Captain America Vs The Hulk

Dear bloggie,

Why do I enjoy resistance? Well, besides the adrenaline rush that my brain get a dosage of, it's because it's like playing a RPG. Tinkering stats or abilities your want for your RPG characters, except that character is you.

In resistance training, there's several types of build... ie: bodybuilder, strength, marathoner, crossfit and etc... Tis entry I would like to blog about the body builder and strength built. What is the difference? Well, here's a great pix that I found that roughly explain both built in a nutshell:
 

I been training the body builder routine for 2-3 years, with some results... but recently decided to try out the later routine as my progress seem to have plateau. Since I don't really envision myself to be strong like a gorilla, I opt for the Wendler variation that has some body builder elements hence giving me a jack of all trade but master of none result. My current workout:

Workout A
Main Lift: Bench Press
Secondary Lift: DB Chest Press, DB Fly, Skull Crusher

Workout B
Main Lift: Squat
Secondary Lift: Leg Press, Weighted Step Up, Calf Raises

Workout C
Main Lift: Overhead Press
Secondary Lift: DB Shoulder Press, DB Lateral Raises, Cable Reverse Fly

Workout D
Main Lift: Deadlift
Secondary Lift: Good Morning, DB Rows, Pullup, Bicep Curl

A week 3 times, rotating from workout A to D. Hence week 1 will be A, B and C while week 2 continue D, A, B. The rotating will continue will each workout is done for a number of 4 waves (times) each. Each wave, we're supposed to increase the weight and reduce the reps for the main lift, going at 5 reps x 3 sets for the 1st wave, 3 reps for 3 sets for the 2nd wave and 5-3-1 reps for the 3rd wave. The 4th wave is suppose to be a de loading stage where we lift at a slightly lighter weight for 5 reps x 3 sets so we don't over fried our CNS (Central Nervous System) and muscles. Every secondary exercise will be done according to the state of the body at that workout. If one is feeling "godlike", may do more sets or reps but if feeling the opposite, can't even opt to skip the whole secondary exercises (though not recommended). The main goal is the main lift, hence we're not suppose to overexert oneself to do the secondary exercises as they serve to improve the main lift only. My secondary lifts are not so targeted to increase the main lift but more of promoting balanced growth of aesthetic (good looking) muscles. Cardio meanwhile should be limited to 15-20 minutes so my body is not over stress so my muscle and CNS will not be negatively affected in the next session.

2013

Dear bloggie,

Back to square one....



Jobless, goalless, spiritless...

Gotta sign em all!

Dear bloggie,

Pokemon theme song

I wanna be the very best  

Like no one ever was 

To catch them is my real test 

To train them is my cause
 

I will travel across the land

Searching far and wide 

Each Pokemon to understand  

The power that's inside
 

Pokemon, its you and me 

I know it’s my destiny  

Pokemon, oh, you're my best friend  

In a world we must defend  

Pokemon, a heart so true 

Our courage will pull us through
You teach me and I'll teach you  

Pokemon, gotta catch 'em all
Every challenge along the way 

With courage I will face I will battle every day 

To claim my rightful place
 

Come with me, the time is right There's no better team 

Arm in arm we'll win the fight It's always been our dream

Hahaha... I added the Pokemon song on top cause that's the first thing that pop into my mind when my instructor sign me off for 2 of M1 exercises (Super easy exercise: supine breathing and mermaid for demo)... Actually got chance to sign 3 exercise one, but one more exercise she say I still lack practice...

Still got (28 x 2) - 2 = 54 to go... Gotta sign em all... 

Pi La Tes, I choose u!

Weekend with a blast

Dear bloggie,

I can't remember the last time I felt so much fun. Sure I REALLY (capital letter, bolded n commented after to really highlight) struggle my verbal and tactile cueing, but I never experience such a sense of accomplishment since god knows when. Thinking about it now, perhaps it's the same feeling I had for Mathematics during my High School days.

