Why Obsession Can Be a Bad Thing

Due to certain events in my life over the past week, I have been put in place where I could really stop and think about a few things. I also saw this article and it really made me think further: http://blogs.hbr.org/cs/2011/08/why_your_passion_for_work_coul.html
Sadly this is so very true. Before someone says this is childish, foolish, lazy,etc. I think need to ask a few questions. Is it worth having the most expensive home if you are not able to enjoy it or even clean it properly. Is is worth having the most expensive luxury car only to have it filled with work material 2 months after purchase? Is worth not seeing family friends for months on end?

On that same note I love the hypocrisy of those who think they are all out better than others and look at this as being the necessary ingredient for someone to be the head of a household. Excuse me, but how can you be the head of anything when you don't even have time to manage yourself. Secondly for those using this as a measurement to find a mate, it is a very shallow and selfish measurement and you might as well date an ATM. Sorry for the mini rant, but I had to let that one out.

While on the relationship topic once someone says no, just go. Ignore all the BS friends and family may give you to continue to pursue someone, once someone says no they mean it. You are literally wasting your time and energy by continuing to pursue said person. Likewise don't waste your time trying to change yourself in hopes of attracting the right person, because you are setting yourself up for failure. You will only end up with someone that you have no common ground with, poor chemistry and a relationship ready for ruin. Honestly you are better off just waiting it out for someone that you actually can date without trying to be someone else. It may take longer, but you'll be much happier. In the mean time buy some good headphones and an MP3 player, because people will constantly, I mean constantly try to give you advice to speed up the process and tell you a bunch of garbage that makes Spiderman One More Day along with certain Muscle Magazine (let's see dislocated shoulders, torn rotator cuffs, ACL injuries, etc.) articles that go against logic and common sense look respectable. No offense to individuals who mean well that are trying to comfort others, but you are doing more harm than good by giving people hope in something that is not there. With that being said everyone please do yourself a favor ignore the complete and utter BS about it being easy, that's like saying you can read the entire Shon Harris CISSP book and the Fourth Edition of the ACE Personal Trainer book, with supplemental material (which makes it almost as bad as Shon Harris) in one night and comprehend everything, while super setting handstand push-ups, deadlifts, and squats while wearing an 80 pound weight vest. It takes time and is not easy, unless you are lucky, if you are not lucky don't worry about it or blame yourself, because you will only drive yourself crazy. In other words relax and eventually the right person will show up, just don't be crazy or obsessed about it.

Now to return back to obsession with money and success with a few more thoughts to wrap this post up. Is it worth stressing yourself out to the point where you are literally in a hospital bed being checked for a heart attack or stroke? Last but not least is it worth you forsaken what you believe in and your own set of values and principles.

New Group Exercise Boot Camp at UDM

Many of you know that I am currently an adjunct professor in the Computer Information System department at UDM. That in itself is a very challenging, yet rewarding job and I would not give it up for anything. Well of of Thursday of last week I have begun teaching boot camp classes at UDM on Thursdays from 6 to 6:45PM. These classes will be held every Thursday at this time until 2 weeks before Spring Break at the Titan Fit Zone in the basement of the Student Center.

Nomad Express Trainer Workout Episode 4: Chest and Back - December 31, 2011 with Bodylastics Bands and Lifeline Jungle XT Suspension Trainer

Happy New Year Everybody

This workout was a nice way to end 2011. I did this yesterday afternoon and still feeling my chest as I am typing this tonight. I actually decided to make it an easy day and do shoulders this morning, let's just say after this shoulder workout with just a suspension trainer and resistance bands was still a bear. I'm actually looking forward to doing legs today. OK without further interruptions here it is.

