Choices

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.

J.K. Rowling

“It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far 

more than our abilities.” 

Jean-Paul Sartre

“We are our choices.” 

Stephen R. Covey

“But until a person can say deeply and honestly, "I am what I 

am today because of the choices I made yesterday," that 

person cannot say, "I choose otherwise.” 

  You ever ask yourself why me? Why am I fat? What can't I 

say no? Why did this happen to me? Why this? Why that? In

 those situations do you blame yourself or do you blame

 others? Were you a victim of circumstance or was it your

 own choice? Was it predestined or fate or bad luck?

  I tend to disagree with people always looking for excuses 

for why they are in the situation they are in or for who they 

are today. I know that life has influenced a lot of our 

decisions but we are responsible for the choices that we 

make and how we deal with things. 

 I have been through so much in my life good and bad and 

I'm thankful for it all. There is no such thing as a perfect life 

and through my experiences maybe I can help others. You 

can't let your struggles or past negative experiences define 

who you are if you ever want to reach your full potential in

 your life.

  I vaguely have any memories of my childhood but I do 

remember being sexually abused by a relative. I do 

remember looking at all my dads porn and watching his vhs 

porno movies.I do remember having the shit beat out of me

on a regular basis by my dad. I do remember my parents 

fighting verbally and sometimes physically. I do remember 

the separations and the divorce. I remember getting picked

on in school because I had no role model to teach me how to 

be myself and stop trying to fit in. I remember getting beat 

up and chased out of school and never wanting to go back. I 

remember girls not liking me because I was a dork and had 

no "game". I remember hating who I was and my name even 

changing it several times (not legally). Don't get me

wrong there are good memories in there somewhere to but 

I'm just making a point.

  As an adult growing up is it my parents fault that I broke the

 law and went to jail or was it my choices? Is it my relatives 

fault or my dads fault that I have had horror-ish tendencies,

compulsions for porn on occasions and low sexual morality 

or is it my choices? Is it my parents fault that I haven't had a

committed relationship longer than 6 months or is it my 

choices? It is Wendys, Mcdonald's and buffet's fault that I'm 

chubby :O). 

  This doesn't apply to people with medical issues or real 

mental disabilities. I'm just referring to those who want 

validation for their sob story and excuses. Reality is

EVERYONE has a story and there are many people with 

a similar story as yours. The only difference is the choices

they made afterwards and how they would move forward. In 

today's world, nobody cares about you and your story if your

not willing to do anything about it. 

  All I'm saying is I only look in the mirror and hold myself

accountable for the decisions I've made. I don't think I'm

better than anyone else. Rich or poor we are both human 

beings. I'm just striving to be a better me. Hopefully 

encouraging you to do the same. No I haven't always 

had the best role models and examples but it taught me what 

I don't want in the future for anyone else or my son. My 

parents did the best they could with what they had. Life for 

the most part has been my teacher and she gives hard

tests and lessons. Turn your tragedies into testimonies. Turn

your situation into motivation. Let your strength shine for 

others because you do have a purpose in life greater than

yourself. Don't let society convince you that, oh poor you it's

ok for you to wallow in self pity and it's not your fault. The 

situation may not be your fault but how you handle it is. 

  So I choose today not to be fat anymore. I choose to find my 

soul mate, be a great boyfriend/husband, to stay faithful and 

love her through thick and thin always. I choose to be a 

role model. I choose to love everyone unconditionally. I 

choose to help others. I choose to inspire. I choose to be a 

great father. I choose to be a good son. And remember 

opinions are like assholes, everybody's got one and this is 

mine.

Workout today: Open gym (no class)

I did:

dumbbell incline bench w/cable fly's

1 set 10 reps 115lbs/ - 10 reps 90lbs

1 set 8 reps 115lbs /- 10 reps 90lbs

1 set 8 reps 115lbs/ - 10 reps 90lbs

then:

e-z bar curls / and tricep cable pull downs

1 set 10 reps 85lbs/ - 25 reps 110lbs

1 set 8 reps 95lbs/ - 25 reps 110lbs

1 set 6 reps 105lbs/ - 25 reps 11olbs

then:

e-z bar skull crushers/ and cable curls

1 set 10 reps 95lbs/ - 25 reps 100lbs

1 set 8 reps 115lbs/ - 25 reps 100lbs

1 set 8 reps 125lbs/ - 25 reps 100lbs

then:

row 1000 meters and 30  body weight dips

row 1000 meters and 30  body weight dips

Hope you all have a great day and try the workout.

