| Hey, TOM! And answers, Buzz! | Week 7 of 12, Day 43 of 84
Hi, Tom! Glad to have you here. Great place, good people. Love it!
Buzz, here is my opinion.
You'll get the long and the short.
1. Creatine. No, the effects don't wear off. The extra water retained due to creatine in the cells wears off, but muscle is muscle. There is a prevalent myth that gains from steroids or creatine etc suddenly disappear. The fact is, muscle is muscle and doesn't know where it came from, whether it was honest, hard work, creatine, or a steroid. What usually happens with heavy steroid use is that the person's RECOVERY potential diminishes, they can no longer eat as many calories and not gain fat, etc, so the change in training, calories, etc all contribute to the loss of muscle. If they had gained that same muscle through other means, they'd be faced with the same challenges.
Let's break down creatine: (1) it works (2) it only works if you train so intensely you couldn't possibly lift another rep. See, the studies on creatine on average Joes shows an increase in weight as water is pulled into the cells (water drives creatine in) but that weight is lost afterwards. The studies on elite athletes shows a gain in mass that stays even afterwards. Creatine tops of your tank of gas. If you don't drive until you run out of gas, you don't need the reserves. If you are training short of your potential, you never reach the bottom of the tank so the creatine doesn't matter except maybe for a little added leverage from the muscle pump you'll get. If, on the other hand, you drive until you are on fumes - in other words, train like an animal and squeeze out every last bit of energy - then the creatine will let you make it to the next city limit instead of being stuck out in suburbia with nothing but DOMS to show for it. The main action by which creatine works is by increasing your work capacity. Another hypothetical action is leverage - basically, this is the whole "cell volumizing" phrase that was a catch phrase for as long as it was useful for marketing and then got chalked up with the other skeletons in the closet like HMB feeling like Deca. Cell volumization does happen, but all it really means is that the cell might retain more fluid and there is a possibility it has improved recovery and nutrient intake. Another possibility, that I've read from both Ian King and Charles Poliquin, is that the extra volume of the cell when multiplied across the muscle provides a little more leverage. This means you can load a little more weight, which means you force the muscle to a little more work, which could result in a little more hypertrophy.
Okay, that was the long. The short: if you KNOW you train intensely, then give creatine a whirl - I bet it might do something for you.
2. Thermogenics. Thermogenics work. The questions is, are they worth it. For most people, I would say, no. First, the main thermogenic combination studied is a VERY specific ratio of ephedrine to caffeine, namely 20 mg of ephedrine to 200 mg of caffeine taken three times daily. When you get this from natural sources, you have to examine the extract. For example, if you get 325 mg of Ma Huang standardized to 8%, then you are getting 325 x 0.08 = 26mg of ephedrine, or slightly over the dose. Since this is a simple, straightforward formula, it's tough for companies to compete when they have the same thing. So we get gimmicks. EAS uses synephrine and makes Phen-Free or you get Hydroxycut that throws in a little of every herb ever mentioned in a fat loss study, etc. None of those has a huge body of sufficient evidence to support much of anything ... it comes back to 20mg ephedrine to 200mg caffeine. Now, once you wade through the muck and find a product that is close to that (the ECA stack, or I like MetaboLift from TwinLabs) then you have to consider how to take it.
You were the classic end user, and this is NOT bashing you at all, my friend, it is demonstrating market, but when you said "it didn't do much, I might take more" this is what supplement companies LOVE. See, the ephedrine stack does two things, we *think* (it hasn't even been positively concluded HOW exactly it works, although we do know it raises metabolism). First, it stimulates your nervous system, specifically the sympathetic nervous system - yeah, fight or flight, adrenaline, all the fun stuff. This probably DOESN'T help you burn fat, except by maybe burning a few extra calories because you get all jittery. Unfortunately, this is also where the negative side effects kick in and where some people have heart palpatations or heart attack, etc. This is the dangerous part. Supplement companies love it because you FEEL it. When your scalp is crawling, you just KNOW you're burning fat. When you are so hyper, you could bounce off the walls, you just FEEL that fat melting, don't you?
