Troy

Excellent compliment, I'm not the only one that finds strange muscles sticking out of places that are abnormal to be cool. Thanks robert... Thanks phillpeb, I hope to further impress with my forthcoming farmer's tan that I'm developing as well. When I first read your comment, I was like huh!? Then I read it 10 more times and was still like what the hell does that mean Richard. Then I read Robert comments about "nice one richard" and I was like damn, Robert figured out what Richard meant right away. Still pondered... came back to it today and started laughing. Thanks dude Thanks Jason, slow progress as of late but I'm glad you guys notice, because I find myself scratching my head trying to find the subtle differences. I hope to make better gains this next 4 months now that I'm incorporating squats. Every week that I'm hobbling around like someone beat my legs with a baseball bat I'm telling myself... grow baby grow. Thanks DV:) Thanks Lean and Green...!... your "before-before" pics are inspirational to me and they should be to you too. You've been way bigger and stronger than me and if you've been there before you should be confident you can get there again! You've made drastic changes in your body and I look forward to seeing YOUR progress pics over the next year or so. I think alot of people will be surprised. I'm actually a righty, but sometimes I pump out an extra rep or two with my left. What brought you to that conclusion? Left side look bigger than the right? Specifics brother... Thanks guys, I haven't been really focusing on arms too much, more of chest and even more of back. Had to settle down on the arms a bit, I was getting some olecranon bursitis. Comments like these help motivate me, I thank you all. I appreciate all of your compliments... I do have a little request if possible. Does anyone have any constructive critism... like where you think I need to improve. I got a private message from someone once that said... "you need to work on your rear delts, they are small compared to your front..." well not exactly that phrase but close enough. Those types of comments really give me something to focus on and its actually more motivating for me. So does anyone have any critique on where I can improve, as in "A" is bigger or smaller than "B", you should try to build "A/B" by doing some more "X". Things that I notice is that I feel I have a symmetry problem especially in my lats, somewhat in my arms and chest. I've been told other things that I need to work on in the past and I've worked hard to build and overcome my weaknesses. I haven't had much negative critique as of late because everyone is super positive (which I love), but I'm calling out all the critics to throw down a few key strokes and fill me in on your thoughts. Letting me know that I should build everything is a given so try and be specific. My goal is overall balance, back to front, top to bottom. Lay it down...

Such high expectations! I hope to see everybody thats participating lately do all the contests, the more competitors the better. I also hope Daywalker, Octo, and YOU post some pics this time around. Your side chest pose was money, put it up bro, or take a new one with a little better lighting. I'll try to get "supa pumped" for my next chest workout on Monday and post them the same day, which is the last day of the chest contest I think.

Olympic lifts are difficult to perform because there are many steps/phases involved with each lift. I think body awareness plays a big roll in creating good form. Practice with just the bar and slowly work your way up. Unlike alot of basic lifts, these lifts require so much repetition to get proper form, most people give up because they find it hard to perform a smooth repetition with solid weight. I look at it more of an art form than actual weightlifting. Consistent practice and great technique will build huge amounts of strength, but do you have the time and patience to learn the craft.

Absolutely not Great points I don't feel like you are bashing, I think you raise some good points which I agree with. But, I feel that in today's world we have a rare opportunity to experience and enjoy different nutritious foods from around the world. I think adding some of these foods to the diet can add a little non-local variety and keep the diet lively. I don't even read what companies right about the product, most of the time its a joke. It seems everything reduces your chance of cancer or heart disease these days. I look at the nutritional facts on the label and do a little bit of digging to see what some non-biased sources have to say. If the facts seem worthy of a try I will go for it. I don't expect a difference from eating a so called "super food", I feel I that I might be getting additional phytonutrients from a food that I otherwise would not have been exposed to. Heck, maybe I won't even like the taste.

Not sure because I've never seen in next to the açaí... they usually have the pure açaí pulp and original açaí pulp, I've never seen the acerola product. I hit up WF usually every two weeks and engage in some fun convos with the employees, which are usually uber friendly? Is that prereq for working there? Anyways, they've always told me that if I see a something that I want ordered special, just let them know, they will order it minimum orders are 1 case (12 packages). I usually buy a case of the pure açaí at $5.99 a package x 12 - 5% discount = $68.29. A package consists of 4, 100 grams packets. 1 packet is a serving. I would assume the acerola would sell for the same price, but I'll check and report back tomorrow.

Has anyone ever tried these cherries? I was amazed at the anti-inflammatory rating nutritiondata.com (Acerola Cherry) gave this fruit, however I could never find a whole food source until now. Sambazon, the same company that makes the açaí pulp I buy also makes Acerola Cherry Pulp. 100 gram package contains 1400% of your daily vitamin C... Whole Foods can count me in for a case.

