POZ Community Forums
Off Topic Forums => Off Topic Forum => Topic started by: GSOgymrat on November 27, 2006, 12:08:09 am
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After 20 years of working out I finally decided to buy some sessions with a personal trainer. I took a weight training class back in college when I first started lifting weights but I have always wanted to try a personal trainer. I feel like my workouts are in a rut and my gym advertised a holiday special: 4 thirty-minute sessions for $99. So I'm scheduled for an evaluation Wednesday. I don't know anyone at my gym so I just picked this guy named Martinez who I have seen training other people. He is certified, has years of experience and is enormous. I'm looking for a new routine that will get me off the plateau I'm on and help me make some strength and size gains. I also need help on my form with free weight exercises, particularly squats. I'm excited but a little nervous, so wish me luck.
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You're obviously in great shape, so I don't think you'll have any trouble. You'll no doubt feel the difference after those 4 sessions, but good luck and enjoy it.
Oh, and once you've attained a new body, can you send me your old one?? ;D
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Ok, Go it...I need to exercise...If you are in a body-shopping spree, I need a full Blackfriday to get my new body :D:D
Alex
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Good luck, Ford! But you're already so devilishly handsome...
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I used to workout in this gym in the West Village (Manhattan) and there was this FINE looking trainer there for a while and I kept contemplating hiring him but never did (intimidated me... he was that great). Years later I really regretted it because I started seeing him on all of these (ok, albeit straight) covers of porn movies. He must have moved to LA and started a huge new career! I even bought one just to see what his cock looked like.
*sigh*
anyway, good luck with the workouts.
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Um...I can help you with some of those "size gains" ;D hehehe, I love being dirty!! hehehehe
Baby, I am sure you will be rocking awesome! You look fantastic now, I can't wait to see the new you soon!
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Make sure you write down some of his tips.
Make a list of the excercises and muscles you want to improve.
Ask im about nutrition.
And be sure you have warmed up before starting the workout.
Saves time.
Good luck and have fun.
hermie
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I had my first session with the personal trainer. Right from the start I was very uncomfortable because he immediately begins talking about how lean I am and asking what am I doing to keep my body fat so low. I was pleading fast metabolism when of course the reality is it's HIV and lipoatrophy. He took my weight and body fat, which was 175 lbs and 10%. Another trainer came in and they start talking about how I'm one of the leanest guys in the gym, how I'm 40 years old and I'm this lean without dieting, that I should compete in bodybuilding competitions, etc. I know they were trying to be complimentary but I just felt like quitting the gym. It was apparent my lipoatrophy is making me stand out, which just feeds my insecurities. I had to keep reminding myself that I'm not going to let HIV get in the way of what I want to do.
We spent a lot of time talking about nutrition and diet. He wants me to eat like a competitive bodybuilder, which is not going to happen. I'm just not going to eat 15 egg whites for breakfast, avoid all fats, etc. Also there is no way I can eat a strict diet with my partner around because he's not going to diet and he'll be pissed if I don't eat with him. He has always thought my going to the gym is a waste of time anyway. I am going to eat more protein, cut down on the sugar, give up the fast food (goodbye McRib :'() and eat more frequently but I'm not a competitive bodybuilder and don't want to be one.
The best part is now that we have that part out of the way we can focus on creating a new workout and using proper form. He had me do some squats and gave me some good corrections and tips. I am looking forward to the next session and I'm feeling motivated.
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Thanks for the reminder that I need to get back to the gym. I will go...TODAY!
As far as giving up fast food, thats easy, but for the McDonalds Egg buscuits!
Chuck
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OMG!!!! Thank you!
Because of this post I went to the gym today. Because I went to the gym today I got into a HEAVY
CRUISING session with this HOT guy!
The good old fashion cruising. Im going back for more! ( OH YEA...and to work out too!)
Somebody was actually interested! It's nice to feel human again!
