Is your body a temple?

I initially wrote this last week after pondering the conversation for a couple of weeks.  I then pulled an Abe Lincoln and sat on this to make sure it was something I wanted to post.  Well…enough sitting on it.  I think it is important to share, because if it changes just one person’s life then I did the right thing. 

Recently I had a conversation with someone that was concerned about me.  They were concerned specifically that I was treating my body like a temple.  This conversation took place two weeks ago and has stuck with me this long that I decided to expound upon it. 

While I agree your body should not be worshipped like a temple, as the only thing that should be worshipped is God.  But when you really look at it, why would you not treat your body as if it were a temple?  I want everyone to ponder these thoughts. 

·         God created you.  ALL of you.  Your BODY, mind and soul.  So why trash any of those things? 

·         You only have one BODY.  You choose how you treat it.

·         Finding balance in life is one of the most difficult things we all face.  Balance involves tying your BODY, mind and soul together to be the most complete person you can be.  It is tough to tie something together if you cannot bend over to tie your shoes or climb a flight of stairs without running out of breath.

·         Everyone of you deserves to be happy.  One of the best ways to achieve that is to improve your self-esteem.  One of the best ways to improving that is improving your health.  If you smoke, quit.  If you drink too much, slow down.  If you swear too much, knock it off, there are kids around.

·         Lastly, the most important reason that you should treat your body as if were a temple is best seen through my story. 

People tend to think the main reason why I’ve changed my lifestyle is because I found a challenge in Natural Bodybuilding.  In part, this is true.  But what very few, if anyone know is that the true reasons I have changed is because of two women who permanently came into my life this past year; my gorgeous wife and my innocent niece. 

I remember fighting back the tears as the Mrs. walked down the aisle, knowing that I had the opportunity to grow as a man and as a husband.  I realized that I need to be there for her just as she is there for me, forever!  You cannot be there for someone forever if you clog your arteries with fast food day in and day out.

I also remember seeing my niece for the first time minutes after she was born and how awakening it was to have a love for a being that you don’t even know.  For those of you with nieces and nephews, you understand.  I realized then that I want to be around to watch her grow and impact her life, forever!  How can you impact a child's life if you can't lead by example and practice what you preach? 

So am I treating my body as if it is important, similar to a temple?  You’re damn right I am. I have a great wife that depends on me mentally, physically and emotionally.   I also have a niece that I look forward to imparting knowledge and watch grow up. 

Transforming a lifestyle

It has been a while since I've posted.  Today was the official start of regaining some balance for a couple of months or so...but before I do so I have some loose ends to shore up. 

One of the key pieces to me transforming my body and getting up on stage was Omar Henderson of Body By "O".  He has been friends with the Mrs. for quite some time and was a key piece to helping her become the most beautiful bride I know (and yes I'm very biased).  I have already mentioned the story in a previous entry on how the journey to the stage developed.  So go read my other entries!

Omar took a leap of faith and opened up his own studio recently.  Body by "O" is strongly endorsed by the Mrs. and myself.  We highly recommend reaching out for him...send us a message and we'll tell you how to get ahold of him. 

What you will get:

• Straight forward, honest analysis.
• Motivation.
• Community like support structure.
• Pointed in the right direction.
• Satisfaction of knowing you are transforming your lifestyle.
• An introduction to the 3D mindset.

What you will NOT get:

• A weight loss gimmick.
• False hopes and dreams.
• He will not do your ab workout or cardio for you.
• A recipe book...(unless you pay for it, then I'm sure he'd make one for you).
• If you're a woman (most of his clients are women) you don't have to worry about the sweaty ugly dudes hitting on you...

With that being said...pictures often speak louder than words...actions speak louder than words...I've done my action...now here are the pictures...22 and 24 weeks later.

3D and we aren't talking glasses

It has been a while...I promise once the off-season starts we'll kick this thing up a notch and churn out recipes, interviews and workout clips. 

Tonight's topic:

What the hell does 3D mean?

3D didn't originally start as 3D...it all started with a text message from Omar in which I eventually morphed it into the simplistic 3D format.  However, it is far from simple...adhering to a 3D mindset will challenge you mentally and physically.  You will laugh, you will cry, and at times you may want to quit.  But the best part about the 3D experience is that at the end of the day you are better because of it.  

2 questions for everyone:

1.  What do you think 3D stands for?

2.  Are you ready for the 3D experience?  If so, speak up...you'll get pointed in the right direction.  

On another note:  Good luck to "O" at the Atlantic Super Show tomorrow which is an IFPA pro card qualifier and good luck to "K" in her pro figure debut at the IFPA Pro Bowl!   

I'm hooked!

Well the first contest is in the books...and as predicted, I enjoyed it.  I enjoyed it so much so that I'm doing it again on May 21st.  The Mrs. was a great ace in the hole and does a helluva job putting a tan on (secretly I think she enjoyed smacking me, and taking out pent up aggravation).  I even got to see a side of the Mrs. that I do not see often, her competitive side.  Her adrenaline was just as high as mine.  As advertised, the leader of the band Omar prepped me well and had me confident and dialed in.  My friends and family were there cheering loud and proud, for that I'm grateful.  Thank you as well to Dave and Monique for putting on a great show. 