I lifted without music today for the first time in a long time. It was strange.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tI_A4BYyT-0 Lightweight... Baby.

From pencils to guns. Nice work Richard!

Date: 5 12 2008 Start Time: 7 30 AM End Time: 8 30 AM Monday - Chest/Triceps/Front Delts/Calves/Biceps Warmup Eliptical 10min Exercise Reps Weight Full Scap Pushups 30 @ 45o Full Scap Pushups 15 @ -15o Full Scap Pushups 15 @ -15o Full Scap Pushups 15 @ -15o Full Scap Pushups 15 @ -15o WU Incl Dbl Press +1 10 @ 80s Incl Dbl Press +1 8 @ 90s Incl Dbl Press +1 3 @ 100s Flat Dbl Press 6 @ 90s Flat Dbl Press 5 @ 90s Freemotion Cable Crossover 12 @ 30 Freemotion Cable Crossover 10 @ 60 Freemotion Cable Crossover 10 @ 60 Freemotion Cable Crossover 6 @ 70 Lying Dumbbell Ext 10 @ 35s Lying Dumbbell Ext 8 @ 35s Lying Dumbbell Ext 8 @ 35s Lying Dumbbell Ext 6 @ 35s Straight Bar Curls 45 @ 16 Straight Bar Curls 65 @ 10 Straight Bar Curls 65 @ 10 Straight Bar Curls 65 @ 8 Smith Seated Calf Raise 20 @ 90 Smith Seated Calf Raise 20 @ 90 Smith Seated Single Calf Raise 12/12 @ 90 Smith Seated Single Calf Raise 12/12 @ 90 Smith Seated Single Calf Raise 15/15 @ 90 Straight Leg Sled Calf Press 12 @ 180 Straight Leg Sled Calf Press 12 @ 180 Straight Single Leg Sled Calf Press 12/12 @ 180 Straight Single Leg Sled Calf Press 12/12 @ 180 Straight Single Leg Sled Calf Press 12/12 @ 180

Date: 5 8 2008 Start Time: 7 10 AM End Time: 8 00 AM Friday - Lats/Rear Delts Warmup 10min Exercise Reps Weight Assisted Pullups 20 @ 120 Pullups 7 @ - Pullups 7 @ - Pullups 7 @ - Pullups 7 @ - Pullups 5 @ - Smith Body Weight Lo Rows 7 @ - Smith Body Weight Lo Rows 7 @ - Machine Seated Lo Rows 10 @ 150 Machine Seated Lo Rows 10 @ 150 Cable Xover Seated Lo Rows 12 @ 210 Cable Xover Seated Lo Rows 12 @ 210

Date: 5 6 2008 Start Time: 6 30 AM End Time: 7 20 AM Tuesday - Legs Warmup Eliptical 10min Exercise Reps Weight Squats 15 @ 135 Squats 10 @ 185 Squats 10 @ 205 Squats 10 @ 225 Squats 10 @ 205 Lying Leg Press 10 @ 450 Lying Leg Press 8 @ 540 Lying Leg Press 6 @ 630 Lying Leg Press 5 @ 720 Kinda proud of myself Lying Single Leg Press 8/8 @ 360 Front Lunges 12 @ 50s Front Lunges 12 @ 50s Front Lunges 12 @ 50s Back Lunges 12 @ 50s Back Lunges 12 @ 50s Back Lunges 12 @ 50s At my gym they have a 1000 lb Club if you can combine two lifts for over a 1000 lbs you get a shirt. Exercise choices are dead lift, squat, leg press, and bench. Leg press is the obvious choice to take a big bite out of the 1k. They have some 125lb dumbbells so I'm going to see if they let me bench those for a total of 250 and then leg press 750 to get a shirt. Not impressive but something to do, why not...

Date: 5 5 2008 Start Time: 6 52 AM End Time: 7 35 AM Monday - Chest/Triceps/Front Delts Warmup Eliptical 10min Exercise Reps Weight Full Scap Pushups 30 @ 45o Full Scap Pushups 15 @ Flat Full Scap Pushups 15 @ Flat Full Scap Pushups 10 @ Ball Full Scap Pushups 10 @ Ball WU Incl Dbl Press +1 10 @ 80s Incl Dbl Press +1 8 @ 90s Incl Dbl Press +1 7 @ 90s Incl Dbl Press +1 7 @ 90s Incl Dbl Press +1 6 @ 80s Freemotion Cable Crossover 10 @ 50 Freemotion Cable Crossover 10 @ 50 Freemotion Cable Crossover 10 @ 50 Freemotion Cable Crossover 10 @ 50 Lying Dumbbell Ext 15 @ 20s Lying Dumbbell Ext 12 @ 30s Lying Dumbbell Ext 9 @ 35s Lying Dumbbell Ext 5 @ 40s

