Ravi

Article on T-Nation...."The Third World Squat". http://www.t-nation.com/readArticle.do?id=1856085 Some great tips to help you get proper technique, and balance the load more evenly across hams/glutes as well as quads. I just did squats today, and did the ass to ankles variety, which was something I use to think was poor form. I used less weight than normal, but it felt much better than stopping my legs at 90 degree angles. Worked my glutes a lot more as well and took a load off my back.

Awesome, great tips!

Sweet! Nothing like a little positive peer pressure! As to others comments about a) two years being a relatively short amount of time and b) goals vs dreams gibberish.... I really could care less. Most of things I've done in business or athletics that I am proud of I've committed to because the "why" was absolutely critical, even though the "how" was completely unknown. For me, stepping on stage is what matters, and knowing my temperament, I don't do anything half-assed. So what I look like at that point in time will be the result of some serious effort. It will be something I'll be proud of. And yes...I am calling it a dream, because goals are boring Ravi

http://www.rhodesfamily.org.uk/blog/2005/08/pix/motivation.jpg I am in need of some motivation. I have a dream of competing in a bodybuilding competition. I have this dream because I think it would be fun, a very big challenge and something that is completely out of my character (I view this as a good thing!). It is a dream I will accomplish in the next two years. Since there is strength in numbers (peer pressure!)...I would like to hear from all those guys AND gals out there that have a dream to compete in a bodybuilding/fitness or figure competition sometime in the near future (let's say...2 years). What say you? -Ravi

When I was taking creatine I saw a huge increase in strength (and size). I gained 10 pounds pretty quickly. I would never do it again though. I got some crazy stretch marks that took forever to go away (some still haven't). I also lost most of the weight when I went off of it. Some of the strength remained, but it was quite the demotivator to not have that same "super pumped" feeling during and after workouts. Just not worth it.

#1 excuse is "I'm too busy"

Ravi, Jessifly and RoCheeke digging into some vegan pizza in Seattle tonight. Don't worry, that's a Wig on Rob's head.....or at least I hope it is just kidding rob... http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2398/2122340040_29e3717cf9_o.jpg

OK, got in the gym today and motivation was good. Did a few exercises that were not normal, and about 15 minutes of running to warm up (which I usually don't do). This seemed to get me loose and warmed up, which made the lifting easier (from a mental standpoint).

I like ashtanga, but right now am focusing on Baron Baptiste's style of vinyasa yoga (the studios are convenient for me to go to)...I want to start teaching next year, and need to focus on one style and achieve a reasonable level of mastery before branching out. How long have you been practicing?

I like ashtanga, but right now am focusing on Baron Baptiste's style of vinyasa yoga (the studios are convenient for me to go to)...I want to start teaching next year, and need to focus on one style and achieve a reasonable level of mastery before branching out. How long have you been practicing?

I have no problem getting myself motivated to do yoga or go for a run...but for some reason I am in this rut when it comes to lifting. I mean lifting hard and with a purpose. When I was in my late teens/early twenties, I never had this problem (I'm now 28 ). I had no problem putting in the time and keeping the intensity up. Nowadays, I have no problem just doing a bunch of bodyweight exercises, pull-ups, push ups and a few dips or kettlebell swings....but I've really been having a tough time getting motivated to keep my intensity high. I just get bored, tired and leave. It's therefore no wonder that I am not making any progress (in size or strength). I'm wondering, for those of you that are training in the gym for long periods of time, and training hard, what is your motivating force?

Hey Potter; check this out. U should come out too! *********** http://www.arnoldclassic.com/h_cycling.asp?sl=1 Fat Rabbit Racing on a Sunday Morning Arnold Sports Festival to Partner with Fat Rabbit Racing in the Creation of the Inaugural Arnold Cycling Challenge The Arnold Sports Festival 2008 will present a new Olympic sport in 2008, The Arnold Cycling Challenge, a short distance criterium road race Sunday morning March 2 in downtown Columbus. Jim Lorimer, Producer of the Arnold Sports Festival commented, "The Arnold Sports Festival grows annually and this event will present an exciting new element of athletic acumen to the Weekend." "The Arnold Cycling Challenge will be a test of speed and endurance on a criterium course," said Craig Thompson, CEO of Fat Rabbit Racing. "We will welcome the top male and female cyclists from across the country to participate in this high caliber event." Thompson added, "The Arnold Cycling Challenge will kick off the 2008 cycling season for Ohio and indeed the Midwest. Our cyclists will have to begin their training earlier in the winter months and the element of the weather will add some unique but fun challenges." The Arnold Cycling Challenge will showcase Category 1, 2 & 3 riders will be attracted by the prize money with a total purse of $10,000. The categories are based on experience and placements in previous races. The event will be sanctioned by USA Cycling.

count me in! Maybe we can find a condo to rent?

