Blink2000's Progress Journal

[larrypinball]

Hey blink!

This log is aweseome!

Reading your's and millia's logs makes me want to hang. Eventually.

I'm the same age as you and also have a PE supportive wife, which is awesome. How is it going with the P90X? Been looking at that myself, but live in an apartment and am not sure if it's neighbor-safe or not - would you say it is?

I've also used EVO and thought it was OK, but a dread to make. I found Bio Oil through these forums (don't remember who should get the credit) and for me personally it works better (and the wife likes the smell/taste better). Just a tip and maybe an alternative, easy to find through a Google search (bought mine on eBay though).

 

[blink2000]

Ah very cool. I like hearing that I'm not the only middle age guy here

I've noticed your log as well--I've been slowly getting around to reading people's logs here. For the life of me I can't figure out what your picture is there (is that from a movie?).

For P90x, actually I live in an apartment too and my neighbor below has only banged once--and I'm on week 7. Ok, well at least I only noticed once! The majority of the time there's no problem, there's just a bit of jumping on the plyometrics day--that's what caused the banging.

For EVO oil, I'm lucky; my wife helped me a lot. Speaking of that... she's having a bad day, I better figure out how to cheer her up!

 

[larrypinball]

Haha, yeah that picture is from Twin Peaks, one of my favorite TV series of all times... the little red dwarf and actually a sculpture covering his tiny dick in the background. Pure fun.

Seems like P90X will be doable in an apartment. We have already gotten visit from the neighbors due to sex noises, so I'm sure they can handle some more noise. But do you recommend it from a bodily/training/physical perspective?

Cheer her up? Write small notes, telling her why she's special to you, put them everywhere; bathroom mirror, her wardrobe, kitchen, inside dishwasher, under pillow, et c. My wife did that to me three months ago, took me a few days to find all the notes, got amazingly happy every time. Still have them where she put them.

 

[blink2000]

Wife:
You know what, I think I'll do that (leave notes around to cheer up the wife). I need to do something special for her; she's quite down lately. That might be just what she needs. I have done this kind of thing before, but its been way too long since I did it last!

P90x:
About P90x--it's an excellent way to start out. I think you can get in great shape doing it, more especially if you eat really healthy (I'm not doing their diet exactly, but my wife & I outlined a healthy way for me to eat that I can maintain/ stick with).

I've lost about 15 lbs so far with P90x, and I'm going to keep going until I'm in decent shape. After I finish this cycle of P90x, I'll try & do a 'collegiate' cycle of P90x (2 workouts a day). I'm not sure if I can find the time but I'll try... If I'm still not happy with it, I know there's other stuff out there like "Insanity" with Sean T. Supposedly that's pretty intense cardio. For me though, I've got pretty good muscle mass, so a session that involves at least some lifting causes me to actually burn fat pretty well.

Gained Mass Doing Things 'Wrong':
I've actually gained mass doing things "wrong". I would do 45 minutes of cardio at the gym, then lift for an hour & I did this for about a year to get in great shape (that's when I met my wife). What's funny is that while doing this, my strength literally doubled (actually, it was closer to 260% or something ridiculous like that).

With my dumbell flys I was doing lots of reps with what was formerly my maximum weight on bench during college! (When I weighed 160 in college, I benched 260). When I started getting in shape again (around the age of 32), I could only rep 100lbs with dumbell flys (about 50lbs per hand). I wasn't even trying to bulk up or anything, but I was doing 120lbs per hand about a year later (I was repping 240lbs on dumbell fly, sets of 10,12 whatever).

My strength gains were similar on every lift I was doing. On curls I went from doing 35lbs, up to 80lbs or 90lbs (per hand), so I went from curling 70lbs to around 170lbs. I honestly didn't think it was possible for me to get that strong.... I had it in my mind that since I was past 30 years old things were going to start going downhill...

Downhill after 25 years old?
I think all the people that say it's all downhill after 25 or 30 are just ignorant or stupid... I think Carl Lewis winning the 100 meter dash at the age of 35 is proof of that. I realize the body starts to deteriorate more after the age of 25, but I don't think people should feel like life is over once they pass a certain number. I actually admire how slyvester stallone is in incredible shape past the age of 60. Yes, I know he took HGH, but seriously, he looks to me like he's worked hard for the shape he's in. If it was that easy, all the other millionaire actors past the age of 60 would look like him. They don't though--

I hope to be like that--get in shape & stay in shape into my 60's & beyond. I know it can be done....

 

[vulcan]

I agree, it just takes REAL dedication & attention to detail.

Was Carl Lewis 35 in Seoul? Sometimes, I forget that he actually won that Gold because of what happened.

 

[blink2000]

". At the Olympics in Atlanta, at age thirty-five, with gray peppering his hair, he stunned the crowd and himself with a 27-foot, 10 3/4-inch jump, winning his fourth long-jump gold medal. It was "better than all the others," he told a People reporter. "All the others, I was expected to win. This time I was a competitor. Before I was an icon."
Carl Lewis complete biography

Hmm.. I guess it was just the long jump where he won gold at 35.

"Additionally, Lewis’ ninth gold medal tied him for first on the list of Olympic gold medalists with Paavo Nurmi, Larissa Latynina and Mark Spitz (American swimmer Michael Phelps has since won more gold medals).[68]
The 8.50 meter jump, at his age, was also officially declared an official Masters record for the 35-39 age group."
Carl Lewis - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[vulcan]

Thanks Blink, and to think he probably would have won in Moscow '80 had he gone - with all due respect to Alan Wells.

