Recent Activity: Movies, Career Choices, and Nutrition FUBAR'd

I believe laughter to be one of the healthiest things you can do, and I added about 10 years to my life last night.

Horrible Bosses is great, no understatement, I was crying laughing.

Remember when jason bateman was not funny and nobody liked him?

Next: after watching this video I plan on ditching my own current CEO position and working under Kenny Powers.

That's all I have to say about that.

Big Update:

Over the last few months I've bought a house, started a business, delt w/ unexpected situations that are unable to quantify but generally stayed in shape throughout the entire process, however my 8 pack is lacking and it pisses me off. So, just like always, experiments on myself have ensued.

I want to keep as much mass as I can, I'm 6'4" 225lbs right now (a little light, but not bad), and sticking somewhere around 10% bodyfat (enter robert deniro face + disappointment, not awesome).

If I can't throw an awesome bomb by taking my shirt off, I'm not happy. Just kidding, I'm a fat face person.

So, workouts?

No drastic changes, a few but nothing over the top.

Nutrition?

Yes, drastic change. I've begun to eat like an animal created by the offspring of a lion, a horse and and a small hispanic family (minus the rice). Meaning I eat tons of meat, tons of green stuff and tons of beans (surprisingly mexican food has been the easiest way to maintain this if I am to eat out....unexpected and I like it. Mi amor comida de mexico).

I've allowed myself one day/wk to dramatically binge on anything that taunted me during the week. So that pizza that wanted to talk shit all week, yeah, he got his chewed up and shit out on sunday....bitch.

It was a tough decision but I cut some things that have been staples in my diet FOR YEARS.

-no steel cut oats

-no fruit (yeah, I know right)

-no potatoes (even sweet potatoes....tough one)

Some stuff I was already doing. For instance:

-No dairy (besides greek yogurt but who cares)

-No wheat, rice or grains in general

Now I get 100% of my carbs (outside of that one day food freak parade) from ridiculously low glycemic index, low glycemic load, and low insulin index foods. Basically that means I get my carbs from:

-vegetables (about 5-9 cups/day)

-legumes (beans and such)

-seeds and nuts (mainly quinoa, almonds and walnuts)

My protein sources haven't really changed much:

-Beef, chicken, pork, eggs

And the reasoning for the one day food parade that I've absolutely dominated for the last 3 weeks?

1) Denying your body calorically dense foods for too long can actually have a negative impact on endocrine function (hormones) as well as other bodily functions (especially in regards to fat loss and muscle maintenance). Taking one day/wk is not enough to create a drastic change to overall fat gain or loss. So even though the scale will tell you that you've gained 'weight', the progress you've had w/ 'fat' will not have been discouraged, as continual measurement (using the scale one or two days/wk maximum) will indicate.

2) Mentally it's just kind of nice to let it fly for a day. You know, you're out w/ friends, it's the weekend, it's summer, you want to swim, eat brats, pizza, drink beer, sip margaritas, flirt w/ the coolest girl at the party and generally live the life of every rich, overweight, happy person you know. So screw it, live it, do it, let loose for a day you uptight nutrifreak.

Now, obviously this diet is not sustainable, not even close. I just want things to happen fast to get back to my normal narcissistic self that loves walking by glass buildings, you know why.

All jokes aside, this type of regimen works, no doubt about it, it's mentally sustainable for the time anyone needs to lose what they currently have. It's perfectly safe, really it's way more safe and beats the hell out of 90% of americans day to day diet, and I'm not talking about the stereotypical fast food, hamburger helper dumbasses either, or even the people who think eating panera, subway or "pick your own asian place" was a good choice.

So far, no doubt about it, the ripples are in resurgence and there's less love to grab on the lower back side of my torso (love handles, for the slow and impaired that may or may not understand my humor....it's kind of out there).

You may ask how I keep the sheets from floating at night....Well, I have my tricks for that too.

