Reaching Riddick - Last Daily Post - End of the Road.

1 FULL YEAR from the day I started....Wow...how time flies. So, looking back at my 4 journeys, nothing came easy, but of what I see from my results(thus far), the continuous hard work, determination, persistence and patience has paid off in the end.

Putting aside modesty, it feels damn good to (finally) reach my goal and I am still in disbelief that it's only been a year!! Hehehe... But let's rewind back to day 1..... I was 25% fat, at a whopping 193 lbs, not much muscle, clothes shopping was considered a chore and I was hairy like a bear/sasquatch. ;) Ya, prior to my decision to change, I was careless with my health and did not care much about my physique(hence why I hit ground 0 - fearing that I would reach 200 lbs). The choice to change my current image is something that I will never, ever forget and can see myself using this path of success for other things going forward in my life.

Ground 0 - Day 1

Three months after reaching ground 0 and 'actioning' on my plans to lose the weight, I had reached a milestone I never thought in my wildest dreams of reaching. At this point I had lost 25 pounds and reached 14% fat. I could have stopped at this point, but this drove my motivation to reach even higher altitudes.

Journey 1 Complete

I then created another goal to reach 9% fat and to show some abs in another 3 months time. With so much momentum from the 3 months prior, there was no way this train was gonna stop! =) And there I was, mission accomplished, showing (somewhat) abs for the 1st time in my life. Again, very surreal.

Journey 2 Complete

The 3rd journey was to get even more leaner and to reach 5% fat. Three months later, I was on the beach of Punta Cana, Dominican Republic partying it up for reaching 5.9% fat and looking even more leaner.

Journey 3 Complete

Which now bring me to the final and 4th journey (2.5 months) of first sustaining for the 1st month, then later decided to change my goal to leaning up in the final weeks. So, I now sit at 164 lbs, and 5.83% fat. Looking at the numbers in comparison to journey 3 it's not much, but can see a slight difference.

Week 48 & Final Stat Results

 

So with numbers aside, I'm quite proud of what I accomplished in this journey and can see myself getting even more leaner by the end of the summer. As you can probably gather, my lifestyle has taken a serious overhaul to include healthier eating choices and becoming more active in my days.  So the days going forward could only be easier as my old bad habits have evolved to healthier habits and I'm loving it. =)

Journey 4 Complete - Final Journey - 1 Year from Ground 0 

Pic 1

Journey 4 Complete - Final Journey - 1 Year from Ground 0 

Pic 2 - Front Flex

Journey 4 Complete - Final Journey - 1 Year from Ground 0 

Pic 3 - Back Flex

Journey 4 Complete - Final Journey - 1 Year from Ground 0 

Pic 4 - Back Flex

Journey 4 Complete - Final Journey - 1 Year from Ground 0 

Pic 5

Journey 4 Complete - Final Journey - 1 Year from Ground 0 

Pic 6

So where do I go from here? I continue to run from bounty hunters, escape captivity from any situation possible, kill any obstacle that get's in my path and save the universe.

Naahh..just kiddin.. =)..I live the same enjoyable healthy lifestyle as last summer, fall, winter and spring again. This time, I just won't be documenting my workouts 'every day', which in perspective can see it being a challenge. The whole blogging thing and keeping track is what really motivated me to work hard each day and would recommend anyone else who is starting up their own 'little journey', to do the same. It doesn't have to be created for the whole world to see (like what I have done here), but there are a lot of private online forums that offer and encourage workout blogs/progress updates or better yet you can always use your Blackberry, iPhone, or can go 'old school' and just use a notepad. Again, I highly recommend it.

Each day I looked forward to providing an update of what I did the previous day, while at the same time looking forward to what I was going to do that day. Plus, every-time I figured something out related to weight training or if there was a challenge, I would post it - hoping that if someone does read it, they will learn from my mistakes instead of making their own.

So from this day forward, the daily postings will unfortunately cease as the Road to Riddick has finally come to an end. But this won't stop me from placing a post every once an a while. To ensure I stay fit as well as educate others of how to battle the bulge or make some muscle gains, I will occasionally place in a post if either I learned something new(a tip) in regards to healthy living, a brief update of my progress of sustaining of what I have, or heck if I have a rant, I'll place it in here too...Hey, it's my playground right? My rules!! =) Muahahaahaa!!. ;-)

If anyone is interested in one-on-one weight training either via email, text or facebook, please let me know. I'd be more than happy to assist. It's the very least  I can do to pay back for all the positive and uplifting comments received from all of you on this blog as well as other websites. And this is my way of giving back.

Good Luck to you all and I thank all my fans who stuck with me during my journey through your words of encouragement providing me the will and strength to go even further. Thanks again! =)

See here for last weeks picture and status results

Workout log 347 - Toronto Sightseeing

With only one day left till my last daily I post, I used this day to blade around the city and the lakeshore.

