The ChillOut Log

[Chillen]

greetings Chillen, and everyone else.

Busy as can be at work. Trying to finish off the design for a new high school and renovation work at a middle school. I'm swamped but have been able to maintain my diet and exercise program even though I've been working about 60 hours a week.

My mother had a stroke yesterday she's only 58 thats tough to see someone so young and so close to you totally out of their mind. Docs say she'll pull through it and they are running more tests. So I'm praying everything works out for her and my dad. He's currently freaking out as well.

So now I know that runs in my family gonna have to make sure I do what I can to stay in shape to prevent that. Still making this thread a daily read even though I haven't been posting much.

Keep up the words of encouragement!!


Man do I need a day to go ice fishing before it gets too warm. LOL

I apologize, Kraken. I have been so busy with work responsibilities I havent had enough time to respond to the COL the way I normally and traditionally do. How are things "currently" with your mother? I am so sorry to read about this.

Chillen

 

[Chillen]

Heya Chillen man, hows it going? ive been feeling down lately, im not having much fun with my job atm , hope i find a new one soon

Jackie xxx

Jackie! I am glad you posted to the COL. I was curious on how you were doing, young lady, since you havent posted for a while. I have missed you:


What is going on with your job, specifically?


Best wishes to you in all that you ever do in life,


Chillen

 

[Proteinboy]

yooo chillen! glad to hear you have time to spare! i like your new avatar too man! that bizept looks like a grapefruit!3xc3ll3nt!

as for life, iv been making lemonade. trying to keep up with school takes a lot of time!

other than that, iv just been enjoying youth and the flames thereof! great to be back!
hey-glad you'r still active in the site despite your business! iv gotta catch up in the log!

how many people do you think are active in the log?

 

[Chillen]

Chillen...if you have a min or 2...mind taking a look and commenting on my thread in the weight loss forum? Dealing with a plateau issue now and would appreciate some informed feedback or suggestions.

I sure will. I will go log in and take a look.

How are you young man?


Edit: I thought you meant our sister forum, lol. I see that you made a thread in the weight loss section of this forum, lol. The hairs on my head do not indicate brain cell function capacity.........>


Chillen

 

[Chillen]

yooo chillen! glad to hear you have time to spare! i like your new avatar too man! that bizept looks like a grapefruit!3xc3ll3nt!

as for life, iv been making lemonade. trying to keep up with school takes a lot of time!

other than that, iv just been enjoying youth and the flames thereof! great to be back!
hey-glad you'r still active in the site despite your business! iv gotta catch up in the log!

how many people do you think are active in the log?

Yes, finally a break! It has been a demanding work week to say the least. But all is good!

You are tough, and will be fine. Combined with your smarts this is a rough and tough combination that cannot be beat!

Truthfully, with work taking up so much time (actually for the first time I since I started the log) I feel so badly I havent been able to post the thoughts for the day that some look for, but I think things are going to calm down, and I will have some more available time to post! Yippie!

The bi's just flat out have taken off the last few weeks. I was going to wait until I reached sub 8% before posting (this body part), but I got to messing around with my boss, and took some pics, and decided to post them in fun.

Flames of youth! YES! You have GOT IT! Use it and garner it to your personal advantage and asset!



Best wishes to you, young man!


Chillen

 

[jokerswild1130]

I sure will. I will go log in and take a look.

How are you young man?


Edit: I thought you meant our sister forum, lol. I see that you made a thread in the weight loss section of this forum, lol. The hairs on my head do not indicate brain cell function capacity.........>


Chillen

Doing well other then the frustration with the whole plataeu issue. Always love to be referred to as a young man tho. :jump1:
Hows the new project coming along?

 

[tqb]

Chillen,
sorry i dont know if this is the best place to post this but did u get my PM? i sent you one i was wondering if u could help me haha

 

[Chillen]

Chillen,
sorry i dont know if this is the best place to post this but did u get my PM? i sent you one i was wondering if u could help me haha

I havent checked my Pm's for the past week, I am sorry.

I will see if I got it and edit this post. I am still trying to get caught up on things at home and on the board....

Best wishes to you!


Chillen

 

[tqb]

it's fine, take your time. no worries

 

[Chillen]

it's fine, take your time. no worries

Read between the lines on my post. Do some reading on the stickies. Get the basics of your diet requirements together, and a tentative "overall" workout plan, and then we discuss reps on abs.

