tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91628587871111632482024-02-07T08:19:26.974-05:00Massive MarcusMassive Marcushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07251956628309252582noreply@blogger.comBlogger69125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9162858787111163248.post-19262445043051213802010-08-10T16:53:00.004-04:002010-08-10T17:47:32.707-04:00Finding my inner ManiacHad a good... a very good day yesterday! Even though my weigh in says I am up 1 whole pound from the previous week before.<br /><br />So what made yesterday so good? I'll tell you. It's because I had not one but two great workouts yesterday! I started my day with a solid 45 minute bike ride. Felt real good, no back pain issues, good pace, pouring sweat, just what I needed! Beyond the physical benefits of riding the bike this particular ride was mentally cleansing in a way. That post riding "glow" of satisfaction when you get off the bike and know that you've done something really good for yourself..... I was really missing that. <br /><br />After my morning ride and shower and breakfast I went to work. Feeling good from my morning workout I had a nice little spring in my step, was very productive and the best part : I had no issues with my back! I didn't even think about it for most of the day as opposed to a few weeks ago being aware 24/7 and moving differently/slowly/carefully all the time. Great news!<br /><br />So after work I went home, took a nap. When I woke up still feeling good I went to the gym and lifted weights for my chest and back. I was being careful not to put my back in a bad position where it was unsupported but I also didn't go easy on myself. I lifted heavy weights and pushed hard. Each time I did a set of weights and got through it pain free I was getting more and more mentally pumped. At some point I had to reign myself in because my inner maniac started to show up. That voice that in my head that says " You are an unstoppable machine.... Let's do so more weight..... Let's do some MORE WEIGHT.... MORE! HARDER! GRRRRRR!<br /><br />I had to tell the maniac to shut up. I kind of felt like Bruce Banner fighting not to lose control and turn into the incredible hulk. My eyes started to turn green but I kept the beast at bay. But I'm not going to hold him back for long. I'm going to unleash that beast soon and when i do people better get out of his path of destruction. The maniac is hungry and frothing at the mouth, pacing back and forth like a caged animal just waiting for his opportunity. Driven, motivated, he will stop at nothing. He cant be reasoned with, he doesnt feel pity, remorse or pain.<br /><br />For now he is locked up in my minds cage but I've got the key in the lock and I'm about to fucking turn it!<br /><br />MMM (Maniacaly Massive Marcus)Massive Marcushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07251956628309252582noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9162858787111163248.post-60090216192092675822010-08-06T00:04:00.002-04:002010-08-06T00:38:04.961-04:00On the mendsHello everyone<br /><br />I feel like I am getting stronger by the day! I think the only thing that is holding me back from cranking the intensity level up on a workout is the fear of re-injury from doing too much too soon. The doc says I can do whatever I can handle pain wise except for contact sports. In reality there really is no more pain, just a faint soreness. My doctor seems overly impressed with my progress and just tells me to keep moving. <br /><br />I am so lucky to feel the way I do right now. I'm not 100% but I feel close to 90%! <br /><br />I've started to ride the bike with a little more gusto lately! In this short hiatus from working out I can tell I've lost some of my stamina that I worked so hard to build up. I just can't go as hard for as long, but I'm sure that will change soon enough as I keep at it. I think back to March and I could only ride the bike for a whopping 5 minutes. Today I'm disappointed to stop at 30 minutes. <br /><br />My new goal is to get back to that 60 minute, calorie furnace, unstoppable calorie terminating biking machine workout level!<br /><br />I have been taking it pretty easy lately. Spent 5 days at a friends cottage way way up north in the wild! Cards, drinks, friends, campfires, swimming in a lake, multiple daily naps,....... Does it get any better than that? The one problem is all that food and drink when you are trying to lose weight. Oh well, I was on vacation.<br /><br />There is some kind of connection between working out and eating healthy. It seemed very easy to turn down unhealthy choices when I had put forth so much effort at physical exercise, but once I stopped working out they seemed harder to resist.<br /><br />Really don't know what to expect on this Mondays weigh in which will be a two week weigh in. Physically activity and nutrition was not where it should be. Probably will see a gain, just how much is the question.<br /><br />I've decided that I will rest up this weekend as much as possible because on Monday I'm going to flip this weight loss switch back into the "on" position. On Monday I unleash the beast within. On Monday I'm going to be driven, intense and unstoppable!