With spending only an hour on the blades, my bud and I scoped a few things that were quite interesting...Namely the 2 gorgeous ladies in the windows of MissBehav'n, sportin' their sweet and sexy lingerie. Niiiicce...Ya...we spent a good 10-15 min 'hanging around' the window...hehehe.. :)

Also on the lakeshore, we also noticed a chinup machine in the middle of a park that uses your body weight(as you sit) as you try to push down on the bars. Pretty cool. I tried it a few times and it seems kinda effortless. But can see this being a cool toy for kids 10+.

Tomorrow is my last day of reporting my daily workouts, but will be planning to get into the gym in the evening if the morning is too cold for a blade. Lookin' forward to it. ;)
 

Mission 4 Commitments - Status of the Day

See here for last weeks picture and status results

Workout Log 346 - Back in the Gym

Eventhough I was still recovering from Friday night's night out, I went to the gym and completed back, biceps, chest and calves.

 Ooooo..Ouch....

Since I missed out on yesturday's workout, I felt I should have done a bit of cardio, but I can tell that my body still hasn't fully recovered from Friday nights party (geeze...with losing the weight and all, I'm now a light weight!! wtf?).

Anyhow, scheduled for tomorrow is cardio and 2 more days till my last daily post and the end of my 4th journey. Cheeyyaaa! 

Mission 4 Commitments - Status of the Day

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Workout Log 345 - Hangin over..

Uuhhhh ya...Didn't wake up till 12pm today. Since Captain Morgan kicked me in the head last night, I woke up with a splitting headache. Not too sure if it was his heel that hit me, or the alcohol content causing the hangover. I'm still trying to figure it out.... :-p

With that being said, I unfortunately had to skip out on today's scheduled workout and a few missed meals. Not exactly what I was expecting for today but definitely needed a day to recover. Yes, the unfortunate cost of having too good of a time...

Tomorrow will try to get some cardio or head to the gym. Will have to play it by ear. 

Mission 4 Commitments - Status of the Day

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Workout Log 344 - Chillin with Captain Morgan

Did make an attempt to go for a workout today, but was kidnapped by Captain Morgan and a few of my buds to hang out for the evening.

The drink of choice today was Captain Morgans Long Island Ice Tea. Prior to reaching our hangout spot, we took a trip into the LCBO where they were giving out free samples of Captain Morgan's Long Island Iced Tea. 2 min after taking the free shot, not only I but 3 of my other buddies got a good buzz off the 1 small little shot. Definitely sold me as well as the others and purchased 2 for the night (pretty cheap @ $14.95 CDN each for a 750ml bottle).

To give a little detail : each bottle contains rum, vodka, tequila, gin and triple sec. 34 proof (17% alcohol by vol.) One powerful punch, eh?! Directions? Add ice to cup, pour and down the hatch! No need to mix with anything, definitely a creeper and don't drink more than half the bottle...you - will - get - 'crunk'! So, I couldn't exactly find the amount of calories for this bottle, but can provide an estimate based upon the ingredients. See below for the calorie count.

It's a whopping 400 calories per drink. Not exactly a diet drink(as with any alcoholic drink) and therefore shall suffer the consequences for indulging in this delicious drink. If you have tasted a Long Island Iced Tea before, this will taste the same but IMO this is a little stronger than your average long island iced tea...If you are 'light weight' (apparently I fall in this category now), drink with lots of ice and sip away or just add a little tonic to it. I can seriously see this drink being a huge hit this summer as it packs a serious punch for the price you pay.

By the end of the night, we squeezed out every drop of the Captain's drink and will definitely buy again. 5 out of 5 in my books... Tomorrow, even-though the weather ain't lookin' too good, will try to get out and get a blade in and get some cardio - if I can wake up.

Mission 4 Commitments - Status of the Day

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Workout Log 342 - Chinup Challenge

Since going to bed a little later than usual, I unfortunately slept in and missed the morning workout.

However in the evening(my 2nd chance to get in the gym), I was pretty pumped up and completed 45 min on the bike and did a 'few' chinups prior to the cycle to get the blood  flowing as a warm up.

For the 1st time, since last year I tried the reverse chinups and was able to complete 33 chinups..Yes 33!! A year ago, I could have done maybe 5 or 6....Nowadays, I'm just killin it!! Hehehe, to come to think of it, I was even getting cocky about it by having my legs out parellel to the ground - working the abs at the same time !! ;) So surreal, I tell ya.. (*shaking my head*)....I'm sure by months end, I could hit 40 chinups - easy...And that's my challenge.

