Vegan Bodybuilding & Fitness

24th June, 2012
Cardio
Running –
I decided to go for a run this morning outside today, just to throw in an extra cardio session.
After work I felt so drained and felt maybe the run had wiped me out as all the cardio I had been doing recently was on a bike. It did make me feel so light when I was running and I felt my fitness level had increased so much.


[url="http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/mass-machine-nutrition/mass-machine-nutrition.html"]Click here to order
Skip La Cour's Mass Machine Nutrition
right here on Bodybuilding.com today[/url].

_________________
"Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do."-Bruce Lee

Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strengths. When you go through hardships and decide not to surrender, that is strength.-Arnold Schwarzenegger

25th June, 2012

Chest & Triceps

Barbell Bench Press - 10 x 50lbs, 8 x 70lbs, 4 x 115lbs, 5 x 115lbs
This weight felt so heavy today. Keep with it and get the reps you want.

Incline Barbell Bench Press - 6 x 85lbs, 6 x 85lbs
Got all 6 reps but need to get the bar down lower to my chest, stay on 85lbs.

Incline DB Bench Press – 6 x 65lbs
Got the 6 reps on 65lbs.

Cable Pressdown - 5 x 75lbs, 5 x 75lbs
Got 5 reps on 75lbs, really good.

Lying Tricep Extension - 5 x 50lbs, 5 x 50lbs
Get that extra rep, stay on 55lbs.

20 Min cardio on bike
Distance – 6.59 Miles
Level – 3

Notes:


[url="http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/mass-machine-nutrition/mass-machine-nutrition.html"]Click here to order
Skip La Cour's Mass Machine Nutrition
right here on Bodybuilding.com today[/url].

_________________
"Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do."-Bruce Lee

Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strengths. When you go through hardships and decide not to surrender, that is strength.-Arnold Schwarzenegger

25th June, 2012

What was great about my day?

My day off work and I can reflect on all the hard work I have put into the challenge over the last 6 months.
Appointment at the Chiropractor which always leaves me feeling more relaxed and so much better.
Going for my hair cut at 1pm, makes everyone feel better having a trim.
Had a great workout this morning and did even better than I initially thought I had.
Skip liked my assignment video.

What about my day could I improve to make things EVEN BETTER?

Stay positive and keep on going and pushing to a higher level.
Listen to motivational audio to keep me on track and moving forward.

What can I do to make things more enjoyable?

Think about what I have achieved and be proud of myself and how far I have come.
Look at myself in the mirror, something the old mattpb could not do.
Enjoy the sunshine whilst off work.

Intensity Level
8 /10

Why?
I was disappointed by some of my lifts in the gym, only when I got home I realized I had increased some of the weights as planned but maybe due to being tired I thought I was on the same weight and could not lift as much as the week before.
Silly really, it got me wound up at the time and I had actually been successful.

[url="http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/mass-machine-nutrition/mass-machine-nutrition.html"]Click here to order
Skip La Cour's Mass Machine Nutrition
right here on Bodybuilding.com today[/url].

_________________
"Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do."-Bruce Lee

Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strengths. When you go through hardships and decide not to surrender, that is strength.-Arnold Schwarzenegger

Is it starting to warm up with you? When I spoke to my parents last (they're in the Midlands) they were saying how Summer was really slow to get going and how wet it had been for the time of year. I'm right in thinking you are from the UK Matt?

Thanks for your comments in my journal btw, always appreciate you dropping in. Cheers MF.

_________________
1st Place Raw Champs 2011, 2012 (3 raw records)
Training for my first 100 mile running race

WEB: http://jimsty.wix.com/strength-vs-size
FB: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mini-Forklift/161273440616736?ref=hl
VIDEO: http://www.youtube.com/user/kiwilifter?feature=mhee

26th June, 2012

Legs

Squats - 10 x 0lbs, 8 x 50lbs, 6 x 100lbs, 6 x 100lbs
Got really low on these squats and I felt it in my quads which is awesome, I need to keep the balance between working the muscle and pushing myself to be able to increase the weight yet not to produce poor form.

Leg Press - 6 x 410lbs, 6 x 410lbs
The same as squats this felt great, definitely worth remembering for next leg workout.

