Recent Posts by Craig V

Ah yes...2009.  Time to make some goals.

1. Get HUGE!

2. Don't get too HUGE!

3. Don't get hurt!

Such a simple sport!!!!

Seriously, it is time that I really sit down and put something down on paper so that I have that carrot.  I do have some lifting goals, but I'm not sure how realistic and/or stretch they are.  I'll post when I have more time.

Wow!

That's all I can say after this weekend's camp.  My understanding of intensity just got elevated 100 fold after working out with and watching Brian and Dave.  No wonder they are the best in the business!

Seriously, I had over an hour and a half back session with Brian on Friday and I cannot breathe yet today without hurting.  He got me to another PR in my sumo deads...went up another 20 to 475.  Amazing what you can do with the fear of failing in front of people you admire and respect! 

Chest yestrday was tough as there was little left in my tank.  Not only that, but Dave had just finished an insane leg workout about an hour before he took me through it and he was still a little green around the gills himself.  That being said, he really put me through the ringer and added soreness to the soreness! 

What a way to start the new year!  Great meeting Team K folks in person like Ian, Tori, Karla, Dave and Tony...renewing friendships with Jordan, Nancy, Cindy, Lucas, and Brent...and of course seeing the Mecca guys (Keith, Kristin) again...not to mention Doc and his staff!

Tori, great meeting you and your hubby this weekend...what a great couple.  Didn't get to talk to him at dinner, but you guys look fabulous together.

Hope you made it home safe and sound.

OMG, what a weekend!  Sorry, no pictures from me (other than new avatar) as I was too busy getting beat up (LOL).

I've not been this sore...ever...from lifting.  First Brian annihilated my back on Friday and then Dave finished me of with chest yesterday.  Awesome, awesome weekend!

Thanks Dr. Joe, Brian, Dave, Sean, Kori, Tony and everybody for a very memorable camp! 

When's the next one? 

HAPPY NEW YEAR TEAM K!!!!

Donna and I just stayed home last night and watched movies...it was fantastic AND I feel good this morning!  I certainly hope that everyone else had a great time.  Here's to a prosperous 2009!  CHEERS!

I've been brushing up today on Covey's 7 Habits and ran across a quote that takes on new meaning since I started this sport...thought I would share it here:

"The best way to predict your future is to create it!"

Entered Thanksgiving at 193 and exited Christmas at 195.  Not where I want to be, but overall a successful month.  I'd like to bring it back to 188-190 and hold it there and I foresee no problems doing that.

Update on adductor injury:  STILL not healing.  In fact, at times it seems worse.  Ran a couple times on treadmill this weekend and it's as sore as ever.  Very, very frustrating from the standpoint that I can't hit legs like I would like to.

Other than that...everything is going well.  Hope everyone had a great Christmas!

Hey Brent...gonna be down your way (staying in Arlington) next week on business.  Maybe we can get in a workout together on Tuesday (1/6)???  Not sure how close you are, but we can talk at camp.

Mark, glad to see that you enjoyed Christmas and and still managed to maintain perspective.  No doubt you will bring it right back!

Great to hear that you're planning on coming to Eville in August...

What a wonderful Christmas, huh?  It's great when you can thoroughly enjoy the holiday and still hold yourself accountable at the same time.

...and then to go out and blast through a PR with the Sumo's!!!  Now that is using some positive energy.  Glad your Christmas was awesome.

That was just way too scary and close!  Really kind of opens your eyes a bit to know that it could happen to any of us at any time.  I'm really glad that you and your family are safe and that your Christmas was great. 

Cute kids!

God bless!

Merry Christmas Lucas!

Glad to see another fellow bber up a few pounds as well (LOL).  We are same weight for this beautiful Christmas season...and I for one foresee some more poundage coming on after today .

Hope you and your family are having a great Christmas day!

Mark - Thanks...same to you and your family!

Char - I'm sure that if you're seeing those strength gains that the muscle has to be growing significantly.

Kristin - You have no idea how stoked I am.  An opportunity to work chest and back with Dave and Brian is just awesome.

