Vegan Bodybuilding & Fitness

So, basically i thought I'd start a bit of a semi-regularly updated journal detailing my physical exercise, measurements, progress photos, and how I'm feeling.

Images from last week posted at the end of this writing.

I have some set things that I have as routine:
* Start the day with a shower (and drink a good amount of water), followed by Kum Nye, as I learned from Waking Up For Beginners - The Kum Nye takes about 20 mins and some days is extremely challenging, and other days doesn't seem too bad, as most things seem to go anyhow.
* I then go through three sets of either chin ups or pull ups - I'm thinking I'll start the Armstrong program soon for this..
* Next stop is the kitchen where I make myself breakfast which is the same most days:
Local(ish - and minus bananas) fruit, mixed with Tahini, Lecithin, Pumpkin and Sunflower seeds, Almonds, Brazils, Apple Cider vinegar, flax Seed Oil, Cinnamon, Ginger, Nutmeg.
* Next I'll get onto whatever I have to do in the day. Most mornings I need to give myself two hours before I can leave the house. If I'm rushed I'll just grab some fruit for breakfast.

* I try to cycle everywhere. I live down a hill, so always get a bit of an incline
* On Wednesday evenings I go to a gymnasium - $10 for almost two hours, so much fun and really supportive people. The gymnasium is huge - a couple of sprung floors, the rings, bars, tramps, crash pads, etc. I've been working on my back flips and front flips (I can't do either from the ground yet) and handstands, but also play around on everything else - been playing lots with the rings and was proud of my latest achievement of climbing up the vertical rope to the rafters and back using just my arms. also, it's about 11km away and I try to have enough time to cycle there and back.
* Once a week I go for a run with a fellow vegan, started two weeks ago, where we did 8.5km, and last week was 9km.
* I try to work physically demanding jobs - usually I work in industrial Rope Access, but at the moment it's quiet so I am hopefully getting some general labour/construction work.
* I go through a few Asanas each day.

* I almost never eat any processed foods. I don't smoke cigarettes and the only alcohol I consume is homebrew wine or the occasional vegan red wine (I do rarely have something else, but itś uncommon.
* I am totally vegan (I thought I needn't say this but it seems there are a few people here who do consume some animal products)
* I don't drink coffee , or black or green tea.
* I occasionally do have some chocolate.
* My biggest negatives against my healthy living is that I smoke weed a few times a week and my sleeping patterns are all over the place (I prefer to be up til around 2 working on various projects, but when I'm working I usually start at 7, so they get messed up a bit)

So as far as exercise goes, in summary, Kum Nye in the mornings, pullups/chinups, bike everywhere, Wednesday gymnastics, Thursday runs, and generally trying to keep fit. I need more stuff. Hoping to make it to Sunday parkour meetups at the moment.

So, last week (and I have NO idea how to pose btw):



^ Just casual, no tensing for that one.

And omg my flatmate just presented me with a plate of fresh baked wholemeal bread, mediterranean styled lentils and a spicy chickpea dish, with a side of guacamole. Wow ......actually I've just finished that now and have been given a plate with some vanilla soy icecream and plum sauce with mint chocolate. She's so bad for my health, but I've got to indulge sometimes

Peace out, will post some daily updates in coming days.

_________________
Ever since I was a child I have had this instinctive urge for expansion and growth. To me, the function and duty of a quality human being is the sincere and honest development of one's potential.
- Bruce Lee

Alrighty, so the last couple of days, Tuesday and Wednesday.... Well, I did shit all really, a real slide actually.

I've been doing my morning Kum Nye, and doing the usual breakfast, even caught up on a bunch of sleep Tuesday night which was great, BUT...

I've been going through a pretty bad break up at the moment, and am finding myself not pushing myself to do what I know I should be doing.

Tuesday I didn't even do any pullups, which I do every morning. Just some Kum Nye and the rest of the day pretty much inactive. Wednesday I pushed myself into it, did some Asana's during the day, but by about 4pm was cracking open a bottle of red and rolling a J, and blew off going to the Gymnasium, which is really getting to me - I was quite looking forward to it, especially given I missed it last week. I've also been eating a heap of glutenous stuff and not too much raw foods aside from my breakfasts - not really how I want to be eating.

