Blackah

Weight: 130.5lb
Daily calorie intake approx: 1200 calories
Current Body fat percentage reading: 10%
Training Phase: Cutting

Weighed in today at 130.5lbs

I still have a slight cold but it only seems to be making my brain a little fuzzy. My diet and training is still progressing as normal.

I had another "fuzzy brain" moment this morning when doing my Closed Grip EZ Bar Curl. The very first lift and I thought, "Hey! Either my right arm has become incredibly bionic over night or my left has become incredibly un-bionic!"

Of course it was neither - I had missed out a plate on the left hand side of the bar! Good Grief!

The weird thing was that, after correcting the mistake, I lifted the bar and it wobbled again, as if it was still unbalanced. I had to put everything down to triple check. The weights were now correct so I took a minute to balance my thinking before starting over.

I think the imbalance from the first lift made my right arm automatically expect the same imbalance the second time around and so over-compensated for an expected imbalance that simply wasn't there. Strange!

Anyway, I'm hoping I'll be OK for by normal aerobic weekend. I feel absolutely fine now but I know from experience that even a minor cold can negatively impact aerobic training.

Until tomorrow!

Blackah

Weight: 130lb
Daily calorie intake approx: 1200 calories over 7 meals a day
Current Body fat percentage reading: 10%
Training Phase: Cutting

Weighed in today at 130lbs

It's been a week since I started my monster, 3-day Carb Up May Day Festival Weekend and I've finally shed all the retained water to arrive back at the weight I started at. Now will be the test to see if it's paid off! Will it have boosted my metabolism enough to enable me to continue loosing weight whilst maintaining my strength and muscle mass, or will it have been the biggest, most unnecessary pig out since Emperor Nero said, "I'll just have a sandwich thanks!"

Last night I was having serious doubts as to the wisdom of going for my scheduled run this morning. My nose was running faster than I thought I could and my legs still hurt from Thursday's Leg set. Well I went anyway and, although it wasn't my personal best and I did leave a trail of slime in my wake, I survived the 3 mile treck with an attempted sprint to finish.

I'm hoping to have persuaded the wife to no cheat meals this weekend. She still likes to produce what I can only describe as "food porn" at the weekends but she's being a little more understanding to the severe trauma I suffer when having to say no to such erotic food.

Until tomorrow!

Blackah

Weight: 130lb
Daily calorie intake approx: 2000 calories over 7 meals a day
Current Body fat percentage reading: 10%
Training Phase: Maintenance

Weighed in today at 130lbs

I really hate being ill!

It's even worse when I've told everyone in this journal how incredibly amazing I am because my family got really ill but I survived. Well after updating my journal yesterday it hit my with the full force of a nuclear sneeze. The slight illness I had been entertaining for the last few days turned out the be just the appetizer and I now have my head fully submerged in the main course.

Am I feeling a little conceited... arrogant even?

Well yes!

I'm definitely not even thinking about going for a run this morning and am back on maintenance diet until I recover. I guess the real test will be how long this will keep me out of the gym for. Typically it's around a week but I am really hoping that it won't be that long this time around. In fairness I am already feeling much better than yesterday so I'll see how a Chest & Tricep workout looks tomorrow morning.

Until then!

AliG

Bloody fantastic Blackah. Just ready what you have been doing give me that extra motivation. Good work mate.

Blackah

Thanks for that! It's the sort of positive remark that really does work both ways. All the way from Dubai as well!

Thanks again


Today's Journal

Weight: 130lb
Daily calorie intake approx: 1200 calories over 7 meals a day
Current Body fat percentage reading: 10%
Training Phase: Cutting

Weighed in today at 130lbs

Well my voice sounds like a Triumph Bonneville, my head feels like it's in a crash helmet sitting on a Triumph Bonneville and my legs feel like jelly wobble but I did my Chest and Tricep workout anyway!

You should have heard the mental debate I had with myself whilst lying in bed trying to make the decision. Again it's were routine just kicks right in and you find yourself getting up and doing it whether you feel like it or not.

Not the greatest workout in the world - I only did three sets of each instead of four - although I ended on a strong note with a very normal 4 set Butterfly Bench Press and Tripep Curl.

It also allows me to get right back on my cutting diet.