Leg Curls - 4 x 230lbs, 5 x 230lbs
Felt tough, could use the reduction in calories for not getting the desired reps, but that would be a pussy talking. I need to push them out.

Stiff Leg Deadlift - 6 x 105lbs, 6 x 105lbs
Awesome job on deadlift!!!!!!!!!!!

20 Min cardio on bike
Distance – 6.49 Miles
Level – 3

Notes:
Made some great notes today which will help my progression in the future, need to focus on the cardio I know I can do better.

[url="http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/mass-machine-nutrition/mass-machine-nutrition.html"]Click here to order
Skip La Cour's Mass Machine Nutrition
right here on Bodybuilding.com today[/url].

_________________
"Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do."-Bruce Lee

Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strengths. When you go through hardships and decide not to surrender, that is strength.-Arnold Schwarzenegger

Hey MF,
I am originally from Manchester England but myself and pphelps left there two and a half years ago to travel. We spent a month in New Zealand then two years in Australia.
We now live in Vancouver canada and are applying for permanet residency as we love it here.

_________________
"Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do."-Bruce Lee

Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strengths. When you go through hardships and decide not to surrender, that is strength.-Arnold Schwarzenegger

26th June, 2012

What was great about my day?

Day off work and got chance to relax and rest my body to be ready for pushing it to the limit during this last week.
I feel full of energy and pumped today.
Wrote up my online journal.
Met my daily goals, 10 for 10.

What about my day could I improve to make things EVEN BETTER?

Concentrate on resting my body like I concentrate on going to the gym, as rest is so important.
Get myself pumped everyday to perform at my best.
Help other people because its making me feel so much better.
Get 10 for 10 everyday, then add more disciplines.

What can I do to make things more enjoyable?

Help other people in anyway I can, some always needs a hand.
Have fun.
Don’t worry about little things that don’t matter, the Masterplan is coming together so enjoy the journey!

Intensity Level
9 /10

Why?
I gave a lot today during this final leg workout of the challenge and it felt awesome, I could have given more on the cardio. What I gave was good because my legs were so heavy but that’s just an excuse, Mass Machines don’t have feelings they just get the job done!!

[url="http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/mass-machine-nutrition/mass-machine-nutrition.html"]Click here to order
Skip La Cour's Mass Machine Nutrition
right here on Bodybuilding.com today[/url].

_________________
"Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do."-Bruce Lee

Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strengths. When you go through hardships and decide not to surrender, that is strength.-Arnold Schwarzenegger

Wow, that's cool !! Canada is a beautiful country, can't blame you for wanting to stay there.

Where in NZ did you stay? I am originally from Stratford Upon Avon but have been in Christchurch for about 10 years, have full residency now as well as a job, house and a couple of kids haha. I couldn't see myself going back to the UK now.

_________________
1st Place Raw Champs 2011, 2012 (3 raw records)
Training for my first 100 mile running race

WEB: http://jimsty.wix.com/strength-vs-size
FB: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mini-Forklift/161273440616736?ref=hl
VIDEO: http://www.youtube.com/user/kiwilifter?feature=mhee

We spent a month travelling in a car and visited both islands, here are some of the places that i can remember.
Christchurch, Wellington, Auckland, Hamilton, Napier, Dunedin, Rotorua (bit smelly but great mud baths), Paihia, Franz Josef Glacier, Fox Glacier,

That could be everywhere, it was a busy trip. We were staying in some places only a day and moving on, we loved the scenery and the country as a whole but we only planned to stay for a month but could have quite easily have spent longer there.

Matt

_________________
"Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do."-Bruce Lee

Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strengths. When you go through hardships and decide not to surrender, that is strength.-Arnold Schwarzenegger

27th June, 2012

Back & Biceps

Bent Over Barbell Row – 10 x 0lbs, 8 x 50lbs, 4 x 100lbs, 4 x 100lbs
Great execution tonight on a heavier weight.

