breaking out of plateau

I think I am hitting plateau and my back isn't at 100% , so I can't really do any hard workouts.

I was at Kroger's picking up some toothpaste, and I picked up a copy of a MuscleMag.
It was MASS- Muscle Mag Anabolic Size & Strength special issue.

Hmmm... I never thought I would actually pick up a copy of fitness zine, but I did...

So, I was reading through it last night and found it pretty helpful or interesting at least.
It talked alot about breaking out of plateau and gaining more mass but smarter way.

it's divided into 12 phases of different styles of working out.

I'll start with Phase 1 - MASS APPEAL
this workout is split into three different workouts that cover all the major muscle groups.
Pull, Push, Legs
Pull - back, biceps, abs
Push - chest, shoulder, triceps
Legs - quads, glutes, hamstrings, calves
and on the rest days... I'll be doing cardio - maybe P90X plyometrics or I can just run. hmm

All right! as soon as my back gets 100% I'll be back in the gym following this routine

Injured...

I hurt my back.
no not the spine... but think I tore up some muscle on the right lat...
I can move my legs, arms, and neck no problem but it hurts so much to do anything...

gotta be careful! stretch! and warm up! until I start to sweat........
another lesson learned.
hopefully it'll get better in a few days.

walked in... and walked out

Finally sun came out today and melt all the snow and ice on the road.

I was very ready to go hit the gym since I couldn't do anything the day before!

on the way there, I had bad feeling about going in on a Saturday and... not just any Saturday,

but the Saturday after 4days of snowed in! hmmmm

well, I was right. 

I pulled in to the parking lot and couldn't find a parking spot... 

I was hoping people are just here to run on treadmill and what not.

As soon as I walked in to the gym, I had to get out.

OMG, I thought I was at a shopping mall during christmas season! 

the place was packed... I've never seen or been to a gym where I could not see an empty machine.

Everything was taken and people were there in groups.

What I really don't like is when people just sit on a bench... or on a machine, but not using it!

if you are done... then GO HOME! 

Well, good thing I have my lovely yet freezing garage to work out at.

came back home, walked into the garage... and turned on my portable heater

put on sauna suits and had a good workout!

and it's a bit embarrassing, but I took a clip of myself... well 

I am not THAT FAT anymore. still long~ way to go till I feel satisfied or accomplished. but 

day by day.. slowly... I'll get there!

Let's have fun!

and... one day...
I'll be like this guy

Happy Lunar New years!

Happy New Years!

It's going to be a great year! and as for one of my new year's resolution.
-get six packs for the first time in my life!
i'm trying to get there each day.

Adding more cardio to my workout routines.

Yesterday I focused on Shoulder / Back / abs(p90x ab ripper x)
and Today I did my Chest and Legs.

for my Chest I started off with
Flat Bench -> Incline dumbell press -> fly -> push ups -> Dips -> extra workouts
and again.
Flat Bench -> Incline dumbell press -> fly -> push ups -> Dips -> extra workouts

for my legs
Squats -> Leg extension  -> Leg Press ->  Calf
and again
Squats -> Leg extension  -> Leg Press ->  Calf

I feel so small and weak compared to all the beasts at the gym but I know my limits and don't want to push too hard without any workout partner...
don't want to embarrass myself again >_<

OMG....

I'm gaining weight...
a lot of weight... I weighted myself today and I was at 197...
I had burritos couple of times last week... Maybe that's what it is?
or... maybe I'm taking too much protein shakes??

So, I've been to the gym everyday since I had signed up again.
Chest -> Back -> Arms -> Legs -> Chest
I need to hit my shoulders and add more cardio to my routine...
New sauna suit came yesterday so much nicer than the $10 one I purchased from the Dick's
so if I keep on exercising with the new suit on... maybe I'll be able to drop some more FAT

I can feel I'm getting bigger or maybe I want to think I am...
can't really tell much difference from the photos...
I need to hit my tummy more also...

