Thursday, April 28, 2011

O'Hare on time... start of a great weekend

Not much excitement in Chicago this week as normal. I have just been working and hitting the hotel fitness center up in the evenings followed by some NBA playoffs before bed.. this has been my Chicago routine.. needless to say i am in need of some fun!

I am on my way back home to MO right now.. O'Hare decided it did owe me and we were in the air within 15 minutes of the scheduled time .. definitely a win! I am relaxing on the plane letting the sunshine on me from 30000 feet listening to some Pat Green.. first time I have seen the Sun this week, feels like I am back in London. I have just finished my pre workout drink so getting a little pumped and ready to drive to the Y for a full training session. I have been watching training sessions of GSP all week.. that guy is my fitness role model.. have picked up a few things I am ready to implement in the gym.
With the help of my project manager I did find a full gym on the Allstate Campus that I will be able to use starting Monday.. no more hotel fitness center for me!!! Excited to be back home and starting my weekend up.

-GwB



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Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Explore .. Dream.. Discover

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.
-Mark Twain

I have trouble reading this quote.. Everytime I do it stirs up something deep inside of me. I have no idea what it is.. but I am hopeful that I will find whatever passion that is boiling inside of me!!..
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Monday, April 25, 2011

Eyes update and April Travels

My eyes keep getting better.. i really can't imagine it possible for them to get any better.. i have never seen things this well in my life. They are still really red and have some healing to do... but no pain at all. I have caught myself 2 times now going to the bathroom on a mission to remove my contacts before i realize i don't have them anymore..

I am back in Chicago today. I did some quick math today and if my flight is on time leaving Ohare airport Thursday (which i am 0 for the last 3 weeks). I will have spent 22 hours at that place this month, 9 hours flying, and 6 hours commuting to the airport. That is 37ish hours I would have rather wasted on something else.. that could be 10 rounds of golf, a few trips to visit friends, some more training sessions at the gym, climbing some rocks , or sleeping!! Oh well .. i guess that is a pointless thing to think about.. but when I am sitting at the airport for a couple hours i guess i have the time to do so.

It rained all weekend so i didn't do much but train, eat, and rest my eyes.. Sat i did drive up to Lake of the Ozarks with a friend. Went to the mall and just checked out the area.. i can see why that is a popular spot and will be visiting more often once lake season arrives.