Sean - Sent you an email, but thought I would let anyone who is reading this also know that you gave me a sweet Christmas gift on Tuesday.  The chest workout that just keeps on giving (LOL).  Can't hardly breathe this morning due to chest/rib cage hurting so bad.  SWEET!

MERRY CHRISTMAS ALL!

While talking to Sean and Kori last night about Kori's amazing DB press (70's!), I really got inspired.  So I scheduled a chest workout with Sean for this morning with the sole intent to go HEAVY!  I had just a week ago gotten my PR with 90's, but somehow I knew I had more in me.

Sadistic Sean got it out of me!  100's X 2 reps....twice!  I was extremely happy with that achievement, but Sean wouldn't let me rest there...he proceeded to just kill my delts after that...great workout, great trainer, great team!

Thanks Sean and Kori for pushing me every day and HAPPY HOLIDAYS to all Team K'ers!!! 

My reaction exactly last night when Sean told me she got 70's up!  Holy Cow! 

What was priceless was the proud, sly little grin Kori squeezed out when she confirmed it.  In my mind, that's what this whole journey is all about!  Gotta love it!!!!

Thanks Char! 

No bike's necessary Mary!  You're right on track with what I meant.   

Welcome Shelli!  I agree with Liz...your avitar is phenominal.

My story?  My weight peaked at 238 in early 2007, so I started dieting (Atkins) and lost about 15 pounds but didn't feel good about it.

August 2007: Joined Dr. Joe's Metabolic Transformation program (223 pounds) with sole objective to lose weight and get healthy.

October 2007: Weight down to 200 pounds...Sean and Joe somehow convince me that I should consider competing.  I wanted to see my abs and thought this might be the perfect motivation for me to get there.  After all, getting up on stage 98% naked has a bit of a motivational aspect to it (LOL).

August 2008: Actually competed (NANBF) for the first time at.....169 pounds!  I had lost 69 pounds and was 4% BF.  Took 2 second places and a third.

Learned a TON along the way...self actualization wise, relationship wise, health wise, training wise.  From a health perspective, best decision I ever made was hooking up with Joe and team.  You will love it too I'm sure.

Stories like mine are a dime a dozen on this team...there are some truly remarkable people here that have done great things.  I hope they share their experiences as well.

Right on track my man...great job!  The skin?  Definitely will tighten up as you go.  Especially if you put on 25 pounds post contest .

We DO need updated photos!

I couldn't relate back then, but it sure resonates now. 

Just this morning I was complaining to my son about how soft and pudgy I was getting and I didn't like it a bit.  I raised my shirt to show off my renewed gut only to have him laugh and mumble in disgust "yeah, right...you still got abs!"

Made me realize that it really is just relative.

I knew I could count on you guys...I learn SO much on this forum.

One, I feel 100% better knowing that it's "normal" (first time I think I've made it into that category! ).  Secondly, I had no clue that symmetry was defined that way...sure makes a lot of sense though.

...and yes Nancy, I'm going to be at camp.  I was going to wait and ask this question there but couldn't wait that long (yes, impatience is my curse).  Can't wait to learn even more.

Thanks again for all the great responses!!!

Oh Mary, you're killin' me!

I guess I'll be in full body nordic cover for a while...at least it provides me with the "carrot" I've been searching for.  Just the visualization I need to force out those extra 5-6 reps! 

I'm not above asking the stupid questions, so here goes. 

I have noticed more and more (as I gain more muscle) that one side of my body seems to develop better than the other, read more definition.  In some respects I think I could understand that if it was my dominant side, but I am right hand dominant and my more developed side (at least in my mind) is my left...particularly in my delts and triceps.  They are much more separated and defined than my right side.

Now, I rarely press with bb's, almost everything I do is db oriented and I feel as if the form is pretty consistent although I have been told that when the weight gets heavy or I start getting fatigued I tend to lean a little bit (not sure which way).  That being said, I was told that about my leg extensions and my squats, not my presses.

Is that natural, i.e. everyone has a "better" side or should I be doing something different to correct it?  And how does that play with the judges when up on stage?