Thanks!!!!! Chuck
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I'm always glad to help someone get laid. ;)
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To Philly, yes, we also had David Barton in NYC who married the party scene woman and had a little David Barton boy. Don't they understand, when they locate in Chelsea or the West Village, that they need to think about other options in life? :) Win
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Being perceived as one of the leanest guys in the gym is a definite compliment, take it in that vein bud. I'm sure you'll find a way to break through your current barriers without downing a dozen egg whites a day. Can't wait to see next year's WeHo pix ;)
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I just want to throw this in there for you. I saw those pics of you on vacation at the beach, and trust me, I was NOT thinking lipo-! ;)
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As my first trainer taught me the gym is your time and your time alone - it's not about the how you look for anyone else, or what someone else looks like (as you might compare yourself to) - forget the job, the family, the bills - let go of everything that has no business being in your mind when you step into the gym.
The real problem isn't that I think I look bad it's this insecurity about this "dark secret" getting revealed by my appearance. Normally I'm fine but when people make comments about the veins in my arms (I work with nurses who eye my arms like vampires) or start asking me about my weight I become totally self-conscious. Part of me just wants to shout "Yes, I have AIDS! It's called lipoatrophy and I can't help it!" It's funny because when I'm in West Hollywood, where people know what it is and there are other people walking around with lipo, the insecurity is gone. That's why I relate to X-Men comic books, I'm like a mutant who is afraid people are going to find out he can walk through walls.
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I just want to throw this in there for you. I saw those pics of you on vacation at the beach, and trust me, I was NOT thinking lipo-! ;)
Um...Hey, Ford? Could I, um.....could I see those pics, too? Just wonderin'.
~+
PS- Dunno if you are into protein shakes, but I love the EAS Strawberry Cream Myoplex Shakes...and they are loaded to the hilt with protein, have low carbs and they DON'T taste like cardboard or chalk! Woo-hoo! They might seem a bit expensive. but not really if you think of them in the context of being a meal on their own. I absolutely love 'em!
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Um...Hey, Ford? Could I, um.....could I see those pics, too? Just wonderin'.
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PS- Dunno if you are into protein shakes, but I love the EAS Strawberry Cream Myoplex Shakes...and they are loaded to the hilt with protein, have low carbs and they DON'T taste like cardboard or chalk! Woo-hoo! They might seem a bit expensive. but not really if you think of them in the context of being a meal on their own. I absolutely love 'em!
I think this is the photo he is referring to. Ford goes native in a $3 Brazillian bikini. I have tried the EAS shakes and they are good if a little pricey.
(http://static.flickr.com/108/313737228_2a46e4043d_o.jpg)
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Damn... after that picture... I think I just creamed my jeans!
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I can't really tell much from that picture, GSO...
perhaps if you posted a few dozen more?
Thank you in advance. :-*
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Man, they say everyone has a twin out there...You look like my one friend Max, I'm gonna have to show him your pic, it will trip him out....
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Nice avatar picture Queen Akasha. You're a beautiful woman. :)
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like I said...........
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Nice avatar picture Queen Akasha. You're a beautiful woman. :)
Thanks GSO and LongIslander....
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So I completed my sessions with my trainer, Martinez, and I'm happy with his recommendations and my new workout routine. He gave me a lot of good advice and pointed out mistakes I was making in my workout. From the beginning he had tried to persuade me to compete in a bodybuilding competition. He and some of the other trainers insisted I should talk to their boss, Damian, who organizes and judges natural bodybuilding competitions. Several trainers said Damian is a tell-it-like-it-is, no nonsense kinda guy and would give me an honest assessment. Out of curiosity I decided to see the guy.
Damian first asked me if competing was my idea or my trainer's. I said it was definitely my trainer's and that I knew nothing about competing but was curious as to how this all worked. He explained there were two categories: bodybuilders and natural bodybuilders. The natural bodybuilders don't use steroids or other muscle enhancing drugs and that most regular bodybuilders use "juice". Call me naive but I was very surprised at how open steroid use apparently is. I pointed out to Damian that unprescribed steroid use is illegal and he looked at me with surprise and said "that's true but it's just an open fact of bodybuilding." He's a natural bodybuilder and said to compete you not only have to take a drug test but also a polygraph. Since I have never even drank a beer or smoked a joint I said that natural would be the only thing of interest to me.
Then he unceremoniously told me to strip down to my shorts and show him what I had. :o We were in an office with an open door to the gym, which was kinda disconcerting. He had me flex and I quickly learned that I don't know how to pose. He said my arms and shoulders were good, my upper chest needed work, my upper back was good but my lats could be thicker, my quads and calves were good but my hamstrings were flat and that I needed to do more heavy squats. Having my body critiqued was odd but I was really glad to get an objective opinion from an expert. He said I definitely had potential and that he would be happy to help me if I wanted to compete. He gave me his card and wrote down some websites so I could learn more about the competitions. I told him I would think about it.