Today has been better. Started the morning with Kum Nye, some Asanas and pullups (7-3-4 - I really need more strength!), had an afternoon of cycling around the city running errands (some good inclines in it), then went on 9km run this evening (and let me tell you I regretted that wine). Been eating a lot of fruit today, a banana kiwifruit smoothie after the run, and a dinner of spicy black beans with a big salad (and my salads have everything in them, not just lettuce and tomato - I've got brocolli, courgette, carrot, cucumber, avocado, beetroot, radish, etc etc)

So today I feel like I'm on the up again. Tomorrow I am hoping to start the Armstrong programme and to work more on my Sirsha Asana.

_________________
Ever since I was a child I have had this instinctive urge for expansion and growth. To me, the function and duty of a quality human being is the sincere and honest development of one's potential.
- Bruce Lee

Hi,
I think your daily routine is OK. Smoking pot is not extremely bad in my opinion, but it can make you lazy and stray away from your exercise plan (at least in my case). I suggest you to exercise during the week, and smoke pot on weekends. I did like that, and during the time I lost my need to smoke pot at all, I do it very rarely now. Now I am an exercising junky:)))
What are your goals considering your physique? I think you have good potentials, everything is in the place (proportions), you could just put on some muscles, if you want to. With right gym plan, you will have success for sure! You are also a young person, and I heard that it is easier to put on muscles when you're young. I started exercising in 35, and now I wish I did it earlier.
All best!

_________________
My progress pics: http://www.veganbodybuilding.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=48&t=21924
My training diary: http://www.veganbodybuilding.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=22216

Hey vege,

Thanks for the feedback. I've been cutting right down on the weed, which is good. Bad for the lungs and bad for my mental state I reckon.

My goals are to get a lot more strength, speed, stamina, and springyness! I don't care about getting huge, but I do need more muscle. I want my muscle to be packed as tightly as possible with good strength. I look at people like Bruce Lee and Tony Jaa and think I'd like to have a physique more like that than say a schwarzenegger (not that I'm ever going to be at that level, but you should get what I'm saying I hope).

So all-round fitness would be it.

Present specific goals are to start entering into 11km runs, and then look at other events, and to build a lot more strength in general. Just to dedicate myself to working out and watch the numbers grow

Yesterday I FINALLY committed to starting the Armstrong program:
AM pressups (knuckles):
15-10-7

PM Chinups:
5-4-4-2-2 (this feels embrassingly low)

I have yet another great injury - I've taken a good chunk out of the inside of a couple of my fingers on my left hand, so I skipped Gymnastics again this week

_________________
Ever since I was a child I have had this instinctive urge for expansion and growth. To me, the function and duty of a quality human being is the sincere and honest development of one's potential.
- Bruce Lee

Thanks for posting!
Enjoying reading your blog!
Keep up the positive attitude!

_________________

Happiness is a personal choice!
I am the sole source of all my sadness and joy.

"The logic of worldly success rests on a
fallacy: the strange error that our perfection
depends on the thoughts and
opinions and applause of other men."
Source: Thomas Merton

OK, so this morning pressups: 15-10-7
Afternoon chinups (Day 2 of Armstrong program): 1-2-3-4-4 (re-reading the docs I should have done another set, whoops)

I'll probably do more chin-ups or some Asana's this evening. My Sirsha Asana is getting much better.

Also, I've been cycling HEAPS recently

_________________
Ever since I was a child I have had this instinctive urge for expansion and growth. To me, the function and duty of a quality human being is the sincere and honest development of one's potential.
- Bruce Lee

Yes, Bruce Lee's physique is also more my goal, than Arnold Schwarzenegger's. Maybe something in between, precisely:D
Just keep on doing the program and don't worry about the numbers. I bought pull up bar couple of months ago and first I couldn't do more than 2 or 3. Now I think I can do 8 at maximum effort, when not exhausted (as I am now, on this program)
Consistence, patience, and strong will, these are our best friends! May the spirit of Bruce Lee be with you!

