Therapeutic/Motivational Writing

As you can probably tell, I write a lot. I really enjoy it. But I haven't written about one of the core reasons I began this blog in the first place.

Apart from the motivational gains to be had by charting my progress (not-to-mention the feedback and, hopefully, encouragement from readers), this blog provides me with an outlet to express myself as I prepare to undertake perhaps the biggest challenge of my life. I have struggled with weight and fitness issues for as long as I can remember. It has been the singular frustration of my life.

And this is where the writing comes in. I have read a little on the therapeutic effects of journal writing. I have also read on the benefits of writing down one's goals and plans. So, I have decided to combine the two, here, and share it with the rest of the world.

Making this struggle public will help reinforce my commitment to achieving my goals. I am putting myself "on the hook," so-to-speak. There is now no backing out; no putting it off for some other time; no waiting for the perfect moment to begin such an undertaking. I am, instead, diving into this head-first for all to see.

So I want to explore every aspect. I want to conquer not just the external challenges, but the internal obstacles that more often than not, are the prime culprits behind our own self-sabotage. I'd like to organize scattered thoughts, negative self-talk, frustrations, encouragements, and triumphs into one cohesive message that I (and others) can reflect on and hopefully learn from. This blog, then, will reflect my journey - all of it - towards personal conquest.

I hope you will enjoy the ride!

Elusive Achievement

Besides being a quitter, or perhaps because thereof, I have never felt a sense of accomplishment in my life.

I mean, how can you possibly accomplish anything if you've always given up on everything?

Friends and family tell me this isn't true. That my graduating as an Electrical Engineer from Georgia Tech was a very significant accomplishment. But what they don't realize is that I basically coasted through "Tech." Except for the frequent all-nighters - that were more a result of procrastination than any real work ethic - I never really "worked" at my education. I only went through the motions.



As I've said before, I've never really had to work at anything. That's not to say everything has always come easily for me, but I've never experienced the satisfaction of gradual, step-by-step progress towards a difficult, worthwhile, distant goal. Instead of having to find ways to get past setbacks and obstacles, I simply lowered my head, turned around, and walked away when things got tough.



But character is only developed when you persevere through adversity. What, then, can be said about my character?

I now see how interrelated all of this is. Lack of character development leads to low self-esteem, which leads to poor self-image, which leads to depression, unhappiness, and on and on until one arrives at the present state I now find myself in.

Now you can see why this present effort is so important to me.

I want to basque in the glow of personal achievement. I want to know the feeling of blasting past plateaus, setbacks, and other challenges; the detailed planning and experimenting that goes into doing something like this.

This is also why July 4th in Key West means so much to me. This will represent my first significant accomplishment. Will it be like I have imagined and written it will?

Please join me, then, as i strive to achieve this challenging goal.

Will I reach the finish line? Or, will I stumble and fall along the way?



Only time will tell...

The Plan Pt. 1 (Fat-loss Phase)

The basic plan is to split the coming year into two phases: a 6-month fat-loss phase and a 6-month strength training phase. To keep things simple, I will focus only on the fat-loss phase for now.

The fat-loss plan will be split into two parts: training and diet.

Training
1. I will do two consecutive 90-day cycles of the P-90X home training program. The first cycle will follow the "Classic" program, the second cycle will be the more advanced "Doubles" program.



















2. I will perform cardio (30 minutes minimum) every day.

3. I will add occassional powerlifting/strongman training sessions with my powerlifting friend, Rob:



And here I am nearly getting pwnd by a 700lb. tire:



4. I will strive to continously improve on all exercises.

5. I WILL NEVER MISS A TRAINING SESSION. NO EXCEPTIONS - NO EXCUSES!!

Diet
1. I will eat a maximum of 2700 kcal per day following a 50% Protein, 30% Carb, 20% Fat diet.

2. I will not eat junkfood (sweets, soda, fastfood, etc.) or simple carbs (rice, bread, etc.), or alcoholic beverages.

3. I will only eat clean protein (lean meat, poultry, seafood) and complex carbs (fruits and vegetables).

4. I will learn to cook only healthy, low-carb meals.

5. I WILL NEVER CHEAT ON A MEAL OR OVEREAT. NO EXCEPTIONS!!!

And so it is written, and so it shall be done!