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Saturday 31 March 2012

Where have I been?

Shit man. I have been so fucking busy lately, I haven't been as productive as I should be, but I have been busy and still gotten what I need done.

Decided to play on the rugby team at school, that means waking up before 6:00 A.M. three times a week. I also play rep basketball which is 2 practices and possibly a tournament every week, I also lift. In a way I am overcommitting, but I am having a lot of fun, and I know I can be productive when I need to. My body is sore has been sore as fuck lately, my workouts have been decent considering the amount of cardio and other physical activity I do before hand. I also have a fucking triathlon for gym to do in a couple of weeks, I am not training specifically for it hopefully I can wing it and do decently just based on my athleticism currently.

I had a chem quiz the other day, I feel like I did well actually. I have a math test this Tuesday, but I have been peppering my angus for at least a month now, so I don't need to really study for it. I need to start learning physics since the test for that is inevitable and will come sooner or later, I don't really care what my mark is, honestly, I just need a 88+ so that I can get into the AP Grade 12 class next year. I have been doing quite a bit of research and reading on training nutrition, and have come upon the notorious field of supplements.

Supplements, supplements, supplements.
Notorious Preworkout

The marketing and advertising for supplements can really get to the average teenager or gym-goer. Seeing all the flashy ads with the jacked up, aesthetic males that go along with it is attractive, however will taking "xxx" supplement really do what is advertised? Fucking advertisements saying "5 lbs of muscle in 2 weeks! Guarenteed!" Its all bullshit. So how do the guys in the commercials get so jacked up?

Well three things: Genetics, Nutrition, Adaption to a Stress, Sleep. The importance proceeds in this order as well, from my previous post, we know genetics is key to anything and everything, however the majority of us have the genetics to get decently strong and decently lean, and when you are strong and lean, typically you will be aesthetic as well, which is what the commericals and ads like to advertise. Who doesn't want to be aesthetic?

Aesthetic as fuck.


So, what is the truth on supplements?

Well there is no truth really, supplements are supplements. Real food tops supplements any day, but it is much more convenient to get micro and macronutrients in supplement form. Its much faster and much more convenient to put a scoop of whey in a shaker and drink that then taking half an hour to cook up some chicken or beef post workout. Right? And there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. One thing that you need to understand though, is that companies only produce these supplements to make money, they are here to help you, for the exchange of some money. From my research and experience the only 4 really important supplements are:

Whey Protein, Creatine, Multivitamin, Fish oil.

These are the big four in my opinion.

Purpose of whey is real straight forward, it helps you get your protein macronutrients in, the quality of protein is also high, quality of protein refers to how well you digest it and actually use the protein; quality of protein is measure by the amount of protein absorbed vs. the amount of protein consumed, the quality is given as a percentage. For whey, it is something like 97% although many whey companies will advertise 100%, but realistically nothing is 100% in nature. In comparison, soy protein is much lower, and about 80%. The protein quality does in fact make a difference however, say you take 3 scoops of whey a day, versus eating "xxx" amount of tofu, in that 3 scoops there is about 75 g of protein, and there are also 75 g of protein in the tofu. However due to quality issues, you will truly absorb, 74.8 g from the whey, but only 60 g from the tofu. In the long run this can make the difference. Another fact about whey is that it is fast digesting, this is another facet about protein that you need to consider. It does not necessarily enter the blood stream faster, but rather, it will be digested faster. Typically any protein, whether it is casein (slow digesting) or whey (fast digesting) will take about an hour to enter the blood stream. However, per hour, whey is digested much faster versus casein. Although I do not have the numbers off the top of my head you can search it up.

Second supplement being creatine. Creatine's functions increase performance and aid recovery. Creatine can be found in red meat, however the quantity of creatine in red meat is so small compared to just taking the supplement straight up. There have been many rumours about creatine causing your kidneys to explode, or causing cramps during workouts, however these are false for the typical person. Creating is hydrophilic though, which means it absorbs water, so if you aren't drinking enough, you will cramp. Essentially creatine will increase formation of ATP (adenosine triphosphate) which is the primary energy source for the anaerboic energy system. This system is used during heavy weight training and sprinting. When you do these high intensity activities you deplete your ATP and muscle glycogen, which you need to refill in order to maximize performance for the next set or workout. The supplement creatine will aid this process essentially. So although it is not completely neccessary, it helps a lot.

Third supplement, multivitamin, this one is pretty straight forward, makes sure you get all your micronutrients, keeps your immune system strong, etc, etc.