<br /><br />Get primal people!<br /><br />MMMassive Marcushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07251956628309252582noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9162858787111163248.post-43017749317196803672010-08-04T19:41:00.002-04:002010-08-04T19:47:33.968-04:00Where is MarcusIn case any one is wondering why I haven't been posting. ...... It because I'm on vacation!<br /><br />Spent some time at a friends cottage without any access to the outside world. Just the kind of unwinding, relaxing time I needed. <br /><br />Back to work tomorrow. <br /><br />Details to follow.... Now I need some rest. <br /><br />MMMassive Marcushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07251956628309252582noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9162858787111163248.post-45222081000828260072010-07-27T17:00:00.002-04:002010-07-27T17:12:01.618-04:00NothingThats the difference in my weight from last week to this week.<br /><br />Whew.. It's nice to at least stop the bleeding.<br /><br />I have been back to work for 2 days now. Yesterday I was so tired when I was done I couldn't keep my eyes open, today is the same. I have gotten through the work days with a little discomfort but my back is totally getting better, I can feel that it is.<br /><br />The Doc has me back to work with a note saying that I am on a trial, if I experience trouble performing my duties he will mandate more rest for me. After these first 2 days I'm sure I should be fine to stay working.<br /><br />I just got to get through this week and then Ill have three days off with a long weekend to rest. <br /><br />I am dying to workout with more intensity, but I'm just not there yet.<br /><br />Keep pushing on<br /><br />MMMassive Marcushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07251956628309252582noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9162858787111163248.post-70689285655261857052010-07-24T21:26:00.003-04:002010-07-24T21:44:37.699-04:00Getting back into the Swing of thingsI played golf for the first time today since the car accident. I started out pretty bad. I'm swinging a lot easier and slower then pre accident so my tempo and timing were a little off. <br /><br />My first shot went about 20 feet and never got off the ground, the second shot did the same thing. Not a good start but my back was holding up and I was just glad to be outside with some good friends. I ended up with a quadruple bogey on the par 4 1st hole. YIKES!<br /><br />However, I made it up for it with back to back birdies on the 2nd and 3rd holes! Now that felt really good and lifted my spirits way up! Both holes I played beautifully. I finished the front 9 with a 40 ( 5 over par ) 2 birdies, 3 pars , 3 bogeys and a quadruple bogey.<br /><br />On a couple of shots, when I tried to swing a little harder, I got a little reminder of my back pain, but it wasn't crippling and disappeared as quickly as it came.<br /><br />When I got done the 9 holes I felt like I could go and play the back nine as well but I talked myself into quitting at that point. I don't want to push to hard.<br /><br />So I live to play another day!<br /><br />MMMassive Marcushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07251956628309252582noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9162858787111163248.post-50630279970087213732010-07-24T03:08:00.002-04:002010-07-24T03:35:44.216-04:00Baby StepsIt's one small step for man, one MASSIVE leap for Marcus.... All right that doesn't make any sense but not much has recently.<br /><br />So my back pain continues to persist but its slowly getting duller and isn't an every waking moment nightmare that it was previously... THANK YOU LORD!. I was wondering if maybe I was just getting used to the pain but no, it is definitely lessening. It's happening at a snails crawl but it is getting better.<br /><br />Today I rode my bike for about 25 minutes with a little discomfort but it wasn't terrible. Nice to be back in the saddle and break a sweat for sure. It was just a very relaxed pace but pedaling is pedaling is pedaling and thats better than laying on the couch and looking at the stationary bike and feeling sad.<br /><br />I've started going to the gym again too. Not lifting any free weights but just using some of the machines that support my back. It seems to be helping with my overall recovery. I'm glad I have this membership now because I have access to all this helpful stuff.<br /><br />My latest visit to the doctor this afternoon went well. He is impressed with my progress and actually told me that I should play golf! WHAT??? I had to do a double take on that one. He says he wants me to keep moving it and the golf swing is a good way to do it. He cautioned me not to swing hard, to just be smooth and relaxed, and if there is any sharp pains to stop. Soooooo guess what I'm doing tomorrow! GOLFING! Actually I'm kind of scared as to what will happen. I pulled out a couple of clubs and took some easy practice swings in the back yard, maybe 10 swings total, I had no problems or discomfort while swinging, but my back did feel like it was starting to tighten up a bit afterwards. Most likely I think it's because I'm using muscles that I haven't used in a while. So tomorrow I'm just going to take it real easy, maybe just 9 holes or less.