Next week - more shoulders/more cardio/and more abs!!

24 hr fitness

I signed up for 24hr fitness again...

it's my 4th time signing up after cancelling each time. But, this time I'm serious! 

Well, I was serious past times as well, but I will be pushing myself a little more now.

I walked into the gym and was very intimidated by those huge guys that were lifting heavy 'big boy' weights.

especially when I was working on my arms... since I can't do so much weight for my size. 

but who cares. I'm doing my weight without cheating 'bouncing my body'... I didn't know before, but I started to notice all these little things people are doing and I know that's not the best way to do things.

But at the same time, I'm learning new ways to do things too. pretty neat.

I have more choices on weights and more machines to use. 

It's been awhile since my body felt sore after working out. 

and I don't have to workout for 1.5hr or more anymore. I don't have to spend much time changing out the weights and moving things around to do things. I can just focus 45 mins on hitting the spot and leave. 

well

Let's see how I keep up with this!

SO COLD!!!

It's been very cold here in Dallas...
and the garage is not the best place to exercise at...
I do have a sweat suit I can put on to keep me warm,
but I get tired too quickly with it so I try not to use it as much.
Well... body temperature drops very quickly when I stop moving around
So I lose my focus....

Maybe it's time for me to start watch what I eat...
I've been eating whatever I wanted to and thought it will be fine because I am exercising regularly
but! my weight is not dropping and... i'm not getting any definition on my body.
I feel like I am getting bigger... I tell myself 'I'm on bulking phase' but I do want to see some changes.

there's only so much I can do at home gym... with limited equipments I have
hmmmm maybe I should get a gym membership... maybe...
I don't like working out with lots of people around me... I get very shy...
I won't be able to hit as much weight... too many bigger and stronger people
WHO CARES! they were small, too at one point! hahaha

Also, I need to change up my workout routines... I think I'm hitting plateau...
and perhaps a workout partner... Justin Matos... hahaha
you need to come up here and help me bro... I know you'll read this sometime...
forget about Cali and come to Big D. hahaha

Today was my arm day...
so here goes the in progress photo...

and one day... 

craving...

Dang it.

I hate this cravings I get... omg
haha
I love wings! oh my... those hot wings!
well....

I just gotta run a little more...

and this cold weather is not helping... BOOOOO

New Year

Happy New Year!!

it's year 2011... and I just turned 24
oh my how time flies...
It's been almost 6 months since I started to exercise and tried to get in better shape of my life.
I started at 235 lbs.... and now I'm down to 187lbs with 13% body fat
size 36 pants were too tight but now size 33 is lose.

there was time when I hated looking at myself in the mirror after taking a shower cuz I felt so ashamed of myself

there's one thing I really want to do this year...
that is to goto the beach and take off my shirt without feeling ashamed.
I don't remember the last time I went to the beach or swimming pool and felt comfortable taking off my shirt.
I mean, no one really care how I look, but I did...

anyhow. it feels good to be healthy!

right now, the hardest thing is to keep being motivated.
I love eating and I love food toooo much... wish I was one of those people who never gain any weight.
I gain weight just by drinking water... and everything goes to my butt...

Happy new year! and let's have a healthy and strong year!!!

been three months

So it's been three months since I've posted something up here.

A lot had happened in that three months... too much stuff to think about and digest...

So my exercising didn't go as I've originally planned... I didn't lose much body fat nor gotten much bigger

and I spent some weeks without doing regular workouts. I tried to throw in some sort of exercises daily

but there was too much junk in my head to focus on anything... welll that's just an excuse...

During month of November... I was very lazy and let myself go... didn't think about what I was eating

spent many days without exercising. and... my pants started to get tight again and my knees started to hurt again... OMG... I was very scared and thought about myself back in SF days... 235 lbs.... too heavy to do any physical activities... 

I couldn't let myself go back. I tried too hard to get down to this...