_________________
My progress pics: http://www.veganbodybuilding.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=48&t=21924
My training diary: http://www.veganbodybuilding.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=22216

Really liking the way I'm feeling atm....

This morning:
Pressups - 16-11-8 (so proud of upping every set by one rep!)
The usual breakfast, but skipped Kum Nye (been waking next to a beautiful womyn a bit recently which is taking some time from my morning routine - but well worth it )

PM:
Armstrong week1, day 3: Chinups 3-3-3 Pullups 3-3-3 Chinups 3-3-3 (could just barely get my chin to the bar on the last rep)
Followed by some homemade pumpkin soup with brown rice and homemade gluten-free seedy bread.
A wee bit of cycling.

Now off to a vegan potluck Have made a massive winter salad.

My vice for today has been snacking on a little(well, maybe not that little) vegan brownie a flatmate made yesterday.

My lungs feel great! And my arms feel worked out, but not like jelly

_________________
Ever since I was a child I have had this instinctive urge for expansion and growth. To me, the function and duty of a quality human being is the sincere and honest development of one's potential.
- Bruce Lee

Yesterday:
Morning pressups: 15-12-9
AM chinups (Week1, Day4): 5 or 6 sets of 3 reps (I was talking to my flatmate during all the breaks between sets so a) wasn focused, or stretching or doing any crunches, which I'm trying to incorporate), and b) I lost count.

Went out last night, drunk a little bit, ate too much sugary food and went to bed too late.

Today:

Needless to say I have felt a bit tired today.
Morning Pressups: 16-13-10

Followed by the usual fruit salad breakfast.

Cycled about 10km

Lunch: A vege salad (spinach, beetroot, red cabbage, carrot, seeds), banana and golden kiwifruit with rice milk smoothie, and some home-made gluten free bread.

PM armstrong routine - Week 1, Day 5. I repeated day two: 1,2,3,3,2 - not so good today!

Dinner - A tomato, chickpea, lentil creation provided by my flatmate, with some gluten free seedy bread. I also added some raw carrot and raw organic tofu, and will no doubt mae something else in a couple of hours.

Feeling way tired now, but have a heap of work to do.

Peace out

_________________
Ever since I was a child I have had this instinctive urge for expansion and growth. To me, the function and duty of a quality human being is the sincere and honest development of one's potential.
- Bruce Lee

concetrate! no going out, no drinking and no bad sugary food! And no talking to anybody while doing your pull ups!
You have to be disciplined! This is a program for soldiers!

_________________
My progress pics: http://www.veganbodybuilding.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=48&t=21924
My training diary: http://www.veganbodybuilding.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=22216

vege,

Thank you! I so needed that. I've been really really slack!

As a bit of a history, up until recently I've been totally without sugar, cafiene, gluten,alcohol, and living with just one other person who is also into the same stuff and who also worked out a lot. Moving from living with her to living with a bunch of junk food eating unfit uni students and realising that I felt quite controlled during that relationship (which I don't really blame her for, I think I was naturally way too submissive in a lot of ways) has led to me sliding quite a bit.

If I used to touch the tiny-est amount of something I don't usually eat I'd be really hard on myself, like way over the top (this was also apparent in other areas of my life). So I feel like I've done the rebelling now, re-affirm that I don't like the affects of that stuff on my life and I sure as hell don't need it, and can get back into being an 'almost straightedge' fit, lean, fast, vegan fighter

I had a good think about this yesterday when feeling so tired and made a resolve to keep up with avoiding the crap I don't want/need.

And after yesterdays post I ended up eating a good chunk of homemade pizza (wholemeal base, lentil tomato topping with fresh avocado and hummus), and then later doing a bunch more pressups, I didn't note down the numbers so I can't remember correctly how many I did, but it was good to get some more in.

_________________
Ever since I was a child I have had this instinctive urge for expansion and growth. To me, the function and duty of a quality human being is the sincere and honest development of one's potential.
- Bruce Lee

What is happening? Are you still doing the program? Come on, rebel You have work to do!!!

