18 Saturday Nov 2017
Posted in Ted Talk
In light of all of the extremist activities in our world, I felt this video would be a good one to share. Her talk is about what they are learning about extremist organizations, how people are recruited or radicalized, and the steps her organization is taking to counter the extremist message. This was a really interesting talk.
Enjoy!
Dave
18 Saturday Nov 2017
Posted in Workout Routine
Had a good session this morning with 20 minutes of cardio to start, then weight lifting, then another 20 minutes of cardio. It was a good workout. Today was my second day using my Yohimbine supplement. I’ll keep you posted on any side effects or things I discover while using it. I only have a month’s supply, so I’ll make a decision to continue using it or dump it depending on the results I see.
I did some pyramid work today, sticking with the upper body. Tomorrow I’ll hit the lower body in between cardio. Fasted exercise is an interesting concept, but I’m finding my energy levels are lower when I go to the gym without eating anything. Subsequently, I’ll be splitting my full body workout into two workouts – upper and lower body to have enough energy to really push myself with the weights.
That’s it for today folks! It’s a grey day in Michigan today. We are getting rain and it’s starting to get chillier and chillier as we approach the Thanksgiving Holiday.
See you tomorrow!
Dave
18 Saturday Nov 2017
Posted in Quotes
Today’s Quote:
“Amateurs sit and wait for inspiration, the rest of us just get up and go to work.” – Stephen King
This is a particularly interesting quote when you consider work in the creative fields. From my understanding, King writes his books on the fly. He doesn’t outline or any of that.
Other authors do a lot of outlining before they put the pen to the page. I am sort of a hybrid. I need to have some sort of organization before I begin writing, but I also enjoy the beauty of “discovering” a story versus creating everything in a rigid format like outlining. Obviously, I’m still finding what works and what doesn’t work.
This is good advice. Sometimes you just have to do something, make mistakes, and redo. At least you’ll make some progress while you are plugging away. This is what makes Stephen King such a prolific writer. I read his book on writing and he typically cranks out about 1800 words a day. This is why he can put out so many books in a year.
I hope to be able to do the same thing. The first thing I want to do is establish a process that works for me. This takes a lot of reading to see how other people do things and experimenting with different processes. I’ve learned that writing nonfiction books is much different from writing novels.
After contemplating this quote, it really applies to anything. There are those that overthink what they are going to do and never get out of thinking mode. There are others who dive right in and get to work. I think I would like to approach this with a more balanced approach. Think some then write. Think some and write some more. I think that is what will work for me. We’ll see how it goes.
Thanks for reading.
Until next time…
Dave
17 Friday Nov 2017
Posted in Workout Routine
One of my goals is to reduce my body fat%. Right now I’m over 25%, which is considered obese. Subsequently, I’ve adjusted my workout to do more cardio while continuing my bodybuilding routine. Today, I began a more aggressive cardio schedule by doing 20 minutes before my workout and 20 minutes afterward. I’ve recently started a full body workout and will continue to do so since the research is starting to show that full body workouts are terrific for losing body fat.
Another adjustment has been the addition of a Yohimbine supplement called Forge by Legion Athletics. I workout in a fasted state and according to Mike Matthews, one of the exercise gurus I follow, Yohimbine is most effective if you exercise in a fasted state. So, I’m giving this a whirl. I’ll keep you posted as I only bought enough to last me about a month.
Here’s the Youtube video link, in case any of you are interested: https://youtu.be/TI9NfXxDNyM
I got a great sweat in today and felt my body go into 2nd gear. 2nd gear is when I feel the body flip from using aerobic resources (predominantly sugar stores) to anaerobic resources (fat). If you’ve ever run a marathon or done an Iron Man, you know what 2nd gear feels like. Once you hit this state, you can literally keep going for a long long time without the same “winded” feeling you have when you are using aerobic resources to support your exercise.
I hope everyone has a great Friday!!
See you tomorrow…
Dave
17 Friday Nov 2017
Posted in Quotes
Today’s Quote:
“If you do not conquer self, you will be conquered by self.” – Napoleon Hill
This quote is all about self-discipline and doing the things we commit ourselves to. I was going to write an article on this topic, but this quote reminded me of a poem I found and have kept for safe keeping. It is called The Habit Poem by John Di Lemme and it is awesome (see below).
The Habit Poem
I am your constant companion.
I am your greatest helper or your heaviest burden.
I will push you onward or drag you down to failure.
I am completely at your command.
Half the things you do, you might just as well turn over to me,
and I will be able to do them quickly and correctly.
I am easily managed; you must merely be firm with me.
Show me exactly how you want something done, and after a few lessons, I will do it automatically.
I am the servant of all great men.
And, alas, of all failures as well.
Those who are great, I have made great.