Well, there's good news for us and bad news for the supplement companies. The real way the thermogenics probably work is by activating something known as uncoupling proteins. These are stored in special fat cells called brown fat cells. Unlike white fat cells, which store fat, when you put calories in brown fat cells, they generate heat. This raises your metabolism - the extra calories literally turn into heat instead of being stored as fat. This is probably why an athlete who takes a large dose and goes to train in hot weather and isn't properly hydrated is succeptible to heat stroke ... because of the heat. If you continue to take the product steadily, as per the large body of research, your body actually ADAPTS to the NEGATIVE side effects - your nervous system stops becoming as stimulated, your heart rate stops becoming affected, etc. However, the cellular effects - the uncoupling of proteins - actually increases over time, taking about 8 - 12 weeks to fully activate. Here's where it's bad news for the supplement companies. They know when you stop feeling that buzz, you'll think it's not working any more, so you're going to chuck it and move to the competitor. So what do they do? They ask you to CYCLE it to avoid taxyphylaxus (sp?) which is adaptation. Ironically, they're asking you to avoid the adaptation to the negative side effects - they WANT you to have those jitters so you'll THINK the product is doing its job and burning fat, when in fact the practice of day on/day off etc actually increases the amount of negative side effects and decreases the over all thermogenic effect!
Now when it gets down to it, the amount of extra calories induced by these is about 50-100 calories. Most people don't even control their nutrition to within that margin of error, yet they'll risk health and toss out dollars to get this product instead of walking on an incline for 15 extra minutes or holding back on that extra serving of mashed potatoes. Really, the research supports two events where thermogenics are really effective - (1) someone who is obsese. 50-100 calories / day over 9 months compared to 12 weeks is a HUGE difference in weight control. (2) someone who is lean, trying to lose that last bit. See, (2) is important because the right ratio of ephedrine/caffeine has also been shown to preserve muscle mass when leaning down. This is GREAT when you are less than a few months away from a photo shoot or competition. Finally, while there isn't science to back this up, I know personally that thermogenics help suppress my appetite. Where a 1200 calorie day might normally have me chewing on my own socks in desperation, with a thermogenic I might enjoy a 3 oz piece of chicken like it where a 10 oz New York steak smothered in cajun butter.
So, again, let's talk about the short story. If you aren't within 8 - 12 weeks of your ultimate goal and aren't obese, you might want to save your money. If you DO decide to take one, save your cash on the mad scientist crazy blends and find something with just the basics: 20 mg of ephedrine to 200 mg caffeine. Then, take this three times per day (work up from 1 to 3 if you like) EVERY DAY without cycling for between 8 - 12 weeks and you will see the benefit that has been illustrated in research - that research, over and over, shows 20/200 3x a day - not 10/300 one day on, one day off, etc - in fact, while I would never recommend this for adolescents or younger, it has been studied on large groups of obese adolescents and shown to be very safe when taken correctly. Keep in mind your metabolism will go up, so be smart and stay well hydrated. Heed the warnings - if you have any history of any type of heart condition, then check with a physician before using it and monitor your heart rate and blood pressure. That is why I am going to be monitoring my own RHR and blood pressure, because I will be taking a thermogenic during my challenge that starts next week. And also, just to keep it legal and what not, I am NOT a doctor and I am simply sharing my opinion and not medical advice nor any type of diagnosis or a promise for any type of cure.
Darnit, my short answer ended up being long, too.
Jeremy
posted by Jeremy on 5/12/2003 9:04:23 PM | | So green, so far! | Week 7 of 12, Day 43 of 84 cont...
So far, DietPower is keeping me 100% green. It's great ... I love having some flexibility by knowing that all of my calories fit into my plan ... there was great food at Zach's wedding: Minnestrone soup, chicken breast and green beans/carrots, a nice salad with a sun-dried tomatoe vinaigrette - all foods that I could eat comfortably and keep on my plan. At any rate, I've got a busy day at work. Just wanted to check in and say the weekend was wonderful. For the first time it looks like I'm going to break the 210 mark (first time in the past 10 weeks!) simply due to the fact that I'm not letting my nutrition just float around like some random thought, but rather am keeping it under control by controlling exactly what I'm eating.