I'm fairly certain I'm not going to be going for a run on Wednesday but as long as I can keep up my weight training I'll be very happy.

Until tomorrow!

P.S. For those of you who prefer 2 wheels to 4, a Triumph Bonneville is a motorcycle, very popular in the 70s and I believe being made by Triumph in the UK today.

Blackah

Weight: 128.5lb
Daily calorie intake approx: 1200 calories over 7 meals a day
Current Body fat percentage reading: 10%
Fitness Plan: Bionic Training Program
Training Phase: Cutting

Weighed in today at 128.5lbs

Well I'm feeling infinitely better today, especially as my daily weigh-in came in at the lowest level for this year! More importantly, 1.5lbs less than when I started my Carb Up Weekend just over a week ago now.

Of course it's not all fat (or god forbid muscle) loss although a quick measurement of my waist shows me descended rapidly towards 26.25 inches ( 0.25 less than before my Carb Up). I've also made a few subtle changes to the order of my meal plan to help reduce the amount of complex carbs I was having in the evening. Finally I've started to drink Japanese Brown Tea in the evening. It's caffein free and supposed to help digest food quicker (according to my wife!). Anyway I think these changes may have helped to flush out some more retained water from my Carb Up and some of the Cheat Food I had when I was ill over the weekend.

Although I think it's really important to keep to a very rigid routine I also think it's equally important to keep making subtle changes when you think something can be improved.

I had a very good Shoulders & Back workout today and felt my strength has fully returned. Certainly no increases in weight but I did my normal 4 sets with better performances on the last set for each.

I'm even thinking about going for a run tomorrow... I said "thinking about"...!

Nothing particularly humorous in today's journal so a quick joke...

How do you catch a fish?

Get someone to throw you one!

Until tomorrow!

Blackah

Weight: 128.5lb
Daily calorie intake approx: 1200 calories over 7 meals a day
Current Body fat percentage reading: 10%
Training Platform: Bionic Training Program
Training Phase: Cutting

Weighed in today at 128.5lbs

Well I thought about going for a run this morning... and I went!

I did my normal fasted cardio 3 mile route and although I had to stop twice to clear my nose - using my T Shirt - yuk! (don't tell the wife) and I certainly didn't break any records, I felt good!

And after a shower and a protein shake I felt fantastic!

So much for taking a week off for illness. This cold has cost me approximately 1 day of training. Not bad considering there are certain people out there who think I'm on too low a daily calorie intake and will therefore suffer certain hospitalization before next Tuesday!

My wife produced a lovely, juicy and ultra tender stake for dinner last night. She's a fantastic cook and always produces the finest gourmet food but I wish she'd inject a little more protein sometimes. Well I couldn't complain last night - in fact I never complain about her food. I'm always so grateful to have every evening meal made for me even if I don't have any control over exactly what that meal is. It's normally ultra-clean and healthy, is different just about ever single night and always tastes great. It's like having my own personal restaurant... at home! I keep meaning to take pictures and post them somewhere... maybe now I've written that I might start doing it!

Until tomorrow!

Blackah

Weight: 129lb
Daily calorie intake approx: 1200 calories over 7 meals a day
Current Body fat percentage reading: 10%
Training Platform: Bionic Training Program
Training Phase: Cutting

Weighed in today at 129lbs

I had an excellent Leg workout this morning which was great! Unfortunately I'm on "looking after the children" duty today and therefore had to push them both to nursery which is a mile up a steep hill using a heavy off-road buggy. I can normal virtually jog this but after only one hour since my set I nearly had to ask an old lady for help as she overtook me!

As I'm sure most of you can appreciate it's hard enough just to walk up the stairs after a good leg set.

Anyway I'm still making good gains in strength which is a little surprising this far into my cut. I am definitely going to have to upgrade all my home gym equipment when I'm done. When I first bought my current set up I clearly remember thinking that this would last me for the rest of my days but I'm already looking to max out on some of the recommended load levels. In fairness it was all quite cheap and cheerful but I still thought it would all last a lifetime.

Until tomorrow!

Blackah

Weight: 128.5lb
Daily calorie intake approx: 1200 - 1300 calories over 7 meals a day
Current Body fat percentage reading: 10%
Training Platform: Bionic Training Program
Training Phase: Cutting

Weighed in today at 128.5lbs

As it's Friday I thought I'd reflect a little on my thinking during the week. I've had a few comments to deal with regarding my low calorie intake over the last few days in a very similar way to when I cut last year. At that time most critism came from my family who were shocked at what seemed to them my sudden weight loss.