ROCK ON!


Chillen

 

[Kraken]

Good morning all,

Chillen I know how it is to be busy. Thanks for your well wishes.
My mom is home now and doing well considering the circumstances. Her mind seems to have returned to normal aside from some confusion. Her legs are getting better but I'm sure she will have to go through some therapy. I'm not familiar with this condition at all so I'm not so sure the ramifications of it.

I've never even heard of it until last week. So we'll take it one day at a time.

Gr8, I'm 32 and keeping an eye out for all the genetic predispositions I have.
high cholesterol, diabetes, high blood pressure. now this. I live a pretty healthy lifestyle and will inform my doc of this newest find next time I go in. I'll find out what steps I need to take to try and avoid this condition.
I've been able to keep all the other disorders in check with my lifestyle. I've dropped my cholesterol 70 points in the last 2 years just by diet and exercise. Everything else is normal. Aside from my twisted mind LOL.

My mom was adopted so anything could be in the cards for me. All I can do is keep doing what I'm doing. The Man upstairs will take care of the rest.

thanks again guys.

 

[Chillen]

Good morning all,

Good morning to you, Kraken. I was so wired from work last night I couldnt sleep all night, maybe got 2 hours of sleep. But you know, I am still goanna get my old middled aged butt in to do cardio. I fight the same issues most do on the forum, I just dont say much about them, because I work through them and with them. Yep, two hours of sleep isnt an excuse not to do cardio while I am at home. It may help me sleep after I calm down. Then off to work again, he, he.....

Chillen I know how it is to be busy. Thanks for your well wishes.
My mom is home now and doing well considering the circumstances. Her mind seems to have returned to normal aside from some confusion. Her legs are getting better but I'm sure she will have to go through some therapy. I'm not familiar with this condition at all so I'm not so sure the ramifications of it.

You are welcome, Kraken. She is showing improvement and could very well fully recover in due time, and from the sounds of it she is showing signs she will. She sounds tough and this will have alot to do with pulling her through. She has you and the family as support and couldnt ask for anything better. Some do fully recover, Kraken.

Lets hope these early signs are an indication she will! Any time you need to vent or have an update, please post it here if you wish

Keep us posted, I am interested in how you are handling this and how she is coming along.


I wish you and your mother the absolute best. May she have a speedy recovery!

We are behind you and support you in your troubled time.


Chillen

 

[Kraken]

The biggest thing for her I think is to see my 3 boys. We are taking them over there for Easter so she can see them. I think that will be good for her. Other than that its just doing what I can to help my dad take care of her.
I'll cook them dinner for Easter to help out. I'm going to do a turkey on the grill for them.

Between my bro, my dad and I we can handle all the care she needs. Only problem is I live an hour away. So I do what I can. She also is having a nurse come to the house a couple times a week to check vitals etc.

 

[Chillen]

My friend, Phate

Thanks for your posts Chillen, and yea your right. It started with me realizing how much i hate squats. Then from there it went to skipping a leg workout, then after that it just went downhill with my diet and training and i felt totally lazy. Diet wise, i tried to restrict carbs and eat completely clean, on the week days i could do this but then on the weekends the cravings for some carbs were so strong that i totally canceled out the progress i made on the weekdays. It was all a chain reaction and one thing led to another, many factors were involved.

You are welcome. But we have unfinished business, young man. I would like you to CLEARLY define your personal goals. You can do it here in the COL or you can do it in your journal. It doesnt matter to me. Additionally, I would like you to spell out why you went low carb within the scheme of your goals, added in long distance running, why you hate Squats (from your perspective), and what leads you to over eat on the weekends.

=========================================================
With this in mind, I want you to read this. I posted it for another member today.....NOW WAKE UP!

If my mind can conceive it,
and my heart can believe it, I know I can achieve it.​

(JJ)

Be able to beat the demons of the self and not the demons of someone else.​

(Chillen)

I am not the youngest member, I am not the strongest member, but I would put up my persistence, consistency, fight and determination---not against any person.....but the demons within myself that can cause the disease to stop it. I cannot be stopped. I am the one I turn to when the chips are up and when their down. I cannot be stopped.