I will begin a 12-week BFL challenge next week (I'll take my before's on Saturday). I actually won't be finishing "this" challenge - I'm still doing the remaining weeks as planned, they'll just coincide with the first few weeks of my BFL program. I'll have a week built-in where I actually rest and gain a few calories before kicking back into high gear (program will probably look something like 5 weeks dropping 2 - 3 pounds/week, 1 week gaining 2 pounds, 6 weeks dropping 2-3 pounds/week). I'm very excited about it.
Kristin - yeah, skip that thought!!! Way to break through and keep bustin'!
Kim - welcome!!! So glad to have you hear. We know you're in good hands with Sue!
Zach - thank you so much for your kind words. Every child is God's richest blessing to their parents, and we are just so humbled and grateful that you allowed us to be part of this amazing event in your life ... this truly unique, touching, moving, and beautiful event! So thanks for the kind words and thanks for letting us be a part of it ... Alyssa really enjoyed playing with your beautiful nieces and I loved the way they all looked walking barefoot in the wedding!
Zach's mom - it was a true pleasure to meet you, and thank you for letting us be a part of the beautiful event. We really enjoyed ourselves and met many wonderful people. I'm glad to finally meet you and I look forward to hearing about your triumphs as you are coached by some of the best trainers available (your children!)
Mimi - sounds like you have a lucky catch!!! Glad you were swept off your feet yet kept it green!
Sue - sorry about your phone. When I saw the title of your post, I thought it was referring to the picture to the left ... then I realized you said "bummed" and not "bum" LOL .. just kidding ... I know you'll work out the music. I would love to hear an update of how Beverly supps are working out for you, I've heard great things but nothing can replace firsthand testimony from a champ!
Everyone - keep it green! God bless you all.
posted by Jeremy on 5/12/2003 7:23:17 AM | | Zach's Wedding (pics!) | Week 6 of 12, Day 41 of 84
I'm not going to steal Zach's thunder by posting too much here. All I can say is that the wedding was absolutely beautiful - what a beautiful couple in an amazing ceremony, with a lot of wonderful people. I saw my daughter dressed up with a wreath on her head the first time, and it took my breath away ... but then again, so did seeing Zach's bride. I wish them a long, happy life together, and I see God's richest blessings upon their union.
Here are some preview pics ... not the greatest but I figured some of you would want a sneak peek. They are larger than normal, so click on the thumbnail to see the full size picture.
Have a blessed weekend.
Jeremy
posted by Jeremy on 5/10/2003 9:43:54 PM | | What it is ... | Week 6 of 12, Day 40 of 84
... is what it is.
Thank you so much for the outpouring of support and recommendations. Last night, I sat down with my wife and talked to her. We had a very emotional conversation. We have been through so much together in our 7 years (our 5 year anniversary is coming up at the end of this month). She has seen me struggle with my inner demons and has been solid rock of support as I try to fight them.
What are my demons? I'm not entirely certain, but I know that I am a creature of addiction. I have never in my life truly set myself free from some form of addiction or obsession, I've only managed to move it around. It was drugs and cigarettes and then alcohol and food and even training. I think there might be some shadow of my past that is also lurking, and I truly believe that meeting my real father (which I have a feeling will happen soon) is going to help me wash some of that out.
I think another thing that bothers me is simply closeness. I am probably envious of people who have close friends, and it's really my fault. Don't get me wrong - this isn't a sob "woe is me, I have no friends story." Not at all. I am surrounded by incredible friends, tremendous, compassionate, wonderful people. The issue is simply that I have cut myself off from being open and intimate with others outside of my relationship with my wife. She is my best friend and knows everything about me, and that is not a problem at all! However, I used to have a very close friend and as I told my wife last night, it's not that I long for someone to talk about things that I can't talk to her about, but rather I long for someone to talk to ABOUT her ... about how wonderful she is and the growth I've had. Truth is, I used to be able to talk to this close friend who helped me a lot in life, and then cancer took him away from me. I know he's in a better place, so much of my sorrow and the gap that exists is due to the simple fact that I selfishly want him to be HERE, in the flesh, to talk to. Since he passed away, months before Alyssa was born, I have not opened up to someone outside of my wife like that. Alyssa is going on three ... I think it's probably time for me to open up, eh? (And I'm talking about connections to people in person ... I am very open here, on the board, and connected to many people, but we all know that it's not a substitute for fellowship in person).