I do find it very difficult to listen to criticism objectively. I do, however, welcome any remark that helps us all to think a little more for ourselves and to make up our own minds about the world around us. I'm sure most of us really do believe that we do think for ourselves and are fully responsible for every decision we make. Unfortunately, with the slick wheels of mass media ever circularing; around us, through us and into us, it is becoming harder and harder for us all to do any free thinking.

When I used to get on the tube to London everyday I felt that we had already entered a thought controlled environment very similar to George Orwell's Nineteen Eighty Four. Everyone would pick up exactly the same free newspaper, sit down and allow the same 20 pages of pointless information to enter their sleepy, absorbent minds.

I personally haven't read a newspaper, watched the news or glanced at any news online since January. It all just got too depressing!

I've just gone way off base! Anyway I guess the question I've been asking myself this week is, "Is it really healthy, sensible and necessary to go below 10%?"

But it occurred to me, so what if it isn't the most ultra-healthy thing that I could be doing! Enough people die running marathons, climbing mountains, skiing or riding horses but society would always fully support anyone intending to do all of these.

I am tempted to stop my cut early and start a very slow, controlled bulk, but if I do, is it because I want to, or is it because I'm allowing my own thinking to be controlled by other people's thinking?

I very nearly gave up my cut last year because of the critism I had but looking back I'm really glad I continued. I enjoyed the whole process, despite (or because of) it's challenges, and certainly enjoyed the physical, health and visual benefits.

Seeing the person I am now compared to the person I was back then, my entire family now fully support my training program.

Well I guess I have two choices. To continue my cut to 8% body fat or abort and start to work on muscle growth. At least most of us are fortunate enough to live in a world where we can make these decisions independently, even if most people choose to do nothing but simply eat more and more... and more.

For now I'm going to continue until the end of May and reflect some more at that time.

Until tomorrow!

Blackah

Weight: 129lb
Daily calorie intake approx: 1300 calories over 7 meals a day
Current Body fat percentage reading: 10%
Training Platform: Bionic Training Program
Training Phase: Cutting

Weighed in today at 129lbs

Well my wife is off on a business trip to Japan for the best part of two weeks so I'll be here looking after my two boys... on my own!

This has raised a few more questions / problems for me to sort out regarding my training and diet routine. Firstly my training; it won't be easy but I'll have to do the best I can. I won't be able to go for my normal morning run as I can't leave them alone in the house, so I'll have to put together some sort of weighted step routine. Secondly I am going to be disturbed during my training time, which these days is between 7am - 7.45am. They can rarely be alone together for more than half an hour before attempting to remove each others limbs for want of a toy something.

I'm also thinking about upping my calorie intake during this time. There is no way I use the same calories sitting behind a desk for 12 hours a day as I do running after two boys!

But if I can't do my normal focussed training then maybe my calories should remain the same!

I guess this is called "life getting in the way... again!" and why I go on an on about the importance of an established routine.

This all reminded me of another on-going problem I've always had and always will have regarding my diet. My evening meal!

I know from experience that my wife will leave me a series of nearly ready prepared food for the duration - you know I used to cook all my own food for years and years - which will be great. But it reminded me that I really have absolutely no idea how many calories I consume for my evening meal. I didn't know when I cut last year and I have no idea today.

I think this is the biggest strength and biggest weakness to my diet. I see it as a strength because of the healthy variety of food I eat - she rarely makes the same dish twice - but it's a massive weakness because I have no real control over my daily calorie intake AND it's always too much food in one hit too late in the day for me... if it were my choice AND the time varies when I eat the food anywhere between 7.30pm to 9pm.

So what I do is guesstimate the calories!

When I'm cutting she tries to gives me smaller portions and I guesstimate this to be 500 calories.

When I'm not cutting she gives me larger so I guesstimate this to be 600.

But honestly it could be anywhere between 400 to 1000. I really have no idea!

It really wound me up last year but I've come to accept it now. It's strange that I know my exact calorie intake during from 7am - 7pm and exactly when I'm going to eat that food but after 7pm it's all taken completely out of my hands.