Tweet

Bigger+Healthier Bench Press: w/ an Arch

The flat bencher gets injured and has low numbers, which in turn means he doesn't get bigger or stronger. Ummmm......Isn't that the reason 9 out of 10 guys go to the gym in the first place?

So, besides the fact that it makes you look like a raging pussy, we can also deduct that putting your feet up on the bench, which causes a flat back, is not good. Read on.

This is DUMB

W/ a flat back on the bench we're subjecting the rest of our spine to compression it's foreign to and unable to handle. That compression is going to come out some where. Ever heard of the guy that injured his back or neck traumatically while bench pressing? Happens all the time, just for this one reason.

Besides his total being seriously compromised this is an injury waiting to happen. Perfect example of how NOT to bench press.

And that compression in your spine pushes the thoracic spine and in turn your scapulae into poor position which hampers your shoulders from performing as they should. You end up putting forces in wrong places and it doesn't work out for you joint capsule or the muscles around it. Bad deal pal.

It's almost as smart as doing crunches.

Like an atomic bomb going off in your vertebrae

So what to do? Arch - your - back!

Lifting w/ a big arch:

1) Solves everything from above.

2) This allows the spine to sit in better position, decreasing chance of injury.

3) Shortens the distance the bar has to travel=bigger numbers

4) Bigger numbers=bigger badass=bigger muscles

5) You'll be able to utilize your lats more, better for the shoulder and improves numbers

6) For it to count you need 3 points of contact: Butt, feet, shoulders. So if you ass fly's in the air it wont count. As you see in the video had I not arched that larger my ass would've flown off the bench, even though its hard to tell w/ the loose shorts, I get away w/ it.

How to Bench

1) Push your shoulders into the bench

2) Pull your feet underneath you

3) Get a big arch as if you have a football under your low back

4) Tuck your elbows

5) Drive your feet in the ground, tighten your glutes and your lats

6) Pull (and look) the bar low on your chest w/ your lats

7) Explode up (blow the bar up w/ your air) and flare your elbows for the last quarter of the lift.

Tweet

ONE LIFE: A Tattoo Story

Really this only matters to one person anyway. Mi Madre no me gusta tattoos. Lo siento Ma. I have a tattoo on the left side of my torso.

It basically boils down to is that I needed to make a decision that'd last forever, for my own reasons. The simple reason is that I just like tattoos.

This video is actually for my next post, but you can see it in there.

At the time of getting the tattoo, I had been dating a girl (no, the paint isn’t some lame tribute to a girl) and we were lost in our feelings for each other (in love and all that crap). But she was going through some stuff, my stubborn and old school bull headedness didn't understand but we really cared about each other so I was patient and trying to help. Even though we were in a spot, it had been getting serious and actually didn’t feel like death at the time.

I needed to know what forever felt like before I could commit to someone.

You go through school and there's always a next level that's expected for you to step to, and then one day you are at an impasse (the real world) and there is no clear direction to walk, no set path. So you just start walking and it works, b/c it has to, and you find your way for yourself and feel out your vocation.

A relationship w/ another person doesn't work that way. It's a one time decision that is supposed to signify the rest of your life. Alone, in your own mind, you can choose and control your own happiness, but in a relationship you are not alone. A part of you is given up; it is at the whim of another. This is part of the gamble, the excitement and thrill that makes us feel alive. What will they do w/ that part of you, how much can you give them. Eventually you begin to ask, is this person worth forever. No one knows this, and I've never been married but I'd imagine that even those that are married can attest to these feelings at times, even after many years.

In relationships we become vulnerable. We become naked to this other person. I do not mean that literally (although I hope this is happening, I personally believe that people should be loving each other in all sorts of ways all the time, and making love, not just the simple act sex, should be a large part of that). Our emotions, faults, intentions, our very inner being becomes naked. It is as if some one is peering into our minds or even our souls.

