September 2000 Archives

19% - it hangs around my neck like an albatross ... Of course, the thickest, biggest trainer in the gym would have to take my body composition measurements and come up with 19% body fat. I described his technique to Brian - seems like this guy didn't know what he was doing. Plus, this big trainer guy said that 19% for someone 30 years old was between Fair and Poor (he was wrong - it's between Good and Fair). He just said to drink more water. I wanted to tell him, "Gee, thanks."

Well, that's why God always places his Angels where we need them - my girl and good friend Tina Thompson, the über-fitness instructor giving glamour without breaking a sweat, was teaching at my gym yesterday! I hadn't seen her since the last time I was working out - over 4 years ago! It was SO good to run into her encouraging spirit again! Well, after she finished teaching her class, she saw me at the end of my workout - acting depressed on the abdominal machine (you know, with 19% looming overhead) and she asked me what was wrong. I muttered, "Body comp - 19%." She grabbed me by the hand and took me back into her studio while saying "C'mon, let's do some abdominals! 10 minutes! We're gonna get that body comp down! You know I got the answer!" Honey, she took me through 10 minutes of absolute Abdominal Hell! Oh, she worked me OVER - not only doing it with me (after she had just finished teaching her own class, mind you), but she also made sure I accurately worked each movement while doing the whole myriad of crunches that she was bombarding me with! It made me feel really good! I have accomplished a lot in this first four weeks, and it's only the beginning! My body can and will be the best that it can be, because it is right now!

When I told Darrell (one of my best friends) that I wish I was losing fat as fast as I'm gaining muscle, he said "You didn't gain it overnight!" He sure is right - I did not gain this weight overnight, so I can't expect to lose it overnight. However, I think I am going to start taking EAS' BetaLean supplement (with HMB) so I can maximize my fat burning potential. I can wait to do my prone leg curls today - it's one of my favorite exercises! My legs have always been some of my favorite parts - if I could lose the fat around my thighs and booty, they would really look magnificent! That's going to be hard - and they didn't get that way overnight! *LOL!* This weekend, I'm going to reflect heavily on my progress during my first four weeks and plan for the next four weeks.

Alright! Yesterday I had a really great upper-body workout! I think my chest and arms are trying to catch up with my back work, but I'm still looking for the right shoulder exercise. I really pushed myself by doing the bench press, but at least I didn't have to start with the bare bar *grin!*! It really wouldn't have mattered anyway ... I practiced my ginga a little yesterday, too! I ate really well and drank my water - I think I'll take the creatine twice on the days I lift weights. I still need to plan, though. That's what I'm going to do as soon as I get up from this thang ...

It's another upper-body workout day. Today, I think I'm going to try the bench press for my chest. Yup, just the bar!!! Had a great aerobics day yesterday and pushed my intensity level, too! Had a really great stretch - all my soreness seemed to disappear. I can most definitely feel new muscle mass; I just wish I was losing fat as fast as I'm gaining muscle. It makes me feel like I'm eating too much, but I need to eat to maintain my energy level. I'm eating very well (yeah, TOO well *grin*)! Maybe it's time for another supplement ...

Well, alright! Back in the groove now! Yesterday, I ended up taking the Capoeira workout again after my lower-body workout. I still can't believe it! I do need more flexibility and coordination and this class will give it to me. Maybe I can do it twice a week? This time, I took the abs class that follows it instead doing my planned ab work - oh, did I get an ab workout! Those abs, they're in there! I can't see them yet, but I can sure feel them! I ate really well yesterday and also drank most of my water. I probably could still drink a lot more, though. I sure do need to do a lot of stretching today ...

It's the first day of Week 4. We're gonna make it! This week, I'm getting back on track with eating, drinking my water, and keeping good notes. I'm also noticing my fat intake and trying to stay below 40 grams of fat a day. So far, going to the gym has been the easy part! My body can be the best that it can be! Let's do this ...

