evening after work. My shoulder is tingling a little bit, so I may have to adjust my workout tomorrow. Or it could have been the bar on my shoulder from squatting. We'll see as soon as I try some back exercises tomorrow.

Decided to weigh in - 171.2. Not bad considering my diet went to hell from New Years till the Superbowl! That and all of the beer I consumed last month.

* * *
I'm doing OK. There was a health scare with my brother-in-law, but things turned out good.

I'm doing better overall. I've been waking up early and still get some anxiety stuff, but overall better. Not drinking is helping out.

The kids seem to be doing good, but it feels like I haven't been able to spend enough time with them.

KEEP LIFTING!!!

Wednesday, February 08, 2006

2/8/06

Chest is sore! Shoulder gets a little tingly every once in awhile. So obviously it is not 100%. Today will be a squat day so I'll see how that goes. Looking forward to being sore again tomorrow and Friday! Sick huh? LOL

Friday will be either deadlift day or if not I'll switch to Goodmornings. It's not the same, but should keep me from pulling my shoulder again. I'll have to go up really slow on this next round. But still work on keeping workouts hard.

* * *
Still battling my personal demons. A friend loaned me a Tony Robbins cassette, it's actually pretty good. If you haven't read any of his stuff you should check something out from the library.

Kids seem to be doing well. But things have been so busy I haven't really checked in with them as much lately.

KEEP LIFTING!!!

Tuesday, February 07, 2006

2/7/06

Back on track! Started my 3 way split workout again yesterday. I was nervous that my shoulder would not be ready. And I wanted to have spotters, but my wife took the kids to 50 cent movie night.

Monday is now bench day, so I figured I'd push the shoulder a little less than my old deadlift Monday. That's now on Friday.

Had a good workout and shoulder doesn't feel bad today. There's gonna be some soreness, but that's to be expected. I kept it light and will build slowler this time around. My goal will be to bench over 200 pounds for my birthday in November! Hopefully while sporting a six-pack!

* * *
Kids seem to be doing fine. I need to feel more rested, but I'll figure that out. I think my brain is still working overtime. But I'm doing better overall.

Finances suck. I'm gonna look into a personal loan or a second mortgage.

KEEP LIFTING!!!

Monday, February 06, 2006

Walking the Line

No, I didn't get pulled over for DWI this weekend. Remember, I started taking rides and advice on when not to drink.

No, my nephew and I went to see the movie "Walk the Line" and I have to say it touched me. I already liked the Man in Black, and now for a variety of reasons I have to say he's been moved up a notch!

Friday, February 03, 2006

Great Image!

From BillyBoydFan. Check it out. Funny and scary all at the same time!

2/3/06

I have been having great conversations with lots of folks. I'm back in my role of helping others. I get to workout today and run this weekend. What fun!

KEEP LIFTING!!!

Thursday, February 02, 2006

2/2/06

Hey There!

Had a good workout yesterday. Gonna hang with a friend tonight. Its not often that friends drop by my pad to chill. But this will make 2 this week!

The emotional stuff is moving along nicely for now. Still got a long road, but I've recruited some great help!

KEEP LIFTING!!!

Wednesday, February 01, 2006

Help Jailed Strikers in Iran

Strikers Arrested in Iran

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