-GwB




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Sunday, April 24, 2011

Glasses No More

Friday morning I woke up at 6 and went to the gym for a workout. I was unsure when i was going to get another one in because at 915 i was going to be getting Lasik Surgery. I powered through a training session and ran home to get ready. About 30 min later my ride came and picked me up to go toward the eye dr. I checked in at the dr. and in a few minutes the were leading me back to a prep type room. While here I was able to ask questions, they gave me instructions, followed by eye numbing drops and a vallium. They waited about 15 minutes for the medicine to take effect. I was feeling very relaxed by the time I walked into the Lasik operating room and was greeted by two assistants and the dr. They have already removed my glasses by this time and my eyes were awful 7.5/7.25, which means what I see at 20 feet away a person with 20/20 sees at 750 feet away.. so you with good eyes imagine that 'E' eye chart about 2 football fields away.... that's how clear those letters are to me at 20 feet. Anyway, so needless to say I could not see much walking into the room. I knew there were 3 people and i spotted the chair i was to lay on with the help of one of the assistants. They maneuvered me into position and told me not to move. My right eye was first... they put something on my eye so that it would stay open the whole time and used a drying type cloth everytime my eye watered too much. Then they cut the flap with a Laser .. I went with the newest technology called iLasik ... they call it the HD version of lasik - all is done by a laser .. and the laser has the technology to follow your eye as it moves so it is always hitting the correct spot.. i felt a little pressure as my flap was cut with the laser, much like when you press in on your eyelid with your thumb.. then all went black for a few seconds .. the dr. warned that it would so I wouldn't panic... next came the reshaping of the eye with the laser. The doc said to stair at the red dot for 47 sec and I would hear but not feel the laser.. so for the next 47 seconds I concentrated as hard as i could on that one spot. After that he used a little tool like a squeegy and placed the flap back in its correct spot. Then he moved the machine over my left and we repeated the whole process again. When it was finished they helped me up and had me look at the clock.. things were very foggy but I could already read what time it was on a clock, I wouldn't have even been able to see the clock 5 minutes before. They led me in a post op room where the doc came in and met with me.. he said it couldn't have went better and answered my question of when I would be able to workout again (I may have some issues when this was my only question after having a laser shot in my eye) he told me to recover for the day and i could hit the gym the following day. At this point my eyes became very sensitive to light and i just had to keep them closed. They gave me some very unfashionable eye goggles to wear the rest of that day and night and then the following 4 nights while sleeping to avoid any gouges to the eye that could damage the flap. Also leaving with me were 3 kinds of eyedrops and instructions of when to take them. My friend guided me out to her car and I had to wrap my head in a shirt because even my closed eyes were sensitive to the sun. I could actually feel the flap healing.. it was kind of painful at first and just got less and less painful over the next hour. I was advises to take a nap and relax my eyes as soon as I got home which was no problem because of the Vallium. I made it home and was glad to be in a very dark room and laid down for a nap. I slept for the next 5 hours. When I woke up I had no more pain and I could see!! The rest of the day I spent laying around watching movies and napping. Sat morning I drove to the eye doc for my follow up appt. In the appt my eyes tested at 20/15!! The slight haziness from things far in the distance just keeps improving and was told that is normal over the first couple weeks and will be completly gone within a few weeks. It was a huge success and am excited to throw away the contacts for good!

-GwB
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Thursday, April 21, 2011

Postponed.. Just another Thursday

I am sitting at O'Hare... my plane is postponed for the 3rd week in a row here.. airports are one of my least favorite places to be and i have seen them way too much lately. The people that work here are not friendly.. im sure it has to do with all the people that are not friendly to them, but still no excuse. I will make it back to springfield before the AM even if I have to rent a car and drive it.. I have been waiting too long to get lasik not to make my surgery. Doesn't look like i will be making it to the gym tonight. O'Hare needs a fitness center for those people who have delayed flights... that would help my dissatisfaction in this place.

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Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Week Update

Not much going on here at Chicago this week. The weather has been cold and stormy and work has been slow waiting on requirements. I am back in the Hilton this week so you can see in the picture my improved options for training compared to the other hotel. I was feeling pretty creative today and came up with a very solid workout given my equipment.

Decided to stay in tonight and order room service so I can watch the Thunder game. I am looking forward to this weekend because Friday I am taking off work because at 915am I am finally getting lasik surgery on my eyes. I can not wait to be done with glasses and contacts. Would appreciate the prayers that all goes well. Will keep you updated on the process and how it went this weekend.

-GwB

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Tuesday, April 19, 2011

My Training Philosophy

One of the reasons I want to be a physical trainer is because I am so tired of seeing people get led down the wrong path with both fitness and nutrition. Sure if you do something long enough and often enough you will get better at it and if you burn enough calories, or tear enough muscle fibers doing it you will see some results. There is however a much much better way to achieve the results not only physically but mentally as well. I go to the gym and I see certified trainers that do not seem like they have a clue what they are doing and people pay good money to be led down a road of 'fitness frustration', where the time they have put in is not getting the desired results they hoped for. I believe that this training philosophy is a 'one size fits all' type of approach... if one's goal is better fitness and physical appearance.