Watch the videos on Halil Mutlu... clean and jerks 3 times his own weight. I don't think any other human can do that. Unbelievable. http://weightliftingexchange.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=263&Itemid=93

Hello everyone, I have just skimmed through most of this thread as of right now. I locked the thread. I did it because I felt that the thread (that I created) was going in direction that I didn't want it to. I apologize for not allowing some of you to respond back to some negative comments but I felt that a cool down period was necessary. I felt like some people were being offended and thus firing back on the defense. I apologize for not giving an initial explanation for the reasons why. Lesson learned. I enjoy reading thought provoking posts and looking at things from several different angles, however when I feel opinions aren't taking into consideration other's feelings it gives me a negative vibe. When I locked it, I kinda felt responsible for the negativity that had been created, I thought about the forum alot that night and it bothered me. Silly as that might sound. The idea that a forum can actually affect my mood in negative way also bothered me and so I stayed away from reading new threads for the past few days. I underestimated the effect of locking a thread and if I overstepped my boundaries as a moderator, I apologize. I hope everyone understands the reasons why I locked it. I never intended to put a stop to free speech or free thought. Alot of people (like myself) are here because the majority of the time this forum is well-mannered and positive and I like that about this place. Its comforting, informative and fun. Its a rarity for a bodybuilding forum. This is the type of forum I enjoy reading. I see that my lack of immediate attention has left some forum members without an answer. I apologize for that and I don't think I can commit the time and attention that the forum requires as a moderator. No biggie though, we have plenty of qualified others here to help. I'll still be here as much as I can. Stay up everybody. ONE.

I closed it, I felt the topic was getting a bit too heated and I thought it would be good to give the subject a cool down period.

Reopened for on topic thoughts and opinions...

cubby2112, thats a complex question that would take some work figuring out. I assume different legumes have different aa profiles, so there are alot of variables to consider.

Thanks DV, good relevant information!

How much weight is she throwin around???! Either way, I'm sure its way more than I can do. Impressive!

Indeed... its quite possible that different samples from different parts of the world were tested, etc... however, the link you posted sells products so I am less likely to believe the company selling something as a reliable source of accurate information. Nutritiondata.com is a non-biased general all purpose source for information.

Who hates missions where you have to drive half way across the city for a difficult mission like the Bank Robbery? It sucks that you can't take a cab for the missions when you have to run 4 deep. It'd be cool if everyone fit into one of those minivan cabs! I don't know if anyone knew but driving has always been easier in the 1st person driving mode... a little dizzing at times but easier to turn and maneuver. Has anyone got all the flying rats yet? I think i have about 125 left...

I feel like this thread is getting a little hostile as we have opinions on the far right and far left of the spectrum. I tend to "feel" the same way Potter does yet I don't think I could tell someone I care about that they are fat. There are exceptions to every generalization and I think its best not to you use absolute statements when referencing people who are over/under weight. A general statement that I think we all can agree on is that our society as a whole is overweight, which has a direct influence in rising health care costs, which negatively impacts the vast majority of our society. Likewise, the causes of obesity are countless so stating that its wrong to be overweight sounds a bit ignorant without knowing why the person is overweight. Potter will testify that even by drastically reducing calories he was unable to lose muscle mass. Thus science doesn't always give us the answers on how to lose weight. Science says if you consume "A" and use "B" per day you will either gain or lose weight. This is rarely the case and alot of us know this already. Science gives us a base to start from but there are way too many variables to consider for this to be an accurate equation. People react differently to different words, tones, expressions, and the sender has to be critical and knowledgeable of his/her receiver before the delivery of his/her message to be truly effective. What I've learned from this thread is that each person has a different response when being approached about a weight issue. Some people need to be told others do not, some people need positive motivation others need to be constructively criticized. Some need to find it within themselves to make a change and noone can help them to do that. Its a vast world and we don't all think alike, have the same feelings, have acquired the same knowledge... lets just try be understanding of each individuals feelings. Thanks for all your replies, but I think this thread should end here.

Sorry for continuing to post but I was going through the EFA links and O6:O3 ratio. I am going to keep my flaxseed intake to maximum of 28 grams a day due to some of the negative things I've read about it. Then I found it amusing to play with the amount of walnuts and chia added to my diet to get the right amount of total fat with a virtual 1:1 ratio of O6:O3. Walnuts being higher in O6 and chia higher in O3, it was a little bit of tinkering but was amusing none-the-less, and yes, geeky too.

Here is another fun thing I put together for myself. I like to compare the macronutrient ratios of a few of my staple foods with significant amounts of protein or fat. Here is how they compare. Source: Nutritiondata.com http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f115/troyloferski/Foodmacrocompare.jpg