Okay, let's be for real - for starters, it's 2 am on Monday morning and I'm typing the entries for today and yesterday. I've been seriously slacking off. Sure, I've been carrying myself to the gym when I'm supposed to, but Friday's workout would have been more successfully if I'd been eating right. Even though I've been taking the Myoplex and Phosphagen faithfully, I've been skipping MANY meals, and it's not good. I need to put some seriousness back into planning my meals (and my workouts) ... AND I need to drink my water. I'm going to do it all today. I'll make sure I have two meals before I go workout tomorrow (really today). Now for the good news - I did my first Capoeira workout yesterday! And I think I did pretty good! I'm sore as hell! Booty! Arms! Torso! Just sore! But it feels good, so I'm going to go back next week ...

Can you say "fear" and "trepidation" ??? I am not ready for this.

Today is my upper-body workout. I'm a little late and I'm not prepared, but I need to take my time. I really have to do better planning next week before I start slacking off with keeping up with the program ... Plus, I need to prepare for tomorrow's Capoeira workout!

I had a great workout yesterday, but I'm looking forward to making my upper-body workouts count just as much as my lower-body workouts. My chest and arms require more attention to detail. That just means that I have to slow down and take my time.

After today, I'm finished loading on this damn creatine! Yay! I've also decided to only take Myoplex twice on days I work out and once on my aerobic days. It's too thick, and it tastes very bland. I'm still slacking off with writing my meals down. Anyway, I'm off to my lower-body workout! The stretching yesterday helped to completely erase the soreness I felt from the last lower-body workout, so I'll be okay.

I had to sit out of the Capoeira workout yesterday because of my compound soreness for both last Friday's lower-body workout and my participation in the African-American Day Parade. I wasn't feeling that at ALL. I will begin on Saturday with Edna ...

Well, my body hasn't changed all THAT much, but I'm seeing progress. I guess I'm starting to doubt whether I'll actually be successful at this. Maybe I'm just predestined never to see the muscles that lie just below the layer of fat around my stomach (especially if I eat McDonald's french fries like I did on Monday after work at 2am). *sigh*

Okay, now that the pity party is over, let's be clear. I'm doing this to feel better, so I can do more in life. I AM also doing this to radically change my body, to make it the best it can be. That means I'm going to have to push HARD. My legs are more powerful and are doing more, so I need to concentrate on my upper-body. My workout yesterday was okay, but I need to really focus on my chest and shoulders. I think my arms and back are working it out ... I will do a more smooth and efficient workout on Friday. It is more important to do the exercises right than to do them with a lot of weight and do them wrong.

Alright, we're are the beginning of Week 3 and honey, I think I blew my legs UP last week. I'm still sore from Friday, but maybe it's because of the intense aerobic workout I had on Saturday and the intense experience I had marching in the African-American Day Parade with GMAD and the New York State Black Gay Network! 28 blocks ... I think my legs need a break. An Epsom salt soak soon come. This weekend, I slacked off from keeping good notes about my meals. Let's tighten it up ... Well, today I get some assistance with that because I start using Myoplex - once after my workout and once before I go to work ... Now, it's time to blow up these arms and chest ...

My legs are STILL sore from Friday's workout. I wonder if maybe I should have held off from doing my aerobics workout on Saturday, but oh well ... that felt good, too. Plus I stretched, so I'm not worried. I started loading on Phosphagen yesterday and it's much more pleasant, undetectable even, when taken with some juice. I will be getting some today ... This week, I'm still focusing on water intake - it's even more important now that I'm taking creatine (which I will be loading on until Thursday). I will also keep an eye out for fat intake - I don't think I've been eating a lot of fat, but by the end of this week, I'll have a better idea how much fat I do eat. Anyway, I'm really seeing some changes, and it's only been two weeks!

I had SUCH a good workout yesterday! MPH! First of all, I'm LOVING those prone leg curls! It feels like it works your whole leg, from your booty to your calves. WHEW! Plus, I tried the Aqua Workout - it was fantastic! I thought I was just going to splash around a little bit after my lower-body workout, but when I got to the pool, they were about to start the class, so I said "Why not?". It was just me and about 5 elderly ladies who could work those moves better than me! It's an amazing workout - virtually no impact on your joints, but honey, you are working against the resistance of all that water! FIERCE! I picked up my Myoplex and Phosphagen (which I'm using to load with before I use Betagen). I'm starting to load today, but I'm doing the Myoplex 2 servings a day during the week. I'm glad to say that even before I take any of this stuff, I've seen some REAL changes in my body already. Yesterday, I weighed myself (something I don't really plan on doing with any frequency) at 187 pounds, but all that really matters is that I feel good and that I look good.