I mulled it over for a few days and decided I want to give it a shot and compete in a natural bodybuilding competition in High Point, NC in June. I will be competing in the "novice" category with other new competitors. My trainer thinks I have a shot at winning because it's novice and natural-- I wouldn't stand a chance against the "juiced" guys. I've had a social phobia of being in front of an audience for years so the idea of getting up on a stage with next to nothing on and having people critique my body is particularly terrifying. That is one reason why I want to do it, to face my fear. Another big reason is because it will motivate me to take my workouts to another level and improve my eating habits. Yet another reason is because when I look back on my life I don't regret the things I did nearly as much as the things I didn't try.
I've yet to tell my partner of my decision because I don't think he's going to be supportive. He's going to see this as pointless and a waste of time. You would think having a partner who is into bodybuilding would be a good thing! So wish me luck and I'll let you know how this turns out.
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GSO~~
Good Luck sweetie. I bet you will do great, novice or not. You are doing this for you, I would hope your bf would be supportive and not selfish. I would take the pro's critique with pride, he said you have potential, that's a start. I have seen your pic, I think you're great, now come here and let me bounce a quarter off your booty... ;D
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Ford,
Perhaps your partner feels like the bodybuilding is something that may drive a wedge between you two, or that you might even find someone else who IS into bodybuilding. Without knowing the dynamics between you both, it's hard to say offhand. :-\
I'd really be interested in hearing your thoughts and observations while going thru the competitive process, if you have the time to jot them down in the Forum from time to time.
Take care,
John
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Ford, I have to post my real reply to this later, after work. I shouldn't have read this during my lunch hour. After visualizing you in his office..........
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like I said...........
Uh....
Yeah....
Uh...
Uh.................
Nope. Lipo is not what I am thinking, either.
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Perhaps your partner feels like the bodybuilding is something that may drive a wedge between you two, or that you might even find someone else who IS into bodybuilding. Without knowing the dynamics between you both, it's hard to say offhand. :-\
He's not worrying that I'm going to run off with a bodybuilder or anyone else. He's going to see it as a pointless activity will take time away from being together. He would have the same reaction if I said I was taking a photography class three days a week. But our dynamic is I say I'm going to do something, he complains and I do it anyway. ;D
Nope. Lipo is not what I am thinking, either.
I was surprised to realize that even though I'm self-conscious about being too lean apparently I'm not lean enough for a bodybuilding competition. My body fat is at 10% and they want it at 7-8%.
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Yep. I noticed that above about the %. Gosh, you're downright portly in some circles, eh? Guess that would put me somewhere in the 'morbidy obese' range! LOL
I'm glad you have that dynamic with the BF, and you won't let complaints stop you. I think this can be a good thing for you on so many levels...even if you never made it on stage to compete. The process of preparing has so many potential benefits for you.
(Not to mention that we might score some additional photos from that process. LOL)
Selfishly,
Tim
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Not to mention that we might score some additional photos from that process
MIGHT?. Let's make that a MUST! (please??)
Ford, sorry about the earlier silliness. It's a great compliment from both trainers, and Damian willing to work with you. The first is in June, and you have the discipline to acheive whatever goals are necessary. (The on the road to competition pics are gonna be awesome! ;) )
I'm glad to hear your BF dynamic is what it is, I'd hate to see you stifled. Perhaps you can get him to come down to the gym every now and again to spot you. And then there's the full body shaving, and oiling down.....
Good luck with all of this, and more importantly-enjoy the ride!
Paul
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Go get 'em, boy!
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Gymrat
Well my program crashed after I managed to rip two intercostal muscles doing heavy pullovers. I been bumed out for three weeks already letting them heal. Besides its nearly impossible for me to diet during Xmas so I probable won't get back on track until January. Wish you the best with your first competition.
Can you post the link of the website that Damian gave you?
Thanxz
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Here are the links he gave me:
http://www.renfit.com/ (http://www.renfit.com/)
http://www.inbf.net/ (http://www.inbf.net/)
http://www.wnbf.net/ (http://www.wnbf.net/)
I hope you heal quickly.
