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Motivation

Wayne Gray

Entry posted by Wayne Gray in Blog

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Warning: I'm about to geek out over working out. Move on if you aren't interested. LOL
 
I've got the habit now. Getting up early, going to the gym, and getting that handled 4-5 days a week is now something I just do. I used to be extrinsically motivated by results. I needed to SEE changes to keep doing what I needed to do. But I'm past that. It's just something I do (which helps with consistency).
 
But after using a new workout system called "Average to Jacked" for two months, I've begun noticing changes.
 
The scale hasn't really budged. That used to be my big measure of success, but my body seems incredibly adept at holding onto mass. Yet I have noticed other things.
 
Clothes are fitting better. More room in the waist, less room across the chest in my shirts, tighter pants across my quads, and tighter sleeves on my arms. I could take measurements, as I have my starting ones, but I've yet to do so. It hasn't felt necessary, since I don't need it to keep going. I'm intrinsically motivated now after years of working out, so I don't need external validation.
 
But I got it today. And I admit, it felt really good.
 
Wednesdays are "bonus" days for me. I hit all of the oddball muscle groups I don't focus on during the rest of the week, and one of those is the traps (trapezius). And my exercise of choice for those is shrugs. I've slowly worked up the row of Dumbbells until I'm at the end of the rack at 75lbs. And today, I picked them up and glanced at the mirror right in front of me.
 
And ... I looked like someone who actually works out. There was no doubt. Big arms. Bulging shoulders. Tight traps and chest. Firm core. Even through my clothes, I could see it. Yeah, I know it was under a load, and that isn't how I look all the time. But it was still all me.
 
For the previous few years, I had never noticed changes like this before. I really think this new system pushed me beyond my limits, especially in my upper body. One of the weird things it recommends is to get as many reps as possible in the first set of every exercise. And I feel that pushing to failure (or very close) on that first set is what makes the rep/set scheme different and worthwhile. It makes me adapt in ways I've never had to before.
 
I'm excited by what I've seen today. It feels good to see a reward for hard work. Finally.
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kbois

kbois 126,534
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Keep it up Wayne. Its wonderful that you've made it to that sweet spot where you're doing this because you want to, not because you have to. 

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Wayne Gray

Wayne Gray 51,069
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Posted

Just now, kbois said:

Keep it up Wayne. Its wonderful that you've made it to that sweet spot where you're doing this because you want to, not because you have to. 

Thanks! I started because I had to. Dad died at 61 from a massive heartattack. That woke me up. But now? Now I just go. It's like making coffee now, a part of my morning. It makes it easy to do.

But looking in the mirror and seeing someone "kinda hot" was great. LOL

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kbois

kbois 126,534
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1 minute ago, Wayne Gray said:

Thanks! I started because I had to. Dad died at 61 from a massive heartattack. That woke me up. But now? Now I just go. It's like making coffee now, a part of my morning. It makes it easy to do.

But looking in the mirror and seeing someone "kinda hot" was great. LOL

I can appreciate "kinda hot". Feel free to send me sone pics lol

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Mikiesboy

Mikiesboy 152,483
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i'm kinda hot too, but only cuz i was outside shovelling yet more snow.. lol

Congrats on looking hotter and being happy. xo

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Wayne Gray

Wayne Gray 51,069
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8 minutes ago, Mikiesboy said:

i'm kinda hot too, but only cuz i was outside shovelling yet more snow.. lol

Congrats on looking hotter and being happy. xo

Thanks, tim.

It really does feel good when we can see that our work is ... well, working. I've spent a long time trying to improve myself physically, and I'm finally seeing the results of that. Further to go. But that just means there's another goal down the road.

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Cane23

Cane23 27,397
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1 hour ago, Wayne Gray said:

Thanks! I started because I had to. Dad died at 61 from a massive heartattack. That woke me up.

Mine died at 57 from the same cause. I’m not really a gym person - swimming is my poison.

By the way, what about diet - do you follow any strict rules when it comes to food?

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Wayne Gray

Wayne Gray 51,069
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13 minutes ago, Cane23 said:

Mine died at 57 from the same cause. I’m not really a gym person - swimming is my poison.

By the way, what about diet - do you follow any strict rules when it comes to food?

Swimming will absolutely get it done. Good for you.

In terms of diet, I've found my body slows waaaaay down if I limit calories as much as I'm "supposed" to. I can win that game, eventually, but I must also stop playing it if I am interested in progressing in my workouts. I never get used to reduced calories. I'm always miserable and lethargic. It's just not worth it.

Mostly, I eat pretty well. I'd say about 80-90% of my diet is, overall, good stuff. My weaknesses are cheese, bacon, and bread. But I'm also pretty good at avoiding those when I try.

As an example: today I've had some protein fortified yogurt with walnuts for breakfast. For lunch I had beans made with a single slice of bacon, with added protein from bone broth. A snack of an English muffin, with natural peanut butter and an apple. Dinner will be something my husband makes with the chicken breasts thawing on the counter, along with a salad. And that's pretty typical for me.

I get about 2100-2200 calories a day on average. I burn about 400-500 every morning during my workout. I SHOULD be losing weight. But I don't.

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MichaelS36

MichaelS36 26,886
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Posted

That all sounds good, Wayne. I'm glad you're getting some results!

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Wayne Gray

Wayne Gray 51,069
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7 minutes ago, MichaelS36 said:

That all sounds good, Wayne. I'm glad you're getting some results!

Thank you, Mike. It feels good. Even if the scale isn't cooperating right now, that's all right. Eventually, with enough muscle on my frame, my body won't have a choice but to burn more fat. It's just physics at that point.

But I'm enjoying the process, and the "now" more than I ever have. That alone is great.

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MichaelS36

MichaelS36 26,886
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18 hours ago, Wayne Gray said:

Thank you, Mike. It feels good. Even if the scale isn't cooperating right now, that's all right. Eventually, with enough muscle on my frame, my body won't have a choice but to burn more fat. It's just physics at that point.

But I'm enjoying the process, and the "now" more than I ever have. That alone is great.

Remember, you're more than a number on a scale. I'd recommend shoving that under the bed, and continue to take your measurements. Does your gym offer body fat measurements? If so, and if you feel you can handle that mentally (lots of people struggle with it) maybe have them measure it for you and then again in 6 months. 

Whatever you choose, all that you're doing is good. Keep it up. 

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