Lat Pulldown - 6 x 160lbs
Go up to 162.5lbs

V - Cable Row – 6 x 135lbs
Go up to 137.5lbs

Deadlifts - 6 x 70lbs, 6 x 70lbs
Go up to 80lbs

Alt DB Curls - 6 x 40lbs, 4 x 40lbs
Go up to 42lbs

BB Curls – 6 x 60lbs
Stay on 65lbs

20 Min cardio on bike
Distance – 7.18 Miles
Level – 3

Notes:
Awesome workout, went after work today because my hours at work have changed and I start work at the same time as the gym opens. So as of today I will go in the afternoon when its peak time, but you know what I showed Alpha Male qualities in a busy gym and I got the machine I wanted for every exercise.


[url="http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/mass-machine-nutrition/mass-machine-nutrition.html"]Click here to order
Skip La Cour's Mass Machine Nutrition
right here on Bodybuilding.com today[/url].

_________________
"Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do."-Bruce Lee

Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strengths. When you go through hardships and decide not to surrender, that is strength.-Arnold Schwarzenegger

28th June, 2012

Shoulders & Traps

DB Press - 10 x 25lbs, 8 x 35lbs, 8 x 50lbs, 5 x 50lbs
Smashed 8 reps out, awesome!!!

DB Side Lats - 6 x 27.5lbs, 5 x 27.5lbs
Get 6 reps on 27.5lbs

DB Rear Lats - 6 x 37.5lbs, 6 x 37.5lbs
Get elbows higher, move up to 40lbs

Shrugs - 6 x 120lbs, 6 x 120lbs
Go up to 130lbs

Upright Row - 5 x 40lbs,
Get 6 reps on 40lbs

20 Min cardio on bike
Distance – 6.9miles
Level – 3

Notes:
Shocked myself today I was so aggressive in the gym I was achieving awesome lifts, way above what I had set as a goal, I need to set my goals higher

[url="http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/mass-machine-nutrition/mass-machine-nutrition.html"]Click here to order
Skip La Cour's Mass Machine Nutrition
right here on Bodybuilding.com today[/url].

_________________
"Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do."-Bruce Lee

Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strengths. When you go through hardships and decide not to surrender, that is strength.-Arnold Schwarzenegger

My before and after photos after finishing the Challenge, feeling awesome and just got to keep on keeping on.
Thank you to everyone on here for all your support along my journey.

Mattpb


[url="http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/mass-machine-nutrition/mass-machine-nutrition.html"]Click here to order
Skip La Cour's Mass Machine Nutrition
right here on Bodybuilding.com today[/url].

_________________
"Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do."-Bruce Lee

Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strengths. When you go through hardships and decide not to surrender, that is strength.-Arnold Schwarzenegger

29th June, 2012

Calves, Abs & Forearms

Seated Calf Raises – 10 x 90lbs, 8 x 170lbs, 5 x 245lbs, 5 x 245lbs
Got 6 reps on second set but I think I should have tried to go lower, I felt it work my calves and almost got cramp.

45 Calf Press - 6 x 325lbs, 6 x 325lbs, 6 x 325lbs
Go up to 330lbs.

Weighted Leg Raises – 9 x 17.5lbs, 10 x 17.5lbs

Swiss Ball Crunches – 15 x 0lbs, 15 x 0lbs

Wrist Curls – 8 x 70lbs, 8 x 70lbs
Go up to 75lbs

Reverse Cable Curls – 8 x 35lbs, 8 x 35lbs
Go up to 37lbs

20 Min cardio on bike - AM
Distance – 7.66 Miles
Level – 3

Weight: 164.5lbs



[url="http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/mass-machine-nutrition/mass-machine-nutrition.html"]Click here to order
Skip La Cour's Mass Machine Nutrition
right here on Bodybuilding.com today[/url].

_________________
"Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do."-Bruce Lee

Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strengths. When you go through hardships and decide not to surrender, that is strength.-Arnold Schwarzenegger

_________________
"Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do."-Bruce Lee

Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strengths. When you go through hardships and decide not to surrender, that is strength.-Arnold Schwarzenegger

You've got a good set of wheels on you there mate, good work !!

_________________
1st Place Raw Champs 2011, 2012 (3 raw records)
Training for my first 100 mile running race

WEB: http://jimsty.wix.com/strength-vs-size
FB: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mini-Forklift/161273440616736?ref=hl
VIDEO: http://www.youtube.com/user/kiwilifter?feature=mhee