Anyway, I may well not increase my calorie intake when she leaves... or maybe I will!?!

It's at times like these, especially when combined with my thoughts laid out in yesterdays journal, when a cutting program stands on a knife edge!

Until tomorrow!

P.S. I had a good 4 mile ran this morning and feel very much back to normal again.

Blackah

Weight: 128.5lb
Daily calorie intake approx: 1300 calories over 7 meals a day
Current Body fat percentage reading: 10%
Training Platform: Bionic Training Program
Training Phase: Cutting

Weighed in today at 128.5lbs

Well you'll be pleased to hear (or not - depending on how you feel about my current goal) that I'm feeling a lot more positive about my 2009 cut.

I came to the conclusion last night that, when I reach 8% again this year, I'm probably never going to look like that ever again!

As I'm now so close to re-gained that look, one last time, I know I would regret it if I did stop now. I would definitely feel that I whimped out of a commitment I made to myself way back in 2008.

With that in mind I've done some more very minor tweaking to my diet in an attempt to eliminate every ounce of processed sugar from my diet and with re-renewed determination I will carry on.

The decision was also helped by the Body Fat reading on my scales going down another 1% this morning although my weight remained the same. This does NOT mean that I'm announcing that I've lost another 1%. It is only one measure of two that I use but I see it as a good sign that I am managing to still loose body fat whilst making some gains in muscle density.

I had an easy fasted cardio 4 mile run this morning with no aches or pains and a very strong sprint to finish.

I'm feeling good!

Until tomorrow!

Blackah

Weight: 128.5lb
Daily calorie intake approx: 1300 calories over 7 meals a day
Current Body fat percentage reading: 10%
Training Platform: Bionic Training Program
Training Phase: Cutting

Weighed in today at 128.5lbs

Well my weight remains the same but my waistline is still decreasing. A quick measurement this morning pulled it in at just over 26 inches. I still think I'm 10% body fat but 9% is closing in fast.

I'm not going to be 8% by the end of the month, that was my original goal, but hopefully by Mid June. I'm really going to sound like a girl here but I have a wedding to attend on the 20th June at which point I think my cut should officially end. It would be good to enjoy what would amount to a celebratory carb-up weekend knowing that I've achieved my goal for 2009! I won't have a thing to where (that was the real girly bit) as I still haven't bought a suit since I was Fat Daddy, but hopefully it will be warm enough for me to just wear a pair of trousers (pants) with a shirt and tie. The one pair of smart trousers that still nearly fit need to have a large pleat folded in to do the trick. I don't seem to be able to find any shops that sell men's clothes with a 26 inch waist! Please don't tell me that I should look in the children's section. I just couldn't face that!

This is beginning to read like a script from Sex and the City!

Good grief!

Anyway, I had a good Chest & Tricep workout this morning although I did notice a slight decrease in strength. It was expected! I've recently stopped recording exactly what weights I do as they normally remain the same and the regular increases I was making during the first part of my cut have gradually dissipated. I'm very confident, however, that "muscle memory" will kick in once I start to bulk and I'll soon regain any lost mass.

Until tomorrow!

Blackah

Weight: 128lbs
Daily calorie intake approx: 1300 calories over 7 meals a day
Current Body fat percentage reading: 10%
Training Platform: Bionic Training Program
Training Phase: Cutting

Weighed in today at 128lbs

And that's a new low for me this year! The scale actually flickered between 127.5lbs and 128lbs (it's not very accurate) so things are still progressing very well. I think eradicating nearly every last grain of processed sugar has helped and I've also reduced the amount of skimmed milk powder I use in my porridge and coffee. Every little helps!

I've noticed another benefit of this years cut. My wife! Yes, it's finally beginning to rub off on her (well... in that she's not able to drink alcohol with me and we never have any desserts anymore) and she's lost weight! She's now the thinest I've seen her since she first got pregnant over 5 years ago now. Unfortunately she still doesn't follow any training programs and so will have lost fat and muscle, but hey - I guess it's better than nothing and she does get some exercise just bringing up the two boys and life in general.

I had an average shoulders and back workout this morning. Nothing worth writing about but I progressed each set to failure as always.

I'm getting very close to 9% now - hopefully before the end of this week!

Until tomorrow!

Michael

Great cutting progress!