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I saw this shirt online and thought it was perfect.
(http://farm1.static.flickr.com/70/343200356_41cd4053bc_o.jpg)
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Ford, just curious what your new (or old, for that matter) leg routine was. Find it hard to add bulk in the, er, nether regions. I do plenty of squats, leg curls and extensions, calf raises; have recently added hack squats and lunges. Am I doing too much, too little? (I guess you might need more details... sets, reps, weights... but I'm already running late for my library "date.")
Jay
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My trainer said I was doing too many exercise. He has me doing 3 sets of 8-10 of:
leg extension machine
leg curl machine
squats
leg press hack squats
lunges
calf raises
Sometimes I will throw in the glute machine. He has me using heavy weight so I'm exhausted. He emphasizes diet: lots of protein for building muscle mass.
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When I was at the top of my Gym Nazi period (which is definitely not now!), that was one of the major hurdles I had to train myself against: doing too much exercise. I was apparently wearing down too much muscle and not giving myself enough time to recover and add mass. Another example of when less can be more. Quality of reps over sheer quantity. Also helped to switch up the types of exercises I did to work each muscle group. If there were 6 different potential exercises for legs, do 3 of them in one session and the other 3 the next time I did legs.
I cannot stress enough the importance of an exercise log for all of this intense training. It helps like you wouldn't believe.
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He's not worrying that I'm going to run off with a bodybuilder or anyone else. He's going to see it as a pointless activity will take time away from being together. He would have the same reaction if I said I was taking a photography class three days a week. But our dynamic is I say I'm going to do something, he complains and I do it anyway. ;D
I was surprised to realize that even though I'm self-conscious about being too lean apparently I'm not lean enough for a bodybuilding competition. My body fat is at 10% and they want it at 7-8%.
MY GOD...I am at 21% body fat!!! I am HUGENORMOUS!!!! I am checking into the the nearest Jenny Craig center now!
Ford, you look fantastic...I am really working hard to lose the belly fat...I am so self concious about it...oh and the veiny arms...yea, I am getting those too, and I noticed that my legs are getting them as well...oh well...
Good lord...I need to increase the cardio it seems... ;D
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You look great Jeromy. With your charms and talents you have nothing to worry about. ;)
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My trainer said I was doing too many exercise. He has me doing 3 sets of 8-10 of:
leg extension machine
leg curl machine
squats
leg press hack squats
lunges
calf raises
Sometimes I will throw in the glute machine. He has me using heavy weight so I'm exhausted. He emphasizes diet: lots of protein for building muscle mass.
Uncanny: that is EXACTLY what I do. but then I'm probably 40 to 50 lbs lighter than you, so maybe it's overtraining the ol' legs. And yep, I've increased the protein intake. Btw, the the brand I find tastes best (for me) and digests easily is Prolab. Just sayin.
Jay
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Damn... after that picture... I think I just creamed my jeans!
Yeah... that chick was HOT.
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Two exercises I've started doing, in search of a flat(ter) stomach: oblique crunches and the stomach vacuum.
My body fat is at 13-14% and apparently one needs 10% or lower to have that ripped abs look. Too much work; I'm a lean boy and don't want to spend hours and hours doing cardio only to lose muscle, not fat. I'm happy with the flat stomach "look."
Jay
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Ford, I have a question about how many days a week you work out. I haven't done much reading on the subject but pretty much most guides (books or internet) say: never do weights more than two days in a row. And always leave two days in the week for recovery.
I've pretty much done that always. Either MWF or MTThF. But I keep reading about guys who workout 5/week, even 6/week. I gues they're more advanced bodybuilders who train one bodypart each day of the week, intensively? And not 90 minutes at the gym but 45 minutes? Or do cardio on some of those days?
I don't think I'm overtraining at all. (Btw, I took a ten-day complete break and now I feel completely out of shape.) After a workout today (chest, arms), plan to do legs tomorrow, and... Thursday, instead of day off, I'd like to do back and shoulders. And then take Friday and Saturday off. (That's partly because I have two social events over the weekend which will be unsurvivable without some booze, and I don't like to do weights and drink on the same day.)
Is this total heresy? Or should I do what feels right with my body? I'm still a novice at this.