Last but not least is fish oil, fish oil consists of polyusaturated fatty acids, which are divided into omega 6 and omega 3 fatty acids which you have all heard of. In a nutshell, fish oil will help with inflammation, boost testosterone levels, help combat cortisol levels (stress), and is an anti-catabolic agent. It does everything basically.

So yeah, that's basically it, everything else is extra, typically I will take some caffeine pre workout, especially if I am feeling sluggish, and I will eat a carb/protein meal also. There isn't need for the fancy pre workout supplement, especially if you are a beginner which most of us are in high school. I have been meaning to pick some creatine up lately, will do so next week, currently I am just taking whey.

Anyways, in terms of training I've worked out twice since last Tuesday, I'll refer to workouts as sessions, I workout on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, I will state otherwise if its another day.

So,

Session 4:
Front s - 242x3,242x3,243x4, 209x9
Bench - 191.4x3x2x2x2, 165x5, 154x8 FUUUUUUU
Pull ups - bwx10, +35x8, +60x5x5x5x4, bwx15
Dips - bwx10x15x15x13

Session 5:
Back s - 265x3x3x3, 225x10
press - 115x3x3x4, 95x10
Row - 165x5x5x5, 135x15
static holds and tricep work

Here is a video:


Gonna go do some work, peace.

Tuesday 27 March 2012

Overcoming Genetics

So here is an interesting concept:

Your genetics determine your characteristics from birth. There are some behaviour patterns that can be linked directly to your genetics, your IQ is linked with genetics. Ultimately how athletic you can be, will be linked to your genetics. It ultimately characterizes you. As a human, you will base your actions off your characteristics, so say I am smart, I'll be more inclined to study since I am good at it. If I am athletic I will be more inclined to playing a sport, you get it?

Anyhow, so ultimately what I am trying to get at is your genetics determine your actions right? And through time, your actions determine who you are, which is characterized further by your characteristics and personality. So the way you approach a certain situation will depend on your perspective on it, your personality, mood, and your characteristics. Now given that we get shaped into people through interactions with others, and we really learn who we are ourselves by comparing ourselves to those around us, and because what determines who everyone else will ultimately be is their genetics, doesn't everything depend on genetics?

Although there are certain variables that we can never figure out, if you think about everything from a higher end scale, we can figure out what will happen to us. Thinking about this is kind of depressing, but on the flip side, I feel like if we were to compare this theory or thought to a mathematic equation, we can say that there are multiple solutions, and your goals and how hard you work will ultimately determine the restrictions set on the answer, however how hard you work can also be limited on your genetic code.

Life is depressing, aint it?

I feel though, as long as you work hard, and you know what your goals are, you are set.

Anyways to today's workout:

b squat - 260 3x3, 220 1x10
press - 123 3x3, 99x10, 110x5
deadlift - 396x1, 220x5, 264x5, 264x5
static holds

video below:



enjoy!

Sunday 25 March 2012

Goat milk taste like shit

Ew.

The taste of goat milk is still stuck in my milk. Out of 10, I would rate goat milk sh*t out of 10. My mom bought some goat milk cause apparently it has more vitamins and nutrients, and although it may, it tastes so bad. I mixed it with my whey, and the after taste is horrible.

The weekend has been really nice, the sun is shining, the birds chirping. I played in a basketball tournament on Saturday, my team won both games by 10+ each. It was really tiring, and my legs were so sore after. We came 1st in our pool, but because of time, they didn't have a finals game. So that was my Saturday basically, when I got home, I just ate, used Facebook, whatever, and went to sleep. Today, did some chemistry work mainly. I had pizza for lunch today, as a pre workout basically. It was real good, and I ate with my family which made it nicer.

In terms of diet, I've had a lot of carbs this weekend, all the basketball and lifting really hits you, and I really need to recover. I have another game tomorrow, and I don't want to be sore or "not ready" for that. I've been taking quite a bit of whey as well just to stimulate recovery. Basically been eating 250+ grams of protein per day, and probably in the range of 3500-4000 calories also.


School is starting tomorrow, I may be on this blog less, but I will try to update atleast 4x the next week, because the next couple of weeks are filled with evaluations for me I will have to study the shit out of the material I need to know, and murder my upcoming tests and assignments.

The weather lately has been making me feel really nice, I felt depressed kind of during the winter time, but with the sun out, it feels like everyday is a good day no matter what happens. I actually played some basketball with a friend I haven't talked to in a long time today, I told him about this blog and I made a bet with him regarding whether or not he can find it. He owes me 65 dollars already, lol.