Yesterday, I discovered the stretch machine! Oh, it felt so good to stretch! Finally! I'm going to stretch after every aerobic exercise. I've also been working the LifeStep! Yesterday, by mistake, I was stepping in the wrong direction, but it seem to work different parts of my legs! I had to hold on, though, but I'm going to do that at the beginning of my aerobic workout. I'm wondering if it's time to push myself harder, it's been almost two weeks and I feel really great. I just don't want to hurt myself.

I finally went to the pool yesterday! Oh, as soon as I hit the water, I knew I would love it! Well, I can't really call what I did "swimming" per se; I just kinda submerged myself and thrashed around! I felt kinda foolish, but it felt good! I probably will be taking a couple of lessons to revisit some real swimming techniques. I can see myself swimming everyday, but I don't want to do too much - it's extra. As far as daily fitness is concerned, I'm concentrating on my program.

Wanna see my gym ID? It's right over there ... Go ahead and say it: "You STILL look good!" *grin!* Yesterday, I did the longpull for my back! It's probably going to be my favorite exercise for the back - it's so MANLY! Yeah, I really feel it now ... Next time, I think I'll try pectoral flyes for my chest.

During my 30 years on this planet, I've started SO many projects that I haven't finished. I pile so much stuff onto the things I want to do until the goal ends up being unattainable, and therefore uninteresting. I need to focus. I love Capoeira, but my focus is this program. I'm doing pretty well at it, but I need to concentrate. Succeeding at this will allow me to have more options, including Capoeira. I think I will be going on Myoplex and Betagen next week. I'm ready. I'm really feeling the slow burn of this program. Oh, and yesterday I drank every glass of water! I'm just afraid of getting that bloated feeling ...

Okay, you know I must be feeling invincible if I'm even considering taking up Capoeira! We have a Capoeira workout at the gym - the instructor's name is Edna. I said to myself, "What can somebody named Edna know about Capoeira?" How utterly stupid! Edna Lima (who is paulista!) is the first female to ever attain the rank of Mestranda. She also runs an Abadá-Capoeira school right here in the city! I think I can do it - I do have a lot more energy, but I'm probably not as limber as I need to be. You know you're getting old and sedentary when you measure your energy by whether or not you can walk up subway stairs without feeling it! *grin!* My workout was really good yesterday (really good calf work), but I can't slack up on the planning. I can concentrate on the workout more and move through it more quickly.

Today begins Week 2. I'm already starting to feel lazy, but I'm pulling myself together so I can go workout within the next half hour. Once I hit the street, I'll be fine - I like the walk to the gym. Still haven't been to the pool (one is closed for annual maintenance) but it's not a priority anymore. Reminder: this week I'm focusing on drinking ALL my water and stretching ... and away we go!

I didn't really know what to write about today since it's my free day and I don't have to workout, but I've thought of something: on my free day, I'll write about what I want to accomplish the following week. This week, I want to really make an effort to drink my water and stretch. Today is a hair day - my whole day has been spent washing, conditioning and twisting my locks. They are so beautiful. I have the hair I've always wanted, and I can have the body that I've always wanted if I just try.

I almost didn't workout yesterday. The move went really smooth (seems like I've been moving into my apartment for months) but the movers delivered everything VURY late. VURY. Anyway, once it was over, I found myself just looking at my stuff - stuff that's been in storage for 3 years. I've changed so much and now so much has to be redirected (a.k.a. thrown/given/sold away). It was a bit overwhelming, and time ticked by. I didn't workout until about 8:45, but it was a really good workout! I can feel every muscle in my body being activated! Plus, I was meticulous about sticking to the meal plan - and it worked like a charm. I'm doin' this!