<br /><br />I'll be going back to work on Monday! I'm actually looking forward to getting back to work again. Work puts me on a schedule which will help me get a routine going again.<br /><br />I'll let you guys know how the back holds up during this golfing experiment.<br /><br />Keep swinging people!<br /><br />MMMassive Marcushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07251956628309252582noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9162858787111163248.post-9284064621005677902010-07-19T00:53:00.002-04:002010-07-19T01:20:19.707-04:00Going the wrong wayThat's what the scale is doing... Going the wrong way....<br /><br />I've gained weight in back to back weeks now. What can I do? I'm sure most of it is just water but it's killing me to see these numbers going up instead of down. I am up 4 more pounds this week. Since hurting my back I've gained 7 pounds over the last 2 weigh ins.<br /><br />Now for some good news. When I woke up Sunday morning my back didn't hurt at all! I have had pain 24/7 until this moment. I lay there in my bed cautiously optimistic, slowly I slid out of bed and stood up.... No pain! I walked around the house in complete amazement, walked up and down the stairs.... No pain! My happiness was matched by my confusion, how could this be?<br /><br />I didn't push my luck and try anything crazy, I was just happy to be able to move without pain. After about an hour the pain slowly crept back until my back felt just as bad as it did yesterday. While it sucks that the pain didn't stay away I am so happy for one big reason. Because the pain went away for a short time I now know that my injury is getting better and that there is a good possibility of a future without a back pain issue. That is something that has bothered me a lot over the last couple of weeks, thinking that I might have to live with the pain indefinitely.<br /><br />For now I'm just hoping to feel that blissful freedom again tomorrow morning.<br /><br />MMMassive Marcushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07251956628309252582noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9162858787111163248.post-54919784868135909572010-07-15T10:05:00.002-04:002010-07-15T10:27:15.362-04:00Went for a walkWalked about 2km this morning. It is a start. Still experiencing pain but I could tolerate it for a very slow paced 30 minute walk. Pain pill prescription ran out yesterday so I'm going to try things out without them for a while. I've always been of that mindset that if I'm having a pain I want to feel it and know where its coming from and what movement is causing it. Plus the possible side effects aren't worth what seems like just a slight dulling of the pain. Bleeding stomach.... Um.. No thank you.<br /><br />It felt good to get outside and move but still frustrating having to go at such a slow pace and all the while my back is talking to me as each foot steps down.<br /><br />So I guess I will monitor if the walking is helping or hurting or doing nothing for my back pain and proceed accordingly. I've started doing a lot of stretching which I think is helping a little bit. I think getting the blood flowing through that injured area, which I believe is the muscles and pain receptors/nerves around my lower back, is helpful to getting things healed up quicker.<br /><br />The doc says I have to keep moving it so that's what I'm trying to do.<br /><br />MMMassive Marcushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07251956628309252582noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9162858787111163248.post-67475053105669426902010-07-12T22:24:00.002-04:002010-07-12T23:03:15.639-04:00Monday Weigh in and a full nights sleep!I finally got a full nights sleep in. Actually it was a lot more than a full night as I was in dreamland for a solid 11 hours. Man did I need that. Physically my back still hurts but mentally I am feeling much better.<br /><br />Well it wasn't at all unexpected but for the first time since I started this blog I have a weight gain instead of a loss. Food wise I was good, but exercise and sleep were non existent this week. To top it all off one of the side effects for the pain killers I've been prescribed is weight gain. Hey thats just "GREAT.." (Yes, that was some Massive Marcus Sarcasm)<br /><br />So I am UP 3 pounds this week. I do not like seeing that scale go the other way erasing some of the hard work that I've put in. What can I do except try to get better? <br /><br />I don't like being at home like this. I look at my bike and wish that I could ride it. I went to the movies the other night with some friends just to get out of the house but I was uncomfortable in my seat and it ruined the movie for me. Remember how much I love golf? I've got all this time off work but I can't get out on the course. The golf swing is probably the worst thing I could do right now with my back. ARRRGGGHHHHH!!!!!<br /><br />It's barely been a week so I have to be patient like my doctor says.<br /><br />Keep on pursuing your goals my fellow bloggers.