The more selfies I am subjected to, the less inclined I am to bombard you with yet another comparison pic, sneaky muscle pic, shaded 6-pack ab shot, pumped up back/bicep/quad pose and any other general photo I might take when I'm feeling super dooper amazing either first thing in the morning or mid-workout. So you have to do without pics for my blurbs. You'll just have to trust me that I'm still recognisable - not much has changed other than a great haircut and some low-light colours. I realise I'll miss out on fifty "You look FABULOUS" comments without a photo ... but I"ll cope. So on to the important stuff!
I decided to do something different. Something really different. But here's the thing - I'm not actually sure I can fail. I'm not sure anyone can fail. If they do what they do to their best ability.
You see, I've researched and read and listened and watched for months and months and months. I don't listen to music while I'm training anymore - I listen to podcasts. Old school training podcasts that are highly entertaining and tackle any and every subject that is pertinent to bodybuilders, powerlifters and fitness enthusiasts. I love listening to these guys chat about what has worked well and what hasn't. But I came to this conclusion (with their immense help) - there are no new methods of training. Whatever you can think of, it's already been done before. Whatever combination you put together, it's been put together before. Whatever fancy name you give to your training system, it's just a rehash of one that's been designed in a previous life. We are just finding subtle ways to build enthusiasm and brilliant marketing methods to generate money.
And that leads me to believe that they all work. They all work in their own little way. Every method has reported pros and reported cons. Every single training method has a celebrity name that will endorse it, and a celebrity who will diss it. In my humble opinion, not one method corners the market on being the sole or 'best' way of achieving results. Because different techniques work for different people at different times.
So this was my time to try something very new for me. My time to give a go at developing, implementing and comitting myself to a program specifically designed by me, for me. I was so excited while writing it and would scribble over my whiteboard and bore Rob for hours on end as I made my plans. It changed as I learnt more, and the tweaks have happened as some parts immediately worked and others did not. In essence, here is what I came up with;
* I picked four body parts that I thought were constantly lagging behind the others. Not to say the other muscle groups were anywhere near perfect, but I have glutes, quads, lats and shoulders that need a definite boost.
* I decided to hit them twice a week. One volume set and one heavy set.
* I grouped them specifically and, on heavy day, round it off with a metabollic finisher - just for shits and giggles. Actually - I retract. It's not for shits & giggles - it's a method that is used widely and there is a touted rhyme and reason for it. Otherwise I wouldn't do it.
* I only train four times a week with weights - 45m-60m. On the fifth day, if I so feel like it, I complete a heavy session with chest, bi's and tri's. Two exercises for each and to the heaviest I can possibly manage.
* I do 2 x 25m HIITS per week. One is running based, one is weights based.
* For nutrition I was adamant that comp prep was well and truly over. I eat carbs with just about every meal and most days that includes; oats, yoghurt, wraps, rice or bread along with any and every meat. I have bigger meals and only 4 a day.
It's been 6 weeks now and the results so far are;
* Really noticeable changes in the glutes. No mistaking that. I can see it, I can feel it, and my husband is graciously keeping tabs on it.
* I think the other muscle groups are coming along nicely. Rob and I reckon there are some visible lat changes. But it's a little too early to make too much of a call.
* I feel really happy with my program. I feel a freedom to modify as I need to on the day. I haven't ever strayed from the program before and I can definintely see how my stubborness to a program can be to my own detriment because I"ll doggedly carry on even when my gut instinct tells me that a particular method/exercise/system isn't working for me. I'm not doing that anymore. I'm changing what clearly doesn't work for me (let's face it - we all have exercises that we try to master and, for the love of god, we cannot 'get' it! I give it my all and research as much as I can - and then if I don't 'get' it, I change it).
* Food wise, I simply have not felt so free for years. I could rave on but I won't. I love having a full tummy. I haven't 'blown out'. And I think I'm still fairly lean so can continue to up my cals, which is always great news for a 'foodie'. I eat less vegies and salad, more everyday food meals, and my family are more than happy that I'm back at the table with them. And I've renewed my love for the odd Sav Blanc!
I have 3 more weeks left on this program and I'm already formulating my next move. Out comes the whiteboard... the scribbles are starting ... and the game of chess continues!
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