Alright, Cinnabon strikes again last night! But I shouldn't have to wait for Paul (who offerred) to be serious about my program for ME to be serious about my program. Plus, it would be kind of absurd to go through all this pain for nothing! Anyway, I'm also starting to see how trifling New York Sports Club is in Harlem. Tri-fe-LIN! But, I'm doing pretty good. My first week is almost finished, and I'm proud of the little bit of discipline I've added to my life. Plus, I like spending these couple of minutes with myself in the morning, just reflecting on my progress. Oh, yesterday I tried the Life Fitness step, and I like it a lot better than the Precord Elliptical. It feels more natural. Today's a busy day (moving my stuff into my apartment), but I'm planning my meals and workout right now. I'm doing this!

My upper-body is completely sore. My legs have always been powerful, so the lower-body workout was easier than the upper-body, but I guess I'll feel it in my legs before the weekend. I need to get into a good stretching routine. I looked at myself in the mirror last night and looked at this gut I've been looking at for years. It's never been flat. I can't imagine what it would look like flat - not even with cuts, just flat! I have such a wide variety of parts - my arms are skinny, I have a little tummy, calves have always been lovely, but I've always had a big booty. I'd like to build more shoulder, chest and arm mass, lose the gut, lose the jiggle in the hips and booty and replace it with muscle. That's about it! I guess I need to stay away from Cinnabon, right? *grin!*

Okay, now I'm starting to feel sore. This is definitely a more cerebral workout - I'm really focusing on how it feels, what's being affected. I did the aerobic workout yesterday - it took about 5 minutes to learn how to use the Elliptical Crosstrainer (a.k.a. fancy step machine). I could still spend a couple more minutes learning it. I haven't been paying attention to the fat content of my diet, and maybe I should. Last night at 9pm, my last meal consisted of carrot cake and soy milk. I need to stop playing - I recognize this pattern. When I start working out, I say to myself "Oh Donald, you're working out! You can splurge once and a while ..." and then I continue "splurging" without working out! Well, we won't be doing THAT! Still haven't made it to the pool yet - and it's getting COLD!

Okay — one day down, 83 to go! I can barely believe that I've begun this! Yesterday, I went to the gym (New York Sports Club was open) for the first time in about 5 years! And I did really well! I had 5 meals (instead of 6), 8 glasses of water (instead of 10), and did my whole upper-body workout routine. During my workout, I was more focused on getting in touch with the way each movement felt and doing it right. Ended up doing my bicep and tricep work with free weights, right there with the big boys, and just erased the intimidation! I'm giving myself two weeks to really focus on the form of each exercise and then I'll focus on increasing the weight, but right now, it's good. The progress report sheets really motivate me. At first, I felt kind of awkward carrying this book around, but taking notes on my workout is really helping me to focus. As soon as I'm done typing this, I'm going to do my first aerobic workout (blowing up 20 minutes) and may be going swimming later before work. Maybe I'll take that Ministry of Sound CD mixed by Masters at Work for some inspiration!

Well, here we are — Day 1 of the Body-for-LIFE challenge. I don't even know if any gyms are open today (it's Labor Day) and I don't even know if I'm actually registered for this whole program (still haven't gotten the package in the mail), but I'm forging ahead. Trying not to be too anxious for failure gave me a slight headache last night. I'm feeling lots of trepidation, but I did plan my exercises and my meals for the day.

Farai Chideya writes in the September issue of O that "I have discovered that my imperfections are really just chances for transformation." This is another chance I've been given - a chance for transforming my body and my mind.

I am beginning the Body-for-LIFE challenge today. My friend Von just finished taking my Before Shot (which I will post as soon as it's developed is never going to see the light of day if I have anything to say about it! [7/8/02]). I'm keeping this journal as a record of my progress (or lack thereof *grin!*). I have a lot of inspiration: one of my co-workers Brian is a personal trainer. He is inspired by athletes who perform in games like the Special Olympics. It makes me realize that I have a whole lot - besides the extra fat. Actually, I don't want to lose a lot of weight - maybe 20 pounds - but I do want to redistribute some stuff ... My body can be the best that it can be!