<br /><br />MMMassive Marcushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07251956628309252582noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9162858787111163248.post-90455991026015512912010-07-10T23:07:00.002-04:002010-07-10T23:37:17.610-04:00It only hurts when I BreatheToo bad I have to keep breathing. I'm not going to sugar coat it... This really really sucks. It is so frustrating. I can't do any movement without having pain in my lower back. I had to drive to the doctors office and then to the pharmacy this week, very painful to drive. Every bump, curb, twisting to check blind spots, even just steering brings the pain.<br /><br />Still haven't slept well since the accident. I sleep a couple of hours and then am awake for a couple and then sleep for a couple. I am totally off kilter.<br /><br />According to my doc the best thing I can do is to keep moving but obviously not do high impact stuff. He told me to do as much as I could tolerate pain wise. I tried riding my bike today, I couldn't even stay on it for 5 minutes. Just the reaching for the handle bars is too much.<br /><br />So I've been taking lots of hot baths and watching tv and trying to get some sleep. It's nice to be off work but not like this.<br /><br />One thing my doctor said to me is that my ability to recover will be much better then if I hadn't started losing weight and becoming much healhtier. Which I have to believe is true. If I was still almost 330 pounds with this back pain... Yikes!<br /><br />MMMassive Marcushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07251956628309252582noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9162858787111163248.post-55466910044437246902010-07-08T10:05:00.002-04:002010-07-08T10:42:23.816-04:00Absolute Disaster... Why Me?Bad news, on Tuesday night I was in a pretty bad car accident. The car I was in was T-boned by a pick-up truck and I snapped violently one way as the car was sent in the opposite direction. I was wearing my seatbelt but that does little for you when the impact is from the side. <br /><br />At first I felt nothing, I think I was in shock. Then my neck and back started to hurt, I was taken away from the scene on a back board and a neck restraint thing because the paradmedics were worried that I had broken my neck and or back. After spending 4 hours in the hospital it was determined that my back and neck were not broken (thank God)<br /><br />I still have a lot of pain and discomfort in my neck and back. The only time it does not hurt is if I lay down with my knees bent and stay completely still. This sucks.I am unable to work or exercise and I am taking pain killers....<br /><br />I can't believe this is happening to me, it's not fair.<br /><br />My doctor says this could take a long while to heal. my lower back... I need to go lay down.Massive Marcushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07251956628309252582noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9162858787111163248.post-16200468233484930222010-07-05T18:47:00.002-04:002010-07-05T19:11:57.764-04:00Another Monday weigh in!Things are all humming along nicely. I am very happy with myself and what I've been able to accomplish up to this point. This weeks weight loss is 3 pounds.<br /><br />66 pounds total weight loss so far! Amazing!<br /><br />My routine is actually feeling very routine now if you know what I mean. The other day circumstances occurred that forced me to miss a work out. No big deal, life happens, but I could feel my body kinda of talking to me like " hey, I'm ready... Isn't this when we workout?... Let's go already....." <br /><br />Nice to know that my body is craving the habit of exercise. I will indulge it! <br /><br />I have never slept so well in my life. I fall asleep easily, no tossing and turning, it is awesome.<br /><br />I am really having trouble trying to describe my overall feeling.... It's like everything is in balance, natural. I wake up refreshed, feel energized, I move easier, I am regular like clockwork in the bathroom, I feel strong, mentally sharp, happy.... Too many non scale victories to mention all of them.<br /><br />I feel great through and through and there is a pride growing inside of me that is hard to contain.<br /><br />I hope everyone is doing well<br /><br />MMMassive Marcushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07251956628309252582noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9162858787111163248.post-23973076043302499402010-06-29T20:54:00.002-04:002010-06-29T21:15:27.849-04:00Them people are crazyBy them people I mean the crazies at the gym. I think we did 1000 jumping jacks today in the kickboxing class. I feel tired after 20.<br /><br />Sometimes the instructor is telling us to do push ups, the crazies are doing them with one foot in the air. They modify a lot of the workout to make it even harder. One day maybe I will be a crazy on the outside, right now I'm just a little crazy on the inside.<br /><br />I feel so good after a kickboxing class but when I get home I just collapse onto the couch and usually stay there the rest of the night. It is such an energy sucking workout. I can literally feel my entire body buzzing as I sit on the couch. When I eventually get up off the couch Im moving very slowly. My legs feel like jello.... Thanks a lot jumping jacks and squats.