We all think that we'd like to read other people's minds, but what a horrible thing. "Not knowing" is a gift. Of course I'd like to know what everyone's true intentions and feelings are but that would ruin the excitement of the unknown, which is part of the thrill of intimacy and love and lets us engage in each other to a much deeper level than if we already knew. If we already knew, there would be no vulnerability, no chance of pain, no fear, no connection or longing or need for each other.

This is where I was, contemplating all these things. Wondering, could I take a step to sharing a life w/ someone?

I feel this decision comes to others a bit easier than it comes to me.

See, I grew up feeling like I wouldn't live very long (don’t ask me why), and early in my development people made it seem like I wouldn't be able to live a very good life. This was after I'd been diagnosed as having Attention Deficit Disorder and Rx'd some Ritalin that'd get me to sit in my seat and actually hear teachers put boring shit on the board. As a side note all it really did was make me paranoid and cause constant social anxiety. How's a 6 year old supposed to understand what "normal" feels like. But w/e, it's one of my trials that shaped who I am today.

So I've always felt like every moment needed to be experienced. This was great. I've always felt like every day was a gift and that I want every great experience this life has to offer. I hunger for this constantly.

However, when it came to settling down w/ a mate this little philosophy on life really screwed w/ me. Not that I've ever been extremely guarded (protective, yes, guarded, no). Guarded wasn't the problem, sure I'd been in relationships before where I got my heart pretty well slammed, I'd been rejected, belittled and lost my balls for awhile. But the idea of committing to someone was much deeper than a problem w/ vulnerability.

So, I needed something that I had given myself to, that I stood for, that was everything to me, and that would be shared w/ the person I'd love and share myself w/ and commit to.

I always liked the Spanish saying that “Life is Beautiful” but that wasn't enough. And I'm not Hispanic. I can barely stumble my way through a convo in spanish w/ my Mexican friends (that barely speak english....it's interesting), so why would I get that tattooed on me.

I've said for a long time. “I have this one life, this one time, this one trip to do everything in this world.”

I do believe in a continuation of energy, and almost every religion in the world can agree to that, even if it's not a deity. I believe in an energy that is a spiritual place for us to go, be, feel, and understand, but this life is a gift, like I said before, "Not knowing" is a serious gift. Once we die we will understand so much more than what we "think" we know during this life. We'll feel things we've never felt or had the ability to understand before. This life is a place where we get away from knowing ‘everything’. It’s a journey w/o a map, literally. It's an exciting trip for our souls. I love the nice, comforting, predictable feel of my bed, but a little change of pace w/ blanket around a campfire is a blast.

***So, I put my faith, my philosophy on life (to live and take in every second as best and great as you can), my love and heart all in two words on one spot on my body, and this would let me know how it feels to make a decision and have something that will last an entire life.

I still love my decision, for me it is much more than a tattoo.

If it were just a tattoo for tattoo's sake, I'd never have gotten it. I've never lived my life that way. It tells me to get off my ass and live.

My mom has said for years how terrible she'd feel if any of her kids got a tattoo. I let her down.

Btw, my mom isn't just a mom. She's the biggest badass I've ever met in my life, and I don't say that b/c she's my mom, that has absolutely nothing to do w/ it. She can cut you in half (seen it, experienced it, tried to do it, failed), but she's also one of the most caring and warm hearted people I've known. We spent years in constant battle, but when it comes down to it, she's the toughest person I've ever met. She puts tough guys to shame. Janet may never understand the tattoo but maybe this helps. Non the less this will disappoint her, no matter how much it means to me.

Why is it not filled in? It actually took much longer and cost more to be an outline. I wanted it that way. I find human form beautiful all on it's own. It's bilateral symmetry is rarely even close to perfect, and our beauty is in our imperfections (physically as well as psychologically). I'm not a narcissist, I just don't want to alter the contour or shape of what nature intended.

Why my side? I put it on the side of my body b/c this was supposedly one of the most painful places to get tattooed (I'm not saying that I am normal, I realize how much of a whack job I am). It is also a place that I can see anytime but is not in my line of sight so much that I become nebulous to it or it's meaning. And it’s not symmetrical to the other side of my body, so in a way, I went w/ nature.