Those who are failures, I have made failures.
I am not a machine, though I work with all the precision of a machine.
Plus, the intelligence of a man.
You may run me for profit, or run me for ruin; it makes no difference to me.
Take me, train me, be firm with me and I will put the world at your feet.
Be easy with me, and I will destroy you.
Who am I?
I am a HABIT!
–John Di Lemme
I wish each of you a great Friday!!
Until next time…
Dave
15 Wednesday Nov 2017
Posted in Workout Routine
Today, I tried a full-body workout fasted. I have to say I was surprised. My energy levels were good, the workout was successful, and I got some cardio as well.
I worked Squats, Incline Press, Dumbbell Shoulder Press, Wide Grip Lat Pulldowns, Back Extensions, Calve Presses, Dumbbell Curls, Lying Tricep Extensions, Crunches, Barbell wrist curls, and EZ Bar Reverse Curls. I hit each exercise with 3 sets of 5 repetitions. This was all followed by a 20-minute Cardio routine on the treadmill using the Hill program at level 5.
Why fasted exercise? I watched a video yesterday that discussed the use of Yohimbine. The video suggested that Yohimbine’s effects on weight loss were most effective when working out in a fasted state. So, I ordered a Yohimbine supplement (arriving Thursday) and will give this a whirl.
Experimentation with different supplements and exercise routines is all apart of using the gym as a personal laboratory. Each of us is individual. Each of us will respond to different workout routines and different supplement regimens. The key is to keep trying so that we find the processes that contribute to weight loss and of course weight gain.
How do we find the magic combination? By experimenting, reading, researching, and sticking with what works for us and dropping the rest. Trust me, there is no “silver bullet” for attaining the body you want. You have to work hard, continually refine what you are doing, listen, watch, and read what others are saying and testing it out for yourself. Some of the things that are out there will be effective for you. Others will not.
I’m not going to name specifics. What I have found is that each of us is unique. We all react to supplements differently, diets differently, workout routines differently. Keep adjusting, keep evaluating, keep changing until you see the results you want to see. If you remain persistent, you’ll find the supplements that work, the routines that work, and the diet or eating routine that works for you.
Thanks for reading!
See you tomorrow…
Dave
15 Wednesday Nov 2017
Posted in Quotes
Today’s Quote:
“A creative man is motivated by a desire to achieve, not by the desire to beat others.” – Ayn Rand
I like this quote. I like it because it suggests that we measure our achievements against ourselves. This is important because we are really the only measure to be worried about.
There is nothing wrong with competition. There is something wrong with pursuing goals that are pursued just to beat another. This falls into the realm of pursuing goals that really aren’t ours.
When I pursue a goal, I am not setting a measure against someone else. I am setting a goal to improve myself. This is what Ms. Rand is talking about. We can only measure progress against ourselves. This is owning a goal. Owning a goal aimed at improving yourself is the only goal that will last the test of difficulty, challenges, and time.
I have fallen into this trap in the past. I used to play tennis in high school. I was so competitive. For me, being a good tennis player meant beating everyone else. This is the measure we use to say this person is #1 or #2. I lost a lot, by doing this, however. I lost the benefit of trying to improve myself against myself. Perhaps, I could have focused on my first serve percentage, the strength of my second serve, my baseline or net game. I did work on these things, but not to improve, but to beat others. When I lost, I worked harder, but still lost sight of the importance of self-work, before worrying about beating someone else. I hope this makes sense.
I hope you have a great Wednesday!
Until next time…
Dave
14 Tuesday Nov 2017
Posted in Workout Routine
Tags
Adjusting your goals, Criticizing yourself, Exercise is a marathon not a race, Infinite Goals, Remain self-supportive, Stay focused, Workout Diary
I woke up this morning only to discover that I was out of workout clothes and had to do laundry. When I miss working out first thing, I know I won’t do it. Subsequently, I’m taking the day off. I’ll be back at it again tomorrow.
One of the most important things I’ve learned over the years is to avoid self-criticism. It’s so easy to say to myself, “Well, you blew it, Dave. You scheduled a workout for today and didn’t go. Not good Dave.” This doesn’t serve anything but make oneself feel bad, despite making great progress. So give yourself a break. There will be days that you are tired, sick, or just don’t feel like going. Don’t let the “not going” become a habit, but do give yourself the benefit of taking an unannounced day off. As long as you keep the long-term goal in mind (better health, better looks, longer life, etc.) is the key to this.
I wrote an article earlier today about working on infinite goals. Infinite goals, for those of you who haven’t read my Daily Quote posting, is a goal that keeps redefining itself as we gain proficiency in the task at hand. Exercising is one of those infinite goals. If I’m stronger today, I have to add to my workout tomorrow to continue along this path. Each time you make progress in the gym, you are that much more capable of doing more in the next workout. The finish line for your personal health never stays the same. The converse can also happen. You could be injured or suffer from a chronic illness. This does not preclude you from exercise.