<br /><br />Keep jumping and squatting people... Your body will hate you for it, but it's for it's own good.<br /><br />MMMassive Marcushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07251956628309252582noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9162858787111163248.post-20627504639874140722010-06-28T12:49:00.002-04:002010-06-28T13:11:00.884-04:00Monday Weigh In.Another hard week of workouts and another good result on the scale. This morning I am down to 264 pounds with a loss of 4 pounds.<br /><br />In total I have lost 63 pounds. In the two weeks since I have joined the gym I have lost 10 pounds! That makes me absolutely excited and giddy. It also reinforces that the substantial work load I am imposing on myself is getting results and progressing this transformation.<br /><br />So now I stand ready, looking at the week ahead with a renewed focus and determination. I have a feeling that I have a firm grasp on my life right now, the obstacles and the journey to achieve my goals feel less and less daunting by the day! When I think forward to the challenges that lay before me I have a one word answer in my head...... CONQUER!<br /><br />MMMassive Marcushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07251956628309252582noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9162858787111163248.post-48908050645421371222010-06-26T11:18:00.002-04:002010-06-26T11:59:44.111-04:00Brain DroppingsHello everyone. I have been so busy the last few weeks but not in a bad way. <br /><br />I read a line today from another blogger that read something like: "The smaller you get the bigger your world gets" That really struck me as being so true. I have so many more things going on now. Instead of doing nothing except sitting my fat can on the couch and eating I have to actually decide between one event or another. It is a much more full filling life and I've still got so much weight to lose that it excites me as to how much more different, better, BIGGER my world can become.<br /><br />I like lifting weights. I feel bigger (in the right places) but I don't see it in the mirror yet. Hard to explain but it's like a fullness through my chest and back and arms. The kick boxing class has made my abs sore, actually it makes a lot of things sore but I don't know if I can recall ever having sore ab muscles. At least to the point where you feel them no matter what movement you are making. It's not a crippling soreness, just a reminder that I did some intense stuff. Actually a good feeling in a way.<br /><br />I've done the class 3 times now. Each time there was a different instructor. If I understand correctly the class is offered on mon, tue, thur, fri, sat and that of the 5 classes there are 3 instructors and they always do the same days. So the Monday person will always be the Monday person etc.<br /><br />I've met and started speaking to some of the other "regulars" as they call it who take the classes often and they all agree that the guy I had my first class with is the toughest. I have met some nice people in that class. They are all smiley, motivating, encouraging... The complete opposite of what I expected. Actually I'm not sure what I was expecting, I guess I was expecting the worst.<br /><br />The two other instructors have totally different styles then the first guy I did the class with but they are still insanely difficult. One was more cardio intense and the other one was a lot more technical with how me punched and kicked the bags, doing combinations and foot work stuff.<br /><br />The staff at the front desk of the gym are starting to recognize me and some have learned my name and say "Hi Marcus!" as I walk in. I like it there, and I like how I feel after words when I've completed a hard workout.<br /><br />I think I'm becoming a gym rat.....<br /><br />MMMassive Marcushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07251956628309252582noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9162858787111163248.post-34432726042077317382010-06-23T17:33:00.002-04:002010-06-23T18:12:42.312-04:00That class was CRAZY!I would of liked to have seen the look on my face when the instructor told us that we would warm up for our kick boxing class by running. What? Running?.......but I thought we would just be standing and punching the bags......<br /><br />Before I could process the thought any further the whole class around me had started running laps around the class. So I jumped into the herd and started running with everyone else. Let me tell you something about these people In this class... There is aboaut 50 of them and they are very fit, very lean and I was easily the biggest most out of shape person there.<br /><br />So we ran for 3 or 4 minutes before being told to stop and start doing jumping jacks, at this point my lungs are burning, I am not used to this kind of activity at all. Finally we started punching the bags, I was already exhausted, I couldn't even keep my arms up because my shoulders were on fire after about a minute of punching., I looked at the clock, we were 5 minutes into a class that is 60 minutes long! Holy crap how was I going to survive another 55 minutes?