Working Out

I just got back from the gym. I started weight training some what seriously while I was in Korea, and got very serious in Iraq before the doctors said I could only lift 15lbs (slightly more than the weight of an M-16 and 30 round magazine) because of a hernia. Most of the time, I have done standard 3 sets of 8-12 repetitions or some work out out of Men's Health or some other magazine. Lately, however, I have been doing a low volume/progressive intensity regiment.

Basically, you divide you body into two workout groups (my first group is chest, shoulders and triceps, and my second group is back, biceps and legs), and you choose one exercise for each body part. Do a warm up set at half the weight you are going to do for the workout, and then one set of six to eight repetitions at the workout weight. Now comes the tough part; walk away (don't lift any more for that body part). I do group one on Mondays and group two on Tuesdays. I rest on Wednesdays, and then do two sets of ten to twelve repetitions for groups one and two on Thursdays and Fridays respectively. For more detailed information, check out the article on EXRX.net at http://www.exrx.net/WeightTraining/LowVolumeTraining.html Also check out http://www.exrx.net/ for all kinds of exercise and fitness information.

So, what did I do today? Well, I bench pressed 270lbs for eight repetitions. My goal is to bench 300lbs for eight repetitions, and I should be able to reach that goal in about six to eight weeks. I don't know if I have bulked up much from this workout regiment, but I have seen a huge increase in strength. (Well, my deltoids and traps have grown and my back is thicker, so I guess I have). I am not saying that this is the right way to doing things of everybody, but it is working for me at this time.

Really, you should look at your goals and find a workout program that will best help you reach those goals. Be honest with yourself too. If you are a long-distance runner or a rock climber, bulking up might not be a good idea. I think you get the point. Also, educate yourself. There are lots of book and information on the internet, and you can find people that know what they are doing at the gym (the person that runs the place, personal trainers, etc). I could ramble all day, but it is lunch time and I'm hungery.

-Phil

Life's little set backs

Yesterday afternoon, I received some irritating news. It is probably not prudent to go into details at this time (Remember, I am a menace to society), but the basically I continue to face set back with my VA claim. The news, as all bad news from the VA tends to, sent me into dark, empty doldrums (kind of like the tollbooth book I was supposed to read in sixth grade, but that is another story).

So why does it hit me so hard? Well first of all, the VA is treating me for PTSD. I can't say for sure that I have PTSD, but upon returning from Iraq I experienced anxiety (especially in crowded locations), bursts of anger, and some depression. The medication and vigorous exercise help manage these problems most of the time. However, stress (no surprise here) can cause the emotions to rear their ugly head. (Mind you I am not talking about average response to stimuli. It wasn't irritation; it was borderline rage. With medication I still get sad, and that is a good thing). For some reason VA letters cause me more stress then they should.Are these setbacks my fault? Not entirely, but I could have helped mitigate the problems I now face.

In the book Peaks and Valleys author Spencer Johnson MD explains how we all have high and low points in life, and that we can influence how long we experience these times in our lives. Instead of a long how to with steps and exact guidance, Dr. Johnson wisely teaches the lesson by means of a charming story. The reader can take what is said, and see how it applies the his/her own life.

So, what does this book have to do with my struggles? I think I have learned from it. Yesterday, I was not in a valley; I was in a sink hole that seemingly gave way under my feet. So what did I do? I would be lying if I said I didn't lie at the bottom of that hole, rubbing my sore head and complaining to myself about how badly my back ached. I even vented my frustration at the hole.

Last night, I took the maximum prescribed dose of my medication to help with the depression I was feeling (I know that that is not an option for most people, but a hot bath or other relaxation is an option), and this morning I contacted the DAV (Disabled American Veterans). Things aren't fixed yet, but my outlook is. I recommend the book to anyone. The link to Dr. Johnson's website is: http://www.spencerjohnson.com/ Check the book out.

-Phil

The Bike

Last weekend, I bought an old bike to fix up for my wife. It appears to be a 60's or 70's Huffy. (It is definitely an old Huffy). I have completely taken the bike apart, and have started the process of removing the paint and rust. As you can see in the picture, cosmetically it is a little rough and it will need a small amount of mechanical work done, but it seems to be structural sound. I think it will turn out nicely.

My wife wants it chocolate brown with robins' egg blue accents. I figure I'll probably also add a few small light pink stripes and/or details. To really feminize the bike, I'd like to add an off-white or cream seat as well as handle grips. It might be a while before the project is complete, but I will make updates with the progress.

-Phil

Changing Directions

Changing directions seems to be a theme in my life. Prior to 9/11, I was a High School teacher (teaching on an alternative teacher education license). The next summer, I was in Army Basic training. I spent time in California, Korea, Iraq, and Texas. I separated from the Army about a year and a half ago, and joined my wife and son in Northeastern Colorado. My beautiful and intelligent wife finished her BA in Elementary Education and got a teaching job here while I was in Iraq. So, Here I am still looking for a job.

As you can see, I have changed direction in life, and am now looking for a new direction now. So too, I am changing the direction of this blog. I plan to right about my search as well as my attempts at self improvement. I hope not to bore you with my efforts at the gym, but I am sure that I will right some about that. There will also be some posts about cooking (I enjoy cooking and some baking), as well as posts about the old bike I bought yesterday, and plan to fix up. Plus, I will share my insights on my past experiences, current experiences, and any plans that may arise.

Enjoy,
Phil

I'm a menace to society?

NOTE: I originally posted this thought today on my family blog. Although it is not of much literary merit, I felt that it was more suited to this blog. Enjoy.

Well, I'm sure you have heard on the news that the DHS (Department of Homeland Security) has put out a memo that says returning Vets, pro-life, anti-same-sex-marriage, and pro-gun people are a terrorist threat. Since I fall into all of these categories, DHS views my as a menace to society, right? No, not really. I doubt many people have actually read the whole ten page memo. The fact of the matter is that even fewer people should have read it. It is classified as Unclassified/For Official Use Only. It was not meant for the general population. Also, it reads as if it is a sanitized version of a document of a higher classification. If this is the case, it would explain the easy to misread first page or two.

I read the memo. Unless you are used to reading such government style writing, it is easy to read the first couple of pages and freak out. Right wingers are bad!!! I must interject at this point: conservatives, like I am, are not right wing extremists. Liberals like our President are not Left wingers. These two terms are thrown around far too much. Nazis are an example of Right wing extremists. Anarcho-communists are an example of Left wing extremists. The report is about extremists, not the average conservative. The point of the memo is that Neo-Nazi and similar minded groups may try to recruit people like that have the previously mentioned views. Read the whole memo if you do not believe me.

Apparently, there is also a similar Left Wing Extremist memo. Interestingly, there was no news report that people who drive Prius or sub-compact cars are likely Eco-terrorists. I'm glad that no such thing appeared in the news. I drive a CRX (and there is not much smaller on the American road), and I would be very confused as to whither I would be a Right or Left wing extremist. I guess I would be a double threat, or no threat at all. The fact is that I am not an extremist of any kind, and I doubt DHS really thinks I am one either.

-Phil

P.S DHS if you read this and feel I am a threat, feel free to do the 24 hour surveillance of me allowed by the Patriot Act. I must warn you though, it will be a very boring 24 hours.