Mission 2, Day 88: Total immersion
Total immersion is a complete state of mind. It involves every fiber of your being. It is exactly what it sounds like—totally immersing yourself in something. In this case it is the shredder lifestyle that I'm talking about.
To some it may seem to be an obssession, but to me it is total immersion in an idea. I have found that the more committed I am to something the better my results are at it. I have that type of personality. When I am interested in something, I read everything on the subject. I learn as much as I can. I immerse myself in the material. The subject itself becomes living and breathing to me. I become a mini-expert.
My body is no different. I know how hard I can push myself. I know what my limits are. I know the signs that my body gives off. It is all important to the process I am going through.
Lately I've been totally immersed in my nutrition plan. I'm now playing with what is the right amount of cardio for this plan. I am also messing with some spreadsheets that will help me use this plan for bulking later. To me, the key to all of this bulking talk is to do a "clean bulk." What's a "clean bulk" you ask? I'm so glad you asked that question! First, in order to do a bulk you have to eat alot of food. Alot of people bulk using whatever food they can muster up. However, in a clean bulk you attempt to keep your nutrition clean and under control, but you up the calories. I am experimenting with ideas on how I might use my current nutritional approach for a clean bulk situation and I think I've nailed it.
To me it is a great deal of fun to be immersed in something. I like this shredder lifestyle that I've developed and I don't plan on ever going back to my old way of life. I've found that my endurance, while it has a long way to go, is much better than it ever was before. My strength has improved tremendously. My mental attitude is sharpened. I have more motivation than ever before. And now I want all this to rub off on you.
Starting this weekend I'm going to be doing a podcast series on the topics I just mentioned—endurance, immersion, strength, mental attitude, motivation, bodybuilding and the shredder lifestyle. There will be a new podcast each week. I am also trying to figure out how to do a tips on lifting video podcast. I have to work out those details for the future.
If you want to get some great information, return this weekend for the new and improved Fat Burning Machine Podcast.
Accountability Log:
| Week Begins 4/27/2008 | |||||||
| Sun | Mon | Tues | Weds | Thurs | Fri | Sat | |
| Cycle spot | HC | LC | LC | LC | HC | LC | LC |
| M1 * | 5:30 a.m. | 3:30 a.m. | 3:30 a.m. | 3:30 a.m. | 3:30 a.m. | 3:30 a.m. | 5:30 a.m. |
| M2 * | 8:30 a.m. | 6:30 a.m. | 6:30 a.m. | 6:30 a.m. | 6:30 a.m. | 6:30 a.m. | 8:30 a.m. |
| M3 * | 11:30 a.m. | 9:30 a.m. | 9:30 a.m. | 9:30 a.m. | 9:30 a.m. | 9:30 a.m. | 11:30 a.m. |
| M4 * | 2:30 p.m. | 12:30 p.m. | 12:30 p.m. | 12:30 p.m. | 12:30 p.m. | 12:30 p.m. | 2:30 p.m. |
| M5 * | 5:30 p.m. | 3:30 p.m. | 3:30 p.m. | 3:30 p.m. | 3:30 p.m. | 3:30 p.m. | 5:30 p.m. |
| M6 * | 7:30 p.m. | 6:30 p.m. | 6:30 p.m. | 6:30 p.m. | 6:30 p.m. | 6:30 p.m. | 7:30 p.m. |
| Weights * | N/A | Lift | Lift | N/A | Lift | Lift | N/A |
| Cardio * | N/A | N/A | PM | AM | PM | N/A | AM |
| Abs * | N/A | FYA | FYA | N/A | FYA | FYA | N/A |
| Water * | 264 oz | 264 oz | 240 oz | 264 oz | |||
| Post-workout nutrition * | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Pre-sleep nutrition * | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Vitamins/Supplements * | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Accountability * | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Cals within 5% (+/-) * | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Target Cals | 3000 | 3000 | 3000 | 3000 | 3000 | 3000 | |
| Cals | |||||||
| Ratios (C/P/F) | 10/70/20 | 10/70/20 | 30/50/20 | 10/70/20 | |||
| Target Ratios (C/P/F) | 10/60/30 | 10/60/30 | 10/60/30 | 60/30/10 | 10/60/30 | 10/60/30 | 10/60/30 |
| Total Completed | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | |||
| Total Possible | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | |||
| Mission 2 Total Complete | 1234 | 1249 | 1264 | 1279 | 1279 | 1279 | 1279 |
| Mission 2 Total Possible | 1260 | 1275 | 1290 | 1305 | 1305 | 1305 | 1305 |
| * = Counts towards total | |||||||
| Success! | |||||||
| Failed | |||||||
| Not Counted! | |||||||
Nutrition Log:
Workout Log:
PACE cardio on elipptical machine for 24 minutes
Thought for the Day:
If you're going to do something, go all the way. Never give up half way to the finish line.
Until tomorrow...GET BACK TO LIFTING!
Posted by Michael Mahony at 4/30/2008 8:02 PM 
Categories: Nutrition, Nutritional Experiment, Old Missions
Categories: Nutrition, Nutritional Experiment, Old Missions
Will be back for the podcast for sure. Loved all the other ones you did!
Lynda
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I hope you enjoy the new one I'm working on now.
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Mate I'm really looking forward to hearing those podcasts. Thanks for your support over my recent changes in plan, I really appreciate it.
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Mike, you know what's best for you. I am here to support you 100%. You've been a great friend to me and I appreciate all the hard work you are putting in. Shred hard!
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I think it's great that your mental clarity is improved despite your low carb eating! Keep up the great work.
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I feel I am eating just the right amount of carbs to stay alert and strong, but still burning fat.
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Hey Mike sorry I haven't commented in a while, just wanted to say you are looking great and I am looking forward to SC 2.0 with all of us together. Looking forward to the podcast - I personally have problems with the "immersion" thing - I have ADD about projects. Great at starting things, horrible at finishing. I made a list the other day just to get things off my mind and there were over 175 unfinished things I have. YUCK! Shredding for 200 days has been certainly my best effort at sticking with something (besides my marriage)
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I have ADHD about everything, so I get what you are saying. The Mastermind Group I have in mind is going to help you with that because we are going to push you! Thanks for the very sweet comment.
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Hey Michael,
So much information on one blog it's great. Glad to see you are still going strong. You are looking much leaner now. I will tune back in for your podcast over the weekend.
Take care,
Andrew
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Thanks for the great comment. Glad to see your name back in my comments! Shred hard!
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I like the positive way the concept of "total immersion" manifests itself in your life. That's really cool. Self knowledge really is the key. If anybody reading this post has addictive tendencies, a genetic psychological predispositions to obsessive behavior, manic depression, eating disorders, substance abuse, or a history of mental health issues etc. ... PLEASE NOTE keywords that Michael is using "I know what my limits are" and "fun." There are people in the world (and by people I mean LIKE ME haha)that total immersion is best not rubbed off on. If it's not "fun" and you suddenly feel like you don't know your limits (or feel like you have no limits) maybe MODERATION is your path to health.
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Christy, thanks for adding this disclaimer to my post. I will say this: I was diagnosed a long time ago with ADHD and I also have the tendency to get obssessive about the things I enjoy. However, you are right. I am aware of my limits (having ADHD and learning to cope with it teaches you that) and I don't exceed them. I am also having a great time with all of this. I believe those two things are very important--knowing your limits and having fun. Thanks for a great comment.
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