Burning Commentary:

Today was a body weight training day.  The idea behind my current 4 week workout system is to work the stabilizers so that when  I start to go extra heavy in an effort to gain mass I will have a good stabilizer system in place.  Being the thinker that I am, I started to think about the approach mentioned above and it led me to some interesting thoughts about transformation.

You have to be motivated, that part is obvious.  Focus is also essential.  However, stability is yet another factor that goes into it all.  As I mentioned in M311 Going for it there are people who bounce from one idea to another in an effort to chase success after their transformation.  Stability approaches this very issue.

You need to remain stable in your approach.  Things don't change overnight.  It took a long time to get out of shape and it will likely take a long time to get back into shape.  Yes, we all hear of these fabulous transformations that happen very quickly, but I think there are several stories here that are not told. 

How long before embarking on the "miraculous" 12 week transformation had these people been trying to achieve that level of physique transformation?  For example, if I were to suddenly declare that I've entered a 12 week physique transformation contest and just nail everything and come out with a completely shredded physique 12 weeks from now and won the contest, what would my before and after picture be telling people?  I think it would tell them that all they need to do is focus for 12 weeks and they could get to where I am.  However, the reality is that I've spent almost a year learning what works and doesn't work for me.  I've learned by making mistakes.  I've learned by having small successes.  I think I could accomplish a major change in 12 weeks time (and I plan to), but is it realistic to present it as a 12 week only physique transformation?  I don't think so.  This is one of the things I admire about Adam (Adam: RTP Blog 2), he admits that he has tried at this before and failed.  He doesn't make it sound like he just worked hard for 12 weeks and had an instant transformation.

The bottomline in my commentary above is that you need stability before you embark on such a transformation.  My good friend, Mike Groom (Mike: Aussie Body Builder) has admitted that he feels he spent too much time jumping around and not enough time sticking to his plan.  He learned from those mistakes and has been making tremendous progress.  He now has the stability it takes to get the job done. 

Haven't you ever wondered these things when viewing these amazing transformations? 

Burning Accountability Log:

Week Begins 5/18/2008
	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	N/A	LIFT
Cardio *	AM	N/A	N/A	AM	N/A	AM	AM
Abs *	N/A	FYA	FYA	N/A	FYA	FYA	N/A
Water *	264 oz	240 oz	240 oz	240 oz	240 oz	264 oz	240 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	3400	3400	3000	2400	2700	3400	3800
Cals	3255	3319	2971	2410	2610	3315	3745
Ratios (C/P/F)	30/50/20	30/50/20	20/60/20	10/70/20	20/60/20	40/40/20	40/40/20
Target Ratios (C/P/F)	30/50/20	30/50/20	20/60/20	10/70/20	20/60/20	40/40/20	40/40/20
Total Completed	15	15	15	15	15	15	15
Total Possible	15	15	15	15	15	15	15
Mission 2 Total Complete	15	30	45	60	75	90	105
Mission 2 Total Possible	15	30	45	60	75	90	105
* = Counts towards total
Success!
Failed
Not Counted!

Burning Workout Log:

This was another body weight circuit.  These are really cardio and weight workout all wrapped up into one workout because the resistance is good and the cardio effect is incredible.  I completed 3 circuits and was completely out of gas at the end of that workout.


This is my current workout routine. For more information, click the image above.


This is my current abdominal training routine. For more information, click the image above.

Burning Thought for the Day:

Take time to understand your body and listen to the things it is telling you.

Burning Question of the Day:

What are your thoughts on all the 12 week transformation stories we see on the internet?  Comment this blog to answer the question.

Mission 1, Day 12: Does anyone else care?

Until tomorrow...GET BACK TO LIFTING!