Pride

Proverbs 29:23

A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.

Andrew Murray

“Pride must die in you, or nothing of heaven can live in you.”

  I have to remember and tell myself that there is always 

someone better and not to try to do to much to fast. That's

 how you get discouraged and hurt yourself. Thankfully I 

have a bunch of superior athletes around me everyday who 

put me back in my place and encourage me to get better. I 

only hope this diary encourages someone out there too. At 

least I wouldn't feel like I'm the only one out there struggling 

with this. 

  I once was a high school potential superstar who never 

actually did reach my full potential due to my pride, 

arrogance and rebellious behaviour. Then I went to the 

wrong college for the wrong reasons and was never really 

accepted and dropped out after 2 years. Many years later I'm 

a chubby slob thinking "I still got it" but that's far from the 

truth. Good thing is I know and realize that if I want to come

close to where I was and surpass my best then I need to be in

the right place with the right people. Luckily I think I have 

found a great place to push me in the right direction.

This week we continue to max out and see what our 1 rep max is.

Today:

1 rep max front squat

I did:

385lbs and as you can see with not the best form

And I'm including my miss at 545lbs. A little embarassing but oh well.

Then:

1 rep max push press

I did:

275lbs

Then we did:

5 rounds ("Nancy"

1 Lap

15 bar overhead squats (men 95lbs/ women 55lbs)

I struggle with this right now but you try it and let us know how you did. Enjoy the workout and the rest of your day!

I will Pay it Forward

2 Corinthians 9:7

 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, 

so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for 

God loveth a cheerful giver.

Charles Dickens

“No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of 

another.” 

Mother Teresa

“It's not how much we give but how much love we put into 

giving.” 

  I have a new goal for the bucket list and that is to give back to Crossfit because Crossfit has given me so much to be thankful for. I have been able to get back in shape, establish a healthier lifestyle, make great new friends and finding new ways to enjoy life. I have said it 100 times but I hate working out but the Crossfit community makes it a lot easier for me to be consistent. So I pledge to help others and do my part.

I have started a donation page that will help me start this work faster at Crossfit Forward. If you can help sponsor $1.00 or just check out my diary of my journey, all is greatly appreciated and I thank you for your support and encouragement. I hope that through this we can change the lives of as many people as possible. Everyone needs someone sometimes and I'm just trying to do my part as so many have done for me.

Workout for today:
Establish 1 rep max for the snatch

Then we did:

The "Grace" workout - 30 clean & jerks 135lbs men/ 95lbs women

and if you want a tougher workout, increase the weight!

Right after:

500 meter row as fast as possible

Then as many Pull ups (buterfly, kipping whatever) as you can do

I did:

3:09 Grace (135lbs)

2:04 row

12 butterfly pull ups

Now you try and let me know how you did. Have a great day!

Its all in the mind

Proverbs 4:23

Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

T.F. Hodge

“To conquer frustration, one must remain intensely focused 

on the outcome, not the obstacles.” 


  Today is just one of those days. Long weekend with friends 

and then back to the early morning grind back in the gym. 

When I have days like these I have to remember my goals 

and what I'm doing this for. You also have to take time and 

enjoy life and appreciate every moment because tomorrow 

isn't promised. I'm also thankful and fortunate to have the 

opportunities I do and my health.

  Oh and did you see the Crossfit games this weekend?!? 

Phenonmenal athletes and a bunch of potential baby 

mommas (Miss Brooks call me!). Unfortunately nice guys 

who are out of shape and slow tend to finish last. I'm not 

going to let that discourage me because I can smash cake and 

ice cream just as fast as anybody so maybe I got a chance.


So my miserable workout today consisted of:

establishing a 1 rep max on clean and jerk

1 rep back squat max

I did:

495lbs - 1 rep squats

545lbs - failed attempt (crap is heavy)

                                    

Then we did the infamous Fran workout.