So now I have to make an objective assessment of where I'm at, where I want to be.
I haven't taken a body fat measurement in some time because like many people, I've been living in denial. Ed said it best ... how long until what I'm in becomes too comfortable, and I move on to bigger slacks, etc. Sure, I'm fit, but I'm not as fit as I should be. And it's not about vanity, it's about discipline. It's not about extra fat on my middle, it's about what I do (or rather don't) to allow that to happen. It's not about being healthy and in control for the sake of my health, it's about being in control of what I put in my mouth as well - about not being gluttonous, which is simply an addiction of overeating rather than an addiction to alcohol or cigarettes.
I was pleaing for some resolution or clarity and change and as always the Lord struck me with thunderbolt and I'm ready for action.
First, let's talk about where I'm starting. I'm 215 pounds. I've been in denial about my body fat. Electric measurements say I'm in the 20% range and while they're not accurate (and they certainly don't come CLOSE to the mark when you are extremely lean) at the 20% range they tend to be in the ballpark. I haven't taken my skinfolds yet, but I don't need to. I know my umbilicus is well over the 10mm mark I'll need to be back in the shape I want to be ... I'm guessing that the umbilicus alone is 27 - 35 mm but I'll get that trimmed down, too. The reality is this. I know that at 195 on my "8 Weeks in Peak Physique" cover, the picture at the top right, I was probably around 10% or less body fat. I know that even if I've gained muscle since then, I can't have been a ton, so I need to be realistic and set 195 pounds as what I would need to weigh to be at 10 - 12 percent body fat. Now it's simple math. To get from 215 to 195 means losing 20 pounds, or about 10% of my current mass. That means that if the goal is 10 - 12 percent body fat and I have to lose 10%, I am currently at the 20% range. So that's the first reality I need to face. In order to get somewhere, I have to know where I'm starting from. I'm very fit, I have plenty of muscle and strength, I can run long distances, but when it comes down to the wire, I'm 5'10 1/2" with a 39 - 40 inch waist, weighing 215 pounds with 20% body fat. There, now that we know the starting point, let's talk about the destination.
I'm going to spend the weekend setting my goals. No, not general goals ... "I want to lose fat and gain muscle" but REAL goals. Talking with Doreen, we discussed the times in my life when I've been the happiest and in control. Really, the time that stands out is the months between June when I was the leanest I've ever been due to David Greenwalt's expert coaching, and September 11th. During that time frame, I wasn't counting calories or obsessing about training, but I was eating healthy and I was training. I was maintaining low body fat. I went on vacation and had a blast but still maintained my shape and health. I did not only set physical goals, but was continuing to grow my knowledge and set career goals. I was doing projects around the house. I was active and taking control, not complacent and in the comfort zone. September 11th took a little bit of my spirit out and then the resulting mandatory 60 hour work weeks at my main job and economic struggles and everything else basically broke my spirit. I pulled a little bit of that back together in April and was down to single digits again but then stress just twisted me inside out and left me wrung out to dry. I made some very key decisions to improve my life - one was my baptism, another moving to this job - but I finally realized the truth. I had SPIRIT and ENERGY back then, and I let myself flounder and feel sorry for myself and lose it.
I hate to use strong language but I'll tell you right now I HATE what those jerks did to our country when they chose to drive our planes into our buildings and kill OUR people. As a country we have remained numb. It makes me angry when I see the stock report from my former company and think that "Wow, $30/share is a high number" because now it's not realistic to even consider something like $70/share which is was because the economy bottomed out. It breaks my heart to hear of the unemployment rate continuing to climb, of funds being diverted from educational efforts. More than anything, though, I see it broke my heart and I let it get to ME.
No more. I am strong in Christ.