As far as the girl goes….. Surprisingly, I actually almost went through w/ it (looked at rings, whole bit)….but…..we’re two very different people, I backed out for good reason and it was the right decision.

Actually pulled a key out of a pair of pants this weekend that was from when I almost asked her to move in w/ me….(more crazy that I haven’t worn those pants since then, forgot where the key was this whole time, or that I actually almost went and did that? You tell me).

Plus, I’m a guy that eats tons of weird stuff, lives at a gym, is a whore to information and improvement in all forms, and writes about his "feelings" (what-a-pussy). This is a short list of my quarks, so I can’t imagine that I’d be easy to live w/. For instance after my 2nd pork loin dry rubbed in turmeric, 3rd helping of kale soaking in vinegar, and the enormous amounts of garlic I cook w/…. Bet you can’t wait to make out w/ that.

Tweet

Dear Indian Wedding

Dear Indian Wedding,

You are probably one of the most amazing things I've ever seen and it's possible that I no longer "hate" weddings..... Did I really just say that?

Dear Indian food - My bowels were raving about you all day.

Dear non indian Bride - Allie: I've probably never given you a compliment, so take this for what it's worth. I've never seen you look so gorgeous and happy. Glad you made a good decision.

Dear Anay- You did well man. Wasn't sure about you at first. Sorry....my skeptic eye got the best of me, just thinking of my cuz. And I'm a whack job, you're in the family now, you'll find out.

Dear my dance partners: I WOULD apologize for my drunkeness, stepping on your toes, spitting when I spoke, and generally hitting on you the entire time....however, there's no need b/c A) perfect level of alchohol B) that was a blast C) I was in the zone.....if that's what you want to call it.

This is actually my mom and I. Haha, Probably right after I picked her up and swung her around patrick swayze style. What can I say, I was in the zone.

Dear my older sister: Thanks for letting me use my niece and nephew to have a reason to get on the dance floor in the first place.

What a little shit head

Side note: My Aunt Susan, My mom, and my Grandma Hillyard were stunning as well.

This is my mom and little sister

My aunt Susan and my mom, and the opposite side of the family continually mistook these two for the other. Wonder why.....

Oh Grandma.

Anyone not there missed out.

Yeah, I still got a few...."You married yet?"

My response, "Nope, and loving it, but thanks for asking".

Still waiting on my dream girl.... You know, tall, athletic, dark, curly haired, smart girl, that smiles a lot, w/ an opinion as strong as mine, personality that takes your breath away and that look that says come and get me not b/c she's just hot but b/c she's sexy as it gets. Glutes the size of a mini mediterranean donkey and long thin legs wouldn't hurt either....just sayin.

But in all honesty, that whole event was an experience. I had no idea what to expect and it was fantastic.

Tweet

GRIT GYM Sponsors: Tri in July

I'm pretty excited for this event actually (triinjuly.com). After all the hating I've done on long distance anything that's a lot for me to say. But this is a short sprint triathlon. Which, in my head can be justified. Although I'm still not going to participate.....6 mile run.....screw that. I'll do 4oo yard repeat sprints through the whole thing instead. It's also for a good cause, and a couple of pretty badass GRIT GYM athlete's put it on each year (that'd be you Angie and Abbie). So I'm sponsoring anyone that works out at GRIT. Really that just means they get a race shirt and I pay their entry fee....

This is the only picture I could find w/ a quick google search (sorry strobel's)

Short Sprint Triathlon

330 yard swim

6 mile bike

2 mile run

The Triathlon begins at 7:30 in Sigourney, Iowa July 10th.

Should be a great day, I encourage everyone to get registered (click here). If you feel left out from being sponsored well........shoot me an email (adam@gritgym.com) and I'll see what I can do about getting you a shirt.

Tweet