Stage 1 COMPLETE! Finally Qualified for University Nationals!

Well it has been A LONG time coming.

The Summary happened as follows:

• Got laid off. 
• Focused on training HARD for 2 months
• Landed a Job at UPS ( paid cardio) 
• Lost 15lbs and now finally consistent being under 190lbs

So now I have 4 months to try and get in the best shape of my life! Also figuring out how to pay for everything haha. But alas I will cross that bridge when it comes in the meantime I will live very frugally to prepare for the economic hit that will be the trip to Baton Rouge! It's a long journey and maybe If I can balance my life and start posting on here. For those who stumble upon this little entry. 

For those of who read this hello! Keep training hard and never give up in your fight to become successful in this crazy place we call life! Whether it is work, your relationship, or in your hobbies! 

Good luck! Hopefully I will post again! 

Big improvements in lifts, body weight, motivation.

As we all know there are some times in our lives where we have to step back and look. Look at what is important to us and to re prioritize things in our life. For me it has been about 5 main things that I can think of. With focusing more on these things I have already seen a dramatic improvement in those areas.

1. Training: I have been pushing harder and pushing my percentages higher than usual. As a result I have had a 5kg increase in my snatch (107kg now). Also I have hit a 137kg clean and jerk (3kg improvement). I have also cleaned up my eating and have been "eating with a purpose." 

2. Cutting weight: I have lost around 15lbs so far. During this time I have made some pretty big strength gains in some areas. Possibly due to the fact that it's been long over due since I have hit any Pr's. Overall it's been a pretty rough road to travel on. 

3. Goal change: Although I am not strong enough yet to be a competitive 94kg lifter. I have to drop weight to the next weight class, which is 85kg. Which is good considering I am only 5kg away from qualifying for the American Open. That has been a goals since February and I have hit broken personal records in every meet I have competed in. 

4. School: School is back in session! Which is great! But also very tough on my time management skills. Which lets be honest, are lacking already haha. But they have improved since I have been getting increasingly busier. This class is a little more tedious but doesn't surprise me since the classes are getting more complicated.

5. Being efficient: This sums up everything really. I have been getting a little more efficient. Not where I want to be but to the point where there is less time being wasted on things that won't improve my quality of life. Games/ drinking every weekend etc. Plus I have been taking on more bills which comes with getting older. So I have to keep a closer eye on what I do buy. But overall this year has been a great one so far! Trying to enjoy life more and explore a little more of this beautiful world we live in! 

A friend with depression...

I have a friend dealing with severe depression. It is really disheartening thinking that such a free spirit is trapped in their own mind. How horrible thoughts keep destroying them from the inside out. You try to be supportive but nothing helps, nothing works, and it keeps getting worse. It actually is taking a toll on me, I am a VERY Optimistic person, and it's hard to stay positive when you know nothing YOU do can help them.

In the end they have to help themselves, see professional help, and or take some type of medication. They are finally doing that, which is comforting but even with that they have some "episodes" that keep recurring. As a friend you have to do whatever you can in your power to help them. Which is a fine line to walk, which might even push them deeper into depression. You can only hope, pray, and be positive for the time being. 

Hopefully things get better....

So many new things

It's been about two years since I posted anything. It's been a life changing two years I can tell you that much. Let's try to summarize it.

Career: I have been an Electrican for about 2.5years give or take? Still new to many things but learning new things everyday. Making more than I did last year so I am happy about that. I am trying to venture out a little more out of my comfort zone so we will see where that will land me!

Olympic Weightlifting: Due to me leaving my previous job I changed gyms. BEST DECISION I HAVE MADE! Amazing environment and a really tough regime on strength.
Best lifts went from:
Snatch: 102kg to 110kg
Clean and Jerk: 128kg 132kg
I have caught 137kg on a clean but didn't stand up all the way.
Jerk: 142kg.
Front squat: 315lbs up 30lbs
Back squat: has went up 60lbs to 375lbs
Deadlift up by 90lbs 475lbs Max
Alot of changes on my technique. I will try and post videos on here. This will be a good archive of my progress! I will try to write more on my laptop. This is a short post for now. Thanks for reading!

Olympic Weightlifting Progress.

Since I dropped down a new weight class 85kg. I am going to stay here for maybe a couple of months or so and stress nothing but technique. Although there may be some obstacles in the way it will make me be a better lifter. I give up the option to push as much weight as possible to strive for perfection. I want to be perfect. The notion drives me insane but at the same time gets me excited. Excited for the new challenges that await me. For the days I look back and think dam I am finally doing the impossible. It will all be worth it in the end.

Sunday Cardio Day.

Well I just came back from Red Robbin and ate almost my Body Weight in food. Yes a couple of cheat days this week was not such a great idea. This is why I am going to go into the pool and see how many laps I can do. That or run I am not sure. After that I actually have to study for finals. Which suck, but it's about time it's all finally over. I am done with this semester and finally need to start on my major!

   I am going to make this post short. But I have to clean my room for the love of God. Because all of this chaos is distracting me. Also I may or may not tell a interesting story

New things, New Goals.

Well I have finally chosen a Major which is Kineseology. I am going to start taking classes that are geared toward my major which seems exciting. I am going to start studying more and putting more time into my job and see how I like it. While I do this, I am also going to learn and teach myself a couple of things. Which I will go in detail In a second.

Guitar
I am going to try and learn how to play guitar. This will be a long and interesting journey since I have no idea where to start. I am currently dating this girl name Andreaka (hopefully I spelled that right lol). Anyways she said she would teach me how to do that so that will be fun.

Spanish
Well this is overdue. Sadly I don't know anything about Spanish I know howto speak a couple of phrases and statements but other than that I am as smart as a rock when it comes to Spanish. I will take this more seriously then most of my other little side projects.

Writing With my left hand.
I am going to start writing with my left hand. Why? Because it would be a conversation starter. A last resort of course but other than that It's something I want to do which would be cool to do. This is obviously lower on my list.

Scheduling and Being organized.
Well Since I am going to be doing all of these things. I have to have a set schedule, doesn't mean everything will be planned out by minute. But it will be at least some what organized.

That will do for today. I will see how far or not I have come. We shall see what happens next!