Burn this within you. Stay hungry, baby! ALL THE TIME......IT WILL PAY OFF! You cannot be stopped. No one can enter your fitness armor. No one can penetrate your fitness defenses as you have the personal offenses.

You are the battle plan. As you are the master of yourself. And, cannot be stopped.

=========================================================

You are going to have to be consistent, and persistent with proper self discipline within the whelm of your life that includes a proper blend of the criteria necessary for the goals you desire (within diet and fitness that are at tolerent personal levels) in order to meet personal fitness goals.

There are going to be times when you are not going to want to do your training, and you will have to force yourself to do it--no question about it. You will have to do the things that "are necessary" to get the job done--whether its more or less--then what someone else does or whether someone else thinks its too much (using knowledge as a base of sense). Some have said that the way I approach my diet is obesessive. I dont care. I get the results I want, and they can flat shut up--I do what it takes for me.

You find what works for you, and it may take some trial and error along the way.

In addition, its important to keep the flame that burns inside you at the beginning of the "want" to earn something during the time you realize the "work" involved when trying to earn it.

Remember the fire the brought you to the starting line will bring you to the finish line.

A lot of persons fall off the wagon on personal persistance when they realize the sheer amount of work that its goanna take. And, it IS goanna take alot of work, let no one fool you. Are you up to the task? Only YOU determine if you are, your body wont care one way or the other. You steer the ship one way or the other. You either optimize the situation (in a suboptimal environment that life throws your way) or you dont. Your choice: The body will follow either way.

Okay.......He, he.......done with the ranting


Be all you can be, pull yourself through!


Chillen

 

[Typhon]

Hey buddy, I need your help
I got told I was being made redundant yesterday and I think it's only just hit me fully. I can't bring myself to eat and I feel scared, dizzy and sick. Finding a new job is proving hard because my motivation and sense of self worth has just hit a concrete floor

Is there any of your great motivational advice left to throw my way?

 

[Chillen]

Hey buddy, I need your help
I got told I was being made redundant yesterday and I think it's only just hit me fully. I can't bring myself to eat and I feel scared, dizzy and sick. Finding a new job is proving hard because my motivation and sense of self worth has just hit a concrete floor

Is there any of your great motivational advice left to throw my way?

We have a forum member in trouble. His troubles will have a direct impact on himself and his family.

He has real life pressure and needs support, and support is one of the main reasons this site exists.

For those that read the COL and may not have seen CCR's journal, I have taken the time to copy and paste several of his posts here to get others members who view the COL up to date on our friends trouble.

Give hime wise and REAL tangible support and encouragement.

He are the posts:


March 12th:

I'm not going to able to do my arms day today

My girlfriend broke her foot yesterday so I stayed at home until about 8.30 to get her and my daughter comfortable and fed. Then at lunch I'm going home to get them something else to eat so I don't have any time for the gym

What I'll do is take the new schedule home with me and try to do as much as possible with dumbbells

March 14th:

I've had a really bad training week

On Wednesday and today I had to stay at home until late to get my girlfriend and Daughter up, and fed so I missed another morning session and yesterday I had an assesment day for this job I'm going for (I got through to the next stage) so I haven't trained since Tuesday!!

I'm going in at lunch time to get as much done as possible but I'm going to have to try and do something over the weekend

Any ideas Tony?

I was wondering, is a single leg iso squat a good idea or would is stress the knee joint too much?

March 17th:

I just lost my job

March 17th:

Yep, 8 weeks from now I'll have no source of income

I am going for another job anyway so hopefully I'll get that but being made redundant puts a hell of a lot more pressure on

March 17th:

There's a 4 week 'consultation period' where other options for employment within the company are considered and then if after that there's still no position for me then I'll be paid in lieu of notice and get my redundancy

March 17th:

Er, being the sole provider for a family of 4 and having no job in under 4 weeks time

Meanwhile, as I absorb your posts, and review some more, I will be making a rather lengthy post for you, CCR.

Best regards,


Chillen

 

[Chillen]

I made a new thread in the Members Lounge in support. To let everyone know.