<br /><br />At one point we were doing 10 pushups, followed by 10 sit ups, followed by 10 squats, followed by pushups, sit-ups, squats, push, sit, squat, push, sit, squat. Over and over and over with no rest... It was crazy, I thought I was going to die. Half the time I couldn't even do it, I had to stand there and watch other people doing it while I tried to catch my breath.<br /><br />Then we did something called bur pees, they are Insane. I just wanted to lay down on the floor and rest. Lol!<br /><br />On top of all of that we did a bunch of kicking and punching, the last 10 minutes of the class we did ab exercises. That class was tough.<br /><br />After the class was over I walked out of the class and sat down on a bench to rest ,I felt like I was the punching bag, all beat up and abused. I sat there for a while just trying to gather myself before heading to the locker room. The instructor from the class walked out and saw me sitting there and came over to talk to me.<br /><br />I told him how overwhelmed I was at the difficulty of what we were doing. He said that he thought I did great for someone my size. Even tho that was meant as a nice comment it kind of hurts when you,ve already lost almost 60 pounds. We chatted for a little while longer he was really nice and supportive. I told him I might wait till I am In better shape before trying it again. He told me that I should just keep coming and do as much as I could and rest when I need to.<br /><br />To sum up the class: it was fucking hard.... <br /><br />MMMassive Marcushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07251956628309252582noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9162858787111163248.post-42107569029884725232010-06-21T16:22:00.002-04:002010-06-21T17:24:08.202-04:00The gym worksWell one week into my gym membership and I have a great result. I lost 6 pounds this week!<br /><br />I am really glad to see that 6, not just because it's awesome, but because I worked so hard this week. I felt so wiped out every night and generally ached all over my body with any move I made.<br /><br />Tonight I am going to try one of the classes. It's a kickboxing class where you punch and kick punching bags while an instructor barks orders at you. I am a little apprehensive and excited at the same time about the class. I have already got my boxing gloves ready in my gym bag with the rest of my stuff.<br /><br />I'll let you guys know how the kick boxing class goes. I have an hour to lay down and rest before I have to leave.<br /><br />Keep kicking and punching people!<br /><br />MMMassive Marcushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07251956628309252582noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9162858787111163248.post-83728534518889390532010-06-20T14:18:00.002-04:002010-06-20T14:30:39.336-04:00Giving It My AllThats what I've tried to do this week at the gym, give it my all.<br /><br />I'm proud to say that I have put in a great effort in my first week at the gym. We will see what Mr. Scale has to say about it tomorrow.<br /><br />I don't think I have ever slept so much. It's all I can do to keep my eyes open an hour after dinner. There isn't one part of my body that hasn't felt sore this week, even my neck is sore. <br /><br />Also the eating has kind of been off the charts. I ate way more this week then usual but I am also putting forth a lot more physical effort in a day.<br /><br />It's only 2:30 pm and even as I type this I am nodding off at the key board. I need a nap.<br /><br />I feel beat up but in a good way, actually I feel alive... tired and sleepy but alive.<br /><br />Marcus Nap Now.....................................<br /><br />MMMassive Marcushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07251956628309252582noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9162858787111163248.post-77992915310702425322010-06-17T00:21:00.002-04:002010-06-17T00:45:08.415-04:00First couple of gym workoutsWell I got in my first couple of gym workouts on Tuesday and Wednesday. They went really well and I am really tired. <br /><br />On the first day I did a lower body only workout and then upper body on the second day. I am already starting to feel sore in my legs and am expecting my upper body to follow suit soon.<br /><br />Here are some things I didn't expect or wasn't prepared for with going to the gym:<br /><br />Distractions:<br /><br /> I am very focused but I am a man and wasn't prepared for all the very fit and beautiful women parading around in tight workout attire. I think my neck got a pretty good workout! lol.<br /><br />Busy:<br /><br />There are so many people at the gym around 6pm. When I signed up it was about 2pm on a Monday and much less busy. Oh well there seems to be ample cardio equipment.