 

[blink2000]

Carl Lewis is definitely one of the most legendary athletes america has ever had. He's like the michael jordan or wilt chamberlin of track & field. Although I don't think he's slept with 10,000 women as wilt chamberlain claims...!!

 

[blink2000]

I'm still thinking of using an extender, but mostly to prevent turkey-neck. The way it holds the skin on the balls down is very effective (from what I've read).

I may just get a cheap ebay extender for the purpose.

 

[bobberick]

Damn Blink. You lift a ton of weight. I work out a good 4-5 times per week, but I am sorely lacking in my protein consumption. I did p90x too. That whipped me into my best shape ever at 31. I think when winter hits, I'll do it again. It's a good change of pace, but all the cardio work is draining. Plus Chest/Back days are nauseating. Man, that sh*t is hard!

 

[blink2000]

Damn Blink. You lift a ton of weight. I work out a good 4-5 times per week, but I am sorely lacking in my protein consumption. I did p90x too. That whipped me into my best shape ever at 31. I think when winter hits, I'll do it again. It's a good change of pace, but all the cardio work is draining. Plus Chest/Back days are nauseating. Man, that sh*t is hard!

Yeah, I'm an old man now, so P90x beats me up

I'm enjoying it though. I think with a good diet, I'll eventually get in pretty good shape. And the one thing I am enjoying about getting older is that my strength continues to improve... I can't top the cardio condition I was in, but wouldn't it be great to rep 300lbs or some respectable amount on flat bench? You know this is motivating me to get back to the gym. Maybe after this P90x cycle (3 months, I'm currently halfway) I'll start going back to the gym.

Even if you have a small penis, if you've got huge muscles, it tends to inspire respect

I think I started getting too ashamed of how 'out-of-shape' I was to go to the gym. P90x helped that. Honestly, when I was in shape, I went to the gym & never thought twice. I do think it's easy to get self conscious if you start to develop a gut... something I found is a bit too easy at the age of 36.

 

[blink2000]

Once when I took my shirt off to change one of my friends started saying "Hey don't beat me up!" I started laughing... but I guess since I was pretty lean at the time, people couldn't tell how much mass I had (with a shirt on). He actually said it about 10 times (sort of funny).

I never got in shape to impress anyone though--it was just part of my lifestyle... after getting out of shape (like I still am now) I do miss not being self-conscious or having to ever think twice about taking my shirt off.

I figure PE can do that for me eventually in the locker room--not having to think twice or worry about whether or not people saw my baby flaccid. For me I guess it's not about trying to impress people. It's more about not having to be self conscious so I can worry about more important things

 

[bobberick]

I'm 32. I can relate to a lot of what you say. I also sit on my ass 40 hours a week, so keeping the gut off has been extremely hard. I've managed to do it, but I don't have the six pack I want. I also am currently going to the gym to put some mass back on. P90X is GREAT, but I want to cycle it and get back to the gym to lift the heavy weight (which is nothing close to your heavy weight, btw.)

 

[blink2000]

Just stay in shape for at least 2 years once you get there (the same concept as PE maintenance) then you'll 'cement' your improvements.

I was in shape for many, many years just working out 2-3 times a week for maybe an hour.. thats it. And unless your diet is out of control you can still keep a 6 pack. It might be harder now that I'm approaching 40--I guess I'll find out soon enough.

Yes, I use P90x for cardio & I don't expect mass. I may have to hit the gym too

 

[vulcan]

This is a massive generalization, but I have noticed that American women seem to respond better to a muscular guy than European women.

 

[blink2000]

More than muscles, girls (at least american ones) prefer rock hard abs--at least to look at. Although to be honest, if you're good looking with rock hard abs, many women, even good looking ones can be intimidated. Early in college I was shocked more than once when girls I thought were out of my league acted shy with me (after seeing or feeling my abs).

Maybe getting some rock hard abs will get my wife to be a bit more submissive

Back to that point, girls would rather have a guy ripped like brad pitt or Edward Norton in fight club, vs a guy that's just big. Having good muscles + being ripped is possibly better, but perhaps a lot of girls don't actually care. I think having huge muscles actually impresses guys more than girls (as bizzare as that may sound, it seems it might be the case).

There's definitely a type of woman that really goes for the big ripped muscles though--just like there are penis size queens.

 

[vulcan]

Agreed.

Also, I read that a woman will change her preference depending on the time of the month.

Further to that, I believe that 'fashions' come & go, even in physiques - from decade to decade.

 

[blink2000]

Rock hard abs & a big penis have never gone out of style

That's probably something we can count on.

 

[bobberick]

I think as we get into our thirties, if you can maintain a more cut look, girls your age will be extremely impressed. After all, they have aged with you and a lean toned body is not easy to maintain, further exaggerating their impression of you. A six pack was a piece of cake in my early 20's.

 

[vulcan]

Rock hard abs & a big penis have never gone out of style

That's probably something we can count on.

Yup, & for good reason. Waist circumference is probably the best thing to track, better than weight IMO.

I keep a waist circumference tape measure from when I worked for a drug company, & use it all the time. If I get close to going out of the green zone, I up my efforts to stay in shape.