There seemed to be a proliferation of body building posts on my social media feed today. On the back of the annual Arnold it struck me just how damn common the term IFBB pro is bandied around. I mean literally it feels like every second person is bikini,boardshort,physique first time, novice masters winner.
Broadening a sports appeal by increasing participation is absolutely desirable but it certainly feels like it has been at the qualitative aspect of the sport. Literally every second post on facebook has someone either posting an 'inspirationl' meme regarding their next show or worse still a photo of 3 rows of tupperware containers with the caption 'meal prep done'.
The proliferation of PEDS amongst the masses has definately changed the sport. A decent local show winner today would easily have been hyper competitive 30 years ago at National level.
Frankly I am uneasy about just how much the gear has also changed societies perception of what a 'normal' physique should look like. Life is a marathon not a sprint, and there is a certainly a whole generation of lifters who arent showing care or consideration to long term health. There is always a tradeoff and I supect in the future many will be surprised by the price to be paid.
Thomo
Sunday, March 6, 2016
Saturday, March 5, 2016
Day 1...simple
Today was a simple session in the gym; one hour duration and the sole focus was to stay within myself. I like simple, not much in my life is simple.
My expectations are set low deliberately. I am running a 10 week meso cycle aimed at putting on size and demonstrating consistency. The consistency piece really is the key for progress.
I want to compete at Masters nationals this year. Thankfully its scheduled for November so I still have time to accumulate size and strength but I need to get it happening.
Today's menu was uncomplicated, front squats, push press, pulldowns and some shoulder work. ACDC on ITunes, chalk on the platform and a balmy summers day. Simple training, I like simple.
Thomo
My expectations are set low deliberately. I am running a 10 week meso cycle aimed at putting on size and demonstrating consistency. The consistency piece really is the key for progress.
I want to compete at Masters nationals this year. Thankfully its scheduled for November so I still have time to accumulate size and strength but I need to get it happening.
Today's menu was uncomplicated, front squats, push press, pulldowns and some shoulder work. ACDC on ITunes, chalk on the platform and a balmy summers day. Simple training, I like simple.
Thomo
Saturday, February 27, 2016
Common Sense
I dont supplement on the dark side and I honestly dont care either way if others do. I will say though I have no interest in peoples cycles and or progress in this regard.
I'm not normally ambivalent on this topic as physiology interests me. However I've observed so many instances in the last few years where individuals I would otherwise characterise as reasonably intelligent exhibit abject stupidity when it comes to the management of exogenous hormones they inject into their body.
Recently my daughter of 4 was diagnosed as a type 1 diabetic. In a whirlwind week interned in the hospital with this gorgeous little princess I came to appreciate the complexity of the human condition.
These initial weeks afforded me the opportunity to spend time picking the brain of some amazingly smart Endocrinologists. Their insights along with the daily regime of managing my daughters blood readings and injections has provided clarity on just how variable physiological response can be day to day in regard to hormone treatment.
This clarity now means I dont really put too much credence on the opinions anyone who injects a hormone and a) fails to regularly measure its impact through bloodwork and b) sources said hormone from less than reputable sources.
In dont want there to be any equivocation. I have no issue with hormone treatment I simply dont respect the complete lack accountabilty the average joe has when they commence a regime of sticking needles in their ass.
There are plenty out there that measure manage and thrive from hormonal intervention and do it well. It;s just that I havent met many recently.
Thomo
I'm not normally ambivalent on this topic as physiology interests me. However I've observed so many instances in the last few years where individuals I would otherwise characterise as reasonably intelligent exhibit abject stupidity when it comes to the management of exogenous hormones they inject into their body.
Recently my daughter of 4 was diagnosed as a type 1 diabetic. In a whirlwind week interned in the hospital with this gorgeous little princess I came to appreciate the complexity of the human condition.
These initial weeks afforded me the opportunity to spend time picking the brain of some amazingly smart Endocrinologists. Their insights along with the daily regime of managing my daughters blood readings and injections has provided clarity on just how variable physiological response can be day to day in regard to hormone treatment.
This clarity now means I dont really put too much credence on the opinions anyone who injects a hormone and a) fails to regularly measure its impact through bloodwork and b) sources said hormone from less than reputable sources.
In dont want there to be any equivocation. I have no issue with hormone treatment I simply dont respect the complete lack accountabilty the average joe has when they commence a regime of sticking needles in their ass.
There are plenty out there that measure manage and thrive from hormonal intervention and do it well. It;s just that I havent met many recently.
Thomo
Friday, February 26, 2016
Return of the.....
Friday night perched on the couch after a tough day at work. Its been a year since I've posted here and with no real thought process I simply opened my laptop and started typing.
Why did I stop posting; definitely professional pressure. For the last 5 years I've worked my ass off and taken increasingly more senior roles. While this has delivered a raft of personal benefits I really have been pushed to my limit.
See I tend to obsess better than most people I know. If I find a song I like I tend to buy everything that the group has produced. If I take up a hobby I want to be a damn subject matter expert. Professionally this manifests as someone who finds it really really difficult to switch off. Thankfully I am finally in a work environment where my boss recognises my propensity for doing too much and drives me to get balance.