<br /><br />All in all my experiences so far with the gym have been good ones. The staff seem really nice and there are people of all shapes and sizes and genders and ages so I don't feel out of place. <br /><br />There are a lot of classes that I can try out too. A couple that have caught my eye is a cycling class and various level of swimming classes. for now though I think I got my hands full with the weight machines but I'm going to try and peek into a class when they are going on to see what they are like.Massive Marcushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07251956628309252582noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9162858787111163248.post-29215848145333048002010-06-14T17:45:00.002-04:002010-06-14T18:34:54.357-04:00I FAILED........After 13 weeks of making my weekly weight loss goal of 2 to 3 pounds I have failed. I did nothing differently nutrition or exercise wise compared to the last 5 or 6 weeks. The 14th week of my transformation concludes with a loss of only 1 pound. Don't worry my fellow peeps, I am not discouraged, I am not unhappy and I have been waiting for this kind of a weigh in for some time now. I am actually happy to have failed, as weird as that sounds.<br /><br />I have had a plan in the works for awhile about what I would do when I stopped getting results. Frankly, I've been getting anxious because I've been looking forward to the next phase in my master plan. But week after week I had no reason to make a change because the scale was rewarding me for my dedication and perseverance to a total lifestyle change.<br /><br />So what is the next phase in my master plan? <br /><br />I will continue riding my bike first thing in the morning as I have been. On top of that I will add 3 to 4 days of weights at the gym. That's right... at the GYM!...the one I joined this morning! I've already had my first gym workout! Well it wasn't really a workout I just tried out about every single piece of equipment I could get my hands on.<br /><br />I got to tell you folks that I am super pumped to get in there and pump some iron! The gym is about a 5 minute drive from my house, it's open 24 hours and it's kind of fancy with things like big flat screen tv's in the change room and stuff. All kinds of bikes, some with their own built in tv screens ( But I've already concluded that my bike is still the best) Treadmills, escalator machines, too much stuff to remember. In the weight room they have hand weights that go from 5 pounds to 150 pounds. Who in the world needs a 150 weight in each hand? Clyde would probably agree that Andre could use them.<br /><br />Tomorrow morning I ride my bike, then go to work, then go to the gym for my first real gym workout.<br /><br />I am more determined then ever.<br /><br />I am unstoppable.<br /><br />I am a laser beam, focused, direct and unwavering.<br /><br />I am a relentless, locked and loaded, Calorie Terminator!<br /><br />I CAN NOT BE DISCOURAGED AND I WILL NOT BE DENIED!<br /><br /><br />MMMassive Marcushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07251956628309252582noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9162858787111163248.post-15265750299403165702010-06-12T11:32:00.002-04:002010-06-12T11:56:14.554-04:00I Really Enjoy BloggingThe whole blogosphere in general and the support from others trying to lose weight is awesome. I've posted before that I am really glad I stumbled upon this community. Having a bunch of people who can relate, in a personal way, to the struggles on obese person deals with is great.<br /><br />The one thing that isn't so great is the amount of time blogging can eat up. It's funny that the old me, who didn't do anything except sit around all day, would have all kinds of time to blog. The new me has a lot less free time because of all the exercise and cooking.<br /><br />There is also all this new found energy I have. Losing over 50 pounds has had a definite effect on my ability to sit still. I need to move, get up and out and about. That is where my golfing has really helped. A few hours walking around a golf course really helps to burn off some of that nervous energy that just wants to burst out of me some days.<br /><br />I have no intention of giving up on my blog, now or in the future. I'm just trying to be as efficient as possible. It's hard thou because I love to read others blogs as well and post messages to them. And I'm constantly meeting new people and adding them to my blog roll. It's made me consider buying an Iphone or a similar device just so I can blog from anywhere... Like while I'm riding my stationary bike. That would be kind of neat, but it also might take away from the intensity of my workouts.<br /><br />So far this week everything has been humming along real well. Food, exercise, golf, nice weather... no complaints! <br /><br />Well in keeping with the theme of this post I'm going to end this here because I'm going golfing! Hope everyone is having a safe and happy weekend.<br /><br />Cheers!<br /><br />MMMassive Marcushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07251956628309252582noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9162858787111163248.post-28588817787842346632010-06-07T14:38:00.003-04:002010-06-07T14:49:34.908-04:00Monday Weigh InWeight loss is starting to be all over the map now. Had a great week of exercise and nutrition and for my efforts the scale says I am down 2 more pounds.<br /><br />My goal from the start was to lose 2 to 3 pounds per week which means: Success!<br /><br />After 13 weeks a 2 to 3 pound loss would be 26 to 39 pounds. I have lost 52 which is an average of 4 pounds per week. I am completely amazed at myself.