Best regards,


Chillen

 

[realworksuks]

4 things one needs to remember:

1. I gained a net 6 pounds when I bulked, 2. I am not in a deficit 7 days per week (and hence why lowering body fat has taken a bit longer -I am in no hurry: I have written many posts on how I approach my diet when trying to lose fat tissue, and this works, and needs no fixen'), and 3. I revamped my entire workout and threw out "the compounds" that were not giving me what I wanted, and 4. I lowered the set volume (as compared to before while in deficit). I tended not to change my routine switching from bulk to a cut, and with me this was a major mistake. A major mistake because my body can take more stress (volume, etc) when calories are plenty as compared to when calories are scarce (so-to-speak), and over-training (IMO) is much more risky as compared to a bulk (still exists of course, just odds go up in a deficit, IMO).



RWS (Refined Wisdom and Spirit):

I have learned alot about my body through trial an error. I was like most persons when first starting out, thinking large volume (more sets, reps, weight, was the key to increasing muscle size), when in fact the amount of volume needed can be more specific to the individual and how the body responds to various sets, rep ranges, volume, and frequency of training.

What I have learned (about myself) the past two years (being middle aged) is that my body will respond just to a few sets (2 to 3, dependent on the body part), mid range reps (6/8 to 10) again dependent on the body part, as long as I give appropriate rest to my tendon and joints (as my muscles were more than willing to rock, but the all important tendons/joints were not and needed more rest time). I easily put on weight and easily take it off with caloric adjustments (with the exception of last year going under 10%, with going under 10% this time--managed much easier than the last)

I have battled trying to find the correct volume of sets/reps, types of exercises, and frequency, for my bi's and legs for a very long time, and just now figured it out (the last few months).

Additionally, my body adjusts very fast to the sets/reps/volume/frequency, and can became bored (IMO) very quickly; therefore, I DO NOT stick with the same exercises (within the equipment this allows) for very long and change it up every 6 weeks (approx). After the bulk and entering into my cut (where I zig-zagged my calories and scheduled in over eating at certain periods), I set out to revamp my entire workout--even IF it broke traditional wisdom. Why? Because I am reacting to things my body is telling me, not what some else thinks (dependent).

I stuck primarily with compounds with the Triceps and Biceps (and this is important to remember because compounds have been the staple for just about the enitre time I have been training). I would perform FREEFORM exercises in-between sets of the bi and tris. The Tris always have responded well with mid-volume (my term) sets (and besides my abs, the tris are one of my strongest muscle parts), and the bi's while getting stronger and progressive with weights (even with FREEFORM--pullups in-between sets), heighth was not coming (they were flat and longated if you understand what I mean). This could be genetic or age (of course) or something in my training. While I cannot do anything about genetics or age, I can change things in my routine to see if it changes results.

I was looking for a COMPLETE shock and something my body never experienced before (and there are many ways to do this) but I chose to dump the BB in favor of the DB on certain body parts as a test case and see what developed. I was taking a educated risk based on my training history.

I could have done a combo (compound/ISO with DB and BB) but decided to take the obvious tradeoff and stick with DB for the bi's for example.

I decided to include the Arnold DB Curl and the traditional DB Concentration Curl (with full extenstion with elbow resting on outer knee when sitting). I only did one set (each arm) with the Arnold, and 2 sets (each arm) with CC (Concentration Curl) (no freefrom pullups). At first the rest periods between sets were 2m, and this reduced over time to under a minute but over 30 seconds, I have always timed my rest periods and varied them at certain intervals-dependent on progression, etc). Some say curls are useless, I do not agree as this depends on the individual person and body responses.

At the same time, it can be true that some dont respond well to ISO curls or with BB curls, and do rather well with Pull-ups, as an example. It just depends on what WILL bring results.....specific to the person.

Within 6 weeks, I gained more height/shape in the bi then ALL previous BB work in the past. Height isnt "necessarily" growth, RWS.

I lost a little strength (because I wasn't pushing the more heavy weight as with BB curls); however, I will take this trade off at the moment. I am going to move (soon) to a combo compound/Iso due to the recent response I have been getting. The main ingredient here is a complete change my body didnt expect, and a matter of fact, when I began complete ISO (moving from complete BB's, my bi's were extremely sore the following day when they havent been (appropriately) sore in many, many months previously). While soreness isnt an indication of a good workout, it is rather obvious that the change in routine caused it (remove it and soreness would not have occurred).