Way to go! Pic looks great. Out of curiosity, what are your favorite hi-protein foods?

Are you 10% in your Avatar pic? Just curious yeah, ~12% or so when I took that. I am going off a tanita bodyft scale (I've been using the things for years). My all-time low was 4% (which I saw consistently) back when I was did a couple ironmans. I don't think people who look at my would guess I'm 17%, and I definitely dont feel that out of shape...but the scale never lies it keeps me honest. I take my measurements on an empty stomach at the same time in the morning.

I want to get back under 10% bodyfat and up to 165lb. I'm currently 153lbs and 17% bodyfat.

I actually got a full body workup last year as part of my corporate health screening program. I got the who enchilada.....bone density scan, stress-echo-cardiogram, hormone tests, blood.mineral test...etc. I was fine across the board (vegetarian for 21 years...since I was 7 y/o and vegan for 6 years). In fact, my bone density was above average (to the chagrin of my doctor . I'd attribute this to my running/yoga and lifting. My testoterone was also at the 80-th percentile (well above average). I have no idea what this means....I'm a pretty slender guy....but doctors said it wasnt a bad thing so not to worry about it. I was actually happy to put this issue to bed...cause it was lingering in the back of my mind for a while.

I said swimmers because of the total body focus and mind-numbing yardage they do at the top level (starting at such a young age too)....but I'd go for triathletes if the option was there. My friend is a pro triathlete and his training is ludicrous. He bikes more than most cyclists...plus he runs 60 miles/week and swims 20K. He also lifts a couple time (focusing on core work). There are few sports where you can physically train 30-40+ hours a week and triathlon is one of them.

get a kettlebell and start doing swings.....you'll get more of a cardio workout then you'd ever imagine. Alternatively, do yoga

This weekend I attended the first of several Teaching Assistant Workshops at my studio (Shakti Vinyasa in Bellevue, WA). I'll be attending four of these 6-hour workshops, during which you learn precise details to every pose in the Baptiste Power Vinyasa sequence...with special attention to how to assist in class. This means being able to realign, support and/or deepen students into a pose during class. It was a ton of fun, and helped me advance a ton in my personal practice as well. If you are into yoga and have the chance to attend such a workshop in your area, it is well worth it. Anyway, after practicing (sporadically) for 6 years myself, I figured that it was time to commit. I figure there are two types of people, those who dabble and those who master...and I don't want to be a dabbler! The teaching assistant workshops are my first steps to start teaching. I will start teaching next spring. If you are on this board, and are a yoga teacher (or are aspiring to be one), I would appreciate any tips or insights you may have in your own journey to teach others. What has helped you the most?

Don't ask me why. But I did. I like it! I've blended a lot of stuff but never bothered to actually blend my greens. I use a dried greens powder and will just munch on green to get my fix. Today, I was stuffing my face with handful after handful of organic field greens while making dinner (better than chips right?) and I had a brainstorm....my blender was staring at me....so I just threw the entire basket of greens (a TON of greens...like 4x as much as I would have normally been able to eat comfortably) into the blender and ripped it up. I added about 6 ounces of water. It actually tasted fine...and was 20oz of semi solid (more liquid than solid). No point to this post...just wanted to share. I can't believe it's taken me this long to actually do this. It might just become a trend.

I'm into vinyasa flow right now. I've done some ashtanga in my past.

Great idea! Perhaps some experts would do it for free...in exchange for having their services and name exposed to a very large community of fitness minded vegans! Just for the exposure...I would think people would bite....regardless, I think donations would be a good thing...Rob has spent god-knows-how-much-time providing this free resource for us....a little tip now and then would be well deserved.

Great idea! Perhaps some experts would do it for free...perhaps in exchange for having their services or name exposed to a very large community of fitness minded vegans! Just for the exposure...I would think people would bite....regardless, I think donations would be a good thing...Rob has spent god-knows-how-much-time providing this free resource for us....a little tip now and then would be well deserved.

just turned 28....yeah!