_________________
My progress pics: http://www.veganbodybuilding.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=48&t=21924
My training diary: http://www.veganbodybuilding.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=22216

So totally still on the program.

Right, a re-cap of the last four days:

* Tuesday:
First day of two days break from the Armstrong Program.

Started the day with three sets of pressups, on the knuckles, as always (I also have wooden floors, my flatmate recently spotted me and exclaimed 'Holy shit!', which is a very motivating response. I didn't count them, just carried each set until I couldn't go any further.

Cycled probably 20km, in the rain, with some good uphill moments.

Finished the day with another three sets of pressups.

* Wednesday:
Once again, three sets of pressups which I didn't count (it's supposed to be my break day! )

A heap of walking.

Back to gymnastics! It been three weeks! I was real rusty (I had only had two sessions before the break) Two hours of practicing jumping higher, front flips, getting my (pre)backflip techniques.
I went with a couple of guys I'm starting to become friends with, but boy did one of them stink of meat and eggs when he got in the car! Gross! They're circus performers so can do some pretty fancy stuff, which makes me a little self conscious, but they also helped with some technique so that was great. I am determined to get faster and higher than them (one day)!

Didn't warm down or stretch out afterward as we carried on until the lights were turned out on us and we ran to the car (it was raining), and once I got home I had to deal with some personal issues. It is two days later and the front of my thighs still ache!

* Thursday
2.5 hours sleep! - as I mentioned above, had some personal stuff that I had to deal with on Wednesday. I then woke at 5am.

First thing for the day - Pressups! 13-11-10 - that lack of sleep really affected things!

The reason I had to wake early was to catch a van to another town with some other animal rights activists. One of my friends chained himself to a factory farm (pigs) back in April and it was his trial date so we went down to have a bit of a demo outside court.

So after brekky I walked to where we were meeting, got there early so did some yoga and ran around the block (it was on a hill so a good sprint was had)

After court I walked for about an hour to my brothers place. Oh and I swung around in some trees a bit.

By this point my thighs and Trapezius were really feeling achy!

Week 2, Day 1 chinups: (on my brothers washing line, which was a bit too low and too fat): 6(just)-3-2-2-(almost)2 - I was really tired!

* Today
Got a really good sleep!

Morning pressups: 16-14-11
Afternoon chinups (Week2, Day2): 1-2-3-4-3-3(only barely on the third one)

I am eating so much! But I have been eating really well, almost zero on wheat, sugar, chocolate (I say almost because John's partner made a heap of muffins for court and I had a couple, they had all the nasty stuff - wheat, chocolate and sugar! But also wholemeal and fruit....)
Also negative on the drinking.

I feel great! Although my body feels like it's had a pounding, mostly in my thighs and Traps. I think if I wasn't feeling so worked I'd have had higher numbers today. I am noticing physical change too, I'm gonna wait until the end of week two and take some progress shots.

Also, I recieved a flyer for four free gym visits so I'm booked to go in on Monday.

Right, I'm off to make some seedy GF bread.....

Vegan Power!

_________________
Ever since I was a child I have had this instinctive urge for expansion and growth. To me, the function and duty of a quality human being is the sincere and honest development of one's potential.
- Bruce Lee

Week2, Day3
Morning pressups: 17-12-11
Afternoon: Chinups: 3-3-3 Close-grip pullups: 3-3-3 Wide-grip chinups: 3-3-4

Got some cycling in this evening (with a pretty big hill).

Breakfast - fruit salad
Snacks - Home baked bread
Lunch - Leftover Thai curry with lotsa tofu + some salad.
Dinner - Dhal + Brown Rice with Black Beans.
And then a bit of Apple and cherry crumble .

_________________
Ever since I was a child I have had this instinctive urge for expansion and growth. To me, the function and duty of a quality human being is the sincere and honest development of one's potential.
- Bruce Lee

Wow! You have a detailed journal!

So awesome!

It inspires me.

_________________

Check out my Vegan Bodybuilding & Fitness Book on Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Vegan-Bodybuildin ... 497&sr=1-1