After the 6 week period experience with the bi's. I began to look at my chest routine. Which also hasnt experienced any DB work. I blended in 2 sets of DB Flat bench press (mid-high reps 8 to12), and kept the BB flat bench press (in the lower rep range 4 to 8). Within three weeks, (and I believe the use of the additional stabilizer muscles from the DB bench played a role), my progression on the BB bench "marginally" increased. I was increaseing +2 and +3 reps on the BB flat bench at a pretty good pace (as compared to the past), and increases in reps like this, are not a norm in most cases with someone in training for a long length of a period. Again, I was sore in the chest and around the shoulder erea, which normally isnt the case.

Remember I went on small bulk in the fall where I went from 152/154 to 174/175ish. During the bulk I reconstructed my entire training routine with some exercises I have never performed before. A few of them are: Bent Arm Pull Over (for improvement in the serratus mainly which if you look at the front ab pics before, I didnt have any, and now I do), T-Bar Row (just stuck the olympic bar in corner, and this replaced the bent over row), Lat Pull-down (self made).

Additionally, I changed my leg work. Finding the correct volume of reps/sets, frequency has been the most difficult. My upper body tends to grow "easily" as compared to my legs, and figuring out the difference has been frustrating and difficult, and one I will not give up on. However, I changed some things and got some results I was looking for. I never did GM's or Lunges. I primarily did Squats (various types) and calf raises for the calfs. At the time, I did 2 sets of squats, 2 sets of Lunges, and 2 sets of GM's, and my quads "finally" responded in growth rather then in strength (I can squat over 300lbs, but my legs surely didnt "look" as they could kick a cat across the yard). The GM's and the Lunges were involving different (and in some cases simuliar) portions of the legs which was "different" than the past history it was receiving and it responded (what choice did it have? It was either going to give me the same strength increases or strength and growth increase, and I had to wait it out to see what the body was going to give with what I was applying at the time).

In other words, the fruits of change in the bulk along with fruits of change in the leaning down period as brought some personal results I seek. I dont cut (or lean down) like most persons do, I have my own "self knowing" system that works. I do believe in the starvation response of the human body, and ALL my diet approaches surrounds this belief, and is the very reason, I DO NOT fat tissue loss plateau (other than last year in April, May, June. which was a learning experience for me).

Work (and my shoulder injury) has had an impact on my training, but you will not see me complaining. When life throws in some priority bones, and with diet and fitness being so glued to my lifestyle, I optimize the parts of diet and fitness I can when things in life become more enhanced (as compared to the norm). The past few weeks with work has been very demanding. I am making alot of money, but to a small degree my training has suffered. This past week, I was in Atlanta setting up networks, and couldnt possibly weight train if I wanted. The things to optimize in this situation to keep one on track with diet and fitness goals, is the KING: The Diet. This will hold me along with my 2 years extensive history of weight/cardio training. As I was moving from one facility to another, and exercise facility within them gave other oportunities in down time. I therefore, would peform cardio twice per day, all the while keeping my diet and doing what I can to "optimize" my sitution in a not so optimal environment. THIS ROCKS!


Best regards,


Chillen

Hey Chillen! Thanks for that awesome detailed response, I really appreciate that.

Man, my legs are lagging too! My upper body grows and gets strong as a much higher rate, i've been squatting the same weight for as long as I can remember.

I definitely believe in the starvation response too, and I think it's the reason I plateaued after 2 weeks when I did the keto diet.

Congrats on being able to gain muscle while cutting fat, that's something most people want to do... I wish you could be my personal trainer... You seem to have everything figured out (at least in terms of your own body).

I just don't seem to be able to take feedback from my body like you do, maybe I just need to give it longer periods of time?

Thanks again for that detailed response!

 

[Chillen]

Heya Chillen man, hows it going? ive been feeling down lately, im not having much fun with my job atm , hope i find a new one soon

Jackie xxx

What type of problems are you having with your job, Jackie? Write a post somewhat informational, and I will try to help (and hopefully) some others.

I feel bad that you feel bad.

Hope to hear from you soon.


Chillen

 

[flyinfree]

wow!

Never alone eh!

I have been :bncry: for me, and now I read about you all too, and well:

we can all make it thru.

what else are we gunna do? Lie down and die?

SO- Cheers!!!

We can make it.

Let's hang in.

and

Sweat Daily!
FF