Thursday, November 29, 2007

Friday, November 23, 2007

Happy Birthday to ME

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving yesterday.
Thanks SOOOO much for all the emails wishing me a happy birthday today!
I have decided to run a "Black Friday/It's my birthday" special.
From now until Sunday, not only have I dropped the price on my Power Circuit DVD, I am also throwing in a copy of the 101 Kettlebell Workouts ebook as a bonus!
Click here: Birthday Special
Have a great weekend!

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

No Retreat

"Every person who wins in any undertaking must be willing to cut all sources of retreat. Only by doing so can one be sure of maintaining that state of mind known as a burning desire to win - essential to success." Napoleon Hill

I ran across this quote today. I am reminded of the decision I made 2o-something lbs ago to subject myself to public scutiny as I began the quest of the Hard Loser.

I can only fail in the long term if I give up...quit. I know because I have done that many, many times.

I eliminated the possiblity of that by putting my professional reputation on the line and posting public pics of my overweight self. No retreat.

Today my bodyweight was 261, the lowest it has been in at least 8 or 9 years. I did 300 24kg snatches today in 15:27.

Thursday is Thanksgiving day, and Friday is my 38th birthday. I am in better shape and stronger now than ever in my life. And I am nowhere close to being done.

Thursday, November 15, 2007

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Senior RKC Instructor

Pavel made the announcement publically yesterday that I (along with Jeff O'Connor and Geoff Neupert) have been promoted to RKC Sr. Instructor status. Brett Jones and Andrea DuCane were also promoted to Master Instructor. Congratulations to you all, and a BIG "thank you" to Pavel. I look forward to working together and am proud to be a part of this evolution of the RKC.

To everyone who has sent me congratulations via email or forum post, thank you very much.

I will do my absolute best to carry the title with the honor it deserves and to lead from the front.

Sunday, November 11, 2007

Saturday, November 10, 2007

17 weeks


7-15-07 285lbs


11-09-07 263lbs

As promised, here are some progress pics.

When I put the pics side by side I see what has really been going on. For the first time I know with 100% certainty that I have total control over this fat-loss thing. FInally, I understand my body type, what I call the "Hard Loser", and finally I know exactly how to train, eat and think to get the result.

Thanks again to all who have sent email supporting and encouraging me. Keep watching, it will only get better.

Precision Nutrition Contest Update

Contest officially ended yesterday. Bodyweight yesterday AM was 263lbs, down from 285 on July 16th.

23lbs in 4 months. I'll take it. Proof that a Hardloser can get it done.

Photos and other measurements will be posted within a few days.

There were spots during that time that I could have done better, been more compliant with my diet, etc, but overall I fell pretty successful. I am gonna get new clothes for Christmas.

I have not missed a single scheduled workout in over 4 months. My SSST (24kg) numbers went from a PR of 230 to 260, and my 32kg number has gone from 137 to 166.

My next short term goal is my birthday, which is Nov.23rd, the day after Thanksgiving. I'll weigh in for that on Wed. the 21st, since we'll be travelling. Plan is to drop below 260lbs for the first time in over ten years.

I have recieved a LOT of support from people via email and if I am very thankful that so many people have been so kind and have found something useful from my journey so far. You have helped keep me on track.

Time to go train.

Tuesday, November 6, 2007

Why am I not losing any weight?

Absorb what is useful

Bruce Lee is often quoted as saying "Absorb what is useful". But what does that mean exactly?


First of all, do not mistake this with "collect what you think is cool." or "do what you like". Absorb means absorb, not look at, read about or play with. It takes a LOT of effort to absorb something. It requires study, discipline and patience.

Let's look at the ENTIRE quote: "Absorb what is useful, discard what is useless, and add what is uniquely your own."

Here is how I make it work for me.

1. Decide what you want to do.

2. Find someone who is accomplished at what you want to do. Do what they did. Copy them until you get results.

3. Fine tune your approach as you figure out WHY it works and can explain it clearly and concisely. It is only at this point have you truly begun to "absorb" the material.

4. Continue to refine your behavior to match your goal, elimnating anything that is counterproductive or non-essential.

4. Learn to create variations based on your true understanding and knowledge of self. This is harder than it sounds. It requires an honesty of self that is so uncomfortable for most people that they give up.

5. Innovate. Make it your own. Completely your own.

Find something useful in this. Absorb it. Take action.