Last Visit: Today, 12:41pm Last Forum Post:Never Last Photo Upload: Nov 9, 2009 10:56am Last Profile Update: Nov 23, 2009 2:43pm Last Blog Post: Nov 5, 2009 6:07pm
Overall Goal: Attacking the legs with an aggressive approach. No backing down! Squats, Incline cardio, gonna make em grow!
Fit Status:
I think I am at about 7% BF right now. Haven't had any official measurement yet, and still continuing with cardio
Motivation Level: 10/10
Personal Info And Background:
Real Name:
Ross
Sex:
Male
Age:
52
Location:
Occupation:
Artist
Personal Website:
Primary Gym:
College:
High School:
When I Started:
Jan, 2000
How I Started:
I entered the second EAS Body For Life Transformation challenge. I figured that if I was going to invest all that time and energy, I should also attach a goal to the end. So I signed up to do a body building competition. I was new at it, and with my metabolic rate and over enthusiasm, I cut my bodyfat down to about 5%, and lost a lot of muscle mass along with it. I ended up at about 145 pounds. Two years later, I entered the Transformation challenge again, and ended up with the same results. So I took about three years and bulked up, getting to about 175 pounds and 18% bodyfat. I have been cutting for almost two years now, but this time my diet includes more than just broiled chicken, raw broccoli and brown rice. I am still working on reducing my bodyfat, and once I get it down far enough, I hope to begin bulking again, but this time managing my bodyfat in the process.
Why I Love It:
I did not take care of myself when I was younger, way too many drugs and a lack of motivation with regards to working out. I kick myself everyday for the lost time and opportunities to lay a good foundation for those things I have enjoyed later in my life. Right after I was married, I started into martial arts and worked to a 4th degree blackbelt. I loved the energy and confidence it gave me...as well as the competition of battling someone in the ring...Loved that sparring stuff. At the age of 35, I started riding bulls in small practice jackpots. I did that for 5 years; mostly for the challenge of it, not professionally. It was similar to sparring, but with a strategic feel of chess to it...and I guess, higher consequences. It is a rush, and I have found few things that match it. After a few injuries began to take their toll, I decided that I was about "one step too slow" getting to the fence. I hung up my rope and have concentrated on amateur bodybuilding and just challenging myself to avoid that middle aged spread. Working out helps to keep me mobile and functioning. I am battling that age thing and have decided that I do not want to just sit down and watch TV. I challenge myself in the gym, and have an eye to compete one more time. But this next time, I do not want to just be that "skinny old guy on stage in the speedos".
How I Stay Motivated:
I have looked through the BodySpace for a while, and draw some inspiration for the progress that is made by others. I read a lot of magazines, and I have found that I am now more in tune with my body that before. I like comparing workout programs and experience so that a sustained progress can be achieved.
BB Accomplishments:
I successfully completed both of the Transformation challenges I entered; and I have the T-shirts to prove it...no Corvette, no money.
I also have three body building trophies, from my previous two competitions. 2001, and 2003 Light weight, master class. I was not happy with the way I looked, but preparing and going through the competition taught me a lot. I hope to do better in the next one.
Still working on the legs. Have increased incline to as high as it will go, 15% for 10 minutes, then 30 minutes at 10 -12%, and the remainder at 8%; speed is 4 mph. Have begun to add some HIIT a couple times a week to maintain cardio efficiencies. Still doing squats before cardio, 2-3...
I am currently running at a moderate speed for 30 minutes on the treadmill, followed by 30 minutes at a fast paced walk on an incline, 6 days per week, first thing in the morning after a couple cups of coffee. I lift weights 4 - 5 days a week for about an hour, concentrating on one or...
good morning Ross. i must say for a 52yo bullrider, you are looking pretty good! Stay strong my friend not only in your commitment to the gym but your one to God! have a great day!
you're a true man of his word :) This may sound like heresy, but have you considered holding back on some of the cardio to let your legs rest while you work them hard with weights? I mean, it's not like you're fat and need that cardio, ya know. :)
having to do the walking indoors these days ... too much wind and rain now. :) You DO realize, don't you, with the public challenge for growing your legs you are going to have to start posting progress pics of 'em. :)
Really? Your legs lag behind? Well, mine do too, so I can imagine.
Yeah, that's exactly what I've started doing for delts; work them twice a week. I can't seem to make them sore, so they must be recovering quickly. I'm hitting them hard now.
Thanks for sharing, man. Keep up the hard work!
Man, it's not fair!
You get leaner and leaner and lose no muscle mass. There is NO way your 52.
Thanks for the indirect reminder that I need to get these delts going ;-]
Cheers!