In the end I placed 2nd in the Novice short class and 3rd in the Open short class.  I'd be lying if I didn't say I was not slightly disappointed.  I'm a competitor and achieving my goals is what drives me.  I came up slightly short (no pun intended).  But I walked away with some great feedback and feeling good after validating how close I was to winning the Novice class.  While I'm excited about May 21st, I'm even more excited about hitting the weaknesses and giving my body time to tighten up this summer.  September 10th is already penciled in! 

22 weeks later

Before the story begins, I would be remised if I did not thank the two foundation pieces in this journey, my wife and ace in the hole Erin as well as Omar, my contest prep coach and friend.  In addition, thank you to God, my family, friends, coworkers and Team Hendy.  This journey would not have stayed on course if not for everyone I listed.    

The story started in the beginning of December when my beautiful wife said to me, “Omar said you should do the Belding show.”  I knew what she was referring to, and quite frankly I was puzzled.  Her subconscious must have betrayed her, because she and I both know that when I set out to do something I tend to get “tunnel vision” which impacts everything else in my life, particularly her. 

22 weeks, 154 days, 40 refeed meals, 4 cheat meals, numerous hours in the gym and even more time in the kitchen here I am, transformed into a Natural bodybuilder getting ready to step up on stage wearing damn near nothing.

Like most men, I tend to be stubborn, particularly when it comes to what I was doing in the gym as well as out of it…what many of you may not know is that at the heaviest point in my life I was 190 lbs.  I managed to get the first 20 or so off by myself before our wedding day.  But the last 20 or so…well that is where Omar from Body By “O” came into play.  While I do not know my stage weight at this time (Erin does, I had her check the scale and write it down) I stopped weighing myself at 2 weeks out from today.  I can tell you this…at that time I was 149 lbs.  I lost nearly 20 lbs during this prep.

Now, mind you Omar didn’t give me “magic” nutrition information, nothing that if I knew what I was doing at the time I couldn’t have figured out.  But what he did give me was an accountability point person.  He gave me “no-frills” feedback and his no-bs approach is often what I needed.  In addition to the truthful feedback, he saw my potential and believed in my ability to wreak havoc on my competition this weekend before I did.  For that I am forever grateful. 

While the journey has been filled with great moments, I consider it incomplete until I write the ending of chapter 1…which is where I am setting off to this morning.  It's SHOWTIME!  Pictures will soon follow…and as always, where there is a chapter 1, there is a chapter 2…look for that on May 21^st.   

Discipline…Dedication…Doin’ Work…that’s what it takes! 

MC

Food is fuel

Fuel at the current time is not used in a positive connotation very often.  Particularly, when talking about fuel prices.  So how fitting that I would write a post about fuel.  But the fuel I am referring to is our daily food intake. 

Ask yourself?  How many times do we see food as a reward or comfort?  Are you really rewarding yourself by chowing down on a bowl of ice cream before bed every night?  Eventually over the course of time, night after night your "reward" catches up to you and your body pays the price. I don't know about you, but I don't want to face the health consequences of poor eating habits later in life that I had an opportunity to control/fix at some point earlier in my life.   

Processed foods and sugar-laden foods are like engine sludge every time you put them in your body.  Think about this, God would not have put people on this earth without a way to eat and fuel ourselves.  But yet we have taken our natural food chain and transformed it into the quick, easy and cheap food chain.  Nah I don't want the asparagus...just give me a handful of those potato chips. 

But if we take the time to realize that whatever foods and liquids we put into our body are what our body functions off of, maybe, just maybe we would think twice.  Start viewing food as the essential fuel that your body functions off of, instead of rewarding yourself or your children with unhealthy shit. 

10 tips to reducing saturated fat intake

10 tips to reduce your saturated fat intake. 

The majority of your fat intake should be from unsaturated fats, not saturated fats.  Why?  Saturated fats increase cholesterol and do not break down very well.  Unsaturated fats can easily be used as energy, decrease cholesterol and necessary to produce hormones that promote optimal health.

Here are some simple things for you to start doing today!  Enjoy your Monday!

1.  Use non-stick cooking spray or unsaturated oils when cooking.

2.  Ditch the fryer!  Boil, bake, steam, roast your foods.

3.  Use egg whites in place of whole eggs.  2 egg whites=1 whole egg.

4.  Use skim milk in place of 2% or whole milk.

5.  Choose low or no fat yogurt, mayo, dressings.

6.  Use spices and fat free condiments such as natural salsa.

7.  Use applesauce in place of butter in baked goods.

8.  Make sure your canned tuna is packed in water not oil.

9.  Choose the leanest cuts of meat that you can.

10.  Trim the fat from the meat.