Nutrition: well this is for sure not a 'one size fits all' for example right now I have modified my food intake to be based around my training and body type. I am trying to get 5000+ calories a day in with 45% Carbs 30% Fats and 25% Protein. I follow a strict Paleo diet (Only lean meats, fruits, veggies, nuts and seeds) with supplementation of weight gainer and proteins. I do this because I am trying to add lean mass with my current training the calories are so high because I am naturally a very skinny guy (ectomorph). I have put on over 18 lbs. since January doing this and I am going to continue this nutrition program until June hoping to put on another 5-7lbs. Some say that fitness and weight training is 80% nutrition...I believe that, b/c if you are not giving your body what it needs you will never see the results that you are looking for. With that being said Nutrition is all depending on the training, goals, and body type of the individual.

Now to the "one size fits all" training philosophy..:


"Constantly Varied, Functional Movements executed at High Intensity"


Constantly Varied:

Variety is the spice of life and of fitness. The more variety and creativity that are placed into the workouts, the more your body will develop and grow stronger. Variety in exercises, sets, reps, weight, rounds, etc. is the key to developing every component of physical fitness.

Functional Movements:

Functional movements are universal motor patterns that mimic human movement in every day life. Functional movements are squats, deadlifts, pushes, pulls, lunges, rotational movements. They are not single-joint movements but rather multi-joint movements. They are safe, develop very powerful and useful core strength, and are the best cardio training you can do. Functional movements move from core to extremity and can tolerate high loads and move them long distances in a short amount of time. Functional training provides the body with a stimulus that is unmatched. These movements will improve the quality of life of everyone who performs them and will teach people how to move their bodies more efficiently and effectively in all life’s endeavors. From elite athletes looking to improve their performance in a particular sport to a grandmother seeking to gain strength to pick up her grandkids from the floor to over her head, functional training is the answer to improving the overall health and well being of everyone, no matter what level of fitness.

Intensity:

Intensity is all about hard and fast. How hard and how fast depends on your fitness level. All workouts are scaled to your level of intensity. Intensity is where the results are! Guaranteed!


With all that being said.. to get to the results one must work very very hard in the gym and in the kitchen.

Fitness 'and Nutrition' - If it came in a bottle, everybody would have a great body.
- Cher
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Monday, April 18, 2011

Snow... really!?

Back to Chicago today, the city welcomed me with snow covered roofs and below freezing weather. From all the problems and delays that I have had with flights in snowy weather, this one went on with no issues, although I think I would have enjoyed it more if it were cancelled and I could have stuck around in the 70* MO weather. My co-workers plane ride was however delayed.. so i spent most my morning and some of the afternoon camped up at O'Hare waiting for them. I did however get quite a bit of work completed since I didn't have anyone requiring my attention.

Mondays have been my off day from training since I started the Chicago traveling. This is because I only have access to a full gym Thursday through Sunday. So after those four days of training my body is in need of a day of rest. I am no good at rest days though... I know I need them, but still would rather be training. So i am now posted up at the hotel room watching the double header of the NBA playoffs for the rest of the night.

-GwB
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Sunday, April 17, 2011

Traveling Necessities

5 hour energy
Cliff Protein bars
Weight Gainer Powder
Shaker bottle
Water bottle
Watch (Interval training)
Prime (wkout supplement - just started.. will give my review after a bit)
Nivea face lotion
Ipods and headphones
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Sunday Fun Day

I woke up Sunday morning feeling great.. decided to enjoy the Sunday morning outdoors with my old climbing buddy. So I located my climbing shoes and headed out the door to a little south of springfield MO and was face to face with a giant rock before noon. Had a great afternoon struggling on some rocks, but was very pleased with my performance after more than a year off from climbing.

On my way home I realized I had my workout bag with me so I decided to stop at the south side Y in Springfield for a workout. Had a good training session and was on my way to the golf course for a quick round of golf. I met a friend at the course and tee'd it up for the first time since October last year. I played some pretty great golf for not touching the clubs in half a year... had a couple birdies a few bogeys and was a couple over for the round. The training that I have been putting in at the gym has made for a lot more club head speed evidentally. I was hitting the ball in spots I usually only see when the course is playing hot and fast.

It was a great Sunday.. hope the rest of the week follows suit.

-GwB
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Saturday, April 16, 2011

An Amish Audience.