"Warning this is an advanced and extreme workout and should not be performed by beginners"

For 3X Suspension Trainer Chest / Tricep Combo

• Single-Armed Suspension Trainer Standing Tricep Extension for 16 reps on each arm
• Single-Armed Suspension Trainer Chest Press for 16 reps on each arm
• Plyometric/Clapping Push-ups for 16 reps

For 3X Suspension Trainer Back / Bicep Combo

• Single-Armed Suspension Trainer Standing Bicep Curls for 16 reps on each arm
• Single-Armed Suspension Trainer Lat Pulls for 16 reps on each arm
• Single-Armed Suspension Trainer Power Lat Pulls for 16 reps on each arm

Super Set 3 times for 32 reps
Suspension Trainer Crossover Flies
Suspension Trainer Reverse Flies

Atomic Push-ups with medicine ball 4 minutes - switch arms every 12 reps
Close Grip Pull-ups/Chin-ups 4 minutes
-Note I did 40 with a 25lb plate, than an additional 30 before the timer went off, followed by 10 more with the 25lb plate after a brief rest

Super Set 3 times for 16 reps
Suspension Trainer Flies (push-up position)
Suspension Trainer Low Rows

Super Set 3 times for 16 reps
Single Armed Decline Chest Press - Resistance Bands
Single Arm Lat Pulls - Resistance Bands

Decline Chest Press - Resistance Bands for 4 minutes
Lat Pull-Downs - Resistance Bands for 4 minutes

Double Point Incline Chest Press with Resistance Bands for 4 minutes
Bent-Over Rows with Resistance Bands 4 minutes

One-Armed Chest Flies to side Chest Press 3 sets of 16 reps
Resistance Band Reverse Flies 3 sets of 16 reps

Chest Expander Push/Pull Super Set 3 sets of 16 reps - Lifeline Chest Expander

If anyone tells you that weights are always required to work chest effectively for strength and hypertrophy, let them try this sweat tart of a workout and I think they will change their tune. I found out the same can be said for legs as well.

Nomad Express Trainer Workout Episode 3: Chest and Back - December 1, 2011 with Bodylastics

Last Thursday I thought I was going have a quick and easy workout until I found out that Bally Total Fitness would be closing their doors for good in Troy, MI. At that point I decided I might as well go out with a bang the best way possible with resistance bands. Ironically I actually hit my chest just as hard as I do with free weights and machines. I honestly felt my chest for 2 days straight and after doing reps of 225 on barbell incline followed by 5 supersets of 5 reps with 185lbs on incline bench and bent-over rows the previous week, that says a lot.

I used primarily Bodylastic Bands unless otherwise stated.

Rotator Cuff internal/external rotation - use yellow bands / stay light

Resisted Push-Ups for 4 minutes - Lifeline Power PushUp
Chin-Ups for 4 minutes

SuperSet 3 times for 16 reps
Single Armed Decline Chest Press
Single Arm Lat Pulls

Decline Chest Press for 4 minutes
Lat Pull-Downs for 4 minutes

TRX Rip Trainer Lunge to Press
1. Perform 8 reps each leg
2. Alternate the hand positions and repeat
3. Repeat step 1
4. Repeat step 2

TRX Rip Trainer Squat to Row 3 sets of 16 reps

Double Point Incline Press for 4 minutes
Lat Extensions - using the ankle strap for 4 minutes
--Focused on scapular depression

One-Armed Chest Flies 3 sets of 16 reps
Reverse Flies 3 sets of 16 reps

Chest Expander Push/Pull Superset 3 sets of 16 reps - Lifeline Chest Expander

Battling Rope until failure which only took 5 minutes after everything mentioned above.

Ironically I have pretty much thrown Flat Barbell out of the window for the last few months and actually gained mass and definition in my chest from doing incline barbell, dumbbell exercises, resistance bands, machines, and finally suspension trainer exercises. I guess this proves that flat bench is not the one all, end all way to build your chest. Scooby also agrees lol: http://scoobysworkshop.com/2011/07/25/secret-to-massive-pecs-scooby-sets-bench-press-record/

Nomad Express Trainer Workout Episode 2: Legs with just Resistance Bands and My Suspension Trainer

This leg workout is made up of just body weight, suspension trainer, and resistance band exercises. However, it is still very intense and some people may not be able to finish it and I can guarantee that every who tries this will be sore afterwards or in the next morning. Once again this is an advance and intense leg workout and I do not advise beginners to go full force doing this.