So, I might still struggle with my addictions - I have to grow and learn to give those addictions to God, but it is not something that will happen overnight. So, for now, I'm going to take the lesser of evils - instead of giving my addictions to something destructive like food and drugs, I'm giving them over to good ole coffee. My self imposed coffee ban is to be lifted and I'll let that be my little vice. Thank you, Tim, for reminding me that change happens in the gray.
I've got a kick-$%#$% training program that I'm not going to change. I am 6 weeks into it and still increasing strength at a rate I've never before experienced in my half decade of steady training, and this is without any special supplements. I've finally dialed into the right amount of stimulus and recovery for my body, so that's fine. I've also built a detailed cardio plan, so that is going to stay the same.
Nutrition is the next hurdle to tackle. I've never been good at designing my own nutrition. It sounds funny, but it's true. I try different approaches and figure out how they affect me but when I really want RESULTS I always suffer from self-induced paralysis. I can design a program for 20 different people with 110% confidence it will work, and WATCH them get the results to prove it. But when it comes to me, I just can't step back an be objective. I want calories here, but no, I might lose muscle, so put them here, but no, I might gain fat, yada yada. My most successful transformation was when I decided, I am lame at making my OWN nutrition plan, so I gave 100% faith in David Greenwalt and I'll be darned if he didn't get me down to the bone ... no wonder it's called The Leanness Lifestyle. Thanks, Dave.
You know, it's ironic, too, because I've been in this weight range before. Two years ago I did a major bulking phase and reached 220. It was out of this heap I had turned myself into, purposefully at the time, that David coached me down to the opposite extreme: 178.
Now it's time for action. I'm not going to hire David again, but I'm going to reactivate an old friend of mine who always keeps me accountable. It's called DietPower. It let's me know EXACTLY where I'm at and where I need to be. DietPower is unique in that as you key in your food consumption, exercise, and weight, it eventually learns your metabolism! It adjusts around until it matches your weight fluctuations to your progress and it is dead on. It gives me flexibility because if I slightly overeat one day I know how much to compensate the other direction the next, etc.
I know I'm still finishing this 6 weeks. I know I'll need a week for DietPower to really get to a good guess for my body fat. But here's the clencher:
After about a week or two, I'm joining the 2003 BFL Challenge. I'm dialing my target weight to 180 (hey, let's hope I've gained 2 pounds of muscle in the past two years) and I'm doing it. I'm not getting on stage yet, but I'm going to get out there and do something extraordinary again. Because that's really the rut I'm in ... everyone here, everyone one of you, can do extraordinary things - that's what got me so excited when I heard Bill Phillips say that physique transformation was about ordinary people doing something extraordinary. See, I've let myself become ordinary, but ordinary isn't enough. No, I'm not being too harsh on myself - we are all God's children and He has made every one of us EXTRAORDINARY. It's time to tap into that GIFT and live it to its fullest.
So, I'll have some better defined, scoped out goals to post after the weekend. I'm on the abyss. This time, I'm not waiting for something to push me over. I trust in God. I close my eyes. I take my leap of faith.
God bless, and see you after the weekend.
Jeremy
posted by Jeremy on 5/9/2003 7:57:54 AM | | Pouring my heart out (get some coffee and settle in your chair, this one is long even for me) | Week 6 of 12, Day 39 of 84
If you don't like big posts, please click here to skip to the Cliff Notes below.
Don't let them tell you it's anything else --- nutrition is the key.
Take, for example, me. Despite my half-hearted efforts to really do something this program, I've been 110% on training and, well, let's just say a little below par for nutrition. Look at all of that yellow! So when I look back and say, "Man, I've worked my BUTT off and what do I have to show for it?" I can look at all of those yellow days and say, "Did I really go the distance?" Of course I know what proper nutrition is, heck, I coach and teach it all of the time and get great results. So what is my problem - where's my excuse?