A spiritual leader I follow broke his hip almost three years ago. He promotes exercise. Did the hip injury slow him down? Sure. But he still manages to walk every day. This is another adjustment to an infinite goal. The older you get, regardless of your level of health, will cause you to slow down. It will cause you to avoid certain exercises because your body is no longer able to withstand the stress it could before. These are all natural occurrences that cause each of us to adjust our fitness goals. You see how an infinite goal works? It is always changing in light of your strengths or weaknesses. Each time you evolve for the better or worse, your goals will also have to be adjusted.
I hope each of you has a terrific Tuesday!
See you tomorrow.
Dave
14 Tuesday Nov 2017
Posted in Quotes
Today’s Quote:
“I do not know the word ‘quit.’ Either I never did, or I have abolished it.” Susan Butcher
Quitting has always held the connotation of loss or a lack of discipline or motivation. But quitting can be a good thing. Quitting a bad habit can be a great thing, if it is a habit that causes health issues over the long-term, or it doesn’t help you produce something.
Quitting can also be good if we are chasing something that we really aren’t interested in. I have been caught up pursuing a goal because I read it online and wanted to add that to my list of things to do. After a time, I realize that I am not willing to pay the price that the goal requires to achieve it. This is really about being honest with one’s self. Other people’s goals are not your goals. Quitting a goal then would be justified because it does not serve you or your purpose.
Your purpose is something that when discovered and embraced can change your life. Look at the greats like Thomas Edison, Benjamin Franklin, or Stephen King. Each of these people found their purpose–their calling if you will. Not only did they live a life of successful pursuits, but also found what “woke them up every morning.” This should be our true goal. To find that “thing” that drives us, pushes us, and invigorates us. Once we find the thing that invokes our passion, nothing will stop us in the pursuit of these things. Use this as a means of setting the goals that are really meaningful to you.
Goals that are meaningful provide a benefit to us when we have met them. Goals like improving our diets or losing weight, learning something new, reading books, starting a journaling practice, and many others have life-long benefits. They also help us improve ourselves one step at a time. Some goals are finite.
Finite Goals are those goals that have a distinct beginning and a distinct end. Once you achieve them you know it because you’ve hit a number of books read or you’ve finished a rough draft of your book. Goals without end are what I call infinite goals. These goals have no end. These goals have little rest stops, but drive you to the next rest stop. Improving your health, your intellect, your spirituality, your internal character, are all examples of these infinite goals. Interestingly, when you hit a milestone with one of these goals, they improve your capability with the other goals and drive you forward.
This is one of the primary reasons that I read and re-read The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, by Stephen Covey, every year. The framework he presents in this book involves self-improvement but on our characters. The internal character is the key to this methodology. All 7 habits are geared toward these infinite habits. As you improve each habit, your capability improves, and you can now improve that habit more. If you improve your ability in one habit, your capability to improve the other habits also increases. Thus, as you improve, your capability to do more improves, and you reach a new plateau to being working from, much like a spiral.
If you have never read this book, I highly recommend it. It is a life-changer if you really commit to the things it prescribes. All of the habits fall into the infinite goal category and will continue to add a freshness and motivation to your life. Once you’ve read it and start to apply what is within its pages, you’ll discover as I did that these habits are not a one-time thing, but a lifetime of work that will spur you on to ever-greater heights.
So, set goals that “wake you up”. Get rid of the goals that you have to “force” yourself to do. You can always come back to them. Work on those goals that you really want, and you’ll have less trouble pursuing them.
Until next time…
Dave
13 Monday Nov 2017
Posted in Workout Routine
Hello, and Happy Monday!!
Today’s workout was a good one. I had a lot of energy today and pushed hard through the routines for Day 7 of the workout routine I am following. It was another full body workout and I am finding that it is a great way to exercise.
I am used to doing a lot of splits. Splits are when you only work certain body parts during a workout routine and then work out a different set the next day and the day after that.
Here are a few examples:
As you can see the whole body is worked, but with more exercises and sets focusing on individual body parts. Advocates of split routines say you can get more volume in and give individual body parts more recovery time. Others, who advocate a full body routine say that the same volume can be attained, while also achieving overall health and better chances of losing stubborn body fat.
I don’t really worry too much about any of this. I’ve learned over time that we are all individuals. A supplement or routine that works for individual A may or may not work for individual B or C. The really important learning here is that you have to know yourself and monitor your progress. If you are moving steadily toward your goals, keep doing what you’re doing. If you do not then make some adjustments.
That’s it for today folks!
See you tomorrow.
Dave