Finally, did your trainer recommend creatine or any other supplements (besides protein shakes)?
And, yes, please keep those pics coming... :)
Jay
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My trainer put me on a 4 day schedule. I'm doing:
1) Back & Bicep
2) Shoulders
day off
3) Chest & Triceps
4) Legs
day off
I spend 45 minutes to 1 hour lifting. My trainer said I was doing too many exercises and said to focus on fewer exercises with more intensity. I'm not doing cardio at all right now because I'm trying to gain weight. I'm eating 5 times a day with lots of protein, complex carbs and low fat. I'm using protein powder and glutamine. I have not been using creatine because I've not done enough research on it yet. So far I have gained almost 5 pounds, which for me is great! I'm also seeing strength gains.
I think you can workout 5-6 days a week as long as you are isolating muscle groups, such as chest/arms/shoulder/back/legs. I don't think you should do an upper body/lower body routine that many days a week. Recuperation is important and your muscles need time to repair. There is a lot of good information on Bodybuilding.com.
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Hello Gentlemen,
We all have our diffrent goals, mine is not bodybuilding it is strength. I have reached peaks and had injuries(recovery sucks)
To those of you that are bodybuilders, great good for you set goals and train wisely.
My goals are to throw there is no finish line. and now am concentrating on the Highland games.
The Scotts tell us yanks to throw and get out of the weight room, well I have found that strength is a must.
Using compound lifts and only using 7 or 8 diffrent exercises plus training for the diffrent events on alternate days does me good.
My basic exercises, STRETCH is a must, working the largest muscles first, squats and then presses moving on to pullups and dumbell work with lots of pushups aswell as hand stand pushups.
Balance and foot work is also a major player. Lift 3 days a week and pick a couple of events on the other days keeps all the muscle memory going.
events: stone/shot put, hammer winds, weights for distance(28lb/42lb) the cabers, using a lighter caber for speed and agillity and using a heavy caber for strength and balance.
To each of you that train for what ever reason, be wise and smart, it cuts down on injuries.
Maybe one of you guys would clue me in as to how to post a pic, does it need to be hosted or can I use one from my pictures?
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I'm a big fan of powerlifters. I love watching strongman competitions and I attend the Highland Games at Grandfather Mountain in NC (I'm with the Lumsden clan). Powerlifters have different goals and workouts from bodybuilders-- you guys focus on strength and explosive power while we work on building and defining our physiques.
The only way I know to post a picture is to upload the photo to a website (I use Flickr) and then put the URL in using the "Insert Image" button. I know there are other ways to do it but that's what works for me.
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I'm a big fan of powerlifters. I love watching strongman competitions and I attend the Highland Games at Grandfather Mountain in NC (I'm with the Lumsden clan). Powerlifters have different goals and workouts from bodybuilders-- you guys focus on strength and explosive power while we work on building and defining our physiques.
The only way I know to post a picture is to upload the photo to a website (I use Flickr) and then put the URL in using the "Insert Image" button. I know there are other ways to do it but that's what works for me.
[/quot
How right you are, there are a number of crossover guys, even the strongmen have the event of the 56lb weight for height event.
It is that last split second of energy burst that most of us are trying to obtain.
Strength at the peak of release.
Well I guess I will have to work on the picture thing.
ps, the top dawgs of the 56 weight for height are throwing around 20' (that is straight up) there are a few spinners but that is a whole new can of worms.
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Go for it, Ford. Sounds like a great goal to set for yourself.
It's funny how our insecurities only arise in certain situations. I'm super paranoid that I have really skinny legs, so much so that I rarely if ever wear shorts in public, even on the hottest/muggiest Sydney days. However, when I'm at the beach or doing swim training, wearing boardshorts and/or speedos doesn't worry me one iota.
Stephen
Force - to post a pic stored on your own computer, just click on the Additional Options, at the bottom, when you are drafting a message, and you can attach files from your own computer so long as they are less than 200 kB
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;)
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Wow! is all I can say at the moment@Force.
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Wow! is all I can say at the moment@Force.
Thank you, im hanging in there for an old guy.
I raise my glass of geritol to all us old guys.
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Raising my protein shake as you drink your geritol -- not that you need it. Though I do need my shake -- I'm a scrawny lad (5'8", 140ish) trying to gain a little more muscle mass.