Anyhow, for tomorrow I'm just gonna do about an hour of cardio in the evening with the blades seeing that the sun should be coming out later in the day...If not, back in the gym, on the bike and more chinups... ;)

Mission 4 Commitments - Status of the Day

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Workout Log 343 - Less Calories & More Cardio

Kept it pretty healthy today with all meals on time and well under my recommended calorie intake.

Planned for today was weight training, but replaced it with cardio with an evening hour blade around the city. Since the weight training was mostly legs, I really pushed the blades to the limits with long sprinting sessions taking very few rolling rests.  At the end of the session, my legs were about to fall off and immediately crashed on the couch when I got home. Overall great workout though and optimistic that today will make a progressive difference.

Scheduled for tomorrow is rest day, but may still head to the pavement for another blade if the weather cooperates in the evening. Lookin forward to it. ;)
 

Mission 4 Commitments - Status of the Day

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Workout Log 341 - Week 47 in Review

A little over a week has passed and it's time for a review.

Looking at the passed week, we all learned a little about morning workouts of how beneficial they are as well as a few tips to get yourself motivated to getting off that bed, workout and feel good about yourself - instead of going back to sleep! ;p.

If you're like me these days(work for 9am instead of my previous shift of 7am) and have the extra hour in the morning, take advantage of it. Trust me, if you can kill procrastination in it's path from the 1st hour you wake up, you win. The feeling after you leave the gym in the morning is always worth remembering for the next day. 

Week 47 Stat Results

So looking at the numbers, fat% has decreased back to the 5% range and the waist line is refusing to decrease. Looking at the passed weeks, my weight and fat% has been going up and down. Not too sure how I can explain it other than the fact that I weight train AND do cardio at the same time. That being said, I build muscle and lose fat at the same time. The fat in my body must be losing in other areas of my body other than my waist line as I am visually seeing improvements (which is good...hehehe).

Week 47 Pic 1

Week 47 Pic 2

I still give myself a good pat on the back for a good week though...Out of the 11 days that has passed, I worked out 8 times....Out of those 8 days, 3 of those days I exceeded my workout with extra cardio. Which now brings me to today's workout.

Today(in the am), I completed weight training working on hams, quads, shoulders, biceps and abs. In the evening when I got home, I completed an hour on the blades catching a ray or 2 before the sun settled.

Tomorrow is 30 min cardio, which I'll boost up to 45 min and unfortunately will have to use bike or treadmill as tomorrow it's suppose to rain. I only have 1 week left till I reach my final mark and 3 more weeks till I head 'back' to Las Vegas. Wish me luck. ;)

Mission 4 Commitments - Status of the Day

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Workout Log 340 - Morning Fresh

So I'm now in the 2nd week of doing morning workouts and I tell ya - I'm just lovin it. Waking up at 5:45am is pretty much the norm for me anyways, but after the morning workout these days, I feel so refreshed and ready to start my day! =)

One thing I regret is not doing this earlier, but then again - I never had the time (prior to my recent shift change, I was at work for 7am for over 2 years). So this morning I completed chest, back, triceps, calves and abs. I was attempting to go outside for a blade in the evening, but since the weather has cooled down lately, I ain't going anywhere.

Tomorrow is weight training as well. If the weather cooperates in the evneing, I think I'll go for a blade. Lookin forward to it. ;)

Mission 4 Commitments - Status of the Day

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Workout log 339 - Lazy Sunday

With the whole day available to my own advantage, I wasted the day by spending it on the couch watching movies. No, I was not sick, nor was I in any injury. It was pure laziness that had plagued me.

Not sure why my motivation was so low, but just the thought of doing anything physical was the last thing on my mind. Have I run out of steam? Not quite, but I'm sure I'll be ready to go for tomorrow.

As for healthy eating, I totally sucked today with only 3 meals and also prepared my famous(at least within the familia) slow cooked ribs and corn on the cob. As usual, I haven't lost my touch on the ribs as the fatty meat just fell off the bone with each bite..Yumm.. =p

Tomorrow is definitely back to healthier eating and into the gym. I only have 9 days left till my last daily post, so I gotta go hardcore for the next 9 days...

Mission 4 Commitments - Status of the Day

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Workout Log 338 - Another Morning Blade

With the morning sun shining and with knowing that the a storm will be brewing later on, I hit the pavement with the blades and stayed out for an hour and half.

As for healthy foods, I took a day off from healthy eating and ate a homemade burger for dinner and for breakfast, steak and eggs from one of my favorite restaurants on the Danforth. Ya...Kinda killed the workout, but I need a day off though - or I'll go crazy.. ;)

Scheduled for tomorrow is weight training and back to healthy eating. Lookin' forward to it.

Mission 4 Commitments - Status of the Day

See here for last weeks picture and status results