Why did I start posting again? I'ts not as if my work pressures have disappeared. In fact if anything I'm busier then ever. I think I simply missed writing for fun rather than in a work context. Ive been fortunate that this small little piece of cyberspace generated me lots of traffic. It's also provided some great training contacts that I would never have had the opportunity to meet otherwise.
Hopefully writing again will also put a fire in my training. Given work challenges I've found I have been missing workouts or worse when I do go I simply dial in the effort. This has been going on consistently for a good nine weeks now and quite simply this shit needs to stop.
Thats enough for one night.
Thomo
Why did I stop posting; definitely professional pressure. For the last 5 years I've worked my ass off and taken increasingly more senior roles. While this has delivered a raft of personal benefits I really have been pushed to my limit.
See I tend to obsess better than most people I know. If I find a song I like I tend to buy everything that the group has produced. If I take up a hobby I want to be a damn subject matter expert. Professionally this manifests as someone who finds it really really difficult to switch off. Thankfully I am finally in a work environment where my boss recognises my propensity for doing too much and drives me to get balance.
Why did I start posting again? I'ts not as if my work pressures have disappeared. In fact if anything I'm busier then ever. I think I simply missed writing for fun rather than in a work context. Ive been fortunate that this small little piece of cyberspace generated me lots of traffic. It's also provided some great training contacts that I would never have had the opportunity to meet otherwise.
Hopefully writing again will also put a fire in my training. Given work challenges I've found I have been missing workouts or worse when I do go I simply dial in the effort. This has been going on consistently for a good nine weeks now and quite simply this shit needs to stop.
Thats enough for one night.
Thomo
Saturday, January 24, 2015
Just get the blood work done!!
If you choose to go to the dark side then be willing to accept consequences; positive or negative.
I can't say much more, its your choice, your body and as long as it doesnt impact me frankly I couldnt give a shit. Just be humble and stay healthy but....
GET FUCKING BLOOD WORK DONE AND MONITOR THE IMPACT.
'No one gets out alive'
Thomo
I can't say much more, its your choice, your body and as long as it doesnt impact me frankly I couldnt give a shit. Just be humble and stay healthy but....
GET FUCKING BLOOD WORK DONE AND MONITOR THE IMPACT.
'No one gets out alive'
Thomo
You are stronger than you think
Your mind and body lie to you; constantly.
This has been reinforced to me recently courtesy of a squat PB hit when I least expect it. The squat is not an exercise that I love. It's not that I dislike the movement, more that it just doesn't come naturally to me. My leverage always feels off and I have to bitch and struggle for every damn kilo.
Last week I ponied up fora squat session on the back of a less than stellar work week. Nothing critical mind you just getting used to longer hours again and some issues getting the calories I need on the job. Regardless I turned up (at my old gym) got under the bar and away I went.
With a great mate behind me I hit a nice double rep unwrapped PR and called it a day. Before I could barely grab a drink the call went out from those around me that I should try another 10kgs. Now this would be a milestone for me given a) it was a 20 kg unwrapped PB b) it was the first time I had hit this number of plates c) it was only 20kg under my all time wrapped squat PB.
With plenty of grunt down I went and damn me up came the bar nicely and according to the 7 or so team mates around who I trust the depth was good.
So what does that tell me. That your mind and body lie and more importantly a professional environment with the right people is worth kilos on the bar.
' no one gets out alive'
Thomo
This has been reinforced to me recently courtesy of a squat PB hit when I least expect it. The squat is not an exercise that I love. It's not that I dislike the movement, more that it just doesn't come naturally to me. My leverage always feels off and I have to bitch and struggle for every damn kilo.
Last week I ponied up fora squat session on the back of a less than stellar work week. Nothing critical mind you just getting used to longer hours again and some issues getting the calories I need on the job. Regardless I turned up (at my old gym) got under the bar and away I went.
With a great mate behind me I hit a nice double rep unwrapped PR and called it a day. Before I could barely grab a drink the call went out from those around me that I should try another 10kgs. Now this would be a milestone for me given a) it was a 20 kg unwrapped PB b) it was the first time I had hit this number of plates c) it was only 20kg under my all time wrapped squat PB.
With plenty of grunt down I went and damn me up came the bar nicely and according to the 7 or so team mates around who I trust the depth was good.
So what does that tell me. That your mind and body lie and more importantly a professional environment with the right people is worth kilos on the bar.
' no one gets out alive'
Thomo
Perceptions and Judgements
People rightly judge you by the things that you say, remember this.
It is not clear to me whether the nonsensical nature of the comment is the issue or the characteristics of the person that typically utters it. When I hear phrases such as these I make a value judgement about your character:
1) 'Dem Gainz'
2) Re-feed
3) Peri work out nutrition
4) IIFYM (don't even start me)
Also if you regularly use social media such as Facebook then take the time once a week to scroll through your feed and re-examine the narrative. Forget the pictures, the reposts and all those hilarious comments from your friends. Just for a minute objectively review your commentary. Does this reflect how you want others to perceive you. If your family saw the drivel you post would they be proud.
'No one gets out alive'
Thomo
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