It took me quite a long time to "click" with Maths. Never took maths seriously until form 1, where I got a REAL grilling for not completing my homework (The "Laziness" in strong in me since kid, Wahahahaha). That event really turn things around for me. My feeling to redeem myself turned into discipline which turned evolve into skill, pride and passion. 2-3 year later, Maths brought me confidence of being something or someone, rather than being a boring normal nobody. I probably had my best years of my life within that period of chasing Maths. Sure I closed my eyes to other things (other subject and "gals") from my life, but I was pretty contend chasing Maths. I would tingle during Math exam, the sensation of putting one's prided skill to the test. Back then I was looking forward, where Math would lead my life to... Fast forward, +10 years... I ponder where I went wrong. What the heck happened in between the way that had lead me here. Fate perhaps? Or bad career choice?

Anyway, pushing aside the top self reflection grumble (which I enjoy to do) above, I like to refocus my rant on how AWESOME tis weekend has been which is why I'm sitting here with a sore lumbar (due to sitting too much) in this early wee morning infront of my computer instead of cozying in my tempting bed sheets behind me right now. When I arrive at the studio for my 1st day course, I already was counting my blessing when I was introduced to the pretty chun babe trainer (Hallelujah!). Despite what people b*tch or say, it's really helpful to one's learning if your trainer is something "pleasant" to look at (Well, at least for me, lol).  So, we started off with a mat class by the trainer as sorta intro to the exercises we are about to learn on that day. The class was "great" (probably cause it's just the simple and intermediate exercises which will be taught in this course).

So during the course of these 2 days, I was taught how to organize a class (flow of exercises), how to do the exercises properly, how to teach the exercise (emphasis, faults, watch list, cue, modifications, who shouldn't do), and some hands on. I find the theory part edible but my hands on SUX to the MAX. My mind tend to freeze whenever I was given the instructing task, whenever I see the word "Inhale" (Starting phrases for the exercise) from the manual, my mind go blank and coupled with my verbal issue... -_-' I probably seriously question my ability to be an instructor. Yet again I learned so much from this course, how/what/why/when to cue, correct, look for faults... I seriously wished I could video tape the whole experience down so I can rewatch it again (and again and again...), cause I doubt I could catch all the knowlege that has been given due to my slow learning ability which tend to comprehend rather than memorize first (terrible short terms memory). I always am a believer of the best way to learn a skill is perhaps to watch as much time as possible someone that has master that skill do it. Also, 6-7 hour of nothing but pilates is really intoxicating... It's really feel like it's purging out all my negative feelings towards my normal dull life.

However I do have to some complain on the short period of time. While intense, I would think splitting this 2 days to perhaps 3-4 days would be better as the information provided is perhaps "too much" to be absorb in a 2 day period. And it's also abit taxing on the physical side as well. I been probably doing around equivalent to a 3 hour pilates class for 2 days and while I feel rejuvenated, my mind and body is perhaps stretch to the limit (Not to mention, I need to work today).

Finally, I got to drive the pretty trainer back to the hotel... Hahaha, been quite sometime since a girl graced her presence in my car... Cross my finger the final course will be this trainer as well. I personally think female are better teachers than male.

Life of 3.1428571

Dear bloggie,

Watched Perks of being a wallflower, Rise of the guardians and last 2 days ago, Life of Pi. My opinion? Life of Pi is without a doubt the best hands down.

The sheer amount of breathtaking scenes warrant a must watch. My personal favorite scene is perhaps the scene where both Pi and Peter Parker (the tiger) shipwrecked in the life boat in the middle of the ocean, was waking up the rising sunrise. The warm orange light reflecting on the ocean while the ocean seem like a mirror reflecting the blueish and orange skies... Phenomenal really... Something just feel spiritual about that scene for me.

I however do feel the "find god" theme of this movie a bit lacking. Do god exists or not? What are the odds of someone getting stuck in the middle of the ocean with a tiger? Not to mention surviving 200+ days with the tiger? I do find the realism of god quite real, Pi getting thrown trials after trials. There's anger, questions, doubt, faith and finally acceptance to god... Yet like always, never a confirmation of god... It could be god or just coincidence...

A recommended watch... Planning to rewatch it in 3D...