Anyways, today I lifted again. This was one of the better workouts I have had in a long time. I think its cause I was ready for it, like, I knew it was gonna be tough because I just played 2 games of basketball the day before, and so as a study break, I foam rolled, and did some ART and stretching myself, to prep my legs, shoulders, elbows, and back since they were all sore as hell. I also ate a sh*tload of food and carbs ( which I don't usually get that much of) and I had 100 mg of caffeine, whey, and 2 bananas pre workout.

So today I did:

Front squat - 240 for 2x3, then 1x4, then dropped the weight and hit 205x8
Bench press - 190 for 3x3, didn't even attempt the 4th rep, will hit the 4th rep next workout
                      went with a closer grip and hit 155x10
Pull ups - bw for 10, +35 for 8, +60 for 6, +60 for 5, +60 for 3, +35 for 3, bw for 2x3
Dips - bw for 13, bw for 15, +25 for 9, bw for 15

Video of some of the lifts below:



Last couple of sets for pull ups were drop sets, little to no rest at all. My spotter for bench was shitty, had his shorts in my face the whole time, fucking sucked, whatever though. I can't wait to lift at school with all my friends again, especially since I've gotten stronger during the break. I made a intro to my video now, I might stick with it, Franco Columbo is fucking gangster. Sore as fuck now, going to do some more chemistry, possibly some math, and get ready for school the next day.

Peace.

Friday 23 March 2012

Seven Litres

I drank seven and a half litres today.

Drank 500 mls when I woke up today. Woke up at 7:30, got up at 7:36, got in bed at 11:02 yesterday, put my iPod away at 11:26. I have all these times written down. Ate my breakfast/lunch at around 10:30, had 5 bacon strips, 4 eggs, a mango, and 2 large celery sticks. Drank 500 mls of water afterwards. Went to do my daily paper route, it is like 1 hour of moderate walking and carrying a shit ton of newspapers, I drank 1 L after that. Ate two sirloin burgers, some leftover chicken wings from the night before (see previous post), a bagel with butter, and 500 mls of milk. Drank about 500 ml of water after. Did some further studying, after a few hours, ate dinner. Had 4 chicken drumsticks, lots of vegetables (bai chai, peas, broccoli). Forced 1 L of water down before basketball practice. Drank 2.5 L during basketball ( 2 hours of sprinting and hyper-fucking-hidrosis). Had 500 mls on the way home. Then took 2 scoops of whey with 500 mls of water. Drinking 500 mls of milk currently. 11:22 P.M.

Water intoxication? Nah.

I also had a caffeine pill before practice so I don't fall asleep, been up for 16 hours now so yeah, long ass time. Helps me push through the pain, and keeps my intensity up. Going to try and drink atleast 500 mls before I go to sleep so I don't wake up with a cramp tomorrow. Oh, I also have two basketball games tomorrow. Its not that I dislike it, I actually really enjoy it, but it is hard sometimes and real tiring. On the bright side it keeps me conditioned so I can what? Recover faster between sets and between workouts.

Anyways today is Friday. End of the week, school is starting once again for me next Monday, I might make it a weekly thing to post some motivation or inspiration on Fridays, just cause, its Friday. So anyways, for today:



So, guy goes by the name of YanYan Xu, Dracoy, whatever. Few years ago, get his angus peppered by a 185 squat. He starts a log which is called "Dracoy's Struggle Against Genetics", after a 2 years or so, he achieves a 495 deadlift at a bodyweight of 150 fucking lbs. That's right.

A 495 lb deadlift at 150 lbs. That is 3.333x his bodyweight.

And just a few years ago he failed a 185 squat, really shows you what hard work and dedication can do for you. Here is the video by the way:



He's also hit a 365 squat to parallel which is good.



That's some inspiration for y'all.

If you have any questions or comments let me know, if you don't have a blogger account and can't comment you can email me at helloitsparachooter@hotmail.com

Good night.

Thursday 22 March 2012

Gave bus fare to some kid today..

3 days until school starts. I have physics, world issues, and some chem to catch up on.

So on my way back from my training session, some kid was asking me if I had a change for a 20, I didn't but he told me in shitty English that he needed a ticket for a bus. So I gave him a bus ticket for free. He looked real fobby, was wearing a Kobe shirt with soccer shorts, he also had a fitted on and was listening to his nano which he also used as a watch. I tried to talk to him after and he just told me he couldn't speak English well, yeah.