Last night I decided to go out so me and a friend hit up Trolley's in downtown Springfield. This is one of my favorite places .. friendly people, a great dj playing some great 90's tunes, and a waitress they call 'lil fox' and for good reason!! Had a good time hanging with a friend and talking with the others that were around. Because of the late night I am lacking in motivation today. I have managed to finish 2 loads of laundry and made it to the Y for a good workout. At the Y today they were using the gymnasium for a lawn and garden show, and this must be highly attractive to the amish crowd in SW MO. They were all over the place. A group of about 20 just stood against a rail that overlooks the fitness center watching all the weightlifters. I am curious what they were thinking watching all the people doing their bicep curls and bench press. I have a feeling most of them with their farmboy type strength could come over and put most the gym to shame if they were so inclined, but they just leaned on the rail in their overalls viewing like it were a spectator sport for the full hour plus I was there.

-GwB
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Thursday, April 14, 2011

Mayne Event

As I type I am on the plane back to Springfield listening to some good tunes (mostly red dirt music is all you will find in my ipod... whiskey myers is my current fav) . I am looking forward to landing and heading to the downtown Y for a workout session.

The O'Hare airport was once again delaying about every flight on the board. They have some issues.. don't know if it is just the massive amounts of people that roll through that place but I will be glad when I get a break from having to visit that place. I did however run into one of my favorite TV personalities, ESPN's Kenny Mayne, and I literally mean I ran into him. I was looking at the board for my flight gate and unknown by me he was walking by on the phone we had a small collision and exchanged apologies and he gave me a wink when he realized I recognized him. We went on our seperate ways although he was leaving with a pretty major limp.. I am hoping he had that before our meeting.

-GwB
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Wednesday, April 13, 2011

beef...its whats for dinner

This well help get me to my 5500 calories today..
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Choose your pain..

"Suffer the pain of discipline, or suffer the pain of regret" -Unknown

If I ever open up my gym that is for sure going to be painted on one of the walls.

The photo is all I have to work with at the hotel this week. Makes me feel bad for putting down the Hilton for their 50 lb dumbells. I wish I had those this week. I did however get rather creative using this machine. For example .. the overhead full squats using the shoulder press. I am hoping my plane gets out on time tomorrow so I can make it to the Y before it closes. I am in need of some power snatch's and kettle bell swings!

I am struggling with this new goal creation I am wanting to start. I am torn on how to go about it. Some things I believe daily/weekly goals would be the best, but afraid I would lose interest if I had to create goals that often. I am really thinking what I need to do is to find one major far out there almost unreachable goal to go after just to see how far and hard I can push myself. I have a few ideas... when I settle on one I will let you know.

-GwB
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Tuesday, April 12, 2011

My current addiction

The Cliff Builders Chocolate Mint bar is amazing!!! Taste like the mint girl scout cookies. Has too much sugar and sat fat to eat often but go ahead and replace over a protein shake from time to time... YuM!!
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Goals

Without a determined goal to seek after we are just living each day going from one meaningless task to the next.

I decided today that I need set goals in my life other than just fitness. When I put my mind to achieving a goal I seem to excel at it no matter what it is. In my life now I don't have any goals or anything Im trying to achieve except for in the gym. I am going to create goals that will entertain my mind and motivate me to grow in many areas of my life.

Areas that I am thinking needs goals assigned:

1.) Career
2.) Fun
3.) Social Life
4.) Spiritual Life
5.) Fitness
6.) Organization

Over the next few days I am going to brainstorm and create measureable goals for each.

-GwB
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Monday, April 11, 2011

Chilly Chicago

Woke up early this morning and drove to the Springfield airport for the 2nd of many trips to Chicago. Plane ride went over without a hitch and before I knew it I was walking off the plane to a crisp wind blowing through Chicago. After a quick lunch made it to the office for an uneventful day at work. Checked o to the hotel and went for a walk. This is a different hotel than normal b/c the hilton was full. About a mile from this hotel is a nice outdoor mall area .. I stumbled into a sushi resteraunt called RA. It was great. First time I had american sushi since my return from london, forgot how much I love it! Not much excitement on this Monday .. my day off from working out, so just chilling in the hotel texting with friends tonight.