In reality, when I say it is all in the nutrition, I'm not talking about the calories. I'm not talking about the protein and the carbs and the fiber. What I'm talking about is the BRAIN. It's heart. It's soul. It's willpower. It's thrill time and time to change and time to make decisions. It's priorities. We've been up and down this track. My training is not cutting into my family, and when I have to make exceptions, I let it go or make it up - pure and simple. But the nutrition? Man, oh, man. See, the decision to eat right at work or grab pretzels or go out and get a burger - that decision has nothing to do with priorities on a scale of time. It has nothing to do with knowledge of nutrition or training or knowing how flaxseed oil impacts metabolism and apple cider vinegar promotes fat loss and HMB promotes crazy statements by formerly steroid abusing supplement pushers. Nope, it's all in the mind.
I've been looking at the polka-dot history of my transformation here, and things just aren't adding up. WHY ALL THE POLKA DOTS? I'm scratching my head wondering. Is it because I don't have a photo shoot planned? Is it because I'm not getting on stage to compete? Is it because I'm lazy or lack will?
When I really, really dig into it, then I find some details that are scary to me. Scary because I'm leery to face them. Afraid because facing them will mean some really, really major changes in my life.
See, right now, I've got a soft belly. I can't see my abs. I'm not what anyone would call "fat" unless you are one of the many anonymous trolls on the internet who like to scrutinize my life and try to punish me with rude remarks anytime I'm honest about the fact that I don't maintain single digits body fat year round. Don't worry - none of that comes from here, this great community, but I've been subjected to that elsewhere. Nope, that doesn't bother me, and I have people tell me they want to get into the shape I'm in, which is ironic when I'm sitting here struggling with the notion of losing fat!
Okay, okay, so what's going on. Well, let me look at other addictions in my life, because I've got to wonder if I have an unhealthy addiction to food. What about my addiction to smoking? Like food, smoking involved a brief moment of "thrill time" - inhale the smoke, feel the buzz, inhale the twinkie, feel the buzz. Like food, smoking would be followed by a longer moment of guilt and not feeling well - the buzz wears off, your clothes stink, the twinkie is washed down and you feel nasty from all of the chemicals. Like eating the wrong food, smoking was something that I soon discovered was unhealthy. I have children and a wife. I love my life. I have a temple given me by Christ. So I have to take care of it. So the decision to throw the smokes out was easy. The decision to eat healthy was easy.
See, that's where my conundrum is, and I want to share it with you. In the past, I'd feel out of shape if I wasn't single digits body fat. I felt it was a rubric of my current ability, my discipline, a necessary stage to consider myself healthy. But then I found Christ, and I began to question that. As a nutritionist and an accomplished trainer, I know for a fact that being 12% body fat is no less healthy than being 8% body fat unless I'm a runner. If I participate in an impact sport such as distance running or basketball, the extra weight is strain and can cause problems. But if I'm in general fitness and I know that the foods I'm putting into me are healthy then I'm really just as healthy now. So then the only distance between the "me" now and the me at a leaner weight is simply vanity - it's my lean figure. That's it.
Man, that's a hard one to justify. I can't call myself lazy. I just can't do it - I can't blame it on willpower. This is what let's me go to work at 6:30am every morning. It's what pushes me to new weight levels every workout. I can't say I'm out of shape. I bench 220 and I can run for 7 miles or do sprints.
In reality, I don't even really have to count calories if I want to reach a lower weight. If I analyze a "perfect" day, get this - I'm over the RDA for all of my vitamins and minerals before I even factor in a multi-vitamin. A "perfect day" would include:
flaxseed oil, avocado, banana, sugar, pear, orange, apple, 1 whole egg, 4 egg whites, 4oz smoked salmon, 4oz steak, 4 cups broccoli.
That's a typical "perfect day" for me. It comes out to 1700 calories, to 228 grams of carbs and 100 grams of protein and 30% calories from fat. It's 39 grams of fiber. It's 5 grams of potassium and less than 2 grams of sodium, a perfect ratio in my book.
Now, what's a typical, um, not so perfect day? Well, add 2 cups of pretzels, 2 oz to the steak portion, a sprouted grain bagel, 1 tbsp almond butter, and 1/2 of an organic chocolate bar. Nothing unhealthy, just a few more calories.
So what does that do to my analysis?
