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 Dr Buff
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| Singularly Focused! |
| 09.15.2009 13:43:00 | |
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Singularly focused!
America, I was at the chiropractor’s office one morning last week waiting to get adjusted when it hit me – the only thing I was thinking about was stuff related to the Ironman. I remember thinking about the foods I had to prepare, my training and what I was gonna do that day, the two cardio sessions still to come, editing my music, choreographing others routines, practicing my own routine…there was absolutely nothing else I was thinking about! I’ve reached that point to where I’m what I coined ‘singularly focused’. It’s a state of mind which many athletes reach when dialing in for their competition/event. For the basketball or football player it could happen the morning of the game or even a couple of hours prior to the game to where they ‘lock in’ to the upcoming event. For Olympic athletes such as Michael Phelps it could start 6 months to a year or longer out. For me it usually starts 3-4 weeks out. That’s been my pattern. Now there’s good and bad to being singularly focused. For us (the competitors…), we’d like to think that we’re disciplined, dedicated, determined, and focused. For those outside of our circle such as family, friends, and others, we may be considered obsessed and fanatical. I’ve always said there’s a thin line between disciplined and obsessed, and an even thinner line between focused and fanatical.
I passed up a birthday party for my great-niece last weekend because of this show. Yea, yea…I know…I could have gone and taken my food and all that crap, but I know me better than you know me. I KNEW that I’d eat some cake, pie, ribs, ‘tater salad, chips, and whatever else was there that I wanted. Do I have discipline? Yes I do, but I ain’t stupid, America! I’m not gonna put my head in the lion’s mouth so to speak. One thing would happen for sure if I’d gone and not eaten – I would have been completely and totally pissed to have all that food in front of me and not be able to touch any of it. Once again, yea, yea…it’s my show, and I made the decision to compete, and I shouldn’t be angry – oh, cut it out America! I’m tired, I’m hungry, I’m sick of eating the same ole’ food every single day, my legs are dead from two cardio sessions/day, I’m not getting’ anything done around my house because I can’t think straight, and when I do think straight I just don’t feel like doing anything…need I go on??? If you’re feeling the same way, then you’re on task. Now some of you may have the willpower and discipline and mental fortitude to go out to restaurants, movies, and even the fair and do well. That’s not in my DNA, so it’s easier for me to stay home and just make it do what it do. But here’s a little bit of advice – if you go out, don’t complain about the foods, because you chose to go out! I don’t want to be mad, and I don’t want to make anyone around me mad, so I keep to myself. My discipline is at it’s strongest when I’m in my own home with my own foods.
My sister went to the fair Saturday afternoon. She brought back a dozen scones with her. I love scones, America – I’ve eaten 12-15 at the fair all by myself before. It took everything I had to not eat the scone she gave me – I put it in the freezer along with the remainder of my birthday German Chocolate Cake and all the other goodies I’m storing up for after the contest. Speaking of storing up, I must be part squirrel – I saw one in my yard trying to bury some kind of acorn as I was heading to the freezer – we just looked at each other, nodded, and said, “Wassup?” He went his way, I went mine. BTW, I’m collecting anything and everything junky for after the show – so feel free to bake me a pie, cake (you know my favorite…), or anything else you think I’ll like, America. J
As far as workouts, things are still going good. Haven’t lost any strength yet although my bodyweight is dropping – I’m down about 2 lbs from 10 days ago. Steve and I went back to a more conventional pyramid training today for our workouts – the last two weeks of 10x10 for at least two exercises each bodypart beat me up mentally. They did what I wanted them to do, but I’m glad that cycle is over. Now it’s just my normal training through the remainder of the show. Today I started my 2nd hour of cardio – prior to today I was doing a 60 minute and 45 minute session. That extra 15 minutes should make all the difference these last 3 weeks. I’ll keep a close watch on my weight, energy level, and strength, and make adjustments as needed. As you know, I don’t follow a ‘carb up’ day, cycle or routine – I only add in good carbs such as rice, potatoes or oatmeal when absolutely necessary. We talked about that in a couple of previous blogs, so I’m not gonna revisit it again. After the workout we posed HARD for about 15 minutes. I’ll outline what we did the next time I blog.
Well America, I’m sure there was more I wanted to say, but I’m hungry, I’m tired, I can’t remember anyway, and I just don’t care! So I’ll holla at’cha when I holla at’cha – I’m not on a schedule like before in case you haven’t noticed. But I will say this in parting – if you aren’t singularly focused, if this contest isn’t the dominant thought in your mind literally all day, you might want to re-evaluate doing this show. If you aren’t sacrificing then you might want to take a peek in the mirror to make sure you still look like you’re ready for contest. If you aren’t suffering you might want to change things up a bit. By the end of next week you should feel like death warmed over – this week you should feel like you just got beat with a baseball bat after being run over by a Mac Truck. Better to be ahead of the curve than behind it, and if you wait too long to attempt to play catch up…well…it’s your contest, America – do what you gotta do – no more, no less! Peace…
The Dr.
Personal Training Systems “There Are No Shortcuts!” www.personaltrainingsystems.net This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Mobile: 253.576.4859
Don’t give me excuses…give me results!
Tags: drive | determined | disciplined | focused
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