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Final question to Ford and others: where does ab training fit in to your routines?
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I do abs on my workout days except legs day-- I'm just too exhausted after working legs. I mix it with the abs making sure I'm getting the entire ab area. Some days I'll do hanging leg raises, some days the abs machines, some days the Swiss ball and some just old fashioned crunches.
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Terrific back and glutes Force1!
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Final question to Ford and others: where does ab training fit in to your routines?
I would like to put 2cents worth in on this.
Abdominal to me is also core training. I guess the best way to describe it is using a stabalizer exercise.
Kettlebell and modified weights with foot work.
Training with a scottish hammer will give some a hammer belly. Its a little extra bulge just under the chest plate.
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Okay, so I ordered a regulation posing suit for this bodybuilding competition... total banana hammock! I knew this thing would be small but this is like Victoria's Secret. No wonder bodybuilders shave, you can't have pubes and wear this thing. It is hands down the gayest thing I have ever put on, and that's saying a lot! The thought of being on a stage in this thing is giving me palpitations.
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Okay, so I ordered a regulation posing suit for this bodybuilding competition... total banana hammock! I knew this thing would be small but this is like Victoria's Secret. No wonder bodybuilders shave, you can't have pubes and wear this thing. It is hands down the gayest thing I have ever put on, and that's saying a lot! The thought of being on a stage in this thing is giving me palpitations.
Ahem. Pics please. Here and on the porn thread. Speaking of bananas, you might want post there soon, so as to get the coveted 9 inch spot. ;)
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You don't want to see a pic. Let's just say the banana hammock has a different effect when it is on a smooth, tan, ripped 21-year-old than a hairy, pasty, soft 41-year-old.
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You don't want to see a pic. Let's just say the banana hammock has a different effect when it is on a smooth, tan, ripped 21-year-old than a hairy, pasty, soft 41-year-old.
You're not getting off so easy. Hairy (which is HOT anyway) and pasty? Everyone please look at the pic posted in reply #17 and back me up on this. PASTY?! So Not.
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This was an interesting reading. I read the whole thing. Ford, I'm just worried about two things here, #1 I would not dare eat anything "raw" like egg yolks, sushi or whatever if it's not cooked. Not good for us hiv + guys, and #2 Beware about that "lie detector" test in case a compromising question related to your lack of fat comes up. Keep your eyes and ears wide open and GO FOR IT! :)
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Those posing trucks were the final straw for me. There was simply no way I was getting up in front of an auditorium filled with people wearing that thing. Still I wonder what competing would be like.
My intercostals finally healed up and I've hit the weighs with a vengeance. Right now I've lowered the amount of exercises I do per body part and the amount of sets while slowly upping my poundages. Seeing decent results so far.
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This was an interesting reading. I read the whole thing. Ford, I'm just worried about two things here, #1 I would not dare eat anything "raw" like egg yolks, sushi or whatever if it's not cooked. Not good for us hiv + guys, and #2 Beware about that "lie detector" test in case a compromising question related to your lack of fat comes up. Keep your eyes and ears wide open and GO FOR IT! :)
I don't eat raw eggs, meat, sushi, etc. I've been eating egg whites, lots of them, but they are cooked.
As far as lipo and lie detectors, I don't think it will come up. Even if it did I'm not taking any of the banned substances. The lipo is a result of my HIV infection combined with my metabolism and medication. If my lipo gives me an edge, which I don't think it does, my poor nutrient absorption negates it. With the amount of food I'm consuming each day I should have put on a lot more weight.
Speaking of lipo, I'm not sure whether I mentioned it on here but my lipoatrophy seems to be improving somewhat. I'm not sure whether it's the med change last year, the diet or what but my arms and legs, while still veiny, are not like they were a year ago. My partner and I had about the same level of lipo in our legs and now mine look much less veiny in comparison. It's interesting because even though we started with the same virus and have been on similar meds I have lipoatrophy everywhere and he has buffalo hump, back and belly fat. My metabolism has always been on the skinny side and he has always been on the husky side.