Here's the workout:

10 single-legged pistol squats on each leg

3 sets of 16 Jump Squats

Squats with resistance bands
16 regular tempo
16 4-2-1 tempo
16 1-2-4 tempo
16 pulsating

16 resistance band Pile Squats/Dead Lifts 3 sets

Single-legged resistance band leg extensions 3 sets of 16 each leg

3 sets of cross-over (transverse plane) lunges for 8 reps each side using a suspension trainer for support
3 sets of side (frontal plane) lunges for 8 reps each side

3 minutes Lunges on each leg - resistance bands
3 minutes Lunges on each leg - suspension trainer

10 Plyo Lunges on each leg 3 sets - suspension trainer

16 Jump Squats side to side 8 on each side for 3 sets

16 Burpees

Calf Raises with resistance bands
-20 reps fast
Jumping Jacks 30 secs
-20 reps slow
Jumping Jacks 30 secs
-20 reps regular
Jumping Jacks 30 secs

3 minutes of Leg Curls on resistance bands
3 minutes of Leg Curls on suspension trainer

10 minutes of treadmill

Stretch

Nomad Express Trainer Workout Episode 1: Chest and Back with just Resistance Bands and My Suspension Trainer

• 3 Sets Back to Back

  • 16 Resistance Band Push-Ups (I used the Lifeline Power Push-up)

  • 16 Bent-Over Rows (I used Bodylastic bands)

• 3 Sets Back to Back

  • 16 Cross-Over Suspension Trainer Flies aka hugs (I used the Jungle Gym XT)

    • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMaBoUJr6dQ

  • 16 Suspension Trainer Back Rows

• 3 Sets Back to Back

  • 16 Suspension Trainer Flies (Push-up / Standard Style)

  • 16 Suspension Trainer Reverse Flies

• 3 Sets of Resistance Band Single Arm Chest Presses with 8 reps on each side per set

• 3 Sets of Resistance Band Kneeling Back Rows with 8 reps on each side per set

• 3 Sets of Speed Punches using light to medium tension resistance bands

• 3 Sets of Speed Pulls using light to medium tension resistance bands

• 3 Sets of Pushing and Pulling with a Chest Expander

Sounds like the end, but I am crazy ;)

• 6 Sets of TRX Rip Trainer Punches for 8 to 12 reps, alternating between left and right after each set

• 6 Sets of TRX Rip Trainer Hockey Slaps to target the obliques and some shoulder rotation for 8 to 12 reps, alternating between left and right after each set

• 6 Sets of TRX Rip Trainer Squat to Rows (to help improve shoulder alignment and stability) for 8 to 12 reps, alternating between left and right after each set

Did this yesterday and today could barely do shoulders and Battling Rope. I guess this proves that you don't always need heavy weight to get a good workout, even if you are working a larger muscle group for strength. Warning this is still a very intense workout that took me about 75 minutes to complete (5 of which involved trying to figure which band to use lol) and left me completely exhausted. I don't recommend beginners trying to do everything list above.

Extra Credit if you get the connection between the style of workout I did with the title of this series of workouts.

• Here's a hint think about game consoles from the nineties

Negative Credit for anyone who dares reference Phantom Menace or Jar Jar

Killer Leg Workout 9/4/2011

This is a crazy workout me and a buddy did Sunday and today neither one of us can sit.

Warm-up with body weight walking lunges and/or body weight squats.

4 Sets of Back Squats progressively getting heavier on each set.

1. 10 Reps
2. 10 Reps
3. 8 Reps
4. 5 Reps

2 Sets of Back Squats with light weight until exhaustion, if you have bands it's even more fun.

If your equipment is stable enough do to shake, 3 sets of single-legged leg extensions

• I used resistance bands to be on the safe side

3 Sets of Standing Hip Adductors and Hip Abductors back to back 10 reps for each leg.

4 Sets of Balance Lunges with a Suspension Trainer

1. 10 reps on each leg with body weight only
2. 10 reps on each leg with light to moderately heavy dumb bells
3. 10 reps on each leg with light to moderately heavy dumb bells
4. 10 more reps on each leg with body weight only

4 Sets of Leg Curls

1. 10 reps on each side single legged
2. 10 reps dual leg
3. 10 reps dual leg
4. 10 reps single legged

2 Sets of Seated Calf Raises

2 Sets of Standing Calf Raises

10 minutes of elliptical

5 to 10 minutes of extensive stretches