-GwB
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Sunday, April 10, 2011

Masters Weekend

The weather was great this weekend. Sat I got up and wanted to get my workout finished early so I could go out and enjoy the gorgeous weather. I took my pre-workout in double the normal dose hoping to wake me up. It never seemed to hit me though.. I struggled through the lack of motivation and did get a decent workout in. I then headed out to the golf course and hit some balls and enjoyed some sun. Finished the day off with a trip to bass pro and met a friend and was contemplating some new fishing gear, but left empty handed. Sunday I started off a lil more energetic than the day before and ran several errands before going to the Y for a great workout session (I love the days at the gym where I have to force myself to leave b/c my body can't handle anymore). Then I headed out to the golf club to watch the final round of the Masters. Finished off my sunday by packing for Chicago and listening to the thunderstorm rolling through. It was a great weekend. Just sad I have to say goodbye to the sun for a few days, weather isn't looking to promising in Chi town next week.

-GwB
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Friday, April 8, 2011

Design Review and Beautiful weather

Today has been my first day of the year with weather above 70. It was actually over 80. I love shorts and tee shirt weather.. after work I just went out to the putting green at the golf course and took as much of the sunshine in that I could. Speaking of work, I was back in the MO office today. I had to give a presentation called a Design Review. Basically it is me in front of all of our Sr leadership and top knowledge pros at work explaining to them how I am going to build/implement this software program. It went well I got some good feedback and ideas and looking forward to building out the program. I get down on my job somedays but I am sure we all do from time to time. My company has put me in charge of building this program for our biggest client ever so I am looking forward to the challenge and getting a huge win for Duck Creek.

Anyway, going to go out to the golf club tonight and meet up with some friends for some drinks and some.good times. Looking forward to some great weather over the weekend.

-GwB
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Thursday, April 7, 2011

Chicago to Springfield

Today I finished up my first week of work at Chicago. How many left is still yet to be determined. Mostly this week was just mtgs to finish up getting all the requirements so I can build out the software code.... anyway that is boreing stuff. The thing that I dislike about Chicago the most is that I do not have access to a proper gym. Just the Hilton fitness center that has much to be desired. I am creative and worked out long enough to put together a good routine while there but when I got off the plane tonight I was craving a good workout so I drove straight to the downtown springfield ymca. It was much needed.. something about power clings and deadlifts that just makes me happy, maybe its just the feeling of hard work or the feeling of accomplishment when its complete. That is something that the Hilton and their range of dumbells from 5lbs. to 50lbs. can not offer.

Things I learned today..
1.) I equally dislike the Chicago airport as much as I Love the Springfield airport!
2.) I can not eat shelled pistachios without making a huge mess.
3.) When I don't have access to my pre workout drink... sugar free red bull will do the trick.

-GwB

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Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Back in the States... Back on the road

Well I made it back to the States after a 5 month stay in London last Sat. I was excited to get back to a life of familiarity; a car, a smart phone... went with the droid-x and thinking it was a good choice... sunshine, family, and friends. I enjoy my job for the most part, but after a year of traveling and not having a home.. it is starting to get me down a bit. I will now be in Chicago during the weekdays through the end of July. I will be traveling back and forth between MO and Chicago for the next 4 months at least. I feel like I live out of a suitcase and forgot what my bed actually feels like... the worst thing that I dislike about all the travel is it hinders me from creating and sustaining relationships. Im not just speaking of a girlfriend but just friends in general. I seem to be slow at letting my guard down and letting people really get to know me. I don't do this on purpose it just seems to be....well ME. So I am never at a place long enough to really make any genuine friends. Not much I can do about it now in my life except try to make the best of it and try and see as much as I can while I am on the road.