21 Thrusters and pulls ups (or ring rows)

15 Thrusters and pulls ups (or ring rows)

9   Thrusters and pulls ups (or ring rows)

I did it in 5:10 with ring rows. Ya I know I suck but at least I tried. Have a good day!

What's your passion

Some people's passion is for glamour, some people's passion is for fame, some people's passion is not defined and for that who are we to blame

Some people's passion is sex, some people's passion is for X, some people's passion is pretty disgusting and in this world, what would you expect

Passion is an emotion that can hardly be explained

Passion can be a drug that can barely be tamed

There's passion for lust, passion for lies, passion for love, passions that are in disguise

Passions for God, passions for religion, passion from those who wish is to create division

Passions to workout, passions to change, passions even to stay the same

Passions for kids, passions to change the world, passions to impact everyone man, woman, boy and girl

Passions to travel, passions to sail the seas, passions to grow up to be all you can be

Passions to live, passions to be free, your passion is your own desire that defines you and me.

Whats your passion

Todays workout

Worked on snatch fundamentals

Worked on clean and jerk fundamentals

Next 1 rep squat 90%-95% of max

I did:

5 rep 315 warm up

1 rep 495

1 rep 495

Then: run 350 meters or row 350 meters (1x)

30 Burpees over box (step over or jump up and over)

30 Pull ups (chest to bar, kipping, butterfly, how ever) can't do it then 30 ring rows

20 Burpees over box (step over or jump up and over)

20 Pull ups (chest to bar, kipping, butterfly, how ever) can't do it then 20 ring rows

10 Burpees over box (step over or jump up and over)

10 Pull ups (chest to bar, kipping, butterfly, how ever) can't do it then 10 ring rows

I did this in 15:43 Now you try it and have a great weekend

Habits

Joshua 1:8



 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but 

thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest 

observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then 

thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt 

have good success.


Aristotle

We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an 

act, but a habit.


  If you really want to reach your goals then you have to 

write them down! But not only write them down but you 

constantly have to read them and stay consistent. Meditate 

(give thought to your plan, focus) on where you want to be 

next week, next month, next year. Once you have a clear 

idea of where you want to be and where you want to go, 

then God will open the doors. Alot of times your blessings 

will come from those around you but if you don't know what

 your looking for then you could miss it!

Successful people have realized this for years and its just

one of those principles in life that work no matter whether 

you believe it or not. You don't have to believe in gravity for 

it to work, whether you do or not everyone can still use it 

good or bad. Same  as principles of success, write it down 

so you can measure your progress, make changes and 

figure out where your doing things right or wrong. Don't 

worry I'm only talking to myself because I'm the one who 

needs to do this.

  Thursday workouts are open gym at Crossfit Forward 

which means you do what you want. Jenny will try to trick 

you into doing some "fun" workout which in laymens terms 

means torture. Never ever listen to her or fall for her tricks! 

So I usually hit the muscle groups that I feel don't get 

targeted as much during my other workouts.

Today's workout:

3 sets 10 reps seated incline dumbbell press 

immediately followed by cable flys (low)

I did:

115lbs - 10 reps w/10 cable flys 100lbs

115lbs - 10 reps w/10 cable flys 100lbs

115lbs - 10 reps w/10 cable flys 100lbs

Next:

3 sets 25reps tricep extensions followed immediately with curls on easy bar.

I did:

100lbs - 25 reps Tricep extensions/ 95lbs - 12 reps e-z bar curls

100lbs - 25 reps Tricep extensions/ 115bs - 10 reps e-z bar curls

100lbs - 25 reps Tricep extensions/ 135bs - 8 reps e-z bar curls

Next

25 cable curls followed immediately by skull crushers

I did:

90 lbs cable curls - 25 / 105lbs - 12 skull crushers 

90 lbs cable curls - 25 / 115lbs - 10 skull crushers 

90 lbs cable curls - 25 / 125lbs - 8 skull crushers 

Next 

As many ring dips as you can do followed by dips

I did:

5 reps - ring dips / 10 body weight dips

5 reps - ring dips / 10 body weight dips

4 reps - ring dips / 10 body weight dips

Next

Ab wheel followed by leg raises

I did:

10 ab wheel / 10 leg raises

10 ab wheel / 10 leg raises

10 ab wheel / 10 leg raises

Well that was it. Have fun and enjoy the workout