BEYOND STRONG: RISE AND FALL

Busy busy busy

Lately not a lot happening here in my blog. That is because I am preparing for the big move, in 2 weeks from tomorrow. Visa's, cleaning out my apartment, insurance, taking care of this and that, all has to be done. That doesn't leave much time for training, and when it does, it's a quick session with KB's or blitz session at the gym. Heavy weights are always attracting me ofcourse, but lifting them isn't gonna happen anymore. I am just not putting in enough food at the moment to fuel the old engine. Not a bad thing really, because I am still trimming down a bit, and seeing the results makes it worth it. However, heavy is always what I was used to, and not being able, or better (coz I am still able to) to lift a heavy weight with ease isn't gonna  fly right now and sometimes I do miss that. At my heaviest, 110kg, I was slinging weights  around the gym with much more ease, no biggie at all doing heavy deads, squats or whatever. But lifting heavy, and being heavy sometimes took it's toll outside of the gym. A sluggish feeling all day, tired, hungry, a beast walking.. Now, being a good 20kg lighter, live in the gym is tough, not just physical, also emotional. I really have to turn off the ego switch, because being able to do the same numbers at a much lighter weight isn't gonna happen overnight. It's possible, just look at some numbers mr Walker is putting up at a fairly light weight. It will take time though. Being a lightweight, and looking at life outside the gym, boy, life is a breeze! I can go somewhere without actually feeling hungry for a couple of hours! Not carrying around sandwiches, eggs, shakes or whatever I was stuffing in all day long, with the highlight being a delicious tuna shake with diet coke!! (that actually has been a mainstay for more than 6 years)..

Anyway, it all has it's benefits, and at the moment I can definitely see and feel the benefits of being lighter in weight, especially when I am moving in two weeks where the weather is hot, my wife looks beautiful and our room doesn't have airconditioning yet... hehe...

The ab video I posted earlier, is no longer available, so here is a different video for your viewing pleasure..

Theo

Training motivation

Training isn't what it used to be these last few weeks/ months. Somehow I couldn't just set myself to it. It's not like it's too hot in Holland, or the fact that the gym isn't open. Nope, I just didn't want to train. This is the second year that I have the summer-training-blues, and apparently it's becoming an annual phase that I must go through, in order to love to train again.

I sporadically squeezed in a small workout these past few months, no grip work however, and didn't really enjoy. I don't know if any of you guys also experience this, but it just feels like I am in a rut.

What I just do, is sit it out. Don't do anything training related, don't even think about it and just relax. However, I don't binge out and watch my food and stuff because I don't want to end up like a fatty. And slowly but surely, if the iron is really in your blood, you will get the jitters again, and some little voice in the back of your head (or in the front) (or the side) will say that the time has come..
And for me, that time has come again. I want to go back, move some weight again, set some personal bests and enjoy training. I miss the feeling of being sore, I miss the hormones that are set free when I squat some heavy weight, the feeling of being pumped, the feeling of not being able to sit on the crapper without fear of pulling a hammie..

I thought up some new schedule, got some new ideas and routines, and I will continue the battle again.

I once read an article by Nasser El Sonbaty, where he said: I love to hate training, and that is why I train.. (at least, thats what it come down to..)

No matter how demotivated you are, if the iron is in your blood, sooner or later it will come back..

-Theo