Now I'm at 2520 calories. Get this - on my heavy calorie days, where I cheat like a fool, I'm still onyl at 2520 calories. My fat is still at 30%. My carbs have jumped to 347 grams and my protein to 136 grams. My fiber is now at 50 grams. My vitamins and minerals are off the chart, but now my sodium intake has surged to 4 grams instead of 2.
So what's the tradeoff? Well, on that bad day, I ate more calories and I had too much sodium. I also lost an opportunity to lean down a little bit. See, if I were disciplined and avoided all of that, I'd probably be trimming down a bit and reaching my goal of fitting comfortably into these 34" slacks instead of tightly into these 34" slacks.
So, tell me, what's a guy to do? I can run fast. I can lift heavy weights. What I consider a bad, cheat day is what many people consider a future GOAL and what would be like a Draconian approach to nutrition. People who meet me say I look great and they wish they could be in my shape. What's the downside? I have some love handles, I can't see my abs, and my 34" slacks are a little tight (even though my 34" jeans fit nice). Oh, and the leather pants my wife bought me with a 34" waist will probably be too snug, and I haven't had the chance to wear them yet.
Do you see where I'm going with this? Material, material, material. The reason I can't get consistent with my nutrition is pure and simple - you might think I'm making excuses or being lazy, but the fact is, I just can't come up with a reason. It's that, pure and simple! I've been to single digits many times. For those competing or planning to, I say, it's the only way to be --- when I reached 6.5% I maintained 7 - 8 percent for 6 months and gained more muscle than ever (that's when I did the cover to my 8 Weeks in Peak Physique book - 190 pounds with full six-pack) - then September 11th hit and like so many others I let my emotions take priority. I found Christ that next year and when I look at the three times I've trimmed down to 32", I see the same reasons - (1) the first time to simply REACH that goal (2) the second time to do a book cover (3) the third time for more photos.
But now those trivial reasons can't sustain me. I still want to do a show some day and I don't see that as a vain goal - there is a lot of discipline involved and like any other sport it's a tough road full of self-reward, self-discovery, and accomplishments that help us rely on Christ and come even closer to God. Many figures in the bible were praised for their discipline and sportsmanship, provided they balanced this with devotion and faith - I love the stories of David leaping and dancing with joy for the Lord. But when I look at it now, I don't care to do another photo shoot - I don't see the need to impress anyone. Inspire? Yes, but I can't think of anything more inspirational than knowing that you are saved by God if you only accept His gift. So now it's maybe to look good at the pool -- but that's too trivial, I look good to my wife and that's all that's important to me.
So now I'm at this really confusing juncture. You see my pictures up there ... maybe I've got blinders on. Would you call me overweight? Or maybe average? Or what. Is there a true reason why I should trim down, set a goal of single digits? See, the difference between my good days and bad days is about 800 calories - enough to drop several pounds of fat every week. So I could do it, without even counting a calorie ... but is there a reason I should? Does anyone think I'll be healthier for it? Will it make YOU feel better if you saw me do it?
It's funny. I know I'm well known for my long and rambling posts, but I just try so hard to be honest. I want you to know I go through struggles myself, that I'm human, that I eat for emotional reasons at times and sometimes get lazy and don't want to train and sometimes wonder if having abs is a worthy goal. And I'm confident that I'm healthy and I'm eating right - a "bad" day for me isn't bad food but just no calorie control. And I love gaining muscle and strength, even if my body fat doesn't reveal it in all its glorious detail.
So really, it boils down to this (my Cliff Notes version). I'm at a crucial junction where I have to make a decision.
Am I going to lose some fat and get back to lower digits body fat? Is there a compelling enough reason to do so? Is it that important?
Or should I break down and buy some bigger slacks that fit me more loosely, and comfortably, and work on loving where I'm at? I've maintained this within 3 pounds the entire challenge - 210 - 215 ... is that where I should settle?
I'm asking you, the body blog community, to help me out. I've got blinders on, I'm biased, so I'm no longer seeing my situation clearly. I'm tired of false starts and polka dot progress reports. I know I have it in me to create a plan and stick with it, but I don't know what that plan should be. I just can't come up with compelling reasons. Should I even need to?
God bless,
Jeremy
posted by Jeremy on 5/8/2003 5:12:15 PM |
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