<br /><br />I don't know what else to say except that I feel AWESOME!<br /><br />MMMassive Marcushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07251956628309252582noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9162858787111163248.post-4068772046151094542010-06-05T02:11:00.002-04:002010-06-05T02:32:34.764-04:00It's Ambitious and for a Good CauseI signed up for a 5km run in October. The "Run for a Cure" race raises money for breast cancer research. This is something close to my heart because my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer about 18 months ago. Two surgeries and a round of chemotherapy later I'm glad to say that my mom is still here. She is an incredibly caring and sweet woman, this disease has shown me that she is also one tough lady. Never complained, was always positive..... She is my Hero!<br /><br />When I signed up I thought that maybe in 4 months I will be able to run the entire 5km. Talk about ambitious, I don't run for more than a block right now. It's a run/walk kind of race so I could walk some, run some.<br /><br />So for now my goal is to raise as much money as I can and to run as much of the race as is possible for me.<br /><br />I don't even like running,<br /><br />MMMassive Marcushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07251956628309252582noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9162858787111163248.post-91064478692749250932010-06-04T13:18:00.002-04:002010-06-04T13:49:52.745-04:00Sizing DownWell I had to break down and buy some new clothes. I've been reluctant to do it because I feel like I am in a transition phase. I don't want to buy new clothes now and then have to buy new clothes again in 2 or 3 months. <br /><br />I just need some stuff to get me through summer/fall and then hopefully I can buy a nicer more permanent wardrobe for winter and eventually next summer.<br /><br />So "cheap" was the shopping word of the day. Enter Wallmart, I bought 3 pairs of shorts and 3 shirts for $54. The shirts fit but are a little snuggly at 2XL but I'm expecting that to change in the near future. They are just collared shirts, nothing exciting, nothing I overly like, just transitional stuff. My 4XL shirts are just way too big right now but I can wear them indoors while I work out.<br /><br />2 of the 3 pairs of shorts I can go swimming in. They are all 3XL size. I've got big legs and a big but and need the room. I could put a pair of 2XL's on but they were tight and I would be uncomfortable in public.<br /><br />I'm looking most forward to buying a nice pair of jeans in a 30 something size instead of a size 56 plus. I've got a pair of size 60 golf pants that are just ridiculously baggy on me right now. At my heaviest they were a roomy pair of pants so that I could comfortably go through my golf swing and not worry about them tearing when I sat down or bent over. Size 60 people! <br /><br />It's awesome to have your old clothes feel all baggy and to be able to buy smaller sized clothes but at the same time I feel like I am in limbo. Like I'm just waiting to see how it all turns out.<br /><br />MMMassive Marcushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07251956628309252582noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9162858787111163248.post-23258841458557400352010-05-31T09:12:00.004-04:002010-05-31T09:34:19.303-04:00Milestone Weigh In!Having lost 2 pounds last week after multiple consecutive weeks of 4 pounds or more I didn't know what to expect today. I changed nothing in my diet and exercise over the last 6 weeks including this week except for a couple of days of swimming in a friends pool.<br /><br />This week I lost 5 pounds! A nice round number that gets my total weight loss so far to the 50 pound mile stone! I am half way to 100 pounds, and I am 10 pounds away from the 50% mark of my 120 pound weight loss goal.<br /><br />I've been riding my bike about 4 to 5 hours per week. I'd say half the time I ride steady and easy and the other half I am pushing hard. I have some weights but I haven't been doing any exercises with them. Thats something I am going to incorporate into my regime soon. Now that the weather is nice I can hopefully get some exercise outside in the fresh air too. Still considering getting an outside bike.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivqHwCD5v2VAlOrrSWx1bSyUZJpwnvrPOkbLJjQCTLq82tQSAV4SCqP1saETXvRk47vBEJXG9CHL5esT9fuEE0Qd1UtZvMNUoOO259IO0hDyN7FxdHfrzlBvx8sq_nLVNZ2HKGc4gWclc/s1600/fifty.jpeg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 97px; height: 123px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivqHwCD5v2VAlOrrSWx1bSyUZJpwnvrPOkbLJjQCTLq82tQSAV4SCqP1saETXvRk47vBEJXG9CHL5esT9fuEE0Qd1UtZvMNUoOO259IO0hDyN7FxdHfrzlBvx8sq_nLVNZ2HKGc4gWclc/s400/fifty.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477426165460903842" /></a><br />March weigh ins total : 14 pounds lost<br />April weigh ins total : 17 pounds lost<br /> May weigh ins total : 19 pounds lost<br /><br /> Twelve week total : 50 pounds lost!!Massive Marcushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07251956628309252582noreply@blogger.com9