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aren't you going to have to shave the whole body for the competition? And oil it up? Perhaps you can do a practice run, then post that pic~ If you're shy, you can just PM it to me and I'll give you my honest critique ;)
Paul (who just can't help himself after that beach pic, sorry)
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aren't you going to have to shave the whole body for the competition? And oil it up? Perhaps you can do a practice run, then post that pic~ If you're shy, you can just PM it to me and I'll give you my honest critique ;)
Paul (who just can't help himself after that beach pic, sorry)
Okay, here's the deal: because you all are helping me through this process I'll show you the "before" pic I took a couple of weeks ago. When I complete this competition I'll post the "after" all shaved, tanned and oiled in the banana hammock. Until then I'm not going to post any pics of myself. As you can see I just set the camera on the desk, hit the timer and tried my best to pose.
(http://farm1.static.flickr.com/157/350930239_91fb2f9498.jpg)
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OMG, I wish you could be my personal trainer, I would kill for a bod like that (apparently I can't workout hard enough, but am willing to kill??). I cannot wait for the next pic, when is the comp-June? Jeez, that's along way off...........
Thanks for the pic, as you can see I am appreciating it immensely! ;)
Paul
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I think I'm going to print out this thread, or a few pics from it, to help keep me motivated in the ol' gym routine. I've missed the last few sessions, sigh -- laziness coupled with too much weekend socializing. Reading/viewing this thread just makes me want to run to the gym and grab those dumbbells..
Thanks Ford. :)
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....... a hairy, pasty, soft 41-year-old.
WELL FORD....YOU CERTAINLY HAVE CHANGED MY PERCEPTION OF A HAIRY, PASTY, SOFT 41-YEAR OLD!!
....AND THAT WOULD BE A CHANGE FOR THE BETTER!!
GOOD LUCK....CAN'T WAIT TO SEE THE "AFTER" PIC.....
AND DON'T FORGET....I'LL BE VISITING GREENSBORO IN APRIL....I MAY NEED TO DO A R/T VISUAL INSPECTION!!
<WINK & GRIN>
BE WELL....
CRAIG
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That vacation picture--very nice. I just started working out with a very hot personal trainer and I finally coaxed him into giving me a shirtless picture that I keep for motivation on those days I don't want to leave--remind me of how well worth it is is to...uh workout.
I was just wondering--what are leg press hack squats?
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Hack squat machine:
(http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/2002/hacksquat1.jpg)
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Ford, you are in great shape and I am proud of you. I'm very sure you are going to get that body shape you want for the competition. It will not be that difficult from where you already are to the form your trainer wants. The diet change will make the difference. I'm with Paul in his support. ADELANTE! 8)
And do post that pic of the body all oiled up from the competition! ;)
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The bodybuilding saga continues...
I got another assessment from Damian, the guy who judges natural bodybuilding competitions, to advise me on my progress. Overall the experience was encouraging. The gym was very crowded and we had to do this is in a back hallway. I was just in shorts trying to pose and flex, which I recently started practicing. People gathered around to watch and I started to have that panic feeling. I quickly realized I had better get used to it for the competition and pretended the bystanders were not there. I just focused on flexing, which worked surprisingly well. It was still very embarrassing to have all my physical flaws and posing ineptitude announced publicly.
Damian had me do the mandatory poses and then pointed out what I was doing wrong and my strengths and weaknesses. He emphasized that bodybuilding is about creating the illusion of size, symmetry and definition. He said my chest, shoulders, back and arms look very good although I'm somewhat hollow chested and need to pull my shoulders back farther to compensate. My torso is long and he said I need to hold my hands higher when doing side poses to look thicker up top. My legs have improved (yea!) and look good from the front but my hamstrings are still somewhat flat and look relatively weak compared to my upper body when doing back poses. He said my biggest weakness at this point is my abdominals. He feels my body fat is low enough that my abs should be more distinct. He recommended doing heavily weighted abdominal exercises every other day to make them stand out. I know my waist will become more lean now that I am doing cardio again. He said "I look at you upper body and think 'great' I look at your lower body and think 'pretty good' then I look in the middle and think 'there's not much going on'". I so wanted to say "well let me take these shorts off and see if I can't change your mind!" ;)
He said I was very strong for a novice and should consider entering the open competition. In spite of his positive comments I still doubt my ability to compete. I look at other guys in the gym and they are much bigger then I am. I just keep telling myself "do the best with what you've got."
