M3:D74 Hell yes!

 

What's on my mind today?

This guy walks up to me at 4:15 a.m. while I'm in the middle of a grueling Quad Blaster set. 

"Did you used to lift over at the Knott Avenue gym?" he inquires

"Yeah, that was about a year ago though.  I stopped going there because they never opened on time." I replied

"I thought it was you, but I honestly didn't recognize you." he replied

"I am the same person today as I was then, why wouldn't you recognize me?" I asked curiously

"Dude, you've lost a ton of weight and you've gained alot of muscle since I last saw you." he replied with enthusiasm

"Really?  You think I've lost alot of weight and gained mass?" I asked

"Hell yes!" he replied

At that point you struggle with what to say next.  This is a message for every single shredder out there who is doubting themselves as they start a program.  You don't get results overnight.  Sometimes you don't even really recognize your own results.  That's what the daily pictures are for.  If you are not taking daily photos you are cheating yourself.  Get to it today and don't miss a day ever.  People notice you.  They see what you are up to and they recognize the change that is taking place with your body.  You might not see it, but other people do and that's one reason to stick with it.

Is it possible to change and not notice it yourself?  Hell yes!  Should you be sticking with it regardless of your feelings about the changes in your body?  Hell yes!  Would it be tragic if you just gave up like alot of people?  Hell yes!

Keep repeating that over and over in your head—Hell yes! 

I get that we all have expectations for our own progress.  I get that we might not even come close to living up to those expectations at first, but I also get that consistent application of the healthy way of life is going to make an eventual difference.  Consistency and strong effort are the only ingredients that make up the successful transformation you are after.  Look, I will be the first to tell you that I'm not truly satisfied with my progress after 274 days.  I would have expected better results.  At the same time, I realize that I have had to experiment to find what works for me.  It has been a work in progress for the past 40 weeks of my life. 

So, if I measure success just on how I look in my pictures, I would have to say that I am not entirely pleased.  However, I have learned from my mentor that success is measured in alot of other ways.  You see I have had many things happen in the past 40 weeks that could have derailed me completely.  My life hasn't been simple.  I have had my ups and downs.  There have been some emotional times.  Through all of these I posted my blog daily and included my daily photo.  I shared some of what was going on with me and at times, when it was too emotional for me to share, I kept it to myself.  However, the journey I am on has been a successful one so far because my results don't just show in my physical appearance.  My mental toughness has developed throughout the past 40 weeks.  It is something I can carry with me as I go forward into other missions.  I've learned what I am truly capable of.

These are the things you need to learn to cherish.  You need to learn to give yourself credit for these things that happen in your life that you fight through.  You have to remember that when faced with difficulties you have a choice in how you handle them.  It goes back to asking the right questions and giving the right answers. 

Shredders, can you make a transformation if you stick to it consistently?  Hell yes!


Accountability
 
Find out what I'm doing to my body!

Today was another awesome workout.  I got in my deadlifts and my Quad Blaster workout.  I'm really feeling this workout routine I've been using.  At the same time, the ART I've been doing with the doctor has been giving me some unexpected movement benefits.  I am able to move with better alignment and on some exercises (deadlift being one) I can lift heavier weights due to the efficient movement of the muscles in my body.  I've also experienced less cramping in my legs, something that has been a problem for me for a long time.  The doctor also has me using a foam roller and that's an amazing thing as well.  I highly recommend it.
 
Exercise the brain with the Thought of the Day!

When you are faced with tough times in your life you have a choice to have it affect your workouts and nutrition or not.  Making the right choice isn't always easy, but once you develop the discipline it becomes easier and easier.
 
Get a discussion started by answering the question!

What choices have you been forced to make recently that can affect your workouts and nutrition in a negative way?  Comment this post to answer the question.
 
 
 

Mission 1, Day 74: Digging down deep

Until tomorrow...GET BACK TO LIFTING!

Posted by Michael Mahony at 7/25/2008 8:09 PM
Categories: Weightlifting Logs, Nutrition, Old Missions
 
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  • 7/26/2008 9:01 AM Andy wrote:
    Good job, Mike.
    Reply to this
  • 7/26/2008 2:37 PM Ron Guevara wrote:
    How inspiring, Michael. Your posts are always a dose of wisdom to help me in my own journey. And I'm sure it must have been very encouraging to get noticed for your progress!
    Reply to this
    1. 7/26/2008 7:46 PM Michael Mahony wrote:
      I'm glad you enjoyed the post.  I am in a new world these days.  I am seeing things much more clearly than ever before and I am enjoying sharing it with all of you.
      Reply to this
  • 7/26/2008 5:46 PM Juli wrote:
    Hey Michael,

    I think mostly my nutrition is effected by ma life-style or by the choices i "needed" to make in the last 3 weekes since I started to train here on a serious level.

    All the business-lunches, coffee-table-meetings, function-dinners.

    Eventually I learned to ask for the food I would like to eat or the way it should be prepared for me I would like to eat, which are better for my body and the mission I am following; which are better according to my plan.

    The only difficult things are the meetings with cream-cheese bagles: I "forbid" tehm in my office and try to find a way to avoid them at my client's places...maybe I should tell them I am "allergic" against them. .

    Enjoy your Sunday,

    Juli
    Reply to this
    1. 7/26/2008 7:47 PM Michael Mahony wrote:
      Juli, what you describe is so true.  I am going away on business Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.  The people I will be visiting like to eat so I will have to maintain my discipline.
      Reply to this
  • 7/26/2008 6:51 PM Mike Groom wrote:
    Mike, yes I think we've all grown in more ways than one. The physical change is what drove us to start, but there is definitely more than one side to our transformations.
    Reply to this
    1. 7/26/2008 7:47 PM Michael Mahony wrote:
      Mike, it is all about the growth, mate.
      Reply to this
  • 7/26/2008 7:29 PM Diane wrote:
    As always another wonderful read - liked that statement...taking life's lessons and learning and growing from them and passing it on...Can't wait to see your reveal at the end of this month. I think I'll wait and reveal on my b-day. Glad to know your calf is better.
    "Making the right choice isn't always easy, but once you develop the discipline it becomes easier and easier"
    Reply to this
    1. 7/26/2008 7:49 PM Michael Mahony wrote:
      Diane, the best decision I've made in the past two weeks was going in for ART treatments.  Now when I run I can feel how my body is working differently.   The mechanics have been improved.  Now if I can just master the Pose Running Technique I will be on my way.  When is your birthday?
      Reply to this
  • 7/26/2008 7:39 PM Mark Andrews wrote:
    Hi Michael

    Thanks so much for stopping by my blog so often, its a real booster to read yours and everyones comments. Loved your story about the guy who said you looked so different. Its great when people notice isn't it? When I did this body transformation the first time, even though back then I hadn't heard of the concept, I had a few people who hadn't seen me in a while mention, "Wow! You have lost so much weight." Sometimes I'd reply, touch my belly. "What belly! Its rock hard!!" Yeh its really encouraging and I have to admit, great for the ego.

    Take it easy in life, man! But rip it up and go insane in the gym Its a war zone.

    Hey, Michael, whats your email?

    Bye for now

    Regards

    Mark
    Reply to this
    1. 7/26/2008 7:51 PM Michael Mahony wrote:
      Mark, I have enjoyed reading your blog. I do my best to visit people on a regular basis because I know how much it has meant to me to have everyone's support, even now.  I will send you my email directly.  Thanks!
      Reply to this
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