Redoing the arithmetic sheets again and again. I've done the normal sheets at least 4-5 times each. There are still some questions that I am not sure about, I need to remember to ask my teacher about them. I know we have a test within a week once school starts which is the last real test of the year, then we have a couple of small quizzes and the exam.

Got up at 9:43 this morning, shitty start to my goals. 

Slept late too, but I didn't use my iPod much which is good, also not using the computer AS much, still quite a bit though. I'll be sure to monitor that but since I have this blog which I want to update it'll be hard to, guess I wont count the time, when I am doing my blogging and shit.

So anyway, to the training.

Yesterday's sprints were fucking awesome. Felt like a gazelle, my hips are flexible from all the damn mobility shit I do for them, and I am getting stronger too. Core felt nice and strong, lower back was a little sore but meh, I've gained 15 lbs in the last 2 months so its expected. Did some stretching later and went to sleep.

My right elbow has been bothering me a bit lately, going to do some foam rolling and stretching specifically for that. They didn't bother me too much during my pressing today though which is good.

So today I did:

back squat-250 for 3x3,225x5
strict press-120 for 2x3,1x4, 95x10
row-195x2x5,185x5,165x10,155x15
delt work, core work


Here's the video from today's workout.

 

Everything felt fine. The last two sets of the strict press are personal bests, rowing wise, first time using decently strict form, touching my chest/stomache for every rep. Squats depth was good, I am going real low, but the weight feels light as fuck, feels like a warm up set to be honest.

Feeling a bit hungry towards the end of the workout, had a PB and jelly sandwich before hand with a bit of whey, post workout had a nice dinner and 1 L of milk with 2 scoops of whey. 

Part of my fine ass dinner:



I had veggies and everything of course, but this was the highlight.

Feeling sore, gonna do some work before I sleep. Been a good day.










Wednesday 21 March 2012

Another Day

5:36 P.M.

5 days until school starts again, and there are habits I need to bust my ass out of:

1. Sleeping times

I find that its so easy to lose track of this, if you stay up one night, the next day you feel like shit and try to sleep more. But when you do stay consistent and wake up/sleep at more or less the same time everyday you are full of energy and much more productive.

I've been sleeping at like 12-1 lately and waking up at around 9-10. This isn't too bad, since I do have quite a bit of time to go do stuff and get work done, but regardless I'd like to start sleeping a earlier, so around 10:30-11 so I can be up before 8 everyday.

2. Time spent on the Internet

Fuck. 

I spend way too much time on Facebook, forums, or whatever. If I am on the internet hopefully I am doing work or reading something informative, Facebook and forums are in all honesty, a waste of time. I enjoy talking with people in real life, and face to face so much more, and I'd rather be off the computer and doing something productive.

I will probably start keeping track of the time actually, every time I open a internet browser I am going to start a timer or whatever, and just try to keep my time per week or per day below a certain point. 

I'm also on my iPod touch way too much, I always watch a few videos before I go to bed, starting from tonight, I am not going to use my iPod before I go to sleep, and just try to sleep as soon as I am in bed.


But yeah, its a lot more motivating when you have these things written down, and where other people can see it. 

Had a pretty good day today, did some arithmetic, some pretty confusing shit, but I'm confident I will get the hang of it. I need to be studying more though, as I have said I have been on the computer a bit much. I spent a quite a bit of time formatting my blog to look better.

Here is a squat video from yesterday for reading everything.



Will do some sprints later on today also, not much else though.

Introduction

I am a 16 year old male, name is Peter.

Essentially this blog is meant for my self - improvement regarding both lifting and just life in general.

The goals I want to achieve are:
Hit a 1000 lb total (bench, squat, deadlift)
Keep my marks high (specifically in grade 12 func this year)
Get into my top 3 choice for university (TBA)
Start making money within this summer (hopefully not through a labor job)

As for now, I am not extremely happy or satisfied with anything I have, and am looking to change that. These blog posts will include rants, thoughts, my workouts of course, and just how my day has been.

In terms of history, I've been lifting since 2009, but I've been on and off. I started  in 2009, and its been good, but I have only been "seriously" lifting since the new year.

In terms of school and marks, I am in grade 11 so the majority of the marks do not matter for me, however I am taking 3 grade 12 courses so advanced functions, world issues, and chemistry which I have a 98, 92, and 91 respectively, my goal is to keep the marks and possibly improve them until the school year ends.

But enjoy, and subscribe.