Has anyone else here participated in bodybuilding? I would really like to hear from anyone who is HIV+ and has done this.
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i've never had the balls to do the competition so please do it for yourself. your legs are in great shape which puts you years ahead of most novices who knows you may talk me into it. oh and slap the guy who told you, you were hollow chested, the top center of your pecs are coming along great.
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GO FOR IT, FORD! I'M WITH YOU!Forget about feeling insecure and dive into the competition no matter what turns up. Who knows, you might get somewhere you didn't expect to. I also get stage fright when I'm in front of more than 20 persons, but hey, after my PMMA facial treatment I now have to stand "in front" of 50 persons tomorrow and give a brief discussion about some work related things. I'm shitting bricks now, but I AM GOING TO DO IT no matter if I stutter which does happen when I get nervous. I'll just take a deep breath, smile and enjoy the atention! My motto now is, "Damn I look good!" ;D
Lol. And by the way, I'm pretty sure there "IS" something going on in the "middle" of your body! ;)
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I'm sure you will do great with your presentation. Good luck!
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WOW YOU LOOK GREAT...
ive somewhat hit a rut in the gym and cant get any more weight on the bench press or chest exercises....dont know what to do to change that (other than try to eat more i guess and maybe ill get stronger)....
but according to the "fat mearuring scale" it says im 15-17% bodyfat so i guess i need to do some more cardio also lol (although i swear the scale lies).....
What exercises do you do for chest.tricep (i think that was your combo) day?
-josh
(who wants to gain 10-15 more pounds without them being flab)
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Hey Ford:
I did get through the anouncements I made today at work. I got a little nervous, I did stutter just a little, and my mouth did go dry a lot (that was the worst, and I could have drank a gallon of Gatorade) but in spite of it all I made it through pretty good and got good vibes by the people. So now you do the same and just repeat-"Damn my body is HOT!" And show them what you've got stud!...and also show us fans here on this forum! :P
PS(Thanks for sharing this "training" experience with us. Keep us updated, please.)
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I think this is the photo he is referring to. Ford goes native in a $3 Brazillian bikini. I have tried the EAS shakes and they are good if a little pricey.
(http://static.flickr.com/108/313737228_2a46e4043d_o.jpg)
Damn Ford! I'd be grabbing for my camera if I saw you walking on the beach. :P You're incredibly sexy!
Jeff
(who'd love to see the rest of your pictures)
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So now you do the same and just repeat-"Damn my body is HOT!"
I think I'll take your advice, with an AbFab twist, and repeat "I am THIN and GORGEOUS!" :D
Very happy your presentation went well!
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What exercises do you do for chest.tricep (i think that was your combo) day?
-josh
(who wants to gain 10-15 more pounds without them being flab)
On chest/tricep day I am doing 3 sets of 6-10 reps of
flat dumbell press
inclined dumbell press
inclined dumbell fly
inclined machine fly
tricep pulley pulldowns
close grip barbell press
tricep machine
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you dont have the same veiny thing I had or the same lipo. Man, I fucked on this deal.
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Oh I have the veiny thing going on. It doesn't show well in that picture but depending on how dehydrated I am my legs look like a road map. I do think the lipo has slightly improved in my arms and legs since I switched meds 1 1/2 years ago.
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I think I'll take your advice, with an AbFab twist, and repeat "I am THIN and GORGEOUS!" :
Ha,ha! That's the spirit, dude!
And by the way, I also have those "road maps" especially on the inside of my thighs :-\. I don't even wear bathing suits unless they reach my knees. I do like the veins on my arms, though. I'm a nurse's delight when it's time to draw blood. She can find my main vein even with a blindfold on.
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What are you protein sources dude? If I eat one more steamed chicken breast or scrambled egg white I think I'm gonna barf! :P :-X :P :-X
Thanks for that hack squat pic. I thought I was the only one that made that face.
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... It is hands down the gayest thing I have ever put on, and that's saying a lot! The thought of being on a stage in this thing is giving me palpitations.
Funny, that thought is giving me palpitations too ;)
Congrats on the training, progress and the guts to compete. In my previous life I had a trainer and he pushed me to work out much harder than I ever did on my own. I wish I could afford it now. I've let myself go and haven't been to the gym since just after diagnosis. I know it would be good, but my energy level has been low lately.